ML042440244
| ML042440244 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Site: | Salem  |
| Issue date: | 08/30/2004 |
| From: | Collins S NRC Region 1 |
| To: | Bakken A Public Service Enterprise Group |
| cobey e w | |
| References | |
| Download: ML042440244 (7) | |
Text
August 30, 2004 Mr. A. Christopher Bakken President and Chief Nuclear Officer PSEG Nuclear LLC - N09 P. O. Box 236 Hancocks Bridge, NJ 08038
SUBJECT:
MID-CYCLE PERFORMANCE REVIEW AND INSPECTION PLAN - SALEM NUCLEAR GENERATING STATION
Dear Mr. Bakken:
On August 3, 2004, the NRC staff completed its mid-cycle plant performance assessment of the Salem Nuclear Generating Station. The mid-cycle review for Salem involved the participation of all technical divisions in evaluating performance for the first half of the calendar year 2004 assessment cycle. The process included a review of performance indicators (PIs) for the most recent quarter and inspection results over the previous twelve months. The purpose of this letter is to inform you of our assessment of your safety performance during this period and our plans for future inspections at your facility so that you will have an opportunity to prepare for these inspections and to inform us of any planned inspections that may conflict with your plant activities.
This performance review and enclosed inspection plan do not include physical protection information. A separate letter designated and marked as Proprietary Information in accordance with 10 CFR 2.390(d)(1) will include the physical protection review and resultant inspection plan.
Salem Unit 1 performance for the most recent quarter was within the Regulatory Response Column of the NRCs Action Matrix based on an inspection finding in the Mitigating System Cornerstone being classified as having low to moderate safety significance (White) and all PIs indicating performance at a level requiring no additional NRC oversight (Green). The White inspection finding involved inadequate corrective actions which resulted in the 1C emergency diesel generator turbocharger failure in September 2002. Completion of the initial and supplemental inspections into the issue were delayed to allow PSEG time to complete their root cause evaluation and implement corrective actions. As described in an NRC supplemental inspection report dated January 30, 2004, [ADAMS Ref. ML040330012] the staff kept this finding open beyond four quarters pending completion of PSEGs extent of condition evaluation and until additional NRC inspection confirmed that final corrective actions had been implemented.
Additional follow-up inspection has been conducted, and the results are currently under NRC management review. These inspection results will be provided in a future inspection report.
Salem Unit 2 performance for the most recent quarter was within the Licensee Response Column of the NRCs Action Matrix based on all inspection findings being classified as having very low safety significance (Green) and all PIs indicating performance at a level requiring no additional NRC oversight (Green).
2 Mr. A. Christopher Bakken In our letter to you dated July 30, 2004, [ADAMS Ref. ML042120284] we informed you of the results of our review of the work environment at the Salem station. Specifically, in that review we did not identify any serious safety violations; however, we concluded that there were numerous indications of weaknesses in corrective actions and management efforts to establish an environment where employees are consistently willing to raise safety concerns. Some PSEG staff and managers felt that the company had emphasized production to a point that negatively impacted handling of emergent equipment issues and associated operational decision making.
Additionally, management had not been consistent in its support of station staff identifying concerns and providing alternate views. We found examples of unresolved conflict and poor communication between management and staff, as well as underlying staff and management frustration with poor equipment reliability. The equipment issues stemmed, in part, from weaknesses in implementation of station processes, such as work management and corrective action. Based upon these results, our mid-cycle assessment has concluded that a substantive cross-cutting issue in safety conscious work environment (SCWE) exists at the Salem station.
In addition, as discussed in the last three assessment letters dated March 3, 2003, August 27, 2003, and March 3, 2004, [ADAMS Refs. ML030620693, ML032390511, and ML040630798, respectively] the staff identified a substantive cross-cutting issue in the area of problem identification and resolution (PI&R). The staff determined that the cross-cutting issue continued through the first half of calendar year 2004 based on the continuation of inspection findings and documented shortcomings within the PI&R area. During the assessment period, there were 22 inspection findings, 10 of which occurred in the last six months, that were attributable, at least in part, to shortcomings in the PI&R area. These shortcomings, which involved problem identification, problem evaluation, and effectiveness of corrective action, continued to allow problems to recur and longstanding problems to go uncorrected. A few noteworthy examples included PSEG personnel not identifying a leaking spray wash valve associated with a service water traveling screen as a degraded condition, which ultimately resulted in the unavailability of a service water pump train due to excessive ice buildup; the inadequate evaluation of a significant change in the stroke time test results of a containment fan cooler unit service water flow control valve which delayed by several months the recognition of a mechanical problem inside the valve; and ineffective corrective actions to prevent the recurring failure of an auxiliary feedwater pump steam supply valve.
We recognize that PSEG has taken significant steps to evaluate the stations work environment and to initiate actions to address work environment issues and corrective action effectiveness. As mentioned in our letter dated July 30, 2004, we expect that you will discuss your progress in improving the work environment and the effectiveness of your corrective action program in the public meeting planned for late 2004.
We plan to conduct Reactor Oversight Process baseline inspections at Salem, as well as to inspect the reactor vessel head replacement at Salem Unit 2 in the spring of 2005. Further, in order to provide an appropriate level of NRC oversight for your facility, in view of the substantive cross-cutting issue in SCWE and the longstanding cross-cutting issue in PI&R, the NRCs Executive Director for Operations approved a deviation from the NRCs Action Matrix on August 23, 2004 [ADAMS Ref. ML042290139]. This deviation authorized the staff to provide a greater level of oversight for the Salem station than would typically be called for by the Regulatory Response Column of the Action Matrix including: (1) conduct of periodic management meetings
3 Mr. A. Christopher Bakken and site visits; (2) elevation of the level of NRC management involvement in meetings, site visits, and correspondence; (3) establishment of an internal NRC coordination team, involving regional and headquarters experts in reactor oversight, SCWE and related performance attributes, to coordinate NRC review efforts and assist in evaluation of licensee self-assessment efforts; (4) review of PSEGs detailed improvement plans to identify SCWE and related performance attributes for further NRC inspection; and (5) enhancement of existing baseline inspections by adjusting inspection scope, as necessary, to verify the effectiveness of licensee improvement efforts in these areas. The NRC plans to continue with this heightened oversight until PSEG has concluded that substantial, sustainable progress has been made; and the NRC has completed a review, the results of which confirm PSEGs assessment results.
The enclosed inspection plan details the inspection, less those related to physical protection, scheduled through March 31, 2006. The inspection plan is provided to minimize the resource impact on your staff and to allow for scheduling conflicts and personnel availability to be resolved in advance of inspector arrival onsite. Routine resident inspections are not listed due to their ongoing and continuous nature. The inspections in the last twelve months of the inspection plan are tentative and may be revised at the end-of-cycle review meeting.
In accordance with 10 CFR 2.390 of the NRCs Rules of Practice, a copy of this letter and its enclosure will be made available electronically for public inspection in the NRC Public Document Room or from the Publicly Available Records (PARS) component of NRC's 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).
If circumstances arise which cause us to change this inspection plan, we will contact you to discuss the change as soon as possible. Please contact Eugene Cobey of my staff at (610) 337-5171 with any questions you may have regarding this letter or the inspection plan.
Sincerely,
/RA/
Samuel J. Collins Regional Administrator Docket Nos. 50-272; 50-311 License Nos. DPR-70; DPR-75
Enclosure:
Salem Generating Station Inspection / Activity Plan
4 Mr. A. Christopher Bakken cc w/encl:
M. Brothers, Vice President - Site Operations J. T. Carlin, Vice President Nuclear Assessment D. F. Garchow, Vice President, Engineering and Technical Support W. F. Sperry, Director Business Support S. Mannon, Manager - Nuclear Safety and Licensing C. J. Fricker, Salem Plant Manager R. Kankus, Joint Owner Affairs J. J. Keenan, Esquire M. Wetterhahn, Esquire F. Pompper, Chief of Police and Emergency Management Coordinator J. Lipoti Ph.D., State of New Jersey, Asst Director Radiation Protection & Release Prevention H. Otto, Ph.D., DNREC Division of Water Resources, State of Delaware Consumer Advocate, Office of Consumer Advocate N. Cohen, Coordinator - Unplug Salem Campaign W. Costanzo, Technical Advisor - Jersey Shore Nuclear Watch E. Zobian, Coordinator - Jersey Shore Anti Nuclear Alliance
5 Mr. A. Christopher Bakken Distribution w/encl:
Region I Docket Room (with concurrences)
S. Collins, RA J. Wiggins, DRA D. Orr, DRP - NRC Resident Inspector E. Cobey, DRP S. Barber, DRP C. Miller, OEDO R. Laufer, NRR D. Collins, PM, NRR DRS Director, Region I C. ODaniell, DRP RidsNrrDipmlipb DOCUMENT NAME: S:\\ROP5 Mid-Cycle Review\\2004 Mid-Cycle Letters\\Salem ROP5 MidCycle LetterR1.wpd After declaring this document An Official Agency Record it will be released to the Public.
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 RI/DRP R1/DRP R1/DRP RI/RA NAME Dorr/EWC for ECobey/EWC ABlough/ARB SCollins/SJC DATE 08/27/04 08/27/04 08/27/04 08/30/04 OFFICIAL RECORD COPY
Salem Inspection / Activity Plan 07/01/2004 - 03/31/2006 Inspection Type Inspection Activity Planned Dates Start End No. of Staff on Site Title Unit Number Page 1 of 2 08/30/2004 10:38:11 Report 22 1
95001
- EDG SUPPLEMENTAL - EDG Supplemental Program 05/03/2004 09/03/2004 Supplemental Inspection For One Or Two White Inputs In A Strategic Performance Area IP 95001 1
1 7111107B
- HEAT SINK Baseline Inspections 08/16/2004 08/20/2004 Heat Sink Performance IP 7111107B 1, 2 1
71121
- OCC RAD SAFETY Baseline Inspections 08/30/2004 09/03/2004 Access Control to Radiologically Significant Areas IP 7112101 1, 2 Baseline Inspections 08/30/2004 09/03/2004 ALARA Planning and Controls IP 7112102 1, 2 Baseline Inspections 08/30/2004 09/03/2004 Radiation Monitoring Instrumentation and Protective Equipment IP 7112103 1, 2 Baseline Inspections 08/30/2004 09/03/2004 Performance Indicator Verification IP 71151 1, 2 1
7111404
- EP PIS AND E-PLAN CHANGE REVIEWS Baseline Inspections 12/13/2004 12/17/2004 Emergency Action Level and Emergency Plan Changes IP 7111404 1, 2 Baseline Inspections 12/13/2004 12/17/2004 Performance Indicator Verification IP 71151 1, 2 1
71121
- OCC RAD SAFETY Baseline Inspections 01/10/2005 01/14/2005 Access Control to Radiologically Significant Areas IP 7112101 1, 2 Baseline Inspections 01/10/2005 01/14/2005 ALARA Planning and Controls IP 7112102 1, 2 Baseline Inspections 01/10/2005 01/14/2005 Radiation Monitoring Instrumentation and Protective Equipment IP 7112103 1, 2 1
7112201
- PUB RAD SAFETY - RETS Baseline Inspections 01/24/2005 01/28/2005 Radioactive Gaseous and Liquid Effluent Treatment and Monitoring Systems IP 7112201 1, 2 5
7111117B
- MODS & 50.59 Baseline Inspections 02/14/2005 02/18/2005 Evaluation of Changes, Tests, or Experiments IP 7111102 1, 2 Baseline Inspections 02/14/2005 02/18/2005 Permanent Plant Modifications IP 7111117B 1, 2 4
- PROBLEM IDENTIFICATION AND RESOLUTION Baseline Inspections 02/28/2005 03/04/2005 Identification and Resolution of Problems IP 71152B 1, 2 Baseline Inspections 03/14/2005 03/18/2005 Identification and Resolution of Problems IP 71152B 1, 2 1
71121
- OCC RAD SAFETY Other Routine 04/11/2005 04/15/2005 Reactor Vessel Head Replacement Inspection IP 71007 2
Baseline Inspections 04/11/2005 04/15/2005 Access Control to Radiologically Significant Areas IP 7112101 1, 2 Baseline Inspections 04/11/2005 04/15/2005 ALARA Planning and Controls IP 7112102 1, 2 Baseline Inspections 04/11/2005 04/15/2005 Radiation Monitoring Instrumentation and Protective Equipment IP 7112103 1, 2 2
7111108P
- INSERVICE INSPECTION - U2 Baseline Inspections 04/18/2005 04/22/2005 Inservice Inspection Activities - PWR IP 7111108P 2
1 7112203
- PUB RAD SAFETY - REMP Baseline Inspections 06/20/2005 06/24/2005 Radiological Environmental Monitoring Program IP 7112203 1, 2 This report does not include INPO and OUTAGE activities.
This report shows only on-site and announced inspection procedures.
Salem Inspection / Activity Plan 07/01/2004 - 03/31/2006 Inspection Type Inspection Activity Planned Dates Start End No. of Staff on Site Title Unit Number Page 2 of 2 08/30/2004 10:38:11 Report 22 1
71114
- EP PROGRAM INSP & PI VERIFICATION Baseline Inspections 08/29/2005 09/02/2005 Alert and Notification System Testing IP 7111402 1, 2 Baseline Inspections 08/29/2005 09/02/2005 Emergency Response Organization Augmentation Testing IP 7111403 1, 2 Baseline Inspections 08/29/2005 09/02/2005 Emergency Action Level and Emergency Plan Changes IP 7111404 1, 2 Baseline Inspections 08/29/2005 09/02/2005 Correction of Emergency Preparedness Weaknesses and Deficiencies IP 7111405 1, 2 Baseline Inspections 08/29/2005 09/02/2005 Performance Indicator Verification IP 71151 1, 2 2
7111111B
- LO REQUAL INSPECTION Baseline Inspections 09/12/2005 09/16/2005 Licensed Operator Requalification Program IP 7111111B 1, 2 1
7111108P
- INSERVICE INSPECTION - U1 Baseline Inspections 10/17/2005 10/21/2005 Inservice Inspection Activities - PWR IP 7111108P 1
1 71121
- OCC RAD SAFETY Other Routine 10/17/2005 10/21/2005 Reactor Vessel Head Replacement Inspection IP 71007 1
Baseline Inspections 10/17/2005 10/21/2005 Access Control to Radiologically Significant Areas IP 7112101 1, 2 Baseline Inspections 10/17/2005 10/21/2005 ALARA Planning and Controls IP 7112102 1, 2 Baseline Inspections 10/17/2005 10/21/2005 Radiation Monitoring Instrumentation and Protective Equipment IP 7112103 1, 2 Baseline Inspections 10/17/2005 10/21/2005 Performance Indicator Verification IP 71151 1, 2 1
7112202
- PUB RAD SAFETY - RADWASTE Baseline Inspections 12/05/2005 12/16/2005 Radioactive Material Processing and Transportation IP 7112202 1, 2 1
71121
- OCC RAD SAFETY Baseline Inspections 01/09/2006 01/13/2006 Access Control to Radiologically Significant Areas IP 7112101 1, 2 Baseline Inspections 01/09/2006 01/13/2006 ALARA Planning and Controls IP 7112102 1, 2 Baseline Inspections 01/09/2006 01/13/2006 Radiation Monitoring Instrumentation and Protective Equipment IP 7112103 1, 2 1
7111112B
- MAINTENANCE RULE Baseline Inspections 01/16/2006 01/20/2006 Maintenance Effectiveness IP 7111112B 1, 2 3
7111105T
- TRIENNIAL FIRE PROTECTION INSPECTION Baseline Inspections 01/23/2006 01/27/2006 Fire Protection IP 7111105T 1, 2 Baseline Inspections 02/06/2006 02/10/2006 Fire Protection IP 7111105T 1, 2 1
7112201
- PUB RAD SAFETY - RETS Baseline Inspections 02/06/2006 02/10/2006 Radioactive Gaseous and Liquid Effluent Treatment and Monitoring Systems IP 7112201 1, 2 7
SSDI
- SSDI Baseline Inspections 03/06/2006 03/10/2006 Safety System Design and Performance Capability IP 7111121 1, 2 Baseline Inspections 03/20/2006 03/24/2006 Safety System Design and Performance Capability IP 7111121 1, 2 This report does not include INPO and OUTAGE activities.
This report shows only on-site and announced inspection procedures.