The NRC completed two investigations in 2020 and determined that FPL employees engaged in deliberate misconduct during 2019.
The first investigation confirmed three mechanics falsified information in a work order associated with the inspection and maintenance of a safety related check valve.
The second investigation confirmed that two technicians deliberately provided inaccurate information in maintenance records related to a mispositioned plant component.
The NRC also found that a supervisor and a department head influenced others within the department to conceal this maintenance error.
Following a conference with FPL on 3 March and a separate review of documents provided by FPL, the NRC determined that these actions merited a “severity level III” violation under the agency’s enforcement policy.
The NRC said details of the violation and proposed civil penalty were issued to FPL on 6 April. FPL has 30 days to pay the fine or contest the notice of violation.
The violations did not result in an increased risk to the public and FPL has begun corrective action to prevent a recurrence of the events leading to the violations the NRC said.
Turkey Point has two pressurised water reactor units. The 837-MW Turkey Point-3 began commercial operation in December 1972 and the 821-MW Turkey Point-4 in September 1973.
