ML20128E474
| ML20128E474 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Site: | Trojan File:Portland General Electric icon.png |
| Issue date: | 11/23/1992 |
| From: | Pollard R UNION OF CONCERNED SCIENTISTS |
| To: | Curtiss J, Selin I, The Chairman NRC COMMISSION (OCM) |
| References | |
| REF-GTECI-163, REF-GTECI-NI, TASK-163, TASK-OR NUDOCS 9212080103 | |
| Download: ML20128E474 (2) | |
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Corf svC5/0C To 4301EB4227s 1912 11-23 01 C2% as43 p.0142 UNION OF CONCERNED SCIENTISTS November 23, 1992 Ivan Salin, Chairman James R. Curtiss E. Gail de Planque (0- 3%
Forrest J. Remick Kenneth C. Rogers U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission Washington, DC 20555 subject:
Multiple Steam Generator Tube Rupture Accidents
Reference:
Memorandum for Frank P. Gillespie, Director, Program Management, Policy Development, and Analysis Branch, office of Huolear Reactor Regulation from C.J. Heltames, Jr., Deputy Director, Office of Nuclear Regulatory Research, September 28, 1992.
As you are aware, in February 1992, the NRC staff approved an amendment to the operating license for the Trojan nuclear.
plant which permits Portland General Electric to operato the in the steam generator tubes deeper than 40 plant with flaws be wall thickness.
As dancribed in the percent of the tu reference cited above, this prompted a member of the NRC staff to file a dif fering professional opinion (DPO); other members of the staff have also expressed concern about-the risks to l
l the public posed by plant operation with known cracks in the l
steam generator tubes.
You may also be aware that the Trojan plant is currently shutdown because of a recent steam generator tube leak in excess of the 130-gallons per day L
parmitted under the February 1992 license amendment.
As a result of the safety issues raised by some members of the
).
NRC staff, a now, high-priority generio safety issue --
multiple steam generator tube leakage -- has been opened.
The analysis by the Office of_ Nuclear Regulatory Research shows that operation with known flaws in the steam generator tubes i
can result in an accident in which saveral steam ganerator i
tubes rupture, leading to melting of the reactor core and the release of radioactive material directly' to ti..a environmont outside the reactor containment building.
The-staff has concluded that the p.robability of such an accident is over 300 l
timos more likely than your safety goal policy. permits.
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9212080103 921123 PDR ADOCK 05000344
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FAX: 20s.33349ee iSE /6 PDR 1614 P Sitwet, NW Suite a10 Washineten. Do 20034 202 332 090s l
N DtYrh GtGO, 26 Ciuce Sueet Carstego.MA o??38 617 547 5552 fax:c17 664 9406
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. In accordance with the chairman's policy of an open regulatory process, I am writing to make the following requosts of the Commission.
1.
Direct the staff to place tho following documents in the Public Document Room promptly:
a)
The Differing Professional Opinion that l'ed to the establishment of Generio Issue 163, Multiple Steam Generator Tube Leakage.
b)
.E.S. Beckjord memorandum to Thomas E. Hurley, "A New Generio Issua Multiple Steam Generator Tube Lankage,"
June 16, 1992.
c)
J. Hopenfold memorandum to E. Beckjord, "A new Generic Issue Multiple Steam Generator Leakage," March 27, 1992.
d)
Joseph Muscara memorandum to Charles 2. Serpan,
" Steam Generator Tube Inspection, Integrity end Plugging," March 16, 1992.
(Note: Documents b, c, and d are, respectively, references 1, 2, and 4 in the enclosure to C.J. Heltenes, Jr. memorandum to Frank p. Gillespie, "GI-163, Multiple Steam Generator Tube Leakage," September 28, 1992.]
2.
Direct the staff to notify me in advance of any meetings with Portland Gonoral Electric, Wastinghouse, or any other licenseos concerning the subjects of steam generator tube leakaga limits and repair limits so that UCS can make arrangements to attend.
3.
Direct the staff to explain to the public how the new, high-priority, generic safety issue concerning multiple steam generator tube leakage will be considered in deciding whether the Trojan nuclear plant should be permitted to resume operation prior to rosolution of this generic safety issue.
4.
Direct the staff to explain to the public why, in view of the new generic safety issue on multiple steam generator tube leakage, the other Westinghouse plants which have been granted license amendments allowing operation with flawed steam generator tubes should not be ordered to shut down until this generic safety issue is resolved.
Sincerely, Robert D. Pollard Nuclear Safety Engineer
.