IR 05000244/2024010
| ML24232A092 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Site: | Ginna  |
| Issue date: | 08/19/2024 |
| From: | Erin Carfang Division of Operating Reactors |
| To: | Rhoades D Constellation Energy Generation, Constellation Nuclear |
| References | |
| IR 2024010 | |
| Download: ML24232A092 (1) | |
Text
August 19, 2024
SUBJECT:
R. E. GINNA NUCLEAR POWER PLANT - BIENNIAL PROBLEM IDENTIFICATION AND RESOLUTION INSPECTION REPORT 05000244/2024010
Dear David Rhoades:
On August 1, 2024, the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) completed a problem identification and resolution inspection at your R. E. Ginna Nuclear Power Plant, and discussed the results of this inspection with Daren Blankenship, Site Vice President and other members of your staff. The results of this inspection are documented in the enclosed report.
The NRC inspection team reviewed the stations problem identification and resolution program to confirm that the station was complying with NRC regulations and licensee standards. Based on the samples reviewed, the team determined that your program complies with NRC regulations and applicable industry standards such that the Reactor Oversight Process can continue to be implemented.
The team also evaluated the stations effectiveness in identifying, prioritizing, evaluating, and correcting problems, reviewed licensee audits and self-assessments, and its use of industry and NRC operating experience information. The results of these evaluations are in the enclosure.
Finally, the team reviewed the stations programs to establish and maintain a safety-conscious work environment and interviewed station personnel to evaluate the effectiveness of these programs. Based on the teams observations and the results of these interviews, the team found no evidence of challenges to your organizations safety-conscious work environment. Your employees appeared willing to raise nuclear safety concerns through at least one of the several means available.
No findings or violations of more than minor significance were identified during this inspection. This letter, its enclosure, and your response (if any) will be made available for public inspection and copying at http://www.nrc.gov/reading-rm/adams.html and at the NRC Public Document Room in accordance with Title 10 of the Code of Federal Regulations 2.390, Public Inspections, Exemptions, Requests for Withholding.
Sincerely, Erin E. Carfang, Chief Projects Branch 1 Division of Operating Reactor Safety
Docket No. 05000244 License No. DPR-18
Enclosure:
As stated
Inspection Report
Docket Number:
05000244
License Number:
Report Number:
Enterprise Identifier: I-2024-010-0004
Licensee:
Constellation Energy Generation, LLC
Facility:
R. E. Ginna Nuclear Power Plant
Location:
Ontario, NY
Inspection Dates:
July 15, 2024 to August 1, 2024
Inspectors:
E. Bousquet, Resident Inspector
E. Eve, Senior Project Engineer
S. Flanagan, Project Engineer
D. Merzke, Senior Reactor Operations Engineer
Approved By:
Erin E. Carfang, Chief
Projects Branch 1
Division of Operating Reactor Safety
SUMMARY
The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) continued monitoring the licensees performance by conducting a biennial problem identification and resolution inspection at R. E. Ginna Nuclear Power Plant, in accordance with the Reactor Oversight Process. The Reactor Oversight Process is the NRCs program for overseeing the safe operation of commercial nuclear power reactors. Refer to https://www.nrc.gov/reactors/operating/oversight.html for more information.
List of Findings and Violations
No findings or violations of more than minor significance were identified.
Additional Tracking Items
None.
INSPECTION SCOPES
Inspections were conducted using the appropriate portions of the inspection procedures (IPs) in effect at the beginning of the inspection unless otherwise noted. Currently approved IPs with their attached revision histories are located on the public website at http://www.nrc.gov/reading-rm/doc-collections/insp-manual/inspection-procedure/index.html. Samples were declared complete when the IP requirements most appropriate to the inspection activity were met consistent with Inspection Manual Chapter (IMC) 2515, Light-Water Reactor Inspection Program - Operations Phase. The inspectors reviewed selected procedures and records, observed activities, and interviewed personnel to assess licensee performance and compliance with Commission rules and regulations, license conditions, site procedures, and standards.
OTHER ACTIVITIES - BASELINE
71152B - Problem Identification and Resolution
Biennial Team Inspection (IP Section 03.04)
The inspectors performed a biennial assessment of the effectiveness of the licensees problem identification and resolution program, use of operating experience, self-assessments and audits, and safety-conscious work environment.
- Problem Identification and Resolution Effectiveness: The inspectors assessed the effectiveness of the licensees problem identification and resolution program in identifying, prioritizing, evaluating, and correcting problems. The inspectors also conducted a five-year review of the service water system. The corrective actions for the following non-cited violations (NCVs) and licensee event reports (LERs) were evaluated as part of the assessment: NCV 244/2022004-01, NCV 244/2022012-01, NCV 244/2023402-01, NCV 244/2023002-01, NCV 244/2023004-02, FIN 2023004-01, NCV 244/2024011-01, LER 244/2023-001, LER 244/2023-002, and LER 244/2023-003.
- Operating Experience: The inspectors assessed the effectiveness of the licensees processes for use of operating experience.
- Self-Assessments and Audits: The inspectors assessed the effectiveness of the licensees identification and correction of problems identified through audits and self-assessments.
- Safety-Conscious Work Environment: The inspectors assessed the effectiveness of the stations programs to establish and maintain a safety-conscious work environment.
INSPECTION RESULTS
Assessment 71152B Problem Identification and Resolution Program Effectiveness:
The inspectors determined that Constellation's problem identification and resolution program for Ginna was generally effective and adequately supported nuclear safety and security.
Identification: The inspectors reviewed a sample of issues that have been processed through Constellation's problem identification and resolution program since the last biennial team inspection, including NCVs of regulatory requirements and other documented findings. The inspectors determined that, in general, the station identified issues and entered them into the corrective action program at a low threshold and timely manner.
Prioritization and Evaluation: Based on the samples reviewed, the inspectors determined that Constellation was effective at prioritizing and evaluating issues commensurate with the safety significance of the identified problem. Inspectors observed that at station corrective action program meetings, issues were screened and prioritized at the appropriate level and that corrective actions were assigned to address the issues.
Corrective Action: The inspectors determined that Constellation was effective in developing corrective actions that were appropriately focused to correct the identified problems.
Assessment 71152B Operating Experience:
The inspectors reviewed operating experience captured in the corrective action program and sampled operating experience from NRC, industry, vendors, and third-party groups. Overall, for the samples selected, the inspectors determined that Constellation was performing the appropriate assessments for station applicability.
Assessment 71152B Self-Assessment and Audits:
The inspectors determined that Constellation was adequately performing self-assessments and audits in accordance with licensee procedures and implementing corrective actions as needed.
Assessment 71152B Safety-Conscious Work Environment:
The inspectors interviewed a total of 25 individuals in one-on-one interviews. The purpose of these interviews was
- (1) to evaluate the willingness of Constellation staff to raise nuclear safety issues,
- (2) to evaluate the perceived effectiveness of the corrective action program at resolving identified problems, and
- (3) to evaluate Constellation's safety-conscious work environment. The personnel interviewed were randomly selected by the inspectors from Engineering, Maintenance, Operations, Radiation Protection, Chemistry, Emergency Preparedness, and Security. To supplement these discussions, the inspectors interviewed the Employee Concerns Program (ECP) Coordinator to assess their perception of the site employees' willingness to raise nuclear safety concerns, and also reviewed the ECP case log and select case files. All individuals interviewed indicated that they would raise safety concerns. All individuals felt that their management was receptive to receiving safety concerns and generally addressed them promptly, commensurate with the significance of the concern. Most interviewees indicated that they were adequately trained and proficient on initiating condition reports. Most interviewees were aware of the licensee's ECP, and all stated they would use the program if necessary and expressed confidence that their confidentially would be maintained if they brought issues to the ECP. The inspectors determined that the processes in place to mitigate potential safety culture issues were adequately implemented.
EXIT MEETINGS AND DEBRIEFS
The inspectors verified no proprietary information was retained or documented in this report.
- On August 1, 2024, the inspectors presented the biennial problem identification and resolution inspection results to Daren Blankenship, Site Vice President and other members of the licensee staff.
DOCUMENTS REVIEWED
Inspection
Procedure
Type
Designation
Description or Title
Revision or
Date
Corrective Action
Documents
04394270
04677897
04689632
04709264
04724999
Corrective Action
Documents
Resulting from
Inspection
04787351
04787668
04787710
04787932
04787947
04787981
04788002
04788006
04788033
04788038
Procedures
Collecting and Reporting of NRC ROP Performance Indicator
Data
Revision 17
Monthly Data Elements for NRC ROP Indicator - Reactor
Coolant System (RCS) Specific Activity
Revision 5
Revision 27
OP-GI-108-115-
1000
Ginna Operability Determination Guide
Revision 001
Issue Identification and Screening Process
Revision 13
Corrective Action Program (CAP) Procedure
Revision 9
Corrective Action Program Evaluation Manual
Revision 7