IR 05000397/2013301
| ML13078A434 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Site: | Columbia  |
| Issue date: | 03/19/2013 |
| From: | Vincent Gaddy Operations Branch IV |
| To: | Reddemann M Energy Northwest |
| References | |
| IR-13-301 | |
| Preceding documents: |
|
| Download: ML13078A434 (9) | |
Text
March 19, 2013
SUBJECT:
COLUMBIA GENERATING STATION - NRC EXAMINATION REPORT 05000397/2013301
Dear Mr. Reddemann:
On February 8, 2013, the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) completed an initial operator license examination at Columbia Generating Station. The enclosed report documents the examination results and licensing decisions. The preliminary examination results were discussed on February 8, 2013, with you and other members of your staff. A telephonic exit meeting was conducted on February 28, 2013, with Mr. R. Hayden, Exam Developer, who was provided the NRC licensing decisions.
The examination included the evaluation of five applicants for reactor operator licenses, six applicants for instant senior reactor operator licenses, and two applicants for upgrade senior reactor operator licenses. The license examiners determined that 12 of the 13 applicants satisfied the requirements of 10 CFR Part 55 and the appropriate licenses have been issued.
There was one post examination comment submitted by your staff. Enclosure 1 contains details of this report and Enclosure 2 summarizes post examination comment resolution.
No findings were identified during this examination.
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). ADAMS is accessible from the NRC Web site at http://www.nrc.gov/reading-rm/adams.html (the Public Electronic Reading Room).
Sincerely,
/RA/
Vince Gaddy, Chief Operations Branch
Division of Reactor Safety UNITED STATES NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION RE G IO N I V 1600 EAST LAMAR BLVD ARLINGTON, TEXAS 76011-4511 Docket: 50-397 License: NPF-21
Enclosures:
1. NRC Examination Report 05000397/2013301 2. NRC Post Examination Comment Resolution
REGION IV==
Docket:
50-397
License:
NPF-21 Report:
05000397/2013301 Licensee:
Energy Northwest Facility:
Columbia Generating Station Location:
Location: P.O. Box 968 Richland, WA 99352-0968 Dates:
February 1 - 8, 2013 Inspectors:
S. Garchow, Chief Examiner, Senior Operations Engineer K. Clayton, Senior Operations Engineer R. DeVercelly, Senior Training Instructor (TTC)
C. Steely, Operations Engineer G. Apger, Operations Engineer Approved By:
Vince Gaddy, Chief Operations Branch Division of Reactor Safety
- 2 -
Enclosure 1
SUMMARY OF FINDINGS
ER05000397/2011301; February 1 - 8, 2013; Columbia Generating Station; Initial Operator
Licensing Examination Report.
NRC examiners evaluated the competency of five applicants for reactor operator licenses, six applicants for instant senior reactor operator licenses and two applicants for upgrade senior reactor operator license at Columbia Generating Station.
The licensee developed the examinations using NUREG-1021, "Operator Licensing Examination Standards for Power Reactors," Revision 9, Supplement 1. The written examination was administered by the licensee on February 1, 2013. NRC examiners administered the operating tests during the week of February 4, 2013.
The examiners determined that twelve of the thirteen applicants satisfied the requirements of 10 CFR Part 55, and the appropriate licenses have been issued.
NRC-Identified and Self-Revealing Findings
None.
Licensee-Identified Violations
None.
REPORT DETAILS
OTHER ACTIVITIES (OA)
4OA5 Other Activities (Initial Operator License Examination)
.1 License Applications
a. Scope
NRC examiners reviewed all license applications submitted to ensure each applicant satisfied relevant license eligibility requirements. Examiners also audited four of the license applications in detail to confirm that they accurately reflected the subject applicants qualifications. This audit focused on the applicants experience and on-the-job training, including control manipulations that provided significant reactivity changes.
b. Findings
No findings were identified.
.2 Examination Development
a. Scope
NRC examiners reviewed integrated examination outlines and draft examinations submitted by the licensee against the requirements of NUREG-1021. The NRC examination team conducted an onsite validation of the operating tests.
b. Findings
NRC examiners provided outline, draft examination and post-validation comments to the licensee. The licensee satisfactorily completed comment resolution prior to examination administration.
NRC examiners determined the written examinations and operating tests initially submitted by the licensee were within the range of acceptability expected for a proposed examination.
.3 Operator Knowledge and Performance
a. Scope
On February 1, 2013, the licensee proctored the administration of the written examinations to all 13 applicants. The licensee staff graded the written examinations, analyzed the results, and presented their analysis and post examination comments to the NRC on February 12, 2013.
The NRC examination team administered the various portions of the operating tests to all applicants on February 4 - 8, 2013.
b. Findings
No findings were identified.
Twelve of the 13 applicants passed the written examination and all parts of the operating test. The final written examinations and post examination analysis and comments may be accessed in the ADAMS system under the accession numbers noted in the attachment.
The examination team noted four generic weaknesses associated with applicant performance on the dynamic scenario, simulator JPM, and in-plant JPM sections of the operating tests. The applicants displayed a weakness in diagnosing integrated system response, annunciator prioritization, Emergency Operating Procedure implementation, and the instant senior operators had difficulty in locating some components in the plant and on control room back panels. Copies of all individual examination reports were sent to the facility Training Manager for evaluation and determination of appropriate remedial training.
.4 Simulation Facility Performance
a. Scope
The NRC examiners observed simulator performance with regard to plant fidelity during examination validation and administration.
b. Findings
No findings were identified.
.5 Examination Security
a. Scope
The NRC examiners reviewed examination security for examination development during both the onsite preparation week and examination administration week for compliance with 10 CFR 55.49 and NUREG-1021. Plans for simulator security and applicant control were reviewed and discussed with licensee personnel.
b. Findings
No findings were identified.
4OA6 Meetings, Including Exit
The chief examiner presented the preliminary examination results to Messrs. M.
Reddemann, Chief Executive Officer, G. Gettel, Vice-President Operations, C. Moon, Training Manager, and other members of the staff on February 8, 2013. A telephonic
exit was conducted on February 28, 2013 between Mr. Steve Garchow, Chief Examiner, and Mr. Ron Hayden, Exam Developer.
The licensee did not identify any information or materials used during the examination as proprietary.
ATTACHMENT:
SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION
KEY POINTS OF CONTACT
Licensee Personnel
- R. Hayden, Exam Developer
- C. Maxwell, Operations Training Instructor
NRC Personnel
- J. Groom, Senior Resident Inspector
- M. Hayes, Resident Inspector