IR 05000298/2006001
| ML060610293 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Site: | Cooper  |
| Issue date: | 03/02/2006 |
| From: | Howell A NRC/RGN-IV/DRP |
| To: | Edington R Nebraska Public Power District (NPPD) |
| References | |
| IR-06-001 | |
| Download: ML060610293 (9) | |
Text
March 2, 2006
SUBJECT:
ANNUAL ASSESSMENT LETTER - COOPER NUCLEAR STATION (NRC INSPECTION REPORT 05000298/2006001)
Dear Mr. Edington:
On February 7, 2006, the NRC staff completed its performance review of Cooper Nuclear Station (CNS). Our technical staff reviewed performance indicators for the most recent quarter and inspection results for the period from January 1 through December 31, 2005. The purpose of this letter is to inform you of our assessment of your safety performance during this period and our plans for future inspections at your facility.
This performance review and enclosed inspection plan do not include physical protection information. A separate letter designated and marked as "Official Use Only - Security-Related Information" will include the physical protection review and resultant inspection plan.
Overall, CNS operated in a manner that preserved public health and safety and fully met all cornerstone objectives. Plant performance for the most recent quarter was within the Licensee Response column of the NRCs Action Matrix, based on all inspection findings being classified as having very low safety significance (Green) and all performance indicators indicating performance at a level requiring no additional NRC oversight (Green). Although plant performance was within the Licensee Response column, the significance of a finding resulting from our special inspection of a service water strainer clogging event that occurred on October 20, 2005, is still under review as part of the Significance Determination Process which, when finalized, may change our assessment of your plants safety performance.
While plant performance for the most recent quarter is within the Licensee Response column of the Action Matrix, CNS was in the Regulatory Response Column of the NRCs Action Matrix at the beginning of this assessment period. This was based on one finding of low to moderate significance (White) in the Mitigating Systems Cornerstone. This finding involved a significant number of licensed operator requalification written examination failures. A supplemental inspection conducted by the NRC determined that your root cause, extent of condition and cause, and associated corrective actions were appropriately performed to address the deficiencies noted in the CNS operator requalification program. As a result, this finding was closed in NRC Inspection Report 05000298/2004015, dated March 16, 2005.
Nebraska Public Power District-2-In our midcycle assessment letter dated August 30, 2005, we advised you that the substantive crosscutting issue in the area of human performance would remain open based on the number of findings identified across several cornerstones and the impacts that this performance deficiency had on plant operations. We indicated that focused NRC oversight of this area through baseline inspections would continue until CNSs actions were effective in improving the level of procedural adherence. Based on our review of inspection results for the period from January 1 through December 31, 2005, the NRC has concluded that this substantive crosscutting issue can be closed. These inspection results are documented in the 2005 baseline inspection reports. Although the NRC continued to identify inspection findings in the area of human performance, we noted improvement in the level of procedural adherence at CNS and that you adequately addressed the basis for opening this substantive crosscutting issue. Additionally, CNS began developing a performance improvement plan in the latter part of the assessment period to further improve performance in this area.
In our midcycle assessment letter dated August 30, 2005, we advised you that the substantive crosscutting issue in the area of problem identification and resolution would remain open based on the NRCs continuing identification of inspection findings related to inadequate corrective actions resulting in repetitive problems which impacted plant operation. We indicated that focused NRC oversight of this area through baseline inspections would continue until CNSs actions were effective in preventing repetitive or similarly recurring problems that significantly impact plant performance.
Based on our review of inspection results for the period from January 1 through December 31, 2005, the NRC has concluded that this substantive crosscutting issue will remain open. A recurring theme, which also has been documented in previous NRC assessments, involves inadequate corrective actions resulting in repetitive problems which impact plant operation.
During this assessment period, there were nine Green findings involving problem identification and resolution, eight of which involved the causal factor of corrective action. Findings in the Barrier Integrity, Initiating Events, Mitigating Systems, and Occupational Radiation Safety cornerstones related to this crosscutting area were identified. Examples included the failure to take adequate corrective actions to prevent recurrence of the failure of safety-related motor-operated valve motor starters, the failure to properly address the root cause of operating the reactor in excess of licensed thermal power, the failure to correct repeated occurrences of placing the high pressure coolant injection auxiliary oil pump switch in pull-to-lock following a reactor scram, and the failure to promptly correct degraded conditions affecting a service water booster pump.
There has been a substantive crosscutting issue in this area for several assessment periods and improving problem identification and resolution at CNS was the subject of an NRC Confirmatory Action Letter and a CNS Performance Improvement Plan. Despite the extensive focus in this area, consequential plant issues continue to occur at CNS. To address problems in this area, your staff began developing an additional performance improvement plan in the latter part of the assessment period; however, the implementation effectiveness has not yet been assessed.
Nebraska Public Power District-3-Because there has been a substantive crosscutting issue in the area of problem identification and resolution for more than two consecutive assessment letters, you are requested to provide a written response within 30-days of the date of this letter describing your assessment of performance and your plans to improve performance in this area. Following our review of your response, we will schedule a public meeting with you to discuss this issue. Focused NRC oversight of this area through baseline inspections will continue until our inspections indicate that your actions have been effective preventing repetitive or similarly recurring problems that significantly impact plant performance.
The enclosed inspection plan details the inspection, except those related to physical protection, scheduled through September 30, 2007. The inspection plan is provided to allow for the resolution of any scheduling conflicts and personnel availability issues well in advance of inspector arrival onsite. Routine resident inspections are not listed due to their ongoing and continuous nature. The inspections in the last 9 months of the inspection plan are tentative and may be revised at the midcycle review.
In accordance with 10 CFR 2.390 of the NRCs Rules of Practice, a copy of this letter and its enclosure will be made 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).
If circumstances arise which cause us to change this inspection plan, we will contact you to discuss the change as soon as possible. Please contact Mr. Kriss Kennedy at (817) 860-8144 with any questions you may have regarding this letter or the inspection plan.
Sincerely,
/RA/
Arthur T. Howell III, Director Division of Reactor Projects Docket: 50-298 License: DPR-46 Enclosure:
Cooper Nuclear Station Inspection/Activity Plan cc w/enclosure:
Marlin Logan Presiding Commissioner Atchison County Courthouse P.O. Box 280 Rock Port, MO 64482 Dennis Martin, Sheriff Atchison County Sheriff's Office 511 West Clay Rock Port, MO 64482 Brent Lottman, Sheriff Nemaha County
Nebraska Public Power District-4-1805 N Street Auburn, NE 68305 Randall Rohrs, Chairman Nemaha County Board of Commissioners 73260 629 Avenue Johnson, NE 68378 Bob Hutton, Commissioner, District 1 Nemaha County Board of Commissioners 72546 644 Avenue Nemaha, NE 68414 Monty Lovelace, Commissioner, District 2 Nemaha County Board of Commissioners 73360 641 Avenue Auburn, NE 68305 Dick Hainje, Regional Director FEMA Region VII Department of Homeland Security 9221 Ward Parkway, Suite 300 Kansas City, MO 64114-3372 Robert Leopold, Administrator Nebraska Health and Human Services Division of Public Health Assurance Department of Regulation and Licensure 301 Centennial Mall, South P.O. Box 95007 Lincoln, NE 68508 Al Berndt, Assistant Director Nebraska Emergency Management Agency 1300 Military Road Lincoln, NE 68508 Scott Clardy, Director Section for Environmental Public Health P.O. Box 570 Jefferson City, MO 65102-0570 Michael J. Linder, Director Nebraska Department of Environmental Quality P.O. Box 98922 Lincoln, NE 68509-8922 Julia Schmitt, Manager Radiation Control Program Nebraska Health & Human Services Dept. of Regulation & Licensing Division of Public Health Assurance 301 Centennial Mall, South P.O. Box 95007 Lincoln, NE 68509-5007 H. Floyd Gilzow Deputy Director for Policy Missouri Department of Natural Resources P. O. Box 176 Jefferson City, MO 65102-0176 Ronald Reynolds, Director Missouri State Emergency Management Agency P.O. Box 116 Jefferson City, MO 65102-0116 Chief, Radiation and Asbestos Control Section Kansas Department of Health and Environment Bureau of Air and Radiation 1000 SW Jackson, Suite 310 Topeka, KS 66612-1366 Daniel K. McGhee Bureau of Radiological Health Iowa Department of Public Health Lucas State Office Building, 5th Floor 321 East 12th Street Des Moines, IA 50319 John F. McCann, Director, Licensing Entergy Nuclear Northeast Entergy Nuclear Operations, Inc.
440 Hamilton Avenue White Plains, NY 10601-1813 Keith G. Henke, Planner Division of Community and Public Health Office of Emergency Coordination 930 Wildwood, P.O. Box 570 Jefferson City, MO 65102
Nebraska Public Power District-5-Chief, Radiological Emergency Preparedness Section Kansas City Field Office Chemical and Nuclear Preparedness and Protection Division Department of Homeland Security 9221 Ward Parkway, Suite 300 Kansas City, MO 64114-3372 Jon Schwarz Nebraska Emergency Management Agency 1300 Military Road Lincoln, NE 68508-1090 Gene Mace Nuclear Asset Manager Nebraska Public Power District P.O. Box 98 Brownville, NE 68321 John C. McClure, Vice President and General Counsel Nebraska Public Power District P.O. Box 499 Columbus, NE 68602-0499 P. V. Fleming, Licensing Manager Nebraska Public Power District P.O. Box 98 Brownville, NE 68321 Michael J. Linder, Director Nebraska Department of Environmental Quality P.O. Box 98922 Lincoln, NE 68509-8922 Chairman Nemaha County Board of Commissioners Nemaha County Courthouse 1824 N Street Auburn, NE 68305 Julia Schmitt, Manager Radiation Control Program Nebraska Health & Human Services Dept. of Regulation & Licensing Division of Public Health Assurance 301 Centennial Mall, South P.O. Box 95007 Lincoln, NE 68509-5007 Director, Missouri State Emergency Management Agency P.O. Box 116 Jefferson City, MO 65102-0116 Chief, Radiation and Asbestos Control Section Kansas Department of Health and Environment Bureau of Air and Radiation 1000 SW Jackson, Suite 310 Topeka, KS 66612-1366 Daniel K. McGhee Bureau of Radiological Health Iowa Department of Public Health Lucas State Office Building, 5th Floor 321 East 12th Street Des Moines, IA 50319 William J. Fehrman, President and Chief Executive Officer Nebraska Public Power District 1414 15th Street Columbus, NE 68601 Jerry C. Roberts, Director of Nuclear Safety Assurance Nebraska Public Power District P.O. Box 98 Brownville, NE 68321 John F. McCann, Director, Licensing Entergy Nuclear Northeast Entergy Nuclear Operations, Inc.
440 Hamilton Avenue White Plains, NY 10601-1813 Keith G. Henke, Planner Division of Community and Public Health Office of Emergency Coordination 930 Wildwood, P.O. Box 570 Jefferson City, MO 65102
Nebraska Public Power District-6-Institute of Nuclear Power Operations (INPO)
Records Center 700 Galleria Parkway SE, Suite 100 Atlanta, GA 30339
Nebraska Public Power District-7-Electronic distribution by RIV:
Regional Administrator (BSM1)
DRP Director (ATH)
DRS Director (DDC)
DRS Deputy Director (RJC1)
Senior Resident Inspector (SCS)
Branch Chief, DRP/C (KMK)
Project Engineer, DRP/C (WCW)
Team Leader, DRP/TSS (RLN1)
RITS Coordinator (KEG)
V. Dricks, PAO (VLD)
W. Maier, RSLO (WAM)
C. Gordon (CJG)
DRS Branch Chiefs (JAC, ATG, LJS, MPS1)
S. Richards, Deputy Director, DIRS, NRR (SAR)
C. Holden, Deputy Director, DORL, NRR (CFH)
T. Bergman, Chief, TRPS, OEDO (TAB)
C. Haney, Director, DORL, NRR (CXH)
D. Terao, Chief, LPLG, DORL, NRR (DXT)
B. Benney, NRR Project Manager (BJB)
RidsNrrDirslpab SUNSI Review Completed: _kmk__ ADAMS: : Yes G No Initials: _kmk___
- Publicly Available G Non-Publicly Available G Sensitive
- Non-Sensitive S:\\DRP\\DRPDIR\\EOC 05\\Assessment Letters\\CNS.wpd RIV:C:DRP\\C D:DRS D:DRP RA KMKennedy;mjs DDChamberlain ATHowell III BSMallett
/RA/
/RA/
/RA/
/RA/
2/24/06 2/24/06 2/27/06 2/28/06 OFFICIAL RECORD COPY T=Telephone E=E-mail F=Fax
Cooper Inspection / Activity Plan 03/01/2006 - 09/30/2007 Inspection Type Inspection Activity Planned Dates Start End No. of Staff on Site Title Unit Number Page 1 of 2 03/01/2006 08:31:08 Report 22
EB1-2/17
- PERMANENT MODS/50.59 Baseline Inspections 04/17/2006 04/21/2006
7111102 IP Evaluation of Changes, Tests, or Experiments Baseline Inspections 04/17/2006 04/21/2006
7111117B IP Permanent Plant Modifications
EXAM
- INITIAL EXAMINATION Not Applicable 09/11/2006 09/15/2006
X02344 COOPER - INITIAL EXAM (11/06)
Not Applicable 10/02/2006 10/13/2006
X02344 COOPER - INITIAL EXAM (11/06)
Not Applicable 10/16/2006 10/20/2006
X02344 COOPER - INITIAL EXAM (11/06)
BRQ SIM
- BIENNIAL RQ SIM ONLY Baseline Inspections 05/01/2006 05/05/2006
7111111B IP Licensed Operator Requalification Program
EB2-12B
- MAINTENANCE RULE BIENNIAL Baseline Inspections 05/08/2006 05/12/2006
7111112B IP Maintenance Effectiveness
REQUAL
- REQUALIFICATION Baseline Inspections 06/12/2006 06/16/2006
7111111B IP Licensed Operator Requalification Program
EB2-07B
- HX PERFORMANCE Baseline Inspections 06/26/2006 06/30/2006
7111107B IP Heat Sink Performance
EP1
- EMERG PREPAREDNESS EXERCISE Baseline Inspections 07/17/2006 07/21/2006
7111401 IP Exercise Evaluation Baseline Inspections 07/17/2006 07/21/2006
7111404 IP Emergency Action Level and Emergency Plan Changes Baseline Inspections 07/17/2006 07/21/2006
71151 IP Performance Indicator Verification
RP-ORS
- OCCUPATIONAL RADIATION SAFETY Baseline Inspections 10/16/2006 10/20/2006
7112101 IP Access Control to Radiologically Significant Areas Baseline Inspections 10/16/2006 10/20/2006
7112102 IP ALARA Planning and Controls Baseline Inspections 10/16/2006 10/20/2006
71151 IP Performance Indicator Verification
RP-ORS
- OCCUPATIONAL RADIATION SAFETY Baseline Inspections 10/30/2006 11/03/2006
7112101 IP Access Control to Radiologically Significant Areas Baseline Inspections 10/30/2006 11/03/2006
7112102 IP ALARA Planning and Controls
RP-ORS
- OCCUPATIONAL RADIATION SAFETY Baseline Inspections 03/19/2007 03/23/2007
7112101 IP Access Control to Radiologically Significant Areas Baseline Inspections 03/19/2007 03/23/2007
7112102 IP ALARA Planning and Controls Baseline Inspections 03/19/2007 03/23/2007
71151 IP Performance Indicator Verification
EB2-05T
- TRIENNIAL-FP Baseline Inspections 05/21/2007 05/25/2007
7111105T IP Fire Protection [Triennial]
Baseline Inspections 06/11/2007 06/15/2007
7111105T IP Fire Protection [Triennial]
RP TEAM
- RADIATION SAFETY TEAM Baseline Inspections 05/14/2007 05/18/2007
7112103 IP Radiation Monitoring Instrumentation and Protective Equipment This report does not include INPO and OUTAGE activities.
This report shows only on-site and announced inspection procedures.
Cooper Inspection / Activity Plan 03/01/2006 - 09/30/2007 Inspection Type Inspection Activity Planned Dates Start End No. of Staff on Site Title Unit Number Page 2 of 2 03/01/2006 08:31:08 Report 22
RP TEAM
- RADIATION SAFETY TEAM Baseline Inspections 05/14/2007 05/18/2007
7112201 IP Radioactive Gaseous and Liquid Effluent Treatment and Monitoring Systems Baseline Inspections 05/14/2007 05/18/2007
7112202 IP Radioactive Material Processing and Transportation Baseline Inspections 05/14/2007 05/18/2007
7112203 IP Radiological Environmental Monitoring Program (REMP) And Radioactive Material Control Program
EP2
- EP PROGRAM Baseline Inspections 07/23/2007 07/27/2007
7111402 IP Alert and Notification System Testing Baseline Inspections 07/23/2007 07/27/2007
7111403 IP Emergency Response Organization Augmentation Testing Baseline Inspections 07/23/2007 07/27/2007
7111404 IP Emergency Action Level and Emergency Plan Changes Baseline Inspections 07/23/2007 07/27/2007
7111405 IP Correction of Emergency Preparedness Weaknesses and Deficiencies Baseline Inspections 07/23/2007 07/27/2007
71151 IP Performance Indicator Verification
EB2-52B
- PIR TEAM INSPECTION Baseline Inspections 07/16/2007 07/20/2007
71152B IP Identification and Resolution of Problems Baseline Inspections 07/30/2007 08/03/2007
71152B IP Identification and Resolution of Problems
EB1-21
- CDB Baseline Inspections 08/27/2007 08/31/2007
7111121 IP Component Design Bases Inspection Baseline Inspections 09/10/2007 09/21/2007
7111121 IP Component Design Bases Inspection
RP-ORS
- OCCUPATIONAL RADIATION SAFETY Baseline Inspections 09/10/2007 09/14/2007
7112101 IP Access Control to Radiologically Significant Areas Baseline Inspections 09/10/2007 09/14/2007
7112102 IP ALARA Planning and Controls Baseline Inspections 09/10/2007 09/14/2007
71151 IP Performance Indicator Verification This report does not include INPO and OUTAGE activities.
This report shows only on-site and announced inspection procedures.