ML20134J571
| ML20134J571 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Site: | Millstone  |
| Issue date: | 11/01/1996 |
| From: | Shirley Ann Jackson, The Chairman NRC COMMISSION (OCM) |
| To: | Gejdenson S HOUSE OF REP. |
| Shared Package | |
| ML20134J573 | List: |
| References | |
| NUDOCS 9611150289 | |
| Download: ML20134J571 (2) | |
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UNITED STATES p
NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION WASHINGTON, D.C. 20555-0001 I
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November 1, 1996 g_g CHAIRMAN
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uq3 The Honorable Sam Gejdenson United States House of Representatives Washington, D.C. 20515
Dear Congressman Gejdenson:
Thank you for your letter of October 9,1996, regarding the Independent Corrective Action Verification Program (ICAVP) imposed at the Milhtone Nuclear Plant by the Nuclear Regulatory Commission's (NRC's) Order of August 14, 1996.
The NRC staff issued the order, which requires that the ICAVP be performed and completed for each unit to the satisfaction of the NRC prior to the unit's restart, in light of numerous configuration (design) control failures, failures to implement corrective actions for known problems, failures to implement quality assurance requirements, and failures to comply with the terms and conditions of the operating licenses for all three Hillstone plants.
The Commission shares your view that the ICAVP should be an open process. As you noted, representatives from the State of Connecticut and its Nuclear Energy Advisory Council will observe ICAVP implementation at the Millstone site. The Council has designated two of its members as observers and has named two alternates. These individuals will be kept apprised of NRC oversight activities so that they can participate in the ICAVP process.
ICAVP team findings will be made available to members of the Council and the public.
Furthermore, it is our intention to meet periodically with the public on the status of the ICAVP, thereby providing a forum for public comment.
For
' example, on September 24, 1996, members of the NRC staff met publicly with the licensee at the Millstone site and then met directly with the public that evening at the Waterford Town Hall to discuss the ICAVP. The NRC staff also met publicly with the Council on the evening of October 10, 1996, regarding the ICAVP. Additional public sessions will be scheduled as warranted by i
developments.
In addition to the ICAVP, the NRC recently issued an orier requiring Northeast Utilities to prepare and submit a plan addressing empicyee concerns. The order also requires the utility to form a second independent organization to oversee and report on implementation of that plan.
i To focus additional regulatory attention on activities at Millstone, including 1
the ICAVP, the NRC has established a Special Projects Office within the Office j
of Nuclear Reactor Regulation.
This new office will be managed by Dr. William D. Travers.
In addition to licensing and inspection activities, gj the Special Projects Office will be responsible for (1) oversight of the ICAVP, (2) oversight of corrective actions by Northeast Utilities related to j
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i safety issues involving employee concerns, and (3) inspections necessary to
)l implement NRC oversight of the plant's restart activities. The Special Projects Office will also have responsibility for regulatory activities at the
?g Haddam Neck plant unless Northeast Utilities decides to permanently shut down yl the plant.
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The Commission appreciates your comments. We are committed to ensuring that
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the ICAVP is conducted in a thorough and open manner. The NRC staff will 5;
continue to keep you apprised of developments concerning Millstone and Haddam Neck.
If you have any further comments, questions, or concerns, please
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contact me.
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'l Sincerely, Shirley Ann Jackson h
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