The facility is near Byron, Illinois. The utility was cited for failing to appropriately use design information to test and operate a cooling water system for safety-related equipment and for failing for three years to correct maintenance problems regarding that system. Since 1993, silt accumulation problems and degraded trash racks in the basins beneath the plant's mechanical draft cooling towers had been routinely identified by plant staff and had been the subject of maintenance work orders. However, no maintenance work was done and no corrective action was taken by the utility when silt accumulations in the basins exceeded the plant's license limits. Excessive silt levels in the basins could prevent proper operation of a system used to cool safety equipment which may be used during certain emergency conditions.
Trash racks prevent debris from being sucked into the system.
The utility has until March 29 to pay the fine or to protest it. If the fine is protested and subsequently imposed by the NRC staff, the utility may request a hearing.