ML20149M471

Forwards Insp Repts 50-498/96-25 & 50-499/96-25 on 961031- 1206 & Discusses Two Apparent Violations Related to Failure to Recognize Significance of Emergency Core Cooling Sys Leakage Outside Containment

ML20149M471
Person / Time
Site:	South Texas
Issue date:	12/11/1996
From:	Dyer J NRC OFFICE OF INSPECTION & ENFORCEMENT (IE REGION IV)
To:	Cottle W HOUSTON LIGHTING & POWER CO.
Shared Package
ML20149M472	List: IR 05000498/1996025 ML20149M471
References
EA-96-500, NUDOCS 9612170110
Download: ML20149M471 (6)

See also: IR 05000498/1996025

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l William T. Cottle, Group Vice

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Houston Lighting & Power Company

i P.O. Box 289

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Wadsworth, Texas 77483

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SUBJECT: NRC SPECIAL INSPECTION REPORT 50-498/96-25:50-499/96-25

,I Dear Mr. Cottle:

This refers to the special NRC inspection conducted October 31 through December 6,

1996, at your South Texas Project, Units 1 and 2, facility. The purpose of the inspection

was to follow up on leakage into the fuel handling building sump which was identified by

our inspectors. The enclosed report presents the scope and results of this inspection.

Based on the results of this inspection, two apparent violations were identified and are

being considered for escalated enforcement action in accordance with the " General

Statement of Policy and Procedure for NRC Enforcement Actions" (Enforcement Policy),

NUREG-1600. The apparent violations discussed in the report are related to your failure to

recognize the significance of emergency core cooling system leakage outside containment.

At least six reviewers of the condition report, including licensed operators and the system

engineer, failed to recognize the potential impact of system leakage on calculated dose

limits. Monthly system walkdown reports and several work planning sessions also failed to

identify the significance of the deficiency. In addition to failing to take prompt corrective

action, you also did not evaluate the deficiency in accordance with 10 CFR 50.59 in order

to determine if it was appropriate to delay the repair until June 1997.

The circumstances surrounding the apparent violations, the significance of the issues, and

the need for effective long-term corrective actions were discussed with members of your 3

staff during the inspection and at inspection exit meetings on November 14 and i

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December 9,1996. As a result, it may not be necessary to conduct a predecisional i

enforcement conference in order to enable the NRC to make an enforcement decisien.

However, a Notice of Violation is not presently being issued for these inspection findings.

Before the NP makes its enforcement decision, we are providing you an opportunity to

either (1) respond to the apparent violations addressed in this inspection report within

30 days of the date of this letter, or (2) request a predecisional enforcement conference

within 7 days of the date of this letter.

Your response should be clearly marked as a " Response to Apparent Violations in

Inspection Report 50-498/96-25;50-499/96-25"and should include: (1) the reason for

9612170110 961211

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the apparent violation, or, if contested, the basis for disputing the apparent violation, (2)

the corrective steps that have been taken and the results achieved, (3) the corrective steps

that will be taken to avoid further violations, and (4) the date when full compliance will be

achieved. Your response should be submitted under oath or affirmation and may reference

or include previous docketed correspondence, if the correspondence adequately addresses

the required response. If an adequate response is not received within the time specified or

an extension of time has not been granted by the NRC, the NRC will proceed with its

enforcement decision or schedule a predecisional enforcement conference.

If you choose not to provide a response and would prefer participating in a predecisional

enforcement conference, please contact Mr. Joseph Tapia at telephone (817) 860-8243 as

soon as possib's.

In addition, please be advised that the number and characterization of the apparent

violation described in the enclosed inspection report may change as a result of further NRC

review. You will be advised by separate correspondence of the results of our deliberations

on this matter.

In accordance with 10 CFR 2.790 of the NRC's " Rules of Practice," a copy of this letter,

its enclosure, and your response will be placed in the NRC Public Document Room (PDR).

Sincerely,

G9%

J. E. Dyer, Director

Division of Reactor Projects

Docket Nos.: 50-498

50-499

License Nos.: NPF-76

NPF-80

Enclosure:

NRC Inspection Report

50-498/96-25;50-499/96-25

cc w/ enclosures:

Lawrence E. Martin, General Manager

Nuclear Assurance & Licensing

Houston Lighting & Power Company

P.O. Box 289

Wadsworth, Texas 77483  ;

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Mr.' J. C. Lanier/Mr. M. B. Lee

City of Austin  !

[ Electric Utility Department l

l 721 Barton Springs Road i

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Austin, Texas 78704

Mr. K. J. Fiedler/Mr. M. T. Hardt  ;

City Public Service Board ,

P.O. Box 1771 i

San Antonio, Texas 78296

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Jack R. Newman, Esq. i

i Morgan, Lewis & Bockius .

1800 M. Street, N.W.

j . Washington, D.C. 20036-5869

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Mr. G. E. Vaughn/Mr. C. A. Johnson i

Central Power & Light Company l'

P.O. Box 289

!- Mail Code: N5012

Wadsworth, Texas 77483

INPO - I

Records Center  !

700 Galleria Parkway

Atlanta, Georgia 30339-5957

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l Dr. Bertram Wolfe

15453 Via Vaquero .

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Monte Sereno, California 95030 ,

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Bureau of Radiation Control i

State of Texas  !

.1100 West 49th Street  !

Austin, Texas 78756

- Mr. Glenn W. Dishong

l Texas Public Utility Commission

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7800 Shoal Creek Blvd.

Suite 400N

Austin, Texas 78757-1024

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Andy Barrett, Director

Environmental Policy

Office of the Governor

P.O. Box 12428

Austin, Texas 78711

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Judge, Matagorda County

Matagorda County Courthouse

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1700 Seventh Street

Bay City, Texas 77414

Licensing Representative

Houston Lighting & Power Company *

Suite 610

Three Metro Center

Bethesda, Maryland 20814

Rufus S. Scott, Associate

General Counsel

Houston Lighting & Power Company

P.O. Box 61867

Houston, Texas 77208

Joseph R. Egan, Esq.

Egan & Associates, P.C.

2300 N Street, N.W.

Washington, D.C. 20037

Mr. J. W. Beck l

Little Harbor Consultants, Inc

44 Nichols Road

Cohasset, MA 02025-1166

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E-Mail report to D. Nelson (DJN)

E-Mail report to NRR Event Tracking System (IPAS)

bcito DMB ( ) /

bec distrib. by RIV:

L. J. Callan Resident inspector

DRP Director DRS-PSB

Branch Chief (DRP/A) MIS System

Project Engineer (DRP/A) RI V File

Branch Chief (DRP/TSS) R. Bachmann, OGC (MS: 15-B-18)

Leah Tremper (OC/LFDCB, MS: TWFN 9E10)

G. F. Sanborn, EO

W. L. Brown, RC

J. Lieberman, OE, MS: 7-HS

OE:EA File, MS: 7-H5

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DOCUMENT NAME: R:\_STP\ST625RP.DPL

To receive copy of document, indicate in box: "C" = Copy witt)out enclosures

f "E" = Copy with enclosures "N" = No copy

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DPLoveless;df Q g JITapia Q/ GFS 3mth JEDyer \hhs

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sOFFICIAL RECORD COPY

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E-Mail report to D. Nelson (DJN)

E-Mail report to NRR Event Tracking System (IPAS) +

bec to DMB (IE14)

bec distrib. by RIV:

L. J. Callan Resident inspector ,

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DRP Director DRS-PSB

Branch Chief (DRP/A) MIS System

Project Engineer (DRP/A) RI V File

Branch Chief (DRP/TSS) R. Bachmann, OGC (MS: 15-B-18)

Leah Tremper (OC/LFDCB, MS

TWFN 9E10)

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G. F. Sanborn, EO ,

W. L. Brown, RC

J. Lieberman, OE, MS: 7-H5

OE:EA File, MS: 7-H5

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DOCUMENT NAME: R:\_STP\ST625RP.DPL

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To receive copy of document, Indicate in box: "C" = Copy wp enclosures "E" = Copy with enclosures "N" = No copy

RIV: SRI _

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DPLoveless;df Q'] gh JITapia (l'/ GFSimbbm JEDyer hhhx

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v0FFICIAL RECORD COPY

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