Month: December 2014

Xcel names Kelly 2014 Picture of Xcellence Award winner

Author: Margie Church

What does it take to be a leader of excellence? In Nuclear, it includes individuals nominated for demonstrating the values listed in the Picture of Xcellence, business planning and strategic principals for the benefit of the Xcel Energy Nuclear fleet, a member of the USA fleet. Michelle Kelly, manager, Monticello Performance Assessment, was chosen by...

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USA addressing cumulative impacts

Author: Lisa Kuehl

The USA Performance Improvement Core Peer Team has taken actions to embrace the INPO initiative to address cumulative impacts in the Corrective Action Program (CAP). Results of the short term actions to improve CAP effectiveness and efficiency include backlog reduction, behavioral changes and process changes are being noticed across the USA fleet. CAP backlog reductions...

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Third USA plant installs fuel pool probes to improve safety

Author: Stephen Tait

Crews at Fermi 2 will complete this month the installation of two 23-foot long probes in the used fuel pool that will improve the plant's ability to monitor water level during a loss of power. Fermi 2 is the third Utilities Service Alliance fleet member to install the probes. The USA fleet is using MOHR...

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Innovative thinking frees liner, saves money

Author: Stephen Tait

The Fermi 2 radiological team was stuck between a rock and a hot spot. At the plant’s radwaste facility, the team uses a crane with a grapple to move containers, which are about 5 ½ feet tall by 5 feet in diameter and weigh between 5,000 pounds and 10,000 pounds each. The liners are filled...

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Hope Creek Operations Training Programs Accreditation Renewed

Author: Grace Hymer

USA fleet member Hope Creek announced that the National Nuclear Accrediting Board renewed the accreditation of its Operator training programs for the next four years. This renewal is indicative of the confidence the National Nuclear Accrediting Board has in Hope Creek’s ability to safely operate, maintain, and improve plant performance. “Renewal of the Operations training...

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