Is Junk Plant Palo Verde Operations Becoming More Erratic?

Update Aug 8

Pinnacle West probably got the ratepayers so pissed at them, everyone will vote for the referendum just to get even this corporation.   

By Patrick O'Grady  – Managing Editor, Phoenix Business Journal

Aug 8, 2018, 1:44am

Arizona Public Service Co. will get a hearing next month to address customer concerns the utility's recent rate hike was more than what was allowed.

An administrative law judge will hear complaints from APS customers on Sept. 25 that the utility is charging more than the average 4.5 percent approved last year by the Arizona Corporation Commission, according to the Arizona Republic.

Officials for the utility and its parent, Pinnacle West Capital Corp. (NYSE: PNW) say the bills and its recent revenue are in line with the rate plan that eventually was approved by the ACC.

Customers, led by local public relations professional and activist Stacey Champion, have questioned bills they say are significantly higher than what APS said. They have asked for a rehearing of the rate case.

APS for its part defends the rate case saying that the average bill would have people who might have saved money under the plan as well as people whose bills would be larger than the average.

The rate increase was said to raise residential customer bills $6 on average and began implementation of new time-of-use plans. Under the plans, rates would be significantly higher during peak hours, depending on the plan.

***Palo Verde is facing a permanent shutdown if the green energy referendum is passed this year. They won't be economical. I feel in recent years this 3 plant facility has been operating more erratically than from its history. They been down powered or shutdown outside of scheduling.   

August 6, 2018  

SUBJECT: PALO VERDE NUCLEAR GENERATING STATION – NRC INTEGRATED INSPECTION REPORT 05000528/2018002, 05000529/2018002, AND 05000530/2018002
 

Unit 1 began the inspection period at rated thermal power.  On April 5, 2018, power was reduced to 40 percent as directed by Station Chemistry procedures to address sodium levels caused by leakage into the main condenser.  Unit 1 returned to full power on April 12, 2018, and remained at or near rated thermal power for the remainder of the inspection period.
 Unit 2 began the inspection period at rated thermal power.  On May 23, 2018, the reactor tripped from full power when maintenance on the control element drive mechanism control system resulted in a dropped control rod.  The dropped control rod caused a valid reactor trip signal for low departure from nucleate boiling ratio.  Unit 2 restarted on May 25, 2018; however, a different control element drive mechanism control system problem occurred requiring power to be held at 10 percent for additional repairs.  Unit 2 returned to full power on May 27, 2018, and remained at or near rated thermal power for the remainder of the inspection period.
 Unit 3 began the inspection period at rated thermal power.  Unit 3 shut down for a planned refueling outage from April 6 through May 4, 2018.  Unit 3 returned to full power on May 7, 2018.  On June 27, 2018, Unit 3 the steam generator 1 economizer valve failed (main feedwater regulating valve).  Operator performance issues in responding to this condition resulted in a main feedwater pump trip and reactor cutback, reactor trip caused by low steam generator water level, and a main steam isolation signal due to subsequent high steam generator water level.  Unit 1 remained shut down for repairs during the remainder of the inspection period.