Dec 13, 2007 -- NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION DOCUMENTS AND PUBLICATIONS/ContentWorks

The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission will hold a two-part meeting with Arizona Public Service Co. officials on Dec. 19, to discuss the results of a comprehensive inspection at the Palo Verde Nuclear Generating Station and the status of performance improvements. APS operates the plant located 55 miles west of Phoenix.

The meeting, which will be open to public observation, will begin at 6:30 p.m. at the Energy Information Center at 5951 S. Wintersburg Road in Tonopah, Az. As the meeting is being held at the Palo Verde site, a state issued form of identification or a valid driver's license will be required for entry to the facility. Members of the public should plan on arriving 30 to 45 minutes before the meeting begins to accommodate security processing.

Conferees will discuss the results of a comprehensive inspection conducted this fall at Palo Verde as part of its heightened oversight as a result of performance problems there. A 20-member inspection team assessed the breadth and depth of problems at Palo Verde that included a broad review to determine what processes and programs need improvement. Focus areas included the quality of technical assessments, the timeliness and thoroughness of corrective actions, communications between technical organizations, engineering quality and the safety culture at the site.

During the second part of the meeting, APS officials will present a briefing on the status of improvement programs at the site. The public will have an opportunity to observe and ask questions of NRC staff before each meeting is adjourned. A written report on the inspection results will be available in 30 - 45 days and will be posted to the agency web site at: http://www.nrc.gov/NRR/OVERSIGHT/ASSESS/listofrpts_body.html .

Contact: Victor Dricks Phone: 817-860-8128

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