The Bay City Council convened on June 24, 2025, to discuss several key topics, with a significant focus on the safety performance assessment of the South Texas Project nuclear plant for the year 2024. The meeting featured a presentation by John Vera, the senior resident inspector from the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC), who provided insights into the plant's operational challenges and safety oversight.

Vera began by introducing the NRC's role in ensuring safety at the South Texas Project, emphasizing their daily inspections and emergency response responsibilities. He outlined the challenges faced by the plant throughout 2024, starting with a forced outage in January due to oil leaks near the turbine, which necessitated taking the turbine offline for repairs.

The presentation highlighted several safety-related equipment failures, including issues with steam generator power-operated relief valves and atmospheric relief valves, which are critical for maintaining safety during operations. Vera noted that these failures prompted increased regulatory scrutiny and focus on the plant's safety protocols.

In May, the plant experienced a complicated reactor trip, which is classified as more significant than a standard reactor trip due to equipment failures during the event. This incident raised concerns about the reliability of safety systems and the plant's emergency response procedures.

Additionally, Vera mentioned the impact of Hurricane Barry on operations, although it did not result in serious issues. He also discussed a reactor trip on July 24, which was complicated by equipment failures and an incorrect emergency declaration by plant personnel.

The meeting concluded with Vera reiterating the NRC's commitment to protecting public health and safety in the use of nuclear power. The council members and public attendees were encouraged to ask questions and engage in discussions about the plant's safety performance and regulatory oversight.

Overall, the meeting underscored the ongoing challenges faced by the South Texas Project and the importance of rigorous safety assessments in maintaining operational integrity and public trust in nuclear energy.