ML18059A150

EOC Assessment Letter

ML18059A150
Person / Time
Site:	Watts Bar
Issue date:	02/28/2018
From:	Joel Munday Division Reactor Projects II
To:	James Shea Tennessee Valley Authority
References
IR 2017006, IR 2017402, IR 2017501
Download: ML18059A150 (7)

Text

UNITED STATES NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION REGION II 245 PEACHTREE CENTER AVENUE NE, SUITE 1200 ATLANTA, GEORGIA 30303-1257 February 28, 2018 Mr. Joseph W. Shea Vice President, Nuclear Regulatory Affairs and Support Services Tennessee Valley Authority 1101 Market Street, LP 4A Chattanooga, TN 37402-2801

SUBJECT:

ANNUAL ASSESSMENT LETTER FOR WATTS BAR NUCLEAR PLANT UNITS 1 AND 2 - REPORT 05000390/2017006 AND 05000391/2017006, REPORT 05000390/2017402 AND 05000391/2017402, AND 05000390/2017501 AND 05000391/2017501

Dear Mr. Shea:

The Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) has completed its end-of-cycle performance assessment of Watts Bar Nuclear Plant (WBN), Units 1 and 2, reviewing performance indicators (PIs), inspection results, and enforcement actions from January 1, 2017, through December 31, 2017. This letter informs you of the NRCs assessment of your facility during this period and its plans for future inspections at your facility. The NRC concluded that overall performance at your facility preserved public health and safety.

The NRC determined the performance at WBN Unit 1 during the most recent quarter was within the Licensee Response Column, the highest performance category of the NRCs Reactor Oversight Process (ROP) Action Matrix, because all inspection findings had very low safety significance (i.e., Green), and all PIs were within the expected range (i.e., Green).

WBN Unit 2 was within the Regulatory Response Column, the second highest performance column of the NRCs ROP Action Matrix. This conclusion was based on one PI, Unplanned Scrams per 7000 Critical hours, in the Initiating Events cornerstone, crossing the White threshold in the fourth quarter of 2017. All other PIs were within the expected range (i.e.,

Green).

Therefore, in addition to ROP baseline inspections, the NRC plans to conduct a supplemental inspection in accordance with Inspection Procedure 95001, Supplemental Inspection Response to Action Matrix Column 2 Inputs. The objectives of the supplemental inspection are: (1) to ensure the root and contributing causes, and extent of condition and extent of cause of significant performance issues are understood, (2) to ensure corrective actions taken to address and preclude repetition are prompt and effective, and (3) to ensure corrective action plans direct prompt actions to effectively address and preclude repetition of significant performance issues.

This inspection will be scheduled after you notify the NRC of your readiness.

J. Shea 2 The NRC initiated a review of the environment for raising and addressing safety issues at the Watts Bar Nuclear Plant in 2015. The NRC concluded that a Chilled Work Environment existed in the Operations Department because of a perception that operators were not free to raise safety concerns using all available avenues without fear of retaliation. No serious safety violations or instances involving plant safety issues were identified. However, the information obtained led to concerns about the impact the work environment could have on plant operations and raised questions about the licensees commitment to emphasize safety over competing goals. The NRC conducted a public meeting and documented this conclusion with the issuance of a Chilling Effect Letter dated March 23, 2016, entitled, Chilled Work Environment for Raising and Addressing Safety Concerns at the Watts Bar Nuclear Plant (Agency-wide Documents Access and Management System (ADAMS) Accession No. ML16083A479).

As a result of issuance of this Chilling Effect Letter, a cross-cutting theme in the Safety Conscious Work Environment (SCWE) cross-cutting area was identified and documented in our mid-cycle letter to you dated August 31, 2016 (ADAMS Accession No. ML16244A703) in accordance with Inspection Manual Chapter (IMC) 0305. As a follow-up to the NRC Chilling Effect Letter and the licensees response, the NRC conducted inspections for verification of licensee actions with a focused assessment of the safety conscious work environment in September and December 2016. The results from this inspection were documented in a March 10, 2017, report (Inspection Report 05000390/2016013, 05000391/2016013, ADAMS Accession No. ML17069A133). In this report, the NRC issued one Apparent Violation (AV) which involved TVAs failure to implement a process to review proposed licensee adverse employment actions at WBN, to determine whether the proposed action comports with employee protection regulations, and whether the proposed actions could negatively impact the SCWE at TVA nuclear facilities.

In response to that report, TVA requested to participate in the agencys Alternate Dispute Resolution (ADR) program to resolve the enforcement aspects of this issue. This ADR session was conducted in June 2017. The NRC issued a Confirmatory Order (CO) on July 27, 2017, (ADAMS Accession No. ML17208A596) to document the results and agreement reached during the ADR process. During the ADR, the NRC concluded that the corrective actions and enhancements discussed by TVA, both completed and planned, were prompt and comprehensive.

The NRC acknowledges that TVA has made progress toward improving the SCWE at Watts Bar. Specifically, during this assessment period, the number of allegations received has significantly decreased; the licensee has made significant progress to address most of the SCWE items described in the Chilling Effect Letter (CEL); no SCWE findings were identified during an October 2017 SCWE follow-up inspection; and the recent independent safety culture assessment results have shown improvements. As a follow-up to the CEL and CO a team inspection was completed onsite on February 2, 2018, and the results will be documented in a forthcoming inspection report. Because of the progress made in addressing the SCWE concern, the NRC has decided not to open a cross-cutting issue, but will continue to monitor your corrective actions to address the SCWE theme. A follow-up SCWE/CEL inspection is scheduled for summer 2018 and will assess the effectiveness of the final root cause and corrective actions. The NRC will use the results of that inspection to determine whether closure of the CEL letter and the cross-cutting theme in SCWE is warranted.

J. Shea 3 The enclosed inspection plan lists the inspections scheduled through December 31, 2019.

The NRC provides the inspection plan to allow for the resolution of any scheduling conflicts and personnel availability issues. Routine inspections performed by resident inspectors are not included in the inspection plan. The inspections listed during the last 12 months of the inspection plan are tentative and may be revised. The NRC will contact you as soon as possible to discuss changes to the inspection plan should circumstances warrant any changes.

In addition to the ROP baseline inspections at your facility, we also plan to conduct the Initial License Examination.

This letter, its enclosure, and your response (if any) will be made available for public inspection and copying at http://www.nrc.gov/reading-rm/adams.html and at the NRC Public Document Room in accordance with 10 CFR 2.390, Public Inspections, Exemptions, and Requests for Withholding. Please contact Anthony Masters at (404) 997-4465 with any questions you may have regarding this letter.

Sincerely,

/RA/

Joel T. Munday, Director Division of Reactor Projects Docket No.: 50-390, 391 License No.: NPF-90, 96

Enclosure:

Watts Bar Inspection/Activity Plan (03/01/2018 - 12/31/2019) cc Distribution via ListServ

ML18059A150 OFFICE RII:DRP RII:DRP RII:DRP RII:DRP RII:DRS RII:DRS NAME BBishop SNinh JNadel AMasters DGolden SSanchez DATE 2/16/2018 2/23/2018 2/15/2018 2/27/2018 2/15/2018 2/15/2018 OFFICE RII:DRP NAME JMunday DATE 2/27/2018 IP 22 Inspection Activity Plan Report Watts Bar 03/01/2018 - 12/31/2019 Unit Start End Activity CAC Title Staff Count CONFIRMATORY ORDER FOLLOWUP 5 1, 2 11/27/2017 03/09/2018 IP 92702 000238 Followup On Corrective Actions For Violations And Deviations 1, 2 11/27/2017 03/09/2018 IP 93100 000921 Safety-Conscious Work Environment Issue of Concern Followup EVALUATIONS OF CHANGES, TESTS AND EXPERIMENTS 3 1, 2 03/19/2018 03/23/2018 IP 71111.17T 000709 Evaluations of Changes, Tests, and Experiments SECURITY BASELINE INSPECTION 2 1, 2 04/23/2018 04/27/2018 IP 71130.02 000734 Access Control 1, 2 04/23/2018 04/27/2018 IP 71130.04 000736 Equipment Performance, Testing, and Maintenance 1, 2 04/23/2018 04/27/2018 IP 71130.07 000739 Security Training 1, 2 04/23/2018 04/27/2018 IP 71151 001338 Performance Indicator Verification CEL AND CONFIRMATORY ORDER FOLLOWUP INSPECTION 3 1, 2 06/18/2018 06/22/2018 IP 92702 000238 Followup On Corrective Actions For Violations And Deviations 1, 2 06/18/2018 06/22/2018 IP 93100 000921 Safety-Conscious Work Environment Issue of Concern Followup MC&A INSPECTION 2 1, 2 07/01/2018 09/30/2018 IP 71130.11 000742 Material Control and Accounting (MC&A)

TRIENNIAL HEAT SINK PERFORMANCE 1 1, 2 07/09/2018 07/13/2018 IP 71111.07T 000700 Heat Sink Performance -Triennial RP PUBLIC INSPECTION 2 1, 2 08/06/2018 08/10/2018 IP 71124.06 000730 Radioactive Gaseous and Liquid Effluent Treatment 1, 2 08/06/2018 08/10/2018 IP 71124.07 000731 Radiological Environmental Monitoring Program 1, 2 08/06/2018 08/10/2018 IP 71151 000746 Performance Indicator Verification WATTS BAR INITIAL LICENSE EXAM 4 1, 2 08/06/2018 08/10/2018 OV 000956 VALIDATION OF INITIAL LICENSE EXAMINATION (OV) 1, 2 09/03/2018 09/21/2018 EXAD 000500 LICENSE EXAM ADMINISTRATION (EXAD)

RAD HAZARD AND TRANSPORTATION 2 1, 2 09/10/2018 09/14/2018 IP 71124.01 000725 Radiological Hazard Assessment and Exposure Controls 1, 2 09/10/2018 09/14/2018 IP 71124.08 000732 Radioactive Solid Waste Processing and Radioactive Material Handling, Storage, and Transportation 1, 2 09/10/2018 09/14/2018 IP 71151 000746 Performance Indicator Verification This report does not include INPO and OUTAGE activities. Page 1 of 3 This report shows only on-site and announced inspection procedures.

Enclosure

IP 22 Inspection Activity Plan Report UNIT 1 IN-SERVICE INSPECTION 1 1 09/17/2018 09/21/2018 IP 71111.08P 000702 Inservice Inspection Activities - PWR UNIT 1 SG IN-SERVICE INSPECTION 1 1 09/17/2018 09/21/2018 IP 71111.08P 000702 Inservice Inspection Activities - PWR TRIENNIAL FIRE PROTECTION INSPECTION 5 1, 2 11/05/2018 11/09/2018 IP 71111.05T 000696 Fire Protection (Triennial) 1, 2 11/26/2018 11/30/2018 IP 71111.05T 000696 Fire Protection (Triennial)

WATTS BAR REQUAL INSPECTION 2 1, 2 11/12/2018 11/16/2018 IP 71111.11B 000704 Licensed Operator Requalification Program and Licensed Operator Performance - Biennial EP PROGRAM INSPECTION 2 1, 2 11/26/2018 11/30/2018 IP 71114.02 000717 Alert and Notification System Testing 1, 2 11/26/2018 11/30/2018 IP 71114.03 000718 Emergency Response Organization Staffing and Augmentation System 1, 2 11/26/2018 11/30/2018 IP 71114.04 000719 Emergency Action Level and Emergency Plan Changes 1, 2 11/26/2018 11/30/2018 IP 71114.05 000720 Correction of Emergency Preparedness Weaknesses and Deficiencies 1, 2 11/26/2018 11/30/2018 IP 71151 001397 Performance Indicator Verification PROBLEM IDENTIFICATION AND RESOLUTION 4 1, 2 01/14/2019 01/18/2019 IP 71152B 000747 Problem Identification and Resolution 1, 2 01/28/2019 02/01/2019 IP 71152B 000747 Problem Identification and Resolution FORCE-ON-FORCE PLANNING AND EXERCISES 8 1, 2 02/25/2019 03/01/2019 IP 71130.03 000735 Contingency Response - Force-On-Force Testing 1, 2 03/18/2019 03/22/2019 IP 71130.03 000735 Contingency Response - Force-On-Force Testing UNIT 2 IN-SERVICE INSPECTION 1 2 04/22/2019 04/26/2019 IP 71111.08P 000702 Inservice Inspection Activities - PWR UNIT 2 SG IN-SERVICE INSPECTION 1 2 04/22/2019 04/26/2019 IP 71111.08P 000702 Inservice Inspection Activities - PWR RP OCCUPATIONAL WEEK 1 2 1, 2 04/22/2019 04/26/2019 IP 71124.01 000725 Radiological Hazard Assessment and Exposure Controls 1, 2 04/22/2019 04/26/2019 IP 71124.02 000726 Occupational ALARA Planning and Controls 1, 2 04/22/2019 04/26/2019 IP 71124.03 000727 In-Plant Airborne Radioactivity Control and Mitigation 1, 2 04/22/2019 04/26/2019 IP 71124.04 000729 Occupational Dose Assessment 1, 2 04/22/2019 04/26/2019 IP 71124.05 000729 Radiation Monitoring Instrumentation 1, 2 04/22/2019 04/26/2019 IP 71151 000746 Performance Indicator Verification This report does not include INPO and OUTAGE activities. Page 2 of 3 This report shows only on-site and announced inspection procedures.

Enclosure

IP 22 Inspection Activity Plan Report RP OCCUPATIONAL WEEK 2 3 1, 2 05/13/2019 05/17/2019 IP 71124.01 000725 Radiological Hazard Assessment and Exposure Controls 1, 2 05/13/2019 05/17/2019 IP 71124.02 000726 Occupational ALARA Planning and Controls 1, 2 05/13/2019 05/17/2019 IP 71124.03 000727 In-Plant Airborne Radioactivity Control and Mitigation 1, 2 05/13/2019 05/17/2019 IP 71124.04 000729 Occupational Dose Assessment 1, 2 05/13/2019 05/17/2019 IP 71124.05 000729 Radiation Monitoring Instrumentation 1, 2 05/13/2019 05/17/2019 IP 71151 000746 Performance Indicator Verification SECURITY BASELINE INSPECTION 1 1, 2 06/03/2019 06/07/2019 IP 71130.02 000734 Access Control 1, 2 06/03/2019 06/07/2019 IP 71151 001338 Performance Indicator Verification DESIGN BASES ASSURANCE INSPECTION (TEAM) 5 1, 2 07/22/2019 07/26/2019 IP 71111.21M 000713 Design Bases Assurance Inspection (Teams) 1, 2 08/12/2019 08/16/2019 IP 71111.21M 000713 Design Bases Assurance Inspection (Teams) 1, 2 08/26/2019 08/30/2019 IP 71111.21M 000713 Design Bases Assurance Inspection (Teams)

CYBER SECURITY 2 1, 2 11/18/2019 11/22/2019 IP 71130.10P 000741 Cyber Security 1, 2 12/02/2019 12/06/2019 IP 71130.10P 000741 Cyber Security This report does not include INPO and OUTAGE activities. Page 3 of 3 This report shows only on-site and announced inspection procedures.

Enclosure