ML20206C926
| ML20206C926 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Site: | Turkey Point  |
| Issue date: | 11/09/1988 |
| From: | Stello V NRC OFFICE OF THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR FOR OPERATIONS (EDO) |
| To: | Graham B SENATE |
| Shared Package | |
| ML20206C928 | List: |
| References | |
| CCS, NUDOCS 8811160464 | |
| Download: ML20206C926 (5) | |
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UNITED STATES
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W ASHING TON, D. C. 20665 P
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November 9, 1988 The Honorable Bob Graham l
United States Senator i
i Post Office Box 3050 Tallahassee, Flcrida 32315 Dear Senator Graham-(
I am pleased to respond to your letter of October 18, 1986, in which you i
indicated that one of your constituents, Nary Sheppard, expressed concern regarding a nuclear power plant in the Miami area and about reactors designed i
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by General Electric (GE).
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There are three nuclear power plants in the state of Florida; none of them is designed by GE. The Turkey Point plant in the Miami area has had its share of I
operating problems in the past, and concern over Turkey Point's operation is i
understandable. NRC recognized this in the early 1980's and stepped up its
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inspection and oversight activities, which resulted in several fines, a series l
of Orders requiring improvements, and a number of meetings with the licensee.
NRC. monitoring of the site was increased by assigning more inspectors and
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q paying special attention to the cperating data from the plant.
In early 1984 the licensee, Florida Power and Light Company (FPL), comitted to a major 4
Improvement effort called the Performance Enhancement Program (PEP). Since that tire, FPL has spent several hundred million dollars to improve plant equipment. The improvements already implemented include:
(1) addition cf a trainir.g facility that includes a control rcem
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sinulator (2) addition of a health physics facility (3) 4cdttion of an administration building I
(4) addition of a nuclear maintenance facility f
(5) numerous walkdown inspections of equipment and piping
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n (6) a significant staffing increase at the Turkey Point site (7) replacement of steam generators S
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(6) an cverhaul of plant procedures
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(9) addition of two energency feedwater pumps
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i (10) addition of five backup diesel generators i
(11) a nurber of programs to improve the plant design and equipment surveillarcus i
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COMMS NflCC CORRESPONDCNCE PNU l
The Honorable Bob Graham
-2 In addition, FPL is now in the process of upgrading the emergency electric power supplies at the plant and is adding two large safety-related diesel generators at a cost esticated to exceed $80 million.
Although major improvements were and are being made at the plant, it has been e
apparent the last few years that further irprovements were needed, especially l
in the areas of management and operations.
This need was indicated by nurerous citations by HRC for failure to follow procedures, operational errors by plant personnel, and a less than aggressive maintenance effort.
An independent appraisal of FPL management was undertaken early this year as required by the NRC ConfirNtory Order of October 19, 1987 In the past year, FPL has made widespread management changes at the Turkey Point site and, more recently, at corporate headquarters.
New, experienced personnel have been placed in key positions, including a Senior Vice President i
in charge of all nuclear activities, a corporate Vice President in charge of nuclear engineering, a Site Vice President responsible for Turkey Point operation, a Turkey Point Plant Manager, and e Turkey Point Operations Superintendent. Many other managerent changes have also been rade.
There are signs that the improvements in plant equiprent, licensee ranagement, i
and engineering programs are beginning to have on effect.
The plant operational experience in 1988 has been better than in any year to date. The indications of i
this upture h.clude fewer citations by NRC, only one fine in February 1998 for a violation that occurred in 1987, fewer (required) event reports, a plant record for continuous operation without a forced cutage, and a noticeably different attitude among management and staff.
It is too soon to conclude that Turkey Point has irproved its perferriance in a permanent and lasting way. However, if l
the current trend continues for another year, it should be noticeable to your constituents. NRC plans to continue its high level of staff and management l
attention to this plant until it is convinced that the irprovements are i
perranent.
Regarding Ms. Sheppard's concern about GE reactors, there are more than 40 i
GE-designed reactors operating around the country and many others in Europe.
Sore of these reactors have now operated successfully for 15 to 20 years. The t
NRC has no reason to believe that GE. designed reactors are significantly i
better or worse than reactors cesigned by other United States venders.
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I believe that this letter addresses Ms. Sheppard's concerns.
If I can be of l
further assistente to you, please do not hesitate to contact me.
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V.cc StF0, Jf.
Victor Stello, Jr.
Executive Director i
for Operations i
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EDO Principal Correspondence Control e+
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F.70M DUE: 11/10/08 EDO CONTROLI DOC DT 10/10/88 FINAL REPLY:
Sen. Bob Graham TO:
OCA FOR SIGNATURE OF
- GRN CRC NO: 89-0963 Exccutive Director ROUTING:
DECC:
ENCLOSES LETTER FROM MARY SHEPPARD RE CONCERNS ACOUT GE POWER PLANTS DATE: 10/27/88 AC31GNED TO:
CONTACT:
_~ _ gly __.
Mu NRR SPECIAL INSTRUCTIONS OR REMARKS:
C3 ply to Tallahassee, Florida Office.
Mark envelope Attn Becky Liner.
ImR RECEIVED: CCIOBER 27, 1988 ACTION:
DRPRtVNtGA 1RR ROOTING:
PURLEY/SNIE2EK CRUICHFIELD MIRACLIA GILLESPIE FOSSBURG i-
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DUE TO NRR DIRECTOR OY- ?> x...n, y,9l, L w
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OFFICE OF THE SECRETARY CORRESPONDENCE CONTROL TICKET PAPER NUMBER:
CRC-88-0963 LOGGING DATE: Oct 26 88 ACTION OFFICE:
EDO AUTilOR:
D. Graham--Const Ref i
AFFILIATIOll:
UNITED STATEE SENATE i
LETTER DATE:
Oct 18 88 FILE CODE: C&R-2 BP l
SUBJECT:
Problems with GE power plants ACTION:
Direct Reply i
DISTRIBUTIOll OCA to Ack SPECIAL liANDLIliG: Ncne NOTES:
Mary Sheppard DATE DUE:
Nov 5 88 SIGliATURE:
DATE SIG!!ED:
AFFILIATIO!!!
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