ML20043E279

Forwards Insp Repts 50-498/90-10 & 50-499/90-10 on 900402-06.No Violations or Deviations Noted.Decisionmakers Failed to Consider Potential Ramifications of Security Threat & Potential Impact on Equipment & Facilities

ML20043E279
Person / Time
Site:	South Texas
Issue date:	06/05/1990
From:	Collins S NRC OFFICE OF INSPECTION & ENFORCEMENT (IE REGION IV)
To:	Hall D HOUSTON LIGHTING & POWER CO.
Shared Package
ML20043E280	List: ML20043E279
References
NUDOCS 9006120239
Download: ML20043E279 (4)

See also: IR 05000498/1990010

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Dockets: 50-498/90-10'

50-499/90-10

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Houston Lighting & Power Company

-ATTN:

Donald P. Hall, Group

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Vice President, Nuclear

P.O.> Box 1700~

Houston,l Texas _~ 77251

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Gentlemen:

!This refers to the team inspection conducted by Mr. Nemen M. Terc of this

office and-other accompanying personnel during the period April 2-6, 1990, of

activities author _ized by NRC Operating Licenses NPF-76 and NPF-80, for South

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. Texas Project,:and to the discussion of our findings with Mr. G. E. Vaughn,

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Vice President of Nuclear Power Generation and other members of your staff at

the conclusion of the inspection.

Areas examined-during the inspection included the implementation of the

emergency. plan and procedures during the annual emergency response exercise.

'Within these areas, the inspection consisted of selective examination of-

procedures ano representative records, interviews with personnel, and

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observations by the inspection team. The inspection findings are documented in

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-the-enclosed inspection report.

Within the scope of the inspection, no violations or deviations were

identified.

The enclosed report-identifies seven exercise weaknesses in your emergency

preparedness program. One weakness of special concern to us pertains to

several exampies of scenario problems that, when taken as a whole, contributed

to a lack of realism and free play during the exercise.

Further, the scenario

iproblems-inhibited a clear evaluation of the simulated emergency and the

_ licensee's ability to respond to it.

Scenario weaknesses identified included

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technical._ inconsistencies within the data, inappropriate controller behavior,

-and unnecessary simulation.

The inspectors also noted that decisionmakers failed to consider the potential

ramifications of the security threat and its potential impact on equipment and

' facilities and therefore did not initiate certain expected actions, such as

requesting.the search for additional saboteurs or potential damage to

equipment.

In addition, the inspectors noted among the other exercise

. weaknesses, a marginal licensee self-critique that failed to identify and

properly: characterize some important exercise weaknesses that were identified -

.by the NRC inspectors during the exercise.

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The-various deficiencies identified during the course of the exercise have been

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characterized as exercise weaknesses in accordance with the requirements of

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Houston Lighting & Power Company

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10 CFR 50, Appendix E.IV.F.5.

An exercise weakness-is a finding that a

licensee's' demonstrated level of preparedness could have precluded effective-

implementation of the emergency preparedness plan in the event of an actual

emergency and thus needs licensee corrective action. You are requested to

provide this office with an analysis of the identified weaknesses, a

description of your corrective measures, and your schedule for completing these

actions within 30 days after receipt of this letter. We will be contacting

your staff to arrange a management conference in our Arlington office to

discuss the NRC-identified exercise weaknesses.

The licensee performed well on other aspects of the emergency exercise

including emergency facility staffing and activation, detection, and

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classification. The licensee's response during the course of the exercise was

. adequate to protect the health and safety of the public.

We have also examined actions you have taken with regard to previously

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identified inspection findings. The status of these items is identified in

paragraph 2 of the enclosed report.

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The response requested by this letter is not subject to the clearance

procedures of the Office of Management and Budget as required by the Paperwork

Reduction Act of 1980, PL 96-511.

Should you have any questions concerning this inspection, we will be pleased to

discuss them with you,

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Sincerely,

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Original Signed By.

Samuel J. Collins, Director

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Division of Reactor Projects

Enclosure:

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Appendix - NRC Inspection Report

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-50-498/90-10

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50-499/90-10

cc w/ enclosure:

Houston Lighting & Power Company

ATTN:

M. A. McBurnett, Manager

Operations Support Licensing

P.O. Box 289

Wadsworth, Texas 7/483

City of Austin Electric Utility

ATTN:

J. C. Lanier, Director of

Generation

721 Barton Springs Road

Austin, Texas -78704

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City Public Service Board

ATTN:

R. J Costello/M. T. Hardt

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P.O. Box'1771

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San Antonio, Texas 178296

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'Newman & Holtzinger, P. C.

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ATTN: Jack R. Newman, Esql

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.1615 L Street, NW.

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Washington, D.C.

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Central Power and Light Company-

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' ATTN:. R. P. Verret/D. E. Ward

P.O. Box 2121-

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. Corpus Christi,. Texas 78403

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INP0

Records Center-

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1100 Circle 75 Parkway

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Atlanta, Georgia ' 30339-3064

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Mr.' Joseph M.LHendrie

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l50 Bellport' Lane-

!Bellport, New York 11713

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Bureau'of Radiation Control

. State of, Texas

1101 West 49th Street

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iAustin,: Texas 78756

Judge, Matagorda' County

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'Matagorda County Courthouse

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. 1700 Seventh Street

Bay. City, Texas 77414-

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~ Licensing Representative

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. Houston: Lighting ~& Power Company

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iSuite 610

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1Three Metro. Center

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~Bethesda, Maryland 20814

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H'ouston Lighting & Power Company

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ATTN:

Rufus S. Scott,. Associate

General Counsel

P.O. Box 61867-

Houston, Texas 77208

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U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission

ATTN:

Resident' Inspector-

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P.O. Box 910:

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' Bay City,' Texas 77.414

U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission .

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ATTN:

Regional Administrator, Region IV

'611 Ryan Plaza Drive, Suite 1000

Arlington, Texas 76011

Chief, Technological. Hazards Branch

FEMA Region 6

Federal Center

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800 North Loop 288-

'Denton, Texas 76201-3698-

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