No. I-14-020 April 29, 2014 

CONTACT: Diane Screnci, 610-337-5330 

 Neil Sheehan, 610-337-5331 

NRC Schedules Open House for May 7th to Discuss

Performance of Limerick Nuclear Power Plant

The Nuclear Regulatory Commission will hold an open house on Thursday, May 7, to discuss 

the agency’s annual review of safety performance at the Limerick nuclear power plant, which is located 

in Limerick (Montgomery County), Pa.

During the open house, scheduled for 5-7 p.m. at the Limerick Township Municipal Building, at 

646 W. Ridge Pike in Limerick, members of the public will be able to hold one-on-one discussions 

with NRC staff regarding the plant’s performance in 2013, as well as the agency’s oversight plans for 

the facility this year. The NRC Resident Inspectors assigned to the plant on a full-time basis, as well as 

their supervisor, will be on hand.

Under the NRC’s Reactor Oversight Process, color-coded inspection findings and performance 

indicators are used to assess plant performance. (Performance indicators are statistical measurements of 

plant and equipment performance which, if exceeded, trigger additional NRC oversight.) The colors 

range from green, connoting very low safety or security significance, to white, yellow or red, for an 

issue of high significance.

Overall, the Limerick plant, which is operated by Exelon Generation Co. LLC, performed safely 

during 2013, with no performance issues requiring increased oversight. As a result, Limerick will 

continue to receive the NRC’s normal level of oversight during 2014, barring any changes.

The normal level of oversight consists of a detailed regime entailing thousands of hours of 

inspection. In 2013, the NRC devoted approximately 5,440 hours of inspection at Limerick.

“We take very seriously the task of stepping back on a regular basis to size up plant 

performance. These comprehensive evaluations help guide our reviews for the year ahead, though we 

maintain flexibility should conditions change,” NRC Region I Administrator Bill Dean said. “Limerick, 

by virtue of its performance in 2013, will receive our routine – though still substantial – battery of 

inspections.”

The NRC issues reports on performance at each plant twice a year: during the mid-cycle, or 

mid-point, of the year, and at the conclusion of the year. Inspection findings and performance indicators 

are also updated on a quarterly basis on the agency’s website. Following the release of the Annual 
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Assessment letters each March, the NRC meets with the public in the vicinity of each plant to discuss 

the results.

Normal inspections are carried out by the two Resident Inspectors assigned to Limerick. 

Reviews are also performed at the sites by specialist inspectors assigned to the agency’s Region I 

Office in King of Prussia, Pa. Among the areas to be inspected this year at Limerick are radiological 

safety, the plant’s problem identification and resolution program, permanent plant modifications and 

emergency planning.

The annual assessment letter for Limerick, as well as the meeting notice for the May 7 open 

house, are available on the NRC website. Current performance information is also available for 

Limerick Unit 1 and Limerick Unit 2.