ML090790023
| ML090790023 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Site: | Palo Verde  |
| Issue date: | 03/24/2009 |
| From: | Collins E Region 4 Administrator |
| To: | Edington R Arizona Public Service Co |
| References | |
| CAL 4-07-004 | |
| Download: ML090790023 (5) | |
Text
March 24, 2009 CAL 4-07-004 Randall K. Edington, Executive Vice President, Nuclear/CNO Mail Station 7602 Arizona Public Service Company P.O. Box 52034 Phoenix, AZ 85072-2034
SUBJECT:
FOLLOWUP ASSESSMENT AND CLOSURE OF CONFIRMATORY ACTION LETTER AT PALO VERDE NUCLEAR GENERATING STATION
Dear Mr. Edington:
NRC has performed extensive inspections at Palo Verde Nuclear Generating Station (PVNGS) to independently evaluate your progress in improving the stations safety performance. These inspections consisted of several large team inspections, daily inspections by the resident inspectors, and multiple region-based technical inspections. Based on the results of these inspections, the NRC has determined that safety performance at Palo Verde has notably improved over the last year. As a result, the NRC has taken action to adjust our regulatory oversight of PVNGS as described below.
On March 2, 2007, PVNGS Unit 3 entered the Multiple/Repetitive Degraded Cornerstone Column (Column IV) of the Action Matrix (NRC Manual Chapter 0305). On February 1, 2008, the NRC completed an extensive inspection (Inspection Procedure 95003) that revealed performance areas that required improvement. While the facility was being safely operated, the NRC found that safety margins had been reduced and that site-wide corrective actions were needed to improve safety performance.
On February 15, 2008, the NRC issued a Confirmatory Action Letter to PVNGS (ML080460653). The purpose of the CAL was to formally confirm commitments made by PVNGS regarding completion of actions to improve performance. The actions included those:
(1) to address root and contributing causes identified in your evaluations in response to the Yellow finding associated with the voided containment sump suction piping for all three units; (2) to address root and contributing causes identified in your evaluations in response to the White finding associated with the Unit 3 Train A emergency diesel generator electrical relay failures; (3) to address problem identification and resolution performance issues; (4) to address human performance issues; (5) to address problems with implementation of engineering programs; (6) to mitigate the potential for previous decisions to affect the quality of current evaluations associated with significant equipment problems; (7) to address the issues identified UNITED STATES NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION R E GI ON I V 612 EAST LAMAR BLVD, SUITE 400 ARLINGTON, TEXAS 76011-4125
Arizona Public Service Company during the PVNGS 2007 independent safety culture assessment; (8) to address problems associated with standards and expectations for performance and holding individuals accountable for nuclear safety; (9) to define and implement a change management process; (10) to address problems with the emergency preparedness program; (11) to address the potential for latent and longstanding issues associated with equipment deficiencies; and (12) to address problems with backlog tracking systems and prioritization.
In a letter dated February 5, 2009, you informed the NRC that PVNGS had completed or demonstrated sufficient progress for all actions associated with the CAL. You informed the NRC that performance in the areas addressed by the CAL have improved and you performed systematic reviews to ensure the performance achieved is sustainable and the basis has been established for continued improvement after the CAL is closed.
Since the issuance of the CAL, the NRC has implemented significant additional inspection activities to independently confirm that the facility continues to be safely operated and that your actions to address the longstanding performance issues at PVNGS were effective. This additional effort included 5 team inspections to verify completion of specific actions and the effectiveness of these actions in addressing the performance issues. The results of these inspections were documented in the 2008 quarterly integrated inspection reports and in the Problem Identification and Resolution inspection report issued on March 20, 2009.
Based on the results of these inspections, NRC has concluded that you have effectively addressed the causes that led to the safety performance decline and have notably improved safety performance. Also, you have established programs and procedures which, if effectively implemented, provide a reasonable assurance that the performance improvements are sustainable. The commitments described in the CAL have been completed and these actions have been effective in addressing the specific performance issues. Therefore, CAL 4-07-004, dated February 15, 2008, is closed.
Additionally, NRC is closing the substantive cross-cutting themes in both the human performance and problem identification and resolution areas that were discussed in the 2008 PVNGS Annual Assessment Letter. Throughout the assessment period the NRC observed improved performance as reflected by a significant reduction in the number of inspection findings in these areas. NRC has concluded that your corrective actions have been effective.
Accordingly, PVNGS safety performance no longer warrants the increased regulatory oversight as described in NRC Manual Chapter 0305 for plants in Column IV of the Action Matrix.
Consequently, PVNGS Units 1, 2, and 3 will be transitioned to Column 1, the Licensee Response Column, of the Action Matrix.
Nonetheless, NRC will continue to closely monitor PVNGS performance to confirm that the facility is operated safely and that your performance improvements are being sustained. In accordance with NRC Manual Chapter 0305 the NRC plans to perform additional inspection activities over a two-year period to monitor your improvement initiatives in selected areas and look for indications of potential decline in PVNGSs safety performance.
Arizona Public Service Company In accordance with 10 CFR 2.390 of the NRCs "Rules of Practice," a copy of this letter, its enclosure, and your response (if any) 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), accessible from the NRC Web site at http://www.nrc.gov/reading-rm/adams.html (the Public Electronic Reading Room).
Sincerely,
/RA/
Elmo E. Collins Regional Administrator Docket Nos:
50-528 50-529 50-530 License Nos: NPF-41 NPF-51 NPF-74
Arizona Public Service Company cc:
Mr. Steve Olea Arizona Corporation Commission 1200 W. Washington Street Phoenix, AZ 85007 Mr. Douglas Kent 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 Mr. Aubrey V. Godwin, Director Arizona Radiation Regulatory Agency 4814 South 40 Street Phoenix, AZ 85040 Mr. Scott Bauer, Director Regulatory Affairs Palo Verde Nuclear Generating Station Mail Station 7636 P.O. Box 52034 Phoenix, AZ 85072-2034 Mr. Dwight C. Mims Vice President Regulatory Affairs and Plant Improvement Palo Verde Nuclear Generating Station Mail Station 7605 P.O. Box 52034 Phoenix, AZ 85072-2034 Mr. Jeffrey T. Weikert Assistant General Counsel El Paso Electric Company Mail Location 167 123 W. Mills El Paso, TX 79901 Mr. Eric Tharp Los Angeles Department of Water & Power Southern California Public Power Authority P.O. Box 51111, Room 1255-C Los Angeles, CA 90051-0100 Mr. James Ray Public Service Company of New Mexico 2401 Aztec NE, MS Z110 Albuquerque, NM 87107-4224 Mr. Geoffrey M. Cook Southern California Edison Company 5000 Pacific Coast Hwy. Bldg. D21 San Clemente, CA 92672 Mr. Robert Henry Salt River Project 6504 East Thomas Road Scottsdale, AZ 85251 Mr. Brian Almon Public Utility Commission William B. Travis Building P.O. Box 13326 Austin, TX 78701-3326 Environmental Program Manager City of Phoenix Office of Environmental Programs 200 West Washington Street Phoenix, AZ 85003 Mr. John C. Taylor Director, Nuclear Generation El Paso Electric Company 340 East Palm Lane, Suite 310 Phoenix, AZ 85004 Chief, Technical Hazards Branch FEMA Region IX 1111 Broadway, Suite 1200 Oakland, CA 94607-4052
Arizona Public Service Company Electronic distribution by RIV:
Regional Administrator (Elmo.Collins@nrc.gov)
Deputy Regional Administrator (Chuck.Casto@nrc.gov)
DRP Director (Dwight.Chamberlain@nrc.gov)
DRP Deputy Director (Anton.Vegel@nrc.gov)
DRS Director (Roy.Caniano@nrc.gov)
DRS Deputy Director (Troy.Pruett@nrc.gov)
Senior Resident Inspector (Ryan.Treadway@nrc.gov)
Resident Inspector (Michelle.Catts@nrc.gov)
Resident Inspector (Jim.Melfi@nrc.gov)
Resident Inspector (Joseph.Bashore@nrc.gov)
Branch Chief, DRP/D (Michael.Hay@nrc.gov)
PV Site Secretary (Patricia.Coleman@nrc.gov)
Senior Project Engineer, DRP/D (Don.Allen@nrc.gov)
Public Affairs Officer (Victor.Dricks@nrc.gov)
Team Leader, DRP/TSS (Chuck.Paulk@nrc.gov)
RITS Coordinator (Marisa.Herrera@nrc.gov)
Regional Counsel (Karla.Fuller@nrc.gov)
C. A. Carpenter, D:OE (Cynthia.Carpenter@nrc.gov)
OEDO RIV Coordinator, Primary (Shawn.Williams@nrc.gov)
OEDO RIV Coordinator, Backup (Eugene.Guthrie@nrc.gov)
OE:EA File (RidsOeMailCenter)
File located: R:\\_REACTORS\\_PV\\2009\\PV CAL Closure Letter.doc ADAMS ML090790023 SUNSI Rev Compl.
- Yes No ADAMS
- Yes No Reviewer Initials MCH Publicly Avail
- Yes No Sensitive Yes ; No Sens. Type Initials MCH C
- DRP/D DD:DRP D:DRP D:DRS MCHay AVegel DDChamberlain RJCaniano
/RA/
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03/19/2009 03/20/2009 03/18/2009 03/19/2009 ACES IPAB D:NRR RA KSFuller RFranovich ELeeds EECollins
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03/19/2009 03/18/2009 03/22/2009 03/23/2009 OFFICIAL RECORD COPY T=Telephone E=E-mail F=Fax