ML20135E910
| ML20135E910 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Site: | Vermont Yankee File:NorthStar Vermont Yankee icon.png |
| Issue date: | 03/05/1997 |
| From: | Miller H NRC OFFICE OF INSPECTION & ENFORCEMENT (IE REGION I) |
| To: | Reid D VERMONT YANKEE NUCLEAR POWER CORP. |
| Shared Package | |
| ML20135E913 | List: |
| References | |
| NUDOCS 9703110032 | |
| Download: ML20135E910 (4) | |
See also: IR 05000271/1997099
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March 5, 1997
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Mr. Donald A. Reid
Vice President, Operations
Vermont Yankee Nuclear Power Corporation
RD 5, Box 169
Ferry Road
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Brattleboro, Vermont 05301
Dear Mr. Reid:
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SUBJECT:
VERMONT YANKEE, SYSTEMATIC ASSESSMENT OF LICENSEE
PERFORMANCE (SALP) REPORT NO. 50-271/97-99
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This letter forwards the Vermont Yankee SALP report (Enclosure 1) for the period
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July 16,1995 to January 18,1997. This assessment was conducted under the current
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SALP process that the NRC implemented on July 19,1993. The SALP process rates
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licensees in four functional areas: operations, maintenance, engineering, and plant support.
The plant support area comprises radiological and effluent controls, chemistry, security,
emergency preparedness, fire protection, and housekeeping.
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Vermont Yankee's overall performance remained essentially constant over the course of
this SALP period. Operators performed well during planned evolutions and unplanned
transients. While performance in the area of problem identification was somewhat mixed,
improvements were noted, particularly regarding identification of problems related to
design basis conformance and engineering program adequacy. In addition, some
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improvements were noted in the material condition of the plant as indicated by a reduction
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in plant trips and transients caused by equipment problems. Radiological controls and
other plant support programs continued to be implemented effectively.
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Notwithstanding these performance improvements, human performance problems
continued to be noted. For example, maintenance and modification activities resulted in
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several-unexpected plant challenges due to poor communications and coordination among
the maintenance, operations, and engineering staffs. Also, weaknesses were found in
surveillance test procedure adequacy and adherence. Further, inconsistencies were noted
in the scope and depth of root cause analyses and in the prioritization of corrective actions.
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Audits, self assessments, and oversight committee activities have been generally effective
in identifying problems; however, V.ermont Yankee was not fully effective in using problem
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reporting and self assessment results to achieve necessary improvements in procedural
quality and human performance.
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Lastly, Vermont Yankee identified a number of design basis conformance and engineering
program problems this SALP period: The nature of these problems underscores the need
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for continuing an aggressive search for additional problems in these areas. The NRC staff
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plans to closely follow Vermont Yankee's efforts.
9703110032 970305
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Donald A. Reid
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Enclosure 2 provides the schedule and basis for the NRC inspections of your facility
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planned for the next year. We willinform you of any changes required to the attached
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inspection schedule. The routine resident inspection effort is not included in this schedule.
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We have scheduled a management meeting with you, open for public observation, at
3 p.m. on March 12,1997, at the Vernon Town Hall. At the meeting, you should be
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prepared to discuss our assessment and any initiatives you plan to take to address the
weaknesses detailed in our evaluation. in particular, we need to understand your current
and planned actions directed at identifying and resolving design basis and engmeenng
program problems.
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We appreciate your cooperation.
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Sincerely,
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Original Signed By:
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Hubert J. Miller
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Regional Administrator
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Docket No. 50-271
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Enclosures:
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1.
SALP Report No. 50-271/97-99
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2.
12 Month inspection Plan for Vermont Yankee
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cc w/encis-
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G. Marret, Plant Manager
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R. McCullough, Operating Experience Coordinator
J. Duffy, Licensing Engineer, Vermont Yankee Nuclear Power Corporation
J. Gilroy, Director, Vermont Public Interest Research Group, Inc.
D. Tefft, Administrator, Bureau of Radiological Health, State of New Hampshire
Chief, Safety Unit, Office of the Attorney General, Commonwealth of Massachusetts
R. Gad, Esquire
G. Bisbee, Esquire
R. Sedano, Vermont Department of Public Service
T. Rapone, Massachusetts Execu'Jve Office of Public Safety
State of New Hampshire, SLO Designee
Commonwealth of Massachusetts, SLO Designee
State of Vermont, SLO Designee
Chairman Jackson
Commissioner Rogers
Commissioner Dicus
Commissioner Diaz
Commissioner McGaffigan
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Institute for Nuclear Power Operations (INPO)
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Donald A. Reid
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Distribution w/encis:
Region I Docket Room (with concurrences)
PUBLIC
Nuclear Safety Information Center (NSIC)
R. Conte, DRP
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H. Eichenholz, DRP
NRC Resident inspector
M. Oprendek, DRP
Branch 5 Secretary
J. Wiggins, DRS
C. Hehl, DRP
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J. Linville, DR{P
L. Harrison, DRS
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J. Nick, DRS
D. Screnci, PAO 430 copies)
J. Callan, EDO
S. Collins, NRR
J. Lanning, DRM
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Distribution w/encls (VIA E-MAIL):
V/. Dean, OEDO
V. Rooney, NRR
S. Bajwa, NRR
J. Lieberman, OE
R. Correia, NRR
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D. Taylor, NRR
Inspection Program Branch, NRR (IPAS)
bec via E-Mail:
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Region i Staff (Rafer to SALP Driv 3)
DOCUMENT NAME: S:\\PPRVY\\VYSALP97.RV4
To receive a copy of this do:ument, indicate in the box: 'C" = Copy without attachment / enclosure
- E' = Copy with attachment / enclosure
"N* = No copy
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OFFICE
HQ/NRR
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NAME
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DATE
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OFFIClAL RECORD COPY
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'SEE PREVIOUS CONCURRENCE PAGE
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Donald A. Reid
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Distribution w/ encl:
Region i Docket Room (with concurrences)
PUBLIC
Nuclear Safety Information Center (NSIC)
R. Conte, DRP
H. Eichenholz, DRP
NRC Resident inspector
M. Oprendek, DRP
Branch 5 Secretary
Wiggins, DRS
R. Cooper, DRP
J. Linville, DR{P
L. Harrison, DRS
J. Nick, DRS
C. Hehl, RI
D. Screnci, PAO (30 copies)
J. Callan, EDO
S. Collins, NRR
Distribution w/enci (VIA E-MAIL):
W. Dean, OEDO
V. Rooney, NRR
S. Bajwa, NRR
J. Lieberman, OE
R. Correia, NRR
D. Taylor, NRR
inspection Program Branch, NRR (IPAS)
bec via E-Mail:
Region i Staff (Refer to SALP Drive)
DOCUMENT NAME: S:\\PPRVY\\VYSALP97.RV4
To receive a copy of this document, Indicate in the box: "C" = Copy without attachment / enclosure
- E' = Copy with attachment / enclosure
"N" = No copy
OFFICE
HQ/NRR
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NAME
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JWiggins/JTW
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OFFICIAL RECORD COPY
'SEE PREVIOUS CONCURRENCE PAGE