ML20038B411
| ML20038B411 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Site: | Zimmer |
| Issue date: | 11/16/1981 |
| From: | Palladino N NRC COMMISSION (OCM) |
| To: | Udall M HOUSE OF REP., INTERIOR & INSULAR AFFAIRS |
| Shared Package | |
| ML19280B555 | List: |
| References | |
| NUDOCS 8112080181 | |
| Download: ML20038B411 (4) | |
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UNITED STATES l
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I November 16, 1981
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k The Honorable Morris K. Udall Il[ fl' s
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l O u.,q,[7 jgglA gj' Chainnan Subcomittee on Energy and the Environment
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t-Committee on Interior and Insular Affairs United States House of Representatives Q
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Dear Mr. Chairman.
You recently inquired about the adequacy of the investigation by our Office of Inspection and Enforcement (0IE) into quality assurance / quality control problems at the William H. Zimer Nuclear Power Station. The OIE investigative effort at Zimmer is not yet complete. However, a recent report of our Office of Inspector and Auditor (OIA) was critical g
of an earlier 0IE investigation. My own inquiry into this matter convinces me that, while there are inadequacies in the initial OIE l
investigation of Zimer and in its investigatory program generally, the findings presented to the Comission to date do not indicate that these problems have contributed to an adverse public health and safety situ-i ation at the plant. The pertinent documents are enclosed.
Early last year, 0IE investigated and reported on allegations of impro-prieties in quality assurance / quality control activities at the Zimmer plant. OIA was asked to evaluate the adequacy of that OIE investigation.
In its report of August 7,1981, 0IA concluded that the OIE investigation was unsatisfactory. 01A's fundamental criticisms were that OIE failed f
to adequately document its investigation and failed to follow through on significant leads.
I requested interactive comments from 0IA and OIE 9
and, thereafter, met with the main participants on October 9, 1981. My I
conclusions are as follows:
1.
I agree with 01A's finding that 0IE's original investigation should l
l have been more comprehensive. The Commission is considering the l
necessary internal reforms.
I believe we need criteria to determine the instances which require such full-scale investigations. The NRC does not have the resources j
to conduct in-depth investigations in all instances, and such in-I depth investigations are not called for by the circumstances of every case.
However, when a full investigation is called for, as i
l for example in the case of possible criminal conduct, NRC needs to j
i conduct that investigation consistent with fundamental standards e
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that govern investigations by any agency.
I have requested the Executive Director for Operations to develop guidelines for deter-mining when to conduct investigations, and to establish more fonnal investigative standards and procedures for such investigations.
2.
I am satisfied with the steps we are taking at the Zimer Nuclear Power Plant to protect public health and safety. A follow-up OIE investigation is nearly complete.
01E's final report should be available shortly.
In addition, I note that the licensee has recently comitted to a Quality Confirmation Program to address the problems that have been found at the Zimer plant.
In summary, shortcomings in the earlier 0IE investigation of Zimmer reveal a generic problem.
Steps are being taken to remedy that problem.
In addition, 0IE will shortly release its final report on the Zimmer plant.
The Comission will look closely at that, report.
Finally, the licensee is committed to a verification program to provide further assurances to public health and safety.
The Commissioners have been informed and do not disagree with the conclu-sions set forth in this letter.
If you have further questions on this matter, please do not hesitate to contact me.
Sincerely,
- 1 c Mn,d by
- n J. Palhdino j
Nunzio J. Palladino Enclosures 1.
Memo fm James J. Cumings, IA, to k
5 Commission dtd August 7,1981 trans-
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mitting OIA report: " Adequacy of IE Investigation 50-358/80-9 at the William H. Zimmer Nuclear Power Cleared with all Cmrs' Offices by SECY CR.b Station Ref.-CR-81-137 I
2.
Memo fm William J. Dircks, EDO, to the h
l DISTRIBUTI0f4 Commission dtd September 17, 1981 3.
Memo fm William J. Dircks, EDO, to the WJDircks HShapar EXCornell ED0-10830
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Commission dtd September 17, 1981 4.
Memo fm James J. Cummings, IA, to the TARehm SECY g1 Commission dtd October 8, 1981 VStello CA Lij RDeYoung BMatosko E.
cc:
Representative Manuel Lujan JSniezek k
JKeppler, RIII 3
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4 UNITED STATES e
E NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION E
I W ASHIN GTON, D.C. 20555
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OFFICE OF THE CHAIRMAN The Honorable Morris K. Udall, Chairman Subcomittee on Energy and the Environment
\\ Comittee on Interior and Insular Affairs United States House of Representatives Washington, D.C.
20515
Dear Mr. Chairman:
The Comiss\\
ionsis investigating allegations associated with the William H. Zimer Nuclear Power Ststion. The investigation is not yet complete, and, as such, final conclusions oh'the quality of construction at Zimmer have not been reached. We intend to' resolve the issues of quality of construction that impact on safety at Zimmeh respective of whether these issues stemmed from allegations, prior NRC inspe tion or the ongoing investigation.
s Thus far, the vast majority of issues involve deficiencies in quality assurance documentation of construction qualitys We are imposing on the licensee a comprehensive Quality Confirmation Progr m through which the licensee must confirm to our satisfaction that the qua(lt ' required by NRC regulations does exist, or is established by repair and rewor here deficiencies are found.
In addition, the NRC is using the NRC Non-Destructive Examination mobile laboratory (NDE van) and specialists contracted byMRC to conduct radiographic, l
ultrasonic and other testing techniques to directly #v luate the actual l
quality of installed plant equipment and structures on spot check basis.
l Selected material samples are also being sent to independe laboratories for metallographic examination to determine material content.
I assure you both personally and in behalf of the NRC staff that e problems at Zimer will be resolved prior to NRC issuance of an Operating Li se for Zimmer.
I will forward to you the conclusions, corrective actions an gesults i
l achieved at Zimmer upon resolution.
This information will contain the nature and disposition of the allegations associated with the current investigatibn.x Sincerely, i
l Nunzio J. Palladino Chairman cc: Rep. Manuel Lujan i
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The Honorable Morris K. Udall -
Distribution:
W. Dircks, EDO K. Cornell EDO T. Rehm'; sEDO H. Denton. NRR H. Shapar '1 ELD V. Stello. IE R. DeYoung. IE J. Sniezek. IEx J. Keppler, RIII T. Harpster. IE E. Blackwood. IE J. Henderson. IE EDO 10830 Beth Matosko. IE Hil-2515-H07 SECY-81-1089 IE Files IE Reading RRRI Files RPS Files OIA l
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