Fundamental Changes Needed in the Acquisition and Technical Management of Major Power Generation Systems

The accident at Three Mile Island (TMI) is most significant-not for the specific details of the event-but because it demonstrated underlying problems in the-established practices of the industry, and in the institutional approaches used for the acquisition, management, and regulation of major power generation systems. This paper draws upon the lessons learned in technical studies of Three Mile Island, and the results of studies of non-nuclear systems, to identify system management functions and technical responsibilities which must receive greater attention from utilities, designers, and/or regulators.