June 21, 2011

***FOR THE RECORD***

NRC ENSURES PUBLIC SAFETY THROUGH RIGOROUS OVERSIGHT

OF NUCLEAR POWER PLANT SAFETY STANDARDS

A recent Associated Press (AP) article focused on federal regulation and oversight of the 

nuclear power industry in the United States. Although we disagree with many of their 

observations and conclusions, we welcome the additional attention their article brings to the 

critical importance of nuclear safety and security. It is this type of dialogue that helps us to 

engage the public and our other stakeholders, and to continue to be vigilant in all aspects of our 

safety mission. And, we are always committed to doing better and doing it right.

As an independent regulatory agency, the NRC has a robust and comprehensive approach 

to holding U.S. nuclear power plants to strict safety standards. The AP article fails to recognize 

that the NRC’s own inspection and maintenance requirements have led plants to detect and 

repair, replace or otherwise fix the equipment, systems or other issues that were described in the 

article and in other instances which were not highlighted. For example, the NRC’s inspections 

last year at the Fort Calhoun plant in Nebraska showed the plant needed to correct deficiencies in 

its flood response plan. The NRC increased its oversight of Fort Calhoun while the plant 

responded, and today the plant is very well positioned to ride out the current extreme Missouri 

River flooding while keeping the public safe. The NRC has also ensured Westinghouse meets 

existing, stringent safety requirements in that company’s attempt to get its AP1000 new reactor 

design approved.

The NRC never wavers from its primary mission – ensuring that the public remains safe 

during the civilian use of radioactive materials in the United States. The NRC carries out that 

mission by requiring all 104 U.S. nuclear power reactors to meet safety requirements, which in 

many cases are based on standards created and maintained by national professional 

organizations. For instance, the American Society of Mechanical Engineers’ standards have been 

incorporated into requirements for reactor vessels and reactor coolant piping, while the Institute 

of Electrical and Electronics Engineers’ standards apply to computer systems.

These professional groups, along with researchers from the NRC and the industry, 

regularly examine new information, including experience gathered from operating nuclear power 

plants, to determine if the standards should change. The NRC only endorses changes when they 

maintain acceptable levels of public safety; this can include adding or strengthening 

requirements. Even after a standard is changed, the NRC requires nuclear power plants to 

provide information that justifies continued safe operation during the period of time before plants 

can comply with the updated requirements.

UNITED STATES

NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION

WASHINGTON, D.C. 20555-0001
The agency operates in an open and transparent manner, reaching decisions based on the 

best available information and analysis; safety-significant decisions are reached without regard 

for potential economic impacts on plant operators.

The NRC takes as much time as necessary, in some cases years, to ensure requirements

are met. For example, U.S. nuclear plants have long sought approval to install digital computer 

control systems to replace 1970s-era controls. The NRC spent most of the past decade examining

issues such as cybersecurity, software validation and system reliability, first on a generic basis 

and then in a plant-specific application, prior to approving a digital system last year for the 

Oconee plant in South Carolina. The NRC continues to inspect and oversee Oconee’s installation 

of the new system to ensure it complies with our requirements.

The NRC also maintains its focus on existing issues, such as how materials can degrade 

during exposure to the conditions inside a nuclear power plant. Research and experience has 

shown some metal alloys can slowly develop minute cracks, and NRC-required inspections and 

maintenance (based on existing performance standards) help ensure this issue doesn’t 

compromise public safety. The NRC continues its research and information-gathering on issues 

such as this to ensure the relevant safety requirements are based on the most up-to-date 

information.

The AP article fails to properly describe the sequence of events following the severe 

corrosion incident at the Davis-Besse nuclear power plant – a case where the licensee, 

FirstEnergy, was fined $5.5 million for lying to the NRC and failing to follow critical agency 

requirements. The NRC kept Davis-Besse shut down for several years until the plant’s damaged 

reactor vessel head was replaced and other required repairs were done. When later inspections 

revealed that the replacement head was also showing degradation, the NRC then ensured 

FirstEnergy accelerated its plans to install a brand-new reactor vessel head that utilizes a more 

corrosion-resistant alloy.

The bottom line remains the same – the NRC sets appropriate technical requirements

using impartial professional standards, expertise and analysis; we have inspectors stationed at 

every nuclear power plant in the country, who inspect plants every day; and we enforce our

requirements to ensure the public remains safe. 

Again, we appreciate the diligence and the time the AP spent in preparing and publishing 

this article. A heightened understanding of the importance of the NRC’s role in ensuring nuclear 

safety and security is a positive development for the agency and for the American people.