Pennsylvania Power & Light Co. said Monday (6/23) that it has made substantial improvements in its operation since last July when the company discovered problems at the Susquehanna nuclear power plant.
"Since last summer, when we discovered an electrical switch misalignment, PP&L has taken aggressive action to thoroughly investigate and correct these problems. We've also taken decisive corrective measures to prevent recurrence," said Herbert D. Woodeshick, PP&L's special assistant to the president for Susquehanna.
"An important component of our response was our communications with the Nuclear Regulatory Commission and our complete cooperation with the agency's separate investigation," said Woodeshick.
The NRC Monday proposed assessing a $210,000 civil penalty to PP&L as the result of its review of these incidents. Woodeshick said the company will not contest the penalty.
PP&L's investigation concluded that some plant employees, over a period of time, failed to properly perform aspects of their outlined job duties. As part of its investigation, special company auditing teams undertook exhaustive reviews, one of which included an examination of more than 125,000 records throughout the facility.
"Our investigation of these incidents clearly showed the need for prompt actions to ensure that activities at the facility were, in fact, being conducted properly," said Woodeshick.
"This extensive review concluded that while the overwhelming majority of plant activities were being conducted properly and safely, a series of improvements were necessary to ensure that plant procedures are strictly followed," said Woodeshick.
Among the improvements implemented by PP&L:
-- A strengthening of supervisory oversight of station operations through the addition of personnel and the redefining of supervisory procedures.
-- An enhanced employee training program that reinforces the importance of strict adherence to procedures as an important element in the plant's safe operation.
-- A stepped-up inspection program conducted by on-site assessment teams and a strengthening of programs and procedures used by plant employees on a daily basis.
As was reported last August and this January, the company's investigation resulted in personnel actions at the plant. "While we focused on ensuring other plant activities were being conducted properly and strengthening our management systems, it also was necessary to terminate the employment of nine plant employees as the result of the discovery that they were not properly performing their duties," he said.
The NRC is proposing a penalty of $160,000 for incidents related to the electrical switch misalignment on one of the plant's backup diesel generators. It also proposes a $50,000 penalty for a misinterpretation of an operational requirement while plant employees were performing maintenance on a valve in a test line at the station. Also, the commission issued a violation without a civil penalty for the inadvertent de-energizing of a heating system.
"Our review of these incidents clearly uncovered some performance that was below the high standards that we set at Susquehanna. Our prompt and comprehensive response to the problems underscores our commitment to the safe operation of Susquehanna," said Woodeshick. "We will continue to take any and all actions necessary to ensure the long-term, safe operation of this plant and will continue to cooperate with the NRC in this effort."
The two-unit Susquehanna plant, which is located in Luzerne County near Berwick, is jointly owned by PP&L and Allegheny Electric Cooperative.