ML062540452

E-Mail from Wingfield to Blough, Salem Comm Team - Conference Call Thurs 10 Am (Revised Q & A'S)

ML062540452
Person / Time
Site:	Salem, Hope Creek
Issue date:	10/23/2003
From:	Ted Wingfield NRC Region 1
To:	Barber S, Blough A, Boska J, Clifford J, Robert Fretz, Mel Gray, Holden C, Brian Holian, Lanning W, Madden T, Meyer G, Nimitz R, Dan Orr, Diane Screnci, Neil Sheehan, Vito D, Jason White - No Known Affiliation, NRC Region 1
References
FOIA/PA-2005-0194
Download: ML062540452 (5)

Text

[ba:'ýidVito '- Re: Salem Comm Team - o~rb.aiTus10 am (REVISED Q&A's) Pg Page 1 From: Theodore Wingfield To: A. Randolph Blough; Brian Holian; Cornelius Holden; Daniel Orr; David Vito; Diane Screnci; Glenn Meyer; James Clifford; John Boska; John White; Mel Gray; Neil Sheehan; Robert Fretz; Ronald Nimitz; Scott Barber; Thomas Madden; Wayne Lanning Date: 10/23/03 9:49AM

Subject:

Re: Salem Comm Team - Conference call Thurs 10 am (REVISED Q&As)

Attached is the lastest version of the Q & A's

>>> Glenn Meyer 10/22/03 02:52PM >>>>

The preparations for the briefing of Sen. Carper's staffer will be discussed in a conference call -

Thursday, 10 am. The conference call number is the MCI Conference Center at 888-456-0354ývasscode 1W?-

I've attached a revised version of the Q&As, including contingency actions if the allegations are about to

.be publicized; I expect the slides for the briefing to be sent separately.

Region I participants should meet in the DRS Conference Room.

Glenn Intormation inthis record was delaWe inaccordance with the Freedom of Information IV, 0

IJývid Vitrl - Qs &As.wpd Paqe 1 1 Page 1 I I David Vitc! Os & As.wpd Salem Allegation Q's and A's

1. We have heard that there is an allegation where production pressures took precedence over nuclearsafety at Salem and HC ? We also have heard that personnel at the station do not feel free to raise nuclear safety concerns?

NRC policy is not to comment on whether an allegation exists or to reveal any details about an allegation that could reveal an alleger's identity.

The NRC has regulations that prohibit a licensee fromitaking discriminatory actions against an individual for raising nuclear safety concerns. Our desire is for licensee management to create and maintain an environment where individuals feel free to raise safety concerns to management without fear of retribution.

We characterize this enviro 'nment as a Safety Conscious Work Environment (SCWE), and it is a major cross cutting element of the reactor oversight program. The NRC encourages a healthy SCWE at. all facilities and takes action when discriminatory actions have occurred.

2. What is the NýRC'S assessment of performance at Salem and HC?

The plants are being operated safely with significant margin to safety. However, the NRC.has noted inconsistencies in performance at Salem and Hope Creek for some time. As a result, we have provided heightened attention to site activities, including a much higher than a normal amount of inspection. Inour last annual and mid-cycle assessments of overall site performance, we have identified substantive cross-cutting issues in problem identification and resolution at both Salem and Hope Creek. This means that due to weaknesses noted in PSEG's identification and effective resolution of problems, and the NRC will focus more closely on these areas.

3. What is NRC's oversight at Salem and HC?

Overall, we have high level of oversight at the facilities, as evidenced by high inspection expenditures at Salem. We have maintained four full-time resident inspectors, treating the plants as two sites even though PSEG had previously merged operations for Salem. and Hope Creek. We have performed in-depth special inspections of several issues on-site this year Through Septemb~er the resources expended at Salem have exceeded the resources at any of the other 15 operating sites in Region 1. Additionally, senior Region I managers have made a number of extensive site reviews over the past year involving direct interaction with senior site and plant management.

Within the NRC's Reactor Oversight Program, Salem Unit 1 is within the Regulatory Response Column of the Action Matrix, based on a diesel generator failure in September 2002, while Unit 2 and Hope Creek remain in the Licensee Response Column.

4. Can NRC shut down Salem and HC if you like?!

NRC has regulatory authority to order licensees to shut down reactors. Nonetheless, there is a high threshold to ensure that such an action is merited. Currently, inspection of events and day-to-day activities over the last 12 months has shown that the proper actions have been taken to assure reactor safety and that an acceptable margin of safety exists.

5. 1heard that a lawsu.it was riled in which an individual was fired for raising safety concerns at the faciliiy. Is this true? If so, what is the NRC doing about it?

We are aware that recently. a civil lawsuit was filed in New jersey', which claims that the affected person was discriminated against for raising safety concerns at Salem and Hope Creek. NRC is aware of the lawsuit and is reviewing the specifics in light of the regulations prohibiting a licensee from taking GI~BRANCI-13WIegation SCWE1Os & As.wpd Pa e 1 of.

I Uaýid"-Vito - Qs &As.wpd -- - ~~

Dnrin ') 11

-i Salem Allegation Q's and A's discriminatory actions against an individual for raising nuclear safety concerns.

.6. 1heard that NRC investigators are working on the same case that the lawsuit against PSEG addresses.

Can you confirm that for us?

NRC policy isnot to comment on whether an investigation exists or to reveal any details or status about any investigation.

The following is for NRC internal use / background only. These questions should not be discussed with the public or the media as they have the potential to identify an alleger.

t D;;Vi P.qnp I ý I fl~vid Vitc. Os & As.wpd

- Paqe 31 Alleg-at ion Q's andA's Conti ngency.Actions if allegations are being publicized:

1. Reconvene Communications Team to review available options. Inform Regional management. Ifpractic al.

revise Os & As.

G:A8RANCH3WAIegation SCWEIQs &As wPd Paq e3-of 31

I, Page 4 Salem Alleciation Q's and A's

2. Consult with allegations staff to determine if a threshold has been reached such that publicly discussing the allegations is appropriate. Allegations staff to reach alleger first if such an action is being pursued.

3. Inform all applicable NRC internal stakeholders, including EDO and commissioners. If resident inspectors have not been involved, inform them.

4. Inform OCA to inform applicable Congressional stakeholders:

• DE se nators (Carper & Biden)

• NJ senators (Corzine & Lautenberg)

• Rep. LoBiondo

5. Region I State Liaison Officer to brief NJ & DE contact points.

6. Inform PAO to handle media inquiries.

G %BRANCI-3WlIegation SCWEXOs & As.wpd Pag e4of 3 I .