ML20197K102

Forwards Insp Rept 50-293/97-12 on 971006-10 & 1119 & NOV Re Unreviewed Safety Questions in Replacement of Safeguard Control Transformers in 1992 & Subsequent Mod of Transformers in Apr 1997

ML20197K102
Person / Time
Site:	Pilgrim
Issue date:	12/17/1997
From:	Wiggins J NRC OFFICE OF INSPECTION & ENFORCEMENT (IE REGION I)
To:	Olivier L BOSTON EDISON CO.
Shared Package
ML20197K107	List: IR 05000293/1997012 ML20197K102 ML20197K110
References
50-293-97-12, EA-97-525, NUDOCS 9801050215
Download: ML20197K102 (4)

See also: IR 05000293/1997012

Text

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December 17. 1997

- EA 97 525

Mr. Leon J. Olivier .

Vice President - Nuclear

Boston Edison Company

Pilgrim Nuclear Power Station

600 Rocky Hill Rosd

Plymouth, Massachusetts 02360-5599

SUBJECT: PILGRIM SPECIAL INSPECTION F.EPORT NO. 50 293/97 12

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- Dear Mr.-Olivier:

(

This letter _ refers to the special inspection conducted from October 610,1997, at the

Pilgrim Nuclear Power Station, Plymouth, Massachusetts. The inspection was focused on

areas important to public health and safety, including a review of certain engineering

activities:-(1) the environmental qualification (EO) documents for thnse EQ equipment that

required requalification due to containment environment changes resulting from the

containment spray flow rate reduction in 1988; 2) the potential unreviewed safety question

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-(USQ) issue for the replacement and the subsequent modification of two 480/120 volt

safeguard control transformers; and 3) your corrective actions for the requalification of nine

General Electric electrical containment penetrations. At the conclusion of the inspection on

October 10,1997, the preliminary findings were discussed with M T. Boulette and other

members of your staff. Additional findings were also discussed with Mr. D. Ellis of your ,

staff in a November 19,1997, telephone call

Based on the results of this inspection, one apparent violation with two uamples was

' identified and is being considered for escalated enforcement action in accordance with the

" General Statement of Policy'and Procedure for NRC Enforcement Actions" (Enforcement

Policy) NUREG 1600. This violation involved unreviewed safety questions in the

replacement of the safeguard control transformers in 1992, and the subsecuent

modification of those transformers in April 1997, following the loss of offsite power event

on April .1,1997. The circumstances surrounding this apparent violation, the significance

of the issue, and the need for lasting and effective corrective action were discussed with

members of your staff at the inspection exit meeting on October 10,1997, and during the

November 19 -1997, telephone conversation. The issues were also covered at an.

enforc_ement conference involving service water inspection findings on November 21,

, 1997. Based on a telephone conversation between Mr. Oheim and myself on

December 16,.1997, we understand that your i rganization does not see it necessary to

conduct an additional predecisional enforcement conference for this matter.

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9901050215 971217

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Mr.' Leon J.Jolivier; -2

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- m ' Because this is_an apparent violation, no Notice of Violation is presently _being issued vor j

! these inspection findings (In addition, please be advised that the number and - 1

= characterization 'of apparent violations described in the enclosed inspection report may.. I

v. change as a~ result of further NRC review of the enforcement aspects of the issue.T You will-  ;

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-be advised by separate correspondence of the results of our deliber6(lons on this matter.' _'

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No response regarding the apparent violation is required at this time.1

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-In addition, a violation of NRC environment qualification (EO) requirements was also 1

-identified during this inspection.- The violation involved the use of an unacceptableL j

qualification method for the qualification of 'nine General Electric electrical containmentc l

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- penetrations for the period from March 1996 to April 1997. This violation is cited in the  :

enclosed Notice of Violation (Notice) and a detailed description of the violation is included ,

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in the enclosed report.- Please note that you arr . quired to respond to this letter and

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, should follow the instructions specified in the enclosed Notice when preparing your -4

- response. The NRC will use your response, in part, to determine whether further

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- enforcement action is necessary to ensure compliance with regulatory requirements. .

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

and its enclosure will be placed in the NRC Public Document Room. -

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Sincerely,

ORIGINAL SIGNED BY:

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• James T. Wiggins, Director

Division of Reactor Safety  ;

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Docket No. 50 293 -

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Enclosure: Pilgrim Special Inspection Report No. 50 293/97-12 ,

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MriLoori J. Olivier .

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F  : R; Lodgett, Executive Vice Presk.ent i Operations

C. Goddard, Plant Department Manager--  ;

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N, Desmond, Regulatory Pelations .

D. Tarantino, Nuclear information Manager _ .

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R. Hellisey, Department of Public Health, Commonwealth of Massachusetts ,

- The Honorabit Therese Murray:. 1

The Honorable Joseph Gallitano:-  ;

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B. Abbenet, Department of Public Utilities -!

Chairman, Plymouth Board of Saloctmen?  !

Chairman, Duxbury Board of Selectmen - '

Chairmani Nuclear Matters Comniittee

, ' Plymouth Civil Defense Diractor-

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P. Gromer, Massachusetts Secretary of Energy Resources :

, ;J Miller, Senior issues Manager

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k- fJi Fleming:

A. Nogee, MASSPIRG.: . .

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Office of the Commissioner, Massachusetts Department of Environmental Quality '

Engineeringi _

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Office of the Attorney General, Commonwealth of Massachusetts

- T. Rapone, Massachusetts Executive Office of Public Safety

Chairman, Citizens Urging Responsible Energy .

- Commonwealth of Massachusetts, SLO Designee -

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- Mr. Leon J. Olivier 4

Distribution w/ encl:

Ruglon i Docket Room (with concurrences)

PUBLIC

Nuclear Safety information Cents l (NSIC)

NRC Resident inspector

C. Cowgill, DRP

R. Summers, DRP

C. O'Dantall, DRP

H. Miller, RA/W. Axelson, DRA

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J. Wiggins, DRS

L. Nicholson, DRS

C. Miskey, DRS

Dhtribution w/ encl (VIA E MAIL):-

R. Eaton, NRR

A. Wang, NRR

K. Kennedy, OEDO

R. Correla, NRR

F. Talbot, NRR

D. Scrunci, PAO

DOCDESK

Inspection P Y,eam Branch, NRR (IPAS)

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DOCUMENT NAME: A:\PIL9712. INS

Ta receive a copy of thne doccment. indcote in the bon. 'C' = Copy without attachment / enclosure 'E' = Copy with attachment / enclosure 'N' =

No copy , &

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DATE 12/05/97 12/10/97 F7" 12////97 12/l'/97 12/g/97

OFFICIAL RECORD COPY

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