ML042440605

2004 Nine Mile Point Mid-Cycle Performance Review and Inspection Plan

ML042440605
Person / Time
Site:	Nine Mile Point
Issue date:	08/30/2004
From:	Blough A Division Reactor Projects III
To:	Spina J Nine Mile Point
References
Download: ML042440605 (7)

Text

August 30, 2004 Mr. James A. Spina Vice President Nine Mile Point Nine Mile Point Nuclear Station, LLC P.O. Box 63 Lycoming, NY 13093

SUBJECT:

MID-CYCLE PERFORMANCE REVIEW AND INSPECTION PLAN - NINE MILE POINT NUCLEAR STATION

Dear Mr. Spina:

On August 4, 2004, the NRC completed its mid-cycle plant performance assessment of the Nine Mile Point Nuclear Station. The mid-cycle review for Nine Mile Point 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 the opportunity to prepare for these inspections and 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.

Plant 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). Therefore, we plan to conduct primarily reactor oversight process (ROP) baseline inspections at your facility through March 31, 2006. We also plan on conducting several non-ROP inspections which include license renewal inspections. A Supplemental Inspection, conducted in March - April 2004, concerning a White PI for Unplanned Scrams per 7000 Critical Hours on Unit 2, is scheduled to be conducted again in September 2004. The March - April inspection determined that there were several weaknesses in Constellations review regarding inadequacies in the root cause evaluation, the extent of condition review, and the corrective actions. Also, although a cause evaluation was conducted and predominant contributing causes were identified, the cause evaluation was not sufficiently thorough or detailed to explain or address why the PI had again crossed the Green-White threshold. The September 2004 inspection will review your actions to address these weaknesses.

In our mid-cycle assessment letter dated August 27, 2003, we advised you of a substantive cross-cutting issue in the area of problem identification and resolution (PI&R), regarding examples of ineffective root cause evaluations and corrective actions. Specifically, the engineering resolutions of equipment deficiencies were sometimes narrowly focused and were not effective in maintaining certain important equipment reliable or avoiding preventable failures. In our annual

Mr. James A. Spina 2 assessment letter dated March 2, 2004, we acknowledged your actions to address this issue; however, the cross-cutting issue was left open as a result of additional findings related to longstanding equipment deficiencies and narrowly focused operability assessments.

During the current assessment period, we continued to see some improvement in this area and our inspection activities did not identify a substantial number of additional PI&R findings.

Therefore, the NRC no longer considers Nine Mile Point Nuclear Station's performance indicative of a substantive cross-cutting issue in PI&R. However, the NRC notes that sustained improvement in PI&R remains a challenge for the station. Making further progress at Nine Mile Point will require strong management involvement given the continuing large scope of station projects and activities. Although the NRC plans no further focused review in this area, we will continue to monitor your performance through the baseline inspection program.

The enclosed inspection plan details the inspections, less those related to physical protection, scheduled through March 31, 2006. The plan includes those inspections being conducted for license renewal. 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 NRCs document system (ADAMS). ADAMS is accessible from the NRC Web site at http://www.nrc.govreading-rm/adams.html (Public Electronic Reading Room).

If circumstances arise which cause us to change the inspection plan, we will contact you to discuss the change as soon as possible. Please contact Mr. James Trapp, Chief, Projects Branch 1 at (610) 337-5186 with any questions you may have regarding this letter or the inspection plan.

Sincerely,

/RA/

A. Randolph Blough, Director Division of Reactor Projects Docket Nos. 50-220, 50-410 License Nos. DPR-63, DPR-59

Enclosure:

Nine Mile Point Inspection/Activity Plan

Mr. James A. Spina 3 cc w/encl:

M. J. Wallace, President, Constellation Generation M. Heffley, Senior Vice President and Chief Nuclear Officer J. M. Petro, Jr., Esquire, Counsel, Constellation Energy Group, Inc.

M. J. Wetterhahn, Esquire, Winston and Strawn P. R. Smith, President, New York State Energy, Research, and Development Authority J. Spath, Program Director, New York State Energy Research and Development Authority P. D. Eddy, Electric Division, NYS Department of Public Service C. Donaldson, Esquire, Assistant Attorney General, New York Department of Law Supervisor, Town of Scriba T. Judson, Central NY Citizens Awareness Network J. R. Evans, LIPA C. Adrienne Rhodes, Chairman and Executive Director, State Consumer Protection Board Institute of Nuclear Power Operations (INPO)

Mr. James A. Spina 4 Distribution w/encl: (via E-mail)

S. Collins, RA J. Wiggins, DRA J. Trapp, DRP N. Perry, DRP C. Miller, OEDO Coordinator R. Laufer, NRR P. Tam, PM, NRR R. Clark, PM, NRR (Backup)

R. Guzman, PM, NRR (Backup)

G. Hunegs, SRI - Nine Mile Point B. Fuller, RI - Nine Mile Point E. Knutson, RI - Nine Mile Point K. Kolek, DRP, OA D. Screnci, PAO N. Sheehan, PAO DRS Director DRS Deputy Director DRS Branch Chiefs RidsNrrDipmlipb Region I Docket Room (with concurrences)

DOCUMENT NAME: G:\DRP\BRANCH1\BRANCH1\2004 ROP 5 Mid-Cycle Review\2004 Mid-Cycle Letters\Nine Mile Point 2004 Mid-Cycle Letter (Revised).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 RI/DRP RI/DRP NAME NPerry/NSP JTrapp/JMT ABlough/ARB DATE 08/25/04 08/30/04 08/26/04 08/ /04 08/ /04 OFFICIAL RECORD COPY

Page 1 of 3 Nine Mile Point 08/30/2004 10:36:55 Inspection / Activity Plan Report 22 07/01/2004 - 03/31/2006 Unit No. of Staff Planned Dates Inspection Number Inspection Activity Title on Site Start End Type 11/1 EXM - U1 OPERATOR LICENSING INITIAL EXAMS 3 1 U01524 NINE MILE POINT UNIT 1 INITIAL EXAM (8/2-6/04) 10/04/2004 10/07/2004 Not Applicable 1 U01524 NINE MILE POINT UNIT 1 INITIAL EXAM (8/2-6/04) 11/01/2004 11/13/2004 Not Applicable 71114 - EP PROGRAM INSPECTION & PI VERIFICATION 1 1, 2 IP 7111402 Alert and Notification System Testing 07/19/2004 07/23/2004 Baseline Inspections 1, 2 IP 7111403 Emergency Response Organization Augmentation Testing 07/19/2004 07/23/2004 Baseline Inspections 1, 2 IP 7111404 Emergency Action Level and Emergency Plan Changes 07/19/2004 07/23/2004 Baseline Inspections 1, 2 IP 7111405 Correction of Emergency Preparedness Weaknesses and Deficiencies 07/19/2004 07/23/2004 Baseline Inspections 1, 2 IP 71151 Performance Indicator Verification 07/19/2004 07/23/2004 Baseline Inspections 71152 - PIR SAMP EQ 1 1 IP 71152 Identification and Resolution of Problems 07/12/2004 07/16/2004 Allegation Follow-up 1, 2 IP 71152 Identification and Resolution of Problems 08/30/2004 09/03/2004 Allegation Follow-up 7111121 - SSDI 7 1, 2 IP 7111121 Safety System Design and Performance Capability 08/16/2004 08/20/2004 Baseline Inspections 1, 2 IP 7111121 Safety System Design and Performance Capability 08/30/2004 09/03/2004 Baseline Inspections 71121 - OCC RAD SAFETY 1 1 IP 7112101 Access Control to Radiologically Significant Areas 09/20/2004 09/24/2004 Baseline Inspections 1, 2 IP 7112102 ALARA Planning and Controls 09/20/2004 09/24/2004 Baseline Inspections 1, 2 IP 7112103 Radiation Monitoring Instrumentation and Protective Equipment 09/20/2004 09/24/2004 Baseline Inspections 1, 2 IP 71151 Performance Indicator Verification 09/20/2004 09/24/2004 Baseline Inspections 95001 - WHITE PI - UNIT 2 SCRAMS - SUPPLEMENTAL 1 2 IP 95001 Supplemental Inspection For One Or Two White Inputs In A Strategic Performance Area 09/20/2004 09/24/2004 Supplemental Program 7111111B - LO REQUALIFICATION PROGRAM UNIT 2 4 2 IP 7111111B Licensed Operator Requalification Program 11/14/2004 11/19/2004 Baseline Inspections 7112202 - PUB RAD SAFETY - RADWASTE 1 1, 2 IP 7112202 Radioactive Material Processing and Transportation 11/01/2004 11/05/2004 Baseline Inspections 7111107B - HEAT SINK 1 1, 2 IP 7111107B Heat Sink Performance 11/15/2004 11/19/2004 Baseline Inspections 71002 - LICENSE RENEWAL - SCOPING 4 1, 2 IP 71002 License Renewal Inspection 01/10/2005 01/14/2005 License Renewal Inspectio 71002 - LICENSE RENEWAL - AGING MGMT 4 1, 2 IP 71002 License Renewal Inspection 02/14/2005 02/18/2005 License Renewal Inspectio 1, 2 IP 71002 License Renewal Inspection 02/28/2005 03/04/2005 License Renewal Inspectio This report does not include INPO and OUTAGE activities.

This report shows only on-site and announced inspection procedures.

Page 2 of 3 Nine Mile Point 08/30/2004 10:36:55 Inspection / Activity Plan Report 22 07/01/2004 - 03/31/2006 Unit No. of Staff Planned Dates Inspection Number Inspection Activity Title on Site Start End Type 7112201 - PUB RAD SAFETY - RETS (UNIT 1 ONLY) 1 1 IP 7112201 Radioactive Gaseous and Liquid Effluent Treatment and Monitoring Systems 02/28/2005 03/04/2005 Baseline Inspections 7111108G - INSERVICE INSPECTION - U1 2 1 IP 7111108G Inservice Inspection Activities - BWR 03/21/2005 03/25/2005 Baseline Inspections 71121 - OCC RAD SAFETY 1 1, 2 IP 7112101 Access Control to Radiologically Significant Areas 03/28/2005 04/01/2005 Baseline Inspections 1, 2 IP 7112102 ALARA Planning and Controls 03/28/2005 04/01/2005 Baseline Inspections 1, 2 IP 7112103 Radiation Monitoring Instrumentation and Protective Equipment 03/28/2005 04/01/2005 Baseline Inspections 5/2+EXM - U2 OPERATOR LICENSING INITIAL EXAMS 3 2 U01520 NINE MILE POINT UNIT 2 INITIAL EXAM (4/19-23/04) 04/04/2005 04/08/2005 Not Applicable 2 U01520 NINE MILE POINT UNIT 2 INITIAL EXAM (4/19-23/04) 05/02/2005 05/06/2005 Not Applicable 7112201 - PUB RAD SAFETY - REMP 1 1, 2 IP 7112203 Radiological Environmental Monitoring Program 04/25/2005 04/29/2005 Baseline Inspections 71121 - OCC RAD SAFETY 1 1, 2 IP 7112101 Access Control to Radiologically Significant Areas 06/27/2005 07/01/2005 Baseline Inspections 1, 2 IP 7112102 ALARA Planning and Controls 06/27/2005 07/01/2005 Baseline Inspections 1, 2 IP 7112103 Radiation Monitoring Instrumentation and Protective Equipment 06/27/2005 07/01/2005 Baseline Inspections 7111401 - EXERCISE EVALUATION & EP PI VERIFICATION 1 1, 2 IP 7111401 Exercise Evaluation 08/15/2005 08/19/2005 Baseline Inspections 1, 2 IP 71151 Performance Indicator Verification 08/15/2005 08/19/2005 Baseline Inspections 7112203 - PUB RAD SAFETY - RETS (UNIT 2 ONLY) 1 2 IP 7112201 Radioactive Gaseous and Liquid Effluent Treatment and Monitoring Systems 08/29/2005 09/02/2005 Baseline Inspections MODS - MODS & 50.59 3 1, 2 IP 7111102 Evaluation of Changes, Tests, or Experiments 09/19/2005 09/23/2005 Baseline Inspections 1, 2 IP 7111117B Permanent Plant Modifications 09/19/2005 09/23/2005 Baseline Inspections 71121 - OCC RAD SAFETY 1 1, 2 IP 7112101 Access Control to Radiologically Significant Areas 09/26/2005 09/30/2005 Baseline Inspections 1, 2 IP 7112102 ALARA Planning and Controls 09/26/2005 09/30/2005 Baseline Inspections 1, 2 IP 7112103 Radiation Monitoring Instrumentation and Protective Equipment 09/26/2005 09/30/2005 Baseline Inspections 1, 2 IP 71151 Performance Indicator Verification 09/26/2005 09/30/2005 Baseline Inspections 71152B - PROBLEM IDENTIFICATION AND RESOLUTION 4 1, 2 IP 71152B Identification and Resolution of Problems 10/17/2005 10/21/2005 Baseline Inspections 1, 2 IP 71152B Identification and Resolution of Problems 10/31/2005 11/04/2005 Baseline Inspections This report does not include INPO and OUTAGE activities.

This report shows only on-site and announced inspection procedures.

Page 3 of 3 Nine Mile Point 08/30/2004 10:36:55 Inspection / Activity Plan Report 22 07/01/2004 - 03/31/2006 Unit No. of Staff Planned Dates Inspection Number Inspection Activity Title on Site Start End Type 7111111B - LO REQUAL PROGRAM INSPECTION 2 1 IP 7111111B Licensed Operator Requalification Program 11/14/2005 11/18/2005 Baseline Inspections 1/16+EXM - U1 OPERATOR LICENSING INITIAL EXAM 1 1 U01588 NINE MILE, UNIT 1 INITIAL EXAM (8/06) 12/12/2005 12/16/2005 Not Applicable 1 U01588 NINE MILE, UNIT 1 INITIAL EXAM (8/06) 01/16/2006 01/20/2006 Not Applicable 7111108G - INSERVICE INSPECTION - UNIT 2 1 2 IP 7111108G Inservice Inspection Activities - BWR 03/20/2006 03/24/2006 Baseline Inspections 71121 - OCC RAD SAFETY 1 2 IP 7112101 Access Control to Radiologically Significant Areas 03/27/2006 03/31/2006 Baseline Inspections 2 IP 7112102 ALARA Planning and Controls 03/27/2006 03/31/2006 Baseline Inspections 2 IP 7112103 Radiation Monitoring Instrumentation and Protective Equipment 03/27/2006 03/31/2006 Baseline Inspections This report does not include INPO and OUTAGE activities.

This report shows only on-site and announced inspection procedures.