The Susquehanna nuclear power plant received an 'exemplary' rating in a recent evaluation by an independent industry group.

The Institute for Nuclear Power Operations reported that overall performance at the plant, which is operated by Pennsylvania Power & Light Co., is exemplary. "Industry standards of excellence are met in many areas," the report stated. "No significant weaknesses were noted."

"INPO's evaluation is important because of the information and suggestions in the report that will further improve operations at Susquehanna," said Herbert D. Woodeshick, PP&L's special assistant to the president for Susquehanna.

INPO, based in Atlanta, was established by the nuclear power industry in 1979 as a self-improvement organization. It promotes the highest level of safety and reliability in nuclear power plant operations. All U.S. utilities that operate nuclear power plants are INPO members.

An INPO assessment team visited Susquehanna this summer. Team members evaluated plant operations, maintenance and support against the best practices documented at nuclear power plants across the nation.

In its report, the evaluation team listed the following strengths:

-- A stable, experienced work force with good technical skills and a willingness to improve.

-- A training program that identifies plant needs and supports them.

-- An engineering staff that actively supports daily operations of the plant.

-- An effective approach to doing maintenance work safely while the units are in service.

-- Effective radiological controls that result in low exposure for plant workers.

The report listed two key areas PP&L should work to improve. Those areas are:

-- Management should hold plant workers accountable to higher standards in several areas, including operator performance, industrial safety, control of chemicals used at the plant and housekeeping.

-- Improper work practices and lack of adherence to work procedures by plant operators needs to be corrected.

"We are working on both of those areas identified by INPO as we look broadly for ways to improve performance in all areas of our operation. Safe operation is always our first priority at Susquehanna," Woodeshick said.

The "exemplary" rating is INPO's second highest on a five- point scale. In its most recent evaluation, conducted in the spring of 1993, Susquehanna received the highest rating.

The Susquehanna plant, located in Luzerne County about five miles north of Berwick, is owned jointly by PP&L and Allegheny Electric Cooperative Inc.