ML19323E978
| ML19323E978 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Site: | Point Beach  |
| Issue date: | 05/16/1980 |
| From: | Dircks W NRC OFFICE OF THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR FOR OPERATIONS (EDO) |
| To: | Proxmire W SENATE |
| References | |
| TASK-OS, TASK-RS-706-8 NUDOCS 8005280324 | |
| Download: ML19323E978 (4) | |
Text
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WAY 16 &^il)
Docket !!cs. 50-266 and 50-301 The Honorable William Proxmire United States Senate Washington, D. C.
20510
Dear Senator Proxmire:
On March 14, 1980 you requested that the NRC respond to a February 15, 1980 inquiry from Ms. Eileen Hill regarding steam generator tube leak problems at the Point Beach Nuclear Plant. Your request has been referred to me for reply.
In her letter she urges that the Point Beach Nuclear Plant be shut down for' reconstruction rather than for minor repairs, primarily because of the problems with the steam generators.
The NRC Staff has had the Point Beach Plant under close surveillanc'e because of those difficulties for quite a length of time.
In particular, on Novenber 30, 1979 the Staff issued an order requiring special surveillance and inspection for Unit 1.
On the basis of increased steam generator tests and inspections, more restrictive steam generator leakage limits, and modified limits and surveillance requiret.cnts for reactor coolant radioactivity the Staff concluded that there was reasonable assurance that the public health and safety would not be endangered by the continued operation of Point Beach Unit 1.
Unit 1 has received its second inspection since issuance of that order.
Ve required the removal of representative steam generator tubes from that unit for examination. They were examined by the Westinghouse Electric Corporation and the NRC Staff. Upon the conclusion of this inspection, the Staff determined that Point Beach Unit 1 could continue to operate for an additional 90 effective full power days at which time another
- team generator inspection would be required. A copy of our Confirmatory Order and accomanying Safety Evaluation are enclosed.
Point Beach Unit 2 had a leak in the A steam generator on February 27, 1980. The HRC Staff participated in the ensuing inspection.
On the basis of the inspection, which was co@leted about March 13, 1980, Unit 2 was permitted to resume operation.
In cddition, the steam generator tube which resulted in the leak was removed for detailed retallographic examination during the current refueling cutage.
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NRC FOCM 338 (9 76) NRCM 0240 DU.S. GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE: 1979-289 369
Senator Proxmire At the same time active consideration is being given by both Wisconsin Electric Power Cor:pany and the NRC Staff to more radical steam generator repair.
Such repair activity, if pursued, would be subject to the Staff's detailed safety and environmental impact review before inple-mentation.
lis. Hill mentioned that Unit 1 is not permitted to operate with more than 10% of the steam generator tubes plugged and that the limit is expccted to be increased to 18%. In that regard the Staff establishes such limits only after a review of the Emergancy Core Cooling System for the steam generator tube plugging percentage under consideration.
Any increase te a plugging limit greater than 18% would require such an NRC Staff review prior tc operating the plant.
In suar.ary, the NRC Staff also considers the steam generator tube problems at the Point Beact, plant to be a serious concern.
Headquarters professional staff, as well as regional inspectors have been at the site to make sure that the NRC is well aware of the problens and to be reassured that there is reasonable assurance that the health and safety of the public is protected.
I trust that this has been responsive to your constituent's concerns.
Sincerely, Gigned ylilliam J. Dircks William J. Dircks, Acting Executive Director for Operations
Enclosure:
Confirmatory Order dated April 4,1980 i
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Distribution Docket Files 50-266/301 I&E (3)
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