ML18153C048
| ML18153C048 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Site: | Surry  |
| Issue date: | 12/22/1989 |
| From: | Stewart W VIRGINIA POWER (VIRGINIA ELECTRIC & POWER CO.) |
| To: | Ebneter S NRC OFFICE OF INSPECTION & ENFORCEMENT (IE REGION II) |
| References | |
| 89-865, NUDOCS 9001100196 | |
| Download: ML18153C048 (2) | |
Text
VIRGINIA ELECTRIC AND POWER COMPANY RICHMOND, VIRGINIA 23261
_ 90 JAN 2 A "o ** 58 December 22, 1989 Mr. Stewart D. Ebneter Regional Administrator Uni~ed States Nuclear Regulatory Commission 101 Marietta Street, N. W.
Suite 2900 Atlanta, Georgia 30323 Dear Mr~ Ebneter VIRGINIA ELECTRIC AND POWER COMPANY SURRY POWER STATION UNIT 1 -
DISCRETIONARY ENFORCEMENT Serial No.89-865 NO/ETS Docket Nos.
50-280 License Nos. DPR-32 REACTOR PROTECTION INTERLOCK LOGIC TESTING Unit 1 was manually tripped on December 21, 1989 at 2156 after losing a Reserve Station Service Transformer which resulted in the loss of the 1 J Emergency Bus.
Technical Specification 4.1.A.2 states that the reactor protection interlocks listed in Table 4.1-A shall be demonstrated _operable prior to each reactor startup unless performed during the preceding 92 days. The interlocks referenced in Table 4-.1-A were last tested on July 3, 1989, preceding Unit 1 startup. The severe cold weather conditions over the eastern seaboard have created a large demand for electricity,
-significantly reducing reserves.
Winter peak load projections had been 11,900 MWs, but the peak on the morning of December 22 was approximately 12,600 MWs and is expected to be about the same for the early. evening peak demand. Without the expedited r,eturn to service of Unit 1, our system reserves will be exceeded. Due to the far-reaching cold weather, our ability to purchase power will be very limited.
Additionally, the severe* cold weather reduces the reliability of the other generating stations (fossil and nuclear) and could cause additional forced outages creating even more of a reserve problem. Because the interlock testing takes approximately 5 hours5.787037e-5 days <br />0.00139 hours <br />8.267196e-6 weeks <br />1.9025e-6 months <br /> to perform in addition to other activities required for restart, this would not enable Unit 1 to be restarted prior to the evening's peak demand. Therefore we are requesting a one-time discretionary enforcement to allow a unit startup without performing the*
interlock testing.
The interlock surveillance test was last performed on July 3, 1989. A review of past -
interlock testing has indicated that the interlocks have had good operational record.
The interlocks *do not have a history of problems or failures. Additionally, we have not performed any maintenance or modification in these cabinets that could have a,ltered or affected the interlock logic. During a normal reactor startup, the startup procedures include steps to verify the permissive lights are received at the expected power.
Otherwise, the startup is halted and the condition is investigated. Additional measures 900i100i96 F*DF(
P1DOCl:
1=
. I will be taken during this startup to monitor the permissive lights (interlocks) and associated equipment. The operating shifts will be briefed about the nonperformance of the interlock testing and alerted to any potential problems; and, an additional qualified person will be added to the shift during this startup for the sole purpose of monitoring the permissiye lights and associated equipment.
As discussed in a telephone conversation with your staff on December 22, 1989, Virginia Electric and Power Company was granted discretionary enforcement to restart Unit 1 without performing the interlock testing required by Technical Specification 4.1.A.2.
Should you have any further questions, please do not hesitate to call.
V/:ei;? /7'/1
. Ii 1..J.1--t}
W. L. Stewart Senior Vice President - Nuclear cc:
U. S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission Attention: Document Control Desk Washington, D. C. 20555 Mr. W. E. Holland NRC Senior Resident Inspector Surry Power St_ation
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