ML20132G237
| ML20132G237 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Site: | Pilgrim |
| Issue date: | 12/18/1996 |
| From: | Conte R NRC OFFICE OF INSPECTION & ENFORCEMENT (IE REGION I) |
| To: | Boulette E BOSTON EDISON CO. |
| Shared Package | |
| ML20132G240 | List: |
| References | |
| NUDOCS 9612260211 | |
| Download: ML20132G237 (4) | |
See also: IR 05000293/1996008
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December 18,1996
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E. Thomas Boulette, PhD
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Senior Vice President - Nuclear
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Boston Edison Company
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Pilgrim Nuclear Power Station
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600 Rocky Hill Road
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Plymouth, Massachusetts 02360-5599
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SUBJECT: PILGRIM INSPECTION REPORT 50-293/96-08
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Dear Mr. Boulette:
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. On November 22,1996, the NRC completed an inspection at the Pilgrim Nuclear Power
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Station in Plymouth, Massachusetts. The enclosed report presents the results of that
inspection.
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During the eight weeks covered by this inspection period, the conduct of activities at the
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Pilgrim f acility was characterized by a strong safety perspective. After completion of the
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extensive repairs to the "B" RBCCW heat exchanger, we observed operators conduct a
well-controlled approach to criticality, plant heat-up and ascension to full power. The
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nuclear instrumentation (i.e., SRM/lRMs) performed more reliably than during the previous
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start-up due to extensive diagnostic testing that led to the replacement of two IRM
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detectors and also an innovative modification to several of the detector connectors to
prevent moisture intrusion. After the return to full power, your staff demonstrated effective
problem identification and resolution of a malfunctioning feedwater system regulating valve.
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Thorough preparations, including the development of a specific temporary procedure and
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mock-up training done both in the maintenance shop and on the operations training
simulator, resulted in a well executed repair effort. Lastly, several tangible changes and
extensive planning for refueling outage number 11 (RFO11) were observed.
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In the previous NRC inspection report (i.e.,96-06), we issued a Notice of Violation for
procedure usage and quality issues. Several procedure adherence / quality issues occurred
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during this period. We identified two procedural adherence issues when electricians used
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an incorrect crimping tool during safety-related maintenance on MO-1301-48 and also when
the instructions of a caution tag hung on a leaking thermowell were not followed. After the
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exit meeting, Mr. Theodore Sullivan of your staff informed us that long-term efforts were
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underway to improve overall procedure usage and procedure quality at the Pilgrim station
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including site-wide briefings with workers and supervisors prior to the start of refueling
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outage no.11 (RFO11) scheduled to begin February 1,1997. We did note the positive
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actions of an attentive nuclear watch engineer (NWE) who identified improper discriminator
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9612260211 961218
ADOCK 05000293
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E. Thomas Boulette, Ph.D
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Boston Edison Company
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voltage settings for two source range monitors during the final review of a surveillance test
procedure. Lastly, a brief loss of shutdown cooling occurred on September 25,1996 due
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to an inadequate procedure that resulted from an incomplete engineering modification
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impact review. Because of these procedural adherence / quality issues, the NRC remains
concerned which re-enforces the importance of your planned actions to improve overall
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procedural usage and procedure quality.
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The inspection of radioactive liquid and gaseous effluent control and the radiological
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environmental monitoring program (REMP) programs incorporated selective examinations of
procedures and representative records, interviews with personnel, and observations by the
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inspectors. The radioactive effluent control and REMP programs at the Pilgrim Nuclear
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Power Station were considered strong programs overall. Based on the results of this
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inspection however, one violation of technical specifications requirements was identified
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involving failure to adhere to the requirements of Technical Specification 4.8.A.1, Table 4.8-
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1, relative to the sample and analytical requirements for release of the contents of the
neutralizing sump. The violation is cited in the enclosed Notice of Violation (Notice), and
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the circumstances surrounding the matter are described in the enclosed inspection report.
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While we recognize that the matter was identified by your organization as the result of a
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sample follow-up activity, the matter is a concern to us since it revealed lack of attention to
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the applicable technical specification compounded by a deficiency in the implementing
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procedure. We are aware that subsequent to this inspection, your staff issued Licensee
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Event Report 96-10, dated November 4,1996 in response to our inspection findings. LER
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96-10 identified the root cause of the violation as a programmatic deficiency and included
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adequate, immediate and planned corrective actions. As a result, you are not required to
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respond to this letter unless you choose to do so, or disagree with the violation.
Further, we note that the LER referenced above and other recent LERs involved missed
surveillance tests at required frequencies due to inadequacies of your Master Surveillance
Tacking Program (MSTP). We understand that you will complete by January 31,1997,a
comprehensive review of the MSTP to assure proper coverage of the facility technical
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specification surveillances to assure completion at the required frequencies. This
commitment date was given in a conversation between Mr. R. Laura of this office and Mr.
D. Ellis of your staff on December 16,1997 at your facility,
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Your continued cooperation with us is appreciated.
Sincerely,
Original Signed By:
Richard Conte, Chief
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Reactor Projects Branch No. 5
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Division of Reactor Projects
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E. Thomas Boulette, Ph.D
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. Boston Edison Company
Docket No.: 50-293
License No.: DPR-35
Enclosures:
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1.
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2.
Inspection Report 50-293/96-08
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BECo Slides From 10/03/96 Enforcement Conference
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cc w/encis:
L. Olivier, Vice President - Nuclear and Station Director
T. Sullivan, Plant Manager
N. Desmond, Regulatory Relations
D. Tarantino, Nuclear Information Manager
R. Hallisey, Department of Public Health, Commonwealth of Massachusetts
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The Honorable Therese Murray
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The Honorable Linda Teagan
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B. Abbanat, Department of Public Utilities
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Chairman, Plymouth Board of Selectmen
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Chairman, Duxbury Board of Selectmen
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Chairman, Nuclear Matters Committee
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Plymouth Civil Defense Director
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Paul W. Gromer, Massachusetts Secretary of Energy Resources
James Shaer, Legislative Assistant
J. Fleming
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A. Nogee, MASSPIRG
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Regional Adrninistrator, FEMA
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Office of the Commissioner, Massachusetts Department of Environmental Quality
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Office of the Attorney General, Commonwealth of Massachusetts
T. Rapone, Massachusetts Executive Office of Public Safety
Chairman, Citizens Urging Responsible Energy
Commonwealth of Massachusetts, SLO Designee
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E. Thomas Boulette, Ph.D
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Boston Edison Company
Distribution w/encis:
Region I Docket Room (with concurrences)
PUBLIC
Nuclear Safety Information Center (NSIC)
D. Screnci, PAO (2)
R. Conte, DRP
H. Eichenholz, DRP
G. Cowan, DRP
Distribution w/encls (VIA E-MAIL):
A. Wang, NRR
W. Dean, OEDO
M. Davis, NRR
inspection Program Branch, NRR (IPAS)
R. Correia, NRR (RPC)
R. Frahm, Jr., NRR (RKF)
DOCUMENT NAME: G:\\ BRANCH 5\\PIL9608.BEK
To recehe a copy of this document. Indicate in the bes:
"C" = Copy without attachment / closure
- E* = Copy with attachment / enclosure
- N' = No copy
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