ML062220145
| ML062220145 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Site: | Salem, Hope Creek  |
| Issue date: | 03/23/2004 |
| From: | Johnson S NRC Region 1 |
| To: | Meyer G NRC Region 1 |
| References | |
| FOIA/PA-2005-0194 | |
| Download: ML062220145 (5) | |
Text
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Sharon Johnson Glenn Meyer 3/23/04 3:23PM Alleg. Documents 1ff
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-.. aion in thit iecord was deleied xccordanca with the Freedom of Information At, exemptions 7C-FOIA-2.1 5'41.
Upcoming Events with Potential Media Interest:
On Sunday, March 28, it is likely that the primary Salem alleger will go public. This alleger was the subject of two previous D-notes regarding Salem allegations. Unplug Salem, a public organization advocating the shutdown of Salem and Hope Creek, will have a TMI anniversary demonstration during which speakers will Include several noted activists, such as Dave Lochbaum (UCS), Jim Riccio (Greenpeace), Paul Gunter, and Ray Shadis. Unplug Salem has also said that a "PSEG whistleblower" will be the featured speaker, and our alleger has confirmed to NRC their planned participation. Significant media coverage may ensue, although initial coverage is expected to be local. The Region I public affairs staff Is prepared to respond to inquiries.
Earlier that same day, local activists at TMI will hold their annual vigil at the site, timed to coincide exactly with the anniversary. This year's event, while expected to be peaceful, will be more widely attended than in recent years, and may include plans for ceremonial trespassers seeking to be arrested.
Background for Stakeholder Communications:
On January 28 the NRC issued a letter to PSEG (James Ferland, Chairman) requesting that PSEG perform an in-depth assessment of the work environments at the Salem and Hope Creek stations regarding the raising and addressing of safety issues. On February 27 PSEG provided a plan of action for their assessment, which includes a Synergy survey, a Utilities Services Alliance (USA) peer evaluation, and an Independent Assessment Team. On March 18 NRC held a public management meeting with PSEG to review their assessment plans and progress.
The request was based on interim results from an ongoing NRC special review, which has included interviews of a wide range of Salem and Hope Creek personnel. Although there have been no serious safety violations thus far, the results have led to some concerns about the station work environment. NRC is concerned that if work environment issues are left unaddressed, an unacceptable, chilled environment could be created for raising and addressing safety issues and for making appropriate operational decisions. NRC has acknowledged that some improvements may have occurred under new management and that organizational realignments may have helped.
In the last three periodic assessment letters to PSEG, the NRC has highlighted that, even though the plants have operated with good safety margin, there have been weaknesses at the stations in their efforts to identify, thoroughly evaluate, and correct problems. The most recent NRC assessment letter was issued on March 3, 2004.
We have found no serious safety violations and have not concluded there has been a breakdown In the work environment We are providing information at this time to enable the company to address potential issues before they become serious and Impact on plant safety.
NRC maintains a substantial safety inspection program for all sites, Including TMI, Salem and Hope Creek.
C:XTEMP\\GWViewer\\D-note March 28.wpd
PSEG I Allegation Project Plan Post-March 18 Management Meeting Determined date for next meeting - May 19 at 2 pm at Joint News Center Determine need for security at May meeting -
PSEG had two corporate security personnel at March 18 meeting who coordinated with Meyer.
Prepared meeting summary with slides attached - Br. 3 Evaluate IAT interview & review process -
Ferdas & Cahill to evaluate March 23 & 24 per review plan emailed; Hub briefing scheduled for Friday at 1 pm March 28 Demonstration & Speech Speech review - Neff to coordinate getting speech; not available as of March 23.
Briefing - Br. 3 has drafted a D-note to inform Commissioners and staff Process to establish alleger as public -
Region I allegations office (Harrison) to coordinate with HQ; Region I will need to confirm with alleger after meeting prior to publicly addressing the allegations.
Q&As to be updated for PAO use - Br. 3 Allegation Review Transcript review as of March 23 -
57 interviews done, 44 transcripts available, 28 reviewed, and 22 binned; DRS (Crienjak) to pursue add'l help. Summary on G:Br.3\\ARB Docs\\lnterview Summary Binning - Target to be done by mid-April; on S:\\Salem-HC SCWE Status of civil action on discrimination - still in discovery process 0
Status letter to alleger -
Stats I
[180da ue d-A ilianydiscussion 01 will concur in letter.
Specific technical issues within transcript -
Barber review determined two allegations should be entered separately.
Allegation receipt forms submitted.
Additional IAT review to be determined by Br. 3 following Ferdas effort April 13 & 14 Site Visit by Commissioner Merrifield Need to determine Region I manager to participate Briefing package being prepared by Br. 3; due April 6 May 19 Management Meeting \\ Annual Assessment Meeting May 19 at 2 pm in the Joint News Center in Woodstown, NJ Check with Hub and NRR as to whether joint meeting is appropriate.
G:\\Br.3\\Allegation SCWE\\Project Plan March 23