ML20128R210

Requests Further Info Re Problem of Structural Steel Weld Quality.Congressional Briefing Inadequate

ML20128R210
Person / Time
Site:	Wolf Creek
Issue date:	02/01/1985
From:	Glickman D HOUSE OF REP.
To:	Palladino N NRC COMMISSION (OCM)
Shared Package
ML20128R100	List: ML20128R098 ML20128R140 ML20128R159 ML20128R189 ML20128R210 ML20129A017 ML20129A045 ML20129A088 ML20129A112 ML20129A128
References
FOIA-85-161 NUDOCS 8507270145
Download: ML20128R210 (2)

Text

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CONGRESS'OF.THE UNITED STATES NO.'.*C.'.* **'

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m. .-  :. i The Honorable Nunzio Palladino Chairman Nuclear Regulatory Commission washington, D.C. 20555 Thank you for arranging for your staf f to brief my colleagues in the Kanses Congressional delegation and me on the Wolf Creek situation. I was.

disappointed, however, that neither Mr. Dircks nor Mr. nenton was present.

• The meeting was helpful in providing us an understanding of the Wolf Creek 4

issues. But some issues were not adequately addressed and other new cuestions l

were raised.

I listened carefully to descriptions of the NRC staff's efforts leading it to conclude that questions concerning construction cuality had been '

adequately resolved. While there is no dnuht a.i to the nature of the staf f's conclusions, it seemed to me that some gaps exl.<ted in th<= staff's explanation as to how it arrived at its conclusions.

Because of my continuing concerns, I would appreciate your providing an explanation, including a chronology, describing (A) the discovery of the problem of structural steel weld quality, (P) steps taken to assure its resolution by the licensee, and (C) actions taken by NRC staff to determine whether the licensee's resolution was in accord with applicable regulations.

Please provide, in addition, a similar explanation with respect to problems involving cable separation as described in Inspection Reports 50-842/a4-22 and 50-842/84-51.

I an also confused about the status of items assigned to the NRC Office of Investigations (01). Your letter to Chairman ningall indicated that several investigations were underway with restwet to missing, falsified, or erroneous records. I inferred from your staff, however, that little or no investigative work had actually been conducted on the records deficiences.

Please inform me as to the status of each inquiry including the date on which

'the inquiry began, the amount of effort applied since that date, and its estimated coepletion date.

I would appreciate this information as quickly as possi 'e.

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The Monorable Nunzio Palladino Chairman 1 Nuclear Regulatory Commission ~

Washington, D.C. 20555 .

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, Thank you for arranging for voor staf f to brief my colleaques in the' , ^

, Kansas Congressional delegation a'nd me on the Wolf Creek situation. 'I was.

disappointed, however, that neither Mr. nircks nor Mr. nenton was present.

The meeting was helpful in providing us an understanding of the Wolf Creek issues. But some . issues were not adequately addressed and other new cuestions were raised. s s

I x I listened " carefully to descriptions of the NRC staff's efforts leading it to conclude that questions concerning construction quality had been '

adequately resolved. While there is no doubt a i to the nature' of the staf f's conclusions, it seessed to me that some gaps exi sted in the staf f's explanation as to how it arrived at its conclusions. '

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Because of mys continuing concerns, I would appreciate your providing an explanation, including a chronology, describing (A) the discovery of the problem of structural steel weld quality, (P) steps taken to assure its resolution by the Olce'niee, and (C) actions taken by NRC staff to determine whether the licensee's resolution was in accord with applicable regulations.

Please provide, in addition, a similar explanation with respect to problems involving cable separation as described in Inspection Peports 50-842/R4-22 an'd 50-842/84-51.

s I an also confuse 1 about' the status of items assigned to the NRC Office ,

of Investigations (01). Your letter to Chairman ninaell indicated that several investigations were underway with resswet to missing, falsified, or erroneous records. I inferred from your staf f, however, that little or 'no

'. investigative work had actually been conducted on the records deficiences.

Please inform me as to the status of each inquiry including .the date on which

'the inquiry began, the amount of effort applied since thEt date, and its estimated completion date.

I would appreciate this information as quickly as possi c.

Wi rea r ,

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SRANCH R EPR ESENT ATIVES February 18, 1985 3

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The *.onnrable Nunzio palladino, Chaf rman tJucAear .:gulo.crf C. ..cis s 2.: n 30 , eiwq

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Dear Mr. Chairman:

I' As a member of the Kansas Legislature, I am deeply concerned with the approaching conditional licensure of the Wolf Creek elec-trical generating station. It is my understanding that this licen-sure may occur in spite of the fact that open investigations exist into matters such as alleged construction defects and quality as-to surance deficiencies. Since such matters are directly relevant -

the issue of plant safety, I ask for your assistance.

Correspondence between your office and the of fices of Congress-man Dan Glickman and Congressman John D. Dingell has been made avall-able for our review. It is clear from a review of the Congressmen's questions and your response that:

1) A substantial number of structural steel welds have been found to be below accepted standards;

2) Investigations into the weld deficiencies are under-falsified or way, including such issues as missing, erroneous qualit*, assurance records; and

3) Unar=wered safety questions remain, including problems relating to the safe separation of electrical cables.

I would like to express my concern and the concerns of many other Kansans relating to .he safe and economical production of nuclear-generated electricity.

The Wolf Creek project has been the object of scrutiny from this Legislature and from other agencies of state government. We have attempted to maximize the ability of our util-i ity commission to review the project and determine the extent to which the ratepayers will assume construction related costs.

However, Congress has established that your commission is the review mechanism for all matters It relating to the safe construction is in that capacity that I and operation of nuclear plants.

seek your assistance.

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Page 2 Honorable Nunzio Palladir.o February 18, 1985 I ask that all investigations, including any pre-invest-igation matters pending in the Office of Investigation and of Inspection and Enforcement, be concluded in a comprehensive and thorough manner. I 'ask that your findings be made available to me, to the Kansas Congressional delegation, our Governor and Attorney General, and to the Kansas Corporation Commission. I ask that these things be done prior to the issuance of a condi-tional, low-power operating license.

When the power is turned on at Wolf creek, it is essential tna all que ;1cn- .tave ace:4 was,0:t. 26d e. safetf's tancard; met. Only these conditions will provide the needed assurances to Kansas to validate the operational integrity of the Wolf Creek plant. .

I express my appreciation for your consideration of this matter and ask that my name be added to the list of other Kansas Legislators that was sent to you in a letter dated February 14, 1985.

l Sincerely, o Ann Pottorff d)

Representative 83rd District JAP:jw

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l The Honorable Nunzio Palladino Chairman W ingt 20

Dear Mr. Chairman:

As a member of the Kansas Legislature, I am deeply concerned with the approaching conditional licensure of the Wolk Creek electrical generating station. It is my understanding that this licensure that open investigations exist into may occur in' spite of the fact matters such as alleged construction defects and quality assurance deficiencies. Since such matters are directly relevant to the issue of plant safety I ask for your assistanca.

Correspondence between your office and the offices of Congressm It is clear from a review of the Congressmen's for our review.

questions and your response that:

1) A substantial number of structural steel usids have been found to be below accepted standards;

2) Investigations into the veld' deficiencies are anderway, including such issues as missing, falsified or erroneous quality assurarca records; and )

3) Unanswsred safety questions remain, including problems relating to the safe separation of electrical cables.

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I would like to express my concern and the concern of many other Kansans relating to che saf e and economical production of nuclear-generated electricity.

The Wolf Creek project has been the object of scrutiny We from this Legislature and from other agencies of state government.

have attempted to maximize the ability of our utility commission to review the project and determine the extent to which the ratepayers will assume construction related costs.

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However. Congrees has established that your commission is the review mechanism for all matters relating to 'che safe construction and operation of nuclear plants. It is in that capacity that I seek your assistance.

I ask that all investigations, including any pre-investment matters pending in the Office of Investigation and of Inspection and Enforcement. beI ask that your fin concluded in a comprehensive and thorough manner.

be made available to me, to the Kansas Congressional delegation, our Governor and Attorney General, and to the Kansas Corporation Commission.

l I ask thar these things be done prior to th+ tssuance of a conditional.

le.i-power operating license.

is essential that all questions When the power is turned on at Wolf Creek. It Only these conditions have been answered and all safety standards set. l -

will provide the needed assurances to Kansas to validate the operationa integrity of the Wolf Creek plant.

I express my appreciation for your consideration of this matter.

f Very truly yours, 0 '

W%

bert S. Wunsch C hl w I,,

Representative 10Lst District i

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