ML20210T979

Discusses Which Responded to Reconsideration of Violation Denial (EA 98-022) Enforcement Action Detailed in .Concludes That Violation Occurred as Stated

ML20210T979
Person / Time
Site:	Waterford
Issue date:	08/18/1999
From:	Borchardt R NRC OFFICE OF ENFORCEMENT (OE)
To:	Dugger C ENTERGY OPERATIONS, INC.
References
EA-98-022, NUDOCS 9908190202
Download: ML20210T979 (4)

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{ 1r\i UNITED STATES Y s" j 2

NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION WASHINGTON, D.C. 30666 4001 4

August 18, 1999 EA 98-022 l

Charles M. Dugger, Vice President -

Operations - Waterford 3 Entergy Operations, Inc.  ;

P.O. Box B l Killona, Louisiana 70066

SUBJECT:

VIOLATION DENIAL (EA 98-022)

Dear Mr. Dugger:

This refers to your letter dated June 23,1999, in response to our reconsideration of the .

referenced enforcement action detailed in our letter of May 24,1999. The Office of Nuclear  !

Reactor Regulation (NRR) has carefully reviewed your arguments supporting your position that a violation of 10 CFR Part 50, Appendix B, Criterion XI, " Test Control," did not occur when you failed to properly account for uncertainties in flow instrumentation and throttle valve position variability in your emergency core cooling system surveillance testing. After considering your response, we have concluded the violation occurred as stated.

We do not feel a point by point rebuttal of your arguments would be productive in that none of your arguments alter the fundamental positions we communicated in our May 24,1999, correspondence. To reiterate, those positions are:

The conservatisms inherent in the Appendix K methodology do not envelop emergency core cooling system flow uncertainties. Such uncertainties must be accounted for and this can be done either through the analyses itself or through the surveillance testing program.

• Instrument uncertainties must be managed in a manner that ensures that technical specification limiting conditions for operation (LCOs) preserve the analytical values on which the LCOs are based. Failure to do so can result in violations of 10 CFR 50.36.

Accordingly, you are required to place the noncompliance in your corrective action program and address it commensurate with its safety significance.

Please note that while the NRC requires that uncertainties of the type at issue here be adequately accounted for, no specific methodology is prescribed and you are encouraged to O dialogue with the Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation to attempt to achieve a solution to your challenges with accounting for instrument uncertainties. Mr. Stuart A. Richards of the Office of lL 190049 9908190202 990818 PDR ADOCK 05000382 P PDR

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l Nuclear Reactor Regulation at (301) 415-1395 is our contact for any further dialogue on the i issue of management of instrument uncertainty. Additionally, note that Region IV intends to perform followup inspection in this area.

This enforcement action is considered closed. However, further violations of failure to properly account for instrument uncertainties may be subject to additional enforcement action.

Sincerely, 1

R. W. Borchardt, Director Office of Enforcement Docket No. 50-382 I License No. NPF-38

Enclosure:

as stated cc w/

Enclosure:

Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer Entergy Operations, Inc. l P.O. Box 31995 Jackson, Mississippi 39286-1995

~ i Vice President, Operations Support Entergy Operations, Inc.

P.O. Box 31995 Jackson, Mississippi 39286-1995 Wise, Carter, Child & Caraway P.O. Box 651 Jackson, Mississippi 39205 General Manager, Plant Operations Waterford 3 SES Entergy Operations, Inc.

P.O. Box B Killona, Louisiana 70066

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' Manager - Licensing Manager

~ Waterford 3 SES '

Entergy Operations, Inc.

P.O. Box B

' Killona, Louisiana 70066 Chairman ,

' Loulslana Public Service Commission One American Place, Suite 1630 Baton Rouge, Louisiana 70825-1697 Director, Nuclear Safety &

Regulatory Affairs Waterford 3 SES Entergy Operations, Inc.

P.O. Box B '

Killona, Louisiana 70066 Ronald L. Wascom, Administrator Louisiana Radiation Protection Division -)

P.O. Box 82135 Baton Rouge, Louisiana 70884 2135 Parish President -

St. Charles Parish P.O. Box 302 -

Hahnville, Louisiana 70057 M' r. William A. Cross Bethesda Licensing Office l

3 Metro Center, Suite 610 Bethesda, Maryland 20814 Winston & Strawn -

1400 L Street, N.W.

Washington, D.C. 20005-3502

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PDR IE 14 1 LPDR' NUDOCS  !

SECY Enforcement Coordinators: Rl,Ril,Rlli l l CA PA (0-2 A13)

EDO (0-16 E15) OlG (T-5 D28)

DEDR (0-16 E15) OC/DAF (T-9 E10)

DEDE (0-16 E15) nwnoamAniyr OE:EAFile (0-7 H5) Ol (O-3 F1) ,

DAMBLY, OGC KANE, NRR/ADP (0-5-E-7)

NRR PROJECT MANAGER RA Reading File GSanborn-EAFile j RWise , RIV RIV Files MIS Coordinator i PAO-Henderson l

RSLO-Hackney j PHarrell i l

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BHenderson (BWH) CHackney (CAH)

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