ML20140H591

Forwards Press Release 85-99 Re NRC Proposed Civil Penalty in Amount of $150,000 Against Util for Violation of Requirements Concerning Reactor Vessel Water Level Instruments

ML20140H591
Person / Time
Site:	Browns Ferry, 05000000
Issue date:	07/23/1985
From:	Kammerer C NRC OFFICE OF CONGRESSIONAL AFFAIRS (OCA)
To:	Denton, Flippo, Heflin, Markey E, Simpson, Udall HOUSE OF REP., HOUSE OF REP., ENERGY & COMMERCE, SENATE
Shared Package
ML20140C961	List: IA-84-478, Forwards Press Release 84-69 Re NRC Reduction of Fine for 1983 Violation.Pressure Sensing Device Capped.Fine Reduced Due to Short Duration of Violation,Small Size of Reactor & Comparable Enforcement Actions IA-85-478, Forwards Press Release 85-3 Re NRC Ad Hoc Advisory Committee for Review of Enforcement Policy Request for Public Comments on Enforcement Policy IR 05000366/1983023 IR 05000409/2005031 ML20140C954 ML20140C962 ML20140H544 ML20140H550 ML20140H555 ML20140H562 ML20140H574 ML20140H591 ML20140H596 ML20140H616 ML20140H623 ML20140H639 ML20140H646 ML20140H658 ML20140H670 ML20140H705 ML20140H721 ML20140H745 ML20140H751 ML20140H763 ML20140H779 ML20140H784 ML20140H789 ML20140H812 ML20140H816 ML20140H822 ML20140H834 ML20140H839 ML20140H843 ML20140H855 ML20140H860 ML20140H867 ML20140H873 ML20140H880 ML20140H886 ML20140H890 ML20140H894 ML20140H900 ML20140H915 ML20140H919 ML20140H926 ML20140H931 ML20140H940 ML20140H945 ML20140H956 ML20140H962 ... further results
References
FOIA-85-478 NUDOCS 8510230041
Download: ML20140H591 (2)

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UNtTED STATES

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NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION

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The Honorable Edward J. Markey, Chairman Subcomittee on Energy Conservation and Power Comittee on Energy and Comerce United States House of Representatives Washington, DC 20515

Dear Mr. Chairman:

Enclosed for your information is an announcement that the Nuclear Regulatory Comission staff has proposed a $150,000 civil penalty against the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) for allegedly violating NRC requirements concerning reactor vessel water level instruments at the Browns Ferry nuclear plant.

This announcement will be mailed to the news media today.

Sincerely,,

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1. 6 l-- h Jton Kamerer, Director ffice of Congressional Affairs

Enclosure:

As stated cc: Rep. Carlos Moorhead IDENTICAL LETTER SENT T0:

Sen. Simpson/cc: Sen. Hart Rep. Udall/cc: Rep. Lujan Sen. Denton Sen. Heflin Rep. Flippo 8310230041 851004 PDR FOIA JAC08985-478 PDR

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UNITED STATES f(gi NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION ikakf'f Office of Public Affairs

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No.

85-99 FOR 'PMEDIATE RELEASE Tel. 301/a5E-7715 (Ecrcay, July 22, ISES) t FC STAFF TFCFCSES TC F.*f.E Tt A 5150,000 FOR ALLEGEP VIOLATICF.S AT ERChh5 FEPRY.

The haclear Pecniccr> Cctrissien steff has prcpcsed a $150 CCC civil penalty against the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) for allegedly violatirg NRC reouirements concerning reactor vessel water level instruments at the Browns Ferry nuclear plant near Athens, Alabama.

This enforcement action relates to an incident on February 13 of this year when the AFC's resident irspector fcund that TVA was proceeding with the start-up of Brewrs Ferry Unit 3, even thcugh the unit's water level instruments were shcwir.g significantly different readings.

The inspection also fcund that TVA er.ccuntered a similar water level instrument problem on November 20, 1984, but did not determine the cause and did not correct the conditions.

(Operators use water level indicators to assure that there is sufficient water at all times in the reactor vessel for adequate core ccoling. Although hRC's inspection ccr, firmed that irstrument readings shewed significant discrapancies on these occasions at Browns Ferry, the actual water level remained several feet abcve the core.)

In a letter informing TVA of the civil penalty, Dr. J. Nelson Grace, NRC Regional Administrator in Atlanta, said the repeated violations " represent a significant breakdown in your management system which resulted in the plant being cperated for a sustained period of time in a significantly degraded ccr.citicn with water level instrumentatier ircperability reither questioned ncr reccgnized."

Dr. Grace said NRC is rcw reviewing an event report from TVA detailing its analysis of the water level instrumentation problems ar.d propcsec corrective measures. He also noted that TVA is taking significant steps to improve its general management of nuclear operaticns at Browns Ferry and at its other nuclear plants.

TVA has 30 days to pay the civil penalty or to protest it, in whole or in part.