IR 05000348/2008001

Annual Assessment Letter - Farley (IR 05000364-08-001 and 05000348-08-001)

ML080630656
Person / Time
Site:	Farley
Issue date:	03/03/2008
From:	Mccree V Region 2 Administrator
To:	Jerrica Johnson Southern Nuclear Operating Co
References
IR-08-001
Download: ML080630656 (8)

Text

UNITED STATES NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION

REGION II

rch 3, 2008

SUBJECT:

ANNUAL ASSESSMENT LETTER - JOSEPH M. FARLEY NUCLEAR PLANT (NRC INSPECTION REPORT 05000364/2008001 AND 05000348/2008001)

Dear Mr. Johnson:

On February 5, 2008, the NRC staff completed its performance review of Joseph M. Farley Nuclear Plant. Our technical staff reviewed performance indicators (PIs) for the most recent quarter and inspection results for the period from January 1 through December 31, 2007. 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 Farley. This performance review and enclosed inspection plan do not include security information. A separate letter designated and marked as

"Official Use Only - Security Related Information" will include the security cornerstone performance review and resultant inspection plan.

Overall, Farley Units 1 and 2 operated in a manner that preserved public health and safety and met all cornerstone objectives with moderate degradation in safety performance. Unit 1 plant performance for the first and second quarters of the assessment cycle was within the Licensee Response column of the NRC=s Action Matrix. The Mitigating Systems Performance Index (MSPI), Cooing Water Systems PI crossed the threshold from Green to White in the third quarter due to the failure of Component Cooling Water system pump breakers on two separate occasions. These breaker failures were the subject of an NRC Augmented Inspection Team inspection. The inspection results are documented in NRC inspection report 05000348,364/2007010. Also, a White Parallel Performance Indicator finding was opened in the third quarter due to continuing problems with evaluating safety-related breaker failures. This was identified as a result of an NRC Supplemental Inspection for the MSPI, Cooling Water Systems PI which crossed the threshold from Green to White in the second quarter of 2006.

The results of this inspection are documented in inspection report 05000348,364/2007008. As a result of the White PI and the White finding, Unit 1 moved into the Degraded Cornerstone column of the NRCs Action Matrix in the third quarter.

Unit 2 plant performance was within the Licensee Response column of the NRC=s Action Matrix for the first quarter of the assessment cycle. In the third quarter, a Yellow finding in the Mitigating Systems Cornerstone was identified for the failure of a Residual Heat Removal (RHR)

containment sump suction valve not fully opening during surveillance testing on two separate occasions. This was the subject of an NRC Special Inspection. The inspection results are documented in NRC inspection report 05000348,364/2007009. As a result of this Yellow finding, Unit 2 moved into the Degraded Cornerstone column of the NRCs Action Matrix in the

SNC 2 third quarter. The MSPI, RHR PI crossed the threshold from Green to White in the second quarter due to the RHR valve failures. However, this White PI was not considered in Unit 2s performance assessment as it relates to the NRC Action Matrix to avoid double counting of this issue. Also, a White Parallel Performance Indicator finding was opened in the third quarter as described above for Unit 1. This White finding did not affect Unit 2s performance assessment; therefore, Unit 2 remained in the Degraded Cornerstone column of the NRCs Action Matrix for the third and fourth quarters.

When we have been notified of your readiness, the NRC will conduct a supplemental inspection for both Unit 1 and Unit 2 using Inspection Procedure 95002, Inspection for One Degraded Cornerstone or Any Three White Inputs in a Strategic Performance Area, in addition to routine reactor oversight program (ROP) baseline inspections. The 95002 inspection will include the inspection activities for the Unit 2 White MSPI, RHR PI.

The enclosed inspection plan details the inspections, less those related to security, scheduled through June 30, 2009. In addition, we will be conducting NRC Temporary Instructions 171 and 172, initial reactor operator licensing examinations, and an in-office review of testing results for both Unit 1 and Unit 2 containment recirculation sump modifications. 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 nine months of the inspection plan are tentative and may be revised at the mid-cycle review.

Based on both Units being in the Degraded Cornerstone of the NRC Action Matrix, a review was conducted to determine if additional inspection was warranted in the area of Identification and Resolution of Problems. Weaknesses were identified in the Corrective Action Program as indicated by the lack of thorough evaluation of multiple safety-related breaker failures and failure to promptly correct a condition adverse to quality with the RHR suction valves that resulted in a Yellow finding. The NRC has concluded that it is appropriate to conduct an additional Identification and Resolution of Problems inspection during the current biennial period in accordance with the Reactor Oversight Process.

In accordance with 10 CFR 2.390 of the NRC=s ARules 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).

SNC 3 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 Scott M. Shaeffer at (404) 562-4521 with any questions you may have regarding this letter or the inspection plan.

Sincerely,

/RA/

Victor M. McCree Acting Regional Administrator Docket Nos.: 50-348 and 50-364 License Nos.: NPF-2 and NPF-8 Enclosure: Farley Inspection/Activity Plan cc w/encl: (See page 4)

_________________________

OFFICE RII:DRP RII:DRP RII:DRP RII:ORA SIGNATURE /Ra E-Mail/ /RA/ /RA/ /RA By VMcCree/

NAME CRapp SShaeffer JShea CCasto DATE 3/3/08 3/3/08 3/3/08 3/3/08 E-MAIL COPY? YES NO YES NO YES NO YES NO YES NO YES NO YES NO

SNC 4 cc w/encl: Senior Resident Inspector B. D. McKinney Joseph M. Farley Nuclear Plant Licensing Services Manager U.S. NRC B-031 7388 N. State Highway 95 Southern Nuclear Operating Company, Inc. Columbia, AL 36319 Electronic Mail Distribution Jeffrey T. Gasser Executive Vice President Southern Nuclear Operating Company, Inc.

Electronic Mail Distribution M. Stanford Blanton, Esq.

Balch and Bingham Law Firm Electronic Mail Distribution Dr. D. E. Williamson State Health Officer Alabama Dept. of Public Health Electronic Mail Distribution Mr. Mark Culver Chairman Houston County Commission P. O. Box 6406 Dothan, AL 36302 William D. Oldfield Quality Assurance Supervisor Southern Nuclear Operating Company Electronic Mail Distribution L. Mike Stinson Vice President Fleet Operations Support Southern Nuclear Operating Company, Inc.

Electronic Mail Distribution David H. Jones Vice President Engineering Southern Nuclear Operating Company, Inc.

Electronic Mail Distribution Moanica Caston Vice President and General Counsel Southern Nuclear Operating Company, Inc.

Electronic Mail Distribution

SNC 5 Letter to J. Randy Johnson from Victor M. McCree dated March 3, 2008 SUBJECT: ANNUAL ASSESSMENT LETTER - JOSEPH M. FARLEY NUCLEAR PLANT (NRC INSPECTION REPORT 05000364/2008001 AND 05000348/2008001)

Distribution w/encl:

C. Evans, RII L. Slack, RII M. Cox, EDO OE Mail RIDSNRRDIRS PUBLIC A. Adams, NRR K. Cotton, NRR ROP Reports INPO

Page 1 of 2 Farley 03/03/2008 18:05:15 Inspection / Activity Plan Report 22 03/03/2008 - 06/30/2009 Unit No. of Staff Planned Dates Inspection Number Inspection Activity Title on Site Start End Type EB2-TFP - TRIENNIAL FIRE PROTECTION 5 1, 2 IP 7111105T Fire Protection [Triennial] 03/10/2008 03/14/2008 Baseline Inspections 1, 2 IP 7111105T Fire Protection [Triennial] 03/31/2008 04/04/2008 Baseline Inspections OL RQ - REQUAL INSPECTION 2 1, 2 IP 7111111B Licensed Operator Requalification Program 03/03/2008 03/07/2008 Baseline Inspections PSB1-EP - EP EXERCISE 3 1, 2 IP 7111401 Exercise Evaluation 03/10/2008 03/14/2008 EP Baseline Inspection 1, 2 IP 71151-EP01 Drill/Exercise Performance 03/10/2008 03/14/2008 Baseline Inspections 1, 2 IP 71151-EP02 ERO Drill Participation 03/10/2008 03/14/2008 Baseline Inspections 1, 2 IP 71151-EP03 Alert & Notification System 03/10/2008 03/14/2008 Baseline Inspections PB2-SUPP - 95002 SUPPLEMENTAL INSPECTION 5 1, 2 IP 95002 Inspection For One Degraded Cornerstone Or Any Three White Inputs In A Strategic Performance 05/05/2008 05/16/2008 Supplemental Program Area TSB-PI&R - PREP TRIP-PROBLEM ID AND RESOL 1 1, 2 IP 71152B Identification and Resolution of Problems 07/28/2008 08/01/2008 Baseline Inspections PSB1-RP - RADIATION PROTECTION PREINSPECTION VISIT 1 1, 2 IP 7112101 Access Control to Radiologically Significant Areas 08/25/2008 08/29/2008 Baseline Inspections TSB-PI&R - PROBLEM IDENTIFICATION AND RESOLUTION 6 1, 2 IP 71152B Identification and Resolution of Problems 09/08/2008 09/12/2008 Baseline Inspections 1, 2 IP 71152B Identification and Resolution of Problems 09/22/2008 09/26/2008 Baseline Inspections OL EXAM - INITIAL EXAM PREP 3 1 V23288 FARLEY/NOVEMBER 2008 EXAM AT POWER FACILITIES 09/29/2008 10/03/2008 Not Applicable EB3-ISI - UNIT 2 - ISI 1 2 IP 7111108P Inservice Inspection Activities - PWR 10/20/2008 10/24/2008 Baseline Inspections PSB1-RP - RADIATION PROTECTION OCCUPATIONAL WK1 2 1, 2 IP 7112101 Access Control to Radiologically Significant Areas 10/20/2008 10/24/2008 Baseline Inspections 1, 2 IP 7112102 ALARA Planning and Controls 10/20/2008 10/24/2008 Baseline Inspections 1, 2 IP 7112202 Radioactive Material Processing and Transportation 10/20/2008 10/24/2008 Baseline Inspections 1, 2 IP 71151-OR01 Occupational Exposure Control Effectiveness 10/20/2008 10/24/2008 Baseline Inspections 1, 2 IP 71151-PR01 RETS/ODCM Radiological Effluent 10/20/2008 10/24/2008 Baseline Inspections OL EXAM - INITIAL EXAM - WEEK 1 3 1 V23288 FARLEY/NOVEMBER 2008 EXAM AT POWER FACILITIES 10/27/2008 10/31/2008 Not Applicable OL EXAM - INITIAL EXAM - WEEK 2 3 1 V23288 FARLEY/NOVEMBER 2008 EXAM AT POWER FACILITIES 11/03/2008 11/07/2008 Not Applicable PSB1-RP - RADIATION PROTECTION OCCUPATIONAL WK2 3 1, 2 IP 7112101 Access Control to Radiologically Significant Areas 11/03/2008 11/07/2008 Baseline Inspections This report does not include INPO and OUTAGE activities.

This report shows only on-site and announced inspection procedures.

Page 2 of 2 Farley 03/03/2008 18:05:15 Inspection / Activity Plan Report 22 03/03/2008 - 06/30/2009 Unit No. of Staff Planned Dates Inspection Number Inspection Activity Title on Site Start End Type PSB1-RP - RADIATION PROTECTION OCCUPATIONAL WK2 3 1, 2 IP 7112102 ALARA Planning and Controls 11/03/2008 11/07/2008 Baseline Inspections 1, 2 IP 7112202 Radioactive Material Processing and Transportation 11/03/2008 11/07/2008 Baseline Inspections 1, 2 IP 71151-OR01 Occupational Exposure Control Effectiveness 11/03/2008 11/07/2008 Baseline Inspections 1, 2 IP 71151-PR01 RETS/ODCM Radiological Effluent 11/03/2008 11/07/2008 Baseline Inspections EB3TI172 - TI-172 1 1, 2 IP 2515/172 Reactor Coolant System Dissimiliar Metal Butt Welds 11/17/2008 11/21/2008 Generic Safety Inspectio EB3-HS - HEAT SINK 2 1, 2 IP 7111107B Heat Sink Performance 12/01/2008 12/05/2008 Baseline Inspections PB2TI171 - TI-171 - B.5.B PHASE 2&3 3 1, 2 IP 2515/171 Verification of Site Specific Implementation Of B.5.b Phase 2 & 3 Mitigating Strategies 12/08/2008 12/12/2008 Generic Safety Inspectio PSB1-RP - RADIATION PROTECTION PREINSPECTION VISIT 1 1, 2 IP 7112101 Access Control to Radiologically Significant Areas 01/05/2009 01/07/2009 Baseline Inspections EB1-CDBI - COMPONENT DESIGN BASIS INSPECTION 8 1, 2 IP 7111121 Component Design Bases Inspection 01/12/2009 01/16/2009 Baseline Inspections 1, 2 IP 7111121 Component Design Bases Inspection 01/26/2009 01/30/2009 Baseline Inspections 1, 2 IP 7111121 Component Design Bases Inspection 02/09/2009 02/13/2009 Baseline Inspections 1, 2 IP 7111121 Component Design Bases Inspection 02/23/2009 02/27/2009 Baseline Inspections PSB1-RP - RADIATION PROTECTION PUBLIC CORNERSTONE 4 1, 2 IP 7112101 Access Control to Radiologically Significant Areas 02/02/2009 02/06/2009 Baseline Inspections 1, 2 IP 7112103 Radiation Monitoring Instrumentation and Protective Equipment 02/02/2009 02/06/2009 Baseline Inspections 1, 2 IP 7112201 Radioactive Gaseous and Liquid Effluent Treatment and Monitoring Systems 02/02/2009 02/06/2009 Baseline Inspections 1, 2 IP 7112203 Radiological Environmental Monitoring Program (REMP) And Radioactive Material Control Program 02/02/2009 02/06/2009 Baseline Inspections EB3-ISI - UNIT 1 ISI 1 1 IP 7111108P Inservice Inspection Activities - PWR 04/06/2009 04/10/2009 Baseline Inspections This report does not include INPO and OUTAGE activities.

This report shows only on-site and announced inspection procedures.