local newspaper:
Monticello Times

June 30, 2007

New this week from NRC Public Document Room

* [2007-06-28] Summary of June 5, 2007, Meeting With The Licensee To Discuss Pre-Application Issues Related To A Future Extended Power Uprate Amendment Application (TAC No. MD5531) ML071580627 2007-06-19 5 05000263 DPR-022 TAC MD5531 2007-06-19 2007-06-27 ML071710328+ June 19, 2007 LICENSEE: Nuclear Management Company FACILITY: Monticello Nuclear Generating Plant SUBJECT: SUMMARY OF THE JUNE 5, 2007, MEETING WITH THE LICENSEE TO DISCUSS PRE-APPLICATION ISSUE

* [2007-06-27] LER 07-003-00 from Monticello Nuclear Generating Plant re Failure to Enter a Required Technical Specification Action During Control Rod Drive Exercising ML071690463 2007-06-15 5 05000263 DPR-022 L-MT-07-045 LER 07-003-00 2007-06-15 2007-06-26 NMC Committed to Nuclear Excellence Monticello Nuclear Generating Plant Operated by Nuclear Management Company, LLC June 15, 2007 L-MT-07-045 10 CFR Part 50.73 U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commiss

* [2007-06-26] Monticello Nuclear Generating Plant - Summary Of The June 5, 2007, Meeting With the Licensee To Discuss Pre-Application Issues Related To A Future Extended Power Uprate Amendment Application ML071710328 2007-06-25 ML071350649+ ML071580606+ ML071580627+ FNWEBNAVIGATE=1.0 SYSTEMTYPE=MEZZANINE DOCUMENTID=071710328 STARTPAGE=1 LIBRARYNAME= ML_adams^hqntad01

June 23, 2007

New this week from NRC Public Document Room

* [2007-06-22] 2007/06/19-Comment (10) Submitted by Nuclear Management Company, LLC, Edward J. Weinkam on Proposed Rule PR 50 Regarding Industry Codes and Standards; Amended Requirements ML071710485 2007-06-19 4 05000263 05000266 05000282 05000301 05000306 72FR16731 00010 L-HU-07-018 PR-50 RIN 3150-AH76 2007-06-19 2007-06-21 2007-06-19 (72FR1673 DOCKETED c Nuclear Management Company, LLC June 19,2007 (4:50prn) June 19% 2007 OFFICE OF SECRETARY RULEMAKINGS AND ADJU

* [2007-06-19] Monticello Nuclear Generating Plant- Acting Branch Chief ML071440235 2007-06-08 3 05000263 DPR-022 2007-06-08 2007-06-18 June 8, 2007 Mr. Timothy J. O'Connor Site Vice President Monticello Nuclear Generating Plant Nuclear Management Company, LLC 2807 West County Road 75 Monticello, MN 55362-9637 SUBJECT: MONTICELLO NUCLEAR GENERATING PL

June 16, 2007

New this week from NRC Public Document Room

* [2007-06-13] Response to RAI Re: Alternate Nitrogen System Pressure ML071580118 2007-06-05 2 05000263 DPR-022 TAC MD4292 2007-06-05 2007-06-12 From: Peter Tam To: Arias, Jesus; Loeffler, Rick Date: 06/05/2007 4:17:03 PM Subject: Monticello: Response to RAI re. Alternate Nitrogen System Pressure (TAC MD4292) Rick, Jay: Our reviewers had looked at y

June 9, 2007

New this week from NRC Public Document Room

* [2007-06-08] 06/05/2007 Handout for Pre-application Meeting for Monticello Extended Power Uprate (TAC MD5531) ML071580606 2007-06-05 23 05000263 DPR-022 TAC MD5531 2007-06-05 2007-06-07 Committed to Nuclear Excellence Pre-application Meeting for Monticello Extended Power Uprate (EPU) June 5, 2007 Committed o NularES R Agenda Ilntroductions Objectives Background Project Overview License Ame

* [2007-06-07] Monticello Nuclear Generating Plant, Response to Request for Additional Information to Revise TS Surveillance Requirement 3.5.1.3 to Correct the Alternate Nitrogen System Pressure (TAC No. MD4095) ML071490072 2007-05-25 4 05000263 DPR-022 L-MT-07-034 TAC MD4095 2007-05-25 2007-06-06 N Monticello Nuclear Generatina Plant Committed to Nuclear Operated by Nuclear Management Company, LLC May 25,2007 L-MT-07-034 10 CFR 50.90 U. S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission ATTN: Document Con

* [2007-06-06] LER 07-002-00 for Monticello Regarding Unexpected De-energizing of Bus 16 During Refuel Outage 23 ML071450202 2007-05-15 6 05000263 DPR-022 L-MT-07-035 LER 07-002-00 2007-05-15 2007-06-05 NMc Committed to Nuclear Excellenee Monticello Nuclear Generating Plant Operated by Nuclear Management Company, LLC May 15, 2007 L-MT-07-035 10 CFR Part 50.73 U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commissi

June 2, 2007

New this week from NRC Public Document Room

* [2007-05-31] LER 06-002-01 for Monticello Regarding Unplanned LCO due to Loss of Cooling In the Upper 4KV Room ML071410195 2007-05-11 5 05000263 DPR-022 L-MT-07-004 LER 06-002-01 2007-05-11 2007-05-30 Cof' MLted toNudler Ext6*;ll oN Monticello Nuclear Generating Plant Operated by Nuclear Management Company, LLC May 11, 2007 L-MT-07-004 10 CFR Part 50.73 U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission AT

* [2007-05-31] Monticello, Revision to Correspondence Service Lists for Nuclear Management Company, LLC ML071410122 2007-05-21 1 05000263 DPR-022 L-HU-07-016 2007-05-21 2007-05-30 Committed to Nuclear Exce~lence I May 21,2007 L-HU-07-016 U S Nuclear Regulatory Commission ATTN: Document Control Desk Washington, DC 20555 Monticello Nuclear Generating Plant Docket 50-263 License No. DP

May 26, 2007

New this week from NRC Public Document Room

* [2007-05-26] Changes in NMC Corporate and Monticello Site Management ML071440004 2007-05-24 1 05000263 MR-III-07-0011 2007-05-24 2007-05-25 MORNING REPORT - REGION III Facility: Monticello Event No: N/A Unit: N/A Event Date: N/A Dockets: 050-263 Inspection Report No.: N/A City: Monticello Region: 3 State: Minnesota Notification Date: May 22, 2007 L

* [2007-05-25] Monticello, Off-Site Dose Calculation Manual ML071360179 2007-05-08 270 05000263 DPR-022 L-MT-07-032 2007-05-08 2007-05-24 ML071360173+ ENCLOSURE 3 OFFSITE DOSE CALCULATION MANUAL The Offsite Dose Calculation Manual for the Monticello Nuclear Generating Plant is comprised of the following documents: Document Number ODCM-01.01

* [2007-05-25] Monticello, Radioactive Effluent Release Report and Off-Site Radiation Dose Assessment for January 1 - December 31, 2006 ML071360177 2006-12-31 63 05000263 DPR-022 L-MT-07-032 2006-12-31 2007-05-24 ML071360173+ ENCLOSUREI RADIOACTIVE EFFLUENT RELEASE REPORT FOR JANUARY 1 - DECEMBER 31, 2006 53 pages follow Monticello Nuclear Generating Plant Radioactive Effluent Summary Period Covered : 1/ 1/2006 thr

* [2007-05-25] Monticello, Transmittal of 2006 Radioactive Effluent Release Report ML071360174 2007-05-08 1 05000263 DPR-022 L-MT-07-032 2007-05-08 2007-05-24 ML071360173+ NMC Committed to NuclearExcellence Monticello Nuclear Generating Plant Operated by Nuclear Management Company, LLC May 8, 2007 L-MT-07-032 Technical Specification 5.6.2 U.S. Nuclear Regulatory

* [2007-05-25] Monticello, Transmittal of 2006 Radioactive Effluent Release Report ML071360173 2007-05-24 ML071360174+ ML071360177+ ML071360179+ FNWEBNAVIGATE=1.0 SYSTEMTYPE=MEZZANINE DOCUMENTID=071360173 STARTPAGE=1 LIBRARYNAME= ML_adams^hqntad01

May 19, 2007

New this week from NRC Public Document Room

* [2007-05-18] 06/05/2007 - Notice of Meeting with Monticello to Discuss a Future Application for an Extended Power Uprate Amendment. ML071350649 2007-05-16 5 05000263 TAC MD5531 2007-05-16 2007-05-17 May 16, 2007 MEMORANDUM TO: L. Raghavan, Chief Plant Licensing Branch III-1 Division of Operating Reactor Licensing Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation FROM: Peter S. Tam, Senior Project Manager /RA/ Plant Licensi

* [2007-05-18] Changes in NMC Corporate and Monticello and Prairie Island Site Management. ML071290544 2007-05-09 1 05000263 05000282 05000306 MR-III-07-0007 2007-05-09 2007-05-17 Morning Report Date: MAY 09, 2007 PRIORITY ATTENTION REQUIRED MORNING REPORT - REGION III Licensee/Facility: Notification: 3-2007-0007 05/08/2007 MR Number: NUCLEAR MANAGEMENT CO. [1] W-2-LP,

* [2007-05-16] Monticello Nuclear Generating Plant, Response to NRC Generic Letter 2007-01: Inaccessible or Underground Power Cable Failures that Disable Accident Mitigation Systems or Cause Plant Transients. ML071270584 2007-05-07 9 05000263 DPR-022 GL-07-001 L-MT-07-041 2007-05-07 2007-05-15 N Committed to Nucl Monticello Nuclear Generatins Plant Operated by Nuclear Management Company, LLC May 7, 2007 L-MT-07-04 1 10 CFR 50.54(f) GL 2007-01 U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission ATTN: Do

* [2007-05-15] ER 05000263-07-301 (DRS); 02/12/2007 - 02/19/2007; Nuclear Management Company, LLC; Monticello Nuclear Generating Plant; Initial License Examination Report. ML070680188 2007-03-08 32 2007-03-08 2007-05-14

* [2007-05-15] IR 05000263-07-401 (DRS); 02/05/2007 - 02/07/2007 (NMC) and 02/13/2007 - 02/15/2007 (Site); Monticello Nuclear Generating Plant; Routine Security Baseline Inspection - Cover Letter. ML070790393 2007-03-15 5 2007-03-15 2007-05-14

* [2007-05-15] Monticello, Submittal of the Core Operating Limits Report for Cycle 24. ML071240104 2007-05-03 33 05000263 DPR-022 L-MT-07-033 NAD-MN-015, Rev 0 2007-05-03 2007-05-14 Monticello Nuclear Generatina Plant Committed to Operated by Nuclear Management Company, LLC May 3,2007 L-MT-07-033 Technical Specification 5.6.3 10 CFR 50.46(a)(3) U.S. Nuclear Regulator

* [2007-05-15] 04/04/2007, Letter to Nuclear Management Company re: Monticello Public Meeting Annual Plant Performance Assessment. ML070710585 2007-03-08 4 2007-03-08 2007-05-14

* [2007-05-15] Draft SE for Monticello Temporary Spent Fuel Rack Amendment. ML070660456 2007-02-28 15 2007-02-28 2007-05-14

* [2007-05-15] EMAIL: (PA-LR) VY Eval of Monticello Event. ML070530366 2007-02-01 3 2007-02-01 2007-05-14

* [2007-05-15] G20070094/LTR-0097 - Ltr. John Kline re: Monticello and Prairie Island Facilities. ML070390044 2007-02-01 3 2007-02-01 2007-05-14

* [2007-05-15] G20070094/LTR-07-0097 - Ltr. Representative John Kline, re: Incident at the Monticello Nuclear Generating Plant and its Applicability to the Prairie Island Nuclear Generation Plant. ML070440197 2007-03-02 3 2007-03-02 2007-05-14

* [2007-05-15] G20070094/LTR-07-0097 - Ltr. Representative John Kline, re: Incident at the Monticello Nuclear Generating Plant and its Applicability to the Prairie Island Nuclear Generation Plant. ML070470428 2007-05-14

* [2007-05-15] LER 07-001-00 for Monticello, regarding Reactor Scram Due to Turbine Control Valve Housing Support Failure. ML070790244 2007-03-12 5 2007-03-12 2007-05-14

* [2007-05-15] Monticello & Prairie Island Units 1 & 2, Fitness for Duty Performance Data for Six-Month Period Ending December 31, 2006. ML070580129 2007-02-26 7 2007-02-26 2007-05-14

* [2007-05-15] Monticello Nuclear Generating Plant License Amendment Request to Revise Technical Specification Surveillance Requirement 3.8.4.2 for the 250 VDC Division 2 Battery Charger Output. ML070460545 2007-02-15 16 2007-02-15 2007-05-14

* [2007-05-15] Monticello, Amendment, Temporary Fuel Rack. ML070710005 2007-05-14

* [2007-05-15] Monticello, License Amendment, Revised Section 4.3, "Fuel Storage," of the Technical Specifications to allow for Contingent Installation of a Temporary Spent Fuel Storage Rack. ML070540522 2007-03-09 22 2007-03-09 2007-05-14

* [2007-05-15] Monticello, Revised Proposed Initial License Operator Examinations for 2007 - 2010 as Requested by NRC Regulatory Issue Summary 2006-15. ML070650348 2007-02-26 3 2007-02-26 2007-05-14

* [2007-05-15] Monticello, Technical Specification Amendment, Revised Section 4.3, "Fuel Storage," to Allow Contingent Installation of a Temporary Spent Fuel Storage Rack. ML070710375 2007-03-09 1 2007-03-09 2007-05-14

* [2007-05-15] RO/SRO Initial Examination - Monticello, February 2007. ML070660539 2007-02-19 105 2007-02-19 2007-05-14

* [2007-05-15] Test Report 02840; "Monticello Torus Phenoline 368 WG DBA Testing Over Residual Coatings," 02/02/1992. ML070680180 1992-06-02 66 1992-06-02 2007-05-14

May 12, 2007

New this week from NRC Public Document Room

* [2007-05-11] Ltr 05/03/07 Monticello Regarding Confirmation of Initial Retake Operator License Examination. ML071290568 2007-05-03 4 05000263 DPR-022 2007-05-03 2007-05-10 May 3, 2007 Mr. John Conway Site Vice President Monticello Nuclear Generating Plant Nuclear Management Company, LLC 2807 West County Road 75 Monticello, MN 55362-9637 SUBJECT: MONTICELLO NUCLEAR GENERATING PLANT CONFI

* [2007-05-08] Monticello 2006 Annual Radiological Environmental Operating Report. ML071170143 2007-04-20 59 05000263 DPR-022 L-MT-07-031 2007-04-20 2007-05-07 SM NMC Committed to Nuclear Excellence Monticello Nuclear Generating Plant Operated by Nuclear Management Company, LLC April 20, 2007 L-MT-07-031 Technical Specification 5.6.1 U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commi

* [2007-05-08] Transmittal of Monticello and Prairie Island, Units 1 and 2, Guarantee of Payment of Deferred Premiums. ML071170539 2007-03-30 6 05000263 05000282 05000306 DPR-022 DPR-042 DPR-060 L-HU-07-010 RG-9.004 2007-03-30 2007-05-07 Nuclear Management Company, LLC 700 First Street ¥ Hudson, Wisconsin 54016 Telephone: 715.377.3300 ¥ Fax: 715.386.1013 WITHHOLD FROM PUBLIC DISCLOSURE PER 10 CFR

May 5, 2007

New this week from NRC Public Document Room

* [2007-05-05] IR 05000263-07-002, on 01/01/2007 - 03/31/2007; Nuclear Management Company LLC, Monticello Nuclear Generating Plant; Adverse Weather, Operability Evaluation, Identification and Resolution of Problems, and Event Follow-up. ML071200036 2007-04-27 54 05000263 DPR-022 IR-07-002 2007-04-27 2007-05-04 April 27, 2007 Mr. John Conway Site Vice President Monticello Nuclear Generating Plant Nuclear Management Company, LLC 2807 West County Road 75 Monticello, MN 55362-9637 SUBJECT: MONTICELLO NUCLEAR GENERATIN

* [2007-05-02] Amendment Request for White County Memorial Hospital, License No. 13-20352-01. ML043370235 2004-09-02 7 03018288 13-20352-01 313704 in 2004-09-02 2007-05-01 (WHITE COUNTY MEMORIAL HOSPITAL 2 -1 101 O'Connor Boulevard Monticello, In. 47960 September 2,2004 i U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission Region I11 Licensing Section 2443 Warrenville Road, Suite 21 0 Lisl

* [2007-05-02] Review Complete, Response to GL 2006-02, "Grid Reliability and the Impact on Plant Risk and the Operability of Offsite Power." ML071070027 2007-04-24 6 05000263 05000266 05000282 05000301 05000306 DPR-022 DPR-024 DPR-027 DPR-042 DPR-060 GL-06-002 TAC MD1001 TAC MD1018 TAC MD1019 TAC MD1020 TAC MD1021 2007-04-24 2007-05-01 April 24, 2007 Mr. Edward J. Weinkam, Director Nuclear Licensing and Regulatory Serv

April 28, 2007

New this week from NRC Public Document Room

* [2007-04-26] Revision to Correspondence Service Lists for Nuclear Management Company, LLC. ML071070440 2007-04-16 2 05000263 05000266 05000282 05000301 05000306 L-HU-07-012 2007-04-16 2007-04-25 Committed to Nuclear Excellence 1 Nuclear Management Company, LLC L-HU-07-012 April 16, 2007 U S Nuclear Regulatory Commission ATTN: Document Control Desk Washington DC 20555 Re

* [2007-04-25] Monticello - Correction of Errors in Safety Evaluation Associated with Amendment No. 148 Regarding Alternative Source Term. ML070990089 2007-04-17 9 05000263 DPR-022 TAC MC8971 2007-04-17 2007-04-24 April 17, 2007 Mr. John T. Conway Site Vice President Monticello Nuclear Generating Plant Nuclear Management Company, LLC 2807 West County Road 75 Monticello, MN 55362-9637 SUBJECT: MONTICELLO NUCLEAR GENER

* [2007-04-25] Monticello, Request for Additional Information re: LPCI Loop Select Logic Amendment. ML071020188 2007-04-17 4 05000263 DPR-022 TAC MD4095 2007-04-17 2007-04-24 April 17, 2007 Mr. John T. Conway Site Vice President Monticello Nuclear Generating Plant Nuclear Management Company, LLC 2807 West County Road 75 Monticello, MN 55362-9637 SUBJECT: MONTICELLO NUCLEAR GENER

April 21, 2007

New this week from NRC Public Document Room

* [2007-04-21] 04/04/2007 Summary of Public Meeting with Nuclear Management Co., Regarding the NRC's Assessment of the Monticello Nuclear Generating Plant Safety Performance for the period from January 1 through December 31, 2006. ML071060201 2007-04-13 5 05000263 DPR-022 2007-04-13 2007-04-20 April 13, 2007 LICENSEE: Nuclear Management Company FACILITY: Monticello Nuclear Generating Plant SUBJECT: SUMMARY OF THE APRIL 4, 2007, PUBLIC MEETING TO DISCUSS THE MONTICELLO NUCLEAR GENERATING PLANT END-OF-CYCLE P

* [2007-04-19] 04/04/2007 Meeting Slides, "Monticello Annual Assessment Meeting Reactor Oversight Process - CY 2006." ML071020489 2007-04-04 20 05000263 2007-04-04 2007-04-18 Monticello Annual Assessment Meeting Reactor Oversight Process - CY 2006 Nuclear Regulatory Commission - Region III Monticello, Minnesota April 4, 2007 Purpose of TodayÕs Meeting A public forum for discussion of the licenseeÕ

Recent NRC inspections

* (released May 6) Monticello report 50-263-2005-2

* (re-released May 6) Monticello report 50-263-1994-11

* Monticello report 50-263-2004-3

* Monticello e-plan report 50-263-2003-7

* Monticello report 50-263-2003-3

* Monticello report, including baseline diesel generator 50-263-2003-2

* Monticello report 50-263-2002-5

* Monticello report 50-263/2002-6

* 2005-03-24: NRC Announces Availability of License Renewal Application for Monticello
NRC

* 2005-03-23: Waste storage public meeting will be April 4
Monticello Times

Xcel is seeking to extend its operating license for MNGP until 2030; it is on track to file that request with the Nuclear Regulatory Commission before the end of the month.

* 2005-03-09:
* 2005-03-09: Refueling outage begins at power plant
Eric O'Link, Monticello Times

Monticello went offline shortly after midnight Saturday after 255 days of continuous operation. The plant, which generates 600 megawatts of electricity, ran at 98 percent capacity in 2004, and mirrored a record by generating 5.03 million megawatt hours of electricity. Of the 600 contractors now refueling and maintaining the plant, about 40 percent have never worked in a nuclear power plant. Some of those contractors are laborers and pipe-fitters from area union halls. Others -- like the workers who will service MNGPÕs turbine -- are from the Dakotas.

* 2005-03-07: Xcel Minn. Monticello nuke shut
Reuters

* 2005-03-02: Monticello generating plant prepares for refueling outage
Eric O'Link, Monticello Times

Typically at Monticello, a refueling outage lasts about a month. The last outage, in May 2003, was 30 days. About 500 contractors will descend on MNGP in March while the plant is offline. During the last refueling outage in 2003, 550 contractors came to Monticello.

June 30, 2004
Summary of Plant Status - April 1 through June 30, 2004

* On May 21, 2004, reactor power was reduced to approximately 30 percent to replace a motor bearing on the Number 12 condensate pump. Reactor full power was achieved on May 23, 2004.

* On June 5, 2004, reactor power was reduced to approximately 30 percent to replace motor brushes on the Number 12 recirculation pump motor generator set. Reactor full power was achieved on June 5, 2004.

* On June 17, 2004, the reactor was shutdown for a maintenance outage to replace the Number 12 recirculation pump seals. The reactor was restarted on June 21, 2004, and the turbine connected to the grid on June 22, 2004. Reactor full power was achieved on June 23, 2004.

Otherwise, Monticello operated at full power for the entire period except for brief down-power maneuvers to accomplish rod pattern adjustments and to conduct planned surveillance testing activities.

[Source: S. Burton (NRC Senior Resident Inspector) et al. NRC Region III inspection report 50-263/2004003, July 21, 2004 (ACN ML042030345)]

March 24, 2004

* Monticello - Jan 26 filter train event would not have caused low flow

March 12, 2004

* Monticello - dose rates from reactor shine could trigger TSC evacuation

July 2, 2003

* Monticello - door between motor control centers not latched for a few minutes

May 14, 2003

Monticello costs dropped in 2002

It cost $18.30 to generate a megawatt-hour of electricity at Monticello in 2002. The cost here has dropped an average of 2 cents a year in the last eight years. This compares to $20.80 cost at Prairie Island, which has seen rising costs over the period. By comparison, Xcel paid $40.65 per megawatt-hour for power purchased from other sources in 2002, including delivery charges. Monticello's maintenance expenses were way down in 2002. There was no refueling outage in the calendar year. [Source: David Hanners (Pioneer Press), "Plant repair questioned", St. Paul Pioneer Press, May 14, 2003]

May 12, 2003

Governor repeatedly asked feds to restrict airspace over n-plants in Minnesota

Gov. Tim Pawlenty was worried enough that terrorists might fly a plane into one of Minnesota's nuclear power plants that he asked the federal government in mid-March to restrict the airspace over them. "We asked and asked and asked, and told them it was a direct threat," Public Safety Commissioner Rich Stanek said. But the U.S. Transportation Security Administration, the FBI and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) turned down the requests. Stanek said he and Pawlenty were somewhat calmed by assurances from the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) and managers of Xcel Energy's Monticello and Prairie Island nuclear plants that such an attack would trigger "a small radiological leak at most."

...Stanek said that about a month ago, while touring the Monticello plant, Pawlenty eyed the corrugated metal roof over the spent fuel pool. Like all boiling water plants, Monticello's pool is entirely above grade, making it easier to punch a hole through one of its walls. The governor wondered whether a plane could crash through the concrete wall surrounding the 38-foot-deep pool, Stanek said.

[Source: Greg Gordon (Star Tribune Washington Bureau Correspondent), "Pawlenty worried about airplane attack on nuclear plants", Minneapolis Star Tribune, May 12, 2003]

April 29, 2003

Violation cited for failure to use industry operating experience

Monticello was cited for violating 10CFR50 requirement that preventative maintenance activities be evaluated to take into account, where practical, industry-wide operating experience. The violation involved failure to test capacitor in a 1968-vintage replacement part. A wide variety of sources have, for several years, described the age-related failures in the type of capacitor in the replacement part. Here's how the NRC inspection report puts it: NMC's "root cause evaluation documented 15 applicable reported operating experience issues, of which nine were evaluated by Monticello staff between 1999 and 2002. Operating experience reports included GE controller failures and related issues, electrolytic capacitor failures, GE SILs, licensee event reports (LERs), and licensee commitments. The licensee summarized their evaluation results stating that there was a lack of comprehensive work guidance and a lack of a comprehensive aging electronic component management process for maintenance and refurbishment processes, and that the plant staff had not been pro-active in taking action to address component replacement aging/degradation issues." The inspection report is available on nuclear.com as pdf file.

[Postscript, dated May 14, 2003]: A local newspaper discussed this story thusly:

"In January, an aging electronic device that controls key reactor equipment at Xcel Energy's Monticello nuclear power plant failed, setting off a chain of events that resulted in a drop in the reactor's water level. Operators had to reduce power to stabilize the water level to maintain control of the reactor.

"Workers replaced the faulty component with a spare from the warehouse, but it, too, failed. The reason: old age. The replacement part was made in 1968 and workers ignored industry practice and a manufacturer's bulletin and installed the 35-year-old device without first testing it, the Nuclear Regulatory Commission said in an inspection report issued last month.

"Although no imminent safety threat was cited by the NRC, it did say the incident Ñ and others Ñ raised questions about maintenance practices at the atomic plant 40 miles northwest of the Twin Cities."