ML18102A459
| ML18102A459 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Site: | Salem  |
| Issue date: | 10/03/1996 |
| From: | Wiggins J NRC OFFICE OF INSPECTION & ENFORCEMENT (IE REGION I) |
| To: | Eliason L Public Service Enterprise Group |
| Shared Package | |
| ML18102A460 | List: |
| References | |
| GL-89-10, NUDOCS 9610160165 | |
| Download: ML18102A459 (4) | |
See also: IR 05000272/1996011
Text
Mr. Leon R. Eliason
Chief Nuclear Officer & President
Nuclear Business Unit
October 3, 1996
Public Service Electric and Gas Company
P. 0. Box 236
Hancocks Bridge, New Jersey 08038
SUBJECT:
SALEM MOV INSPECTION NOS. 50-272/96-11; 50-311/96-11 AND
Dear Mr. Eliason:
This letter transmits the report of an inspection of the Salem motor-operated valve (MOV)
program conducted by Mr. L. Prividy at the Salem Nuclear Generating Station from
July 22-26, 1996, and September 6, 1996. The inspectors focused on areas important to
public health and safety, performing an independent evaluation of MOV program procedures,
calculations, and test results associated with NRC Generic Letter (GL) 89-10, "Safety-related
Motor-Operated Valve Testing and Surveillance." The preliminary findings were initially
discussed on July 26, 1996 and later discussed with Mr. G. Overbeck by telephone on
September 6, 1996. On September 6, 1996, a draft of the cover letter to the report was
released to you inadvertently. A copy of the draft letter is attached to the enclosed report.
The NRC concluded that its review of the Salem GL 89-1 O MOV program could not be closed
because the design-basis capability of all safety-related MOVs has not been verified. Past
test results. had not been comprehensively evaluated to assure the verification of MOV
program assumptions such as a 0.15 stem friction coefficient and a 30% thrust margin to
account for various uncertainties. Valve factors for two families of MOVs (affecting 34
valves) were inadequate. No specific margin was established or justified for load sensitive
behavior, despite measurable results. Consistent with past NRC MOV inspections, we found
that the governing Programmatic Standard and Position Papers were technically sound. Your
effort to dynamically test over 50% of the safety related valve population was a program
strength, and we understand that you are performing additional dynamic tests to confirm
earlier results and to improve thrust margins in support of program closure.
Several procedure deficiencies were identified which invalidated the test results for twelve
valves. Also, the torque switch settings for two risk significant pressure isolation MOVs for
both Salem units were not correctly set to assure that they would close under design-basis
conditions. The test and torque switch deficiencies constitute violations of NRC
requirements, as cited in the enclosed Notice of Violation (Notice), and are of concern
because they call into question basic elements of the MOV programs at both Salem Units .
9610160165 961003
GPDR
ADOCK 05000272
_j
Mr. Leon R. Eliason
2
We noted that an independent review conducted a year ago reached conclusions similar to
this NRC inspection, but these were apparently not acted upon, calling into question program
oversight and ownership. Further, the conclusions of this inspection are in apparent
contradiction to the status of the Salem MOV program, as described in your letters of
March 20, 1995 (Unit 2) and June 25, 1996 (Unit 1 ). We understand that you will be
conducting comprehensive corrective action regarding the Salem Unit 2 MOV program to
verify design-basis capability of all GL 89-10 valves. The adequacy of the Salem Unit 2 MOV
program is a plant restart issue. We request a meeting as soon as possible to review your
plans to complete the Unit 2 GL 89-10 program before restart, and to discuss the unresolved
issue of MOV program status in the context of 10 CFR 50.9(b).
You are required to respond to the violations outlined in this letter and should follow the
instructions specified in the enclosed Notice. In your response, you should document the
specific actions taken and any additional actions you plan to prevent recurrence. Your
response may reference or include previous docketed correspondence, if the correspondence
adequately addresses the required response. After reviewing your response to this Notice,
including your proposed corrective actions and the results of future inspections, the NRC will
determine whether further NRC enforcement action is necessary to ensure compliance with
NRC regulatory requirements.
In accordance with 10 CFR 2.790 of the NRC's "Rules of Practice," a copy of this letter, its
enclosures, and your response will be placed in the NRC Public Document Room (PDR). To
the extent possible, your response should not include any personal privacy, proprietary, or
safeguards information so that it can be placed in the PDR without redaction. The responses
directed by this letter and the enclosed Notice are not subject to the clearance procedures of
the Office of Management and Budget, as required by the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1980,
Pub. L. No. 96.511.
Your coop~ration with us is appreciated.
Docket Nos.
50-272, 50-311
Enclosures:
Sincerely,
ORIGINAL SIGNED BY
James T. Wiggins, Director
Division of Reactor Safety
2. NRC Inspection Report Nos. 50-272/96-11; 50-311/96-11
3. Draft Cover Letter Inadvertently Released on 9/6/96
Mr. Leon R. Eliason
3
cc w/encls:
L. Storz, Senior Vice President - Nuclear Operations
E. Simpson, Senior Vice President - Nuclear Engineering
E. Salowitz, Director - Nuclear Business Support
C. Schaefer, External Operations - Nuclear, Delmarva Power & Light Co.
D. Garchow, General Manager - Salem Operations
J. Benjamin, Director - Quality Assurance & Nuclear Safety Review
D. Powell, Manager, Licensing and Regulation
R. Kankus, Joint Owner Affairs
A. Tapert, Program Administrator
R. Fryling, Jr., Esquire
M. Wetterhahn, Esquire
P. MacFarland Goelz, Manager, Joint Generation
Atlantic Electric
Consumer Advocate, Office of Consumer Advocate
William Conklin, Public Safety Consultant, Lower Alloways Creek Township
Public Service Commission of Maryland
State of New Jersey
State of Delaware
Distribution w/encls:
Region I Docket Room (with concurrences)
Kay Gallagher, DRP
Nuclear Safety Information Center (NSIC)
J. Wiggins, DRS
L. Nicholson, DRP
S. Barber, DRP
G .. Kelly, DRS
N. Della Gr:eca, DRS
D. Screnci, PAO
NRG Resident Inspector
PUBLIC
P. Fredrickson, Rll
J. Jacobson, Riii
C. Vandenburgh, RIV
T. Scarbrough, NRR (OWFN 7 E23)
DRS Files (2)
Distribution w/encls: (Via E-Mail)
L. Olshan, NRR
W. Dean, OEDO
J. Stolz, PDl-2, NRR
M. Callahan, OCA
Inspection Program Branch, NRR (IPAS)
Mr. Leon R. Eliason
4
DOCUMENT NAME: A:\\SA961111.INS
To receive e copy of this document, indicate in the box: "C" = Copy without attachment/enclos
OFFICE
RI/DRS
E
NAME
LPRIVIDY(#!.
DATE
09/26/96
OFFICE
RI/DRS
I
NAME
JWIGGINS
DATE
09/26/96
09/
196
09/
196
09/
196
09/
/96
OFFICIAL RECORD COPY