ML20212A858

EN-97-090:on 970926,demand for Info Was Issued Due to Continuing NRC Concerns Re Licensee'S Effectiveness in Identifying,Evaluating & Resolving Potential Safety Problems

ML20212A858
Person / Time
Site:	Clinton
Issue date:	09/26/1997
From:	Lieberman J, Reis T NRC OFFICE OF ENFORCEMENT (OE)
To:
References
EA-97-435, EN-97-090, EN-97-90, NUDOCS 9710270034
Download: ML20212A858 (2)

Text

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September 26, 1997 EN 97-090 QFFICE OF ENFORCEMENT NOTIFICATION OF SIGNIFICANT ENFORCEMENT ACTION Licensee: Illinois Power Company Clinton Fewer Station (EA 97-435)

Docket No. 50-461 Sub.iect: DEMAND FOR INFORMATION PURSUANT TO 10 CFR 50.54(f) REGARDING CORRECTIVE ACTION PROGRAM PERFORMANCE AT CLINTON POWER STATION A Demand for Information has been issued today to Illinois Power Company, the licensee for the Clinton Power Station, due to continuing NRC concerns regarding the licensee's effectiveness in identifying, evaluating, and resolving potential safety problems. The Demand requires the licensee to submit, under oath and affirmation: (1) the corrective actions, both taken and planned, necessary to achieve substantial improvement in the Clinton Power Stations corrective action programs: and (2) the basis for confidence, in view of demonstrated corrective action program deficiencies, that deficiencies affecting the function of safety-related equipment have been identified and corrected. '

Over the past year, the Clinton Power Station has been in a voluntary shutdown to address performance deficiencies, subject to multiple Confirmatory Action Letters concerning its corrective action programs, and subject to substantial escalated enforcement concerning its corrective action programs.

Until recently NRC had determined that. based on expanded inspection activities, performance had improved and reasonable assurance existed that the licensee's programs were capable of ensuring an adequate corrective program could be implemented. Failures of electrical distribution system circuit breakers on July 22 and August 5. 1997 and an Augmented Inspection Team that responded to these events revealed that the failures stemmed from inadequate corrective actions from past failures and that once again, the problem appeared programmatic.

Therefore, prior to Clinton Power Station's restart, further information is needed before the NRC can determine whether the NRC should have reasonable assurance that actions taken to correct the persistent weaknesses in the corrective action program have been effective and that reasonable assurance exists that the functionality of safety-related structures, systems, and comporsents will not be adversely affected by past unrecognized deficiencies.

The State of Illinois will be notified.

Contacts: TReis. OE. 415-3281 JLieberman. OE, 415-2741 gO2g34970926 ,h EN-97-090 PDR

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September 26. 1997 EN 97-090 Distribution OWFN OWFN TWFN Regional Offices Chairman Jackson ED0 OC RI RIV Comm. Dicus DEDE AE00 RII WCF0 Comm. Diaz OE OP CTR RIII '

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IP ACRS PRELIMINARY INFORMATION NOT FOR PUBLIC DISCLOSURE UNTIL VERIFICATION THAT LICENSEE HAS RECEIVED ACTION 3