ML043230004

Use of Plant Equipment for Limited Senior Operator Examinations (Examination Report 50-528/-529/-530/2004-301)

ML043230004
Person / Time
Site:	Palo Verde
Issue date:	11/16/2004
From:	Chamberlain D Division of Reactor Safety IV
To:	Danni Smith Arizona Public Service Co
References
Download: ML043230004 (4)

Text

November 16, 2004 Mr. David M. Smith Plant Manager Palo Verde Nuclear Generating Station Mail Station 7602 P.O. Box 52034 Phoenix, AZ 85072-2034

SUBJECT:

PALO VERDE NUCLEAR GENERATING STATION UNITS 1, 2, AND 3 - USE OF PLANT EQUIPMENT FOR LIMITED SENIOR OPERATOR EXAMINATIONS (EXAMINATION REPORT 50-528/-529/-530/2004-301)

Dear Mr. Smith:

This is in response to your letter of August 25, 2004, requesting approval (pursuant to 10 CFR 55.46(b)(1)) to use plant equipment (i.e., the refueling machine console, fuel transfer machine console, and spent fuel handling machine) in lieu of a plant-referenced simulator for evaluating limited senior operator applicants at Palo Verde Nuclear Generating Station, Units 1, 2, and 3.

We have reviewed your request with the Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation and concluded, pursuant to 10 CFR 55.46(b)(2), that the proposed use of the stated plant equipment will be suitable for conducting the limited senior operator operating tests in accordance with 10 CFR 55.45(a) and (b). As confirmed in the August 19, 2004, letter from Mr. Anthony Gody, Chief, Operations Branch, your staff will prepare the examinations based on the guidelines in Revision 9 of NUREG-1021, "Operator Licensing Examination Standards for Power Reactors." Be advised that Section E of Examination Standard 701, Administration of Initial Examinations for Senior Operators Limited to Fuel Handling, requires the operating test to be performance-based to the maximum extent possible and encourages the actual use of plant equipment to handle dummy fuel elements, assemblies, or modules during the operating test whenever safe and feasible. Mr. Mark Haire, the Chief Examiner assigned to review and administer your December 2004 examinations, will work with your staff to develop the operating tests and coordinate the use of actual plant equipment (rather than photographs or simulations) to ensure compliance with the NUREG-1021 requirements and guidelines.

As required by Examination Standard 201, Initial Operator Licensing Examination Process, Mr. Greg Werner has reviewed your examination security procedure and briefed your staff on the NRCs examination integrity and security requirements and considerations (i.e., of ES-201).

Arizona Public Service Company This approval applies to this and all future limited senior operator examinations at Palo Verde Nuclear Generating Station, Units 1, 2, and 3. Please contact Mr. Haire at 817-860-8117 or Mr. Gody at 817-860-8159 if you have any questions regarding this matter.

Sincerely,

/RA/

Dwight D. Chamberlain, Director Division of Reactor Safety Dockets: 50-528; 50-529; 50-530 Licenses: NPF-41; NPF-51; NPF-74 cc:

Steve Olea Arizona Corporation Commission 1200 W. Washington Street Phoenix, AZ 85007 Douglas K. Porter, Senior Counsel Southern California Edison Company Law Department, Generation Resources P.O. Box 800 Rosemead, CA 91770 Chairman Maricopa County Board of Supervisors 301 W. Jefferson, 10th Floor Phoenix, AZ 85003 Aubrey V. Godwin, Director Arizona Radiation Regulatory Agency 4814 South 40 Street Phoenix, AZ 85040 M. Dwayne Carnes, Director Regulatory Affairs/Nuclear Assurance Palo Verde Nuclear Generating Station Mail Station 7636 P.O. Box 52034 Phoenix, AZ 85072-2034 Hector R. Puente Vice President, Power Generation El Paso Electric Company 310 E. Palm Lane, Suite 310 Phoenix, AZ 85004

Arizona Public Service Company Jeffrey T. Weikert Assistant General Counsel El Paso Electric Company Mail Location 167 123 W. Mills El Paso, TX 79901 John W. Schumann Los Angeles Department of Water & Power Southern California Public Power Authority P.O. Box 51111, Room 1255-C Los Angeles, CA 90051-0100 John Taylor Public Service Company of New Mexico 2401 Aztec NE, MS Z110 Albuquerque, NM 87107-4224 Cheryl Adams Southern California Edison Company 5000 Pacific Coast Hwy. Bldg. DIN San Clemente, CA 92672 Robert Henry Salt River Project 6504 East Thomas Road Scottsdale, AZ 85251 Brian Almon Public Utility Commission William B. Travis Building P.O. Box 13326 1701 North Congress Avenue Austin, TX 78701-3326

Arizona Public Service Company Electronic distribution by RIV:

Regional Administrator (BSM1)

DRP Director (ATH)

DRS Director (DDC)

Senior Resident Inspector (NLS)

Branch Chief, DRP/D (TWP)

Senior Project Engineer, DRP/D (CJP)

Staff Chief, DRP/TSS (PHH)

RITS Coordinator (KEG)

DRS STA (DAP)

Matt Mitchell, OEDO RIV Coordinator (MAM4)

Assisting PV Site Secretary (VLH)

ADAMS: X Yes G No Initials: ______

X Publicly Available G Non-Publicly Available G Sensitive X Non-Sensitive E:\Filenet\ML043230004.wpd OB C:OB D:DRS MHaire ATGody DDChamberlain

/RA/ /RA/ /RA/

11/10/04 11/16/04 11/16/04 OFFICIAL RECORD COPY T=Telephone E=E-mail F=Fax