[californiadisasters] Minor Lapses Seen in San Onofre Accident Plan

Minor lapses seen in San Onofre accident plan

June 6th, 2011, 4:47 pm · posted by Pat Brennan, O.C. Register science, environment editor

The second of two nuclear-plant inspections conducted across the country in the wake of the Japanese disaster revealed minor lapses in training, and in updating accident plans, including at the San Onofre nuclear plant near San Clemente.

But none of the lapses rose to the level of regulatory violations, the Nuclear Regulatory Commission said Monday.

"None of our observations from this inspection pose a significant safety issue," said NRC spokeswoman Lara Uselding.

The agency said many of the nation's 104 nuclear plants have "work to do" in updating and training connected with the voluntary plans, which deal with severe accidents involving damage to reactor cores.

At San Onofre, for example, inspectors found that a database used to trigger updates did not include the accident plan, called the "Severe Accident Mitigation Guideline."

Some employees interviewed at the plant also said they did not recall ongoing training on the plans, although they did remember initial training.

A response from Southern California Edison, which operates San Onofre, said efforts to correct the problems have begun:

"This special review of one aspect of San Onofre's emergency preparedness found that the plant is prepared to respond to an accident impacting its reactor cores. However, the review also identified the need to improve our ongoing training regarding severe accident management procedures. We have already taken steps to do so."

San Onofre also received a few dings in the previous short-term inspection, released last month; those centered on training as well as arrangements for fuel oil for diesel generators in the case of emergency.

The previous inspection dealt with such issues as loss of power and massive flooding in a catastrophic accident.

There is one more Japan-inspired report to come, and it's the big one: determining whether Japan's experience and the follow-up inspections revealed any changes needed at U.S. nuclear plants.

That is expected before the end of the year, Uselding said.

Japan has been struggling with radiation releases and reactor meltdowns since an earthquake and tsunami crippled its Fukushima Daiichi nuclear plant Mar 11.

Source: http://sciencedude.ocregister.com/2011/06/06/minor-lapses-seen-in-san-onofre-accident-plan/129333/

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