IR 05000269/2006301

IR 05000269-06-301, 05000270-06-301 & 05000287-06-301; Duke Energy Corporation; 06/19-28-2006 & 06/30/2006; Oconee Nuclear Station

ML062150122
Person / Time
Site:	Oconee
Issue date:	08/02/2006
From:	Moorman J NRC/RGN-II/DRS/OLB
To:	Brandi Hamilton Duke Energy Corp
References
IR-06-301
Download: ML062150122 (8)

Text

ust 2, 2006

SUBJECT:

OCONEE NUCLEAR STATION - NRC EXAMINATION REPORT 05000269/2006301, 05000270/2006301, AND 05000287/2006301

Dear Mr. Hamilton:

During the period June 19 - 28, 2006, the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) administered operating examinations to employees of your company who had applied for licenses to operate the Oconee Nuclear Power Station. At the conclusion of the examination, the examiners discussed the examination questions and preliminary findings with those members of your staff identified in the enclosed report. The written examination was administered by your staff on June 30, 2006.

Four Reactor Operator (RO) and six Senior Reactor Operator (SRO) applicants passed both the written examination and operating test. Two SRO applicants failed the written examination.

There were no post examination comments submitted. A Simulation Facility Report is included in this report as Enclosure 2.

In accordance with 10 CFR 2.390 of the NRC's "Rules of Practice," a copy of this letter and its enclosure will be available electronically for public inspection in the NRC Public Document Room or from the Publicly Available Records (PARS) component of NRC's document system (ADAMS). ADAMS is accessible from the NRC Web site at http://www.nrc.gov/reading-rm/adams.html (the Public Electronic Reading Room).

Should you have any questions concerning this letter, please contact me at (404) 562-4647.

Sincerely,

/RA/

James H. Moorman, III, Chief Operations Branch Division of Reactor Safety Docket Nos.: 50-269, 50-270, 50-287 License Nos.: DPR-38, DPR-47, DPR-55

Enclosures:

(See next page)

DEC 2 Enclosures: 1. Report Details 2. Simulation Facility Report

REGION II==

Docket Nos.: 50-269, 50-270, 50-287 License Nos.: DPR-38, DPR-47, DPR-55 Report No.: 05000269/2006301, 05000270/2006301, 05000287/2006301 Licensee: Duke Energy Corporation Facility: Oconee Nuclear Station Location: 7800 Rochester Highway Seneca, SC 29672 Dates: Operating Tests - June 19-28, 2006 Written Examination - June 30, 2006 Examiners: M. Bates, Chief, Senior Operations Examiner R. Aiello, Senior Operations Engineer S. Rose, Senior Operations Engineer Approved by: James H. Moorman, III, Chief Operations Branch Division of Reactor Safety Enclosure 1

SUMMARY OF FINDINGS ER 05000269/2006301, 05000270/2006301, 05000287/2006301; 6/19-28/2006,6/30/2006; Oconee Nuclear Station; Licensed Operator Examinations.

The NRC examiners conducted operator licensing initial examinations in accordance with the guidance in NUREG-1021, Revision 9, Operator Licensing Examination Standards for Power Reactors. This examination implemented the operator licensing requirements of 10 CFR

§55.41, §55.43, and §55.45.

The NRC administered the operating tests during the period of June 19 - 28, 2006. Members of the Oconee Nuclear Station training staff administered the written examination on June 30, 2006. The written examinations were developed by the NRC, and the operating tests were developed by the Oconee Nuclear Station training staff.

Four Reactor Operators (RO) and six Senior Reactor Operators (SRO) passed both the operating test and written examination. Two SRO applicants failed the written examination overall, and one of these two applicants also failed the SRO portion of that examination.

Each applicant who passed the operating test and written examination with an overall score greater than 82% and SRO-only score greater than 74%, as applicable, was issued an operator license commensurate with the level of examination administered. Four SRO applicants passed the operating test, but passed the written examination with overall scores between 80% and 82%. Each of these applicants was issued a letter stating that they passed the examination and issuance of their license has been delayed pending any written examination appeals that may impact the licensing decision for their application.

There were no post examination comments.

No findings of significance were identified.

Report Details 4. OTHER ACTIVITIES 4OA5 Operator Licensing Initial Examinations a. Inspection Scope The NRC developed the written examinations and the licensee developed the operating tests in accordance with NUREG-1021, Operator Licensing Examination Standards for Power Reactors, Revision 9. The NRC examination team reviewed the proposed examinations. Examination changes agreed upon between the NRC and the licensee were made according to NUREG-1021 and incorporated into the final version of the examination materials.

The examiners reviewed the licensees examination security measures while preparing and administering the examinations to ensure examination security and integrity complied with 10 CFR 55.49, Integrity of examinations and tests.

The examiners evaluated four RO and eight SRO applicants who were being assessed under the guidelines specified in NUREG-1021. The examiners administered the operating tests during the period of June 19-28, 2006. Members of the Oconee Nuclear Station training staff administered the written examination on June 30, 2006. The evaluations of the applicants and review of documentation were performed to determine if the applicants, who applied for licenses to operate the Oconee Nuclear Station, met requirements specified in 10 CFR 55, Operators Licenses.

b. Findings No findings of significance were identified.

The NRC determined that the licensees examination submittal for the operating test was within the range of acceptability expected for a proposed examination.

Four Reactor Operators (RO) and six Senior Reactor Operators (SRO) passed both the operating test and written examination. Two SRO applicants failed the written examination overall, and one of these two applicants also failed the SRO portion of that examination. Each applicant who passed the operating test and written examination with an overall score greater than 82% and SRO-only score greater than 74%, as applicable, was issued an operator license commensurate with the level of examination administered. Four SRO applicants passed the operating test, but passed the written examination with overall scores between 80% and 82%. Each of these applicants was issued a letter stating that they passed the examination and issuance of their license has been delayed pending any written examination appeals that may impact the licensing decision for their application.

The combined RO and SRO written examinations, with knowledge and abilities (K/As),

question references/answers and examination references, may be accessed in the ADAMS system (ADAMS Accession Numbers ML062010367 and ML062010364).

The examination team observed generic weaknesses during the dynamic simulator portion of the operating test. These weaknesses were related to diagnosing a sheared shaft on a high pressure injection pump and diagnosing a failed open pressurizer power operated relief valve. Copies of all individual examination reports were sent to the facility Training Manager for evaluation and determination of appropriate remedial training.

4OA6 Meetings Exit Meeting Summary On June 29, 2006, the examination team discussed generic issues with Mr. Dave Baxter and members of his staff. The inspectors asked the licensee whether any materials examined during the inspection should be considered proprietary. No proprietary information was identified.

PARTIAL LIST OF PERSONS CONTACTED Licensee personnel D. Baxter, Station Manager N. Constance, Operations Training Manager J. Collins, Operations Shift Manager J. Steely, Initial Training Supervisor R. Robinson, Operations J. Weast, Regulatory Compliance J. Smith, Regulatory Compliance C. Gray, Regulatory Compliance K. Schaaf, Training Instructor NRC personnel D. Rich, Senior Resident Inspector

SIMULATOR FIDELITY REPORT Facility Licensee: Oconee Nuclear Station Facility Docket Nos.: 05000269/05000270/05000287 Operating Tests Administered: June 19 - 28, 2006 This form is to be used only to report observations. These observations do not constitute audit or inspection findings and, without further verification and review in accordance with IP 71111.11, are not indicative of noncompliance with 10 CFR 55.46. No licensee action is required in response to these observations.

No simulator fidelity or configuration items were identified.

Enclosure 2