ML17188A033
| ML17188A033 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Site: | Dresden, Quad Cities, Zion, LaSalle  |
| Issue date: | 01/16/1998 |
| From: | Callan L NRC OFFICE OF THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR FOR OPERATIONS (EDO) |
| To: | Kingsley O COMMONWEALTH EDISON CO. |
| References | |
| NUDOCS 9802050260 | |
| Download: ML17188A033 (10) | |
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_UNITED STATES NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION WASHINGTON. D.C. 20555-0001 Mr. Oliver D. Kingsley President, Nuclear Generation Group Commonwealth Edison Company ATTN: Regulatory Services Executive Towers West Ill 1400 Opus Place, Suite 500 Downers Grove, IL 60515
Dear Mr. Kingsley:
January 16, 1998 37J-237/~j£f 9-;?371/,.265 51)-~9.5/3!Jf
_5l}-373/371 On January 6 and 7, 1998, the NRC senior managers met to evaluate the nuclear safety performance-of operating reactors, fuel facilities, and other materials licensees. This meeting is conducted semiannually to determine if the safety performance of various licensees exhibits sufficient weaknesses to warrant increased NRC attention or if it is trending adversely and requires steps be taken to communicate concerns to the utility's president or board of directors.
At the January 1998 Senior Management Meeting (SMM), the Dresden Nuclear Power Station, the LaSalle County Station, the Zion Generating Station, and the Quad Cities Nuclear Power Station were discussed.
Previously, on January 27, 1997, the NRC sent a letter, pursuant to 10 CFR 50.54(f) to Commonwealth Edison Company (Com Ed) requesting information explaining why the NRC should have confidence in ComEd's ability to operate six nuclear stations while sustaining performance improvement at each site. In this letter the NRC stated that the cyclical safety performance of ComEd nuclear stations has long concerned the Commission and NRC staff.
On April 25 and November 4, 1997, public meetings between the Commission and senior executives of the ComEd company were held to discuss ComEd's progress in implementing the commitments made in response to the 10 CFR 50.54(f) letter.
In your letter dated January 5, 1998, you discussed the establishment of ComEd's Strategic Reform Initiatives and how they are intended to support the four overarching goals of your organization: Operational and Technical Excellence; Material Condition; *Organizational Alignment and Workforce Engagement; and Effective Leadership and Management. You also committed to provide the NRC a detailed description of any changes to the commitments that were made in your response to the January 27, 1997, 10 CFR 50.54(f) letter, which we had previously found acceptable.
The above chronology formed the background to the January 1998 SMM discussions of the ComEd plants. As a consequence, the NRC senior-managers factored into their decisions regarding individual performance the degree of ComEd's corporate support to the sites and the historical cyclical performance that the sites have exhibited. A summary of each site's performance follows:
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- 0. Dresden Nuclear Power Station The Dresden Nuclear Power Station was placed on the NRC Watch List for the second time in January 1992 and remains a Category 2 plant. Plants in this category have been identified as having weaknesses that warrant increased NRC attention until the licensee demonstrates a period of improved performance. A summary of the NRC senior managers' discussions related to Dresden follows:
Dresden has continued to demonstrate a generally high level of performance in the area of plant operations. Sustained periods of successful operation were achieved for both units. Performance in maintenance and surveillance activities has generally been satisfactory with noted improvement in work control. Material condition has remained a primary focus of station attention and has continued to improve. The quality of engineering activities also improved, although the improved performance has yet to be demonstrated for a sustained period. Plant support continued to improve with good performance during the Unit 3 refueling outage and substantial reduction from past years in station radiation dose.
The NRC senior managers recognize the significant improvement efforts, however, the NRC senior managers concluded individual plant performance should not be separated from issues identified in the 50.54(f) letter. In particular, in view of the decline in performance at Quad Cities, the NRC senior managers concluded that the concern regarding cyclic performance among ComEd plants still needs to be addressed. The NRC senior managers concluded that effective corporate management oversight and involvement in plant operations and problem resolution (a criterion in the Watch List Removal Matrix) has not yet been demonstrated. Continued management attention is needed to assure that ComEd's overall ability to operate its nuclear stations while maintaining sustained performance at each site does not result in a subsequent decline in performance at Dresden. The NRC will continue to closely monitor station performance to determine if sustained improvement has been achieved.
LaSalle County Station LaSalle was first placed on the NRC Watch List in January 1997 and remains a Category 2 plant. A summary of the NRC senior managers' discussions related to LaSalle Station follows:
LaSalle continued to follow the program in the LaSalle Station Restart Plan. Overall, performance at LaSalle Station has shown signs of improvement. Recent programmatic changes and increased management oversight of the corrective action process and other programs is being used to reinforce appropriate performance expectations, to establish a foundation for subsequent improvements, and to achieve a gradual rise in demonstrated performance standards.
- 0. Examples of performance improvements include: 1) an increased ability to self-identify personnel and hardware problems; 2) higher operator standards emphasized through the High Intensity Training Program and first line supervisor training; 3) enhanced material condition as the result of design changes and maintenance activities; and 4) the use of a Corrective Action Review Board to ensure the identification of appropriate root causes and corrective actions. Another performance improvement initiative was the System Functional Performance Review process, which identified and properly prioritized a large number of equipment and procedure problems. Although work has been completed to resolve some of the identified problems, a considerable amount of work remains to be accomplished. Continued management attention and focus is necessary to ensure that the current positive performance trend is maintained for the significant amount of work remaining to be accomplished prior to the restart of the Units.
Zion Nuclear Generating Station Zion, which was on the NRC Watch List from January 1991 to January 1993, was placed on the Watch List for the second time in January 1997 and remains a Category 2 plant. The recent announcement of the cessation of power operations at Zion occurred subsequent to the senior management meeting and was not considered in the discussions which are summarized below:
Although some progress has been made in improving performance at Zion Station, this has been offset by the regression in effectively completing activities required for restart of Unit 2. This was due, in part, to a lack of management focus during the previous six months. There was no clear plan or schedule to achieve long-term plant performance improvements. Issues must be resolved before plant restart, including the demonstration of consistently improved operations performance, effective implementation of the corrective action program, and the resolution of concerns with a
- safety-conscious work environment.
Zion Station has implemented extensive corrective actions to address performance
- problems in accordance with the Zion Station Recovery Plan. The plan focuses attention on those issues deemed essential for plant restart; however, only minimal progress has been made in resolving many of the issues. The failure to effectively resolve some issues was due, in part, to management making significant adjustments to the improvement strategies without: 1) the benefit of a clearly defined path for successful plant startup; and 2) a coordinated and comprehensive implementation process for existing and emergent restart issues. Specific direction and efforts to develop an effective implementation plan and process were recently initiated following both corporate and station management changes.
The ability to perform critical self-assessments has generally been a notable weakness.
Examples include: 1) the failure to identify that the operations organization was not ready to implement the Operational Readiness Demonstration Program; 2) inaccurate assessment of operator performance improvements; and 3) the failure to identify ineffective implementation of restart activities. In addition, NRC involvement was
- 0. necessary to get management to recognize and aggressively pursue issues, including:
widespread equipment configuration control problems, zebra mussels fouling of the service water system, and problems with the emergency diesel generators. However, in the last few months, the Quality and Safety Assessment organization has been more effective in identifying problems with implementation of the Zion Station Recovery Plan and associated restart activities, including the performance of routine activities.
Quad Cities Nuclear Power Station Quad Cities has been discussed during NRC SMMs on several occasions. During 1996, slow improvement at Quad Cities was demonstrated such that the plant was not discussed in June 1997. As noted above, one purpose of the senior management meeting is to identify those plants whose performance is trending adversely and that steps be taken to communicate concerns to the utility's corporate president or board of directors. This early notification to the.
highest levels within the utility's organization is intended to allow appropriate measures to be taken by the licensee to address the areas of concern. This letter is to advise you that during the January SMM, recent trends in performance at Quad Cities Nuclear Power Station raised sufficient concerns that we believe a meeting with you to discuss station performance would be appropriate. A summary of the NRC senior managers' discussions related to Quad Cities follows:
Operational performance at Quad Cities was generally good with good dual unit operations and operators handling complex evolutions well. However, personnel errors increased slightly and equipment problems burdened the operators. Maintenance and surveillance activities were generally adequate with some improvement in material condition and a reduction of the backlog. However, this was offset by equipment problems, such as a failed recirculation pump seal found just after the seal had been replaced, and surveillance errors. Weaknesses surfaced in engineering involving the understanding and application of the design basis, operability and 1 O CFR 50.59 safety evaluations, application of the parts replacement program for diesel air start motors, and resolution of identified problems. Overall performance in plant support areas, except for fire protection, was good.
The senior managers were concerned that poor decision-making, lack of a strong safety focus, and a weak corrective action program led to a number of problems in discreet technical areas, including procedures for 10 CFR Part 50, Appendix R (Fire Protection),
implementation of the maintenance rule, and operating the reactor prior to hydrostatic testing of the primary system.
The NRC senior managers acknowledge recent management and staff changes intended to strengthen performance at Quad Cities. Success in resolving the performance concerns at Quad Cities will require a strong management commitment to safety and a thorough, committed approach to identifying safety issues and ensuring complete correction of those issues.
O. Mr. A. Bill Beach, the NRC Region Ill Administrator, has discussed the bases for our conclusions with regard to the Dresden Nuclear Power Station, the Zion Generating Station, the LaSalle County Station, and the Quad Cities Nuclear Power Station with members of your staff.
An NRC Commission meet_ing, open to the public, is scheduled to be held in the Commissioners' Conference Room in Rockville, Maryland, on January 21, 1998, at 10:00 a.m.
to review the results of the latest meeting of the NRC senior managers. If you have any questions regarding this matter, do not hesitate to call me at (301) 415-1700.
Docket Nos.
50-237; 50-249 50-295; 50-304 50-373; 50-37 4 50-254; 50-265 cc See the attached Sincerely, L. J eph Callan Exe tive Director for Operations
O. Mr. A. Bill Beach, the NRG Region Ill Administrator, has discussed the bases for our conclusions with regard to the Dresden Nuclear Power Station, the Zion 'Generating Station, the LaSalle County Station, and the Quad Cities Nuclear Power Station with members of your staff.
An NRG Commission meeting, open to the public, is scheduled to be held in the Commissioners' Conference Room in Rockville, Maryland, on January 21, 1998, at 10:00 a.m.
to review the results of the latest meeting of the NRG senior managers. If you have any.
questions regarding this matter, do not hesitate to call me at (301) 415-1700:
Docket Nos.
50-237; 50-249 50-295; 50-304 50-373; 50-37 4 50-254; 50-265 cc: See the attached DISTRIBUTION: See the attached Sincerely,
/s; L. Joseph Callan Executive Director for Operations DOCUMENT NAME: A:\\COMEDL TR.198
- Concurred via telecon To receive a copy of this document, indicate in the box: "C" =Copy' without enclosures "E" =Copy with enclosures "N" =No copy OFFICE RA:Rlll I
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D:NRR I
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NAME AB Beach**
FJMiraglia SJ Collins LJCall~
DATE 01/15/98 01/
/98 01/
/98 011/h /98 OFFICIAL RECORD COPY
- 0. Kingsley cc:
Michael I. Miller, Esquire Sidley and Austin One First National Plaza Chicago, Illinois 60603 Regional Administrator, Region Ill U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission 801 Warrenville Road Lisle, Illinois 60532-4351 Illinois Department of Nuclear Safety Office of Nuclear Facility Safety 1035 Outer Park Drive Springfield, Illinois 62704 Document Control Desk-Licensing Commonwealth Edison Company 1400 Opus Place, Suite 400 Downers Grove, Illinois 60515 Mr. William P. Poirier, Director Westinghouse Electric Corporation Energy Systems Business Unit Post Office Box 355, Bay 236 W.
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15230 Joseph Gallo Gallo & Ross 1250 Eye St., N.W., Suite 302 Washington, DC 20005 Howard A. Learner Environmental law and Policy Center of the Midwest 203 N: LaSalle Street Suite 1390 Chicago, Illinois 60601 U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission Byron Resident Inspectors Office
- 4448 N. German Church Road Byron, Illinois 61010-9750 Ms. Lorraine Creek RR 1, Box 182 Manteno, Illinois 60950 Chairman, Ogle County Board Post Office Box 357 Oregon, Illinois 61061 Commonwealth Edison Company Mrs. Phillip B. Johnson 1907 Stratford Lane Rockford, Illinois 61107 George L. Edgar Morgan, Lewis and Bochius 1800 M Street, N.W.
Washington, DC 20036 Attorney General 500 S. Second Street Springfield, Illinois 62701 Commonwealth Edison Company Byron Station Manager 4450 N. German Church Road Byron, Illinois 61010-9794 Commonwealth Edison Company Site Vice President - Byron 4450 N. German Church Road Byron, Illinois 61010-9794 U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission Braidwood Resident Inspectors Office RR 1, Box79 Braceville, Illinois 60407 Mr. Ron Stephens Illinois Emergency Services and Disaster Agency 110 E. Adams Street Springfield, Illinois 62706 Chairman Will County Board of Supervisors Will County Board Courthouse Joliet, Illinois 60434 Commonwealth Edison Company Braidwood Station Manager RR 1, Box84 Braceville, Illinois 60407 Ms. Bridget Little Rorem Appleseed Coordinator 117 N. Linden Street
. Ess~x, Illinois 60935
- 0. Kingsley Commonwealth Edison Company
- Site Vice President - Braidwood RR 1, Box84 Bracemille, IL 60407 Commonwealth Edison Company Site Vice President - Dresden 6500 N. Dresden Road Morris, Illinois 60450-9765 Commonwealth Edison Company Dresden Station Manager 2605 N. 21st Road Marseilles, Illinois 61341-9756 U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission Dresden Resident Inspectors Office 6500 N. Dresden Road Morris, Illinois 60450-9766 William D. Leach Manager - Nuclear MidAmerican Energy Company 907 Walnut Street P.O. Box657 Des Moines, Iowa 50303 Vice President - Law and MidAmerican Energy Company Regulatory Affairs One River Center Place 106 E. Second Street P.0. Box 4350 Davenport, Iowa 52808 Chairman Rock Island County Board of Supervisors 1504 3rd Avenue Rock Island County Office Bldg.
Rock Island, Illinois 61201 Chairman Grundy County Board Administration Building 1320 Union Street Morris, Illinois 60450 Commonwealth Edison Company Quad Cities Station Manager 2271 O 206th Avenue N.
Cordova, Illinois 61242:-9740
- Commonwealth Edison Company Commonwealth Edison Company Site Vice President - Quad Cities 22710 206th Avenue N.
Cordova, Illinois 61242-97 40 U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission Quad Cities Resident Inspectors Office 22712 206th Avenue N.
Cordova, Illinois 61242 Phillip P. Steptoe, Esquire Sidley and Austin One First National Plaza Chicago, Illinois 60603 Assistant Attorney General 100 W. Randolph Street, Suite 12 Chicago, Illinois 60601 U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission LaSalle Resident Inspectors Office 2605 N. 21st Road Marseilles, Illinois 61341-9756 Chairman LaSalle County Board of Supervisors LaSalle County Courthouse Ottawa, Illinois 61350 Chairman Illinois Commerce Commission Leland Building 527 E. Capitol Avenue Springfield, Illinois 62706 Commonwealth Edison Company LaSalle Station Manager 2601 N. 21st Road Marseilles, Illinois 61341-9757 Commonwealth Edison Company Site Vice President - LaSalle 2601 N. 21st Road Marseilles, Illinois 61341-9757 Robert Cushing Chief, Public Utilities DMsion Illinois Attorney General's Office 100 W. Randolph Street Chicago, Illinois 60601
- 0. Kingsley Dr. Cecil Lue-Hing Director of Research and Development Metropolitan Sanitary District of Greater Chicago 100 E. Erie Street Chicago, Illinois 60611 Mayor of Zion Zion, Illinois 60099 U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission Zion Resident Inspectors Office 105 Shiloh Blvd.
Zion, Illinois 60099 Commonwealth Edison Company Site Vice President - Zion 101 Shiloh Blvd.
Zion, Illinois 60099-2797 Commonwealth Edison Company Zion Station Manager 101 Shiloh Blvd.
Zion, Illinois 60099-2797 Mr. Michael J. Wallace Nuclear Services Senior Vice President Commonwealth Edison Company Executive Towers West Ill 1400 Opus Place, Suite 900 Downers Grove, IL 60515 Mr. Gene H. Stanley PWR's Vice President Commonwealth Edison Company Executive Towers West Ill 1400 Opus Place, Suite 900 Downers Grove, IL 60515 Mr. Steve Perry BWR's Vice President Commonwealth Edison Company Executive Towers West Ill 1400 Opus Place, Suite 900 Downers Grove, IL 60515 Mr. Dennis L. Farrar Regulatory Services Manager Commonwealth Edison Company Executive Towers West Ill 1400 Opus Place, Suite 500 Downers Grove, IL 60515
- Commonwealth Edison Company Ms. Irene Johnson, Licensing Director Nuclear Regulatory Services Commonwealth Edison Company Executive Towers West Ill 1400 Opus Place, Suite 500 Downers Grove, IL 60515 Commonwealth Edison Company Reg. Assurance Supervisor - Byron 4450 N. German Church Road Byron, Illinois 61010-9794 Commonwealth Edison Company Reg. Assurance Supervisor-Braidwood RR 1, Box84 Braceville, Illinois 60407 Commonwealth Edison Company Reg. Assurance Supervisor - Dresden 2605 N. 21st Road Marseilles, Illinois 61341-9765 Commonwealth Edison Company Reg. Assurance Supervisor - Quad Cities 22710 206th Avenue N.
Cordova, Illinois 61242-9740 Commonwealth Edison Company Reg. Assurance Supervisor-LaSalle 2601 N. 21st Road Marseilles, Illinois 61341-9757 Commonwealth Edison Company Reg. Assurance Supervisor - Zion 101 Shiloh Blvd.
Zion, Illinois 60099-2797
DISTRIBUTION: for letter to 0. Kingsley (Dresdef1, LaSalle, Zion, Quad)
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