ML20203D484
| ML20203D484 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Site: | South Texas  |
| Issue date: | 02/10/1999 |
| From: | Breekman K NRC OFFICE OF INSPECTION & ENFORCEMENT (IE REGION IV) |
| To: | Cottle W HOUSTON LIGHTING & POWER CO. |
| Shared Package | |
| ML20203D490 | List: |
| References | |
| 50-498-98-15, 50-499-98-15, EA-99-008, EA-99-8, NUDOCS 9902160224 | |
| Download: ML20203D484 (6) | |
See also: IR 05000498/1998015
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UNITED STATES
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NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION
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William T. Cottle, President and
Chief Executive Officer
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STP Nuclear Operating Company
P.O. Box 289
Wadsworth, Texas 77483
SUBJECT: NRC INSPECTION REPORT 50-498/98-15; 50-499/98-15 AND NOTICE OF
VIOLATION
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Dear Mr. Cottle:
From June 14 through November 23,1998, a special inspection was conducted at your South
Texas Project Electric Generating Station, Units 1 and 2, reactor facility. Subsequently, in-
office inspection continued through February 1,1999. The enclosed report presents the scope
and results of that inspection.
This special inspection was conducted to review the circumstances surrounding the June 14,
1998, fire in a potential transformer and the subsequent deenergization of Switchgear E1B.
During the inspection, a violation of NRC requirements was identified. The violation involved a
failure of licensed operators to recognize that Battery Bank E1811 was rendered inoperable
during this event and the resultant failure to take actions required by the plant's Technical
Specification. Because the battery remained capable of performing its safety function, the
violation has been classified at Severity Level IV in accordance with the General Statement of
Policy and Procedure for NRC Enforcement Actions, NUREG-1600. The violation is being cited
because your staff's evaluation and corrective actions to date have not fully addressed the
inoperability of a vital battery bank while charging greater than 2 amps as stated in Technical
Specification requirements.
In addition, we are concerned that the licensed operators did not promptly restore power to a
/
deenergized vital bus, thereby prolonging the unavailability of the Train B safety systems. The
numerous contributors to this concern have made this an issue of significance. Please provide,
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in your response to the enclosed Notice of Violation, a description of your corrective actions to
ensure that operator knowledge and plant operating procedures are adequate to promptly
restore power to safety-related equipment following a station blackout.
The violation is cited in the enclosed Notice of Violation (Notice) and the circumstances
surrounding the violation 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
9902160224 990210
ADOCK 05000498
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STP Nuclear Operating Company
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Notice when preparing your response. The NRC will use your response, in part, to determine
whether further enforcement action is necessary to ensure compliance with regulatory
requirements.
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in accordance with 10 CFR 2.790 of the NRC's " Rules of Practice," a copy of this letter, its
enclosures, and your response will be placed in the NRC Public Document Room (PDR),
Should you have any questions concerning this inspection, we will be pleased to discuss them
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with you.
Sincerely,
Ken E.
ma , irect
Division of Re
or Projects
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Docket Nos.: 50-498
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License Nos.: NPF-76.
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Enclosures:
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2. NRC Inspection Report
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50-498/98-15;50-499/98-15
cc w/ enclosures.
Lawrence E. Martin, Vice President
Nuclear Assurance & Licensing
STP Nuclear Operating Company
P.O. Box 289
Wadsworth, Texas 77483
A. Ramirez/C. M. Canady
City of Austin
Electric Utility Department
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721 Barton Springs Road
Mr. M. T. Hardt/Mr. W. C. Gunst
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City Public Service Board
P.O. Box 1771
San Antonio, Texas 78296
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STP Nuclear Operating Company-
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D. G. Tees /R. L. Balcom
Houston Lighting & Power Company-
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P.O. Box 1700
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Houston, Texas 77251
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Jon C. Wood
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Matthews & Branscomb
One Alamo Center
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106 S. St. Mary's Street, Suite 700
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San Antonio, Texas 78205-3692
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Jack R. Newman, Esq.
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1800 M. Street, N.W.
Washington, D.C. 20036-5869
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Mr. G. E. Vaughn/Mr. C. A. Johnson
Central Power & Light Company
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P.O. Box 289
Mail Code: N5012
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Wadsworth, Texas 77483
Records Center
700 Galleria Parkway
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Atlanta, Georgia 30339-5957
Bureau of Radiation Control
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State of Texas
1100 West 49th Street
Mr. Jim Calloway
Texas Public Utility Commission
William B. Travis Building
1701 North Cor.gress Avenue
P.O. Box 13326
John Howard, Di ector
Environmental and Natural Resources Policy
Office of the Governor
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P.O. Box 12428
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