ML20209G473

Responds to Re Concerns & Dissatisfactions Expressed by Shift Supervisor W/Nrc Position on Playing Radios in Control Room of Nuclear Power Plants & Proposed Alternative for Use of Tape Deck.Original Conclusions Valid

ML20209G473
Person / Time
Site:	Monticello, Prairie Island, 05000000
Issue date:	09/10/1985
From:	Dircks W NRC OFFICE OF THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR FOR OPERATIONS (EDO)
To:	Gilberts D NORTHERN STATES POWER CO.
Shared Package
ML20209G476	List: ML20209G473 ML20209G517 ML20209G524
References
NUDOCS 8509190364
Download: ML20209G473 (3)

Text

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Mr. Dennis E. Gilberts SEP 10 W Senior Vice Pr sident Power Supply Northern Sta e ' Power Company 414 Nicolle all Minneapolis, Minnesota 55401

Dear Mr. Gilberts:

This is in response to your letter of August 19, 1985 in which you relayed to me the concerns and dissatisfactions expressed by one of your Shift Supervisors with the NRC's position on the playing of radios in the control rooms of nuclear power plants. Your letter also contained a proposed alternative for the instal-lation and use of a tape deck with a library of approved tapes.

I regret that our position on this matter may have produced a negative effect (at least on a short tem basis) on the morale of your operators. The NRC position in this matter was carefully evaluated before IE Information Notice No. 85-53 was issued. We concluded at that time that, on a long tem basis, the playing of radios or music could potentially have a sig11ficant negative effect on the attentiveness of operators and their ability to closely monitor plant status.

Since issuance of our Information Notice, I have received a number of letters from utility executives fully supporting our position. Although I appreciate your efforts to arrive at an alternative by means of approved tapes, I believe that our original conclusions are still valid.

I trust that this information provides you with an understanding of the NRC's position on this matter. Should you require additional information, please feel free to contact me.

F

$ K 500b63 PDR

($ n i iam J.Dircks William J. Dircks Executive Director for Operations Distribution:

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S. D. Richardson, IE D. Morris (E00-000939)

P. F. McKee, IE C. Deliso, IE R. L. Spessard, IE J. W. Roe, ED0-J. G. Partlow, IE R. H. Vollmer, IE $'dj T. Rehm, E00 V. Stello, EDO h 3, g/tJouvd > NfR J. M. Taylor, IE k H. R. Denton, NRR W. J. Dircks, ED0 . G. H. Cunningham, LD

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Mr. Dennis E. Gilberts Senior Vice President Power Supply Northern States Power Company 414 Nicollet Mall Minneapolis, Minnesota 55401

Dear Mr. Gilberts:

This is in response to your letter of August 19, 1985 in which yo'u relayed to me the concerns and dissatisfactions expressed by one of your, Shift Supervisors with the NRC's position on the playing of radios in the control rooms of nuclear power plants. Your letter also contained a proposed alterriative for the instal-lation and use of a tape deck with a library of approved' tapes.

I regret that our position on this matter may have produced a negative effect (at least on a short term basis) on the morale of,your operators. The NRC position in this matter was carefully evaluated,b'efore IE Information Notice No. 85-53 was issued. We concluded at that time that, on a long term basis, the playing of radios or music could potentiall on the attentiveness of operators and their/y,have ability to a significant closely negative monitor plant effect status. /

Since issuance of our Information

/

Notice, I have received a number of letters from utility executives fully suppor, ting our position. Although I appreciate your efforts to arrive at an alternative by means of approved tapes, I believe that our original conclusions are/still valid and I see no basis to modify our position to allow such an alter, native.

/

I trust that this information' provides you with an understanding of the NRC's position on this matter. Should you require additional information, please feel free to contact me./

Sincerely, William J. Dircks Executive Director for Operations Distribution:

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P./ F. McKee, IE C. Deliso, IE R. L. Spessard, IE J. W. Roe, EDO J. G. Partlow, IE (y T. Rehm, EDO R. H. Vollmer, IE V. Stello, EDO J. M. Taylor, IE W. J. Dircks, ED0

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EDO PRINCIPAL CORRESPONDENCE CONTROL .

FROM: DUE: 09/09/85 EDO CONTROL: 000939 DOC DT: 08/19/85 D. E. GILBERTS FINAL REPLY:

NORTHERN STATES POWER COMPANY TO:

DIRCKS FOR SIGNATURE OF: ** GREEN ** SECY NO:

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR DESC: ROUTING:

COMMENTS RE ESTABLISHING PROFESSIONALISM IN DIRCKS IN THE CONTROL ROOM ROE REHM DATE: 08/26/85 STELLO ASSIGNED TO: RMT CONTACT: XCIF Lc.rf DENTON If, n (, TAYLOR 3

GCUNNINGHAM SPECIAL INSTRUCTIONS OR REMARKS:

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