ML20203N229
| ML20203N229 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Issue date: | 09/03/1986 |
| From: | Zech L NRC COMMISSION (OCM) |
| To: | Matsui R HOUSE OF REP. |
| Shared Package | |
| ML19303D369 | List: |
| References | |
| NUDOCS 8609230226 | |
| Download: ML20203N229 (2) | |
Text
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UNITED STATES NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMIMilON y
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WASHINGTON, D. C. 20555 7
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% * * * * * #o CHAIRMAN September 3, 1986 The Honorable Robert T. Matsui United States House of Representatives Washington, D.C.
20515
Dear Congressman Matsui:
I am responding to your letter of August 6, 1986 which reiterates your previous recommendation that the Commission establish a special review group to conduct a review of safety problems with Babcock and Wilcox (B&W) reactors.
You also expressed your views that the lead role of the B&W Owners Group in this review is unacceptable and that the pitfalls of this approach have been noted by the Commission's Advisory Committee on Reactor Safeguards (ACRS).
In my July 23, 1986 letter to you, I noted that the majority of the Commission believes that a special review group is not justified.
The NRC believes the role of the B&W Owners Group is appropriate.
My July 23 letter also provides the basis for this conclusion.
The ACRS commented on the B&W Owners Group Safety and Performance Improvement Program in a letter dated July 16, 1986.
The ACRS expressed concern that the B&W Owners Group program was directed at improving plant on-line performance rather than having plant safety as its central focus.
The NRC staff previously indicated concern with the scope of the program.
In a letter dated June 2, 1986 to Mr. Hal Tucker, Chairman of the B&W Owners Group, the st eff noted that the Owners Group program primarily addressed trip reduction and improving the post-trip response of the B&W plant.
While the staff believes that such a program is necessary to reduce the frequency of complex transients in B&W plants, it is concerned that the B&W Owners Group program goals are too narrow.
The staff intends, through working level meetings with the Owners Group, to ensure that the scope of the specific projects in the programs is sufficiently broadened.
Based upon the recent working level meetings on the integrated control system /non-nuclear instrumentation (ICS/NNI) evaluations and the sensitivity studies being performed by MPR Associates, the NRC believes this approach will ensure that the broader plant safety issues are addressed.
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Co'mmissioner Asselstine disagrees with this response and continues to hold the views expressed in his previous letters.
Your final concern deals with the Commission's correspondence procedures.
I proposed that the Commission adopt these new procedures with the intention of being more efficient in responding to large amounts of correspondence.
They are the result of the intent to express NRC positions on questions and issues more effectively and promptly.
Sincerely,
[_Akw.
6 Lando W. Z h, Jr
..