ML20134J672
| ML20134J672 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Site: | Millstone  |
| Issue date: | 11/01/1996 |
| From: | Shirley Ann Jackson, The Chairman NRC COMMISSION (OCM) |
| To: | Dodd C SENATE |
| References | |
| NUDOCS 9611150330 | |
| Download: ML20134J672 (2) | |
Text
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q73 CHAIRMAN The Honorable Christopher J. Dodd United States Senate Washington, D.C. 20510
Dear Senator Dodd:
Thank you for your letter of October 9,1996, regarding the Independent Corrective Action Verification Program (ICAVP) imposed at the Millstone 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 Millstone 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 developments.
In addition to the ICAVP, the NRC recently issued an order requiring Northeast
-Utilities to prepare and submit a plan addressing employee concerns. The order also requires the utility to form a second independent organization to oversee and report on implementation of that plan.
To focus additional regulatory attention on activities at Millstone, including the ICAVP, the NRC has established a Special Projects Office within the Office
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of Nuclear Reactor Regulation. This new office will be managed by
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Dr. William D. Travers.
In addition to licensing and inspection activities, the Special Projects Office will be responsible for (1) oversight of the ICAVP, (2) oversight of corrective actions by Northeast Utilities related to 9611150330 961101 PDR COMMS NRCC CORRESPONDENCE PDR YO
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safety issues involving employee concerns, and (3) inspections necessary to implement NRC oversight of the plant's restart activities. The Special Projects Office will also have responsibility for regulatory activities at the Haddam Neck plant unless Northeast Utilities decides-to permanently shut down the plant.
The Commission appreciates your comments. We are committed to ensuring that the ICAVP is conducted in a thorough and open manner. The NRC staff will continue to keep you apprised of developments concerning Millstone and Haddam Neck.
If you have any further comments, questions, or concerns, please contact me.
Sincerely, 1
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M6tglBII.B.C. 20515 October 9, 1996 The Honorable Shirley Jackson Chairwoman Nuclear Regulatory Commission Washington, D.C.
20555 Dear Chairwoman Jackson?
Thank you for taking time out of your demanding schedule to come to connecticut to meet with our constituents about the status of the Millstone Nuclear facility in Waterford, Connecticut.
At that meeting you announced that an independent assessment team consisting of highly qualified engineers would be formed to verify the results of the corrective action program at the nuclear plants.
Since that meeting, officials of the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) have briefed our staffs on the implementation of this program.
It is our understanding that a group of NRC engineers and scientists will also perform inspections at the facility and that the newly formed Nuclear Energy Advisory Council (NEAC) in Connecticut will be permitted to act as observers during the entire process.
The NEAC, comprised of experts in the nuclear industry, was formed to address the safety and operations of Connecticut's nuclear facilities.
The Council will submit findings and recommendations to the state legislature early next year.
We also request that every ef fort be made to ensure that this Independent Corrective Action Verification Program (ICAVP) remain an open process and that a mechanism for public comment be implemented.
We would also encourage periodic public status meetings to ensure that the citizens of our state are kept informed of the findings and progress of the inspection.
We thank you in advance for your assistance in keeping this verification program open and thorough.
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Sincerely, I
i CHRISTOPHER J. DODD SEPH LIEBERMAN i
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