IR 05000348/2012301

Operator Examination Report 5000348/12-301 and 05000362/12-301, Joseph M. Farley Nuclear Plant

ML12201B505
Person / Time
Site:	Farley
Issue date:	07/17/2012
From:	Mark Franke Division of Reactor Safety III
To:	Lynch T Southern Nuclear Operating Co
References
50-348/12-301, 50-364/12-301
Download: ML12201B505 (12)

Text

UNITED STATES uly 17, 2012

SUBJECT:

JOSEPH M. FARLEY NUCLEAR PLANT - NRC OPERATOR LICENSE EXAMINATION REPORT (05000348/2012301 AND 05000364/2012301)

Dear Mr. Lynch:

During the period June 18 - 22, 2012, the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) administered operating tests to employees of your company who had applied for licenses to operate the Joseph M. Farley Nuclear Plant. At the conclusion of the tests, the examiners discussed preliminary findings related to the operating tests and the written examination submittal with those members of your staff identified in the enclosed report. The written examination was administered by your staff on June 28, 2012.

Three Reactor Operator (RO) and six Senior Reactor Operator (SRO) applicants passed both the operating test and written examination. One RO applicant failed the written examination.

There were no post-examination comments. A Simulator Fidelity Report is included in this report as Enclosure 2.

The initial examination submittal was within the range of acceptability expected for a proposed examination. All examination changes agreed upon between the NRC and your staff were made according to NUREG-1021, Operator Licensing Examination Standards for Power Reactors, Revision 9, Supplement 1.

In accordance with 10 CFR 2.390 of the NRCs Rules of Practice, a copy of this letter and its enclosures will be available electronically for public inspection in the NRC Public Document Room or from the Publicly Available Records (PARS) component of the NRCs document system (ADAMS). ADAMS is accessible from the NRC Website at http://www.nrc.gov/reading-rm/adams.html (the Public Electronic Reading Room).If you have any questions concerning this letter, please contact me at (404) 997- 4436

Sincerely,

/RA/

Mark E. Franke, Chief Operations Branch 2 Division of Reactor Safety Docket Nos: 50-348 and 50-364 License Nos: NPF-2 and NPF-8 Enclosures 1. Report Details 2. Simulator Fidelity Report

___________________ xG SUNSI REVIEW COMPLETE xG FORM 665 ATTACHED OFFICE RII:DRS RII:DRS HQ:DIRS RII:DRP RII:DRS SIGNATURE RA RA RA RA RA NAME CABALLERO BACON CURRIE EHRHARDT FRANKE DATE 7/16/2012 7/12/2012 7/13/2012 7/17/2012 7/17/2012 E-MAIL COPY? YES NO YES NO YES NO YES NO YES NO YES NO YES NO cc w/encls: Mark Williams C. Russ Dedrickson Commissioner Fleet Support Supervisor Georgia Department of Natural Resources Southern Nuclear Operating Company, Inc. Electronic Mail Distribution Electronic Mail Distribution B. D. McKinney, Jr.

Cheryl A. Gayheart Regulatory Response Manager Plant Manager Southern Nuclear Operating Company, Inc.

Joseph M. Farley Nuclear Plant Electronic Mail Distribution Southern Nuclear Operating Company, Inc.

Electronic Mail Distribution D. W. Daughhetee Licensing Engineer S. Kuczynski Southern Nuclear Operating Company, Inc.

Chairman, President and CEO Electronic Mail Distribution Southern Nuclear Operating Company, Inc.

Electronic Mail Distribution T. D. Honeycutt Regulatory Response Supervisor J. L. Pemberton Southern Nuclear Operating Company, Inc.

SVP & General Counsel-Ops & SNC Electronic Mail Distribution Southern Nuclear Operating Company, Inc.

Electronic Mail Distribution L. Mike Stinson Vice President D. G. Bost Fleet Operations Support Chief Nuclear Officer Southern Nuclear Operating Company, Inc.

Southern Nuclear Operating Company, Inc. Electronic Mail Distribution Electronic Mail Distribution N. J. Stringfellow Dennis R. Madison Licensing Manager Vice President Southern Nuclear Operating Company, Inc.

Edwin I. Hatch Nuclear Plant Electronic Mail Distribution Southern Nuclear Operating Company, Inc.

Electronic Mail Distribution L. P. Hill Licensing Supervisor Paula Marino Southern Nuclear Operating Company, Inc.

Vice President Electronic Mail Distribution Engineering Southern Nuclear Operating Company, Inc. L. L. Crumpton Electronic Mail Distribution Administrative Assistant, Sr.

Southern Nuclear Operating Company, Inc.

T. E. Tynan Electronic Mail Distribution Site Vice President Vogtle Electric Generating Plant William D. Oldfield Southern Nuclear Operating Company, Inc. Principal Licensing Engineer Electronic Mail Distribution Joseph M. Farley Nuclear Plant Electronic Mail Distribution M. J. Ajluni Nuclear Licensing Director Southern Nuclear Operating Company, Inc.

Electronic Mail Distribution (cc w/encls contd - See page 4) (cc w/encls contd) Chuck Mueller Todd L. Youngblood Manager Vice President Policy and Radiation Program Fleet Oversight Georgia Department of Natural Resources Southern Nuclear Operating Company, Inc. Electronic Mail Distribution Electronic Mail Distribution Southern Nuclear Operating Company, Inc.

John G. Horn ATTN: Ms. Donna Christiansen Site Support Manager Training Manager Joseph M. Farley Nuclear Plant Farley Nuclear Plant Southern Nuclear Operating Company, Inc. P. O. Box 470 Electronic Mail Distribution Ashford, AL 36312 Senior Resident Inspector U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission Joseph M. Farley Nuclear Plant P. O. Box 620 Ashford, AL 36312 Cynthia A. Sanders Radioactive Materials Program Manager Environmental Protection Division Georgia Department of Natural Resources Electronic Mail Distribution James C. Hardeman Environmental Radiation Program Manager Environmental Protection Division Georgia Department of Natural Resources Electronic Mail Distribution Mr. Mark Culver Chairman Houston County Commission P. O. Box 6406 Dothan, AL 36302 James L. McNees, CHP Director Office of Radiation Control Alabama Dept. of Public Health P. O. Box 303017 Montgomery, AL 36130-3017 Donald E. Williamson State Health Officer Alabama Dept. of Public Health RSA Tower - Administration Suite 1552 P.O. Box 30317 Montgomery, AL 36130-3017 Letter to T. from Mark E. Franke dated July 17, 2012.

SUBJECT: JOSEPH M. FARLEY NUCLEAR PLANT - NRC OPERATOR LICENSE EXAMINATION REPORT (05000348/2012301 AND 05000364/2012301)

Distribution w/encls:

RIDSNRRDIRS PUBLIC RidsNrrPMFarley Resource

U.S. NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION

REGION II

Docket No.: 05000348, 05000364 License Nos.: NPF-2, NPF-9 Report No.: 05000348/2012301 AND 05000364/2012301 Licensee: Southern Nuclear Company (SNC), LLC Facility: Joseph M. Farley Nuclear Plant Location: Ashford, AL Dates: Operating Test - June 18 - 22, 2012 Written Examination - June 28, 2012 Examiners: Bruno Caballero, Chief Examiner, Senior Operations Engineer Dan Bacon, Operations Engineer Sean Currie, Reactor Engineer Approved by: Mark E. Franke, Chief Operations Branch 2 Division of Reactor Safety Enclosure 1

SUMMARY OF FINDINGS ER 05000348/2012301 and 05000364/2012301; June 18 - 22, 2012, & June 28, 2012, Joseph M. Farley Nuclear Plant; Units 1 and 2 Operator License Examinations.

Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) examiners conducted an initial examination in accordance with the guidelines in Revision 9, Supplement 1, of NUREG-1021, "Operator Licensing Examination Standards for Power Reactors." This examination implemented the operator licensing requirements identified in 10 CFR §55.41, §55.43, and §55.45, as applicable.

Members of the Joseph M. Farley Nuclear Plant staff developed both the operating tests and the written examination.

The NRC administered the operating tests during the period June 18 - 22, 2012. Members of the Joseph M. Farley Nuclear Plant training staff administered the written examination on June 28, 2012. Three Reactor Operator (RO) and six Senior Reactor Operator (SRO) applicants passed both the operating test and written examination. Eight applicants were issued licenses commensurate with the level of examination administered.

There were no post-examination comments.

No findings were identified.

Enclosure 1

REPORT DETAILS 4. OTHER ACTIVITIES a. Inspection Scope Members of the Joseph M. Farley Nuclear Plant staff developed both the operating tests and the written examination. All examination material was developed in accordance with the guidelines contained in Revision 9, Supplement 1, of NUREG-1021, "Operator Licensing Examination Standards for Power Reactors." The NRC examination team reviewed the proposed examination. Examination changes agreed upon between the NRC and the licensee were made per NUREG-1021 and incorporated into the final version of the examination materials.

The NRC reviewed the licensees examination security measures while preparing and administering the examinations in order to ensure compliance with 10 CFR §55.49, Integrity of examinations and tests.

The NRC examiners evaluated four Reactor Operator (RO) and six Senior Reactor Operator (SRO) applicants using the guidelines contained in NUREG-1021. The examiners administered the operating tests during the period June 18 - 22, 2012.

Members of the Joseph M. Farley Nuclear Plant training staff administered the written examination on June 28, 2012. Evaluations of applicants and reviews of associated documentation were performed to determine if the applicants, who applied for licenses to operate the Joseph M. Farley Nuclear Plant, met the requirements specified in 10 CFR Part 55, Operators Licenses.

b. Findings No findings were identified. The NRC determined, using NUREG-1021, that the licensees initial examination submittal was within the range of acceptability expected for a proposed examination.

Three RO applicants and six SRO applicants passed both the operating test and written examination. One RO applicant passed the operating test but did not pass the written examination. Three RO applicants and five SRO applicants were issued licenses.

One SRO applicant passed the operating test, but passed the written examination with overall score between 80% and 82%. This applicant was issued a letter stating that he/she 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.

Copies of all individual examination reports were sent to the facility Training Manager for evaluation of weaknesses and determination of appropriate remedial training.

The licensee did not submit any post-examination comments. A copy of the final written examination and answer key, with all changes incorporated, may be accessed not Enclosure 1

earlier than June 26, 2014, in the ADAMS system (ADAMS Accession Number(s)

ML12191A180 and ML12191A177).

4OA6 Meetings, Including Exit Exit Meeting Summary On June 22, 2012, the NRC Chief Examiner discussed the operating test with Mr. Tom Lynch, Site Vice President, and members of the Joseph M. Farley Nuclear Plant staff.

The examiners asked the licensee if any of the examination material was proprietary.

No proprietary information was identified.

Enclosure 1

KEY POINTS OF CONTACT Licensee personnel Tom Lynch, Site Vice President Cheryl Gayheart, Plant Manager Bill Oldfield, Lead Engineer Licensing Lisa Hogg, Nuclear Technical Specialist Donna Christensen, Training Manager David Reed, Operations Support Superintendent Richard Gayheart, Fleet Training Barbara Taylor, Performance Improvement Supervisor Thomas Campbell, Nuclear Oversight Assessor Brian Reed, Nuclear Operations Plant Lead Instructor Gary Ohmstede, Operations Training Supervisor NRC personnel Jeff Sowa, Resident Inspector Ed Crowe, Senior Resident Inspector Enclosure 1

SIMULATOR FIDELITY REPORT Facility Licensee: Joseph M. Farley Nuclear Plant Facility Docket Nos.: 05000348, 05000364 Operating Test Administered: June 18 - 22, 2012 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 Inspection Procedure 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 issues were identified.

Enclosure 2