ML20237B691

Issues Request for Investigation RIII-85-A-0122 Re 850702 Criticality Event at Plant.Info First Made Known to Region III as Procedural Violation on 850705 But Not as Criticality Until 850710

ML20237B691
Person / Time
Site:	Fermi
Issue date:	07/18/1985
From:	James Keppler NRC OFFICE OF INSPECTION & ENFORCEMENT (IE REGION III)
To:	Pawlik E NRC OFFICE OF INVESTIGATIONS (OI)
Shared Package
ML20237B682	List: IA-86-244, Forwards Ofc of Investigations Rept of Investigation Re 850702 Reactor Criticality & Failure of Util Employees to Inform NRC Resident Inspector of Changed Criticality Status. Summary of Investigation,Now Closed,Given.W/O Encl ML20237B680 ML20237B691 ML20237B696 ML20237B722 ML20237B730 ML20237B747 ML20237B757 ML20237B776 ML20237B787 ML20237B790 ML20237B807 ML20237B815 ML20237B827 ML20237B853 ML20237B869 ML20237B894
References
FOIA-86-244 NUDOCS 8712170069
Download: ML20237B691 (3)

Text

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Request No. R111-85-A-0122 (Region / Year /No.)

TO: E. T. Pawlik, Director. Office of Investigations Field Office FROM: James G. Keppler, Regional Administrator REQUEST FOR INVESTIGATION, Detroit Edison Company 50-341 Licensee / Vendor /Applican: Docket No.

Fermi 2 Facility or Site Location James G. Keppler July 18, 1985 Regional Administrator /Dffice Director Date I

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A. Request

1. What is the matter that is being requested for investigation

('ae as specific as possible regarding the underlying incident).

On July 2,1985, Fermi Unit 2 was inadvertently allowed to achieve criticality. This information was not made known to the NRC until 1 July 5,1985 at which time Region III was notified of a " procedural i violation" without being told of an unrecognized criticality. l Region III was not informed of the inadvertent criticality until July 15, 1985, although the Comission briefing on full power licensing of Fermi 2 was held on July 10, 1985.

B. Purpose of Investigation

1. What wrongdoing is suspected; explain the basis for this view I

(be as specific as possible).

The NRC Comission briefing on the Fenni 2 full power license was scheduled for July 10, 1985. One issue discussed at that meeting was operator errors, which include such events as an unrecognized criticality. Had Region III known of the July 2,1985 unrecognized j criticality, Region III would have, as a minimum, informed the Comission of it during the July 10, 1985 meeting; or, more than likely, would have postponed that meeting until after Fermi 2 had i completed all corrective actions resulting from the incident. '

Region III believes that a possibility exists that Detroit Edison Company may have willfully withheld information necessary to the /

NRC's deliberations on granting a full power license to Fermi Unit 2. j PUNTENN86-244 PDR!

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2. What are the potential regulatory requirements that may have been violated?

Section 186a, Atomic Energy Act.

3. If no violation is suspected, what is the specific regulatory concern?

Detroit Edison Company may have willfully withheld from the NRC, unfavorable information which could have adversely impacted the NRC's vote on a full power license to the Detroit Edison Fermi 2 plant on July 10, 1985.

4. If allegations are involved, is there a view that the allegation occurred? Likely occurred , not sure . If Likely, explain.

N/A l

C. Requestor's Priority

1. Is the priority of the investigation high, nonnal, or low? High

2. What is the estimated date when the results of the investigation are needed? July 31, 1985

3. What is the basis for the date and the impact of not meeting this date? (For example, is there an imediate safety issue that must be addressed or are the results necessary to resolve any ongoing regulatory issue and if so, what actions are dependent on the outcome of thet investigation?)

As described in the Confirmatory Action Letter of July 16, 1985, the Fermi 2 plant comitted itself from exceeding the 5% power level until all facets of the incident have been fully investigated, evaluated and corrective actions taken.

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! D. Contact

1. Staff members:

i N. J. Chrissotimos (FTS: 388-5716)

2. Allegers identification with address and telephone number if not confidential. (Indicate if any confidential sources are involved and who may be contacted for the identifying details.)

N/A P

l F. Other Relevant Information l

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I s

As O~

j 'Tnes G. Keppler uy 1 l egional Administrator cc: W. J. Dircks. EDO H. R. Denton, hRR B. B. Hayes O!

J. M. Taylor IE G. H. Cunningham, OELD 1

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