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NRC: SC nuclear plant needs closer review
Posted: 03.31.2011 at 12:52 PM
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HB Robinson Nuclear Plant near Hartsville  / FILE
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WASHINGTON (WACH, AP) -- The Nuclear Regulatory Commission says the HB Robinson Nuclear Plant near Hartsville needs increased oversight from federal regulators, although officials stressed that the plant is currently operating safely.

NRC Chairman Gregory Jaczko says the Hartsville plan and two others -- one each in Kansas and Nebraska -- need more intensive review than other plants because of problems with safety systems or unplanned shutdowns.

Jaczko told a U.S. House subcommittee Thursday that the plants "are the ones we are most concerned about" among the 65 U.S. nuclear power plants in 31 states.

Jaczko did not identify the plants, but an agency spokesman said they are the H.B. Robinson nuclear plant, Fort Calhoun in Nebraska and Wolf Creek in Kansas.

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In March, a high voltage power cable failed at the Robinson plant causing a fire. Several hours after that fire was put out, workers re-energized the cable that had started the first fire. The cable was still in failure and ignited a second fire.

Then in October, an electrical problem in the cooling pump led to a shutdown of the plant.

In its follow up inspections, the NRC found three areas of concern at the plant that centered around inadequate procedures, operator training and human performance.

As a result, the NRC has increased oversight and will conduct a series of inspections at the plant.

Progress Energy, which operates the Robinson plant, says they've already started to resolve the issues.

(The Associated Press contributed to this report.)

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