IR 05000424/2013301

Er 05000424-13-301, 05000425-13-301; 04/15/2013 & 05/02/2013, and 05/10/2013; Vogtle Electric Generating Plant Units 1 and 2; Operator License Examinations

ML13179A264
Person / Time
Site:	Vogtle
Issue date:	06/27/2013
From:	Mark Franke Division of Reactor Safety II
To:	Tynan T Southern Nuclear Operating Co
References
50-424/13-301, 50-425/13-301
Download: ML13179A264 (13)

Text

UNITED STATES June 27, 2013

SUBJECT:

VOGTLE ELECTRIC GENERATING PLANT - REACTOR AND SENIOR REACTOR OPERATOR INITIAL EXAMINATIONS 05000424/2013301 AND 05000425/2013301

Dear Mr. Tynan:

During the period of April 15 to May 2, 2013, the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC)

administered operating tests to employees of your company who had applied for licenses to operate the Vogtle Electric Generating 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 May 10, 2013.

Two Reactor Operator (RO) and six Senior Reactor Operator (SRO) applicants passed both the operating test and written examination. Five RO applicants and one SRO applicant passed the operating examination but failed the written examination. There were two applicants who passed the written examination and received pass letters. One license has been delayed pending any written examination appeals that may impact the licensing decision for their application and the other was delayed until the applicant meets the time requirements associated with the application.

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

The initial RO and SRO written examinations submitted by your staff met 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.

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: 50-424, 50-425 License Nos: NPF-68, NPF-81

Enclosures:

1. Report Details 2. Simulator Fidelity Report

REGION II==

Docket Nos.: 05000424, 05000425 License Nos.: NPF-68, NPF-81 Report No.: 05000424/2013301 and 05000425/2013301 Licensee: Southern Nuclear Operating Company, Inc.

Facility: Vogtle Electric Generating Plant Location: 7821 River Road Waynesboro, GA 30830 Dates: Operating Test - April 15 - May 2, 2013 Written Examination - May 10, 2013 Examiners: R. Baldwin, Chief Examiner, Senior Operations Engineer E. Lea, Senior Operations Engineer A. Toth, Operations Engineer M. Donithan, Operations Engineer - Under-Instruction Approved by: Mark E. Franke, Chief Operations Branch 2 Division of Reactor Safety Enclosure 1

SUMMARY OF FINDINGS ER 05000424/2013301, 05000425/2013301; April 15 - May 2, 2013, and May 10, 2013; Vogtle Electric Generating 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 Vogtle Electric Generating Plant staff developed both the operating tests and the written examination. The initial Reactor Operator (RO) and Senior Reactor Operator (SRO)

written examination submittal met the quality guidelines contained in NUREG-1021.

The NRC administered the operating tests during the period of April 15 - May 2, 2013.

Members of the Vogtle Electric Generating Plant training staff administered the written examination on May 10, 2013. Two RO applicants and six SRO applicants passed both the operating test and written examination and were issued licenses commensurate with the level of examination administered. Five RO applicants and one SRO applicant passed the operating test, however, failed the written examination.

One SRO applicant passed the operating test, but passed the written examination with an overall score (81%) between 80% and 82%. This applicant was issued a letter stating that the individual 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.

Additionally, one SRO applicant passed the entire examination however required an additional 45 days to meet the application requirements. Pending fulfillment of this time requirement, the applicant will receive the appropriate level license.

There were no post-examination comments on the written examination.

No findings were identified.

Enclosure 1

REPORT DETAILS 4. OTHER ACTIVITIES 4OA5 Operator Licensing Examinations a. Inspection Scope Members of the Vogtle Electric Generating 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 seven RO applicants and seven SRO applicants using the guidelines contained in NUREG-1021. The examiners administered the operating tests during the period of April 15 to May 2, 2013. Members of the Vogtle Electric Generating Plant training staff administered the written examination on May 10, 2013.

Evaluations of applicants and reviews of associated documentation were performed to determine if the applicants, who applied for licenses to operate the Vogtle Electric Generating 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.

Two RO applicants and six SRO applicants passed both the operating test and written examination and were issued licenses commensurate with the level of examination administered. Five RO applicants and one SRO applicant passed the operating test, however, failed the written examination.

One SRO applicant passed the operating test, but passed the written examination with an overall score (81%) between 80% and 82%. This applicant was issued a letter stating that the individual 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. One SRO applicant passed the entire examination however required an additional 45 days to meet the application requirements. Pending fulfillment of this time requirement, the applicant will receive the appropriate level license.

Enclosure 1

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 written post-examination comments. A copy of the final RO and SRO written examinations and answer keys with all changes incorporated may be accessed not earlier than June 10, 2015, in the ADAMS system (ADAMS Accession Number(s): ML13162A531 and ML13162A534).

4OA6 Meetings, Including Exit Exit Meeting Summary On May 3, 2013, the NRC examination team discussed generic issues associated with the operating test with Mr. Thomas, and members of the Vogtle Electric Generating 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 J. Thomas, Operations Director R. Brown, Training Manager J. Acree, Nuclear Operations Training Supervisor T. Harris, Nuclear Operations Plant Initial Instructor Initial, Lead G. Wainwright, Nuclear Operations Development Exam, Lead K. Jenkins, Nuclear Operations Plant Instructor A. Lowe, Nuclear Operations Plant Instructor Enclosure 1

SIMULATOR FIDELITY REPORT Facility Licensee: Vogtle Electric Generating Plant Facility Docket No.: 05000424 and 05000425 Operating Test Administered: April 15 - May 2, 2013 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