NRC MAKES PREPARATIONS FOR APPROACH OF HURRICANE IRENE; DISP

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NRC MAKES PREPARATIONS FOR APPROACH OF HURRICANE IRENE; DISPATCHES ADDITIONAL INSPECTORS TO NUCLEAR PLANTSThe U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission is making preparations for the approachingHurricane Irene at its headquarters operations center in Rockville, Md., and two of its incident response centers in Atlanta, Ga. and King of Prussia, Pa. The agency has also dispatched additional personnel to those nuclear power plants likely to be in the storm’s path. Other inspectors are on standby. Those dispatched will assist the NRC resident inspectors alreadystationed at those facilities. The nuclear plants with additional staff include: Brunswick near Southport, N.C., Surryin Surry, Va., Calvert Cliffs in Lusby, Md., Hope Creek/Salem in Hancocks Bridge, N.J., Oyster Creek in Forked River, N.J., Pilgrim in Plymouth, Mass., Millstone in Waterford, Ct., Seabrook in Seabrook, N.H., and Indian Point in Buchanan, N.Y. The agency is also monitoring Global Nuclear Fuels-Americas, LLC, in Wilmington, N.C.NRC inspectors have verified that the plants have made the necessary preparations forHurricane Irene. The agency has pre-positioned staff to monitor events and respond before, during and after the storm. Actions have been taken to ensure continuous communications with NRC-licensed facilities along the projected path of the storm.The NRC’s regional offices have already made sure that appropriate equipment, including satellite phones, are available and operational. Before hurricane season even begins, the staff ensures that hurricane response training, computer programs and emergency contact information are all up to date. NRC inspectors also confirm that nuclear power plants in hurricane-prone areas have completed their extensive hurricane preparations.All the reactors are operating at full power, but the plants' procedures require that theyshut down prior to any predicted hurricane force winds on site. The plants' emergency diesel generators are available if off-site power is lost during the storm. All plants have flood protection above the predicted storm surge, and key components and systems also are housed in watertight buildings capable of withstanding hurricane force winds and flooding.NRC NEWSU.S. NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSIONOffice of Public Affairs Telephone: 301/415-8200Washington, D.C. 20555-0001E-mail: opa.resource@nrc.gov Site: www.nrc.govBlog: http://public-blog.nrc-gateway.govNo. 11-159August 26, 2011
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The agency is continuously tracking Hurricane Irene using the resources of all federal agencies and several weather forecasting services.###