ML17347B133
| ML17347B133 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Site: | Turkey Point  |
| Issue date: | 06/08/1989 |
| From: | Stello V NRC OFFICE OF THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR FOR OPERATIONS (EDO) |
| To: | Graham B SENATE |
| Shared Package | |
| ML17345A718 | List: |
| References | |
| NUDOCS 8906160062 | |
| Download: ML17347B133 (12) | |
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UNITED STATES CLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSI WASHINGTON, D. C. 20555 June 8, 1989 The Honorable Bob Graham United States Senator Post Office Box 3050 Tal lahassee, Florida 32315 Dear Senator Graham:
I am responding to your letter of April 28, 1989, in which you indicated that one of your constituents, Eva Siegel, expressed concern regarding the Tur key Point plant in the Miami area.
Eva Siegel's concern appears to be based on a four-page letter from Joette Lorion which was attached to Ms. Siegel's note to you.
I have reviewed the Lorion letter and believe it to be a rhisleading summary of the situation at Turkey Point because it fai ls to mention the positive steps and encouraging signs that also exist at Turkey Point.
Some of these are discussed below to provide a more balanced perspective.
The Turkey Point plant in the Miami area has had its share of operating problems in the past, and concern over Turkey Point's operation is understandable.
NRC recognized this in the early 1980's and stepped up its inspection and oversight activities, which resulted in several fines, a series of Orders requiring improvements, and a number of meetings with the licensee.
NRC monitoring of the site was increased by assigning more inspectors and paying special attention to the operating data from the plant.
In early 1984, the licensee, Florida Power and Light Company (FPL), committed to a major improvement effort called the Performance Enhancement Program (PEP).
Since that time, FPL has spent several hundred million dollars to improve plant equipment.
In addition, FPL is now in the process of upgrading the emergency electric power supplies at the plant and is adding two large safety-related diesel generators at a cost estimated to exceed
$80 million.
Although major improvements were and are being made at the plant, it has been apparent the last few years that further improvements were needed, especially in the areas of management and operations.
This need was indicated by numerous citations by NRC for failure to follow procedures, operational errors by plant personnel, and a less than aggressive maintenance effort.
Beginning in 1987, FPL has made widespread management changes at the Turkey Point site and at corporate headquarters.
New, experienced personnel have been placed in key positions.
On June I, 1989, the NRC staff briefed the Commission on the performance of selected operating nuclear power plants.
Turkey Point was again identified as a plant whose performance would be closely monitored.
During the discussion it was apparent that the Commission and staff are troubled by the inability of the licensee to achieve sustained good performance at Turkey Point.
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However, there are signs that the improvements in plant equipment, licensee management, and engineering programs are beginning to have an effect.
The plant operational experience in 1988 was better than in any year to date.
It is too soon to conclude that Turkey Point has improved its performance in a permanent and lasting way.
NRC plans to continue its high level of staff and management attention to this plant until it is convinced that the improvements are permanent.
Regarding the hearing requested by Joette Lorion on the subject of reactor vessel embrittlement, a prehearing conference was held in Miami on flarch 21, 1989, by the Atomic Safety and Licensing Board to determine whether a public hearing was warranted.
As of May 30, 1989, the Board had not issued its decision on whether to hold a hearing.
I believe that this letter addresses Ms. Siegel's concerns.
If I can be of further assistance to you, please do not'hesitate to contact me.
~S incere ly,
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@glor Stetlo, Jr./.
Victor Stello, Jr.
Executive Director for Operations DISTRIBUTION (50-250/50-251)
NRC PDR w/incoming Local PDR w/cy of incoming EDO 80004472 EDO r/f TMurley/JSniezek JPartlow FMirag 1 ia DCrutchfield FGi1lespie PDII-2 r/f (w/cy of incoming)
SVarga GLainas DMi lier,.
OGC SECY (89-0443)
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- SEbneter, RII
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- fines, a series of Orders requiring improvements, and a number of meetp%gs with the licensee.
NRC monitoring of the site was increased by assigning g6re inspectors and paying special attention to the operating data from the play't. In early 1984, the licensee, Florida Power and Light Company (FPL), comm+ted to a major improvement effort called the Performance Enhancement Prog Sm (PEP). Since that time, FPL has spent several hundred million dollars to mprove plant equipment. In addition, FPL is now in the process of upgrading e emergency electric power supplies at the plant and is adding two large safe -related diesel generators at a cost estimated to exceed $80 million. Although major impro~ ements were and are being made at the plant, it has been apparent the last few years that further improvements were needed, especially in the areas of management and operations. This need was indicated by numerous citations by NRC for fai lure to follow procedures, operational errors by plant personnel, and a less than aggressive maintenance effort. Beginning in 1987, FPL has made widespread management changes at the Turkey Point site and at corporate headquarters. New, experienced personnel have been placed in key positions. There are signs that the improvements in plant equipment, licensee management, and engineering programs are beginning to have an effect. The plant operational experience..in .1988.was. better than in any year to date. It is too soon to con-clude that Turkey Point has improved its perforIIIance in a permanent and lasting way. NRC plans to continue its high level of staff and management attention to this plant until it is convinced that the improvements are permanent. The Honorable Bob Graham Regarding the hearing requested by Joette Lorion on the subject of reactor vessel embrittlement, a prehearing conference was held in Miami on March 21, 1989, by the Atomic Safety and Licensing Board to determine whether a public hearing was warranted. As of May 30, 1989, the Board had not issued its decision on whether to hold a hearing. I believe that this letter addresses Ms. Siegel's concern . If I can be of further assistance to you, please do not hesitate to co act me. S incere ly, Origina ignedby Victo tello, Jr. Vict Stello, Jr. Exe tive Director or Operations DISTRIBUTION RTiT (50-2 0/50-25l) NRC PDR w/incoming Local PDR w/cy of incoming EDO 80004472 EDO r/f TMurley/JSniezek JPartlow FMiraglia DCrutchfield FGillespie PDII-2 r/f (w/cy of inc ing) SVarga GLainas DMi 1 ler OGC SECY (89-0443) VStello DMossburg (EDO 004472) Beverly Clayto GEdison w/cy f incoming CA
- SEbneter, R I
- See previous concurrence LA:PD22 DRPR DAtli1 1 er*
05/19/89 PM:PD22:DRPR GEEdison* 05/19/89 D:PD22:DRPR HNBerkow" 05/23/89 TECH. ED. 05/24/89 ADR2:DRPR GCLainas* 05/23/89 D:DPR:NRR SAVarga* 05/24/89 A:ADP:NRR JPar tlow* 05/24/89 DD'NRR JHSniezek* 05/25/89 D NRR ED TEMur1ey* VSte lo ~pc 05/25/89 05/x I/89 5 1 / / / t<< 1 "~, ~f ~ U 1 I') I' "II (AC<<P( H I <<(tl)h r)) t I'I )hl'I', li I I( Iffh. h "f$ 1 H (l l (! ht )) 5 ( 4 ( ~ I<<l 4 H 'N H, gh I ~ 4' ll hh<< l ~ 4 II
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'I'l) = ~ 1 <<1(h)Q 4<< f h 4 )ah<<ah(4. II lf f,fhh r ) 4 ~- 4 4 'l th << r" I I N 4'4hil . r' <<i 4'N,.f($ 4:!I <<H'5$ ,('1 'I hl!Hhh Nf h H f C...'h '1 f)f r 1 4h)jfl >r) yg) L' 5 $ fj ', j'Ifft. $ 1 hhl1 4 <<i', ) h f ~ tr !4 t I H' H ~ (4() f H NW,'1\\'"' IIh I ll ~ N h! <<4( NI H'H 4" N N ~ ~ I 4(hf f IP 44 ~ ~ 4' 'iil H ~ I "4, h <<) 4 1 1 t 'HI fh ft(~,, j P<<h h I 14th r I <<<<4 4rh s ~ u ~ ~ The Honorable Bob Graham Regarding the hearing equested by Joette Lorica on the subject of reactor vessel etrbrittlement, a prehea ing conference was held in Miami on March 21, 1989, by the Atomic Safety and Li ensing Board to determine whether a public hearing was warranted. As of May+0, 1989, the Board had not issued its decision on whether to hold a hearing. I believe that this letter a dresses Ms. Siegel's concerns. If I can be of further assistance to you, pl se do not hesitate to contact me. Sincerely, 'n eo Jf'ictor Stello, Jre Executive Director for Operations DISTR I BUTION- --- o0-250/5 -251)'3 NRC PDR w/incoming Local PDR w/cy of incoming EDO itt0004472 EDO r/f TMurley/JSniezek JPartlow FMiraglia DCrutchfield FGi 1lespie PDII-2 r/f (w/cy of incoming) SVarga GLainas DMilier OGC SECY (89-0443) VStello DMossburg (EDO 80004472) Beverly Clayton GEdison w/cy of incoming w.Q ~,P+ 0 /I 89 05/ig/8 05/ >+89 LGREEN TICKET 0004472j L ' PR PM PD22 DRPR D P (bfPR D er GEEdi son:bd HNB 'os'5/af/89 ADR 'PR GCL. as 05/g $89 D: R:NRR S ga 05 /89 A:ADP. R JPartlo R RR JH zek EHur)ev 5 /89 05/+89 EDO VSte1 1o 05/ /89 ~ ~ ~ ~8 8ECI/ o ~ f C I O I C 4l0 Cy r+/p Cy +>>*+~ t UNITEDSTATES NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION WASHINGTON, D. C. 20555 EDO Principal Correspondence Control I jJ FROM: Sen. Bob Graham DUE: 05~/24/89 EDO CONTROL':. 0004472 DOC DT: 04/28/89 FINAL REPLY: TO: OCA FOR S IGNATURE OF: CRC NO: 89-0443 Executive Director DEBC: ENCLOSES LETTER FROM EVA SIEGEL CONCERNING TURKEY POINT DATE: 05/10/89 ROUTING:
- SEbneter, RII ASSIGNED TO:
NRR CONTACT: Mur 1 gy SPECIAL INSTRUCTIONS OR REMARKS: RESPOND TO TALLAHASSEE, FLORIDA OFFICE. MARK ENVELOPE ATTN; MRS. BECKY LINER. ttRR RECEIVED: tIAY 10 1989 ACTION: DRPR:YARGA tIRR ROUTING: tlURLEY/SNIEZEK PARTLOW l1IRAGLIA CRUTCHF IELD GILLESPIE NOSSBURG g pyo72 gxd y ~.gA'. 4///P ~ F /pe /4gd6~ ACTION DUE TO NRR DIRECTOR'3 . HY, g// /s~ d ~J/q y~g ~ 1 I ~ ~ ~ ~ l il I 4 1t OFFICE OF THE SECRETARY CORRESPONDENCE CONTROL TICKET PAPER NUMBER: ACTION OFFICE: CRC-89-0443 LOGGING DATE: May 8 89 AUTHOR AFFILIATION: LETTER DATE:
SUBJECT:
ACTION:
DISTRIBUTION B. Graham--Const Ref UNITED STATES SENATE Apr 28 89 FILE CODE:
IDLER-5 Turkey Point Concerns re the safety problems at Turkey Point Direct Reply OCA to Ack, Docket SPECIAL HANDLING: None NOTES DATE DUE:
SIGNATURE:
AFFILIATION'va Siegel May 22 89 DATE SIGNED:
8902)18 KC'd Off. EDO Oate EEO-004472