ML20245K254

Forwards Insp Rept 50-344/89-18 on 890712-14 & Notice of Violation.Nrc Views Util Handling of Hydrogen Issues as Missed Opportunities to Focus on & Resolve long-standing & Potentially Significant Safety Issue

ML20245K254
Person / Time
Site:	Trojan File:Portland General Electric icon.png
Issue date:	08/03/1989
From:	Scarano R NRC OFFICE OF INSPECTION & ENFORCEMENT (IE REGION V)
To:	Cockfield D PORTLAND GENERAL ELECTRIC CO.
Shared Package
ML20245K259	List: ML20245K254 ML20245K262 ML20245K274
References
IEIN-87-020, IEIN-87-20, NUDOCS 8908180369
Download: ML20245K254 (2)

See also: IR 05000344/1989018

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Docket..No. 50-344:

' ' Portland General Elec'tric Company

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.121 SW Salmon Street TB-17

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Attention: Mr. David W.'Cockfield

Vice President, Nuclear

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Gentlemen:

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SUBJECT: NRC INSPECTI0'N

This' letter refers to the special inspection conducted by Messrs..C. A. Hooker

and A. D.' Johnson of this-office on July 12-14. 1989, of activities authorized

by NRC License No. NPF-1, and to the discussion _of our findings held by

Messrs. Hooker and Johnson with you and other members of your staff at the

conclusion of the inspection.

This inspection was conducted in regard to an unresolved item, identified

during a Region V Chemistry Team Inspection, that involved a potential safety

problem concerning the location of the hydrogen and nitrogen storage facility

at the Trojan Nuclear Plant. Areas examined during the inspection are

described in the enclosed inspection report. Within these areas, the

inspection consisted of selective examinations of procedures and

representative records, interviews with personnel, and observations by the

inspectors.

Based on the results of this inspection,.it appears that one of your

activities was not conducted in full compliance with NRC requirements, as set

forth in the Notice of Violation, enclosed herewith as Appendix A.

A high quality, safety conscious review of the hydrogen issues discussed in

NRC Information Notice 87-20 " Hydrogen Leak In Auxiliary Building," should

'have lead to a prompt and serious reevaluation of.your then existent hydrogen

storage and distribution system utilizing the industry standards referenced in

the Notice. This sort of thorough and self critical review did not occur.

Your initial review was pro'r.pt but narrow and flawed. Then, the proposed

corrective actions sat unaddressed for over a year. This is not acceptable

performance. Additionally, your design basis review of the control building

ventilation system and your subsequent independent verification of that design

basis review failed to challenge the pctential hydrogen and nitrogen intrusion

-issue. While we recognize your corrective actions were prompt and extensive

following the NRC Chemistry Team Inspection, we see your handling of this

matter as an example of missed opportunities to focus on and resolve a long

standing,'potentially significant safety issue.  ;

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In accordance with 10 CFR 2.790(a), a copy of this letter and the enclosures

will be placed in the NRC Public Document Room.

The response directed by this letter and the accompanying Notice are not

subject to the clearance procedures of the Office of Management and Budget as

required by.the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1980, PL 96-511.

Should you have any questions concerning this inspection, we would be glad to

discuss them with you.

Sincerely,

hr(fgl'Ilivf Abl

Ross A. Scarano, Director

Division of Radiation Safety

and Safeguards

Enclosures:

A. Notice of Violation (Appendix A)

B. Inspection Report No. 50-344/89-18

cc w/enclosu*es:

T. D. Walt, General Manager

C. P. Yundt, Trojan Nuclear Plant

L. A. Girard, Vice President and General Counsel

Dixon, Oregon 00E

bcc w/ enclosures:

docket file

B. Faulkenberry

J. Martin

A. Johnson

Resident Inspector

l- Project Inspector

l R. Nease, NRR

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bec w/o enclosure B:

J. Zollicoffer

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REGI .

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