ML20133G873

Forwards Initial SALP 11 Repts 50-237/92-01 & 50-249/92-01 for Period 910801-920731

ML20133G873
Person / Time
Site:	Dresden
Issue date:	10/08/1992
From:	Davis A NRC OFFICE OF INSPECTION & ENFORCEMENT (IE REGION III)
To:	Reed C COMMONWEALTH EDISON CO.
Shared Package
ML20133G876	List: IR 05000237/1992001 ML20133G873
References
NUDOCS 9701160197
Download: ML20133G873 (4)

See also: IR 05000237/1992001

Text

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+RWC UNITED STATES

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, NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMisslON

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$ CLEN ELLYN, ILLINOIS 60137

% . . . . . * ',4 OCT 81992

Docket No. 50-237; 50-249

License No. DPR-19; DPR-25

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Commonwealth Edison Company

ATTN: Mr. Cordell Reed

Senior Vice President

Opus West III

1400 Opus Place

Downers Grove, IL 60515

Dear Mr. Reed:

Enclosed for your review, prior to our scheduled meeting of October 20, 1992,

is the initial SALP 11 Report for the Dresden Nuclear Station, covering the

period August 1, 1991, through July 31, 1992.

In accordance with NRC policy, I have reviewed the SALP Board Assessment and

concur with their ratings. It is my view that your overall conduct of

nuclear-licensed activities in connection with the Dresden facility was

adequate.

The last SALP report discussed a decline in station performance that was

identified late in that assessment period. This decline continued into the

current period. To accurately assess this decline, NRC conducted a number of

inspections to provide better insight into your performance. Based on these

inspections it is now apparent that this decline was a result of significant

weaknesses in your management systems and controls and that, in some areas the

l ratings assigned last period were too high. We also noted that many,

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weaknesses brought to your attention in the previous SALP had not been

resolved at the end of this SALP. Poor personnel performance and material

condition at Dresden station also contributed to the overall decline.

You have undertaken a number of initiatives to improve performance. These

include significant corporate management involvement in Dresden station

activities and increased resources applied to the station. Further,

management changes have been made at the station, and a Dresden station

improvement plan has been developed and implemented. At this time it appears

that these initiatives are beginning to have a positive effect on performance;

however, it is still too early to predict their long term effect. '

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With respect to the individual functional areas, the Emergency Preparedness

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and Security areas again retained their Category I ratings, with excellent

performance in each area. The Maintenance / Surveillance area maintained a

Category 2 rating. Problems with post-maintenance testing were again

identified, but better control was observed over emergent work during the Unit

3 refueling outage.

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Commonwealth Edison Company 2

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The Plant Operations area declined from Category 2 to Category 3. .

Contributing to this decline was a number of operator errors, indicating a l

lack of management effectiveness in controlling day-to-day operation of the

plant. Ineffective communications and procedure quality and adherence were

also identified as problems throughout the assessment period. However,

conservative operating decisions throughout the assessment period were

observed.

Although there are serious issues requiring strong management attention in i

Radiation Controls, I have decided this area warrants a Category 3 rating with I

an improving trend in recognition of management efforts which have resulted in '

continuing station personnel dose reductions, reduction in personnel

contamination events, and reduction in station and site contamination and

stored waste. Strong performance in reactor water quality chemistry, low

effluent releases and qualified radiation protection, chemistry and radwaste  !

personnel continued from the past assessment period. However, plant worker

performance, especially the lack of support for radiation protection practices

and policies by line organizations outside the radiation protection department l

must be addressed. This matter remains uncorrected from the last SALP period i

and has been over the years a recurring problem at Dresden. Progress in

addressing this issue will be considered in future SALP evaluations.

The functional area of Engineering and Technical Support was assigned a

Category 3 rating. As in the last assessment period, weaknesses were noted in

resolution of identified issues as evidenced by a number of long-standing

equipment problems. Also, experience levels of technical staff continues to

be a concern. Last assessment period we identified the need for close

management involvement in li'g ht of these problems. It is disconcerting that

management oversight of the technical staff remained weak. Failure to

effectively address previous concerns contributed to the decline in the

rating. In a positive vein, we note increased corporate engineering presence

onsite in support of the station and consider your recent vulnerability

assessment to be a positive initiative.

Finally, the Safety Assessment / Quality Verification functional area declined

to a Category 3. The problems with the corrective actions program and the

delays in management resolution of concerns were the primary causes for this

decline. An improving trend was assigned to this functional area because of

the management improvement programs put into place during this assessment

period.

At the SALP meeting, you should be prepared to discuss our findings and your

plans to improve performance in the areas of Plant Operations, Radiation

Control's, Engineering / Technical Support and Safety Assessment / Quality

Verification. The meeting is intended to provide a candid dialogue in which

we may discuss any comments you may have regarding our findings.

Additionally, you are requested to respond in writing specifically addressing

corrective actions planned to improve your performance in the above areas.

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OCT 8 1992

Commonwealth Edison Company 3

This response should include specific actions and dates by which these actions

will be taken. Making reference to a pre-established improvement plan-is

acceptable in this response. Your written response should be provided within

30 days after the meeting. Your comments, a summary of our meeting, and my

disposition of your comments will be issued in the Final SALP Report.

In accordance with Section 2.790 of the NRC's " Rules of Practice," Part 2,

Title 10, Code of Federal Regulations, a copy of this letter and the Initial

SALP Report will be placed in the NRC Public Document Room. ,

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Should you have any questions concerning the Initial SALP Report, we Would be

pleased to discuss them with you.  ;

Sincerely, j

A.Bertbavis

Regional Administrator

Enclosure: Initial SALP 11

Reports No. 50-237/92001;

No. 50-249/92001

Distribution

cc w/ enclosure:

D. Galle, Vice President, BWR

Operations

T. Kovach, Nuclear Licensing ,

Manager

C. Schroeder, Station Manager

R. Radtke, Regulatory Assurance

Supervisor

R. Hubbard

J. McCaffrey, Chief, Public

Utilities Division

R. Newman, Office of Public

Counsel, State of Illinois Center

INP0

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OCT 8 1992

Commonwealth Edison Company 4

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Distribution Cont.

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The Chairman

K. C. Rogers, Commissioner

J. R. Curtiss, Commissioner

F. J. Remick, Commissioner

E. G. de Planque, Commissioner

J. H. Sniezek, DEDR

T. E. Murley, Director, NRR

State Liaison Officer, State

of Illinois

Chief, LPEB, NRR (2 copies)

R. J. Barrett, NRR Director, Project Directorate III-2

B. L. Siegel, Licensing Project Manager, NRR

J. Lieberman, Director, OE

C. D. Pederson, RIII

W. G. Rogers, SRI, Dresden

Resident Inspectors, Clinton,

LaSalle, Quad Cities

L. L. Cox, RIII (2 copies)

TSS, RIII I

DCD/DBC (RIDS)

OC/LFDCB

RIII Files

RIII PDR

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