IR 05000498/2021301
| ML21252A122 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Site: | South Texas  |
| Issue date: | 09/15/2021 |
| From: | Gerond George Operations Branch IV |
| To: | Schaefer M South Texas |
| References | |
| 50-498/21-301, 50-499/21-301 50-498/OL-21, 50-499/OL-21 | |
| Download: ML21252A122 (9) | |
Text
September 15, 2021
SUBJECT:
SOUTH TEXAS PROJECT ELECTRIC GENERATING STATION, UNITS 1 AND 2 - NRC EXAMINATION REPORT 05000498/2021301; 05000499/2021301
Dear Mr. Schaefer:
On September 3, 2021, the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) completed an initial operator license examination at your South Texas Project, Units 1 and 2. The enclosed report documents the examination results and licensing decisions. The preliminary examination results were discussed on July 19, 2021, with you, and other members of your staff. A telephonic exit meeting was conducted on September 3, 2021, with Mr. J. Tomlinson, Operations Manager, who was provided the NRC licensing decisions.
The examination included the evaluation of six applicants for reactor operator licenses, nine applicants for instant senior reactor operator licenses, and one applicant for upgrade senior reactor operator license. The license examiners determined that 15 of the 16 applicants satisfied the requirements of 10 CFR Part 55, and the appropriate licenses or deferrals have been issued. There were no post-examination comments submitted by your staff. The enclosure contains details of this report.
No findings were identified during this examination. This letter, its enclosure, and your response (if any) will be made available for public inspection and copying at http://www.nrc.gov/reading-rm/adams.html and at the NRC Public Document Room in accordance with 10 CFR 2.390, Public Inspections, Exemptions, Requests for Withholding.
Sincerely, Gerond A. Digitally signed by Gerond A. George George Date: 2021.09.15 11:46:30-05'00'
Gerond A. George, Chief Operations Branch Division of Reactor Safety Docket Nos. 05000498 and 05000499 License Nos. NPF-76 and NPF-80 Enclosure:
Examination Report 05000498/2021301 05000499/2021301 w/attachment: Supplemental Information cc: Electronic Distribution to South Texas Project
U.S. NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION Examination Report Docket Numbers: 05000498, 05000499 License Numbers: NPF-76, NPF-80 Report Numbers: 05000498/2021301 and 05000499/2021301 Enterprise Identifier: 05000488/05000499/L-2021-OLL-0015 Licensee: STP Nuclear Operating Company Facility: South Texas Project Electric Generating Station, Units 1 and 2 Location: Wadsworth, Texas Inspection Dates: July 12, 2021, to September 3, 2021 Inspectors: T. Farina, Senior Operations Engineer (Chief)
C. Osterholtz, Senior Operations Engineer K. Clayton, Senior Operations Engineer M. Bloodgood, Nuclear Systems Engineer M. Hayes, Operations Engineer M. Doyle, Operations Engineer Approved By: Gerond A. George Chief, Operations Branch Division of Reactor Safety Enclosure
SUMMARY
Examination Report 05000498/2021301 and 05000499/2021301; July 12 - September 3, 2021;
South Texas Project Electric Generating Station, Units 1 and 2; Initial Operator Licensing Examination The NRC examiners evaluated the competency of six applicants for reactor operator licenses, nine applicants for instant senior reactor operator licenses, and one applicant for upgrade senior reactor operator license at South Texas Project Electric Generating Station, Units 1 and 2.
The NRC developed the examinations using NUREG-1021, "Operator Licensing Examination Standards for Power Reactors," Revision 11. The written examination was administered by the licensee on July 29, 2021. The NRC examiners administered the operating tests on July 12-19, 2021.
The NRC examiners determined that 15 of the 16 applicants satisfied the requirements of 10 CFR Part 55, and the appropriate licenses or deferrals have been issued.
NRC-Identified and Self-Revealing Findings
None.
Licensee-Identified Violations
None.
REPORT DETAILS
OTHER ACTIVITIES
- INITIAL LICENSE EXAMINATION
.1 License Applications
a. Scope
The NRC examiners reviewed all license applications submitted to ensure each applicant satisfied relevant license eligibility requirements. The NRC examiners also audited three 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
The NRC examiners developed integrated examination outlines, draft written examination, and a portion of the draft operating test per the requirements of NUREG-1021. The NRC examiners conducted an onsite validation of the operating tests.
b. Findings
The NRC examiners provided draft examination and post-validation comments to the licensee. The licensee satisfactorily completed comment resolution prior to examination administration.
The NRC examiners determined the portion of the operating test initially submitted by the licensee was within the range of acceptability expected for a proposed examination.
.3 Operator Knowledge and Performance
a. Scope
On July 29, 2021, the licensee proctored the administration of the written examinations to all 16 applicants. The licensee staff graded the written examinations, analyzed the results, and presented their analysis to the NRC on August 10, 2021.
The NRC examination team administered the various portions of the operating tests to the 15 applicants who were required to take it on July 12-19, 2021.
b. Findings
No findings were identified.
All applicants passed all parts of the operating test and 15 of 16 applicants passed the written examination. The final written examinations and post-examination analysis may be accessed in the ADAMS system under the accession numbers noted in the attachment. There were no post-examination comments as indicated in the licensee submittal.
The examination team noted one generic weakness associated with applicant performance on the in-plant job performance measures section of the operating tests.
The applicants displayed a weakness in resetting the red flag on the emergency diesel generator 64F filed ground relay, and in locating the pushbutton to latch the overspeed trip butterfly valve. Post-examination analysis revealed one generic weakness associated with applicant performance on the written examination. 12 of 16 applicants missed question 56, which required the applicants to understand the reason for a ROD CONT URGENT ALARM while recovering a dropped Control Bank C Rod. These deficiencies were captured in the licensees corrective action program as Condition Reports 21-9120 and 21-9122. 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 examination security and applicant control were reviewed and discussed with licensee personnel.
b. Findings
No findings were identified.
EXIT MEETINGS AND DEBRIEFS
Exit Meeting Summary
The chief examiner presented the preliminary examination results to Mr. M. Schaefer, Site Vice President, and other members of the staff on July 19, 2021. A telephonic exit was conducted on September 3, 2021, between Mr. T. Farina, chief examiner, and J. Tomlinson, Operations Manager. The licensee did not identify any information or materials used during the examination as proprietary.
SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION
KEY POINTS OF CONTACT
Licensee Personnel
- B. Simpson, Operations Training Manager
- T. Dedas, Shift Manager
- S. Mason, License Training Instructor
- W. Markham, License Training Instructor
NRC Personnel
- G. Kolcum, Senior Resident Inspector