ML20059K173

Summary of 940121 Meeting W/Utils Re Results of Operational Readiness Assessment Team Insp at Plant.Various Deficiencies Noted.Media Representatives in Attendance

ML20059K173
Person / Time
Site:	South Texas
Issue date:	01/27/1994
From:	Kokajko L Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation
To:	Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation
References
NUDOCS 9402010383
Download: ML20059K173 (3)

Text

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• ** g 4 "fG ye .y 0 )*/ E UNITED STATES

{"  ! NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION

4. p WASHINGTON. D C. 20555-0001

+...= January 27, 1994 Docket Nos. 50-498 and 50-499 i LICENSEE: Houston Lighting and Power Company, et al. (HL&P or the licensee)

FACILITY: South Texas Project, Units 1 and 2 l

SUMMARY

OF MEETING BETWEEN HOUSTON LIGHTING AND POWER COMPANY AND THE USNRC TO DISCUSS THE RESULTS OF THE OPERATIONAL READINESS ASSESSMENT TEAM INSPECTION '

The subject meeting was held on January 21, 1994, at the South Texas Project facility. The purpose of the meeting was to discuss the findings of the Operational Readiness Team (0 RAT) inspection at the South Texas Project.

Media representatives were in attendance.

The findings of the ORAT inspection may be grouped in terms of potential deficiencies, for which enforcement may be pursued by Region IV, observations, and strengths. The licensee made various commitments over the course of the inspection which were summarized at the meeting.

Deficiencies: Various deficiencies were noted by the ORAT, some of more significance than others. Deficiencies were noted in the configuration management program, corrective action program (station problem reports, trending, etc.), technical specification interpretation process, and the 10 CFR 50.59 screening process. Additionally, deviations were identified regarding the cold overpressure protection technical specification,. failure to demonstrate pressure operated relief valve operability from the control room, i and uncontrolled storage of temporary equipment. The team found insufficient l procedural control of important plant instrumentation, and the lack of l procedural control in making steps within a procedure "not applicable." The ORAT did notice in the second portion of the inspection period that the post maintenance testing program had improved.

Observations: The ORAT identified vague and misleading plant procedures which could potentially challenge plant operators. The team also noticed that station problem report evaluations were not always done by the best qualified individual.

Strenaths: The ORAT noticed many strengths of the licensee. Among those are:

control room operations and control room operator qualifications; site-wide performance indicators; licensee self assessment; good morale and staff attitude supportive of plant management and the inclination to raise concerns; and the material condition of the plant. It was also noted that there was distinct evidence of management presence and involvement, which was seen down at the working level, increasing the sense of plant " ownership" among all levels of plant personnel.

94020103B3 940107 PDR ADDCK 05000498 P PDR O 310051 l {)\ I NE FRE CMEii M?Y

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HL&P Commitments: The licensee committed to various items during the ORAT inspection. These commitments are: implement a configuration management action plan; .. improve station problem report monitoring and trending (including categorization and root cause analysis); improve 10 CFR 50.59 screening process (including training); reduce technical sp'ecification interpretations; j review surveillance testing program weaknesses; assess motor operated valve  ;

issues; and evaluate potential technical specification violations and administrative controls.

Finally, the ORAT stated that pending the results of some of the evaluations which are still ongoing regarding the above deficiencies, none of the team's findings are considered serious enough in themselves to prohibit a timely restart of South Texas Project, Unit 1. The ORAT encouraged the licensee to monitor, implement and improve processes, programs, and procedures. .The ORAT will issue a detailed inspection report in approximately six weeks.

Original Signed By 1 Lawrence E. Kokajko, Senior Project Manager Project Directorate IV-2 Division of Reactor Projects III/IV/V r cc: See next page DISTRIBUTION Docket FileE OGC ,

NRC & Local PDRs EJordan PDIV-2 R/F ACRS (10)

TMurley JMitchell, R-IV '

FMiraglia WJohnson, R-IV JRoe GImbro JZwolinski JJacobson EAdensam PKoltay ,

LKokajko MSatorius EPeyton OFFICE PDIV-2/LA . PJ/lF2/PM ,1fd1V-2 /D NAME EetN TKokajko:mk SBlack DATE 016494 01/fj94 / 01/Ji/94 / / ' / /

0FFICIAL RECORD COPY / FILEffAME: B:\0RA1.STP

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l cc w/ enclosures Mr. David P. Loveless Jack R. Newman, Esq. l Senior Resident Inspector Newman & Holtzinger, P.C.  !

U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission 1615 L Street, N.W.

P. O. Box 910 Washington, D.C. 20036 Bay City, Texas 77414 Licensing Representative i Mr. J. C. Lanier/M. B. Lee Houston Lighting and Power Company City of Austin Suite 610 Electric Utility Department Three Metro Center 721 Barton Springs Road Bethesda, Maryland 20814 Austin, Texas 78704  !

Bureau of Radiation Control Mr. K. J. Fiedler State of Texas Mr. M. T. Hardt 1101 West 49th Street Central Public Service Board Austin, Texas 73756  !

P. O. Box 1771 San Antonio, Texas 78296 Rufus S. Scott Associate General Counsel Mr. G. E. Vaughn Houston Lighting and Power Company Mr. T. M. Puckett P. O. Box 61867 Central Power and Light Company Houston, Texas 77208 P. O. Box 2121 Corpus Christi, Texas 78403 Mr. William T. Cottle Group Vice-President, Nuclear INP0 Houston Lighting & Power Company Records Center South Texas Project Electric 700 Galleria Parkway Generating Station Atlanta, Georgia 30339-3064 Post Office Box 289 Wadsworth, Texas 77483 Regional Administrator, Region IV U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission Joseph R. Egan, Esq.

611 Ryan Plaza Drive, Suite 1000 Shaw, Pittman, Potts & Trowbridge Arlington, Texas 76011 2300 N. Street N.W.

Washington, D.C. 20037 Mr. Joseph M. Hendrie 50 Bellport Lane Be11 port, New York 11713 Judge, Mr. .gorda County Matagorda County Courthouse 1700 Seventh Street Bay City, Texas 77414 Mr. James J. Sheppard General Manager, Nuclear Licensing Houston Lighting and Power Company P. O. Box 289 Wadsworth, Texas 77483 I