ML18066A185
| ML18066A185 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Site: | Palisades  |
| Issue date: | 06/12/1998 |
| From: | Grobe J NRC OFFICE OF INSPECTION & ENFORCEMENT (IE REGION III) |
| To: | Thomas J. Palmisano CONSUMERS ENERGY CO. (FORMERLY CONSUMERS POWER CO.) |
| Shared Package | |
| ML18066A186 | List: |
| References | |
| 50-255-98-06, 50-255-98-6, NUDOCS 9806170127 | |
| Download: ML18066A185 (3) | |
See also: IR 05000255/1998006
Text
June 12, 1998
Mr. Thomas J. Palmisano
Site Vice President and General Manager
Palisades Nuclear Generating Plant
27780 Blue Star Memorial Highway
Covert, Ml 49043-9530
SUBJECT:
NRG.INSPECTION REPORT 50-255/98006(DRS)
Dear Mr. Palmisano:
On May 14, 1998, the NRC completed an inspection at your Palisades Nuclear Generating
Plant. The enclosed report presents the results of that inspection.
The purpose of the inspection was to determine if the lnservice Inspection (ISi) Program
activities were conducted in accordance with NRC and the American Society of Mechanical
Engineers (ASME) Code requirements. Several proactive initiatives within the ISi Program
illustrated a quality ISi Program, such as: the use of automated ultrasonic examination (UT)
equipment and refracted longitudinal wave transducers, UT of welds potentially susceptible to
thermal fatigue cracking, the use of a robot-mounted camera to perform under-vessel visual
examinations as an alternative to sending personnel into a radiation dose intensive confined
space, and the use of Performance Demonstration Initiative qualified UT techniques. Overall,
the inspector concluded that the ISi Program was implemented in accordance with NRC and
ASME Code requirements, with several initiatives that demonstrated a commitment to a quality
ISi Program.
However, the inspector noted that the ISi Program did not control the use of alternatives to
Code nondestructive examination methods. Specifically, the bases for using alternative
examinations under paragraph IWA-2240 of the Code were not documented, and may have
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allowed your staff to take inappropriate credit for full volumetric coverage of single-sided weld
- * 1*
UTs in austenitic materials. In addition, the ISi Program audits conducted by the Nuclear
Performance Assessment Department (NPAD) were considered weak and not consistent with
performance-based auditing. Specifically, the NPAD audits of past and current ISi activities did
not include direct observation of Code ISi activities with qualified personnel.
9806170127 980612255
ADOCK 05000
G
"*
T. Palmisano
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In accordance with 10 CFR 2.790 of the NRC's "Rules of Practice," a copy of this letter, its
enclosures will be placed in the Public Document Room.
The NRC will gladly discuss any questions you may have concerning this inspection.
Sincerely,
Original Signed by Mel~yn Leach (for)
Docket No. 50-255
License No. DPR-20
John A. Grobe, Director
Division of Reactor Safety
Enclosure:
Inspection Report 50-255/98006(DRS)
cc w/encl:
Robert A. Fenech, Senior Vice
President, Nuclear, Fossil
and Hydro Operations
Nathan L: Haskell, Director
Licensing
Richard Whale, Michigan
Public Service Commission
Michigan Department of
Environmental Quality
Department of Attorney General (Ml)
Emergency Management
Division, Ml Department
of State Police
See Attached Distribution
DOCUMENT NAME: G:DRS\\PAL98006.DRS
To receive a co
of thl9 document, Indicate In the box: *c* =
OFFICE
Riii
NAME
MHolmberg:jp/sd 11<.. JGavula
OFFICIAi:. RECORD COPY
endosure "N" = No co
Riii
JGrobeH~
06h/98
...
T. Palmisano
Distribution:
CAC (E-Mail)
Project Mgr., NRR w/encl
C. Paperiello w/encl
J. Caldwell w/encl
B. Clayton w/encl
SRI Palisades w/encl
DRP w/encl
TSS w/encl
DRS w/encl
RI 11 PRR w/encl
>*
PUBLIC IE-01 w/encl
- * '
Docket File w/encl
GREENS
IEO (E-Mail)
DOCDESK (E-Mail)
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