Inhofe, Capito question NRC’s preparedness for reactor completion

U.S. Sens. Jim Inhofe (R-OK) and Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV) recently submitted a letter to U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) Chairman Stephen Burns calling for a thorough examination of the resources required to review a surge of construction milestone reporting as new nuclear plants in Georgia and South Carolina near completion.

“We are particularly interested in making certain that the necessary resources will be provided and appropriate steps are taken to ensure the complete and timely review of ITAAC closure notifications and efficient administration of ITAAC hearings that may be held, if any,” Inhofe and Capito said.

Inhofe and Capito expressed concern in the letter that the NRC may not be adequately prepared to handle the more than 850 inspections, tests and analyses that will be required for Southern Co.’s Vogtle 3 and 4 and SCANA Corp’s V.C. Summer 2 and 3 reactors.

“We expect a surge of ITAAC closure activities beginning in 2017,” NEI Senior Director of New Plant Licensing Russell Bell said. “This is the first time ITAAC has been used for new reactors and it’s important that they are dealt with in a timely, efficient manner. We agree with the senators that it is vital for the NRC to have adequate resources to support the inspection and verification of ITAAC so that timely decisions are made and construction and commercial operations goals stay on target.”