ML112280025

NRC Response to Mayor of Oswego, Ny Regarding the Nine Mile Point Strike

ML112280025
Person / Time
Site:	Nine Mile Point
Issue date:	08/15/2011
From:	Bill Dean NRC Region 1
To:	Bateman R Oswego County, NY
Barkley R
Shared Package
ML112280264	List: ML112280025 ML112280166
References
RegionI-2011-0269
Download: ML112280025 (3)

Text

August 15, 2011 Randolph F. Bateman, Mayor City of Oswego 13 West Oneida Street Oswego, New York 13126

Dear Mayor Bateman:

I am responding to your letter of July 22, 2011, regarding the planned strike by International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 97 at the Nine Mile Point Nuclear Station (NMPNS) operated by Constellation Energy Nuclear Group (CENG). As you know, a strike commenced at 12:01 a.m. on July 9th.

In advance of the strike, the NRC completed an inspection of the facilitys strike contingency plan, in accordance with established inspection procedures, to evaluate the plans adequacy and to ensure that public health, safety, and security would be maintained during the strike.

This inspection verified that Constellation had sufficient, properly trained operators and other personnel, including the emergency response organization (ERO), who would safely perform replacement functions during the strike. The inspectors also reviewed the plan to ensure site staffing would be sufficient and qualified to implement the site emergency plan by comparing the contingency ERO staffing plan to the normal ERO staffing plan.

On July 8th at 10:00 p.m., two hours prior to the strike commencing, the NRC resident inspectors, supplemented by regional inspectors, implemented 24-hour coverage at the site.

This around-the-clock coverage continued for two weeks, at which time it was determined that this degree of oversight was no longer warranted. The regional branch chief responsible for NMPNS also was on site for the initial days of the strike to manage resident and regional inspection resources, to interface with site senior management and union representatives to reinforce the importance of continued safe operation of the facility, and to assess NMPNSs contingency plan implementation to ensure that CENG met its regulatory requirements.

On July 26th, the members of International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 97 voted to approve the new contract. The NRC continued to provide enhanced oversight and closely monitored the situation following the return of the workers to the site.

R. Bateman 2 Regarding the staffing of the ERO during the strike, please note that more than 75 percent of the ERO staff was not changed, and the replacement personnel were verified to be fully trained and qualified for their positions. Therefore, the NRC concluded that the licensee was able to adequately respond to an emergency at the site and determined that an additional Emergency Drill was not required. If you have any questions, please contact me or Mr. Glenn Dentel, Branch Chief, at (610) 337-5233.

Sincerely,

/RA/ Original Signed by David C. Lew for William M. Dean Regional Administrator

ML112280025 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\TCA RI\DRP RI\RA NAME GDentel* RBarkley* DRoberts* WDean/DCL for DATE 08/ 10 /2011 08/10/2011 08/11/2011 08/15 /2011