The Nuclear Regulatory Commission staff will meet in Kilona, La., on July 24, with representatives of Entergy Operations, to discuss the agency's assessment of safety performance for last year at the Waterford 3 nuclear plant.

The meeting, which will be open to the public, is scheduled to begin at 7 p.m. at the Entergy Education Center, 4224 Hwy. 3127, Kilona.

In addition to the performance assessment, the NRC staff will be available to answer questions from the public on the safety performance of Waterford 3, as well as the NRC's role in ensuring safe plant operation.

"The NRC continually reviews the performance of Waterford 3 and the nation's other commercial nuclear power facilities," NRC Region IV Administrator Elmo E. Collins said. "This meeting will provide an opportunity for a discussion of our annual assessment of safety performance with the company and with local officials and residents who live near the plant."

A letter sent from the NRC Region IV office to plant officials addresses the performance of the plant during 2007 and will serve as the basis for the meeting discussion. It is available on the NRC web site at: http://www.nrc.gov/NRR/OVERSIGHT/ASSESS/LETTERS/wat_2007q4.pdf.

The NRC utilizes color-coded inspection findings and performance indicators to assess nuclear power plant performance. The colors start with "green" and then increase to "white," "yellow" or "red," commensurate with the safety significance of the issues involved.

The NRC said Waterford 3 operated safely during 2007 and will receive regular, or baseline inspections during 2008.

Routine inspections are performed by two NRC Resident Inspectors assigned to the plant and by inspection specialists from the Region IV Office in Arlington, Texas.

Current performance information for Waterford 3 is available on the NRC web site at: http://www.nrc.gov/NRR/OVERSIGHT/ASSESS/WAT3/wat3_chart.html.