No. IV-11-008 

Contact: Victor Dricks (817) 860-8128

 Lara Uselding (817) 276-6519

 

 March 23, 2011

E-Mail: OPA4.Resource@nrc.gov

NRC TO DISCUSS 2010 PERFORMANCE ASSESSMENT 

FOR FORT CALHOUN NUCLEAR PLANT 

The Nuclear Regulatory Commission staff will meet in Omaha, Neb., on April 6, with 

representatives of Omaha Public Power District (OPPD) to discuss the agency=s 2010 assessment 

of safety performance for the Fort Calhoun nuclear plant. OPPD operates the plant, located about 

20 miles north of Omaha.

The meeting, which will be open to the public, is scheduled to begin at 6 p.m. at the 

Hilton Garden Inn, 1005 Dodge St., Omaha.

In addition to the performance assessment, the NRC staff will be available to answer 

questions from the public on the safety performance of Fort Calhoun, as well as the NRC=s role 

in ensuring safe plant operation.

 AThe NRC continually reviews the performance of Fort Calhoun and the nation=s other 

commercial nuclear power facilities,@ NRC Region IV Administrator Elmo E. Collins said. AThis 

meeting will provide an opportunity for a discussion of our annual assessment of safety 

performance with the company and with local officials and residents who live near the plant.@

A letter sent from the NRC Region IV office to plant officials addresses the performance 

of the plant during 2010 and will serve as the basis for the meeting discussion. It is available on 

the NRC web site at http://www.nrc.gov/NRR/OVERSIGHT/ASSESS/LETTERS/fcs_2010q4.pdf.

The NRC uses color-coded inspection findings and performance indicators to assess 

nuclear power plant performance. The colors start with “green” and increase to “white,” 

“yellow,” and red according to the safety significance of the issues involved.

The NRC said Fort Calhoun operated safely during 2010 but will receive heightened 

oversight during 2011 because of a violation of NRC regulations involving a “yellow” inspection 

finding of substantial safety significance. The finding involved the failure to have adequate 

procedures to protect the intake structure of the plant and the auxiliary building during flooding. 

NRC NEWS

U.S. NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION

Office of Public Affairs Region IV

 612 E. Lamar Blvd., Suite 400

 Arlington, TX 76011-4125

Telephone: (817) 860-8128

Site: www.nrc.gov

Blog: http://public-blog.nrc-gateway.gov
In addition to the detailed inspections that all plants receive, NRC plans to conduct a 

supplemental inspection later his year to verify that the licensee has appropriately addressed the 

root cause of the performance issues.

Inspections are performed by two NRC Resident Inspectors assigned to the plant and by 

inspection specialists from the Region IV Office in Arlington, Texas.

Current performance information for Fort Calhoun is available on the NRC web site at: 

http://www.nrc.gov/NRR/OVERSIGHT/ASSESS/FCS/fcs_chart.html.

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