ML20203E332
| ML20203E332 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Site: | Peach Bottom  |
| Issue date: | 02/20/1998 |
| From: | Anderson C NRC OFFICE OF INSPECTION & ENFORCEMENT (IE REGION I) |
| To: | Danni Smith PECO ENERGY CO., (FORMERLY PHILADELPHIA ELECTRIC |
| Shared Package | |
| ML20203E339 | List: |
| References | |
| 50-277-97-08, 50-277-97-8, 50-278-97-08, 50-278-97-8, NUDOCS 9802270027 | |
| Download: ML20203E332 (3) | |
See also: IR 05000277/1997008
Text
__
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ - _ - _ _ _ _ - .
,
Y
February 20, 1998
1
Mr. D. M. Smith, President
PECO Nuclear
j
Nuclear Group Headquarters
Correspondence Control Desk
P. O. Box 195
Wayne, Pennsylvania 19087-0195
SUBJECT: ROUTINE INTEGRATED INSPECTION 50 277/97-08 AND 50-278/97-08
Dear Mr. Smith:
This refers to the inspection conducted from November ?3,1997 through January 17,
1998, at the Peach Bottom Atomic Power Station, Delta, Pennsylvania. At the conclusion
of the inspection, the inspectors discussed the findings with Mr. G. Edwards and others of
your staff. The inspectors based these findings on independent observation of activities,
interviews, and oocument reviews.
During the eight-week period covered by this inspection, we noted that shutting down
Units 2 and 3 to replace degraded equipment, exhibited good, conservative, operational
decision making. Unit 3 was shut down to replace a leaking safety reliet valve.
l
Subsequently, Unit 2 was shut down to perform electro-hydraulic control system presdure
j
regulator work.
Your radioactive liquid and gaseous effluent control programs and security program were
also inspected by Region I specialists during this inspection period. These inspections
j
consisted of selective examinations of procedures and representative records, interviews
with personnel, and observations by the inspectors. We determined that you have
implemented an effective radioactive liquid and gaseous effluent program. We also
determined that you are implementing a recurity program that effectively protects against
acts of radiological sabotage.
During this inspection, the 2 'A' reactor feedwater pump turbine high water leve: trip failed
for the third time in 1997. On February 6,1998, this feedwater pump turbine was slow to
trip during testing. We have initiated a specialinspection to evaluate your investigations
and corrective actions in light of the previous trip failures including your decision not to
perform testing of this trip function at power following the second event in November
1997. You will be notified of the results of this inspectiun at a later date.
We were concerned with several examples where the lack of full understanding of the
performance of various plaret systems by operations personnel, contributed to unexpected
plant equipment responses. Also, the written instructions being used at the time of these
events did not contain sufficient details or cautions to prevent these unexpected
responses. The most notable example occurred when the Unit 2 main turbine was
unknowingly rolled for over two hours during startup operations on January 1,1998, and
eventually tripped on main oil pump low pressure. The NRC is continuing its review of this
j
,\\
9802270027 900220
h
ADOCK 05000277
- i'*
-
'
G
_
. - - - - _ _ _ - - - . . - . - -
_-
-- - . _ - --- -
-
- . - .
.
,
i
Mr. D. M. Smith
2
matter. Further, we noted that weaknesses in operator attentiveness and lack of rigor in
implementing procedures were apparent in this and other, more routine activities during
this period.
We were aise concerned with several degraded equipment t.M equipment f ailure issues
that occurred during the inspection period, including the failuie of the 2 'C' circulating
water pump discharge valve. These defic lencies resulted in plant transionts and other
challenges to operations personnel. Of particular concern was th;t some of these issues
were known but not agg.essively pursued to resolution by Operations and Engineering.
'Ne also noted instances in which operators either were not fully aware of, or were not
notified of, degraded conditions on safety related equipment.
We identified one violation of NRC requirement iinvolving procedural non compliance while
inspecting your cold weather preparations. An additional non-compliance of minor
significance associated with independent verification of a clearance restoration was also
identified during this inspection. Several examples of procedural non-compliance have
t een cited in recent inspection reports.
We noted that you initiated a return to basic plant operational fundamentals which focused
on safety culture, procedure use, and work package use. We viewed this initiative as
positive. We will monitor the progress of this initiative during our routine inspection
activitics,
in accordance with 10 CFR 2.790 of the NRC's " Rules of Practice," a copy of this letter
and its enclosures will be placed in the NRC Public Document Room.
We appreciate your cooperetion.
Sincerely,
)
'
'
.
Clifford J. Anderson, Chief
Prcjects Branch 4
Division of Reactor Projects
Docket / License No. 50-277/DPR-44
50-278/DPR-56
Enclosure:
2. NRC Inspection Report 50 277/97-08and 50-278/97-08
.
_
. . .
_
_
.
.
Mr. D. M. Smith
3
cc w/ encl:
G. A. Hunger, Jr., Chairman, Nuclear Review Board and Di ector, Licensing
T. Mitchell, Vice President, Peach Bottom Atomic Power Station
G. Rainey, Senior Vice President, Nuclear Operations
J. B. Cotton, Vica President, Nuclear Station Support
T. Niessen, Director, Nucleer Quelity Assurance
A. F. Kirby, Ill, Exte nal Operations - Delmarva Power & Light Co.
G. Edwards, Plant Manager, Peach Bottom Atoniic Power Station
G. J. Lengyel, Managei, Experience Assessment
J. W. Durharn, Sr., Senior Vice President anci General Counsel
T. M. Messick, Manager, Joint Generation, Atlantic Electric
W. T. Henrick, Manager, External Affairs, Public Service Electric & Gas
R. McLean, Power Plant Siting, Nuclear Evaluations
J. Vannoy, Acting Secretary of Harford County Council
R. Ochs, Maryland Safe Energy Coalition
J. H. Walter, Chief Engineer, Public Service Commission of Maryland
Mr. & Mrs. Dennis Hiebert, Peach Bottom Alliance
Mr. & Mrs. Kip Adams
!
Commony.'ealth of Pennsylvania
i
State of Maryland
TMI- Alert (TMIA:
Distribution w/ encl:
Region I Docket Room (with concurrences)
H. Miller, RA/W. Axelson, DRA (irs)
P. Bonnett, DRP
A. Linde, DRP
Nuclear Safety information Center (NSIC)
NRC Resident inspector
PUBLIC
Distribution w/ encl: (Via E Mail)
W. Dean, OEDO
inspection Program Branch, NRR (IPAS)
R. Correia, NRR
F. Talbot, NRR
DOCDESK
DOCUMENT NAME: G:\\ BRANCH 4\\PB\\PB9708.lNS
To receive a copy of this document. Indicate in the box: W = Copy without attachment / enclosure T = Copy with attachment / enclosure
"N" = No
copy
0FFICE
RI/DRP
l
RI/DRP
l
/
l
l
~
l
NAME
AMcMurtray (lo
CAnderson c/G
, l02/
/98
02/
/98
DATE
02/20/98
't,<
02/ D' /98
02/
/98
0FFICIAL RECORD COPY