ML20134H789

Partially Deleted Memo Informing That J Gutierrez Requested Meeting,On Behalf of Northeast Utilities Board,For 960718

ML20134H789
Person / Time
Site:	Millstone, Haddam Neck  File:Connecticut Yankee Atomic Power Co icon.png
Issue date:	07/16/1996
From:	Brian Holian NRC
To:	Shirley Ann Jackson, The Chairman NRC COMMISSION (OCM)
Shared Package
ML20134H779	List: ML20134H775 ML20134H783 ML20134H789 ML20134H793
References
FOIA-96-298 2.206, NUDOCS 9611140307
Download: ML20134H789 (3)

Text

_ _ _ . _. .-- ___ _ _ .- _ _ . __

' 8 f July 16. 1996 Note To: Chairman Jackson From: Bria ian M Coordinated With: An te / Marylee

Subject:

Meeting with Northeast Utilities' Board of Trustees -

July 18 i Mr. Jay Gutierrez with the law firm of Morgan. Lewis, and Bockius requested this meeting on behalf of the Northeast Utilities' Board. Attending will be:

Mr. Robert Patricelli. Trustee Ms. Cotton Cicveland. Trustee Mr. George Davis. Chairman of the Advisory Team to the Board Bios are attached.

l Backaround  ;

On June 11. 1996, the following Northeast Utilities (NU) executives visited l Chairman Jackson.

Mr. Bernard Fox. President and Chief Executive Officer I j Mr. Robert Busch. President of Energy Resources Group and Chief

Financial Officer Mr. Ted Feigenbaum. Executive Vice-President and Chief Nuclear Officer Additionally, at the Chairman's request, a member of the Board of Directors.

Ms. Elizabeth Kennan, attended.

During the drop-in visit. the NU representatives stated that their number one I

gotl is to regain the confidence of the public and the NRC that they are caleble of safely operating their nuclear plants. Mr. Fox stated that the i conoany is dependent, as the state is, on the safe and successful operation of the Millstone station. He committed to ensure that all the resources that are l

necessary will be available to ensure safe operations.

i The Chairman questioned the executives on their timetable for resolving the many issues they are confronted with. Additionally, during discussions of the processes they are utilizing to measure im)rovement, the Chairman cautioned that the proof of im)rovement will be in tie results - not the programs. The Chairman indicated tlat the NRC will continue to examine the results of our inspection and investigative activities and will closely monitor NU's l

progress.

I l Discussion e Feigenbaum's letter of May 31, 1996 provides an assessment of the challenges faced by the nuclear units to improve their performance and their plans for dealing with these challenges.

4 1 9611140307 961106 PDR FOIA

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GTOECKE96-298 PDR m l

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The letter admits to many longstanding issues at Millstone. The letter

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e states that the issues reflect "a failure to correct known problems.

ineffective handling of employee concerns, and a lack of management accountability." NU has also identified weaknesses in configuration management practices.

1 e In April,1996 the Board of Trustees announced the formation of the Nuclear Committee. This committee provides high-level oversight of NU's j nuclear operations and management's 3rogress toward improving performance. The Nuclear Committee los established the Nuclear Committee Advisory Team (NCAT) to assist the Committee in the oversight l l

role. .

e At the same time the NCAT was organized, the Fundamental Cause Assessment Team (FCAT) was formed. The FCAT report was just issued (July 12. 1996) and is attached. Highlighted portion provides good background and findings.

Questions: h A

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l OPEN'01:RI NORTHEAST UTILITIES (NU)/ MILLSTONE INVESTIGATIONS

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Millstone 3 Potential falsification of training 1 93-031 records; evaluation continuing; candidate for upgrade to "R" during next reporting period Haddam Neck Potential wrongdoer rule violation:

1-93-037 anticipate closure of evaluation during next reporting period 1-93-038 Millstone /Haddam Neck Potential H&I of nurses at both sites: 2.206 petitions filed: 00L proceedingsinprogress: candidate l

' for upgrade to R" 1-93-044 Millstone 1 Potential H&I (T. Ross): 2.206 petition filed: no known 00L action to date: candidate for upgrade to "R"

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Millstone 1 Potential H&I (C. Reynolds, 2.206 1-93-047 petition filed: no known COL action to date: evaluation continuing 1-93-049 NU Potential H&I (E. Abolafia): no known DOL action: candidate for upgrade to "R" during next reporting period =

1-93-053 Millstone 3 Potential false statements and l reportability violation re: the aux.

building filter system: evaluation continuing: subpoena for documents l

issued 74 1-93-038 Millsto: Potential falsification of I&C ed qualification fonas-3: Alleger:

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c July 16. 1996 Note To: Chairman Jackson From: Brian Holian Coordinated With: Annette / Marylee

Subject:

Meeting with Northeast Utilities

• Board of Trustees -

July 18 Mr. Jay Gutierrez with the law firm of Morgan. Lewis, and Bockius requested this meeting on behalf of the Northeast Utilities' Board. Attending will be:

Mr. Robert Patricelli. Trustee -

Ms. Cotton Cleveland. Trustee Mr. George Davis. Chairman of the Advisory Team to the Board Bios are attached.

Backaround On June 11. 1996, the following Northeast Utilities (NU) executives visited Chairman Jackson. .

Mr. Bernard Fox. President and Chief Executive Officer Mr. Robert Busch. President of Energy Resources Group and Chief Financial Officer Mr. Ted Feigenbaum. Executive Vice-President and Chief Nuclear Officer Additionally, at the Chairman's request, a member of the Board of Directors.

Ms. Elizabeth Kennan, attended.

During the drop-in visit, the NU representatives ststed that their nyuber one goal is to regain the confidence of the public and the NRC that ' !are capable of safely operating their nuclear plants Mr.FoxstateA the ion of compary is dependent as the state is, on the save arid successM-the Millstone station. He committed to ensure that all the' resources that are necessary will be available to ensure safe operations. m ", ;.4.9,q, A. e ' .< .

The Chairman questioned the executives on their timetable for re

~

mary issues they are confronted with. Additionally, durin discessions of the

~'

processes they are utilizing to measure im>rovement, the 0 . oral e

that the proof of im)rovement will be in tie results e not. Mm.

000 7

)$?

Chairman indicated t1at the NRC will continue .to examine :thtl TK ^

inspection and investigative activities and will closely moni progress. ~ ~ ';. ~ ~; ~C%%u', a

, AUS fR O ;

Discussion ~ gMg 62m Feigenbaum's letter of May 31, 1996 provides an assessment 3he?

e cha lenges faced by the nuclear units to inprove their performance and their p ans for dealing with these challenges.

)

~

O[ u ii i H CM 2 g h

! n .-

i q .

l

!i e The letter admits'to many longstanding issues at Millstone. The letter states that the issues reflect "a failure to correct known problems. i ineffective handling of employee concerns and a lack of management l accountability." NU has also identified weaknesses in configuration management practices.

e In April.1996 the Board of Trustees announced the formation of the Nuclear Committee. This comittee provides high-level oversight of NU's nuclear operations and management's progress toward improving performance. The Nuclear Committee has established the Nuclear Committee Advisory Team (NCAT) to assist the Comittee in the oversight l role.

! e At the same time the NCAT was organized, the Fundamental Cause l Assessment Team (FCAT) was formed. The FCAT report was just issued (July 12. 1996) and is attached. Highlighted portion provides good background and findings.

l Questions: M<

r

!Y l 1:

l l  !

l \

l  !

\~-

ll

,