ML18106A992
| ML18106A992 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Site: | Salem  |
| Issue date: | 12/18/1998 |
| From: | Travers W NRC OFFICE OF THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR FOR OPERATIONS (EDO) |
| To: | Lobiondo F HOUSE OF REP. |
| Shared Package | |
| ML18106A993 | List: |
| References | |
| NUDOCS 9812280289 | |
| Download: ML18106A992 (7) | |
Text
UNITED STATES NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION WASHINGTON, D.C. 20555-0001 December 18, 1998 The Honorable Frank A. LoBiondo United States House of Representatives Washington, D.C. 20515-3002
Dear Congressman LoBiondo:
I am respo11ding to.your le~er dated Nqvember 2, 1998, con.~erning fire protection material used at the Salem Nuclear Generating Station, which is operated by the Public Service Electric and Gas Company (PSE&G).
In 1993, the Nu(flear Regulatory Commission (NRC) identified deficiencies in the electrical
- raceway fir~ bafrier syst~m at palem at which time compensatory measures were put in place
. for'these c:teficiencies~ Fire-pr.otecfion issues, incll.~ding these specific deficiencies, were included intfle.NRC's R'estart Ass~ssment P*lari for both Salem Units 1 and 2. In April 1997, the NRC cohdu~ted a* fire protection inspection at Salem to address fire protection issues captured in t_tje* Resta*rt Assessment Pl.ant. Durin*g this inspection, the NRC identified that PSE&G faited to IT!~intain proper compensa~ory actions for the 1993 deficiencies, a finding*
wryich resulted i_n enforcerne.nt aG.tion.. In response, PSE&G restored the compensatory measures, whiqh ~ire currently ih place, and committed to a long-term corrective action plan.
The completion ofthe NA-C's Restart Assess)'ner:it Plan was a factor in the NRC's decision to modify the June 9, 1995, confirmatory action letter, to allow restart of Unit 2 in August 1997, and Unit 1 in April 1998.
As the NRC staff indicated when you toured the Salem facility in May 1997, PSE&G has established fire watches to compen.sate for the inoperable fire barriers and has established controls for both c9mbustible material irffhe affected areas and for ignition sources which could start a fire. Also, other features are provided that protect against fires including automatic fire detecti9n and sprinkler systems in some areas, an onsite trained fire brigade, and a permanent fire station within the plant protected area.
PSE&G.'s long-term corrective action plan included additional testing and evaluation of installed fire barrier materials ariq configurations. As a result of this effort, on September 18, 1998, PSE&G notified l.he NRC that the installed configuratiqn of some of the fire barrier material doe~ not match the as-tested config1,Jration used during qualification of the fire barrier material.
PSE&G has indicated that it has adequate compensatory measures and is currently evaluating the installed configurC1tibns. Most of theS!e <:or'npensatory measures had already been established in respon$e t6 ottierrelated lire barrier issues. The NRC believes that reasonable assurance of adequate protection *C>f pul)lic health and safety exists based upon PSE&G's
-current set of comp~nsatory actioris, as weil as _other plant design features and administrative
- contrors which protect* against planffires.
- This ensures that the surrounding communities are not affected.
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2 The NRC cpntinues to closely monitor the licensee's compensatory measures and long term corrective actions.. One of the major elem en.ts. cjf these corrective actions is the Salem Raceway Fire Barrier Wrcip Project wnich consists of three phases. Phase I involves the reariatysis of the safe sh,utdoWn strategy; Phase_ II involves the development of any necessary design modifications; and, P,hase Iii.involv~s~re implementation of necessary changes. In a meeting w.ith *the NRC staff on September 23; 1"~98, PSE&G stated that Phase I was on schedule for completion in 1999, as previously committed. PSE&G had also committed to the
~RC that P_hases H.~nd Ill Will be compfeted during r.efµeling outages currently scheduled for May and December 2002 for Units 2 *a-nd 1, respectively. The NRC has found these schedules to be acceptable.
With respect to your cor:icern regarding the suspen.sion of the Systematic Assessment of Licensee Performance (SALP) program,' the public dissemination of fire safety issues will not be affected by the NRC's deci$ion to suspend the SALP prog~am.- In September 1998, the SALP program waifsusper'.lc:led until the NRC staff completes a review of its licensee performance assessment process. In the. interim, th.e NRC will utilize the results of periodic plant performance reviews to di_ssemin.ate pub_lic information on licensee performance. These
. reviews.are intended to i9entify'plant performance trends and issues. As a result, licensee performance will' be assessed.in much the same way as in the SALP program. Additionally, the
- NHC continues to disseminate the results of all NRC inspections. Meetings with the licensee are publicized and open for public observation.
I assure you that the NRC has taken the fire barrier issues at Salem seriously and will ensure that PSE&G meets its commitments fc:>r returning its fire barriers to full compliance. Regarding your inquiry, the Commission has not issued any recent regulations or taken other actions that could-affect the manner in which this issue is addressed. The NRC is working on a rulemaking
-in the areas of fire protection seals, but the changes being considered would not have any impact on the manner in which the issue you raised is being resolved.
I trust this information is responsive to your concerns.
Sincerely, WiL-~~
William:. Tc Executive Director for Operations
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The Honorable Frank /
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With respect to your concern regarding the suspensioh of tJ:i~ Systematic Assessment of Licensee Performance (SALP) program, the public dissemination of fire safety issues will not be affected by the NRC's decision to suspend the SALP pro~ram. In September 1998, the SALP program was suspended until the NRC staff completes/a review of its licensee performance assessment process. In the interim, the NRC will uti!ife the results of periodic plant performance reviews to disseminate public information on licens~e performance. These reviews are intended to identify plant performance trends and issues. f(s a result, licensee performance will be assessed in much the same way as in the SALP;program. Additionally, the NRC continues to disseminate the results of all NRC inspections/Meetings with the licensee are publicized and open for public observation.
/
/
I assure you that the NRC has taken the fir0' barrier issues at Salem seriously and will ensure that PSE&G meets its commitments for returning its.fire barriers to full compliance. Regarding your inquiry, the Commission has not is~oed any recent regulations or taken other actions that could affect the manner in which this jsue is addressed.
I trust that this information is responsive fo your concerns.
I Sincerely, William D. Travers "This correspondence addresses policy issues previously resolved by the Commission, transmits factual information, or restates Commission policy."
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Letter to Congressman Frank LoBiondo dated December 18, 1998 DISTRIBUTION:
Docket File (50-272 and 50-311) (w/original incoming)
PUBLIC (w/incoming)
ED0#19980653 EDO Reading WT ravers HThompson AThadani PNorry JBlaha SBurns HMiller, RGN-1 KCyr, OGC SCollins/FMiraglia BBoger GHolahan BSheron JRoe SWest PMadden RZimmerman PDl-2 Reading (w/incoming)
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The Honorable Frank will be assessed in much the same way as in the SALP program. Additionally, th continues to disseminate the results of all NRC inspections. Meetings with the
- ensee are publicized and open for public observation.
The NRC continues to closely monitor the licensee's compensatory meas res and long term corrective actions. One of the major elements of these corrective actio is the Salem Raceway Fire Barrier Wrap Project which consists of three phases. Phase I in\\l Ives the reanalysis of the safe shutdown strategy; Phase II involves the development of desi modifications; and, Phase Ill involves the implementation of necessary changes. In a meeti with the NRC staff on September 23, 1998, PSE&G stated that Phase I was on sche e for completion in 1999, as previously committed. PSE&G had also committed to the NR that Phases II & Ill will be completed during refueling outages currently scheduled for ay and December 2002 for Units 2 and 1, respectively.
I assure you that the NRC has taken the fire barrier is es at Salem seriously and will ensure that PSE&G meets its commitments for returning its re barriers to full compliance. Regarding your inquiry, the Commission has not issued any r ent regulations or taken other actions that could affect the manner in which this issue is ad essed.
I trust that this information is responsive to ya r concerns.
"This correspondence Commission, transmi Shirley Ann Jackson dresses policy issues previously resolved by the factual information, or restates Commission policy."
DISTRIBUTION See attached list
- Previously Concurred
- Concurred via tele hone OFFICE TECH ED*
NAME RSanders DATE 11/05/98.
NRR/D 11/06/98 EDO PDl;.2/D Ro-R Cara
,, /98 OCA DRPE/D OCM SCollins WT ravers SJackson I
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The Honorable Frank commitments for returning tts fire barrier wraps to full compliance. To reply Luiry, the NRC has not issued any recent regulation or taken any actions that could ;tect the manner in which this issue is addressed.
/
In September 1998, the NRC suspended its SALP program for an i9'1-0rim period until the NRC staff completes a review of its nuclear power plant performance ~essment process. At the end of the process, the Commission will decide whether to resu;ne the SALP program or substitute some program regarded as more effective. During)ne interim period that the SALP program is suspended, the NRC will utilize the results of its, plant performance reviews to provide nuclear power plant performance information to licenseestState and local officials, and the public. These reviews are intended to identify performal)te trends and other issues since the previous assessment and to make any appropriate cha'nges to the NRC's inspection plans.
Since beginning the Plant Performance Review pro7iss in 1988, the NRC has continuously improved the process to the point that these revie.Jls now use similar information and address many of the same objectives as the SALP progr9m. As a result, licensee performance will be assessed in much the same way as in the SA~P process. Therefore, the public dissemination of fire safety issues will not be affected by the S,ALP decision. In particular, the NRC staff has received (and will continue to receive) perio,.dic briefings from PSE&G regarding its Fire Barrier Wrap Project. These briefings are open to1public observation, and the meeting summaries are placed into the public record.
/!
I trust that this information is responsi~e to your concerns.
/ j Sincerely, I
I Shirley Ann Jackson DISTRIBUTION J s
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The Honorable Frank inquiry about whether the NRC has issued any recent regulation or taken actions taken that could affect the manner in which this issue is addressed, the NRC staff has riot done so..
In September 1998, the NRC suspended its SALP program for an interim period until the NRC staff completes a review of its nuclear power plant*performance assessment process. At the end of the process, the Commission will decide whether to resume the SALP program or substitute something regarded as more effective. During the interim period that the SALP program is suspended, the NRC will utilize the results of its plant performance reviews to provide nuclear power plant performance information to licensees, state and local officials, and the public. These reviews are intended to identify performance trends and other issues since the previous assessment and make any appropriate changes to the NRC's inspection plans.
Since beginning the Plant Performance Review process in 1988, the NRC has continuously improved the process to the point that these reviews now use similar information and address many of the objectives of the SALP program. As a result, licensee performance will be assessed in much the same way as in the SALP process. Therefore, the public dissemination of fire safety issues will not be affected by the SALP decision. In particular, the NRC staff has and will continue to received periodic briefings from PSE&G regarding its Fire Barrier Wrap Project. These briefings are open to public observation, and the meeting summaries are placed into the public record.
I trust that this information is responsive to your concerns.
OFFIC PDl-2/PM Tech Ed E
NAME PMilano:
ru DATE 11/
/98 11/ ft98 OFFIC DRPE/D OGC E
NAME JZwolinski JMoore DATE 11/ /98 11/ /98 OFFICIAL RECORD COPY Sincerely, William D. Travers Executive Director for Operations PDl-2/LA SPLB/C TC lark TMarsh 11/ /98 11/ /98 ADP ADT BBoger BS heron 11/ /98 11/ /98
. DOCUMENT NAME:
SAGT98????.GRN DRP/R-1 PDl-2/D Jlinville RCapra 11/ /98 11/ /98 NRR/D EDO SCollins WT ravers 11/ /98