The Nuclear Regulatory Commission has denied TVA’s appeal of the regulators’ dire safety report over a mechanical failure at Browns Ferry Nuclear Plant.
In early May, NRC concluded that last fall’s failure of a cooling water injection valve at the Browns Ferry plant — along with the revelation that the valve may have been inoperable for more than 18 months — was of “high safety significance.” The finding meant “teams” of NRC inspectors will spend months in federal oversight at the Athens, Ala., plant.
“We disagreed with the assertion that TVA has a deficient inspection program,” said TVA spokesman Ray Golden. “And in our appeal we said if TVA’s program is deficient, it is like all other inspection programs [required by NRC.”
NRC’s letter denying the appeal, dated Wednesday and signed by NRC Regional Administrator Victor McCree, acknowledges that question needs further review.
“The NRC recognizes the potential generic implications associated with this issue and has initiated actions to address this issue separately.”
For complete details, see tomorrow’s Times Free Press.
Pam Sohn has been reporting or editing Chattanooga news for 25 years. A Walden’s Ridge native, she began her journalism career with a 10-year stint at the Anniston (Ala.) Star. She came to the Chattanooga Times Free Press in 1999 after working at the Chattanooga Times for 14 years. She has been a city editor, Sunday editor, wire editor, projects team leader and assistant lifestyle editor. As a reporter, she also has covered the police, ...
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