IR 05000259/2015502

Browns Ferry Nuclear Plant - U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission Emergency Preparedness Inspection Report 05000259/2015502, 05000260/2015502, And 05000296/2015502

ML15328A329
Person / Time
Site:	Browns Ferry
Issue date:	11/24/2015
From:	Bonser B R NRC/RGN-II/DRS/PSB1
To:	Shea J W Tennessee Valley Authority
Linda K. Gruhler 404-997-4633
References
IR 2015502
Download: ML15328A329 (12)

Text

November 24, 2015

Mr. Joseph Vice President, Nuclear Licensing Tennessee Valley Authority 1101 Market Street, LP 3R-C Chattanooga, TN 37402-2801

SUBJECT: BROWNS FERRY NUCLEAR PLANT - U.S. NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS INSPECTION REPORT 05000259/2015502, 05000260/2015502, AND 05000296/2015502

Dear Mr. Shea:

On November 6, 2015, the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) completed an inspection at your Browns Ferry Nuclear Plant, Units 1, 2, and 3. The enclosed inspection report (IR) documents the inspection results that were discussed on November 6, 2015, with you and other members of your staff. No findings were identified during this inspection. In accordance with Title 10 of the Code of Federal Regulations (10 CFR) 2.390, "Public inspections, exemptions, requests for withholding," of the NRC's "Agency Rules of Practice and Procedure," a copy of this letter, its Enclosure, and your response if any, will be available electronically for public inspection in the NRC Public Document Room, or from the Publicly Available Records (PARS) component of NRC's Documents Access and Management System (ADAMS); accessible from the NRC Web site at http://www.nrc.gov/reading-rm/adams.html (the Public Electronic Reading Room).

Sincerely,/RA by Adam Nielsen Acting for/ Brian R. Bonser, Chief Plant Support Branch 1 Division of Reactor Safety Docket Nos. 50-259, 50-260, and 50-296 License Nos. DPR-33, DPR-52, and DPR-68

Enclosure:

IR 05000259, 260, 296/2015502

w/Attachment:

Supplementary Information cc: Distribution via Listserv

November 24, 2015 Mr. Joseph

SUMMARY

Inspection Report (IR) 05000259/2015502; 05000260/2015502; 05000296/2015502; 11/2/2015 - 11/6/2015; Browns Ferry Nuclear Plant, Units 1, 2, and 3; Emergency Preparedness Exercise and Baseline Inspection This report covers an announced inspection by two emergency preparedness inspectors, one physical security inspector, one senior technical training program specialist, and one resident inspector. No findings of significance were identified. The NRC's program for overseeing the safe operation of commercial nuclear power reactors is described in NUREG-1649, "Reactor Oversight Process," Revision 5. No findings were identified during this inspection.

REPORT DETAILS

REACTOR SAFETY

Cornerstone:

Emergency Preparedness 1EP4 Emergency Action Level and Emergency Plan Changes

a. Inspection Scope

Since the last NRC inspection of this program area, some revisions were made to the Radiological Emergency Plan, and associated implementing procedures. The licensee determined that, in accordance with 10 CFR 50.54(q), the Plan continued to meet the requirements of 10 CFR 50.47(b), and Appendix E to 10 CFR Part 50. The inspectors reviewed the changes and sampled implementing procedure changes made, to evaluate for potential reductions in the effectiveness of the Plan. As this review was not documented in a Safety Evaluation Report, and does not constitute formal NRC approval of the changes, these changes remain subject to future NRC inspection in their entirety. The inspection was conducted in accordance with NRC Inspection Procedure (IP) 71114, Attachment 04, Emergency Action Level and Emergency Plan Changes.

The applicable planning standards of 10 CFR 50.47(b), and its related requirements in 10 CFR Part 50, Appendix E, were used as reference criteria. The inspectors reviewed various documents, which are listed in the Attachment to this report. This inspection activity satisfied one inspection sample for the emergency action level, and emergency plan changes on an annual basis.

b. Findings

No findings were identified.

1EP7 Exercise Evaluation - Hostile Action Event

a. Inspection Scope

Title 10 CFR 50, Appendix E, Section IV.F.2.j, requires, in part, that nuclear power reactor licensees, in each 8-calendar-year exercise cycle, provide the opportunity for their emergency response organization (ERO) to demonstrate proficiency in the key skills necessary to respond to a hostile action (HA) directed at the plant site. The licensee designed the November 4, 2015, exercise to satisfy that requirement, and the NRC inspected the HA event exercise to assess the licensee's ability to effectively implement their emergency plan during a HA event, and adequately protect public health and safety.

The exercise evaluation consisted of the following reviews and assessments:

• The adequacy of the licensee's performance in the biennial exercise, conducted on November 4, 2015, was reviewed and assessed regarding the implementation of the Risk-Significant Planning Standards in 10 CFR 50.47(b)(4), (5), (9), and (10), which address emergency classification, offsite notification, radiological assessment, and protective action recommendations, respectively.

• The overall adequacy of the licensee's emergency response facilities with regard to NUREG-0696, "Functional Criteria for Emergency Response Facilities," and Emergency Plan commitments. The facilities assessed were the Control Room Simulator, the Secondary Alarm Station, the Incident Command Post, the Alternate Facility, and the corporate Emergency Operations Facility.

• A review of other performance areas, such as the ERO recognition of abnormal plant conditions; command and control, including interactions with site security staff, intra- and inter-facility communications; prioritization of mitigation activities; utilization of repair and field monitoring teams; interface with offsite agencies, including local law enforcement agencies; staffing and procedure adequacy; and the overall implementation of the emergency plan and its implementing procedures.

• Past performance issues from NRC inspection reports, and Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)/Department of Homeland Security (DHS) exercise reports, to determine the effectiveness of corrective actions as demonstrated during this exercise to ensure compliance with 10 CFR 50.47(b)(14).

• The adequacy of the licensee's post-exercise critiques, to evaluate licensee self- assessment of its ERO performance during the November 4, 2015, exercise to ensure compliance with 10 CFR Part 50, Appendix E, Subsection IV.F.2.g. The inspectors reviewed various documents, which are listed in the Attachment. The inspectors also attended the FEMA-sponsored public meeting on November 20, 2015. This inspection activity satisfied one inspection sample for the exercise evaluation on a biennial basis.

b. Findings

No findings were identified. 1EP8 Exercise Evaluation - Scenario Review

a. Inspection Scope

Prior to the inspection activity, the inspectors conducted an in-office review of the exercise objectives and scenario submitted to the NRC using IP 71114.08, "Exercise Evaluation - Scenario Review," to determine if the exercise would test major elements of the emergency plan, as required by 10 CFR 50.47(b)(14). The inspectors reviewed various documents, which are listed in the Attachment to this report. This inspection activity satisfied one inspection sample for the exercise evaluation on a biennial basis.

b. Findings

No findings were identified.

4OA1 Performance Indicator Verification

a. Inspection Scope

The inspectors sampled licensee submittals relative to the performance indicators (PIs) listed below for the period April 1, 2014, through September 30, 2015. To verify the accuracy of the PI data reported during that period, PI definitions and guidance contained in Nuclear Energy Institute 99-02, "Regulatory Assessment Performance Indicator Guideline," Revision 7, was used to confirm the reporting basis for each data element. Emergency Preparedness Cornerstone

• Drill/Exercise Performance (DEP)

• Emergency Response Organization (ERO) Readiness

• Alert and Notification System (ANS) Reliability For the specified review period, the inspectors examined data reported to the NRC, procedural guidance for reporting PI information, and records used by the licensee to identify potential PI occurrences. The inspectors evaluated the accuracy of the PIs for ERO and DEP through review of a sample of drill and event records. The inspectors reviewed selected training records to verify the accuracy of the PI for ERO drill participation for personnel assigned to key positions in the ERO. The inspectors evaluated the accuracy of the PI for ANS reliability through review of a sample of the licensee's records of periodic system tests. The inspectors also interviewed the licensee personnel who were responsible for collecting and evaluating the PI data. Licensee procedures, records, and other documents reviewed within this inspection area are listed in the Attachment. This inspection satisfied three inspection samples for PI verification on an annual basis.

b. Findings

No findings were identified.

4OA6 Meetings, Including Exit

On November 6, 2015, the inspection team presented the inspection results to Mr. S. Bono and other members of the plant staff. The inspectors confirmed that no proprietary information was provided during the inspection.

ATTACHMENT: