ML20059L055

Responds to Util Requesting NRC to Exercise Its Discretion Not to Enforce Compliance W/Required Actions in TS Section 4.1.A,Table 4.1.1.Informs of NRC Intention to Exercise Discretion for Period 940120-22

ML20059L055
Person / Time
Site:	Peach Bottom
Issue date:	01/26/1994
From:	Cooper R NRC OFFICE OF INSPECTION & ENFORCEMENT (IE REGION I)
To:	Danni Smith PECO ENERGY CO., (FORMERLY PHILADELPHIA ELECTRIC
References
94-1-001, 94-1-1, NUDOCS 9402030083
Download: ML20059L055 (4)

Text

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_ JAN 2 61994 ,

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i Docket No. 50-277 NOED No. 94-1-001 ,

Mr. D. M. Smith '

Senior Vice President-Nuclear PECO Energy Nuclear Group Headquarters Correspondence Control Desk -

P. O. Box 195 Wayne, Pennsylvania 19087-0195

SUBJECT:

NOTICE OF ENFORCEMENT DISCRETION FOR PECO ENERGY COMPANY REGARDING PEACH BOTTOM ATOMIC POWER STATION, UNIT 2 By letter dated January 24, 1994, PECO Energy Company requested the U.S. Nuclear .

Regulatory Commission (NRC) to exercise its discretion not to enforce compliance.with the required actions in Technical Specification (TS) Section 4.1. A, Table 4.1.1, " Functional Testing of Main Steam Line (MSL) High Radiation Monitors", for Unit 2 of the Peach Bottom Atomic Power Station (PBAPS). You verbally informed the NRC on January 20,1994, that PBAPS Unit 2 would not be in compliance with the weekly surveillance test on the "B" and "D" MSL' radiation monitors as required by the above referenced TS, including the 3 race period. You requested enforcement discretion (ED) to suspend the requirement for the weekly surveillance because performance of the test during the state-wide power emergency (brought about by extreme cold accompanied by wind, ice, and snow) was considered to have the potential to .

increase the' possibility of causing an accidental scram of the reactor and subsequent loss of generating capacity. Loss of Unit 2's generating capacity during the peak electrical load condition existent at the time could have jeopardized the stability of the electrical distribution grid.

You provided as justification for continued operation the fact that the proposed ED to TS 4.1. A, Table 4.1.1, did not involve a significant hazards consideration because operation of PBAPS with the change did not involve a significant increase in the probability or consequences of an accident previously analyzed, did not create the possibility of a new or different type of accident ,

from any accident previously evaluated, and it did not involve a significant reduction in a margin of safety. In addition, you identified compensatory measures to include the fact that all  ;

operating crews would be notified of the TS ED and that the TS surveillance requirement had not been satisfied, and the fact that approved procedures existed which addressed MSL high radiation conditions for conditions when the monitors fail to perform as expected.

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- '" JM 2 61994 Mr. D. M. Smith 2 i Based on our review of yourjustification, including the compensatory measures identified above, we have concluded that this course of action involves minimum or no safety impact, and we are clearly satisfied that this exercise of enforcement discretion is warranted from a 'public health and safety perspective. Therefore, it is our intention to exercise discretion not to enforce '

compliance with the surveillance requirement of TS 4.1.A, Table 4.1.1, for the period from January 20 to January 22,1994 at 1900 hours0.022 days <br />0.528 hours <br />0.00314 weeks <br />7.2295e-4 months <br />. The NRC, Region I, verbally approved ED to '

the TS on January 20, 1994, based on information you provided us at that time and now formally documented in your letter of January 24,1994. This letter is being issued to formally document the ED that was granted verbally on January 20,1994.

Sincerely, Ori@rd SISM@ ._ a Richard W. Cooper, II, Director Division of Reactor Projects cc:

J. Doering, Chairman, Nuclear Review Board G. Rainey, Vice President, Peach Bottom Atomic Power Station W. H. Smith, Vice President, Nuclear Services Department G. Cranston, General Manager, Nuclear Engineering Division C. Schaefer, External Operations - Nuclear, Delmarva Power & Light Co.

G. Edwards, Plant Manager, Peach Bottom Atomic Power Station  ;

A. J. Wasong, Manager, Experience Assessmc.at G. A. Hunger, Jr., Manager, Licensing Section  !

J. W. Durham, Sr., Senior Vice President and General Counsel -

J. A. Isabella, Director, Generation Projects Department, Atlantic Electric B. W. Gorman, Manager, External Affairs R. McIzan, Power Plant Siting, Nuclear Evaluations D. Poului, Secretary of Harford County Council R. Ochs, Maryland safe Energy Coalition J. H. Walter, Chief Engineer, Public Service Commission of Maryland Public Document Room (PDR)

Local Public Document Room (LPDR)

Nuclear Safety Inforrr.ation Center (NSIC)

K. Abraham, PAO NRC Resident Inspector Commonwealth of Pennsylvania TMI - Alert (TMIA)  :

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W. Russell, NRR J. Lieberman, OE  :

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J. Wiggins, DRS R. Cooper, DRP W. Lanning, DRP E. Wenzinger, DRP C. Anderson, DRP i R. Temps, DRP W. Schmidt, SRI '

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