ML20078N723

Comments on Developments in Investigations of Allegations. Opportunity to Submit Input & Initiation of Investigative Effort Requested

ML20078N723
Person / Time
Site:	San Onofre, Midland, 05000000
Issue date:	09/06/1982
From:	Garde B GOVERNMENT ACCOUNTABILITY PROJECT
To:	James Keppler NRC OFFICE OF INSPECTION & ENFORCEMENT (IE REGION III)
Shared Package
ML20077K923	List: ML20077K919 ML20078N720 ML20078N723 ML20078N727
References
NUDOCS 8311020170
Download: ML20078N723 (14)

Text

~,

g N A0lulY PROJECT EXIIIBIT 82

!astiMe for P:licy Stud!:s 1901 Gu? 5:{ eat. N.W., WOshingtOn D.C. 20009 f.

(202)23d 738.

September 6, 1982 v

\\

Mr.Jameshoppker'

\\

s Director, Region III I

U. S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission

• 199 Roosevelt Road

~

)

Glen Ellyn, Illinois 60137

Dear Mr. Keppler:

[

/

As y0u know, Acccuntability Project

'(" GAP"),the Citizens Clinic for Accountable Government of t e Goverranent CAP investigators have completed an intensiv the Midland <ast.

investigation into worker allegations on the Midland sit Clinic staff have worked closely with citizens e.

Further, citizens i

Midlan4 plant. organizations to determine the level of anxiety and publi, local

)

position as one of the fiveOur findings have confirmed that tha plant qualifics fc o i

worst in the nation.

or its ri In June of this year I was impressed by your announc special investigation t'eam to deal with Midland's intenseement of plans to begi Q

conversation with Mr. Norelius problems.

In a q

of that special investigation team.. investigation I requested the B

h anning submitted the original set of siy. allegations to your officMuch has happened I

the arrival of the promised special investigation t

[

Unfortunately, e.

• these happenings.

eam has not been one of 4

Admittedly, loth GAP and Region III have had an int two months.

to our clients and the Project.However, a number of developments recently a in this letter, as well as a nur.ber of administrative mattI am taking the liberty concern

, to your clarification and/or response.

ers.

I look forward I.

The Zack Corocration as recards the Midl'and Nuclear P ower Station Although your office has expended a great deal of time in the Heating, Ventillating and Air Conditioning ("HVAC")on the probleme iden plant, I am not aware of any ongoing efforts at the Midland site system at the LaSalle the three-plant examination.^%' "- enwealth Edison's situation at LaSa I am aware ority item in an investigation into the actions by Consumers Power Ccmpany's Hi QJality Assurance Department

("MPCAD").

and Project D

The facts in the Midland case reiterate the lessons of Zirxner and LaSalle.

our experiences at MPQAD is not an effective substitute for a strong NPC

.inspectica program; instead, as Mr. Terry Ecuard and 'the Zack Q 8311020170 830620

, - %. ) {

PDR ADOCK 05000361 v

c G

PDR

. - -. ~.- ~ : ~

~

r, 6

=.

i I

o Mr. James Keppler l

• September 6, 1982 i

discovered, MPQAD is worthless in protecting workers

}

l g

If there had cver been a second thought in your mind as to th t

Company drive to have Midland mogt its Dow Chemical deadlin e Consumers Powar the bigger price tag it may have,.for public health and saf t e, regardless of should have scaled your conclusions.

e y, thu Zack incident in 1930, they were the first. utility of the three aff e c enc 3 having an entire month loriger than Cornonwealth Edison and Illi o be contacted, Light.

~

nois Power r.nd breakdown by supplying an c: ployee, Mr. Howard Mc i

on of 1.he QA

/

audit.

This is a sickening example of manipulating the regulatory, to pe serve the utility.

initiative to take appropriate action at the Midland siteI am dee process to At a recent meeting with C'mmonwealth Edison over their 'futu 2ack allegations, you imposed a third-party audit because re handling of the i

public has lost confidence in Comed's ability to give open unbiased i f you indicated that the t

to either the MP.C or the public about problems.

?

n ormation was destroyed long befor,e the latest Zack incident. Consumers Power's credibility y

confirms thq public's mistrust of a utility caught in a " Catch 22"This latest y

(Attachment 1, at 9.)

{

I would defer this letter to a later date.If the situation at Mid contract.

0 time at Midland has run out.

Unfortunately the. luxury of extra peterioratodaily.

According to our sources, co,nditions at Midland II.

y

, The Syste:.atic Appraisal of License 6 Performance ("SALP") rati ng debate Consumers Power Company has been quite demonstrat'ive toward y regards to the 1931 SALP ratings they received.

our office in

' n defensive positions.

Although I have a deep appreci tiintent is to keep bo i

f ps as busy as possible the construction quality at Midland.do so, nevertheless it does

~

on for their need to a

r guaranteeing The recent meeting held on the SALP rating debate 1

nothing to to cease their bantering about the deserved low SALP ratings y spokespersons paper 'took exception to the !.'RC's focus on the SALP debate Even the local Inaccurate and far too generous.It 's our position that the SALP rati (Attachment 2.)

, VI, was totally merely agreed to transfer the paperwork responsibility to the ut They has an even greater vested interest in the 'utccme of the monitcring

, which work.

In fact, o

down to questions that Region III has not yet asked:the bot.tomline ack's 8

l.

t

s s

Mr. Jammo Kopplcr Setrember 6, 1982 t

1)

Voy didn't conomero Power report the Zack OA b. nkd:,wn to the imC in the fal'l of 19817 o

Ehe'n.did the Zack problems become apparent to the !GC (Regional kg 2) or on-site) following the Dartey investigations?

Under what circumstances?

3) Will the independent., audit apply to Midland also*/

If not, why?

If it does, under what arrangements?

,III.

The recent reeting between Mr. James roster, ERC Investigator former Midland worker, and

~

, recently contacted me with concerns about the status of the investigation into his allegations about the Midland Nuclear Power Station.

His concerns are well. founded and I have agreed to contact you directly con-

, cerning the Midland investigation.

This letter represents the joint ccmments of and cyself.

hag an impressive and credible background.

He has been a welder for almost two decades, rising to a position of respect and confidence among his preferricnal peers.

His information is iron-clad.

three other workers submitted affidavits on Midland.Two months ago, he and Last week made a personal trip to the Glen Ellyn office to check on the status of the investi-gation into his allegations.

shock me -- I wish it did.

What he discovered shocked him.

It does not

~

. met with Mr. James roster. The meeting was taped.

During the 1 -hour

• meeting, ~

detailed the inherent welding problems at Midland.

He detailed with diagrros extensive problems with fillet welds and described the inspection Es explained that his affidavit to GAP was only an overview of the errors.

problems et Midland and that he was anxious to give explicit details -- about Midland, Palisades and the San Onofre plants he had worked on.

However, he was told that it would be months before he was recontadted, and only to answer specific questions that might arise.

It is intolerable and inex: usable for Region III to continue.to deal with nuclear witnesses as distant. observers.

volunteered to poiYt out to the NRC on the site,the areas where the welding problems were rmt extensive.

Yet, he was told that nuclear witnesses can't go on the conctructica site to identify the problemsl An incredulous Staterent in the light of the LaSalle worker tours and the involvement of Mr. Howard and Ms. Marello in the Zack investigation.

Finally he was told that Region III would get to Midland when it had time.

Mr. Keppler, if Regicn III doesn't have time for Midland now, it will be i

I necessiry. to have enough time for another Zimmer later.

I am not challenging your priorities for the past two months. But Midland's problems have to be addrersed, progotly and effectively, and I was deeply distressed at the ccmments I learned from _

l e

1 i

~l

~ ~..

~

F.r. James Kopplcr -

September 6, 1982 1 urge you to percQnally listen to the tapes of th Mr. Foster and Mr. Devine and myself, as well as toat your earlient ennvenience.e convers It appears to both the welding problems will be mandatory.

~

that an independent audit of

~ 'He is one of those protected by 'your confidenti lias you kno egations<

that, we request you consider this infermition und r hi a

ty egreement.

In keeping with name and any identifying infomation from it before releasi e

s file, or remove his I have included a copy of ng it.

Further, said.v.r. Foster did not have.

amended notarized affidavit which he (Attachment 3.)

IV.

lechtel's secrecy agreement As I have indicated to you previously, we have encou t p

intir.idation on the part of nucicar workers at th n ered a larger amount of 3

dation," unlike that encountered at Zimmer e Midland site.

Ihis "intimi-y^

of the Midland Nuclear Power Plant.misundc:: standing betwo F

erests,in the safety f

In researching the problem of workers being fearful whether your. agency repr,esentatives, GAP, or the pressof talking to g outs l

j '

l, This situation has extreme ramifications for the pre iov reach of contract."

j that gearantees protection for and, in fact m se of 10 C.F.R. 19 a

de fects.

, requires workers to report safety

)

I understr.nd that you are clarifying this situation position on this Bechtel document.

(Attachment 4.)

Please address the NRC's k

l

.p/

V.

Nuclur Regulatory Commission Investigators and the Gov l

Acccuntability Project

~

ernment I

l For the past two years c. embers of the GAP staff and yo on several nuclear cases.

ur own staff have worked taken the majority of our Project's time.Recently our efforts at Zimmer and LaSal conflicting positiene, re.pcusenting those internal nuclear witUnderstandably w not find an effective avenue for their concerns and/or dissents nesses who did this is a natural part of the " checks and balances" syst We believe em of our government.

The Government Accountability Project has attempted to b interests of our clients. assist your own investigators, while maintaining a e cooperative and to e best hi, er: pricrity.

We do place the public health and safety as our GAP's clients and other witnesses in order to convince thOften w government at all.

I am convinced that you en to deal with the,*

regard it professionally with the best intentions. understand our position, and m,

i..e Mr. Jr.mes K:pplor September'6, 1982 ic appears your best intentions may be seriously compr nised if your

wwever, staff fails to perceive their role as defenders of the public interest, not the utilities' timetables.

1 l

You have been inicious for us to aork toward a better attitude on your efforts to improve the,qua-lity of investigations. I believe'they have improved. The Zack situation was a costly, embarrassing lesson.

It has placed us in a

. difficult position in our dealings with members of your staff.

We must protect' the witnesses, from poor judgments of your investigators, as well as from the utilities' vested interest.

It's a position we would rather not he in.

Unfortunately, the ' ecent recrganization of the NRC investigators has not yet r

been clarified.

Until it has been I am unsure of where to address specific concerns raised by our clients over individual investigators.

{

I anticipate that the administrative reorganization will be explair ed chortly, and thank you ahead of time for your explanation.

e e

e e.

t In conclusion, I reiterate both GAP's two-month old plea to get the investigative effort going on the Midland site, as well as my request for the opportunity to si rake input into the structure.

I believe that now, more than ever, now investi-gators from,the Office of Investigations be appointed to the Midland case.

(

Sincerely, Q

BILLIE P. GARDE Director Citikens C1'inic for Accountable Government g

,,l t

sm/mq l

1 l

Attachments - 4

.g.

t g.

}

j

• h I

I n - nq' :

..Q."...o'.

'^G"'

' '" Y

'"~~T

[

.'.~ T ' ' ' :s E ' ~ 5

~~'

... ~.

7.-

w*

o i

2 3xmarr o..

Orange County Ndition 5-

c. C 4

pens 1

f 4=vi>d. _% p w, )k y %ey,

OMh GI Wednesday, October 13,1982 Charges byFiredEngineer AllegationsofSubstandard Welding Raised at Dnofre Dy 3011N O' DELL, Timn Staff Writer The Nuclear flegulatory Com-mission is icokmg mto chan ges that substandard welds on pipe and elec.

trical system supports at the two suhetandard welds were approved plants, a breakdown of cooling wa-in construction of critical safety ter and radioactive whter pipe sys-Systems at two of the nation's nu.

tems could result.

cicar power plants, including Sat, Onofre.The Times haslearned.

Kent described the pipe supports The N!!C has launched a full.

as critical because they are used to scale probe of welding practices at suspend piping and electrical con-the Midland. Mich., facihty and has duits. If they fall, he said, the pipes scheduled a formal in=pection at and conduits could sag and break.

San Onofre. Both plants were de.

Such weaknesses threaten the sys.

signed and bu!!t by Bechtel Power tems which cool the reactor and carry radioactive water in a closed Corp.

loep within the containment build.

The commission's actions are ining.

response to charges mr.de bv E Varl lie said he was not offering a pre.

Kent, a former !!cchtcl diction but rather a " probability **

trol engineer wb

qmmty con.

which he arrived at bated on 40 hrm in March.

years of experience in weldmg. in-Kent told The Tignes that unless clmling 17 years as a wel4ng and Ucchtel corrects "tho: sands ** of quality controlengineer.

. Please sce 0NOFRE, Ps' e 23 g

O

p[

i m,

o Coo Anndro Etmes O

ONOyKE:InquiryInto V eMing Continued from First r. age Bechtel officials denied Kent's-try "whistleblower" under a con-o fidentiality ' agreement concealing 1.fichiga'n, where he worked in the i

charges. The ffrm rnaintained that hisidentity, same capacity until December,1981, all welding work in nuclear power But he now has decided to makewhen he was transferred to the I

plants it has built has been done in strict conformance with* applicable his allegations public. Kent said he Midland plant.

codes and is designed to provide was prompted by Bechtel's denlais substantial safety margins for and by the desire to let peopicjudge us sam he W fan M ora! M -

equipment subject to severe stress.

his claims hf the context of his ex. rW ng WecWr. &nt claimed perience as a quality control en*

At Southern California Edison gineer for such firms as Dechtel.the far!er fic charge th tereas Co., operator of San Onofre, quality.

luor Corp, Boyle Engineering and he was' fired was because he wa l

assurance manager Jarlath Curran, Litton industries.

critrealof welding work at Midland.

said a review of Kent's charges Kent, who says he is " neutral

Conf act With NRC 6

about wc! ding work there has not about nuclear power,said he did not In August, Kent met with James 4

1 revealed any deficiencies in Bech-go to the NRC until after he had Foster, how acting chief ofinvesti.

b tel's design or procedures, been fired because he had consis-Ilowever, Moss Davis, an official. tently comp!ained to h!s supervisorsgations for the NRC's Chicago re-of the American Welding Society, within Bechtc! about welding at made carlier.

gion, and repeated charges he had L

I said that some of Bechtel's rules for fic!d inspection of wc!ds on supports Midland and even after being fired Foster said that his office con.

in nuclear power plants are "not wanted to give them a chance to ducted a spot inspection at Midlands g

cvon good for an outhouse."

correct the situation internally.

When he decided in September to and subsequently ordered a fullin-V >ccifically Kent accused Bech-compla n about conditions he wit.

vestigation of welding and other

'l nessed at San Onofre. Kent said. he construction practices there.

cl n et c!rq cm t went directly to Bechtel and South-The NRC offielal said last weck,

.r "h

I ein Cahfornia Edison.

however, that he had not J et re-ferred Kent's concerns about San in el!. c. led an e d e or}

Dennis Kirsch. chief of the NRC's Onofre to NRC officials in Califor-.

r thousands of piping and c!cctrical est Coast tractor inspection divi-nia.

equipment support t,caras at San sion, confirmed that Kent did not A Times review of San Onofre g

Onofre. Althnugh the weldmg so-spt ok to him about San Onofre until

" event" reports ided in the past 30 ciety a ent!c sinen not apply to safety after Bechtet and Edison had pre-months with the NRC by Southern related systems in nuclear plants, pared a report that said his a!!cga-Califorrua Edison shows that Edison Kent clauns that it should becauseit tions were " unsubstantiated."

is the most strmgent code availabic.

Kirsch said that he discounted inspections in Unit I have revealed Ile charged that American Socie-Kent's allegations after reading the at least one cracked weld en a pres-ty of Mcchanical Engineers codes Edison.Dechte! report last rnonth surized steam pipe, inadequate but that after talking directly with welds on several cooling water 1

eket th ern r Kent last week has decided to order pipes inside the reactor contain-ment dome and the failure of welds tematica!!y violated at the Midland a specialinspecti n of welding work nn four cooling water pipe support plant.

at San Onofre.

I structures.

Kent clairned that weakened Timing Not Revealed I

weldt can result in both cases.

Edison quality assurance nana.

lie also said t!'at wclders at Snri Ile would not reveal when the 8er Curran confirmed last week,

Onofre units 2 and 'l citen us:d a NRC mspection team woulc! visit that none of the wc!ds were rein-l the North San Diego County facili-forced with the end returns Kent pipe.euttmg tnot rather than the ty, claimed are necessary to reinforce approved rnarking device to in-scribe lines on piping.

Curran said Tuesday that Edison pipe and e!cetrical equipment sup-13 When a cutting tont is used to in-willing to Ict Kent into San ports against earthquake damage.

Onofre to point out wc! ding prob.

There also were several welding scribe lines, Kent said, the resulting Icm3 If the NRC approvcs the idea.

prebiems reported on Unit 2 where groove can be much deeper than The NRC's. Kirsch could not be major construction was wrapped up I

necessary and can damage the pipes reached for comment.

carlict this year and which has been themselves-an especially critical situatinn because many ut the pipes Kent began working for Bechtel placed in operation for tests prior to carry steam and radioactive water.

at San Onofre and from October, being run up to full capacity in Jan.

Kent first contacted NRC investi-19S0. until August,1981, he was a uary.

senior quality control engineer at Those problems, however, were I

gators in Chicago about two months all three of the imits there.

characterized as normal faults that I

after he was fired. Since then. he' IIe then was transferred to the were found by Edison and Bechtel

'es been treated as a nuclear indus-Ecchtct bmit Palisades plant in inspectors and that were repaired 1

l

~

l l

l l

1

~~ =<, x

.,...4 g

R Wedncsday. October 13.1982/P:stt i 23 kh, Y

A

, m e. n j. :;. m g, ng..... wg g,ic j J, W.4

!Ng m.

,9>

..@"O. :

_.' Q. p d ;. 1.k 8

r: :

~

nr. a. w.u%

~

.t.

f a.. p $ p 'f,. % %3L%c ;.,...

? J a = c.

gg f.7Y

,l.

i;w h

h p..?-

Ef hfl w[ euhh!.i - ll.!;Y l

< k.j

...s

.w.y;.p4>d~d.s -

i;)

r

. 'y. A \\

.%.n u

t

.L,

. e 4.n:

1

~

e X./.- L m !!

J..

,e...:

p-f;r#g[gg.g

[j.sy,-[M_A./.:

e

',.s p

.f f.*,x f _\\ {}a t

i>

h<.s j',"

(br'

(

i ] _hY r--

s'in~ //'N Attegat.

C.

1

{; ~1 ions regarding possible defective welding procedures ha im xrts i to ueci.n e. *a*

before the plant was started up.

The review of event reports did welding "would be eliminated" If v..

not turn up any welding-related the American Welding Society "All of the work is done in accorf '#

codes took precedence over the dance with the ASME code... all'j" Problems at Unit 3.

Edicen said none of the faulty.

ASMEcode.

of the welders who execute these". ~

wc!dsin Unit I represented a safety One item that NRC Investigators welds are qualified in the ASMR*

code. In our analysis of piping sys.~

problem, although allare thought to in both California and Michigan have been defective since installed were concerned with is a Bechtet tems we do incorporation vibration. 3 thermal leads and seismic loads In the early IDCOs.

document establishing rules for ac-the welds that are shown on so'.,.

ceptance of visually inspected the *,,

Kent's allegations appear to stern welds in support teams for pipes drawing are the result of considera.

• I from his training in the regulations and electrical equipment in nuclear tion of all these factors," Brown of the American Welding Society P ants.

said.

l Code, which governs structural-Several items in the document But, when The Times obtained a d welding but is not used by the NRC cppear to be at odds with prudent cepy of the prueedures and read.

as the code for the w elding cf piping wf! ding practice. NRC officials told them to NRC officials in California.-

and pipe supports in nuclear niantt The Times, and Michigan. they expressed sur.-

For welding in that area, the 3

(

NRC requires construction firms

.A ccording to Code' prise that they would be used in a.;.

(

"# E'*"I' and designers to apply the Ameri-Dut Dechtel offielais in Los An-

"If they are what they seem to be.. '

can Society of Mechanical En-geles, including chief pfant design then we will certainly look into,

gineers'nucicar code.

engineer Laimn Brown them." said Kirsch. chief of the-(.a.

John Co!! ins, senior metallurgist the company's rufes are. said that NRC's Region 5 reactor project set based on with the NRC's engineering and code interpretations published by clon in San Francisco.

the ASME.

Kent has met with officials of the ~.-

quality arsurance division in Mary-Orange County Chapter of Alliance

• land. described the codes as "very in addition. Brown said. the welds for Survival, an anti nuefcar group *.a different."

are all tested by tearing them apart that hopes to use Kent's information *1: 3 11e said he believes many ques-and subjecting the rnetal to stress in its bid to overturn the NRC's re m i

tions about the adequacy of nuclear analysis before they are approved cent decision to grant an operating.'."-

for use in the field.

license for Units 2 and 3 at San'.'

Onofre.

@ N*-N.6.D

m...;_;r..&n~.

w g r.m n

w.

.~.m C00 Angelc0 dime 1

Tp 1

Thurday, October 14,1982 y

I O

'M l

,,,, y Q

Groups a('ge4:,

m'1

.c x

GAP has been representing Earl Kent, a former Bechtel Power i ("r !

Corp. employee. since he leveled 91 0fo o L 4GCll g,,,,.

Local News ~t e

'h*'8 'b "' '"b't*"d*'d "d'"8

~--

at the Mid!and Mich.. power

,e:..

Editon,al Pages i

4 1 t NRC inspectors aner being fired Nuclear FoesW7 ant '.;

from his job at the plant in Mar Bechtei eesigned and buiit the

,CCf8 art !!

power plants at Midland and San 3 Congress to Check

.y.,.

_ _..,.a onorre.

4,3 Kent rnaintains that welding b Welding Charges work in several areas of both plants p-

. isinsdequate and could resultin the f,Nd**"

Critical safety sys; By JOHN O' DELL, Times Staff Writer The' Nuclear Regulatory Comi Environmental and anti nuclear :

mission has said it is investigating,

groups across the nation began call-ie..,

the allegations. But representatives a

.r.g Wednesday for a congressional.

of GAP, the Lone Tree Council in ins estigation of nuclear power plant...

g Midland. Mich. the San Diego-construction standards in the wake *...

base! Community Energy Action of a former quality control engi.

Network and the Orange County neer's charges of substandard..;

. A!!iance fcr Survival all have said q welding at plants in Michigan and a.c

.they do not believe the NRC will do 1 i California.

an adequatejob.

None of the. groups, however, Tormally requested that Congress,.;,.

~ Alliance Contacted *

)

and staff members for two....

..The Nuclear Regulatory Com /

ase subcommittees that nor. ' J '

mission should order an immediate, inally deal with nuclear power plant.~

truly independent audit of a!! three rnatters said that until such a re-units at San Onofre. and the Mid.

land plant." said E!!ie Cohen, dire questis made nothing can be done.

In addition, said Henry Meyers,,

.c torof the Alliance forSurvival.

science adviser to the House sub. E Kent approached the Alliance d committee on energy and environ

• 7, last month after his complaints y ment, "none of the congressional about welding work at San Onofre -*

committees has the resources to ge were ruled " unsubstantiated" by $

• to the bottom of theseissues....,t Bechtel and Southern California $

• The Nuclear Regulatory Com- ;

Edison Co., which operates the San I mission is charged with the respon-t Onofre plant. '

sibility of coming to grips with Edison was referring allinquiries these problems and all Congress can Wednesday to Bechtel, where a '. ~

• do is hold hearings and bring them 5'

spokesman repeated the construc-J*.

tion firm's position that Kent's f to publig attention." he said.

charges are groundless and that &

Will Draft Request Bechtel's nuclear plant work is )

Bi!!ie Garde an atterney with the "done in accordance with NRC :

Government Accountabihty Project l-licensing requirements" and in ac-g (GAP) a Washington. D.C.. based ;

. cordance with construction codes.

,g I

i private legal clinic that represents Bechtel. said spokesman Jim i

government and nuclear industry

• Mackin " welcomes and works with I

• • whistle blowers," said Wednesday

~

Please see WEl. DING Pagela d that she hoped to draft a formal re.

l quest for congressional action by R Thurday, October 14,1982/Part II.13 lthe end of the week.

WWT nTMf, factual tasis." Mackin also said that.

report and would have no commen TV L Ll>J.1 % T Bechters work at San Onofre was - until he did. A spokesman for Repk.

Continued from First Page subjected to an independent audit l'n Robert Badham (R.NewporP l

January by a technicallab affiliated Beach) said his boss would not both the owner groups (Edison and, with General Atomics Corp. and comment unless he receives an offi

• O Consumers Power Corp. In Michi.

that no problems were found.

cialbriefing.

/. -h gan) and the NRC. If there are In Orange County, which con.

NRC officials in Michigan sa!['

prcb! cms Bechtel wants to know tains the only cities that are within they have begun an investigation of-about them so that they can be cor.

San Onofre's emergency evacuation. Kent's allegations and a spokesmaM rected.

zone. there was httle congressional ' for the NRC's West Coast offief He added, however, that Bechtel reaction to Kent's charges.

offseials are " confident" that Kent's Rep. Jerry Patterson (D.Sants confirmed Wednesday that an ini

• spection of San Onofre is scheduled-charges "will be found to have no Ana) said he had not read the newt -

to begin **early next week."

, wmenwes charges T Of Construction Flaws At Two Nuclear PlanM l

O bi ti-91 o

!! has been Investigating a!!egations of con-The Nuc! car Regu!

WALL STREET JOURNAL A Wau, Stant Joenwat News Moundug, October 14, 1982 struction flaws at nuclear Mich!gan an'd Ca!Ifornia. pcwer p! ants la k

A spokesman for the NRC sald the agency is locking at the gssftAllty that I

Ecchtel Corp. whlch built the two plants, M-fowed the use,cf substandard welding dert it

[

ccnstruction. The a]!egations were made by a former quaflty contro! engineer for Bech-i tel, E. Ear i this year. l Kent, after he was fired earlfer Mich., profcct of Consumers Power Co. andThe two plants are a htid!an Southern Cafifornia Edison Co.'s San Onofre nuclear plant.

Southern Ca!!fornia Ed! son referred ques-1 (fons to Bechtel where a spokesman said Mr. Kent has ma,de various a!!ega'tlons over the past several months. He said all three concerrs investigate! Mr. Kent's cattler al legations and didn't find any suhstantial 1

S prob? cms. The In-twse invest!gatiens were

" reviewed by the NBC, whtch considers the Issues at both p! ants tiosed " Bechtel said.

g The spokesman said the telds in question 3

were on tr.etal suppor t that hefd pipes car-

)l i

ryttg various fluids ud 2!cctrical cables.

g" what Mr. Kent's more recent a!Iegations in-Bechte! said !! hasn't b I

[y volve, but a spckesman for the agency said

'n]

they also cencern substandard welding.

g y.,

'3 According to the constructionservices concern, Mr. Kent was dismissed last March g

after fal!!ng 'to pass an oral qualitycontrol o

3

' had raised questfens about scme of the weld-test. The spokesma ti g

bg prior to being dism!ssed, but "as far as we know, they were all addressed," he said.* Jackson, Mich., a Consumers Power g

In P

official said the NRC Investigated Mr.

Kent's charges abcut faulty welds at tl.e i t

I Michigan project last spring and summer.

j The official, James W. Cook, v!ce president for projects, engineering and construction, t:

said NRC and Censurners Fower we! ding ex-perts inspected the specific we!ds questioned by Mr. Kent and found nothing wTong with many of them.

g been wTitten op for repair ty the respensible**The only bad ones w g

has closed that investbum.nd he doesn'tInspector," Mr. Cook sa faulty tre!d:; at.*know of any current NRC study of allegedly Mend.

A sykesman for the West Coast regional

cffice of the NRC said the agency concluded -

one investigation of possib:e problems at didn't find anghing wrong at the facility, San Onofre ear!!ar this m the sykesman said. However, the NRC said )l it p!ans to send inspectors to the plant again I, because Mr. Kent recently contacted the agency with neiv allegations.

O The NRC said Mr. Kent's critietsms c cer= v"'t> 2 =a > or the sa=t**= c '>r r=on-i Edison fact!1ty. Neither unit is fully opern-i tional, but Unit 2 has a so caIIed " full power" license and is undergoing final test-Ing. A third, o! der unit has teen closed since -

earIIer this year for seismic modifications to the turbine building, the NRC saJd.

r L %._.i:TY; : s'Un-a v ' : l-*%aj ~=,"?:.':F': f ;;;Tjk.:25.??;.t.'~ ~ 5l%.'-;I.T'.iiC ' Y]

3 St:nty, Oct. 17, 1982 The Register A27 O-m_

t

~.. _ _._._

wh Tile week in review g

Safety faults at Onofre plant alleged TK'.C*(W@ b tor, fired by the contractor Q

y-A quality control inspec-

'4

', E

'?

i(4 S.i.'N l-last March, is blowing the

i*:W whistle' about construction 4 2.h safety at the San Onofre nu-

% 6,,.

. ? clear powerplant, according to

.,- e.

1'h 22 the Nuclear Regulatory Com-

)

-- q. ; a.,8 mission. NRC officials are in-

%(.A vestigating4 $h irregularities claims of Ly including certification of faulty welding

~

-in critical safety systems at E. Earl Kent Units 2 and 3. The Register learned that the complaints were lodged by E. Earl Kent 56, who had worked for Bechtel Power Inc., genera, contractor on the two units. Kent, who had made l

similar complaints about plant construction last ing to get rid of him because of questions he rais But Bechtel spokesmen said they were confident the investigation will find the complaints invalid.

0 l

l 1

f

-^ ~

.... ~. -

. ~.

• 1 7.y C3 b.yh*~.N.h:. \\

. c..

1

~t

!". A s.

g5,.N U

m-g~

[,.

g,.~p i f-iM;;

n

~..,

3., @7

' ?y 7t;;-

y[*

C$i ).Q

.. pp :

,Y N.

g 3:.

p

],. y.,

' ~ ~ -

T,-;

g,U ^

%;;a, 1 &

W j.;

yfy.

.c.

4 3.;

c. 3 p;

,8

w. 3

.c

p..

-4 n

e. <

M

~

l

{

gjammmmmwmmmmm d% #wLcEJAM"*"-

i Blowing whistle on San Onofre

~[ I f3." Is l" E E D -.8 P

CoStB IGHn C&Teer j-y g. oms ?

3 VM. i a a.o t

4 n..g{$s.i**e..i*h'a.

ap i

p.

t.c5Ex E *.d

~ By Do.VID KUTZMANN The company claimed that d a-:oj3.-3,g A

o c.

eo 7*

. {? o. e,,,3 p "N.c oi n 9 m sian j

.1 Professionally speaking, Earl Kent'had failed several oral a3 e Ken examinations for welding

'p*E I

b%sC 6 J5 O *seemet n u k e d his b rid g e s g

inspectors. But the Cypress

' N

.E ' 3 ' " g.e 'is S o o E E u

ea e aar. '=

ae'=g to a h-d to have put an en resident m ainta>#ed that th e real 1.

=. -

a r

Iour-deead e eareer in. reason for his dismissal last

-c8 e*

c-3b d

,d g 3 p $. ;ii {".8$ 8,D e6 y

engineering.

March stemmed from his ongoing 3$ 0 At. 3 "I really don,t know whr.t the enticism of the way welds were h

. o g g g -' ! @c 5 g @ T f uture holds for me." the bemg handled and checked in 6C-

.c o*.@.c.

S 0

57. year old Cypress resident key systems at the two nuclear.

.c E aae a o.

faciliues.

said. "I've done myself in, r.o to e % w.'.I

• 8 l

speak."

'M g S@*gTea.".JjNo*3 Sittin Wednesday in the So what could this stoic. Orange gounty offices of the

.u g

.o c C.g,

.g '.

c:q j g g,,

v ::

locking engineer with 40 years of Alliance for Survival - which welding experience possibly have has been a vocal critic of San

,. h c. [d'E o

u Z.,

o-x 8 2 d.C

• 5.," g

• _E ** g*

done to prompt such bleak ' Onofre expansion and licensing r %.-

'g i5 predictions for his personal - Kent said his decision to go g

u.c,8 p g:g j,,

.o 3

C

.J.y.B p

,3 future?

Public with his charges was 7

a s

Only this: Kent complained prompted by the lack of interest oe o-gx E x - " F E ee.

c g$".

-Ec$d' publicly to the U.S. Nuclear-which officials at Edison, Bechtel.

O oy

. S j !!

Regulatory Commission that and the Nuclear Regulatory a

a:

.Dj a o

>l pg.>E,,g{,

deficient or missing welds were. Commission had shown.

[ "E.y j i

,.5 3 e

g,,,,

creating sizable safety risks et

'T e : m too much in my life ug,',p ]go,hj u,%,8 E

.E two nuclear power plants, one Michigan and the othu.i.u,in to remain quiet," he said in the gh g.

.cp o

g ky.Tf).,8.Q:. O.w M b p w M4*

u u.ppeu wnes of someone not Onofre, three miles south of. San accustomed to explaining his

.;. og

...c. h H o E 2 s

@.6

Clemente, feelings.

(

His charges brought strong "I've seen too many mistakes, i

l denials from officials at Southern too many violations of the code,':

, California Edison Co., which Kent claimed.

owns 80 percent of the San At an earlier point in Onofre power station, and from Wednesday's interview, he I

i Bechtel Power Corp. which built explained his decision this way:

both the San Onofre and Midland, Mich., plants.

" Truth is truth, wherever you find it. Plants should be safe.'

O control engineer at both facilitiesKent worked as a quality I'm pro safety. I certainly do not want to continue with the until his firing by Bechtel earlier mistakes that have been made in this year.

(See SAN ONFORE, Page A2) l

=

=

9

r---

- - - - - - - - - ~ - -

--~g d h k h ly hC4JS o

aIUCleanDiarli ETtVOStECatEORSought.'

a

'J fly PAULRAU,.

aj nuclear %--- L 1-6 {

DallyNewsstaffwriter - l3..,

plantsowned byConsumers Pow.

er Co., and at the San Onofre nuclear The coalition also is asking that an

. A coalition ofenvironmen, tal and anti 4

• aggressive. independent audit"ofthe de.

tax burden ofagoverningbodyW VRC) nuclear groups is calling for a Congres.

plantin Califorrua.

sional investigation into a!!egations of Kent.who has 17yearsofexperience.

sign of the three nuclear plants be given that does not seem to work in s

at

%st improper construction at three nuclear six nuclear plants, said in his affidavit to Congress, and that the NRC publicly interesta. Ilow much more can explain why it has not followed up on, mid.Michiganresidentsto tolen plants, including the Midland projecte that the Midland project is "the 4

Kent'sallegations.

The grouro say the U.S. Nuclear Reg-nuclear facility I have ever seen." worst The ulatory Commision has fai!cd to promptJ Daily News read Kent's affidavit in June. into the allegations as they pertain to:TheNRChassaid ly investigate allegations made by a weld, Kent also wrote that other Midland Midland has been delayed due to a shor.

ing engineer who worked at a!! three nuc. wc! ding inspec*. ors admitted to him they i

Icar plants,twoof them in Michigan.

had approved bad ' welds foryears before tage of personnel and other probes with; The engineer, Ea rl Kent, was to go pub. Kent showed them the proper weldmg higher priority. But the NRC has prome ;

ised the Atomic Safety and Licensing lie with his allegations today at a news procedures.

conference in Califorma, wherv he now Board that the Midland investigation will resides. The news conferenc t ha heen set

• %is information and the failure ofthe - becompleted byJanuary.

NRC to act on it has generated national Consumers Power also has said it is for$p m. Midland time.

Y angerund a callto action anxious for th0 NRC tocomplete the Mid I Kent's a!!cgations abofchii*h*hdland a news release from one /*accordingto group in the land probe so that the alleged problems.

plant were given to the NRCon June 29 in the form ofa signed afTidavit written with coalition, the Lone Tree Council. I.one willborevealed.

the help of the Government Accountabil. Trecoperatesin the Trifitiesarea.

ity Project, a Washington, D.C.-based. Other groups. calling for the Congres.

Utility spokesman Michael Koschik group that represents persons who blow sional investigation are CAP, Alliance said, *Give us some specifics and we'll the whistleon waste and fraud.

fo-Survival (based in Orange Calif.)

investigate them and respond to the prop- [

At the news conference, Kent is ex.

Critical Mass and the Nuclear Informa., erauthorities."

D.C., and Michigan's Great Lakes Energytion Research Service of Washington, epcted to describe improper we! ding tech.

niques used at the Midland and Palisades nthenewsrelease, Weare ;

a Alliance.

forced to bear the burden of these plants as ratepayers while also shouldering the G

s 6

-e e

q 4

9

'C.

'N.

i

!aDL AE P yd seu.FT"

=

1 i

i k ? D i

~

~

oyt d

g,ba.d.dsdy.

(

t sn.gvo ai nt r

's j' en

• l ;.-

r n

d..

et n iih eiaitee o

nris ne.

i aietcel a

t a o d. a o a

nt el oicl efeb

.kci a idc d c Ti h i w c i m I" l ol d

l a"t r

rier t

i rd doSse ris" f

irlCaei M m I" t

ewf o

ele e" f

er wP e e aR m r c pu aw ndn e

b M w nN rf p t,'" v"cI" gb e d 'e

. r o. g e e

r t

sot oe t

ek h A Net a ou h e

• d N" t t n shwivsniw e

i n

e

=

l n i aldacc o

c h u d gG sl fe>

iis

't s t c n"

l s

I nt w

eee r

i u, w a e u osrva ofi r

a a*

wpi n

n rdag t iomr w egnhi ey f

i d e I" n e*A t u er sI t

e eh n K aJruTcthn g a " h *" lwNe" ndet e h *.

r ep p'

Cs m gkf i t

Ra c. e o

i a

e ooh nit e

e $r a vnmt dotn (A n o c n C. fidt d h fh i

n t

h a*h

'Nlyto h olk y t

l o

r ai t ig c

ictKotemha niEnd ire nu e

e s e De ctl sb h a e y m, b "w.

t b

nkN p a o l t ek r si hI ec i

I s

hi o ehhei rd j

m wu "c"

sME w. STbh n n!rnec c

t Aec n et o

n a

ob ee aiir tidt 1

t ut gt t oSl a

o 3 *" e gt e st r u eo aynd e qis hg n a r rdhr n a ;o cAcd cw*1 #m psh su n nm et n

,t gt a nwo eCt yanou !K ".d oet ahnk 9

a k

i o at m!

da wK st e d"o l s n : n o h u M i e r a N "h Comn n g m 't iv u a" c

s al t a a

• i " e "' '

at u Sl ee i. b e h

l rl l n sl e ".he n ia r d y.

n n.

al l

o aGt o et umrh i

s*m*h yh yb i

e nmo k

f p

c l

St yveiod d

or ehTo

.t r

i mt oi or t

wie hi e M y. e, O al ivdct ie cn"d*t nlar t

nvKsc b1 et gl gi s

a n

n r

ps u t v Ke a gr t

a1 mx e '

inta at u a u"a"I

'l o n o r a l l a

nflb l

ei o i a*

agvn ets j

.o

' m' # 9 et n d,dd g a yk h g u e t

l 1

a I

e io e

ncna t

r cW n

e uicahinpv I

w cwoee a

v l

o e.t rt t t 1

morofn a K e h u 'a er n nn s

aa n 'n o hdoy e

e m,e dn nae.

l t o c i o o "m l adh a

e hei t

m g

y hnt ura a. u. g n o.

re a

n we nt pgnmainiwn n.

a I.

k hm c

o n

rnedhteh gd v t e iopw ded i

n ei o is x nee l

u pt ohb s gh r u l

e s

o ib8 o

ot i

ua n oi mle rt e lPol a t t i

n o a u

a ei t a v

i l

f uav a

rb sov nchas u f pi datc g 'rsexoldwth a h y g" n

l c

"t t

a e

o cp po c

lhun iD iuwtf t

t n

wa ath a

of e

ria hre se nhdoded duser C

id nt i

l n o y

n wifd7 ei wh ud nhn e

t nto r n a e d o g.

wet de t

n f

yrdha h e n7 ih ar

~ h sl s nt r a9 na awr a ugr k

nK p et ea ch et n n n e t

rth f

aue cdo a e pl rci ati w7t rg xd I. eeed gagn uat n a u s cn.sdG 't ot eno rd 1

1

. n n e r rn ha re e eM r tehlTjl i

oe ehma nd uvh e a m e.

T'S u C. o o n tdt e oi c

a or bt ans.rNt mdi s

h ih mD s aiehl P c pn e ple y h o p >w edl y

dhhit o

= uu l

,ae4a e

A n. r e l wt a ml mh eil dt hneve r m. tnai npNe E o at srl Nc f

t s

- s i

Anxeidr t

a p.h ag et l

w al a w ih c p ph t e Gc sno t

o>

hwanl t

cl c

dl yc a u i. a. d a d

neid Knt 9

t l

ut ac t

t e

l i

l di gtaul atP dl eilda a6 ade rn e1 al. pa odnl a vi w e

t ah.

nn n aif w1 r iu aih enmo.

ed c ehe l

ni G m i e 'e f lu i n "e a

aAr agwi t

t me n

tl dte n s n e P d c e e pd wwK c

t r d d. M r t

ic e Ge rmewe e. h l' Nnh m c

u cI o l

i nu er e

n ai a e n c Q u i q gh l

hedvhj I r we t

sk" y

dl i ee e wf nb yt n

re yl iu l

arl g l

o Ke no,cim>d o

i r

aa p K pv e

P W p w.o bor ert r cnit t

a w

r v

s iI ie n

a e

ca dawteop mb o e i a r. r r

g h

ohdk nnG b

rhg h tNonxng t

t V. G a. t w A ~t ei a nc n r l

os o

edi e, hne t

caeOnptl x 'tsiaa l

o dt et i wh o h

t e

emal Ki g r M n nk j

ehh o

l t

e r c jt t n d: g. r oo u itC e

Kiwn u d e I'm er eg..

ae l

6ddose W

t dr lpd nh hmrt ui t

ed a a u w e.?

thr bau uah Cdeyi W

t nl do e

rt g

w Q n. h e r n h d" do t

.k n

te n *c c u

o o

s

m. d e i b

ol e

a 1

hoe nt o drawl ndpk

.t

. e t.

ag s

e de t n b

w Mdia e e s o

s.

e r sK wle h, oil a4A d "a n rro>i u s m j

'y >o t l

s0 v

s n u r.w r oyt u

crt ue t

om o

al o a e

f f vb

,n wwt y mh gb h

i

.t u

r et n el a "t.

v din r "c mt i an w

shal u

t nl e tl n Elcmd it at eh a e hmt e

n esepdare a aa a

gfo 2

uei h "t r

>i o

t l

c l

ah el mevo*dae a

.t i

p ev et d pmt l

f o

nt er a t r in n

i y

hlovne ad I

I t

t yi al aee uo n l

e e

aS aNh n m"h db e

l o

roge lby t cw an i

fd eot.,

whl o s o d u y 't D,thi et o o st le f

d iet ob v

f I

l l teta eat t a ntf hei ahb a

t h

e oi t

anrd A edee t

t e o e t

rt u 'n. m w w u s e p -

soe s

i t

l h o ah

.vt e e d uhJr. Ddb s

nyt pd Sh rh ai i

hr l

i rdaa l

midagomg uet rwt t

t 3a a

ern aimy fGr da hanhy h nr a

oh nd i

il h

t I

e Kol e cfmdt ya et ea ol seog aot p e

o - le Aa e i

n y. g m g e e!

ne wgu h

s a e r b s. h mllcdc-i khi t

ef t

nk a r y Snr t

t y

d ya.dt J

l yt I t aniuxGo a

I nI uia a rwl oc gt l

b [i nd h

Cic erl ehiddid r

ac e! o t

re nMic h n p o pd o d c t

e Oism Sdk%*on t

e vth rg ale eh tbg a

r ea a t e d

ris v l

n nt nnupewsrwt nv t rl mo dsy l

yus a Oh i eh it s

s f

i ueqoewt oh a aa idca aoo ayal Wo

'h *w *1 herep Ki f

a 1 i r

rt a o w p s whewb rd t

t e

vp n n dwh a y aK m t eiiv n sa e t

a l

t ah o t

a Tpi eh r r v

ee n d

si ari a 0 g s K p i k 'tnl - e i n h e !w ngersITItb a

rt aU l

sS na

>t r

f cwh4ew o

n aod udimit w e ". e. r Ni p

h i oi l r

" udmd E s

d iPwdwa du asI nr m

hn*

i n ob, c.f Kea n b w.. f adt aa a

e oa e o s

. o b r d s. d <.

e eu u i l eet e vCou by

..l d 3 si s o yM e k pfI n nth t.

roc a wol ehv H nh is t

r ruoroo adt wee.n'.a.

r cCnseoe xt p a v riN s oh i p st e

f t

a s r

b d

nbnn Mce rn ad>

r! romr asm>Winhnywm t

ft e 7. y.

i 'r edmriN gl io a o

l f

t t

swec e omd m

eb u

rk e

t e

t a 5. h s

A wd eiu ecmairoedr ed e

oha t hawmpcud u

u c

wat si e rh a swt miehneme c rh e

nnt oo s rn rtnu m

s m Aus t

a c f e t

nn r e e d u v. w 1 pihe t

l, a a l'o s i

f t o s th eookl a

o r

uo t

p a id nh o Cwt a f eqe

~

cC u t k il e yet s

a>h as I t i s

s h

eys o r n Kl o r

e ee cfyt nd Usawl ct n sp t

k sbd!

l h m. hi e y i. h u onmdt t

nf ul d prboa r i o m.

ia e

ea a aa s e h

o rl d o

l t r

e t

c r h w e, t yN a cd n ph y mh C c hld "y.

o ". d u

.s P e s h e gl s

ot l

t e

c n

eddKt n l. w u nl ayd na sTt eEc r. b t

c e

n n nt o cairdhti t

ahlt i t

afy o op o "s m u aI u

.el dt o t u r

uM oot opn l

ei e K e

r s mldana e t

i nnf ao yh l

i t r

eleatuhml m ntdyn t

t gtnft pmrtcei a

l ea c aee hswegme o

l ut cxe nh e

ir t

ef a t l e ad ehwcdatiaa a k p m. n eh l

Dn m aT o p ei e e er c

ui oRmos aE m ptC glf ar wdnMs n ehcedr

.t nnf w n v ra e

c c

t cad e

eh res n rdonsd!

C r

r orau eier oas uh e Jn nerse nudt o ah eN cn a gifi c

o k's a f

ed ft k r c

iJ ht i

f.

a t

i a C n t.D. wMn.amt e nol t

o n y n d ia eal p

An l uti pl n

e c

C.lh e et cic oarai"

,Cmd i

n idi u c a ~.H c n p w wh athu h

a s

e ci m " d t 3

l r oi na a g a C. r r. s Q o u a ytepse e

a h m d g pC n uaaeosb'd gt eds onp V

cN n e e r g a

tl r

t es a N a e d c. l ec o

.al k

n c eea r p

l l l

t l

n ni' a u f h v plot n r

st i c m Ml ah' he l

ive

~I' e K S. o g n o T a y r n

al

,g ne sa ih Uint n hCt niaO"t tl iaK t

n yf ol

,i i,*. i ocp i!I t

I b

,\\\\

,I

\\,\\

artr

• /j' EXIIIBIT 8 %, *t y-l; NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION UNITED STATES 3

REGION V

?, -

.... a,#g

• N/

1450 MARIA L ANE,SULTE 210 WALNUT CREEK. CALIFORNIA E4596 October 20, 1982 MEMORMDUM FOR:

Dave Smith, Materials Engineering Branch, NRR FROM:

Owen C. Shackleton Jr., Acting Director, OISFF0

REFERENCE:

Telecon on October 19, 1982 Enclosed is a copy of the statement of E. Earl KENT obtained of this office or October 16, 1982.

Also enclosed is a modified version of i

this statement written as amended by Mr. KENT.

If we can be of any further assistance, please contact FTS 463-3711.

I

//4Lt(FAKN5l<'-

i f

i j

j pden C. Shackl}eton Jr.

)j c

Acting Director OISFF0 3

w

Enclosures:

.g l

As stated y

I' P

(1 l

i i!

I emme e

e

-. _ _ _ _. _, _