ML20169A378

Email-20-0196-NRC Riv Response V. Dricks to Tom Gurdziel Inquiry: Extent of Condition Flex Equipment

ML20169A378
Person / Time
Site:	Indian Point, River Bend
Issue date:	06/16/2020
From:	Victor Dricks Office of Public Affairs Region IV
To:	Tom Gurdziel Public Commenter
Shared Package
ML20169A692	List: ML20169A378 ML20169A675
References
Download: ML20169A378 (1)

Text

ADAMS ACCESSION NO. ML20169A378 ADAMS PKG NO. ML20169A692 From: Dricks, Victor To: Tom Gurdziel

Subject:

NRC response to inquiry concerning FLEX equipment Date: Tuesday, June 16, 2020 3:34:07 PM Attachments: Gurdziel 20-0196.pdf Hi Tom! Hope you are staying safe & sound during the pandemic. I am forwarding the agencys response to your inquiry of May 20. We reviewed your e-mail to the Chairman, and identified three questions:

1. Has anybody checked to see if any of their FLEX pumps work at River Bend?

Yes, an NRC inspection is currently in progress to follow up on FLEX equipment deficiencies that were identified at River Bend Station (River Bend). As part of this inspection, the NRC is reviewing the adequacy of strategies being implemented by Entergy (the licensee) to ensure the availability of FLEX equipment to perform designated functions under beyond-design-basis event conditions.

Inspectors reviewed the availability of the FLEX pumps and found no deficiencies. In addition, the licensee performed corrective actions to ensure all FLEX equipment is able to perform its designated function in the unlikely event that it is needed.

2. Has all their FLEX equipment here in the State of New York (at Indian Point) been checked since those River Bend failures?

Yes, NRC inspectors have noted that Entergy has issued fleet-wide actions to assess the condition of FLEX equipment in light of the issues identified at River Bend. Inspectors at the Indian Point plant, an Entergy site, are reviewing these actions and the status of the equipment. Additionally, the NRC conducts annual baseline inspection samples at all plants to review the adequacy and effectiveness of FLEX equipment testing performed by licensees. The NRC plans to evaluate the results of the special inspection in progress at River Bend to consider whether additional regulatory oversight measures are warranted.

3. Has anybody spot checked FLEX equipment owned by other companies operating US nuclear plants and also no longer members of NEI?

Yes, the NRC conducted initial audits and inspections of each licensees implementation of FLEX programs, as required by NRC Order EA-12-059. In addition, the NRC annual baseline inspections include samples to review FLEX equipment testing performed by licensees. The NRC plans to evaluate the results of the special inspection at River Bend to consider whether additional regulatory oversight measures are warranted to further ensure availability of FLEX equipment to meet the intended functions.