ML20151Z693

Discusses Allegations Re Licensee Operation of Plant W/ Damaged Fuel in 1982-83

ML20151Z693
Person / Time
Site:	Farley
Issue date:	11/19/1987
From:	Sharp P HOUSE OF REP., ENERGY & COMMERCE
To:	Zech L NRC COMMISSION (OCM)
Shared Package
ML20151Z644	List: ML20151Z640 ML20151Z656 ML20151Z668 ML20151Z679 ML20151Z693
References
NUDOCS 8808300095
Download: ML20151Z693 (3)

Text

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o nca Washington, BC 20515 November 19, 1987-The Honorable Lando W. Zech, Jr.

Chairman U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission 1717 H Street, N.W.

Washington, D.C. 20555

Dear Mr. Chairman:

I recently received allegations about an incident which may have oc>2rred at Alabama Power Company's Joseph M. Farley nuclear power p' - The information provided to me indicates that in 1982-83 the 1 ,ee operated the Farley plant with damaged fuel. In addition, thec; have been allegations that plant personnel falsified records in order to avoid shutting down the plant, and that other plant staff were fired or harassed when they tried to raise health and safety concerns. I have also been told that the NRC has not yet investigated these allegations even though the agency has known about them for several years.

The allegations suggest that the Commission is dragging its feet and raise serious questions about the utility's commitment to resol-ving safety matters. If the NU and the nuclear industry want to gain public support, prompt resolution of safety issues is essential.

At present, I have no basis for determining whether the allegations are accurate. Please provide me with whatever infor-mation you have which may be relevant. Specifically, I would like answers to the following questions:

(1) (a) Has Farley been operated with damaged fuel?

(b) If so, was such operation a violation of license conditions or NRC regulations?

(c) What is the safety significance of operating a plant with damaged fuel? Does it affect plant operation? Does it result in contamination of plant equipment? Can it lead to increases in exposures to plant workers? Was there any contamination or increase of exposures to plant workers in the Farley case?

8808300095 890217 PDR COMMS NRCC CORRESPONDENCE PNU

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The Hon 3 rabic Lrndo W. Zsch, Jr. l Navitbar 19, 1987 Pega Two I l

l (d) Has the NRC or the utility taken any action to rectify the problem? Please explain. ,

i (e) Has the NRC taken, or does the NRC intend to take, '

enforcement action as a result of this incident?

(2) Is there an ongoing or completed investigation by your Office of Investigations (OI) concerning activities at the Farley plant? Please describe the findings or status of any such investigation.

(3) Is there an ongoing or completed investigation by your Office of Inspector and Auditor (OIA) concerning the NRC stsff's handling of issues at Farley? Please describe the findings or status of any such investigation.

(4) (a) Did the NRC receive, or is the NRC aware of, allegations that Farley employees were harassed or fired when they tried to raise health and safety concerns? lease provide whatever information you have on this.

(b) What is the NRC's policy for dealing with allegations of harassment cud intimidation of liceusee employees for raising safety concernsY I look forward to hearing from you soon. If you have any questions, please have your staff call Mr. David Schooler of the subcommittee stafi at (202) 226-2500.

Sincere ,

h lip, Sh rp Chairm'

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cc: Mr.JosephM.Farley'/

President Alabama Power Company

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[Ah NOTE FOR: Document Control Desk . {

FROM: Correspondence c ranch The enclosed document (s) are to be entered into the DCS. An advanced has been sent to -l the Public Document Room.

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