ML17313A538
| ML17313A538 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Site: | Palo Verde  |
| Issue date: | 04/08/1998 |
| From: | Merschoff E NRC OFFICE OF INSPECTION & ENFORCEMENT (IE REGION IV) |
| To: | James M. Levine ARIZONA PUBLIC SERVICE CO. (FORMERLY ARIZONA NUCLEAR |
| Shared Package | |
| ML17313A537 | List: |
| References | |
| 50-528-98-99, 50-529-98-99, 50-530-98-99, NUDOCS 9808180202 | |
| Download: ML17313A538 (4) | |
See also: IR 05000528/1998099
Text
UNITEDSTATES
NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION
REGION IV
611 RYAN PLAZA DRIVE, SUITE 400
ARLINGTON,TEXAS 76011.8064
April 8, 1998
James
M. Levine, Senior Vice
President,
Nuclear
Arizona Public Service Company
P.O. Box 53999
Phoenix, Arizona 85072-3999
SUBJECT:
SYSTEMATIC ASSESSMENT OF LICENSEE PERFORMANCE (SALP)
REPORT 50-528/98-99; 50-529/98-99; 50-530/98-99
Dear Mr. Levine:
Enclosed for your review is the SALP report for the Palo Verde Nuclear Generating Station
(PVNGS) for the period of June 2, 1996, through March 7, 1998.
A meeting to discuss
this report with you and your staff is scheduled for 11 a.m. on April 28, 1998, at the
Energy Information Center at the Palo Verde site.
During this meeting, you are encouraged
and expected to candidly comment on our report.
Although this meeting is a forum
between Arizona Public Service Company, and the NRC, it will be open to observation by
members of the public and other interested parties.
In accordance with NRC policy,
I have reviewed the recommendations
of the SALP Board
and concur with the ratings and the views. Performance
in the Plant Operations functional
area was determined to be good.
The performance of the operators during normal and
transient operations continued at a high level.
However, instances were noted where
weaknesses
were identified in the overall control of onsite activities, as demonstrated
by
failures of process barriers and weaknesses
in interdepartmental communications.
In the Maintenance area, performance was again determined to be excellent.
Individual
craft skills were evident and'your Maintenance
Rule program was determined to be highly
effective.
Performance
in the Engineering area was also determined to be excellent.
The
quality 'of individual work products was again noted as a strength, and the Engineering
, organization continued to provide timely and effective support to the plants'perations
and
maintenance
needs.
Finally, performance
in the Plant Support area was determined to be
excellent.
Significant improvements were noted in the radiological control and security
functions; however, there was a decline in performance
in the emergency preparedness
function.
Your ability to effectively self-assess
and develop corrective actions was again noted to
have made positive contributions to overall site operations.
The Nuclear Assurance
Department provided in-depth, high quality oversight of the daily and programmatic
operations;
in combination with individual departmental
initiatives, an effective program for
self-improvement appears to be in place.
However, early in the SALP period the employee
9808180202
9808i2
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Arizona Public Service Company
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concerns program missed an opportunity to identify a 3 year old instance of falsification of
records by an operating crew.
In accordance with Section 2.790 of the NRC's "Rules of Practice" Part 2, Title 10, Code
of Federal Regulations,
a copy of this letter and the SALP report will be placed in the NRC's
Public Document Room.
If you have any questions about the SALP report, we would be pleased to discuss them
with you. Although no written response
is required, you may submit written comments
within 30 days of the SALP meeting.
Sincerely,
/s/
Ellis W. Merschoff
Regional Administrator
Docket Nos.: 50-528
50-529
50-530
License Nos.: NPF-41
NPF-51
Enclosure:.
As Stated
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