ML20058E627
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'JUN l'2 19Bf dEMORANDUM FOR:
R. C. DeYoung, Deputy Director, Office of Inspection and Enforcement FROM:
James G. Keppler, Director, Region III
SUBJECT:
STATUS OF ZIMMER INVESTIGATION Per your request, attached is a summary for the Commission of the present status of the Zimmer investigation.
James G. Keppler Director
Attachment:
As stated 8207300131 820609 PDR FOIA DEVINE82-206 PDR
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STATUS OF ZIMMER INVESTIGATION June 12, 1981 l
9 the By letter dated January 5, 1981, to the Office of Personnel Management, Government Accountability Project (GAP) of the Institute for Policy Studies (o non-government agency) alleged improper construction and quality assurance practices at Cincinnati Gas and Electric Company's Zimmer construction site and charged that NRC (Region III) had failed to perform a thorough and com-glete investigation of earlier allegations made by a Mr. Thomas Applegate.
OIA was instructed Nineteen allegations were contained in the GAP package.
by Chairman Ahearne to initiate an investigation into the performance of Region III regarding the earlier allegations, and Region III initiated an investigation into the nineteen allegations provided by GAP and some addi-tional related allegations provided by an ex-construction quality control From the start the overall investigation broadened considerably inspector.
as a result of new allegations learned through interviews with workers and ex-workers and, to date, ten NRC inspectors and investigators have spent over 1500 manhours onsite and interviewed over 90 individuals in connection with the investigation.
While some of the nineteen GAP allegations have been fully or partially sub-
- However, stantiated, they have not proven to be of major safety importance.
the broadened investigation has identified major quality assurance weaknesses and some construction deficiencies.
The most significant construction problem identified to date involves unacceptable welds in structural beams.
- However, another problem of major consequence involves widespread concerns regarding the accuracy of many quality records and this matter is being investigated by OIA for possible referral to the Department of Justice.
Region III issued an Immediate Action Letter on April 8, 1981, to Cincinnati Gas and Electric Company for work remaining at the site to give increased assurance that the work is accomplished in accordance with regulatory It required substantially more involvement in quality control requirements.
inspection and the quality assurance program by Cincinnati Gas and Electric l
Followup inspections by the Senior Resident Inspector and Company personnel.
specialist inspectors from the Region III office have confirmed implementation of the requirements of the letter. The results of the ongoing investigation will determine if actions beyond those specified in our April 8,1981, letter are needed to assure that continuing construction is acceptable.
By letter dated May 11, 1981, GAP informally requested the Region III Director to recommend suspension of the Construction Permit.
Based on assessment of the investigation findings to date and recent inspection findings, Region III has taken the position that suspension of construction activities is not However, Region III has determined that a comprehensive effort warranted.
Actions to will be required to verify the quality of existing construction.
be taken by the licensee to verify the adequacy of past work, as well as independent measurements to be taken by NRC, are being developed.
An interim investigation report, summarizing the important findings, is expected to be issued in July.
A news conference or public meeting, relative to issuance of the report, is being considered. Completion of the overall l
investigation, including a final report, is not expected before this Fall.
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