ML20197H162

Forwards Insp Repts 50-324/97-12 & 50-325/97-12 on 970928- 1108 & Nov.Violation Re Failure of Engineering Staff to Properly Implement CA Program & Resolve EQ Program Deficiencies in Insp Repts 50-324/96-14 & 50-325/96-14

ML20197H162
Person / Time
Site:	Brunswick
Issue date:	12/08/1997
From:	Jerrica Johnson NRC OFFICE OF INSPECTION & ENFORCEMENT (IE REGION II)
To:	Hinnant C CAROLINA POWER & LIGHT CO.
Shared Package
ML20197H167	List: ML20197H162 ML20197H169 ML20197H188
References
50-324-96-14, 50-324-97-12, 50-325-96-14, 50-325-97-12, EA-519, EA-520, EA-521, NUDOCS 9712310206
Download: ML20197H162 (6)

See also: IR 05000324/1997012

Text

December 8, 1997

EA-519

EA 520

EA 521

Carolina Power and Light Company

ATTN: Mr. C S. Hinnant

Vice Pre]ident

Brunswick Steam Electric Plant

P. O. Box 10429

Southport, NC 28461

SUBJECT: NRC INTEGRATED INSPECfl0N REPORT NOS, 50 325/97-12, 50 324/97 12

NOTICE OF VIOLATION

Dear Mr. Hinnant:

On November 8, 1997, the NRC completed an inspection at your Brunswick reactor

facility. The enclosed report presents the results of that inspection.

During the six weeks covcred by this inspection period, our insaectors found

that your staff generally took a safety conscious approach to t1e activities

conducted at the Brunswick plant. However, five violations were identified.

We are concerned regarding the failure of your engineering staff to properly

implement your corrective action program and resolve the environmental

qualification (EO) program deficiencies identified in NRC Inspection Report

numbers 50-325(324)/96 14. The third and fourth violations regarding failure

to prepare the justification for continued operation and to prcperly document

operability determinations indicate e lack of understanding of your EQ staff

on the necessity of following procedure requirements.

During a management meeting held on November 14, 1997, you acknowledged that

your currective actions for previous escaiated enforcement in this area were

not fully offective, and described additional efforts to resolve these issues

You stated that your broad corrective actions would be completed by April 30,

1998,

lhese violations are cited in the enclosed Notice of Violation and the

circumstances surrounding the violations are described in detail in the

enclosed report. Please note that you are required to respond to this letter

and should follow the instructions specified in the enclosed Notice when

preparing your respense. The NRC will use your response, in part, to

determine whether further enforcement action is necessary to ensure compliance

with regulatory requirements,

in addition, an apparent violation with two examples, was identified and is

being considered for escalated enforcemut action in accordance with the

General Statement of Policy and Procedure for NRC Enforcement Actions f

(Enforcement Policy). NUREu-1600. The first example was for failure to

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promptly t6ke action once Unit I drywell terrneratures exceeded an existing

analysis when a drywell cooler fan failed. khesecondexamplewasforfailure

to promptly take action to correct a design deficiency where the pressure

suppression design function of primary containment could be bypassed under

certain operating conditions. Accordingly, no Notice of Violation is

presently being issued for these inspection findings. In addition, please be

advised that the number and characterization of apparent violations described

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

review.

An open pre decisional enforcement conference to discuss the first apparent

violation has been scheduled for December 19. 1997. This conference will be

open to public observation in accordance with Section V of the Enforcement

PO1cy. The decision to hold a pre decisional enforcement conference does not

mean that the NRC has determined that a violation has occurred or that

enforcement action will be taken. This conference is being held to obtain

information to enable the NRC to make un enforcement decision, such as a

common understanding of the facts, root causes, missed opportunities to

identify the apparent violations sooner, corrective actions, significance of

the issues, and the need for lasting and effective corrective action, in

particular, we expect you to address why no action was taken to assess the

impact of high drywell temperatures when the cooler fan failed on June 6.

1997. until seven out of ten snubbers on the reactor vessel head vent line

were declared inoperable in September 1997. Also, upon twice reviewing

information in April and May 1997 concerning the drywell to torus bypass, no

action was taken until questions were asked by the NRC Resident inspector. In

addition, this is an opportunity for you to point out any errors in our

inspection report and for you to provide any information concerning your

perspectives on 1) the severity of the violations. 2) the application of the

factors that the NRC considers when it determines the amount of a civil

Senalty that may be assessed in accordance with Section VI.B 2 of the

Enforcement Policy, and 3) any other application of the Enforcement Policy to

this case. including the exercise of discretior,in accordance with

Section Vll.

You will be advised by separate correspondence of the results of our

deliberations on this matter. No response regarding the apparent violations

are required at this time,

in addition, a second apparent violation was identified and was considered for

escalated enforcement action in accordance with the " General Statement of

Policy and Procedures for NRC Enforcement Actions" (Enforcement Policy),50.59

NUREG-1600. The apparent violation involved t% failure to meet 10 CFR

requirements for an unreviewed safety question related to conducting certain

spent fuel shipping cask handling activities that were outside design and

licensing bases of the plant. This issue is discussed in detail in Section

E8.1 of the enclosed report. This apparent violation will be addressed in a

separate correspondence.

.

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CP&L 3 -

in accordance with 10 CFR 2.790 of the NRC's " Rules of Practice." a copy of 1

this letter and its enclosures will be placed in the NRC Public Document Room

(PDR).  ;

.

Sincerely. .

I

( Original signed by J. Johnson )

Jon R. Johnson, Director

Division of Reactor Projects  ;

Docket Nos. 50 325, 50 324

License Nos. DPR 71. DPR 62

Enclosures: 1. Notice of Violation

2. NRC Inspection Report  ;

cc w/encls:

Director .

Site Operations

Brunswick Steam Electric Plant

P. O. Box 10429

Southport. NC 28461

J. J. Lyash

Plant Manager

Brunswick Steam Electric Plant

Carolina Power & Light Company

P. O. Box 10429

Southport. NC 28461

D. B. Alexander. Manager

Performance Evaluation and ,

Regulatory Affairs OHS 7

Carolina Power & Light Company

412 S. Wilmington Street

Raleigh, NC 27601

K. R. Jury. Manager

Regulatory Affairs

Carolina Power & Light Company-

Brunswick Steam Electric Plant

P. O. Box 10429

Southport,-NC 28461-0429

(cc w/encls cont'd - See page 4)

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(cc w/encls cont'd)

W. D. Johnson, Vice President

and Senior Counsel

Carolina Power & Light Company

P. O. Box 1551

Raleigh, NC P7602

Mel fry. Acting Director

Division of Radiation Protection

artment of Environmental

N.Health

C. Dep& Natural Resources

3825 Barrett Drive

Raleigh, h0 27609 7721

Karen E. Long

/.s',1stant Attorney General

' State of Nor+h Carolina

P 0. Box-529

.

Raleigh, NC 27602

Robert P. Gruber

Executive Director

Public 9taff - NCUC

P. O Box 29520

Raleigh, NC 27626 0520

Public Service Commission

State of South Carolina

P. O. Box 11649

Columbia, SC 29211

. Jerry W. Jones, Chairman

Brunswick County Bo;rd of

Commissioners

P. 0. Box 249

.

Bolvia, NC 28422

Dan E. Summers

Emergency Management Coordinator

New Hanover County Departmer,t of

Emergency Managemer.

P. O. Box 1525

W1lmiogton. NC 28407

-William H. Crowe, Mayor

City of Southport

201 East Moore Street

c outhport .NC. 28461-

-Dist ribution,Jd. cath: (See page 5)

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