ML20247J056

Responds to Suggestion Re Establishment of Natl Control Ctr to Monitor Cooling Water Temp of Nuclear Reactors. Establishing Natl Control Ctr to Monitor Reactor Coolant Temps of All Reactors Would Not Provide Added Safety Margin

ML20247J056
Person / Time
Site:	Seabrook
Issue date:	09/13/1989
From:	Gillespie F Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation
To:	Pope R AFFILIATION NOT ASSIGNED
Shared Package
ML20247J060	List: ML20247J056 ML20247J083
References
NUDOCS 8909200185
Download: ML20247J056 (5)

Text

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UNITED STATES j y, NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION WASHINGTON, D. C. 20555 74 fj k m ,e / SEP 131989 Mr.-Richard Pope Post Office = Box 986 Claremont, New Hampshire 03743

Dear Mr. Pope:

'I am responding to your letter to Senator Humphrey regarding Seabrook in which you suggested establishing a national control center to monitor cooling water temperatures of all ruclear reactors in the U.S.

Cooling water temperature in the reactor coolant system is currently monitored by plant operators at all reactors since it it., an important parameter. Pressurized water reactors, such as_Seabrook, will automatically shut down on high reactor coolant temperature, but boiling water reactors, because of inherent differences in design from pressurized water reactors, do not automatically shut down on high reactor coolant temperature. All reactors, however, will automatically shut down at high reactor power levels. Excessively high reactor power levels can be detected sooner than high reactor water temperature.- The reactor coolant temperature increase at Three Mile Island, which you cited, occurred after the reactor was already shut down and was caused by loss of reactor coolant inventory without replenishment.

The Nuclear Regulatory Commission considers operator competence a major factor in nuclear plant safety. To assure that operators will respond properly to abnormal plant parameters, the Nuclear Regulatory Commission licenses reactor operators and regularly assesses licensees' operator training and requalifica-tion programs. Following the accident at Three Mile Island, operator training -

has been improved to include training on plant-specific simulators. A Safety Parameter Display System is required at all plants to assist operators in monitoring key parameters and comparing these measurements to acceptable limits. We also have an ongoing accident management program to ensure that licensees develop and utilize available equipment and procedures most effec-tively to detect and manage abnormal transient conditions before such events could progress to what would be termed an accident.

Consequently, we believe that establishing a national control center to monitor the reactor coolant temperatures of all reactors would not provide an added margin of. safety. The necessary parameter measurements and automatic shutdown signals are generated only at the plant, and no additional control information would be provided by the national control center. Further, the potential for reactor operator distraction resulting from incoming telephone calls could actually be detrimental to safety.

I appreciate your concern for reactor plant safety, and want to assure you I

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Mr. Richard Pope 2 i

that reactor plant operational safety is of paramount importance in the NRC's day-to-day regulatory activities.

Sidhipsabygned by Frank P. Giilespie Frank P. Gillespie, Director Program lianagement, Policy Development and Analysis Staff Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation cc: Senator Gordon J. Humphrey DISTRIBUTION Central File MHodges PTSB Reading File CThomas PMAS Reading File FGillespie NRC Local /PDR TMurley DPersinko Dilossburg (Green Ticket /l0004716)

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2 that reactor plant operational safety is of paramount importance in the NRC's day-to-day regulatory activities. f 1

Thomas E. Murley, Director Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation cc: Senator Gordon J. Humphrey DISTRIBUTION' Central File MHodges PTSB Reading File CThomas PMAS Reading File FGillespie NRC Local /PDR TMurley DPersinko DMossburg (Green Ticket #0004716)

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~ ENCLOSES LETTER FROM DICK POPE CONCERNING NUCLEAR REACTOR TECHNOLOGY DATE: 08/29/89 ASSIGNED TO: ' CONTACT:

NRR Murley

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SPECIAL. INSTRUCTIONS OR REMARKS:

REPLY DIRECT-TO. CONSTITUENT RRR RECEIVED: AUGUST-29, 1989 ACTION: PMAS/PTSB GILLESPIE/ THOMAS' NRR ROUTING:- MURLEY/SNIEZEK MIRAGLIA

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-CRUTCHFIELD GILLESPIE { '

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OFFICE OF THE SECRETARY CORRESPONDENCE CONTROL TICKET PAPER NUMBER: CRC-89-0770 LOGGING DATE: Aug 28 89 ACTION OFFICE: EDO AUTHOR: Sen Gordon Humphrey AFFILIATION: UNITED STATES SENATE LETTER DATE: Aug 24 89 FILE CODE: C&R-2

SUBJECT:

Nuclear reactor technology ACTION: Direct Reply DISTRIBUTION: OCA to Ack SPECIAL HANDLING: Const Ref NOTES: FERC referral dated 8/25--const-Dick Pope DhTE DUE: Sep 12 89 SIGNATURE: .

DATE SIGNED:

AFFILIATION:

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