ML20205S796

Responds to Re EC Hansen Concern That Public Not Notified of Problems,Specifically 851226 Overcooling Transient.Press Informed of Event & Problems Uncovered During Subsequent Investigation & 860324-25 Public Meetings

ML20205S796
Person / Time
Site:	Rancho Seco
Issue date:	06/06/1986
From:	Stello V NRC OFFICE OF THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR FOR OPERATIONS (EDO)
To:	Cranston A SENATE
Shared Package
ML20205S800	List: ML20205S796 ML20205S802
References
NUDOCS 8606120907
Download: ML20205S796 (12)

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ME S86 The Honorable Alan'Cranston United States Senate Washington, D.'C. 20510

Dear Senator Cranston:

I am writing in response to ynur May 9,1986 letter to the Congressional Liaison Office of the Nuclear Regulatory Commission regarding Mr. Erling C. Hansen's concern that the public was not notified immediately of problems at Rancha

,S A co. Although we do not have Mr. Hansen's specific concerns, we assume he was referring to the handling of information to the public regarding the overcooling transient that occurred at the Rancho Seco Nuclear Generating Station (Rancho Seco) on December 26, 1985.

The public was kept fully infcrmed on the December 26, 1985 overcooling transient at Rancho Seco of the everts encountered during the transients and problems that were uncovered during the subsequent investigation of the transient. On December 26, 1985, the day of the transient, the NRC Public Information Officer in Region V was in contact with the press the entire day explaining the event to members of the press. During the following days the press was informed of additional information on the event as it became known.

As soon as the Incident Investigation Team (IIT) was formed, an NRC press release was issued on December 31, 1985 announcing its formation. Soon after reaching the Rancho Seco site and initiating its investigation, Mr. Hebdon, the team leader, held a press conference at Rancho Seco to explain the role of the team and to review the status of the NRC investigation. When the IIT completed its report on the investigation, it briefed the Commission in a public session on February 25, 1986 in Washington, D.C. Reporters in northern California were briefed on the session on February 25, 1986 by the NRC Public Affairs officer at Region V in Walnut Creek, California. The IIT report (NUREG-1195) was made available to the public on the same day.

On March 24-25, 1986, NRC senior management staff met with Sacramento Municipal Utility District (SMUD) management at Rancho Seco to discuss SMUD's plan for recovery from the December 26, 1985 transient. The entire two-day session, including the tour of the facility, was open to the press and the public. In addition, the NRC senier management members held a press conference to discuss the meeting. Subsequently, Commissioners Frederick Bernthal and James Asselstine visited Rancho Seco to discuss SMUD's progress toward recovery from t.he December 26, 1985 transient. Each visit included a press conference. We believe that the handling of information to the public on the Rancho Seco problems is consistent with the NRC policy to keep the public informed of events at nuclear power plants. For your information, I am enclosing a detailed list of the efforts made to inform the public following kD H

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the December 26, 1985 transient at Rancho Seco IEnclosure 1) and copies of the NRC press releases issued following the event (Enclosure 2). If you require any additional information, please do not hesitate to contact me.

Sincerely, i' h ) T. A a m e Victor Stello, Jr.

Executive Director for Operations

Enclosures:

1.- List of Efforts to-Inform Public

2. Copies of the NRC .

Press Releases ED0 i VSte lo 6/ /86 ^, -

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Enclosure 1 l Chronology of Efforts to Provide Information to the Public Following the l 12/26/85 Event at Rancho Seco:

-- On the date of the event, 12/26/85, NRC's Public Affairs Officer in Regicn V spent the entire day on the telephone explaining the event to members of the press.

In the following few days, numerous individual discussions were held with reporters, who were provided with additional information on the event as it became known.

On 12/31/85, NRC issued the enclosed press release announcing the formation of the Incident Investigation Team.

On 1/2/86, IIT leader Fredrick Hebdon held a press conference at the Rancho Seco Visitors Center to explain the role of the team and to review with -

reporters the status of the NRC investigation.

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Reporters were provided with NRC's sequence of events as soon as it was produced by the IIT.

-- On 2/25/85, the IIT briefed the Commission in a public session in Washington, DC. Local reporters were briefed on the session by the Region V Public Affairs Officer, who listened to the session by phone. A copy of the IIT report, NUREG-1195, was made available to the public (and copies were specifically reserved for the press) at the Local Public Document Room in the Sacramento City / County Library on the same day.

-- On 3/24 - 25/86, NRC staff members met with Sacramento Mucicipal Utility District management at Rancho Seco to discuss the district's follow-up to the event. The entire two-day session, including the tour of the facility, was open to the press and public. In addition, senior NRC staff members held a press conference on 3/25/86 to summarize the two-day meeting for the press.

(See enclosed " Note to editors.")

-- On 4/24/86, NRC Commissioner Frederick Bernthal visited Rancho Seco to discuss SMUD's progress toward recovery from the 12/26/85 event. The visit included a press conference. (See enclosed " Note to editors.")

-- On 5/14/85, NRC Commissioner James Asselstine visited Rancho Seco for the same urpose, and also held a press conference. (See enclosed " Note to editors."

Throughout this period there have been innumerable press and public inquiries about the event, which have always been answered to the maximum extent possible.

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0521.96 15:21' USPRC REGION 5 NO.013 008 UNITED STATES NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION

( OFFICE OF PUBLIC AFFAIRS. REGION V

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(DIOTRIBUTED ON PR NEWSWIRE 5/12/86 TO NORTHERN CALIFORNIA)

U.S. NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION, Region V 1450 Maria Lane, Buite 210 Walnut Creek, CA 94596

V-2786 P'OR IMMEDIATE RELEASE tcct: Greg Cook May 12, 1986 Bus: (415) 943-3809 Home: (707) 644-2428 NOTE TO EDITORS:

l NRC Commissioner James K. Anselstine will be available to talk with ireporters from 3:00 to 3:30 p.e. Wednesday, May 14, 1986 at the Rancho Seco

Nuc1ccr Generating station sisitors center.

l Commissioner Asselstine will be at the plant to discuss BMUD's progress tow.rd recovery from the D comber 26, 1985 incioent and plant trip.

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~e5/21/96 18:21 UEM C REGION 5 HD.018 M7 )

UNITED STATES

/ NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION 1

[ OFFICE OF PUSUC AFFAIRS, REGION V

\,,,,, 1400 Marta Lane, Suite 210. Walnut Creek, CA 94006 i

U.S. NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION, Region V 1450 Maria Lane, Suite 210 Walnut Creek, CA 94596 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE NRC:V-2386 April 23, 1996

Contact:

Greg Cook Bus: (415) 943-3809 Home: (707) 644-2428 9

NOTE TO EDITORS:

will be available to talk with NRC Commissioner Freoerick Bernthal Thursday, April 24, 1986 at the Rancho Seco reporters from 2:15 to 2: 45 p.m.

Nuclear Generating Station visitors center.

will be at the plant to discuss SMUD's progress Commissioner Bernthal 1985 incident and plant trip.

toward recovery from the December 26, y

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20 USPEC REGION 5 rC.010 006 g%g UNITED STATES I NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION it OFFICE OF PUSUC AFFAIRS, REGION V

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i'. (DISTRIBUTED ON PR NEWSWIRE 3/21/06 TO NORTHERN CALIFORNIA)

U.S. NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION, Region V

.l,7.?). 1450 Maria Lane, Suite 210

c. . c Walnut Creek, CA 94596

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, .n. fWtC: V-1986 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact:

Greg Cook March 21, 1986

,,c < Bus: (415) 943-3809 Home: (707) 644-2428

.j NOTE TO EDITORS:

W" Harold Denton, Director of NRC's Office cf Nuclear Reactor Regulation, will be available to talk with reporters from 3:00 to 3:30 p.m. Tuesday, March 25, 1986 at the Rancho Seco Nuclear Senorating Station visitors center.

Mr. Denton will be at the plant March 24 and 25 to attend a meeting of NRC and SMUD representatives to discuss SMUD's plane for recovery from the December 26, 1985 incident and plant trip. ,

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05/21/06 18:19 USMC REGION 5 NO.010 004

"*g UNITED STATES

! NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION

& OFFICE OF PU50C AFFAIRS, REGION V

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1480 Maria Lane, Suite 210, Walnut Creek, CA 94506 E

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(DISTRIBUTED ON PR NEWSWIRE 2/24/86 TO NORTHERN CALIFORNIA 7 U.S. NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION, Region V

' . ' ." 1450 Maria Lane, Suite 210 Walnut Creek, CA 94596 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE NRC:V-1486 February 24, 1986

Contact:

Breg Cook Bus: (415) 943-3809 Home: (707) 644-2428 NOTE TO EDITORS -- NRC MEETING ON RANCHO SECO

• ' INCIDENT INVESTISATION TEAM REPORT

• NRC's Rancho Seco Incident Investigation Team will brief the Commission on their report of the DecemDer 26, 1985 Rancho Seco event Tuesday, February 25, D 1986 at 10: 00 a.m. EST. The briefing. which will be open to the public, will be held at the NRC offices at 1717 H Street, Washington, DC.

The team's report will be made public when the briefing begins. Copies of the report will be available for the press on Tuesday, February 25 at the reference desk of the Sacramento City /Coanty Central Library, 829 I Street, Sacramento, California. The library opens at 9:00 a.m. PST.

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05/21/96 16 ,19 . LBRC REGION 5 ND.010 005 NRC:V-6585 ,,

On December 26, the Regional A4ninistrator of NRC's Region V office at Walnut Creek, California, sent two confirustory action letters to SMUD confiminfi the NRC's understanding that the District will hold in abeyance any work 'n s fogress and any work planned on equipment that was involved in the incident until the District and NRC have had an opportunity to evaluate the event. The letters also confim that .9tJD will maintain the reactor in a shutdown condition until concurrence is received from the NRC to return to power.

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Enclosure ?

10:17 USM C REGION 5 NO.015 003 05/21/86 UNITED STATES I _(.g'"g NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION I

OFFICE OF PUBUC AFFAIRS, REGION V 1480 Maria Lane, Sehe 210, Weinut Creelt, CA 94806

,p NRC:V-6585 FOR IRIEDIATE RELEASE

Contact:

Greg Cook (Mailed - Tuesday. December 31,198 Bus: 415/943-3809 Home: 707/644-2428 NRC UPGRADES INVESTIGATION OF INCIDENT AT RANCHO SECO NUCLEAR PLANT The Nuclear Regulatory Casaission has upgraded an investigation of an . .

incident at the Rancho Seco Nuclear Generating Plant. 25 miles southeast of a Sacramento. California, which occurred on December 26. The facility is

(~ operated by the Sacramento Munic'ipal Utility District.

Based on preliminary information obtained from its initial investigation of the incident. the NRC has upgraded the investigation and fomed an Incident InvestigationTeam(IIT).

On December 27. an NRC Augmented Inspection Team of headquarters and reptonal personnel, reporting to the Regional Administrator in Walnut Creek.

Ca ifornia, was sent to the site. Initial results of their investigation indicate that this incident is complex and has potentially significant v implications for other nuclear power plants.

The IIT. comprised of NRC Headquarters ursonnel, will report to NRC's l Executive Director for Operations. Frederic c Hebdon. Chief. Program Technology Branch. Office for Analysis and Evaluation of Operational Data. will head the team. It includes specialists in reactor Systems, reactor operations, human factors, and instmmentation and control systems.

The IIT is to find the facts of the incident. investigate the probable ,

cause, and make appropriate findings and conclusions whic.h would fonn t5e I basis for any necessary follow-on actions. A specific focus of the team will l be on the design and the response of the Integrated Control System (ICS), an instrumentation and control system which assists in the plant operation at power. The team will also give special attention to operator perfonnance and training as they related to the loss of the ICS during the event.

The plant was operating at about 70 percent power when electrical power to the ICS was lost. preliminary information indicates that when the automatic system failed, operators had difficulty controlling the water supply to the plant's steam gene.ators leading to an excessively rapid cooldown of the reactor pressure vessel. Also. while stabilizing the plant, a pump was damaged, resulting in a spill of about 450 gallons of radioactive water within the plant's auxiliary building. Some of this water escaped the building as steam.

The release to the atmosphere was within reJulatory limits and did not pose a health risk to plant worters or the public.

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FROM: DUE: 05/29786~ EDO CONTROL: 001732 DOC DT: 05/09/86 SEN. ALAN CRANSTON B6 FINAL REPLY:

TO:

OCA FOR SIGNATURE OF: ** GREEN ** SECY NO: 86-471 EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR DESC: ROUTINO:

ERLING C. HANSEN CONCERNED THAT THE PUBLIC WAS JMARTIN NOT NOTIFIED IMMEDIATELY OF PROBLEMS AT RANCHO TAYLOR SECO, DATE: 05/14/86 ASSIGNED TO: NRR CONTACT: DENTON

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SPECIAL INSTRUCTIONS OR REMARKS:

RETURN INCOMING WITH REPLY.

MARK ENVELOPE ATTN: BETTY BORDEN.

NRR RECEIVED: 5/15/86 /

ACTION: 08L8-MIRAGLIA /#

NRR ROUTING: DENTON/EISENHUT ~

PPAS M0SSBURG i

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.- OFFICE OF THE SECRETARY CORRESPONDENCE CONTROL TICKET PAPER NUMBER: CRC-86-0471 LOGGING DATE: May 13 86 ACTION OFFICE: EDO AUTHOR: A. Cranston AFFILIATION: U.S. SENATE LETTER DATE: May 9 86 FILE CODE: C&R-2 ,BP

SUBJECT:

Concerned that the public was not notified immediately of problems at Rancho Seco ACTION: Direct-Reply DISTRIBUTION: OCA to Ack SPECIAL HANDLING: None  ;

NOTES:

DATE DUE: May 23 86 SIGNATURE: . DATE SIGNED:

AFFILIATION:

LLO -- >>01732 Rec'd Off, EDO Date g-f+ 76 -

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