FirstEnergy Nuclear Operating Company Pays NRC Fine

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FirstEnergy Nuclear Operating Company (FENOC) announced today that it will pay a $5.45 million fine proposed in April by the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) related to the reactor head issue at the Davis-Besse Nuclear Power Station.

FirstEnergy Nuclear Operating Company (FENOC) announced today that it will pay a $5.45 million fine proposed in April by the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) related to the reactor head issue at the Davis-Besse Nuclear Power Station.


In a letter to the NRC, the company noted that paying the fine brings regulatory closure to this issue and enables it to continue focusing on safe, reliable plant operations. The letter also reiterated that FENOC acknowledges full responsibility for the significant performance deficiencies that led to the reactor head issue, and that the NRC has indicated that the cited violations regarding the past plant operations do not represent current performance.


The problem on the plant's reactor head was discovered by FENOC during a comprehensive inspection and promptly reported by the company to the NRC in March 2002. Subsequently, FENOC thoroughly investigated the causes of the problem, replaced the reactor head, and made numerous staff changes, as well as improved plant programs, equipment and safety culture. Davis-Besse has operated safely and reliably since restarting in March 2004. As previously reported, a grand jury investigation regarding this matter is currently pending.


FirstEnergy Nuclear Operating Company is a subsidiary of the Akron, Ohio- based FirstEnergy Corp. (NYSE:FE) , a registered public utility holding company.


Source: PR Newswire, FirstEnergy Corp.