No: I-15-030 June 22, 2015

CONTACT: Diane Screnci, 610-337-5330 E-mail: opa1.resource@nrc.gov

 Neil Sheehan, 610-337-5331 

 

NRC Finalizes ‘White’ Inspection Finding

for Susquehanna Nuclear Plant, Resulting in Additional Oversight

The Nuclear Regulatory Commission will increase its level of oversight at the Susquehanna 

nuclear power plant, in Salem Township (Luzerne County), Pa., as a result of the finalization of a

“white” (low to moderate safety significance) inspection finding and related violation in the area of 

emergency preparedness.

NRC inspectors, during an in-depth review of plant drill scenarios, identified a concern with 

how plant personnel would determine the start of a 15-minute clock for emergency assessment and 

declaration for a scenario involving the potential loss of primary containment. (Both of the plant’s units 

have primary and secondary containments to prevent the release of radioactivity to the environment 

following an accident.)

The inspectors found that Susquehanna’s interpretation of the 15-minute assessment and 

classification period degraded plant personnel’s ability to make a timely “Site Area Emergency” 

declaration in certain cases. (A Site Area Emergency is the third tier of the four levels of emergency 

classification used by the NRC.)

Specifically, the plant’s owner, Susquehanna Nuclear LLC, interpreted the requirements as 

having the 15-minute clock begin when operator actions were, or were expected to be, unsuccessful in 

halting reactor coolant system leakage rather than when indications of a leak’s onset are available to 

plant operators, signaling that an emergency action level has been exceeded.

“It’s important during an emergency situation that state, county and local officials are provided 

with information in a timely manner to assess the situation and implement protective actions, if 

warranted,” NRC Region I Administrator Dan Dorman said. “While the probability of an event of this 

magnitude is extremely low, this finding points to a weakness in that area that the company will need to 

address.”

Prior to making a final enforcement decision, the NRC offered the company the opportunity to 

accept the finding without any formal response or provide additional information in a Regulatory 

Conference or in writing. The company submitted a written response dated May 15 in which it 
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acknowledged the finding but stated that training and programs already in place prior to the finding 

would have ensured the impact of the issue would have been relatively minor.

The NRC considered the information but determined the finding was appropriately 

characterized as “white.” The finding also involved a violation of NRC requirements regarding 

maintaining an emergency plan that meets federal standards.

The NRC, in response to the “white” finding, will perform a supplemental inspection at the 

plant to ensure the company has completed a thorough root-cause evaluation of the issue and put in 

place effective corrective actions.

Subsequent to the issuance of the preliminary “white” finding, the Susquehanna emergency 

action level basis was revised to correct the declaration timeliness issue.