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Integrated Inspection Report 05000298/2020002
	ML20204B004
Person / Time
Site:	Cooper
Issue date:	07/22/2020
From:	David Proulx; NRC/RGN-IV/DRP/RPB-C
To:	Dent J; Nebraska Public Power District (NPPD)
References
	IR 2020002
	Download: ML20204B004 (16)
	v • d • e

July 22, 2020

SUBJECT:

COOPER NUCLEAR STATION - INTEGRATED INSPECTION REPORT 05000298/2020002

Dear Mr. Dent:

On June 30, 2020, the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) completed an inspection at Cooper Nuclear Station. On July 9, 2020, the NRC inspectors discussed the results of this inspection with you and other members of your staff. The results of this inspection are documented in the enclosed report.

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, David L. Proulx, Acting Chief Reactor Projects Branch C Division of Reactor Projects

Docket No. 05000298 License No. DPR-46

Enclosure:

As stated

Inspection Report

Docket Number:

05000298

License Number:

DPR-46

Report Number:

05000298/2020002

Enterprise Identifier: I-2020-002-0006

Licensee:

Nebraska Public Power District

Facility:

Cooper Nuclear Station

Location:

Brownville, NE

Inspection Dates:

April 1, 2020 to June 30, 2020

Inspectors:

A. Siwy, Senior Resident Inspector

M. Stafford, Resident Inspector

R. Alexander, Senior Emergency Preparedness Inspector

Approved By:

David L. Proulx, Acting Chief

Reactor Projects Branch C

Division of Reactor Projects

SUMMARY

The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) continued monitoring the licensees performance by conducting an integrated inspection at Cooper Nuclear Station, 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.

PLANT STATUS

Cooper Nuclear Station began the inspection period at rated thermal power. On May 19, 2020, the unit began a coast down to approximately 98 percent power, due to an administrative limit on reactor recirculation pump speed, prior to a planned rod sequence exchange. On May 29, 2020, the unit lowered power to approximately 70 percent for a control rod sequence exchange. The plant was returned to rated thermal power on May 30, 2020. On May 31, 2020, the unit lowered power to approximately 85 percent for a control rod sequence exchange. The plant was returned to rated thermal power on May 31, 2020. On June 12, 2020, the unit lowered power to approximately 80 percent for a control rod sequence exchange. The plant was returned to rated thermal power on June 13, 2020. On June 27, 2020, the unit lowered power to approximately 70 percent for a control rod sequence exchange. The plant was returned to rated thermal power on June 28, 2020, and remained at or near rated thermal power for the remainder of the inspection period.

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.

Starting on March 20, 2020, in response to the National Emergency declared by the President of the United States on the public health risks of the coronavirus (COVID-19), resident inspectors were directed to begin telework and to remotely access licensee information using available technology. During this time the resident inspectors performed periodic site visits each week and during that time conducted plant status activities as described in IMC 2515, Appendix D; observed risk significant activities; and completed on-site portions of IPs. In addition, resident and regional baseline inspections were evaluated to determine if all or a portion of the objectives and requirements stated in the IP could be performed remotely. If the inspections could be performed remotely, they were conducted per the applicable IP. In some cases, portions of an IP were completed remotely and on site. The inspections documented below met the objectives and requirements for completion of the IP.

REACTOR SAFETY

71111.01 - Adverse Weather Protection

Impending Severe Weather Sample (IP Section 03.02) (1 Sample)

(1) The inspectors evaluated the adequacy of the overall preparations to protect risk-significant systems from thunderstorms on May 18, 2020.

External Flooding Sample (IP Section 03.03) (1 Sample)

(1) The inspectors evaluated that flood protection barriers, mitigation plans, procedures, and equipment are consistent with the licensees design requirements and risk analysis assumptions for coping with external flooding.

71111.04 - Equipment Alignment

Partial Walkdown Sample (IP Section 03.01) (4 Samples)

The inspectors evaluated system configurations during partial walkdowns of the following systems/trains:

(1) Reactor core isolation cooling on April 15, 2020

(2) Reactor equipment cooling B on April 20, 2020

(3) Residual heat removal service water booster pump D on April 23, 2020

(4) Fire protection system hydrants on June 11, 2020

Complete Walkdown Sample (IP Section 03.02) (1 Sample)

(1) The inspectors evaluated system configurations during a complete walkdown of the 24 Vdc electrical system on June 9, 2020.

71111.05 - Fire Protection

Fire Area Walkdown and Inspection Sample (IP Section 03.01) (5 Samples)

The inspectors evaluated the implementation of the fire protection program by conducting a walkdown and performing a review to verify program compliance, equipment functionality, material condition, and operational readiness of the following fire areas:

(1) Reactor building northeast quad, 881 foot and 859 foot elevations, on April 15, 2020

(2) Control building basement on April 23, 2020

(3) Intake structure on May 6, 2020

(4) Control building battery and switchgear Room 1B on May 6, 2020

(5) Control building reactor protection system motor generator set rooms on May 14, 2020

71111.06 - Flood Protection Measures

Inspection Activities - Internal Flooding (IP Section 03.01) (2 Samples)

The inspectors evaluated internal flooding mitigation protections in the:

(1) Residual heat removal heat exchanger B Room, 931 foot elevation, on April 20, 2020

(2) Service water pump room on June 1, 2020

71111.11Q - Licensed Operator Requalification Program and Licensed Operator Performance

Licensed Operator Performance in the Actual Plant/Main Control Room (IP Section 03.01) (1 Sample)

(1) The inspectors observed and evaluated licensed operator performance in the control room during downpower and rod pattern adjustment on May 30, 2020.

Licensed Operator Requalification Training/Examinations (IP Section 03.02) (1 Sample)

(1) The inspectors observed and evaluated the licensed operator requalification scenario on June 17, 2020.

71111.12 - Maintenance Effectiveness

Maintenance Effectiveness (IP Section 03.01) (2 Samples)

The inspectors evaluated the effectiveness of maintenance to ensure the following structures, systems, and components (SSCs) remain capable of performing their intended function:

(1) Maintenance Rule a(3) periodic assessment on May 29, 2020

(2) Drywell radiation monitor repeat failures on June 29, 2020

71111.13 - Maintenance Risk Assessments and Emergent Work Control

Risk Assessment and Management Sample (IP Section 03.01) (3 Samples)

The inspectors evaluated the accuracy and completeness of risk assessments for the following planned and emergent work activities to ensure configuration changes and appropriate work controls were addressed:

(1) High pressure coolant injection maintenance window on April 16, 2020

(2) Residual heat removal A subsystem maintenance window on May 1, 2020

(3) Startup station service transformer maintenance window on June 26, 2020

71111.15 - Operability Determinations and Functionality Assessments

Operability Determination or Functionality Assessment (IP Section 03.01) (8 Samples)

The inspectors evaluated the licensee's justifications and actions associated with the following operability determinations and functionality assessments:

(1) Residual heat removal heat exchanger B HELB door on April 20, 2020

(2) FLEX 60 kW diesel generator functionality on May 4, 2020

(3) Control rod drive mechanism temperature indication on May 5, 2020

(4) Reactor building airlock door and secondary containment on May 13, 2020

(5) Service water pipe thinning on June 2, 2020

(6) Low bus voltage indication in control room on June 11, 2020

(7) Core spray minimum flow valve environmental qualification on June 24, 2020

(8) Flood barrier control hose routing on June 26, 2020

71111.18 - Plant Modifications

Temporary Modifications and/or Permanent Modifications (IP Section 03.01 and/or 03.02) (1 Sample)

The inspectors evaluated the following temporary or permanent modifications:

(1) Spent fuel pool cooling isolation valves on May 7, 2020

71111.19 - Post-Maintenance Testing

Post-Maintenance Test Sample (IP Section 03.01) (3 Samples)

The inspectors evaluated the following post maintenance test activities to verify system operability and functionality:

(1) High pressure coolant injection maintenance post-work testing on April 23, 2020

(2) Standby gas treatment A post work testing on June 8, 2020

(3) Startup station service transformer maintenance post work testing on June 26, 2020

71111.22 - Surveillance Testing

The inspectors evaluated the following surveillance tests:

Surveillance Tests (other) (IP Section 03.01)

Main article: IP 71111.22

(1) Division 2 emergency diesel generator monthly surveillance on May 11, 2020

(2) Control rod scram time surveillance on May 30, 2020

FLEX Testing (IP Section 03.02) (1 Sample)

(1) FLEX fuel transfer trailer surveillance on May 5, 2020

71114.04 - Emergency Action Level and Emergency Plan Changes

Inspection Review (IP Section 02.01-02.03) (1 Sample)

(1) The inspectors evaluated the following Emergency Action Level procedure and Emergency Plan changes, of which summaries were submitted to the NRC per 10 CFR 50.54(q)(5) and 10 CFR 50.4.

Emergency Plan Implementing Procedure 5.7.1, Emergency Classifications, Revisions 60, 61, 62, 63, and 64

Cooper Emergency Plan, Revision 75

This evaluation does not constitute NRC approval.

71114.08 - Exercise Evaluation Scenario Review

Inspection Review (IP Section 02.01 - 02.04) (1 Sample)

(1) The inspectors reviewed the licensee's preliminary exercise scenario, which was submitted to the NRC on March 5, 2020, for the exercise which was scheduled to occur in early May 2020. The inspectors discussed the preliminary scenario with Mr. L. Mocnik, Manager, Emergency Preparedness, and other members of the emergency preparedness staff on April 6, 2020. The inspectors' review does not constitute NRC approval of the scenario.

Due to events surrounding the COVID-19 public health emergency, the licensee and offsite response organizations postponed the scheduled biennial exercise to a date yet to be determined. However, the scenario has been retained and securely controlled, such that it may be utilized when the exercise is conducted at the later date.

OTHER ACTIVITIES - BASELINE

===71151 - Performance Indicator Verification The inspectors verified licensee performance indicators submittals listed below:

IE04: Unplanned Scrams with Complications (USwC) Sample (IP Section 02.03)===

Main article: IP 71151