NRC to hold meeting on Oconee nuclear safety

GREENVILLE, S.C. (AP) — The Nuclear Regulatory Commission plans a meeting this week on safety at the Oconee Nuclear Station near Seneca.

The Greenville News reported (http://grnol.co/wAVABz ) the regulators will get an update from plant operator Duke Energy on Wednesday on $2 billion worth of upgrades to protect the three reactors for the next 20 years.

The utility has provided stronger protection against fire, flood and tornadoes.

Duke spokeswoman Sandra Magee says the company has improved walls around key equipment and structures to protect them from objects that become airborne in a tornado or high winds.

Mcgee says the company is increasing the height of the barriers between the plant and nearby Lake Keowee to protect against flooding. Flooding concerns have increased after the tsunami that hit a nuclear plant in Japan last year.

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Information from: The Greenville News, http://www.greenvillenews.com