ML20151J811

Forwards Insp Rept 50-528/88-20 on 880525-26.Violations Noted.Enforcement Actions Re Findings Will Be Subj of Separate Correspondence

ML20151J811
Person / Time
Site:	Palo Verde
Issue date:	07/14/1988
From:	Martin J NRC OFFICE OF INSPECTION & ENFORCEMENT (IE REGION V)
To:	Karner D ARIZONA PUBLIC SERVICE CO. (FORMERLY ARIZONA NUCLEAR
Shared Package
ML20151J816	List: IR 05000528/1988020 ML20151J811
References
NUDOCS 8808030059
Download: ML20151J811 (2)

See also: IR 05000528/1988020

Text

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30L141988

Docket No 50-528

Arizona Nuclear Power Project

P. O. Box 52034

Phoenix, Arizona 85072-2034

Attention: Mr. D. B. Karner

Executive Vice President

Gentlemen:

Subject: Special NRC Inspection

This letter refers to the special inspection conducted by Messrs. L. Miller,

D. Coe, and R. Pate on May 25-26, June 6-10, and June 24, 1988, of activities

authorized by NRC License No. NPF-41 and to the discussion of our findings

held by Mr. L. Miller with Mr. J. Haynes.

Areas examined during this inspection are described in the enclosed inspection

report. Within these areas, the inspection consisted of selective

examinations of procedures and representative records, interviews with

personnel, and observations by the inspectors.

Based on the results of the inspection, it appears that you failed to operate

the Palo Verde Unit 1 reactor safely in accordance with the technical

specification requirements and 10 CFR Part 50 during and subsequent to the

reactor startup perf ormed on May 14, 1988. Specifically, the reactor was

brought critical below the Transient Insertion Limit, and at an excessive

startup rate. Criticality was recognized by the Control Room Supervisor and

Primary Reactor Operator, but was neither logged in the official log nor

reported to the NRC. No attempt was made to borate as required to restore

apparently inadequate shutdown margin, concurrent with the actions that were

i taken to shutdown the reactor. The initial post trip review report of the

incident was not adequate in scope and depth, and did not accurately

characterize the incident. Enforcement actions relative to the findings

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discussed in the enclosed report will be the subject of separate

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correspondence.

, In reviewing the attached inspection report, I was disturbed by the apparent

l willingness of the operating crew to proceed in a manner contrary to

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fundamental principles of nuclear reactor operations. I was even more

disturbed by the inability or unwillingness of the operations personnel and by

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Palo Verde management to do a self-critical evaluation of this event. I urge

your attention to these two key matters and would appreciate your assessment

as to why this situation exists, and what will be done to correct it.

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8808030059 880714 0 j

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JUL 141988 .

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'In accordance with 10 CFR 2.790(a),'a copy of this letter will be placed in'-

the NRC Public Document Room.

If you havelany questions concerning this inspection, we will be glad to

discuss them with you. .

- .

.I

Jo n B. Ma itin

/$bhk

Regional Administrator

Enclosure:

Inspection Report No. 50-528/88-20

cc w/ enclosure:

J. G. Haynes, ANPP

W. F. Quinn, ANPP

R. Papworth, ANPP

L. Souza, ANPP

T.-D. Shriver, ANPP

C. N. Russo, ANPP

L. Bernabei, GAP

T. Hogan, ACC

A. C. Gehr, Esq., Snell & Wilmer

bec w/ enclosure:

Project Inspector

Resident Inspector

docket file-

G. Cook, RV

B. Faulkenberry, RV

J. Martin, RV

T. Foley, NRR

bec w/o enclosure

J. Zollicoffer

.n % ,._.m _..M* Smith

_.

REG V/ dot b 4

LF er D (RPate AJohilton MBlume $ K,M

7/ 88 7/ /88 7/tz/88 7/ll@8 7/1988

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