ML20214D585
| ML20214D585 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Site: | River Bend  |
| Issue date: | 10/07/1985 |
| From: | Herr R, Hutchison W NRC OFFICE OF INVESTIGATIONS (OI) |
| To: | |
| Shared Package | |
| ML20210N704 | List: |
| References | |
| FOIA-86-651 A4-85-014, A4-85-14, NUDOCS 8611240154 | |
| Download: ML20214D585 (8) | |
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t .. s r TITLE: RIVER BEND NUCLEAR PLANT:
SUSPECTED ERRORS ON TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS LICENSEE: CASE NUMBER: A4-85-014 Gulf States Utilities REPORT DATE: October 7, 1985 River Bend Nuclear Group Post Office Box 2950 CONTROL OFFICE: 01:RIV Beaumont, Texas 77704 Attention: William J. Cahill, Jr. STATUS: Closed Assist Sr. Vice-President REPORTED BY REVIEWED BY:
A-Richar'd I. Herr, Di~ rector 01:RIV R. K. Herr, Director, 01:RIV
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WilliamHufchisbn Investigptor,OI:HQ WARNING The attached document / report has not been reviewed pursuant to 10 'CFR, paragraph 2.790(a)(exemption), nor has any exempt material been deleted.
Do not disseminate or discuss its contents outside NRC. Treat as "0FFICIAL USE ONLY.
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86-651 PDR
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i DETAIL OF
- ASSIST TO INSPECTION 1 s PURPOSE OF ASSIST TO INSPECTION On July 23, 1985, the RegExhibit investigative assistance (ion IV1)
Regional Administrator concerning requested an allegation relatingOIF0:RIV to technical matters regarding Gulf State Utilities (GSU), River Bend Nuclear !
Plant (RBNP). The Regional Administrator pointed out that' River Bend is a near term operating license plant. This request was in response to a written request for investigation to the Region IV Regional Administrator from H. R. DENTON, Director, Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulations (NRR),
dated July 18,1985,(Exhibit 2). The Regional Administrator explained that this request contained information from an NRR employee identified as Mr. Dean HOUSTGN who alleged that a highly reliable source indicated to him that the River Bend staff was aware of many errors, discrepancies ~and problems in the current River Bend technical specifications. HOUSTON further claimed that this source indicated the GSU management had apparently instructed their staff to not pursue a resolution of these-items at this time since it would be time consuming and hold up the issuance of an NRC license.
DETAILS OF INVESTIGATIVE ACTIVITIES On July 18, 1985, Dean HOUSTON (supra) was telephonically interviewed by Region IV staff personnel along with reporting investigator. HOUSTON identified his source of information as a fonner ERC co-worker, Mr. Donald R. H0FFMAN. HOUSTON explained that HOFFMAN was vis'iting the NRR office on July 8,1985, and during infonnal conversations with HOFFMAN, he (H0FFMAN) 3 made statements to the effect that the River Bend corporate management had made a conscious decision not to tell the NRC about some problems with the
" tech specs", because it would be too expensive to correct and they may 3 impact on the license which is due in about three or four weeks. HOUETON .
stated that H0FFMAN worked for the NRC three to four years,-had resigned in' December 1984, and recently opened a consuiting firm identified as "Qatel".
HOUSTON remarked that H0FFMAN is currently located in the Landou Building near the 4800 block of Woodmont at Bethesda, Maryland. - '
On July 23, 1985, OIF0 Region IV telephonically contacted OI:HQ Desk Officer William HUTCHIS0N and requested assistance in interviewing Mr.
Donald H0FFMAN in the presence of a Region IV inspector. HUTCHISON agreed to interview H0FFMAN on July 26, 1985.
On July 26, 1985, William HUTCHISON, 01:HQ, in the presence of Mr.
Dale POWERS, Region IV staff, interviewed Mr. Don HOFFMAN at the Office of Investigation, USNRC, located at 4340 East West Highway, Bethesda, Maryland. (Report of Interview Exhibit (3)) HOFFMAN remarked that he has been under contract with GSU to assist in developing technical specifica-tions for RBNP. H0FFMAN when confronted with the comments he allegedly 4
made to HOUSTON (supra) explained that there may have been confusion between he and HOUSTON. HOFFMAN stated he did not advise HOUSTON that the RBNP staff was aware of " errors,' discrepancies and problems" in the technical Case No. A4-85-014 2<
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specifications, but merely that they were aware of the need for improvement in some technical specifications. HOFFMAN explained in regards to GSU instructing their staff not to pursue resolutions of these items, H0FFMAN reiterated that the items were only suggested iraprovements adding that the specifications were satisfactory as currently written. HOFFMAN in sunmary stated that HOUSTON had merely misinterpreted their conversation adding that if he felt GSU was in any way attempting to deceive the NRC, he would report the matter to the NRC and terminate his contract with GSU.
This assist to inscection is closed. .
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EXHIBITS i
- 1. Memorandum from Regional Administrator, Region IV to OIF0:RIV dated 7/23/85
- 2. Memorandum from Director, NRR, to Region IV dated 7/18/85
- 3. Report of Interview of H0FFMAN dated 8/23/85 i
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Case No. A4-85-014
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U O A4-85-014
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.' f REGION IV 411 RYAN PLAZA DRIVE. SUITE 1000
. . , [ ARLINGTON, TEXAS N011 SL 2 31985 MEMORANDUM FOR: R. K. Herr Director Office of Investigation's Field Office, RIV FROM: Robert D. Martin, Regional Administrator, RIV
SUBJECT:
REQUEST FOR INVESTIGATIVE ASSISTANCE (INVESTIGATOR ACCOMPANIMENT DURING SCHEDULED CONTACT WITH ALLEGER ON JULY 26,1985)
This request results from an allegation that I received on July 18, 1985. The allegation deals with a near-tenn-operating license applicant for t e River Bend Station. Although the major portion of the allegation's conce ns are I related to technical matters, a portion of the alleger's discussion makes reference to a potential coverup-type situation. The importance ofithe latter takes on added significance in light of the short time remaining until the scheduled licensing of the facility.
We will not be able to provide the safety significance involved in'this allegation until after an interview is concluded. However, due to the.NTOL status of the allegation's subject facility, I request you assist us by providing.an investigator to conduct the discussions. A Region IV technical representative will be present for all discussions (Mr. Dale Powers). The contact, as you h, ave indicated, is to take place on Miy 26, 1985.
I appreciate the priority consideration given to this request, and should any significant wrongdoing information be developed during the course of this interview please inform me of this following the interview's conclusion.
Should you have any questions concerning this requested assistance, please feel free to contact me. , ,
- .y 1 l Robert D. Martin Regional Administrator
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EXHIBIT (1) l
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I August 23, 1985 l
REPORT OF INTERVIEW 0F DONALD R. HOFFMAN ON JULY 26, 1985 AS PREPARED BY AGENT HUTCHISON On July 26, 1985 Mr. Donald R. HOFFMAN, 5796 Hurdle Hill Court, Frederick, 301-694-6684), was interviewed by Agent William D.
Maryland 21701 (Tel:HUTCHISON, 01:HQ, USNRC; and Mr. Dale POWERS, Region Office of Investigations, USNRC, East-West South Towers, 4340 East-West Highway, Bethesda,' Maryland 20814.
H0FFMAN worked as a Senior Reactor Engineer for three and a half years during 1981 through 1984, in the Division of Licensing, USNRC, Washington, DC 20555.
He is currently privately employed doing consultingMost workrecently as QATEL, H0FFMAN Suitehas 208, 7910 Woodmont Avenue, Bethesda. Maryland 20814.
been under contract to the Guli States Utilities Company (GSU) to assist in developing the technical specifications for River Bend Nuclear Plant (RBNP).
H0FFMAN stated essentially the following:
Thus far he has done limited work on the technical specifications at RBNP. He guessed that he has put in approximately 100 hours0.00116 days <br />0.0278 hours <br />1.653439e-4 weeks <br />3.805e-5 months <br /> and reviewed about 30% of HOFFMAN the specifications. He has never been on the site at River Bend.
asserted that he has not had enough time working with the specifications He added, however, thator this facility to properly identify problem areas.
from what he has seen, GSU has good project review and surveillance proce-dures. According to HOFFMAN, there have been a large number of technical problems already identified, which have' He does notbeen know reported to RIV, USNRC, of any unidentified problemsand which GSU is attempting to correct. j or " grey areas" within the technical specifications that be has thus far '
reviewed. Generally, it is the opinion of HOFFMAN that there could be ,
improvements in such areas as frequency of surveillances He added, and clarification however, that of l existing intent on some technical specifications. H0FFMAN fi-these specifications were nonetheless satisfactory, as written.He reasoned thet believes that there are no " hardware" problems in any case.
this is where there may have been confusion between he and Dean Houston.
HOFFMAN recalled the conversation with Houston on or about July 8,1985.-
Also, at some point, he was shown the note to file prepared According by HOUSTON, to HOFFMAN, he dated July 9, 1985, regarding this July 8, 1985 meeting.did not advise HOU ancies, and problems" in the technical specifications, but merely Withthat theyto regard were aware of a need for improvement in some specifications.
GSU management instructing their staff not to pursue resolution of these items, HOFFMAN reiterated that the " items" were only suggested improvements.
Further, if he said anything of this nature to$iOUSTON, it was cast in terms that: GSU would likely not want him (HOFFMAN)f after lice 6 sing,*Tfnce the specifications.wEre satisfactory as currently written. H0FFMAN does not recall ever discussing "some 900 procedures" i EXHIBIT (3)
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2 needing re-review and modification during the July 8, 1985 meeting with HOUSTON.
In summary, HOFFMAN stated that he believed that HOUSTON had merely misinter-He wanted it made clear that in the technical preted their conversation. specifications He hesubmitted has reviewed that if hethus had far, he has fou consider unsatisfactory, as currently written.
felt that GSU was in any way attempting to deceive the NRC, he would have reported the matter to the NRC and terminated his contract with GSU.
DATE DRAFT PREPARED FROM NOTES TAKEN DURING INTERVIEW: JULY 29,}985 i
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NIC FORM 306 U.S. NUCLE AR REGULAToAY Commission INVESTIGATION STATUS RECORD INST RUCTIONS: This fom es to be compieted whenever segnifscent oct.wity has occurred relative to a esse or et neest every 30 days If no change has occurred during the 30 day reportsmg pe' sod ondecate f4 Change ** in the status blod. Keep the original with the case fde e*id send one copy to Headquarters, office of enwestigations.
CESE hWMGER C AT E GOR Y OF F sCE 0 .OPERATsNG RE ACf0m 8
- shDiveDUAL LeCEN$tt A4-85-014 y C g@o*,5" _
u uAtamiAtsirust OI FIELD OFFICE v .vehoOR = .ota:R REGION IV RIVER BEND: SUSPECTED ERRORS ON TECH. SPECS EIUIERR&W.D.HUTCHISON AND POSSIBLE COVER UP
% STATUS ISpecify date end proeialt a brief deurrentnon)
DATE: July 26, 1935 - On July 23, 1985, Robert D. Martin, Regional Administrator, RIV, requested investigative assistance concerning an allegation that the Region received related to technical matters in the area of technical specifications at the River Bend Nuclear Facility. Mr. Martin also advised that the alleger made reference to a potential coverup / type situation. Mr. Martin requested assistance by OI to provide an investigator to interview the alleger in the presence of a Region IV technical representative. ECD: August 1985 DATE: July 31, 1985 - This assist to inspection has been completed. Anticipate report to be written in' August 1985. ECD: 9/85 DATE: August 30, 1985 - This assist to inspection has been completed. Anticipate report to be written in September 1985. ECD: 10/85 DATE: Sept. 30, 1985 - On Sept. 26, 1985, the final draft was completed and forwarded to B. Hutchison for sign off on his portion. Anticipate signing off final in Oct. 1985.
ECD: 10/85 , j I
DATE: Oct. 9, 1985 - Case closed by OIF0:RIV on 10/7/85. Case closed.
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