ML18153A188
| ML18153A188 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Site: | Surry  |
| Issue date: | 11/18/1997 |
| From: | Ohanlon J VIRGINIA POWER (VIRGINIA ELECTRIC & POWER CO.) |
| To: | NRC OFFICE OF INFORMATION RESOURCES MANAGEMENT (IRM) |
| References | |
| 50-280-97-08, 50-280-97-8, 50-281-97-08, 50-281-97-8, 97-611, NUDOCS 9711280114 | |
| Download: ML18153A188 (5) | |
Text
VIRGl:"<IA ELECTRIC AND POWER COMPANY R1cH:v10,n, V1Rca:s.;1A 23261 November 18, 1997 United States Nuclear Regulatory Commission Attention: Document Control Desk Washington, D. C. 20555 Gentlemen:
VIRGINIA ELECTRIC AND POWER COMPANY SURRY POWER STATION UNITS 1 AND 2 RESPONSE TO NRC INSPECTION REPORT NOS. 50-280/97-08 AND 50-281/97-08 Serial No.
SPS:BM/BAG Docket Nos.
License Nos.97-611 R2 50-280 50-281 DPR-32 DPR-37 Enclosed is our response to your letter of October 10, 1997, which described an exercise weakness identified during the Surry Power Station full participation exercise of August 26, 1997. This response includes a summary of corrective actions taken to preclude recurrence.
We have completed the corrective actions to resolve the identified weakness and have reviewed their effectiveness during the North Anna Power Station annual exercise conducted on November 5, 1997. Since the weakness involved activities associated with corporate emergency response staff, the North Anna exercise was an appropriate forum to verify the response. The results of the exercise were satisfactory and should serve as the basis to close the weakness. A package of information associated with the North Anna exercise, including the critique report and press release documentation, will be prepared and made available onsite for future inspection to support this conclusion.
Please contact us should you have any questions or require further information related to this matter.
Very truly yours,
~Q~
James P. O'Hanlon
/JP!
Senior Vice President - Nuclear Attachment 9711200114 6~bbb~ao
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~opy: US Nuclear Regulatory Commission Region II Atlanta Federal Center 61 Forsyth Street, SW, Suite 23T85 Atlanta, Georgia 30303 Mr. R. A. Musser NRG Senior Resident Inspector Surry Power Station
SUMMARY
OF COMMITMENTS The following commitment is made in response to the weakness identified in NRG Inspection Report Nos. 50-280/97-08 and 50-281/97-08:
- 1. A package of information associated with the North Anna exercise, including the critique report and press release documentation, will be prepared and made
. available onsite for future inspection to support closure of the weakness.
-- - ---- - ------- -.--~-,----
ATTACHMENT INSPECTION REPORT NOS. 50-280/97-08 AND 50-281/97-08 EXERCISE WEAKNESS 50-280, 281/97-08/01
SUMMARY
OF CORRECTIVE ACTIONS
INSPECTION REPORT NOS. 50-280/97-08 AND 50-281/97-08 EXERCISE WEAKNESS 50-280, 281/97-08/01
SUMMARY
OF CORRECTIVE ACTIONS EXERCISE WEAKNESS News releases did not accurately portray release information and were not coordinated with the Recovery Manager.
RESPONSE
The exercise weakness was based upon Virginia Power's self evaluation of the Surry Power Station full participation exercise held on August 26, 1997. Our comparison of simulated events in the scenario and the events reported in the press releases revealed a lack of information concerning the unplanned release of radioactive materials. We also identified the lack of opportunity for the Recovery Manager to review the releases for technical accuracy.
An evaluation of the events around the issuance of press releases indicated that conscious decisions were made to not include information pertaining to the radiological release. This was due to the timing of the press release. At the time of the press release, the previous radiological release status did not then correlate with the current events. There was a general concern that the previous radiological release, generally small in magnitude and a result of a previous event, would be confused with the initiating condition that had necessitated an upgrade in the classification of the emergency.
Procedural guidance regarding required reviews of news releases was found to be adequate. Since the identified failures were performance related, it was determined that training would appropriately address the identified weakness.
Training was conducted on October 13, 1997 for members of the team assigned responsibility for press release preparation. The need to accurately reflect the status of any release of radioactive material to the environment was discussed. Also the need to coordinate and obtain reviews on press releases was reemphasized.
The procedural review and training discussed above were completed prior to the North Anna Power Station annual exercise scheduled on November 5, 1997.
The effectiveness of the corrective actions was reviewed during the exercise.
Press releases associated with the North Anna exercise were found to adequately portray the status of the radiological release during the performance of the scenario and were properly reviewed by the Recovery Manager as required.
A documentation package will be prepared and made available onsite to facilitate a
- review by the Resident Inspector or a review during a future inspection.
No further corrective actions are deemed necessary to close this item.