ML040850208
| ML040850208 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Site: | Susquehanna  (NPF-014, NPF-022) |
| Issue date: | 03/23/2004 |
| From: | Blough A Division Reactor Projects I |
| To: | Shriver B Susquehanna |
| References | |
| RI-2002-A-0153 | |
| Download: ML040850208 (3) | |
Text
March 23, 2004 Mr. Bryce L. Shriver RI-2002-A-0153 Senior Vice President and Chief Nuclear Officer PPL Susquehanna, LLC 769 Salem Blvd., NUCSB3 Berwick, PA 18603-0467
Dear Mr. Shriver:
On December 9, 2003, PPL informed the NRC about a potential discrimination matter that had been filed with and processed by the Susquehanna Employee Concerns Program (ECP).
Based on the information provided by PPL, on January 3, 2003, the Region I Field Office of the NRC Office of Investigation (OI) initiated an investigation (1-2003-001) to determine if a Susquehanna Steam Electric Station (SSES) employee was discriminated against by the Manager - Nuclear Training for having raised a concern that the proposed transfer of Site Access Services (SAS) to the Nuclear Training Department would violate the SSES Physical Security Plan. The investigation also sought to determine whether the alleged discrimination by the Manager - Nuclear Training was conducted at the direction of any other management officials, including the Senior Vice President/Chief Nuclear Officer (SVP/CNO).
PPL ECP brought in an independent reviewer to review this matter. That review concluded that while there was no indication that the Training Manger actually retaliated against the employee, there was indication that the Training Managers normal contacts with the employee and other members of the SAS department were not conducive to an environment in which the SAS employees felt comfortable in expressing concerns. In lieu of having disciplinary action taken against him, the Manager - Nuclear Training subsequently resigned from PPL.
In addition to reviewing the report developed by PPL ECPs independent reviewer, OI conducted interviews with cognizant personnel. As a result, OI did not find evidence to prove that threatening remarks were made to the employee by the Training Manager. There was also no indication that the Training Manager carried out any of the alleged threats. Also, the Vice President/CNO denied that he had provided any direction to the Training Manager that he should respond to the employee in a threatening manner if the employee raised concerns with the transfer of SAS from Plant Support to Nuclear Training.
Lacking substantive corroborative evidence, OI did not substantiate that the Senior Vice President/CNO or other management officials directed the Manager - Nuclear Training to discriminate against the employee, nor did OI substantiate that the Manager - Nuclear Training discriminated against the employee for having engaged in protected activity during a July 11, 2002, meeting with the employee.
CERTIFIED MAIL RETURN RECEIPT REQUESTED
Mr. Bryce L. Shriver RI-2002-A-0153 2
Please note that final NRC investigative documents, such as the OI report described above, may be made available to the public under the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) subject to redaction of information appropriate under the FOIA. Requests under the FOIA should be made in accordance with 10 CFR 9.23, Requests for Records, a copy of which is enclosed for your information.
Also, in accordance with 10 CFR 2.790 of the NRCs "Rules of Practice," a copy of this letter, its enclosure, and your response, if any, 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).
Should you have any questions regarding this letter, please feel free to contact Dr. M.
Shanbaky of my staff at (610) 337-5209.
Sincerely,
/RA/
A. Randolph Blough, Director Division of Reactor Projects
Enclosure:
10 CFR 9.23, Requests for Records
Mr. Bryce L. Shriver RI-2002-A-0153 3
Distribution:
F. J. Congel, OE D. Vito, SAC ADAMS (Docket Nos. 50-387 and 50-388)
D. Screnci, PAO Region I Docket Room (w/concurrences)
DOCUMENT NAME: g:\\alleg\\licensee\\20020153lic.wpd To receive a copy of this document, indicate in the box: "C" = Copy without attachment/enclosure "E" = Copy with attachment/enclosure "N" = No copy OFFICE ORA:SAC E
DRP:RPB4 RI:RC RI:OI DRP:DD NAME DVito/slj Shanbaky KFarrar Wilson/Teator ABlough DATE 3/17/2004 3/18/2004 3/18/2004 3/18/2004 3/19/2004 OFFICIAL RECORD COPY