ML20138K128
| ML20138K128 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Site: | Byron  |
| Issue date: | 05/05/1997 |
| From: | Caldwell J NRC OFFICE OF INSPECTION & ENFORCEMENT (IE REGION III) |
| To: | Graesser K COMMONWEALTH EDISON CO. |
| References | |
| 50-454-96-05, 50-454-96-5, 50-455-96-05, 50-455-96-5, NUDOCS 9705120165 | |
| Download: ML20138K128 (3) | |
See also: IR 05000454/1996005
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May 5,1997
Mr. K. Graesser
Site Vice President
Byron Station
Commonwealth Edison Company
4450 N. German Church Road
Byron, IL 61010
SUBJECT:
BYRON RESPONSE TO INSPECTION REPORT NO. 50-454/455/96-05
NOTICE OF VIOLATION DATED AUGUST 30,1996, AND RECENT
ZION REACTIVITY EVENT
Dear Mr. Graesser:
References:
(a)
L. F. Miller, Jr. letter to K. L. Graesser dated July 31,1996, transmitting NRC
Inspection Report No. 50-454/455/96-05
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(b)
K. L. Graesser letter to Document Control Desk, USNRC dated August 30,1996,
responding to the Notice of Violation transmitted in Reference (a)
Your response (Reference (b)) to the Notice of Violation transmitted as part of Inspection
Report 96-05 (Reference (a)) provided your evaluation of the reactivity event that occurred
on June 12,1996, involving an unexpected dilution of reactor coolant boron
concentration. As we indicated to you in Reference (a) we were concerned because
operations and chemistry personnel did not display a strong questioning attitude in the
control of reactivity, and the dilution procedure used to change reactivity was inadequate.
It was our view that operations and chemistry personnel were aware of weaknesses in the
procedures they were using but chose to go ahead and use them in lieu of stopping and
having the procedures changed.
Your response provided a number of commitments for actions you intended to take in
response to this event, including a number of reviews and enhancements you planned.
However, no specifics on what enhancements, or discussion of when these actions would
be completed was provided. Additionally, you indicated that alllicensed operators would
be informed of management expectations on what actions to take with respect to
reactivity parameters and of maintaining a questioning attitude and r.iaking conservative
decisions in regards to all activities involving reactivity managemer.t concerns.
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While there is no direct correlation between the recent Zion reactivity event and the earlier
Byron reactivity event, in both cases operators made judgement errors that resulted in
inadequate control of reactivity. In light of this, we are interested in the status of your
corrective actions for your earlier reactivity event and what specific actions you have
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taken. We are also interested in what specific actions have been taken to ensure that the
expectations you described in your response will be met and how you will monitor
personnel to ensure that they will continue to be met. Additionally, in li ht of the
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numerous assessments at Zion, including the Independent Safoty Assessment, we are
interested in additional actions, including dates for implementation, that you feel are
warranted to ensure that similar problems do not exist at Byron.
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Please provide the above requested information within 60 days of receipt of this letter, in
accordance with 10 CFR 2.790 of the NRC's " Rules of Practice," a copy of this letter will
be placed in the NRC Public Document Room.
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Sincerely,
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/s/ J. A. Grobe for
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James L. Caldwell, Director
Division of Reactor Projects
Docket No. 50-454
Docket No. 50-455
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cc:
T. J. Maiman, Senior Vice President
Nuclear Operations Division
D. A. Sager, Vice President,
Generation Support
H. W. Keiser, Chief Nuclear
Operating Officer
K. Kofron, Station Manager
D. Brindle, Regulatory Assurance
Supervisor
I. Johnson, Acting Nuclear
Regulatory Services Manager
Richard Hubbard
Nathan Schloss, Economist
Office of the Attorney General
State Liaison Officer, Wisconsin
State Liaison Officer
Chairman, Illinois Commerce Commission
Document Control Desk-Licensing
DOCUMENT NAME: A:\\REACTY.BYR
To receive a copy of this document, indicate in the box "C" = Copy without attach / encl
"E" = Copy with attach /enci "N" = No copy
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