ML20129K391
| ML20129K391 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Site: | Seabrook  |
| Issue date: | 05/05/1986 |
| From: | Stello V NRC OFFICE OF THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR FOR OPERATIONS (EDO) |
| To: | |
| References | |
| SECY-86-143, SECY-86-143-R, NUDOCS 9611220196 | |
| Download: ML20129K391 (8) | |
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May 5, 1986 SECY-86-143 i
l FOR:
The Comunissioners i
t FROM:
Victor Stello, Jr.
Executive Director for Operations j
SUBJECT:
ENGINEERING EXPERTISE ON SHIFT, SEABROOK STATION, UNIT 1.
-PURPOSE:
To inform the Conunission of the staff's evaluation of engineering expertise on shift for the Seabrook Station, Unit 1 i
BACKGROUND:
On October 28, 1985, the Comunission published a Policy j
Statement on Engineering Expertise on Shift (50 FR 43621)
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to reassert the Comunission's belief that engineering and i
accident assessment expertise must be available to the j
operating crew at all nuclear power plants.
In this policy statement, the Cosmission noted a preference for a combined Senior Reactor Operator / Shift Technical Advisor (SR0/STA) position. Part of the educational training criteria for-such a position is a Bachelor's degree in engineering, j
engineering technology, or science.
l The applicant for the Seabrook Station, Unit 1 has indicated that each Shift Superintendent shall possess a Senior Reactor Operator's license and the training and qualifications of a Shift Technical Advisor. Thus, the Shift Superintendent would fulfill the SR0/STA position. Each of the SR0/STA candidates proposed for the Seabrook Station holds either a degree of Bachelor of Science.. Liberal Studies, issued by the Regents College of the University of the State of New York, or a degree of Bachelor of Professional Studies issued by Memphis State University. As such, the degrees do not literally meet the guidance of the Policy Statement, since they are not in engineering, engineering technology, or a related physical f
science.
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Contact:
S. Israel, NRR-x28053
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.a The Commissioners.
DISCUSSION:
The applicant has submitted a susumery of the minimum technical courses taken for academic credit by each of the proposed SR0/STA candidates. These include courses in mathematics, physics, radiation biology, chemistry, thermodynamics, materials, instrumentation, mechanics, fluids, computer technology, and electrical power systems as noted in the enclosure to this paper.
A review of the courses indicates that they cover a wide range of subjects that are relevant to a nuclear power plant. This breadth in course work exceeds the minimums permitted by the Policy Statement.
A review of degree requirements for engineering and physical science majors of several schools indicates that the minimum technical or scientific course work i
ranges from about 50 to 80 percent of the total student load. The 81 credits of technical courses noted in the enclosure fall within this range of accepted practice.
l CONCLUSION:
Our review of the minimum technical content of the forumi college level education of the SR0/STA candidates at Seabrook Station, Unit 1 indicates that the scope and..
t magnitude of this training is equivalent to that envisioned by the Policy Statement. Consequently, we are of the opinion that the SR0/STA candidates who have Bachelor's degrees that 4
include this level of technical course work satisfy the formal education criteria of the Policy Statement.
NOTE:
The staff intends to accept the Seabrook SR0/STA candidates as meeting the intent of the Commission guidance.
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or St o
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Executive Di or j
for Operations
Enclosure:
Ltr dtd 2/14/86 4
fm Public Service of New Hampshire i
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George S. Thomas weene ww mawan W h hW Pebruary 14, 1986 ew Hampshire Yankee DMelon SEN-943 T.P. 57.1.3 i
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United States Nuclear RaSulatory Commission Weahington, DC 20555 Attention:
Mr. Vincent S. Noonan, Project Director PWR Project Directorate No. 5 Rsserences:
(a) Construction Permits CPPR-135 and CFFR-136, Docksta Nos. 50-443 and 50-444 (b) USERC MIREG-0896, " Safety Evaluation Report (SER), Related to the Operation of Seabrook Station, Units 1 and 2,* dated March 1983 (c)
- Nuclear Regulatory Commission Policy Statement on Engineering Expertise on Shift," dated October 22, 1985
Subject:
Shift Technical Advisor (STA); TMI Action Plan Iten I.A.1.1 (SER Outstanding Issue No. 16)
Dear Sir:
In reference (b) NRC staff indicated that their approval of the Seabrook Station Shift Technical Advisor (STA) proposal wea pending completion of their review. As noted in our PSAR, Seabrook Station hae elected to combine the STA position with either the Shift Soperistendent or Unit Shift Supervisor. This provides the on-shift engineering and accident assessanat espertise r3 commended by NUEEG-0737, Acties Plan Iten 1.A.1.1.
In addition to meetira the Item I.A.1.1 Suidelines, we believe that the proposed dual position meets the recommendations and objectives of the Commission's ree'st Policy Statement e
on Engineering Expertise on shif t [ Reference (c)].
Understanding the benefits of a dual-role position for the STA, Seabrook Station has developed an intensive, stringent and formal educational training progran in conjunction with the Memphis State University Center for Nuclear Studies. The program courses, as depicted in Table 1, represent technical degree work in the areas of engineering, mathematica and physical sciences.
In addition, the Seabrook STA curriculum included communications, stress management and humanities courses as shown in Table 2.
Individaals completing this program hold an accredited degree from the Regents College of the University of the State of 11ew York and/or Memphis State University.
o n o~ m, c=.e..vs w mm7A. Talmedvwn fMW M A 0"
United States Nuclear Regulatory Commission February 14, 1986 Attention:
Mr. Vincent S. Noonan Page 2 The Regents College degree represents an accredited curriculus in nuclear technology courses under the degree of Bachelor of Science (B.S.), Liberal Studies. The Memphis State University degrle represents an accredited curriculus in nuclear industrial operations under the degree of Sachelor Professional Studies (S.P.S.).
Though these degrees are not explicitly titled
" engineering", we believe the degrees and course work satisfy the Commission's Policy Statement, under Option 1, Alternative 3.
Table 1 shows that the sintaum number of technical courses taken by Seabrook's STA's are as extensive as those taken under a typical engineering or engineering technology curriculum. The Sesorook STA program ensures that an individual has substantial knowledge and understanding of the physical and mathematical sciences and the principles of engineering, as they relate to the operations of a nuclear facility. Moreover, as illustrated in Table 3, Seabrook would typically have at least two individuals per shift who qualify for the dual-role position. This ensures that an adequate number of dual-role licensed staff are available to provide engineering expertise at Seabrook, Station when needed.
In summary, we agree with the Commission's desires to have technically qualified persons on shif t, and we appreciate the Policy Statement's acknowledgment of programs that aset the intent of their Policy Statement on a
" case-by-case" basis. We believe that the Seabrook Station STA Program provides the engineering expertise on shift delineated as Option'1 Alternative 3 of the Policy Statement. It would be appreciated if your staff, in possible conjunction with the Commissioners' Staff, would resolve this Open SER issue, so as not to affect the present course of action taken by the Seabrook Station STA Program. ' A response to our position would be appreciated by February 28, 1986.
Should y'ou have any questions regarding this estter, please do not hesitate to contact us.
Very truly yours,
/u*sd<:3 o;f/fTho.as.
CST /cjb Enclosures cc: Atomic Safety and Licensing Board Service List i
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TABLE 1 i
MININUM TECHNICAL COURSES TAKEN FOR ACADEMIC CREDIT l
BY ALL SEABROOK STA'S
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i NUMBER OF COURSE COURSE TITLE CREDITS LEVEL (a)
College Algebra 3
lower Calculus I 4
lower Calculus II l
lower Mathematics Total 11 Ceneral Physics 4
lower General Physics 4
lower Nuclear Physics 3
spper Reactor Physics 3
spper Radiation Biology 3
upper Chem. for Rasetor Tech.
3 lower Thermodynamics J
upper Physical Science Total 23 Intro. to Instrumentation 3
lower Industrial Materials 3
upper Corrosion Chemistry 3
upper Nuclear Best Mechanics 3
upper Chemical Thermodynamics 3
upper 1
Physics of Fluids 3
upper Computer Technology 3
spper Advanced Rese. tor Physics 3
opper Stress Mechanics 3
uppe r Electrical power Systems 3
upper Reactor Operation & Licensing 3
opper Mitigating Core Damage (b) 1 upper Transferrt & Accident Analysis (b) 1 upper U.S. Navy Technical Training upper &
Courses (c) g lower Engineeering Science Total 47 overall Total 81 l
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i TASLE 1 i
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(continued)
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Footnotes for Table 1 (a) Upper. level courses are desigrij for degree candidates in the third or
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fourth year of university work; lower level courses are designed for degree candidates in the first year of university work.
(b) This course, designed by Westinghouse for PWR plants, was given at
- Seabrook by Westinghouse instructors. The course is recommended for one credit, apper level, by the American. Council on Education. The Seabrook STA's would qualify for this credit toward a four year, university degree in nuclear technology.
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(c) Except for two Seabrook STA's who have engineering degrees, all other STA's have had technical work in U.S. Navy technical training courses.
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l Memphis State University has granted credit for this technical j
training. The 12 credits indicated are the minimum number of U.S. Navy technical training credits earned by any of the STA's, other than the two 1'
with engineering degrees.
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Tau 2 j
COURSES IN COPAUNICATIONS, STRESS MANAGEMENT. AND HUMANITIES TAKEN FOR ACADEMIC CREDIT BY ALL SEABROOK STA'S j
,i NUMBER OF COURSE COURSE TITLE CREDITS LEVEL 1
i Communications 6
lower Stress and Human Behavior 3
upper i
l Technology and Change J
uppe r l
TOTAL 15 1
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TABLE 3 i
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SEABROOK STA TRAINED INDIVIDUALS PER SHIFT (d)
DECREED (")
TOTAL 1 0F SHIFT j
SHITT INDIVIDUALS ON SHIFT DECREED l
1 A
2 4
50%
3(b) 4 75%
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B C
2 5
40%
g 5
j D
2 4
50%
2(b) 4 50%
E I
F-3 5
60%
TOTALS:
6 14(*)
26 54%
1 (a) Degree is a Bachelor of Science in Liberal Studies j
from Regents College of the University of the State of New York.
i (b) One (1) individual, in addition to holding the degree noted in (a) above, has a Bachelor of l
Professional Studies specializing in Nuclear Industry Operations from Memphis State University (i.e., holds two degrees).
i (c) Three (3) additional licensed individuals hold a degree from either Regents or MSU, but they are not expected to be used for shift duty, and they have not been taken credit for in this table.
(d) Figures are as of February, 1986.
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