ML20056B203
| ML20056B203 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Site: | Quad Cities, 05505043  |
| Issue date: | 08/01/1990 |
| From: | Bechhoefer C, Kline J, Linenberger G Atomic Safety and Licensing Board Panel |
| To: | DICKHERBER, R.L., NRC OFFICE OF THE GENERAL COUNSEL (OGC) |
| References | |
| CON-#390-10696, CON-#390-10697 90-609-02-OM, 90-609-2-OM, 90-610-01-SC, 90-610-1-SC, EA-90-031, EA-90-032, EA-90-31, EA-90-32, LBP-90-28, OM, SC, NUDOCS 9008150192 | |
| Download: ML20056B203 (8) | |
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UbNiiC UNITED STATES OF AMERICA l
NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION
'90 AUG -3 Ao 23 ATOMIC SAFETY AND LICENSING BOARD Before Administrative Judgest Nen i w; j, 'p.y, v 3:.- -
tr-r, Charles Bechhoefer, Chairman Dr. Jerry R. Kline Gustave A. Linenberger, Jr.
GERVED AUG - 3 >,
In the Matter of Docket No. 55-5C43-SC Robert L. Dickherber ASLBP No. 90-610-01-SC e
(Senior Operator License Limitad To Fuel Handling, EA 90-031 No. SOP-2365-8)
In the Matter of Docket Nos. 50-254-OM h
and 50-265-OM Commonwealth Edison Co.
(QJad Cities Nuclear Power ASLBP No. 90-609-02-OM Station, Facility Operating License Nos.
August 1, 1990 MEMORANDUM AND ORDER (Acorovina Settlement Aareement and Terminatina Proceedinas)
These proceedings involve two enforcement orders issued by the NRC Staff, both emanating from an incident occurring 3
on October 17, 1989, during refueling operations at the Quad Cities Nuclear Power Plant, involving Mr. Robert L.
Dickherber, holder of a Senior Operator License Limited to l
Fuel Handling.
Mr. Dickherber allegedly directed a refueling crew to perform an unauthorized fuel manipulation to correct a fuel load error.
Moreover, control room 0 V gBigo
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, i personnel allegedly were not notified of the fuel manipulation, as required by governing procedures.
As a result, the NRC Staff issued the two enforcement orders (1) an order suspending Mr. Dickherbir's license and ordering him to show cause why his licensa should not be revoked, and (2) an order to modify the Quad Cities Nuclear Plant facility license to prohibit Mr. Dickherber from participating in "any licensed activity."
55 Fed. Reg. 7798, 7797 (March 5, 1990).
Because we found Mr. Dickherber to be adversely affected by both orders, we admitted him tc both proceedings by our f
Memorandum and Order dated May 4, 1990 (unpublished).
On May 4, 1990, we also issued a Notice of Hearing for both proceedings.
55 Fed. Reg. 19684-85 (May 10, 1990).
On April 13, 1990, Mr. Dickherber filed an answer to both enforcement orders.
In the aforementioned May 4, 1990 Memorandum and Order, we provided that the NRC Staff should respond to Mr. Dickherber's answer by June 1, 1990.
We also invited Commonwealth Edison Co. to file a response.
By Memorandum and Order dated May 9, 1990, and thereafter by Memorandum and Order dated July 2, 1990, we granted joint motions of all parties to defer the filing dates for answers to July 9, 1990 and July 30, 1990, respectively.
The deferrals were tc permit settlement negotiations between the parties and, in addition, would permit responses to a supplemental answer filed by Mr. Dickherber on June 1, 1990.
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on July 30, the Staff forwarded for our approval a i
joint motion of Mr. Dickherber and the NRC Staff for approval of a Settlement Agreement.
The motion states that Commonwealth Edison Co., the facility licensee, does not oppose the notion.
In situations such as that presented by these proceedings, where a Notice of Hearing has been issued, we are authorized to approve termination of a proceeding on the basis of a settlement agreement, "according due weight to the position of the staff."
10 C.F.R. S 2.203.
The Settlement Agreement forwarded to us provides L
several discrete conditions.
First, Mr. Dickherber admits the allegations of fact set forth in both orders and withdraws his request for a hearing as to these orders.
Second, the Staff indicates that it has concluded that
-the October 17, 1989 incident appears to have been an isolated event, based on Mr. Dickherbor's answer and supplemental answer, two letters (dated June 4, 1990 and July 11, 1990) to Region III, NRC, submitted by Commonwealth Edison concerning Mr. Dickherber's past performance and his acceptance of Commonwealth Edison's " Individual Performance Monitoring and Improvement Plan" (Remediation Program), and an enforcement conference on July 13, 1990.
On the same basis, the Staff has concluded that Mr. Dickherber has properly carried out responsibilities in the past, i
understands the gravity of his actions on October 17, 1989, I
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.o i is committed to avoid a repetition of such actions and is willing to participate in the Remediation Program, and accordingly that Mr. Dickherber's license should not be revoked.
Third, the Staff finds that successful completion of the Remediation Program by Mr. Dickherber should provide the requisite reasonable assurance for Mr. Dickherber's resuming licensed activities and that the Regional Administrator of Region III will relax as necessary the condition in the Quad cities plant operating licenses prohibiting Mr. Dickherber's participation in licensed activities, provided that Mr. Dickherber participates in the Remediation Program.
The agreement further states that commonwealth Edison has agreed to notify the Regional Administrator, Region III, promptly if Mr. Dickherber should cease participation in the Remediation Program.
Finally, the agreement states that upon successful completion of the Remediation Program, as determined by the i
Staff, but no sooner than March 17, 1991, the Staff will withdraw its order suspending Mr. Dickherber's license and the Region III Administrator will terminate the condition in the Quad cities facility license precluding Mr. Dickherber from performing licensed activities.
At our request, the Staff on July 31, 1990, forwarded to the Board copies of the two letters from commonwealth Edison, including the Remediation Program.
The letters
included an evaluation of Mr. Dickherber's work history for the past 25 years, together with the results of a satisfactory medical evaluation performed by commonwealth Edison.
The Remediation Program seeks to implement a staged return of Mr. Dickherber to various productive work activities, under diminishing levels of supervision.
Commonwealth Edison states, however, that it will "most assuredly seek the concurrence of Region III before reassigning (Mr. Dickherber) to SROL (Senior Reactor Operator License) duties." (Letter to Region III, NRC, dated July 11, 1990, at 2.)
The Board regards this agreement as fair to both parties, taking into account the isolated nature of the incident as well as the seriousness of Mr. Dickherber's failure to notify appropriate officials promptly of the incident.
With reference to the criteria in 10 C.F.R.
S 2.203, the settlement accords due weight to the position of the Staff, which has stated that termination of the proceeding on the basis of the Settlement Agreement is in the public interest.
On that basis, we are approving the settlement Agreement and terminating both proceedings subject to that agreement.
For the foregoing reasons, it is, this first day of August, 1990 ORDERED
I,
l 1.
The Settlement Agreement between Mr. Robert L.
Dickherber and the NRC Staff, governing both proceedings before us, is hereby approved, i
2.
Pursuant to 10 C.F.R. $ 2.203, the two proceedings i
are terminata.d, subjuct to the terms and conditions of the 1
Settlement Agreement.'
l 3.
This final order is effective immediately and, as provided by 10 C.F.R.
S 2.760, becomes the final action of the Commission 30 days after its date.
THE ATOMIC SAFETY AND LICENSING BOARD sbs 4
r CharfesBechhoefer,Cpirman ADMINISTRATIVE JUDGE h
kr.Jerr9L.K1'ine ADMINISTRATIVE JUDGE
()/w,<
L4 e
e,t eGuhtave A. Linehtdrger, Jr.
ADMINISTRATIVE JUDGE Bethesda, Maryland l
August 1,.1990 1
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IBecause the form of the Settlement Agreement submitted for our approval had not yet been signed by all parties, our termination of the proceedings is subject to the approval (and signatures) of all parties or their representatives to the Settlement Agreement unchanged from that provided to us.
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