U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission

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It was time to talk serious business for our Chair Hanson at yesterday’s Nuclear Energy Security Summit, held by the United Coalition for Advanced Nuclear Power. Chair Hanson noted the strong safety performance of existing nuclear plants as well as the increasing engagement with applicants and developers of new and novel technologies and designs. He talked about the “chicken and egg” challenges to deploying new nuclear such as supply chain, workforce, and regulatory issues. Chair Hanson noted that “business as usual” cannot be the way forward for the NRC and that risk-informed thinking is critical. For the full text of the speech, visit: https://lnkd.in/dGUuXBMy

One of the foundations of nuclear power plant safety is redundancy. While the term “defense in depth” may sound cryptic, it simply means plants have multiple systems to help ensure that if one becomes unavailable, others can get the job done. That is especially true for the reactor core, where nuclear fission generates a lot of heat. One of several systems that can help cool down the reactor core is the high-pressure coolant injection system, which is capable of pumping cooling water quickly and efficiently into the vessel. Ray McKinley, a senior manager from our Region I office, made sure to put eyes on this system while he was #OnTheJob during a recent visit to the Susquehanna nuclear power plant in Pennsylvania, along with Erin Brady, one of our resident inspectors assigned to the site.

Today marks the 50th anniversary of our Resident Inspector Program! Since 1974, our resident inspectors have been the eyes and ears of the NRC at #nuclear power plants across the country. We’ve spent the past few months highlighting our highly skilled resident inspectors and what they love most about their role. Our video today shows how impactful the resident inspector program has been to career development for some of our highest-ranking officials. Watch the full video at: https://lnkd.in/dybmZEg4 #NRCHires #NRCResidentInspectors

We’ve renewed the operating licenses of 94 nuclear power plants – allowing them to operate past their original license date. To ensure plants with extended licenses operate safely, we have a comprehensive inspection program that focuses on the effects of aging on plant systems, structures and components. Four inspectors from our Region IV were #OnTheJob recently at the Callaway nuclear plant in Missouri, conducting a thorough inspection of components, including the plant’s “tendon” gallery and cooling water structure. Callaway received a 20-year extension in 2015 and will enter its period of extended operation in October. For more about license renewal, check out this fact sheet: https://lnkd.in/gN63fNNt

Check out the latest NRC By The Numbers! #NuclearSafety

We celebrated the federal holiday of #Juneteenth with a flag raising outside our NRC headquarters, in Maryland, sponsored by our Advisory Committee for African Americans and the NRC Chapter of Blacks in Government. We also held an event in our Region II Office in Atlanta, during which one of our reactor inspectors, Jonathan Montgomery, gave a presentation about the history and meaning of Juneteenth. It was only the fourth time this holiday was celebrated federally – since it was approved by Congress and signed into law by President Biden in 2021. Sometimes known as the “Second Independence Day,” June 19th marks the day the last African American enslaved people, in Galveston, Texas, got word they were freed from bondage. It’s a time to celebrate African Americans and to reflect on our agency’s dedication to diversity and inclusion.

Our Commissioner Wright and Commissioner Caputo were #OnTheRoad last week visiting the Cooper nuclear power plant and helping celebrate the plant’s 50th anniversary, joined by Nebraska Public Power District officials and elected state officials. Photo courtesy of NPPD. 

We were saddened by news of the death of former NRC Chairman William A. Anders and extend our condolences to his family. As our Chair Hanson noted: Chairman Anders was the only person to serve as Commissioner on both the Atomic Energy Commission and NRC and as the new agency’s first Chairman, he provided institutional continuity while unambiguously committing the agency to serve as an unbiased, independent, and open regulator. For some history -- Anders became NRC Chairman in 1975. He’d previously been a fighter pilot and an astronaut with a specialty in space radiation. In 1968, he was a member of the first crewed mission to orbit the moon. It was then that Anders achieved international fame when he captured the image “Earthrise,” the first color photo of the Earth as seen from the Moon. Anders’ career after the NRC included serving as U.S. Ambassador to Norway and later in top positions at General Electric Corporation and General Dynamics. Our news release with more background is here: https://t.co/q61YNnzlJB

Join us in celebrating the 50th anniversary of our resident inspector program, as we highlight the highly skilled individuals who serve as the eyes and ears of the NRC at nuclear plants across the country. #NRCResidentInspectors