ML20129A017
| ML20129A017 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Site: | Wolf Creek  |
| Issue date: | 03/11/1985 |
| From: | Asselstine J NRC COMMISSION (OCM) |
| To: | Bernthal, Palladino, Roberts NRC COMMISSION (OCM) |
| Shared Package | |
| ML20128R100 | List: |
| References | |
| FOIA-85-161 COMJA-85-4, NUDOCS 8507270149 | |
| Download: ML20129A017 (1) | |
Text
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3 WASHINGTON, D.C. 20586 3y. - . - . - ~ ~ Orrict OF THE couusssioNEn March 11, 1985 COMJA-85-4
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MEMORANDUM FOR: Chairman Palladino Commissioner Roberts Comissioner Bernthal Comissioner Zech . FROM: Janes K. Asselstine ^ - - -
SUBJECT:
WOLF CREEK LOW P0llER LICENSE I have just ben informed that the staff intends to issue a low power license for the Wolf Creek Generating Station. We have received several letters raising technical questions regarding Wolf Creek from elected State and Federal officials of the State of Kansas. To date, we have ret seen proposed responses to those inquiries. I believe those officials deserve a response to their safety concerns before issuance of a lcw pcwer license and I believe the Commission should so instruct the staff. I ask that SECY obtain Comissioners responses to this memo by C.O.P,. today, cc: SECY EMdMd@ OPE OGC 1l2ggg:f6 g NOTE: Cmr Asselstine would like responses before he departs on travel at 4:00 pm. Jim: I understand that a number of letters frcn the EDO w re sent today in resconse to the tyoe of inquiries you mention. As a general rule I believe NBC should respond to technical questions as soon as practical, but I do not believe that all questions frcm persons outside NRC need to be ansmred before the staff issues a license. / RTP cc: As above Joe -- I do not view these rush staff responses as satisfactory. They should have come to the Commissic C507270149 050603 Also, I do not view these letters from the Governor PHE -161 PDR and legisigtors as triflinc patters,
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s~ uj waswigrow. o. c. 2osss S.....* MAR l'11985 4 The Honorable John Carlin Governor, State of Kansas t- Office of. the Governor
- State Capitol Topeka, Kansas 66612-1590 l
Dear Governor Carlin:
- Your letter of March 5,1985 to Chairman Palladino, requested a full and complete examination of all safety matters relating to the Wolf Creek i' Generating Station. Your letter referred to safety concerns raised in the November 5,1984 letter from the Kansas State Corporation Consnission 4 -(KSCC), the February 1, 1985 letter from Congressman Glickman, the February 8, 1985 letter from Congressman Slattery, and the February 14 4
'and February 18, 1985 letters from the Kansas State Legislators.
l The NRC staff has completed our evaluation of the safety aspects of these ! matters. This information is provided as Enclosure I of this letter,- , including all references, and Enclosure II. Enclosure I describes a sig-nificant program of corrective action by the Kansas Gas and Electric Company (KG&E) which addressed not only the structural steel welding issue, but also - included inspections and evaluations to determine that the aspects involved
- in the structural steel welding issue did not occur in other areas of construction. Enclosure I also describes the extensive NRC program of-verification and indenendent . inspection on all these issues to assure the adequacy of structural steel welding and that the OA program has been properly implemented. Based on the completed efforts of KG&E, which have been verified by NRC inspections, the NRC has.cuncluded that these issues are resolved. Enclosure II describes information regarding problems involving .
cable separation and KG8E corrective action. Based on independent NRC inspec-tions, we have concluded that adequate cable separation exists at Wolf Creek and this issue is resolved. In some instances, in addition to assuring that all safety related aspects of each issue nas been resolved, the NRC staff has referred certain items to the NRC Office of Investigation for additional investigation if required. At this time,.we are not aware of any information from the Office of Investigations
.that constitutes a basis for withholding the issuance of a low power license for Wolf Creek. Therefore, the staff is proceeding with its review in support of the license issuance. Matters pertaining to all continuing investigations will be reviewed by the Commission prior to issuance of a full power license.
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OO . 4 i MAR 1 1 1585 The Honorable John Carlin ;, - Based upon the NRC staff review and inspection program we conclude that the facility has been constructed in conformance with the requirements of the Comission and its operation will not represent any undue risk to the health 4 and safety of the public. I believe that these findings represent a full and complete examination of all matters which relate to the plant's safety. The Congressional Delegation, the Kansas State Legislators and the Kansas Corporation Commission are being infomed by separate letter. Thank you for your interest with these matters. Sincerely, 9ln G M h aI msu William J. Dircks Executive Director for Operations
Enclosures:
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- 1. Structural Steel Issue
- 2. Electrical Separation Issue cc: Attorney General, State of Kansas i *SEE PREVIOUS PAGE FOR CONCURRENCES
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MAR 1 1 BBS 9,3 -l C S t The Honorable John D. Dingell United States House of Representatives Washington, D.C. 20515
Dear Congressman Dingell:
This is in continued response to your letter of January 9,1985, and the NRC commitment in Chairman Palladino's letter of January 23, 1985, to provide you with a copy of NRC inspection reports relating to our followup on the reinspection of structural steel welding at the Wolf Creek Generating Station. The NRC inspections have been completed and NRC Inspection Reports 50-482/85-12 and 50-482/85-13 are provided for you in Enclosure I (Reference 6). Enclosure I provides a comprehensive summary description of the activities of both Kansas Gas and Electric Company (KG&E) and the NRC related to the structural , steel issue. Enclosure I describes a significant program of corrective action l by the KGAE which addressed not only the structural steel welding issue, but i also included inspections and evaluations to determine that the aspects involved in the structural steel welding issue did not occur in other areas of construction. Enclosure I also describes the extensive NRC program of f verification and independent inspection on all these issues to assure the l adequacy of the structural steel welding and the implementation of the Quality - Assurance (QA)programmeetsConsiissionrequirements. Based on the completed efforts of KG&E, which have been verified by NRC inspections, the NRC has concluded that these issues are resolved. i We have also prepared edditional information regarding problems involving cable separation. This information is provided in Enclosure II of this . letter. Based on KGAE corrective action and independent NRC inspections, we have concluded that adequate cable separation exists at Wolf Creek Generating Station and this issue is resolved. As you may recall, the Office of Investigations (OI) has recently initiated a number of investigations regarding alleged erroneous or falsified records. Some investigations are presently underway. At this time OI has no firm , estimated completion date. One OI report regarding this subject has been l recently completed. If you desire, we will be pleased to brief you on l specific aspects of the investigations. In order to protect the integrity of 1
- the investigative process, we suggest such briefings be oral.
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5-4 ,y , (. The Honorable John D. Dingell -E-n i The NRC technical staff has evaluated the safety aspects of missing and potentially falsified welding records, and has resolved the safety aspects of these issues, as indicated in Enclosure I. The NRC staff has evaluated the safety-related aspects of the other issues being reviewed by OI. At this time, we are not aware of any infomation from the Office of Investigations that constitutes a basis for withholding the issuance of a low power license for Wolf Creek. Therefore, the staff is proceeding with its review in support of the license issuance. Matters pertaining to all continuino investigations
- will be reviewed by the Connission prior to issuance of a full power license.
Because of your interest in being infomed about NRC activities at the Wolf Creek plant, we are also advising you that NRC review of preoperational test activities indicated that some deficiencies had occurred in these activities. These deficiencies included instances of incorrect test conditions, incomplete verification of systems operation, and incomplete recording of test data. These matters were identified to KG&E and corrective actions, including any repeating of preoperational tests, were performed by the applicant and were reviewed by NRC inspectors. Actions taken by KG&E to prevent recurrence are msponsive to the NRC concerns. The technical issues have been resolved, and actions necessary to support issuance of a license permitting fuel load and low power testing have been completed. The NRC is also reviewing the need for possible enforcement action relative to the deficiencies identified in the preoperational testing program. A copy of inspection reports and any enforcement correspondence related to this subject will be provided to you
. when tiiey are issued to KG&E.
Based upon the NRC staff review and inspection program, we conclude that the facility has been constructed in conformance with the requirements of the Commission and its operation will not represent any undue risk to the health and safety of the pu)11c.
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2 Sincerely, l gWeise Ltasas William J. Dircks O Executive Director for Operations
Enclosures:
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- 1. Structural Steel Issue
- 2. Electrical Separation Issue
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The Honorable Jim Slattery United States House of Representatives Washington, D.C. 20515
Dear Congressman Slattery:
This is in response to your letter of February 8,1985, to Chaiman Palladino requesting additional infomation on structural steel welding at the Wolf Creek Generating Station. This information is provided as Enclosure I of this letter, including all references. Enclosure I describes a significant program of corrective action by the Kansas Gas and Electric Company (KG&E) which addressed not only the structural steel welding issue, but also included inspections and evaluations to detemine that the aspects involved in the structural steel welding issue did not occur in other areas of construction. Enclosure I also describes the extensive NRC program of verification and t independent inspection on all these issues to assum the ade i structural steel welding and that the Quality Assurance (QA)quacy of the program has been properly implemented. Based on the completed efforts of KG&E, which have been verified by NRC inspections, the NRC has concluded that these '. issues are resolved. We have also prepamd additional infomation regarding problems involving cable separation. This information is provided in Enclosure II of this letter. Based on KGAE corrective action and independent NRC inspections, we have concluded that adequate cable separation exists at Wolf Creek Generating Station and this issue is msolved. You also asked about the status of items assigned to the Office of Inves- ! tigations (01). 01 has recently initiated a number of investigations regarding alleged erroneous or falsified records. Some investigations are present'y i undemay. At this time 0! has no fim estimated completion date. One OI l report regarding this subject has been recently completed. If you desire, we will be pleased to brief you on specific aspects of the investigations. In order to protect the integrity of the investigative process, we suggest such briefings be oral. The NRC technical staff has evaluated the safety aspects of missing and potentially falsified welding records, and has resolved the safety aspects of these issues, as indicated in Enclosure I. The NRC staff has evaluated the safety-related aspects of the other issues being reviewed by 01. At this time,
- we are not aware of any infomation from the Office of Investigations that constitutes a basis for withholding the issuance of a low power license for Wolf Creek. Therefore, the staff is proceeding with its review in support of the license issuance. Matters pertaining to all continuing invest 10ations g will be reviewed by the Comission prior to issuance of a full power license. --
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l The Honorable Jim Slattery -2i
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Because of your 1nterest in being informed about NRC activities at the Wolf Creek plant, we are also advising you that NRC review of preoperational test activities indicated that'some deficiencies had occurred in these activities. These deficiencies included instances of incorrect test conditions, incomplete . verification of systems operation, and incomplete recording of test data. I These matters were identifiec to KG&E and corrective actions, including any i repeating of preoperational f.ests, were performed by the applicant and were reviewed by NRC inspecters. Actions taken by KG&E to prevent mcurrence are responsive to the NRC concerns. The technical issues have been resolved, and actions necessary to support issuance of a license permitting fuel load and low power testing have been completed. The NRC is also reviewing the l need for possible enforcement action relative to the deficiencies identified ; in the preoperational testing program. A copy of inspection reports and any enforcement correspondence related to this subject will be provided to you when they are issued to KG&E. Based upon the NRC staff review and inspection program, we conclude that the facility has been constructed in conformance with the requirveents of the Commission and its operation will not represent any undue risk to the health and safety of the public. Sincerely, i SDW@M- ! William J. Dircks - Executive Director for Operations
Enclosures:
- 1. Structural Steel Issue
- 2. Electrical Separation Issue .
l (See letter to Rep. 'Dingell for . Enc 1s.. EDO 275) REVISEDINEDO0FFICE(3/11/85)
*SEE PREVIOUS PAGE FOR CONCURRENCES D:NRR IE OCA EDO
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The Honorable Dan Glickman United States House of Rep <esentatives Washington, D.C. 20515
Dear Congressman Glickman:
This is in response to your letter of February 1,1985, to Chairman Palladino requesting additional information on structural steel welding at the Wolf - Creek Generating Station. This information is provided as Enclosure I of this letter, including all references. Enclosure I describes a significant program of corrective action by the Kansas Gas and Electric Company (KG&E) which addressed not only the structural steel welding issue, but also included . inspections and evaluations to determine that the aspects involved in the structural steel welding issue did not occur in other areas of construction. Enclosure I also describes the extensive NRC program of verification and independent inspection on all these issues to assure the ade structural steel welding and that the Quality Assurance (0A)quacy programof the has ! been properly implemented. Based on the completed efforts of KG&E, which have been verified by NRC inspections, the NRC has concluded that these issues are resolved. i Your letter requested additional information regarding problems involving cable separation. This information is provided in Enclosure II of this letter. Based on KG8E corrective action and independent NRC inspections,
- we have concluded that adequate cable separation exists at Wolf Creek Generating Station and this issue is resolved.
! You also asked about the status of items assigned to the Office of Inves-l tigations (01). OI has recently initiated a number of investigations regarding alleged erroneous or falsified records. Some investigations are , presently underway. At this time OI has no firm estimated completion date. Ont O! report regarding this subject has been recently completed. If you desire, we will be pleased to brief you on specific aspects of the investigations. In order to protect the integrity of the investigative process, we sa gest such briefings be oral. The NRC technical staff has evaluated the safety aspects of missing and 1 potentially falsified welding records, and has resolved the safety aspects of these issues, as indicated in Enclosure I. The NRC staff has evaluated the safety-related aspects of the other issues being reviewed by OI. At this time, we are not aware of any information from the Office of Investigations that constitutes a basis for withholding the issuance of a low power license , for Wolf Creek. Therefore, the staff is proceeding with its review in support of the license issuance. Matters pertaining to all continuing investigations will be reviewed by the Commission prior to 1:isuance of a full power license. y > I
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1, % The Honorable Dan Glickman 3
,2 -
Because of your interest in being informed about NRC activities at the Wolf
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Creek plant, we are also advising you that NRC review of preoperational test activities indicated that some deficiencies had occurred in these activities. These deficiencies i vluded instances of incorrect test conditions, incomplete verification of systeras operation, and incomplete recording of test data. These ratters were identified to KG&E and corrective actions, including any repeating of preoperational tests, were performed by the applicant and were reviewed by NRC inspectors. Actions taken by KG&E to prevent recurrence are responsive to the NRC concerns. The technical issues have been resolved, and actions necessary to support issuance of a license permitting fuel load and low power testing have been completed. The NRC is also reviewing the need for possible enforcement action relative to the deficiencies identified in the preoperational testing program. A copy of inspection reports and any enforcement correspondence related to this subject will be provided to you . when they are issued to KG&E. i Based upon the NRC staff review and inspection program, we conclude that the facility has been constructed in conformance with the requirements of the , Connission and its operation will not represent any undue risk to the health ! and safety of the public. Sincerely, , b{ ' ' Willi J. Dircks Executive Director for Operations
Enclosures:
- 1. Structural Steel Issue
- 2. Electrical Separation Issue .
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