ML20217E689
| ML20217E689 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Site: | Vermont Yankee File:NorthStar Vermont Yankee icon.png |
| Issue date: | 10/01/1997 |
| From: | Cowgill C NRC (Affiliation Not Assigned) |
| To: | Reid D VERMONT YANKEE NUCLEAR POWER CORP. |
| Shared Package | |
| ML20217E693 | List: |
| References | |
| 50-271-97-06, 50-271-97-6, NUDOCS 9710070142 | |
| Download: ML20217E689 (3) | |
See also: IR 05000271/1997006
Text
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October 1,1997
Mr. Donald Reid
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Senior Vice President, Operations
Vermont Yankee Nuclear Power Co poration
RD 5, Box 169
Ferry Road
Brattleboro, Vermont 05301
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SUBJECT:
NRC INSPECTION REPORT 50 271/97-06 AND NOTICE OF VIOLATION
Dear Mr. Reid:
On September 6,1937, the NRC completed an inspection at your Vermont Yankee reactor
facility. The enclosed report presents the results of that inspection. During the seven
week period covered by this inspection period, your conduct of activities at the Vermont
Yankee facility was generally characterized by safety conscious operations, sound
engineering and maintenance practices, and careful radiological work controls.
Your staff has made progress in reviving emergency operating procedure (EOP)
discrepancies and improving standards. However, we would like to understand your
schedule for completion of VY EOF action items, including issue of the new EOP program
procedures, resolution of all identified discrepancies including human factors in the
operational emergency (OE) flow charts and appendices, as well as resolution of the two
items identified during this inspection involving the limiting of reactor building area
temperatures and the conte nment venting guideline. In addition, during a recent licensed
operator exam; nation (NRC Examination Rt. port 50-271/97 09), two of your Senior
Operator License applicants f ailed the NRC examination, in which the NRC noted significant
weakness ln the applicants' directing shif t operations related to execution and use of
emerga
' procedures. We are concerned with resolution of the long standing EOP
technic,
tes, and the possible impact that has had on performance. As a result, we
T[]
request
t you respond in writing within 60 dayc regarding your schedule for closure of
these issues.
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Based upon the inspectors' observations this period, one violation of regulatory
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requirements was cited. This corrective action violation was the consequence of an
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ineffective initial examination of your licensing basis in addressing an identified over-
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pressurization vulnerability of the standby gas treatment system. Although your staff
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identif!ed this system vulnerability, and subsequently the licensing basis conflict your
staff's corrective actions were not sufficient to preclude further plant operations on May 8,
1997 with this design vulnerability and unresolved licensing conflict.
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9710070142 971001
ADOCK 05000271
G
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fa,
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Mr. Donald A. Reid
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The violation 3= cited in the enclosed Notice of Violation, and the circumstances
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surrounding the violation are described in detailin the enclosed report. Please note that
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you are required to respond to this letter and should follow the instructions specified in the
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enclosed Notice when preparing your responsa, 'he NRC will use your response, in part,
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to determine whether further enforcement action is necessary to ensure compliance with
regalatory requirements,
In accordance with 10 CFR 2.700 of the NRC's " Rules of Practices," a copy of the letter
and the enclosed Notice will be placed in the NRC Public Document Room.
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Sincerely,
ORIGINAL SIGNED BY:
Curtis J. Cowgill, Ill, Chici
Reactor Projects Branch No. 5
Division of Reactor Projects
Enclosures:
1.
2.
NRC Inspection Report 50-271/97 06
Docket No. 50-271
cc w/ encl:
R McCullough, Operating Experienco Coordinator - Vermont Yankee
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R. Wanczyk, Director, Safety and Ragulatory Aff airs
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G. Maret, Plant Manager
J. Duffy, Licensing Engineer, Vermont Yankee Nuclear Power Corporation
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J. Gilroy, Director, Vermont Public Interest Research Group, Inc.
D. Tefft, Administrator, Bureau of Radiological Health, State of New Hampshire
Chief, Safety Unit, Office of the Attorney General, Commonwealth of
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D, Lewis of Shaw, Pittman, Potts & Trowbridge
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G. Bisbee, Esquire
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T. Rapone, Massachusetts Executive Office of Public Safety
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State of New Hampshire, SLO Designee
State of Vermont, SLO Designee
Commonwealth of Massachusetts, SLO Designee
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Mr. Donald A. Reid
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Distribution w/ encl:
Region 1 Docket Room (with concurrences)
PUBLIC
Nuclear Safety Information Center (NSIC)
NRC Resident Inspector
H. Miller, DRA
D. Screncl, PAO
C. Cowgill, DRP
W. Axelson, DRA
G. Morris, DRS
D. Bearde, DRP
Distribution w/enct (VIA E MAIL):
DOCDESK
W. Dean, OEDO
K. Jabbour, NRR
P. Millano, NRR
R. Correia, NRR
R. Frahm, Jr., NRR
inspection Program Branch, NRR (IPAS)
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! DOCUMENT NAME: A:\\lR97-06RI.CPC
To receive a copy of this document indicate in the box: "C" = Copy without attachment / enclosure
"E"
=
Copy with attachment / enclosure
"N" = No copy
OFFICE
Rl/DRP (') L/
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NAME
CJCOWGILL/db
DATE
10/fl97
10/ /97
10/ /97
10/ /97
10/ /97
OFFICIAL RECORD COPY
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