Nuclear Regulation: NRC's Efforts to Ensure Effective Plant Maintenance Are Incomplete
RCED-91-36
Published: Dec 17, 1990. Publicly Released: Dec 21, 1990.
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Highlights
Pursuant to a congressional request, GAO examined the: (1) importance of safe nuclear power plant operations; and (2) status of the debate between the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) and the nuclear utility industry on the need for facility maintenance regulations.
Recommendations
Recommendations for Executive Action
| Agency Affected | Recommendation | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Nuclear Regulatory Commission | To provide the foundation for ensuring utilities' future commitment to effective plant maintenance, the Chairman, NRC, should base the decision on the need for additional regulations, in large measure, on NRC ability to enforce corrective actions in all plant areas, including balance-of-plant. |
In June 1991, NRC issued a final rule on maintenance. According to NRC, the final rule would enable it to provide more direct authority for NRC enforcement actions in the balance of plant prior to actual equipment failures.
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| Nuclear Regulatory Commission | To help NRC ensure compliance with the maintenance requirements eventually established, the Chairman, NRC, should ensure that NRC continually examines utilities' commitment to maintenance either through its regular inspection program or by periodically conducting special team inspections after April 1991. |
NRC agrees with the recommendation and intends to modify its regular inspection program to include additional attention to maintenance issues. Further, NRC may perform special maintenance team inspections on an as needed basis upon informing the Commission.
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| Nuclear Regulatory Commission | To help NRC ensure compliance with the maintenance requirements eventually established, the Chairman, NRC, should integrate performance indicators into the inspection process. |
NRC agreed in principle with the recommendation. NRC notes that its maintenance effectiveness indicator does not identify all areas in need of review. NRC believes its existing performance indicator program can be used in conjunction with inspections.
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Topics
Building inspectionElectric utilitiesFacility maintenanceIndependent regulatory commissionsJurisdictional authorityMaintenance standardsNuclear powerplant safetyNuclear powerplantsSafety regulationOperating license