NRC NEWS

U.S. NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION

Office of Public Affairs Region III

2443 Warrenville Road

Lisle IL 60532

Site: www.nrc.gov

Blog: http://public-blog.nrc-gateway.gov

No. III-13-010

Contact: Viktoria Mitlyng (630) 829-9662

 Prema Chandrathil (630) 829-9663

April 3, 2013

E-Mail: OPA3.Resource@nrc.gov 

NRC WILL HOLD AN OPEN HOUSE ON 2012 PERFORMANCE OF 

DUANE ARNOLD NUCLEAR POWER PLANT ON APRIL 11

The Nuclear Regulatory Commission staff will hold a public meeting with 

representatives of Duane Arnold Energy Center April 11 to discuss the agency’s assessment of 

the plant’s safety performance for last year. Duane Arnold nuclear station is located in Palo, 

Iowa, approximately eight miles northwest of Cedar Rapids.

During the open house, which is scheduled for 5 to 7 p.m. CDT at the Palo City 

Hall/Community Center, City Council Chambers Room, 2800 Hollenbeck Rd, in Palo, attendees 

will have an opportunity to hold one-on-one discussions with NRC staff members about the 

plant’s 2012 performance and the agency’s oversight of the facility. NRC staff on hand will 

include the inspectors assigned to the plant on a full-time basis, and staff from the Region III 

Office in Lisle, Ill.

“When the NRC evaluates Duane Arnold’s performance for the previous year, we take a 

look at any and all issues that might be of concern,” said Region III Administrator Charles Casto. 

“Then we map out our inspection plans for that specific facility, issue inspection reports and hold 

public meetings near the plant in order to discuss our oversight and answer questions from local 

residents.”

The assessment letter sent from the NRC Region III office to plant officials addresses the 

performance of the plant during 2012 and will serve as the basis for the discussion.

Overall, the Duane Arnold plant operated safely during 2012. At the conclusion of last 

year, all performance indicators and inspection findings for the facility were green, or of very 

low risk. As a result, Duane Arnold will continue to receive the NRC’s normal level of oversight 

during 2013.

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

nuclear plant performance. The colors start with green and then increase to white, yellow, or red, 

commensurate with the safety significance of the issues involved. Performance indicators are 

statistical measurements of plant and equipment performance. 
Inspections are performed by two NRC Resident Inspectors assigned to the plant and by 

inspection specialists from the Region III Office in Lisle, Ill., and the agency’s headquarters in 

Rockville, Md. Among the areas of performance to be inspected this year by NRC specialists are 

activities associated with radiological safety; emergency preparedness; underground pipes and 

tanks; and the dry cask storage of spent nuclear fuel.

The most current performance assessment for Duane Arnold is available on 

the NRC website. 

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