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Category:Letter
MONTHYEARML24255A8312024-09-23023 September 2024 Project Manager Assignment ML24261B9782024-09-19019 September 2024 Notification of an NRC Fire Protection Team Inspection NRC Inspection Report 05000413-2024010, 05000414-2024010 and Request for Information IR 05000413/20243012024-09-16016 September 2024 Operator Licensing Examination Approval 05000413/2024301 and 05000414/2024301 IR 05000414/20240912024-09-0505 September 2024 Final Significance Determination of a White Finding and Nov and Assessment Followup Letter-NRC Inspection Report 05000414-2024091 IR 05000413/20240052024-08-26026 August 2024 Updated Inspection Plan for Catawba Nuclear Station (Report 05000413/2024005 & 05000414/2024005) ML24235A1542024-08-22022 August 2024 Notification of Target Set Inspection and Request for Information (NRC Inspection Report 05000413-2024402 and 05000414-2024402) IR 05000413/20240022024-08-0808 August 2024 Integrated Inspection Report 05000413-2024002 and 05000414-2024002 and Apparent Violation IR 05000413/20244032024-08-0101 August 2024 Information Request for the Cybersecurity Baseline Inspection, Notification to Perform Inspection 05000413/2024403; 05000414/2024403 ML24183A0972024-07-12012 July 2024 ISFSI; Catawba 1, 2 & ISFSI; McGuire 1, 2 & ISFSI; Oconee 1, 2, 3 & ISFSI; Shearon Harris 1; H. B. Robinson 2 & ISFSI; and Radioactive Package Shipping Under 10 CFR 71 (71-266 & 71-345) – Review of QA Program Changes EPID L-2024-LLQ-0002 ML24178A0552024-06-26026 June 2024 Requalification Program Inspection – Catawba Nuclear Station IR 05000414/20240902024-06-24024 June 2024 NRC Inspection Report 05000414/2024090 and Preliminary White Finding and Apparent Violation ML24170A8632024-06-11011 June 2024 Flowserve June 11, 2024, Part 21 Notification - Redacted Version for Publishing ML24149A1772024-05-28028 May 2024 NRC Response to Duke Energy 2025 FOF Schedule Change Request (Catawba and McGuire) ML24144A1162024-05-28028 May 2024 Notification of Inspection and Request for Information for NRC Problem Identification and Resolution Inspection ML24141A0482024-05-17017 May 2024 EN 56958_1 Ametek Solidstate Controls, Inc IR 05000413/20240012024-05-10010 May 2024 Integrated Inspection Report 05000413/2024001 and 05000414/2024001 and Apparent Violation ML24095A1072024-04-0808 April 2024 – Review of the Spring 2023 Steam Generator Tube Inspection Report (C1R27) ML24017A0652024-03-0808 March 2024 Issuance of Amendment Nos. 319 and 315 to Technical Specification 3.7.11, Control Room Area Chill Water System (Cracws) IR 05000413/20230062024-02-28028 February 2024 Annual Assessment Letter for Catawba Nuclear Station Units 1 and 2 - (NRC Inspection Report 05000413/2023006 and 05000414/2023006) IR 05000413/20230042024-02-0202 February 2024 – Integrated Inspection Report 05000413-2023004 and 05000414-2023004 ML24005A2512024-01-26026 January 2024 Exemption from Select Requirements of 10 CFR Part 73 - Security Notifications, Reports, and Recordkeeping and Suspicious Activity Reporting ML23317A3462023-11-14014 November 2023 Duke Fleet - Correction Letter to License Amendment Nos. 312 & 340 Issuance of Amendments Regarding the Adoption of Technical Specifications Task Force Traveler TSTF-554, Revision 1 IR 05000413/20230102023-10-11011 October 2023 NRC Inspection Report 05000413/2023010 and 05000414/2023010 ML23256A0882023-09-25025 September 2023 Issuance of Alternative to Steam Generator Welds ML23195A0782023-08-29029 August 2023 Issuance of Amendments Regarding the Adoption of Technical Specifications Task Force Traveler TSTF-554, Revision 1 IR 05000413/20230052023-08-25025 August 2023 Updated Inspection Plan for Catawba Nuclear Station Units 1 and 2 (Report 05000413/2023005 and 05000414/2023005) ML23233A1692023-08-17017 August 2023 EN 56683 - Curtiss Wright, Interim Notification Report for PotentialPurt2l IR 05000413/20230022023-07-25025 July 2023 Integrated Inspection Report 05000413/2023002 and 05000414/2023002 ML23207A0762023-07-14014 July 2023 EN 56557 - Update to Part 21 Report Re Potential Defect with Trane External Auto/Stop Emergency Stop Relay Card Pn: XI2650728-06 ML23237A2672023-06-13013 June 2023 June 13, 2002 - Meeting Announcement - McGuire and Catawba Nuclear Stations 50-369, 50-370 and 50-413, 50-414 ML23159A0052023-06-0505 June 2023 56557-EN 56557 - Paragon - Redlined IR 05000413/20230012023-05-0505 May 2023 Integrated Inspection Report 05000413/2023001 and 05000414/2023001 ML23118A0762023-05-0101 May 2023 Approval for Use of Specific Provision of a Later Edition of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code, Section XI IR 05000413/20230112023-04-25025 April 2023 Focused Engineering Inspection Report 05000413/2023011 and 05000414/2023011 ML23107A2542023-04-14014 April 2023 301 Examination Report Letter and Report (Merged) ML22332A4932023-03-10010 March 2023 William States Lee III 1 and 2 - Issuance of Amendments Regarding the Relocation of the Emergency Operations Facility IR 05000413/20234012023-03-0101 March 2023 Security Baseline Inspection Report 05000413 2023401 and 05000414 2023401 IR 05000413/20220062023-03-0101 March 2023 Annual Assessment Letter for Catawba Nuclear Station, Units 1 and 2 (NRC Inspection Report 05000413/2022006 and 05000414/2022006) IR 05000413/20233012023-02-17017 February 2023 Operator Licensing Examination Approval 05000413/2023301 and 05000414/2023301 IR 05000413/20220042023-01-31031 January 2023 Integrated Inspection Report 05000413/2022004 and 05000414/2022004 IR 05000413/20220112022-12-15015 December 2022 Biennial Problem Identification and Resolution Inspection Report 05000413/2022011 and 05000414/2022011 ML22356A0512022-12-14014 December 2022 Curtiss-Wright Nuclear Division, Letter Regarding Potential Efect in a Configuration of the 11/2 Inch Quick Disconnect Connector Cable Assemblies Supplied to Duke Energy (See Attached Spreadsheet) for a Total of 460 of Connectors Only Suppl ML22096A0032022-11-18018 November 2022 McGuire Nuclear Station and Shearon Harris Nuclear Power Plant Authorization of RA-19-0352 Regarding Use of Alternative for RPV Head Closure Stud Examinations IR 05000413/20224032022-11-17017 November 2022 Cyber Security Inspection Report 05000413/2022403 and 05000414/2022403 (Public) ML22256A2532022-11-14014 November 2022 Issuance of Amendments Regarding the Adoption of Technical Specifications Task Force Traveler TSTF-541, Rev. 2 ML22319A0942022-11-10010 November 2022 EN 56219 - Flowserve. 10 CFR Part 21 Report 38878-8 Solenoid Valve at Duke, Catawba Flowserve Evaluation 105 IR 05000414/20220032022-10-31031 October 2022 Integrated Inspection Report 05000414/2022003 and 05000414/2022003 IR 05000413/20224022022-10-28028 October 2022 Security Baseline Inspection Report 05000413 2022402 and 05000414 2022402 ML22297A2642022-10-25025 October 2022 Project Manager Assignment ML22276A2492022-10-25025 October 2022 Completion of License Renewal Commitment No. 10, Aging Management of Environmentally Assisted Fatigue 2024-09-05
[Table view] Category:License-Operator
MONTHYEARIR 05000413/20243012024-09-16016 September 2024 Operator Licensing Examination Approval 05000413/2024301 and 05000414/2024301 RA-24-0093, Response to NRC Regulatory Issue Summary 2024-01 Preparation and Scheduling of Operator Licensing Examinations2024-04-0202 April 2024 Response to NRC Regulatory Issue Summary 2024-01 Preparation and Scheduling of Operator Licensing Examinations ML23079A0902023-03-20020 March 2023 1B- Post Exam Comments IR 05000413/20233012023-02-17017 February 2023 Operator Licensing Examination Approval 05000413/2023301 and 05000414/2023301 ML22217A0792022-08-0303 August 2022 301, Corporate Notification Letter (210-day Ltr) ML22199A2552022-07-0606 July 2022 Ds Catawba 2022 RQ Inspection Notification Letter ML21321A0882021-11-17017 November 2021 301 File 2B Exam Draft Items ML21320A3282021-11-16016 November 2021 301 File 2A2 Exam Draft Items (1).pdf ML21320A3312021-11-16016 November 2021 301 File 2A3 Exam Draft Items ML21286A5252021-10-13013 October 2021 1A Final SRO Exam, Answer Key, References ML21286A3632021-10-13013 October 2021 1A Final RO Exam, Answer Key, References ML21258A3892021-09-15015 September 2021 Operating Licensing Examination Approval 05000413/2021301 and 05000414/2021301 ML21055A6072021-02-23023 February 2021 301 Exam Corporate Notification Letter ML21019A3932021-01-11011 January 2021 1 GFE Annual Letter for Fy 2021 RA-20-0075, Response to NRC Regulatory Issue Summary 2020-01 Preparation and Scheduling of Operator Licensing Examinations2020-03-16016 March 2020 Response to NRC Regulatory Issue Summary 2020-01 Preparation and Scheduling of Operator Licensing Examinations ML20007F7572020-01-0707 January 2020 Annual Letter - Generic Fundamentals Examination (GFE) Section of the Written Operator Licensing Examination for 2020 ML19308A2502019-11-0404 November 2019 301 ADAMS 2D Page 1 Exam Admin Items Normal Release ML19281E0172019-10-0808 October 2019 301 Exam Report Items Delayed Release RO as Given ML19281E0202019-10-0808 October 2019 301 Post Exam Comments IR 05000413/20193012019-09-0303 September 2019 Operator Licensing Written Examination Approval 05000413/2019301 and 05000414/2019301 ML19058A6322019-07-0101 July 2019 Issuance of Amendments to Revise Emergency Action Level Schemes to Incorporate Clarifications Provided by Emergency Preparedness FAQs RA-19-0237, Catawba Station, Shearon Plant, McGuire Station, Oconee Nuclear Station and H.B. Robinson Plant - Response to NRC Regulatory Issue Summary 2019-02 Preparation and Scheduling of Operator Licensing Examinations2019-05-15015 May 2019 Catawba Station, Shearon Plant, McGuire Station, Oconee Nuclear Station and H.B. Robinson Plant - Response to NRC Regulatory Issue Summary 2019-02 Preparation and Scheduling of Operator Licensing Examinations ML19018A0882019-01-17017 January 2019 Annual Letter - Generic Fundamentals Examination (GFE) Section of the Written Operator Licensing Examination for 2019 ML18086B0442018-02-16016 February 2018 Facility Cover Letter - Rii - March 2018 - GFE ML17241A2282017-08-29029 August 2017 301 ADAMS2D Page 1 Exam Admin Items Immediate Release ML17241A2162017-08-29029 August 2017 301 ADAMS2B Final Exam Items Delay Release ML17241A2232017-08-29029 August 2017 301 ADAMS 2C Exam Admin Items Delay Release IR 05000413/20173012017-08-15015 August 2017 NRC Operator License Examination Report 05000413/2017301 and 05000414/2017301 ML17215A7792017-08-0303 August 2017 301 Post Exam Comments ML17215A7942017-08-0303 August 2017 301 Exam Report Items RO as Given - Delay Release ML17215A8012017-08-0303 August 2017 301 Exam Report Items SRO as Given - Delay Release ML17192A1792017-07-11011 July 2017 301 Exam Final Items 2B - Delay Release 2 Yrs ML17192A1812017-07-11011 July 2017 301 Exam Administrative Items 2C - Delay Release 2 Yrs ML17178A2942017-06-21021 June 2017 Operator Licensing Written Examination Approval 05000413, 414/2017301 ML17032A2792017-01-27027 January 2017 Annual Letter - Generic Fundamentals Examination (GFE) Section of the Written Operator Licensing Examination for 2017 IR 05000413/20163012016-07-13013 July 2016 NRC Operator License Examination Report 05000413/2016301 and 05000414/2016301, May 16 19, 2016 and May 26, 2016 ML16166A1062016-06-13013 June 2016 301 Facility Post Exam Comments ML16166A0992016-06-13013 June 2016 301 as Given RO Written Exam with References and Answer Key ML16166A1022016-06-13013 June 2016 301 as Given SRO Written Exam with References and Answer Key ML16104A4262016-04-0808 April 2016 March 2016 - Catawba NRC Generic Fundamentals Examination Results ML15356A8282015-12-22022 December 2015 Notification of Licensed Operator Initial Examination 05000413/2016301 and 05000414/2016301 ML15245A3012015-08-31031 August 2015 Initial Exam 2015-301 Draft Sim In-plant JPMs ML15245A3162015-08-31031 August 2015 Initial Exam 2015-301 General Correspondence ML15245A2942015-08-31031 August 2015 Initial Exam 2015-301 Draft RO Written Exam ML15245A3112015-08-31031 August 2015 Initial Exam 2015-301 Post Exam Comments ML15245A3092015-08-31031 August 2015 Initial Exam 2015-301 Final Administrative JPMs ML15245A3072015-08-31031 August 2015 Initial Exam 2015-301 Final Sim In-Plant JPMs ML15245A3052015-08-31031 August 2015 Initial Exam 2015-301 Final Simulator Scenarios ML15245A2962015-08-31031 August 2015 Initial Exam 2015-301 Draft SRO Written Exam ML15245A3032015-08-31031 August 2015 Initial Exam 2015-301 Final Administrative Documents 2024-09-16
[Table view] Category:Part 55 Examination Related Material
MONTHYEARIR 05000413/20243012024-09-16016 September 2024 Operator Licensing Examination Approval 05000413/2024301 and 05000414/2024301 RA-24-0093, Response to NRC Regulatory Issue Summary 2024-01 Preparation and Scheduling of Operator Licensing Examinations2024-04-0202 April 2024 Response to NRC Regulatory Issue Summary 2024-01 Preparation and Scheduling of Operator Licensing Examinations ML23079A0902023-03-20020 March 2023 1B- Post Exam Comments IR 05000413/20233012023-02-17017 February 2023 Operator Licensing Examination Approval 05000413/2023301 and 05000414/2023301 ML22217A0792022-08-0303 August 2022 301, Corporate Notification Letter (210-day Ltr) ML21321A0882021-11-17017 November 2021 301 File 2B Exam Draft Items ML21320A3282021-11-16016 November 2021 301 File 2A2 Exam Draft Items (1).pdf ML21320A3312021-11-16016 November 2021 301 File 2A3 Exam Draft Items ML21286A5252021-10-13013 October 2021 1A Final SRO Exam, Answer Key, References ML21286A3632021-10-13013 October 2021 1A Final RO Exam, Answer Key, References ML21258A3892021-09-15015 September 2021 Operating Licensing Examination Approval 05000413/2021301 and 05000414/2021301 ML21055A6072021-02-23023 February 2021 301 Exam Corporate Notification Letter ML21019A3932021-01-11011 January 2021 1 GFE Annual Letter for Fy 2021 RA-20-0075, Response to NRC Regulatory Issue Summary 2020-01 Preparation and Scheduling of Operator Licensing Examinations2020-03-16016 March 2020 Response to NRC Regulatory Issue Summary 2020-01 Preparation and Scheduling of Operator Licensing Examinations ML19308A2502019-11-0404 November 2019 301 ADAMS 2D Page 1 Exam Admin Items Normal Release ML19281E0172019-10-0808 October 2019 301 Exam Report Items Delayed Release RO as Given ML19281E0202019-10-0808 October 2019 301 Post Exam Comments IR 05000413/20193012019-09-0303 September 2019 Operator Licensing Written Examination Approval 05000413/2019301 and 05000414/2019301 RA-19-0237, Catawba Station, Shearon Plant, McGuire Station, Oconee Nuclear Station and H.B. Robinson Plant - Response to NRC Regulatory Issue Summary 2019-02 Preparation and Scheduling of Operator Licensing Examinations2019-05-15015 May 2019 Catawba Station, Shearon Plant, McGuire Station, Oconee Nuclear Station and H.B. Robinson Plant - Response to NRC Regulatory Issue Summary 2019-02 Preparation and Scheduling of Operator Licensing Examinations ML17241A2282017-08-29029 August 2017 301 ADAMS2D Page 1 Exam Admin Items Immediate Release ML17241A2162017-08-29029 August 2017 301 ADAMS2B Final Exam Items Delay Release ML17241A2232017-08-29029 August 2017 301 ADAMS 2C Exam Admin Items Delay Release IR 05000413/20173012017-08-15015 August 2017 NRC Operator License Examination Report 05000413/2017301 and 05000414/2017301 ML17215A7792017-08-0303 August 2017 301 Post Exam Comments ML17215A7942017-08-0303 August 2017 301 Exam Report Items RO as Given - Delay Release ML17215A8012017-08-0303 August 2017 301 Exam Report Items SRO as Given - Delay Release ML17192A1792017-07-11011 July 2017 301 Exam Final Items 2B - Delay Release 2 Yrs ML17192A1812017-07-11011 July 2017 301 Exam Administrative Items 2C - Delay Release 2 Yrs ML17178A2942017-06-21021 June 2017 Operator Licensing Written Examination Approval 05000413, 414/2017301 ML17032A2792017-01-27027 January 2017 Annual Letter - Generic Fundamentals Examination (GFE) Section of the Written Operator Licensing Examination for 2017 ML16166A1022016-06-13013 June 2016 301 as Given SRO Written Exam with References and Answer Key ML16166A0992016-06-13013 June 2016 301 as Given RO Written Exam with References and Answer Key ML16166A1062016-06-13013 June 2016 301 Facility Post Exam Comments ML16104A4262016-04-0808 April 2016 March 2016 - Catawba NRC Generic Fundamentals Examination Results ML15356A8282015-12-22022 December 2015 Notification of Licensed Operator Initial Examination 05000413/2016301 and 05000414/2016301 ML15245A3072015-08-31031 August 2015 Initial Exam 2015-301 Final Sim In-Plant JPMs ML15245A3052015-08-31031 August 2015 Initial Exam 2015-301 Final Simulator Scenarios ML15245A3032015-08-31031 August 2015 Initial Exam 2015-301 Final Administrative Documents ML15245A3022015-08-31031 August 2015 Initial Exam 2015-301 Draft Administrative JPMs ML15245A3012015-08-31031 August 2015 Initial Exam 2015-301 Draft Sim In-plant JPMs ML15245A3112015-08-31031 August 2015 Initial Exam 2015-301 Post Exam Comments ML15245A3162015-08-31031 August 2015 Initial Exam 2015-301 General Correspondence ML15245A2932015-08-31031 August 2015 Initial Exam 2015-301 Draft Administrative Documents ML15245A2992015-08-31031 August 2015 Initial Exam 2015-301 Draft Simulator Scenarios ML15245A2942015-08-31031 August 2015 Initial Exam 2015-301 Draft RO Written Exam ML15181A2322015-06-30030 June 2015 Initial Exam 2015-301 Final SRO Written Exam ML15181A2292015-06-30030 June 2015 Initial Exam 2015-301 Final RO Written Exam ML14290A3322014-10-27027 October 2014 301 Post Exam Comments ML14290A3042014-10-27027 October 2014 301 Final Administrative Documents ML14240A6662014-10-27027 October 2014 301 Draft SRO Written Examination 2024-09-16
[Table view] |
Text
UNITED STATES NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION ary 25, 2010
SUBJECT:
CATAWBA NUCLEAR STATION - NRC OPERATOR LICENSE EXAMINATION REPORT 05000413/2009301 AND 05000414/2009301
Dear Mr. Morris:
During the period December 7-14, 2009 the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC)
administered operating tests to employees of your company who had applied for licenses to operate the Catawba Nuclear Station. 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 examinations were administered by your staff on December 22, 2009.
Four Reactor Operator (RO) and three Senior Reactor Operator (SRO) initial license applicants passed both the operating test and written examination. Three SRO initial license applicants failed the written examination. One RO and two SRO retake applicants passed the written examination. There was one post-examination comment concerning the operating test and one post-examination comment concerning the written examinations. These comments, and the NRC resolution of these comments, are summarized in Enclosure 2. A Simulator Fidelity Report is included in this report as Enclosure 3.
The initial written RO/SRO examination submitted by your staff failed to meet the guidelines for quality contained in NUREG-1021, Operator Licensing Examination Standards for Power Reactors, Revision 9, Supplement 1, as described in the enclosed report.
Issues related to examination security identified by your staff, and described in section 4OA5 of the enclosed report, were reviewed by NRC examiners and characterized as minor violations.
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).
SNC 2 If you have any questions concerning this letter, please contact me at (404) 562-4550.
Sincerely,
/RA/
Malcolm T. Widmann, Chief Operations Branch Division of Reactor Safety Docket Nos.: 50-413, 50-414 License Nos.: NPF-35, NPF-52
Enclosures:
1. Report Details 2. Facility Comments and NRC Resolution 3. Simulator Fidelity Report
REGION II==
Docket No.: 50-413, 50-414 License No.: NPF-35, NPF-52 Report No.: 05000413/2009301, 05000414/2009301 Licensee: Duke Energy Carolinas, LLC Facility: Catawba Nuclear Station, Units 1 & 2 Location: York, SC 29745 Dates: Operating Test - December 7 - 14, 2009 Written Examination - December 22, 2009 Examiners: F. Ehrhardt, Chief Examiner, Senior Operations Engineer C. Kontz, Senior Project Engineer M. Riches, Operations Engineer Approved by: M. Widmann, Chief Operations Branch Division of Reactor Safety Enclosure 1
SUMMARY OF FINDINGS
ER 05000413/2009301, 05000414/2009301; December 7 - 14, 2009 & December 22, 2009;
Catawba Nuclear Station; 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 Catawba Nuclear Station staff developed both the operating tests and the written examinations. The initial written examination submittal did not meet the quality guidelines contained in NUREG-1021.
The NRC administered the operating tests during the period December 7 - 14, 2009. Members of the Catawba Nuclear Station training staff administered the written examinations on December 22, 2009 to ten initial license applicants and three retake applicants who failed the 2008 written examination. Four Reactor Operator (RO) and three Senior Reactor Operator (SRO) initial license applicants passed both the operating test and written examination. Seven initial license applicants were issued Unit 1 licenses commensurate with the level of examination administered. All retake license applicants passed the written examination. All retake license applicants were issued Unit 1 and Unit 2 licenses commensurate with the level of examination administered.
There were two post-examination comments.
No findings of significance were identified.
REPORT DETAILS
OTHER ACTIVITIES
4OA5 Operator Licensing Examinations
a. Inspection Scope
Members of the Catawba Nuclear Station staff developed both the operating tests and the written examinations. Two written examinations were developed, one for the 2009 initial license applicants and one for 2008 retake applicants, due to installation of a Distributed Control System (DCS) on Unit 1 in December 2009. The 2008 examination was developed by substituting 7300 process control system questions for DCS questions in the 2009 examination, as appropriate. 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. During development of the written examination, the facility licensee transmitted examination material to a licensee contractor via non-secure electronic means. Specifically, the licensee e-mailed 12 examination questions without password protecting the electronic files. The licensee reported this examination security issue to the NRC Chief Examiner and entered it into their corrective action program. Per NUREG-1021, the Operations Branch Chief directed the NRC Chief Examiner to replace the K/As associated with these 12 questions. Licensee-identified issues related to NRC examination security during development of the examination, including the issue described above, are listed below.
PIP Serial No.
Description C-09-06799 12 NRC initial license exam questions were transmitted to a contractor via e-mail without password protection. The NRC replaced the K/As associated with these questions.
C-09-06509 An operations staff member validating the NRC exam transmitted comments for one written question via e-mail without password protection. The NRC directed the facility to write a replacement question.
C-09-05668 An individual not on the examination security agreement entered the simulator, which was posted for restricted access, during exam development. The individual was immediately escorted out of the simulator.
C-09-05543 The door from the (simulator) computer room to the shop was not posted for restricted entry during exam development as required by station procedure OTMP 4.6. The door was locked and no personnel were present in the training center other than exam developers.
C-09-05536 A training instructor signed on to the NRC examination security agreement provided training to an applicant in the HLP program. The training concerned a system modification scheduled to be installed after the upcoming examination and therefore not part of the testable material for the examination.
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 December 7 - 14, 2009.
Members of the Catawba Nuclear Station training staff administered the written examinations on December 22, 2009 to four RO and six SRO initial license applicants as well as one RO and 2 SRO retake applicants who failed the 2008 initial written examination. Evaluations of applicants and reviews of associated documentation were performed to determine if the applicants, who applied for licenses to operate the Catawba Nuclear Station, met the requirements specified in 10 CFR Part 55, Operators Licenses.
b. Findings
The NRC determined that the licensees examination submittal was outside the range of acceptable quality specified by NUREG-1021. The initial written examination submittal was outside the range of acceptable quality because more than 20% (9 of 30) questions sampled for review contained unacceptable flaws. Individual questions were evaluated as unsatisfactory for the following reasons:
- (4) questions failed to meet the K/A statement contained in the examination outline.
- (5) questions contained two or more implausible distractors.
The NRC regional office returned the entire written examination, containing 100 questions, to the licensee for rework and correction in accordance with NUREG-1021.
Administration of the written examination was delayed, in part, because the quality of the licensees examination submittal was unacceptable. Future examination submittals need to incorporate lessons learned.
The NRC determined that the licensees initial operating test submittal was within the range of acceptability expected for a proposed examination.
The licensee-identified issues related to NRC examination security described above in paragraph
a. Inspection Scope
, were reviewed by NRC examiners and discussed with the Branch Chief and were characterized as minor violations.
Four RO applicants and three SRO initial license applicants passed both the operating test and written examination. Three SRO initial license applicants passed the operating test, but did not pass the written examination. Four RO initial applicants and three SRO initial license applicants were issued Unit 1 licenses.
One RO retake applicant and two SRO retake applicants passed the written examination. One RO retake applicant and two SRO retake applicants were issued licenses for Unit 1 and Unit 2.
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 submitted one post-examination comment concerning the operating test and one comment concerning the written examinations. A copy of the final written examinations and answer keys, with all changes incorporated, and the licensees post-examination comments, may be accessed in the ADAMS system (ADAMS Accession Numbers ML100070525, ML100070535, and ML100070550.)
4OA6 Meetings, Including Exit
Exit Meeting Summary
On December 16, 2009 the NRC examination team discussed generic issues associated with the operating test with Mr. G. Hamrick, Station Manager, and members of the Catawba Nuclear Station staff. The examiners asked the licensee if any of the examination material was proprietary. No proprietary information was identified.
On January 20, 2010, Malcolm Widmann, Chief, Operations Branch, discussed written examination development issues, examination results, and lessons learned with Ronald Weatherford, Training Manager.
KEY POINTS OF CONTACT Licensee personnel H. Blair, Operations T. Garrison, Operations Training G. Hamilton, Fleet Training Manager A. Orton, Operations Training Manager J. Septula, Operations Training S. Trippi, Operations Training Initial Supervisor R. Weatherford, Training Manager NRC personnel A. Hutto, Senior Resident Inspector
FACILITY POST-EXAMINATION COMMENTS AND NRC RESOLUTIONS
A complete text of the licensees post-examination comments can be found in ADAMS under
Accession Number ML100070550.
Item
Question 84, K/A 033G2.1.30
Comment
The licensee recommends that the (SRO) question be deleted from the examination.
The licensee states that the question did not provide all necessary information to enable the
applicant to make a proper determination of operability (second part of the two part question) in
accordance with Nuclear Station Directive (NSD) 203, Operability/Functionality. Specifically, the
licensee stated that the question did not state that an Operability Determination was or was not
conducted after Intermediate Range channel N-35 was repaired, consistent with station
expectations. The licensee did not document any applicant questions concerning this test item
during administration of the written examination.
NRC Resolution
The licensees recommendation was accepted.
The second part of the question was designed to test if applicants knew whether or not the
startup rate portion of an intermediate range instrument was required for the channel to be
operable. Per NSD 203, an Operability Declaration is a decision by a licensed operator on the
operating shift crew that a structure, system, or component is Operable, Inoperable, or Operable
But Degraded/Nonconforming. The declaration may be based on analysis, test or partial test,
experience with operating events, engineering judgment, or a combination of those factors
taking into consideration equipment functional requirements.
Although the question intended to test equipment functional requirements per Technical
Specification Bases, the question did not contain information regarding post-maintenance
testing for a system that previously failed (inoperable) and was subsequently repaired. It is
reasonable to expect that post-maintenance testing would be performed in order to ensure
Technical Specification Surveillance Requirements (e.g. SR 3.3.1.1 - Perform Channel Check)
are met before determining the status of the system. Because the question did not contain any
information on post-maintenance testing, i.e. whether testing was performed and whether it was
successful or unsuccessful, applicants did not have sufficient information to answer the question
is N-35 operable?
Because the second part of the question answers contain conflicting information, i.e. answer
choices of Yes (operable) and No (not operable), the question was deleted from the written
examination in accordance with NUREG-1021, ES-403, paragraph D.1.c.
Item
Scenario 3, Event 7 (Large Break LOCA / Loss of Emergency Coolant Recirculation)
Comment
The licensee recommends that closing 1NI-100B and 1NV-253B and dispatching an operator to
close 1NV-252A (EP/1/A/5000/ES-1.3, step 5.h) NOT be designated as critical tasks.
The licensee maintains that these tasks are not essential to safety, per ES-1021, Appendix D,
because actions taken per earlier steps in ES-1.3, and system configuration, will prevent
cavitation of the NI and NV pumps.
NRC Resolution
The licensees recommendation was accepted.
ES-1.3, step 5.g, contains sub-steps to align ND train discharges to NI and NV pump suctions.
Additionally, flow from the ND pump discharge is prevented from flowing back to the FWST, and
being diverted from the suctions of the NI and NV pumps, by check valves in both the suction
line to the NV pumps and the suction line to the NI pumps. The three valves above are closed
as a backup to the check valves.
SIMULATOR FIDELITY REPORT
Facility Licensee: Catawba Nuclear Station
Facility Docket No.: 05000413, 05000414
Operating Test Administered: December 7 - 14, 2009
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.
While conducting the simulator portion of the operating test, examiners observed the following:
Item Description
Cell 550 (GS Condenser) Cell 550 caused a THOR halt (simulator freeze) during
administration of an NRC JPM. PIP Serial No. C-09-07724.
Simulator Modification Work Request No. CFW-115.
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