IR 05000286/2006301

IR 05000286-06-301 on 11/06/06 - 11/17/06 for Entergy Nuclear Northwest; Indian Point Unit 3; Initial Operator Licensing Examination

ML070360516
Person / Time
Site:	Indian Point
Issue date:	02/05/2007
From:	Marvin Sykes Operations Branch I
To:	Dacimo F Entergy Nuclear Operations
References
IR-06-301
Download: ML070360516 (11)

Text

ary 5, 2007

SUBJECT:

INDIAN POINT UNIT 3 OPERATOR AND SENIOR REACTOR OPERATOR INITIAL EXAMINATION REPORT NO. 05000286/2006-301

Dear Mr. Dacimo:

This report transmits the results of the Reactor Operator (RO) and Senior Reactor Operator (SRO) licensing examination conducted by the NRC during the period of November 6 -17, 2006. This examination addressed areas important to public health and safety and was developed and administered using the guidelines of the Examination Standards for Power Reactors (NUREG-1021, Revision 9).

Based on the results of the examination, all four SRO and six of the seven RO applicants passed all portions of the examination. One Reactor Operator applicant failed the written portion of the examination. The applicants included seven ROs, three instant SROs and one upgrade SRO. Examination results indicated that the applicants were generally well prepared for the examination. Mr. D. Silk discussed performance insights observed during the examination with Mr. S. Davis on January 4, 2007. On January 30, 2007, final examination results, including individual license numbers, were given during a telephone call between Mr. M. Sykes and Mr. S. Davis.

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 NRCs document system (ADAMS). These records include the final examination and are available in ADAMS (Master File - Accession Number ML060800062; RO and SRO Written - Accession Number ML070310145; RO and SRO Operating Section A - Accession Number ML070310156; RO and SRO Operating Section B - Accession Number ML070310159; and RO and SRO Operating Section C - Accession Number ML070310164). 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 regarding this examination, please contact me at (610) 337-5046, or by E-mail at MDS1@NRC.GOV.

Sincerely,

/RA/

Marvin D. Sykes, Chief Operations Branch Division of Reactor Safety Docket No: 50-286 License No: DPR-64 Enclosure: Initial Examination Report No. 05000286/2006-301 cc w/encl:

G. J. Taylor, Chief Executive Officer, Entergy Operations, Inc.

M. R. Kansler, President - Entergy Nuclear Operations, Inc.

J. T. Herron, Senior Vice President and Chief Operating Officer, Entergy Nuclear OPS, Inc.

C. Schwarz, Vice President, Operations Support, Entergy Nuclear Operations, Inc.

K. Polson, General Manager, Operations, Entergy Nuclear Operations, Inc.

O. Limpias, Vice President, Engineering, Entergy Nuclear Operations, Inc.

J. McCann, Director, Licensing, Entergy Nuclear Operations, Inc.

C. D. Faison, Manager, Licensing, Entergy Nuclear Operations, Inc.

R. Patch, Director of Oversight, Entergy Nuclear Operations, Inc.

J. Comiotes, Director, Nuclear Safety Assurance, Entergy Nuclear Operations, Inc.

P. Conroy, Manager, Licensing, Entergy Nuclear Operations, Inc.

T. C. McCullough, Assistant General Counsel, Entergy Nuclear Operations, Inc.

P. R. Smith, President, New York State Energy, Research and Development Authority Assistant General Counsel, Entergy Nuclear Operations, Inc.

P. Eddy, Electric Division, New York State Department of Public Service C. Donaldson, Esquire, Assistant Attorney General, New York Department of Law Mayor, Village of Buchanan R. Albanese, Four County Coordinator S. Lousteau, Treasury Department, Entergy Services, Inc.

Chairman, Standing Committee on Energy, NYS Assembly Chairman, Standing Committee on Environmental Conservation, NYS Assembly Chairman, Committee on Corporations, Authorities, and Commissions M. Slobodien, Director, Emergency Planning B. Brandenburg, Assistant General Counsel Assemblywoman Sandra Galef, NYS Assembly County Clerk, Westchester County Legislature A. Spano, Westchester County Executive R. Bondi, Putnam County Executive C. Vanderhoef, Rockland County Executive E. A. Diana, Orange County Executive T. Judson, Central NY Citizens Awareness Network

SUMMARY OF FINDINGS

IR 05000286/2006-301; November 6 -17, 2006; Indian Point Unit 3; Initial Operator Licensing

Examination. Ten of eleven applicants passed the examination (seven reactor operators, three SRO instants, and one SRO upgrade).

The written examinations were administered by the facility and the operating tests were administered by three NRC region-based examiners. There were no inspection findings of significance associated with the examinations.

A. Inspector Identified Findings No findings of significance were identified.

B. Licensee Identified Findings No findings of significance were identified.

ii

REPORT DETAILS

REACTOR SAFETY

Mitigating Systems - Reactor Operator (RO) and Senior Reactor Operator (SRO) Initial OR Retake License Examination

a. Scope

of Review The Indian Point Unit 3 examination team developed the written and operating initial examination and together with NRC examiner personnel verified or ensured, as applicable, the following:

• The examination was prepared and developed in accordance with the guidelines of Revision 9 of NUREG-1021, "Operator Licensing Examination Standards for Power Reactors. A review was conducted both in the Region I office and at the Indian Point Unit 3 plant and training facility. Final resolution of comments and incorporation of test revisions were conducted during and following the onsite preparation week.

• Simulation facility operation was proper.

• A test item analysis was completed on the written examination for feedback into the systems approach to training program.

• Examination security requirements were met.

The NRC examiners administered the operating portion of the examination to all applicants from November 6 - 10, 2006. The written examination was administered by the Indian Point Unit 3 training staff and an NRC examiner on November 17, 2006.

b. Findings

Grading and Results Ten applicants (four SROs and six ROs) passed all portions of the initial licensing examination. One RO applicant failed the written portion of the examination.

The facility had two post-examination comments on the written examination that did not impact any pass/fail decisions.

The licensee conducted a post-examination analysis of the applicants performance on the written examination. This analysis identified questions that were answered incorrectly by 50% or more of the applicants. Training needs were assessed by the licensee for topics contained in these questions.

Examination Development, Administration, and Performance Prior to administering this examination, the NRC was informed by the licensee of an examination development issue in which NRC regulations and guidelines were not followed. The NRC, in parallel with the licensee, conducted a review to determine the nature and extent of the issue. A determination was made that the issue was limited in scope. The potentially impacted portions of the examination were replaced to ensure examination validity before the examination was administered. However, this issue is unresolved as the details are still under review for enforcement considerations. (URI 05000286/2006301-01, Examination Development Issue)

4OA6 Exit Meeting Summary

On January 4, 2007, the NRC provided conclusions and examination results to an Indian Point Unit 3 management representative via telephone. On January 30, 2007 another call occurred between the NRC and the licensee. During that call, license numbers for eight of the ten applicants that passed all portions of the initial licensing examination were also provided. The license number for one applicant was withheld pending completion of his required watch standing requirements. Mr. S. Davis was informed that when the NRC is notified, in writing, that the required watch standing has been completed by this individual, his license would be issued. The license number for the other applicant was withheld pending any change in the grading of the written examination that could occur if an appeal is filed by the individual who failed the written examination. One applicant passed all sections of the operating portion but failed the written portion of the initial licensing examination and was therefore denied a license at this time.

The NRC expressed appreciation for the cooperation and assistance that was provided during the preparation and administration of the examination by the licensees training staff.

ATTACHMENT

SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION

KEY POINTS OF CONTACT

Licensee Personnel

S. Davis Superintendent, Operations Training

R. Christman Training Manager, Indian Point Energy Center

D. Huntington Senior Instructor

W. Altic Senior Instructor

NRC

D. Silk Senior Operations Engineer

B. Haagensen Operations Engineer

M. Brown Operations Engineer

LIST OF ITEMS OPENED, CLOSED, AND DISCUSSED

ITEM NUMBER TYPE DESCRIPTION

05000286/2006301-01 URI Examination Development Issue

Post Exam Comments

Question No.

1. 29 The licensee commented that because residual heat removal system boron

concentration was less than reactor coolant system boron concentration, the correct

answer is C. instead of B.

NRC Response: Comment accepted. C. is the only correct answer instead of B.

1. 45 The licensee commented that there is no correct answer and the question should be

deleted. The stem of the question did not state that the reactor coolant pump under-

frequency trip was disabled. Therefore, given the situation provided in the question

stem, all reactor coolant pumps would have tripped. This response was not one of the

choices.

NRC Response: Comment accepted. Question was be deleted from the examination.

ES 501 Simulation Facility Report

Facility Licensee: Indian Point Unit 3

Facility Docket No: 50-286/206-301

Operating Tests Administered on: November 6-10, 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, are not indicative of

noncompliance with 10 CFR 55.45(b). These observations do not affect NRC certification or

approval of the simulation facility other than to provide information that may be used in future

evaluations. No licensee action is required in response to these observations.

While conducting the simulator portion of the operating test, the examiners observed no

discrepancies pertaining to simulator modeling or performance.

NUREG-1021 Revision 9

Attachment