ML18106A866
| ML18106A866 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Site: | Salem  |
| Issue date: | 09/15/1998 |
| From: | Miller H NRC OFFICE OF INSPECTION & ENFORCEMENT (IE REGION I) |
| To: | Keiser H Public Service Enterprise Group |
| Shared Package | |
| ML18106A867 | List: |
| References | |
| 50-272-98-99, 50-311-98-99, NUDOCS 9809210142 | |
| Download: ML18106A866 (4) | |
See also: IR 05000272/1998099
Text
Mr. Harold W. Keiser
Chief Nuclear Officer & President -
Nuclear Business Unit
Public Service Electric & Gas
Company
Post Office Box 236
Hancocks Bridge, NJ 08038
September 15, 1998
SUBJECT:
SALEM NUCLEAR GENERATING STATION, UNIT NOS. 1 AND 2 -
SYSTEMATIC ASSESSMENT OF LICENSEE PERFORMANCE (SALP), REPORT
NOS. 50-272/98-99 AND 50-311 /98-99
Dear Mr. Keiser:
This letter forwards the Salem Nuclear Generating Station, Unit Nos. 1 and 2, SALP report
for the period of March 1, 1997, to August 1, 1998 (Enclosure). The SALP report does
not reflect the period from November 1994 to February 1997, when the U.S. Nuclear
Regulatory Commission (NRC) had suspended the SALP process because of the extended
shutdown of both units. This assessment was conducted using the SALP process that
was implemented by the NRC on July 19, 1993. The SALP process rates licensees in tour
functional areas: Operations, Maintenance, Engineering, and Plant Support. The Plant
Support area includes radiological and effluent controls, chemistry, security, emergency
preparedness, fire protection, and housekeeping.
During the SALP period, the overall performance at the Salem Station improved as
demonstrated by a nearly event free return of both units to operation following the
extended outage. Performance was characterized by strong management oversight by the
new management team assembled since the shutdown, safe and conservative operations
and decisions, good day-to-day engineering support to operations, and sound and effective
programs for independent oversight and self-assessment. The modifications and
maintenance activities performed during the extended shutdown significantly improved the
material condition of the facility. Necessary, significant steps were taken to resolve
operator workarounds stemming from safety related and balance of plant equipment
problems. Although the maintenance and engineering backlogs remain high, the issues
were appropriately prioritized and managed. Some improvement has been noted in the
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work control process. However, while human performance has improved significantly from
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the period before the extended shutdown due to the extensive training interventions,
personnel errors in the areas of operations and maintenance continue to warrant close
management attention.
- - Performance in the Operations functional area was rated Category 1 . Performance in
operations improved significantly over the period. A conservative approach was
consistently taken to plant operations. Control room activities were strong as exhibited by
effective command and control, well conducted shift turnovers and special operations
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Mr. H. W. Keiser
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briefings. Operators performed well during the return of the units to normal operation;
- restart of the units posed significant challenges owing to the numerous plant configuration
changes and large scope of testing associated with plant modifications made during the
outage. Although human performance has improved, some challenges arose as a result of
occasional lapses in attention to detail and improper equipment status control. Problem
identification and self assessment activities of both the line and oversight organization
were strong. Operator initial and requalification training programs were sound.
Performance in the Maintenance functional area was rated Category 2. The material
condition of the facility dearly improved as demonstrated by good equipment performance
since restart of the units. In general, outage work was properly planned, scheduled, and
implemented. Nonetheless, some problems were noted in transitioning from an outage
environment to an operating environment. Human performance problems involving
equipment verification and adherence to procedures continued to occur. The maintenance
backlog is high, largely due to aggressive discovery efforts during the outage, but site
management has demonstrated an understanding of the indiyidual and cumulative effects
of the backlog and has effectively managed the prioritization of backlogged items. Efforts
have been made to improve the work control process. The use of risk insights and limiting
conditions for operation (LCO) maintenance plans demonstrated a better understanding of
the impact of maintenance on plant safety and reliability. But the backlog reduction has
been impacted by slow progress in implementing the improved work control process.
Performance in the Engineering functional area was rated Category 2. Effective
engineering support also contributed to improved equipment reliability and plant
performance. Good management oversight and involvement were key factors in process
improvements. Activities such as the FSAR Review Project and the Technical
Specifications Surveillance Improvement Project, improved the station's conformance to its
licensing and design bases. With few exceptions, the quality of the design engineering
products was good, including the completion of 10 CFR 50.59 safety evaluations.
Although there was good engineering support to operations, in some noteworthy cases
system performance monitoring was not effective in identifying declining performance
before it impacted plant operations. Progress in this area has been impeded somewhat by
the large engineering backlog, which was also largely due to past performance problems
which were brought to light through aggressive discovery efforts during the outage.
Industry operating experience was effectively used. Licensing submittals were technically
sound; however, the completion of some licensing issues was impacted .by untimely
submission of required supporting information.
Performance in the Plant Support functional area was rated Category 1 . Performance in
radiation protection was excellent as indicated by continued low worker exposures. The
solid radwaste transportation, radioactive effluent, environmental monitoring, and
meteorological monitoring programs were well implemented. Significant improvements
were observed in emergency preparedness and security. While final resolution of electrical
raceway fire barrier systems issues remains to be completed, the fire protection program
was effectively implemented.
...
Mr. H. W. Keiser
3
The schedule for planned NRC inspections of your facility was previously provided with our
May 29, 1998, Plant Performance Review letter.
We have scheduled a management meeting with you to discuss our assessment. The
meeting will be held at 2:00 pm on September 30, 1998, at the PSE&G Processing Center
and will be open to the public. At the meeting, you and your staff should be prepared to
discuss our assessment and any initiatives you have ongoing or plan to take to address the
issues detailed in our evaluation.
We appreciate your cooperation.
Docket Nos. 50-272 and 50-311
Sincerely,
Original Signed By:
Hubert J. Miller
Regional Administrator
Region I
Enclosure: SALP Report Nos. 50-272/98-99
and 50-311 /98-99
cc w/encl:
L. Storz, Senior Vice President - Nuclear Operations
E. Simpson, Senior Vice President - Nuclear Engineering
E. Salowitz, Director - Nuclear Business Support
A. F. Kirby, Ill, External Operations - Nuclear, Delmarva Power & Light Co.
J. A. Isabella, Manager, Joint Generation, Atlantic Electric
C. Bakken, General M*anager - Salem Operations
J. McMahon, Director - QA/Nuclear Training/Emergency Preparedness
D. Powell, Director - Licensing/Regulation & Fuels
R. Kankus, Joint Owner Affairs
A. C. Tapert, Program Administrator
Jeffrey J. Keenan, Esquire
Consumer Advocate, Office of Consumer Advocate
William Conklin, Public Safety Consultant, Lower Alloways Creek Township
State of New Jersey
State of Delaware
Chairman Jackson
Commissioner Diaz
Commissioner McGaffigan.
Institute of Nuclear Power Operations (INPO)
Mr. H. W. Keiser
DISTRIBUTION w/encl:
Region I Docket Room (with concurrences)
Nuclear Safety Information Center (NISC)
NRC Resident Inspector
PUBLIC
H. Miller, RA/W. Axelson, DRA
C. Hehl, DRP Director
J. Linville, DRP
S. Barber, DRP
C. O'Daniell, DRP
J. Wiggins, DRS Director
L. Nicholson, DRS Deputy Director
M. Oprendek, DRP
J. Lanning, DRP
DISTRIBUTION w/encl: (Via e-mail)
J. Callan, EDO
B. McCabe, OEDO
S. Collins, NRR
B. Boger, NRR
J. Zwolinski, NRR
J. Lieberman, OE
R. Capra, NRR/PDl-:2
P. Milano, NRR
R. Correia, NRR
F. Talbot, NRR
DOCDESK
Inspection Program Branch, NRR (IPAS)
DISTRIBUTION via e-mail:
Region I Staff (Refer to SALP Drive)
4
DOCUMENT NAME: G:\\BRANCH3\\2-SAL\\SALP\\SALSALP.98
To receive a copy of this document. Indicate in the box: *c* = Copy without attachment/enclosure "E" = Copy with attachment/enclosure "N" =
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