ML20198L172
| ML20198L172 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Site: | South Texas  |
| Issue date: | 01/08/1998 |
| From: | Hannon J NRC (Affiliation Not Assigned) |
| To: | Cottle W HOUSTON LIGHTING & POWER CO. |
| References | |
| NUDOCS 9801150189 | |
| Download: ML20198L172 (4) | |
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January 8, 1998 i
Mr. Wilitam T. Cottle President and Chief Executive Officer STP Nuclear Operating Company South Texas Project Electric Generating Station P. O. Box 289 i
Wadsworth,TX 77483
SUBJECT:
DECEMBER 4,1997, LETTER FROM L. MARTIN REGARDING NOVEMBER 13, 1997, NRC TRIP REPORT
Dear Mr. Cottle:
Thank you for your December 4,1997, letter, which responded to our November 13,1997, trip 4
report. The purpose of the trip report was to document new facts that were obtained during a site visit in which interviews were conducted and meetings were held with the engineering depariment as part of the staff's preparation for the twelfth Systematic Assessment of Licensee Performance (SALP) for the South Texas Project (STP). One of the facts that was recorded in the trip report was the finding that there were no significant conditions adverse to quality found by STP's quality assurance program in the area of engineering in the last 18 montns. Your response letter took lasue with the implication that the adequacy of STP's engineering oversight function was being called into question.
In a subsequent telephone conversation that took place on December 17,1997, we agreed that this fact could have been taken out of context to imply that the NRC was questioning the adequacy of STP's engineering oversight function. This is not the case. Evidence suggests that a strong independent oversight function that does not rely on the NRC to identify problems is present at STP. The STP engineering quality group has identified a number of issues which, had they not been identified, could have eventually escalated to a significant level.
Another item discussed in the telephone conversation was your interpretation that we were comparing the issues found by the STP engineering quality group with a number cf conditions recently identified by the NRC in inspection Report 97 24, which was the subject of the December 8,1997, predecisional enforcement conference. This is not the case. The NRC inspection findings that we were referring to in our November 13,1997, trip report were findings in the engineering area over the last 18 months, excluding those in Inspection Report 97 24 In light of the number of issues identified by the NRC in the engineering area, we believe the STP engineering quality group should self assess and identify areas where they might impmve their effectiveness, thereby enabling licensee seMdentification of more issues, at lower levels, and
. prior to them becoming self-revealing or tuving the NRC detect them. As was stated in the gpl December 17,1997, telephone conversation, both of our organizations are intent on preserving V and improving the oversight function.
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One other detail in the trip report that you pointed out is misleading. The statement that 'there are only five indMduals in STP's qual #y assurance staff in the area of engineering,' aNhough corred, can be misinterpreted. The use of the word 'ord/ in this sentence has no basis, and i
i should be deleted.
- sincerwy,
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ichn N. Hannon, Projed Director Projed D6 rectorate IV 1 Division of Reactor Projeds lil/lV Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation Docket Nos. 50498 and 50-499 oc: See next page I
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One other detail in the inp repori that you pointed out is misleadeg. T he statement that "there are only five individuals in STP's quality assurance staff in the area of enginsedng," although correct, can be misinterpreted. The use of the word 'onl/ in this sentence has no basis, and should be deleted.
- Sinceroy, ORIGINAL SIGNED BY:
John N. Hannon, Project Director Project Directorate IV 1 Division of Reactor Projects Ill/lV Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation Docket Nos. 50-498 and 50-499 cc: See next page DISTRIBUTION:
Docket File PUE,LIC PD41 r/f JTapia, RIV EAdensam (EGA1)
CHawes TAlexion OGC ACRS TGwynn, RIV Document Name: ST12497.TRP
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(A)DfDk NAME TAlexioh CHaweN JTahfa h h JHannon EAdensam DATE f h98
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Mr. William T, Cottle STP Nudear Operating Company South Texas, Units 1 & 2 oc:
Mr. David P. Loveless Jack R. Newman, Esq.
Senior Resident inspedor Morgan, Lewis & Booklus U.S. Nucisar Regulatory Commission 1800 M Street, N.W.
P. O. Box 910 Washington, DC 20036-5869 Bay City, TX 77414 Mr. Lawrence E. Martin Mr. J. C. Lanior/A. Ramirez V6ce President, Nuc. Assurance & Licensing City of Austin STP Nuclear Operating Company Electric Utility Department P. O. Box 289 721 Barton Springs Road Wadsworth,TX 77483 Austin,TX 78704 office of the Govemor Mr. M. T. Hardt ATTN: John Howard, Director Mr. W. C. Gunst Environmental and Natural CNy Public Service Board Resources Policy P. O. Box 1771 P. O. Box 12428 San Antonio, TX 78296 Austin,TX 78711 Mr G. E. Vaughn/C. A. Johnson Jon C. Wood Central Power and Ught Company Matthews & Branscomb i
P. O. Box 289 One Alamo Center Mail Code: N5012 106 S. St. Mary's Street, Suite 700 Wadsworth,TX 74483 San Antonio, TX 78205 3692 INPO Arthur C. Tate, Director Records Center Division of Compliance & Inspection 700 Galleria Parkway Bureau of Radiation Control Atlanta, GA 30339 3064 Texas Department of Health 1100 West 49th Street Regional Administrator, Region IV Austin, TX 78756 U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission 611 Ryan Plaza Drive, Suite 400 Texas Public Utility Commission Arlington,TX 76011 ATrN: Mr. Glenn W. Dishong Creek 7800 Shoal Blvd C. R. Crisp /R. L Balcom Suite 400N Houston Ughting & Power Co.
Austin, TX 78757 1024 P. O. Box 1700 Houston,TX 77251 Judge, Matagorda County Matagorda County Courthouse 1700 Seventh Street Bay City, TX 77414
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