FYI
No: III-14-014 April 9, 2014
CONTACT: Viktoria Mitlyng 630-829-9662
Prema Chandrathil 630-829-9663
NRC Schedules Public Meeting April 15 to Discuss Performance of
Duane Arnold Energy Center
The Nuclear Regulatory Commission staff will hold a public meeting with representatives of
NextEra Energy Duane Arnold on April 15 to discuss the agency’s 2013 assessment of safety
performance at the Duane Arnold Energy Center. The plant is located in Palo, Iowa, approximately eight
miles northwest of Cedar Rapids.
The meeting is scheduled for 6:00 p.m. at the Hiawatha Community Center, 101 Emmons St., In
Hiawatha, Iowa. The NRC will present its assessment of the plant’s 2013 performance, talk about
agency activities, and be available to discuss questions or comments with the public.
“NRC inspectors spend a significant amount of time monitoring a wide range of plant activities
to ensure the plant operates safely. Our hands-on approach is a key factor in protecting the public and
environment,” said NRC Region III Administrator Cynthia D. Pederson. “We hold public meetings near
the plant every year to update those who live nearby about NRC’s oversight.”
The annual assessment letter sent from the NRC Region III office to plant officials addresses the
performance of the plant during 2013 and will serve as the basis for the discussion.
The NRC’s assessment of Duane Arnold’s performance is that overall the plant operated safely
last year. A decline in performance, however, was reflected in two inspection findings of low to
moderate safety significance. One finding related to poor procedures and maintenance of the diesel
generator oil heat exchanger. The second finding involved the failure to perform an operability
evaluation and investigate an unexpected reading on the reactor core isolation cooling turbine speed
indicator.
The decline in the plant’s performance has resulted in increased oversight and additional
inspections to ensure effective corrective actions. Routine inspections are performed by two NRC
Resident Inspectors assigned to the plant and by inspection specialists from the Region III Office in
Lisle, Ill., and the agency’s headquarters in Rockville, Md.
The most current performance information for Duane Arnold is available on the NRC's website.
__
Mike CarberryGreen State Solutions-Director
Sierra Club-Nuclear Free Campaign Core Team, Chair No New Nukes Committee
Iowa Wind Energy Association-Board of Directors, Chair Small & Community Wind Committee
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From: opa administrators <[log in to unmask]>
Date: Wed, Apr 9, 2014 at 10:15 AM
Subject: NRC Schedules Public Meeting April 15 to Discuss Performance of Duane Arnold Energy Center
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From: opa administrators <[log in to unmask]>
Date: Wed, Apr 9, 2014 at 10:15 AM
Subject: NRC Schedules Public Meeting April 15 to Discuss Performance of Duane Arnold Energy Center
To: [log in to unmask]