ML032130583
| ML032130583 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Site: | Indian Point  |
| Issue date: | 08/21/2003 |
| From: | Travers W NRC/EDO |
| To: | Kelly S US HR (House of Representatives) |
| Walker T, NRC/RI/DRS, 610-337-5381 | |
| Shared Package | |
| ML032130597 | List: |
| References | |
| G20030033, LTR03-0033 | |
| Download: ML032130583 (3) | |
Text
August 21, 2003 The Honorable Sue W. Kelly United States House of Representatives Washington, D.C. 20515
Dear Congresswoman Kelly:
In his letter to you on March 18, 2003, Chairman Meserve informed you that the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission had initiated a review of the concerns raised by a former Indian Point Energy Center employee, which you brought to our attention on January 22, 2003. These concerns involved management of operations at the Indian Point facility, particularly in the area of licensed operator training. This letter forwards the results of our review.
As you know, the NRC has provided extensive oversight of licensed operator performance and training at Indian Point 2 since the Fall of 2001 when multiple crews failed their requalification examinations. We considered these examination failures to be significant and they resulted in a Yellow finding of substantial safety significance under our Reactor Oversight Process. In 2001, in response to these failures, we closely monitored the licensees corrective actions, including retesting of the operators, and augmented the resident inspector staff to enhance observations of control room activities. We also observed special training given to all operators in early 2002, conducted a comprehensive supplemental inspection of the licensed operator requalification training program, reviewed the requalification examinations administered in the Fall of 2002, and monitored operator performance during the Fall 2002 and Spring 2003 outages. In addition, we conducted a special team inspection of the operator training program and administered examinations in March and April 2003. In the context of these activities, we evaluated the specific concerns raised by the former employee.
Through these inspections we substantiated some of the former employees concerns. These issues, relating to the adequacy of training materials, procedures and instruction, were historical in nature. They were examples of broader issues in the operation training area that led to the Fall 2001 requalification examination failures. By May 2003, we concluded Entergy had substantially corrected these issues and we closed the Yellow finding. Subsequently, in a letter dated July 21, 2003, we informed the former employee of our conclusions regarding his concerns.
Indian Point 2 continues to receive significant NRC attention. While we have closed the Yellow finding, we intend to continue enhanced oversight of the plant through 2003, to assure improved performance is long lasting.
I trust this is responsive to your concerns. Please contact me if you have any further questions regarding this matter.
Sincerely,
/RA/William Travers William D. Travers Executive Director for Operations
The Honorable Sue W. Kelly August 21, 2003 United States House of Representatives Washington, D.C. 20515
Dear Congresswoman Kelly:
In his letter to you on March 18, 2003, Chairman Meserve informed you that the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission had initiated a review of the concerns raised by a former Indian Point Energy Center employee, which you brought to our attention on January 22, 2003. These concerns involved management of operations at the Indian Point facility, particularly in the area of licensed operator training. This letter forwards the results of our review.
As you know, the NRC has provided extensive oversight of licensed operator performance and training at Indian Point 2 since the Fall of 2001 when multiple crews failed their requalification examinations. We considered these examination failures to be significant and they resulted in a Yellow finding of substantial safety significance under our Reactor Oversight Process. In 2001, in response to these failures, we closely monitored the licensees corrective actions, including retesting of the operators, and augmented the resident inspector staff to enhance observations of control room activities. We also observed special training given to all operators in early 2002, conducted a comprehensive supplemental inspection of the licensed operator requalification training program, reviewed the requalification examinations administered in the Fall of 2002, and monitored operator performance during the Fall 2002 and Spring 2003 outages. In addition, we conducted a special team inspection of the operator training program and administered examinations in March and April 2003. In the context of these activities, we evaluated the specific concerns raised by the former employee.
Through these inspections we substantiated some of the former employees concerns. These issues, relating to the adequacy of training materials, procedures and instruction, were historical in nature. They were examples of broader issues in the operation training area that led to the Fall 2001 requalification examination failures. By May 2003, we concluded Entergy had substantially corrected these issues and we closed the Yellow finding. Subsequently, in a letter dated July 21, 2003, we informed the former employee of our conclusions regarding his concerns.
Indian Point 2 continues to receive significant NRC attention. While we have closed the Yellow finding, we intend to continue enhanced oversight of the plant through 2003, to assure improved performance is long lasting.
I trust this is responsive to your concerns. Please contact me if you have any further questions regarding this matter.
Sincerely,
/RA/William Travers William D. Travers Executive Director for Operations DISTRIBUTION:
W. Travers, EDO EDO R/F (G20030033)
C. Paperiello, DEDMRS S. Collins, DEDR H. Miller, RI P. Norry, DEDM A. Blough, RI W. Dean, OEDO B. Holian, RI S. Burns, OGC S. Richard, NRR K. Cyr, OGC P. Eselgroth, RI W. Borchardt, NRR T. Walker, RI P. Milano, NRR R.Zimmerman,NSIR SECY (CRC No. 03-0033)
Pkg: ML032130597 Incoming: ML030440650 Accession: ML032130583 After declaring this document An Official Agency Record it will not be released to the Public.
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08/19 /03 OFFICIAL RECORD COPY OCA Rathbun 8/20/03