ML20245K028

Requests Meeting W/Nrc & Util Re Plant Safety Violation Concerns,Specifically Lack of Attention to Established Procedures

ML20245K028
Person / Time
Site:	Calvert Cliffs
Issue date:	05/16/1989
From:	Dyson R HOUSE OF REP.
To:	Zech L NRC COMMISSION (OCM)
Shared Package
ML19317A581	List: ML20245K023 ML20245K028
References
NUDOCS 8907030255
Download: ML20245K028 (2)

Text

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?! M8b C fC f fG Bb CONGRESSMAN ROY DYSON 224 CANNON HOU$t OFFict BufLDING. WASHINGTON. D.C. 20515 C02) 225-5311 May 16, 1989 Mr. Lando W. Zech, Jr.

Chairman, duclear Regulatory Commiscion 1717 H Street, N.W.

Washington, D.C. 20555-

Dear Chairman Zech:

In light of the Nuclear Regulatory Commission's recent report outlining continued safety violations at Calvert Cliffs Nuclear Facility, I would like to convene, at the earliest possible date, a meeting in my office with officials from both the NRC and Baltimore Gas and Electric.

I am deeply troubled by the fact that the same concerns -- generally a lack of attention to established procedure -- continue at Calvert Cliffs today. After dropping from an " excellent" to " poor" rating for nuclear facility operation in the country, and being the subject of a

" management review" by the utility's own management team, I find it disturbing that general safety rules continue to be ignored. No one can afford to wait for a tragedy caused by negligence oefore the Calvert Cliffs management team becomes more scrupulous in its attention to the details of running a facility of such considerable consequence.

As you may recall, I wrote a lettet to Mr. Victor Stello, Executive Director of Operations for the NRC, i.n December of 1988, recommending that the NRC direct BG&E to engage a eputable organization for a I comprehensive review of the utility's nanagement and the daily operations at Calvert Cliffs. I belt ,ed at the time, and I still do, that this type of review is essential to restoring public confidence in the facility's long term safety. According to the Commission, the problems at Calvert Cliffs stem directly from neglect by corporate management for basic nuclear reactor safety. This being the case, it is clear, now more than ever, that an objective management audit should be a. logical component of any plan to ensure safe operation of Calvert Cliffs.

In response to my recommendation in December Mr. Stello wrote, "we have found that in order to effectively construct and implement a corrective action plan, a total commitment by the line management, supervisors, ge%3eM5#2[

and employees is necessary. This commitment is best accomplished by a '

. thorough and probing self-assessment. Thus, we will withold judgment on the need for an independent management audit pending our receipt and review of the corrective action plan." Mr. Stello went on to assure me {

1 that the Commission would intensify its plant inspections and expand the range of items each inspection covers.

l In a February 21 memo updating Mr. Stello on the status of the management review, Mr. George V. McGowan, Chairman of the Board at BG&E assured him that, "we continue to make good progress towards a true root cause assessment and the development of appropriate corrective measures."

Whatever " progress" BG&E made with its "self-assessment" is now overshadowed by the reporting of safety violations in the commission's routine inspection report. It is clear that even though BG&E submitted its " Performance Improvement Plan" last month supporting the Commission's assertion that an " attitudinal" problem exists among management personnel, the " root cause" has yet to be identified and remedied.

The NRC now confronts two tasks. The first is to ensure that Calvert Cliffs returns to its former status as a safe and reliable nuclear facility. The second is to rebuild public confidence, both in BG&E as

a. sound manager of the powerplant, and the commission itself as a responsive regulatory agency that is single-mindedly concerned with public safety. My judgment on what needs to be done to begin to achieve these goals stands. The surest route to both objectives is to get an outside team of management experts to go over the corporate restructuring of Calvert Cliffs.

Chairman Zech, there is no margin for error at Calvert Cliffs. My constituents depend on the safety-consciousness of their local public utility for the smooth operation of this plant. They should expect no less than the utmost regard for their well-being and safety from the individuals who operate Calvert Cliffs. I want them to feel confident that management problems at the nuclear reactor plant near their community will be rectified as soon as possible.

Again, I request the opportunity to discuss this in detail with you and BG&E officials in my congressional office at your earliest convenience.

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30Y P. YSO Member Co pgress

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