ML20247N347

Responds to 980126 Memo Requesting Action Taken as Result of Event Inquiry - Public Concerns W/Nrc Rept of Independent Safety Assessment at Plant

ML20247N347
Person / Time
Site:	Maine Yankee
Issue date:	05/08/1998
From:	Shirley Ann Jackson, The Chairman NRC COMMISSION (OCM)
To:	Bell H NRC OFFICE OF THE INSPECTOR GENERAL (OIG)
References
NUDOCS 9805270114
Download: ML20247N347 (6)

Text

_ _ _ . . _ _ .

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MEMORANDUM TO: Hubert T. Bell Inspector General OriginalSigned bY -

ShirleyAnnJackson FROM: Shirley Ann Jac'< son

SUBJECT:

EVENT INQUI'tY - PUBLIC'S CONCERNS WITH NRC REPORT  :

OF INDEPENDENT SAFETY ASSESSMENT (ISA) AT MAINE I YANKEE ATOMIC POWER STATION (CASE NO. 97 03S)

This responds tc your January "6,1998, memorandum requesting action taken as a result of the above event inquiry. I note that your findings suoport the technical conclusions of the Maine Yankee independent Safety Assessment (ISA) report. However, the event inquiry identified that certain language used in the ISA report did not facilitate clear communication with the public. By this memorandum, I am fonwarding the stafs response to your report addressing the communication issues noted.

i Thank you for your efforts in this matter, j i

i

Attachment:

Memorandum to Chairman Jackson from L. Joseph Callan dated May 5,1998.

cc: Commissioner Dicus Commissioner Diaz Commissioner McGafgan OCFO C ,.

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1 3 l MEMORANDUM TO: Hubert T. Bell Inspector General 1

FROM: Shirley Ann Jackson ,

SUBJECT:

EVENT INQUIRY - PUBLIC'S CONCERNS TH NRC REPORT OF INDEPENDENT SAFETY ASSESSME T(ISA) AT MAINE YANKEE ATOMIC POWER STATION ( SE NO.97-03S)

This responds to your January 26,1998, memorandum requestin action taken as a result of the above event inquiry. I note that your findings support the techn' I conclusions of the Maine Yankee Independent Safety Assessment (ISA) report. Howev , the event inquiry identified that certain language used in the ISA report did not facilitate clear mmunication with the public. By this memorandum, I am forwarding the staff's response to y ur report addressing the communication issues noted.

Thank you for your efforts in this matter.

Attachment:

Memorandum to Chairman Jackso rom L. Joseph Callan dated May 5,1998.

cc: Commissioner Dicus Commissioner Diaz Commissioner McGaffigan SECY OGC OCFO OClO OCA Distribution:

OPA HThompson AEOD R/F EDO Control G980087 H. Miller, RI PNorry IRD R/F SMcKelvin (#98-19)

L Reyes,Ril JBlaha ER R/F JCrutchley (Blue #98-07)

A. Beach, lll SBURNS File Center E. Merschoff, RIV CMiller, RIF Public DISK / DOCUMENT NA  : h:\ erb \ madison \chrmnitr.ig -

• See previous concurrences To receive a cmp r. Indaulo: "C* a w/c attachment /endoeurs:'A's Copy with attachmuntlendoeure "N" = No cop r. NO MARK e NO COPYI OFC IRD:AEOf C D:lRD:AEOD lN D:AEOD lN D:NRR A RGN-1/D NAME FJCongel TTMartin SCollins ARBloug ALMadfon DATE 03/0h8* 03/09/98* 03/11/98* 03/13/98* 03/16/98 ,

OFC A:qdDO A A:DEDE EDO*

NAME ShURNS ACThadani LJCa!!an DATE 03/16/98* 04/ /98 04/24/98 OFFICIAL RCCORD COPY a____-_-__.____

MEMORANDUM TO: Hubert T. Bell inspector General FROM: Shirley Ann Jackson

SUBJECT:

EVENT INQUIRY - PUBLIC'S CONCERNS WITH NRC REPORT OF INDEPENDENT SAFETY ASSESSMENT (ISA) AT MAINE YANKEE ATOMIC POWER STATION (CASE NO.97-03S)

Having reviewed the referenced event inquiry, I would like to t k you and your staff for your prompt and professional work. I rrote that your findings sup rt the technical conclusions of the Maine Yankee Independent Safety Assessment (ISA) re .. However, you identified that certain language used in the ISA report did not facilitat ar communication with the public. By this memorandum, I am forwarding the staff's' respo to your report addressing the communication issues noted.  ;

l Thank you for your efforts in this matter.

Attachment:

Memorandum to Chairma ackson from L. Joseph Callan dated  ;

cc: Commissioner Dieus l Commissioner Diaz Commissioner McGaffiga SECY OGC OCFO  :

1 OClO OCA Distnbution-OPA HThompson AEOD R/F EDO Control G980087 H. Miller, RI . PNorry IRD R/F SMcKelvin (#98-19)

L.Reyes,R JBlaha ER RIF JCrutchley (Blue #98-07)

A. Beach, 1 SBURNS File Center E. Merschoff, RIV CMiller, RIF Public  !

l DISK / DOCUMENT NAME: h:\ erb \madisonichrmnitr.ig

• See previous concurrences To renews a cap r, hduto T = Copy udo omschment endoeure: *A* = Copy we anschmentiendoeure:"N" = No copr NO MMtK = NO COPYf OFC IRDAEOD C D:lRD:AEOD N DAEOD N D:NRR A RGN-1/D NAME ALMadison FJCongel' TTMartin SCollins ARBloug DATE 03/09/98* 03/09/98* 03/11/98* 03/13/98* 03/16/98 ;

OFC A OEDO A A:DEDE EDh NAME SPURNS ACThadani LJC M DATE 03/16/98* 04/' /98 0&fj)98 OFFICIAL RECORD COPY .

T MEMORANDUM TO: Hubert T. Bell Inspector General FROM: Shirley Ann Jackson

SUBJECT:

EVENT INQUIRY - PUBLIC'S CONCERNS WITH R[ REPORT OF INDEPENDENT SAFETY ASSESSMENT ( AT MAINE YANKEE ATOMIC POWER STATION (CAS .97-03S)

Having reviewed the referenced event inquiry, I would and yourlike staff to thank yot[/

for your prompt and professional work. I note that your findings support thyfechnical conclusions of the Maine Yankee Independent Safety Assessment (ISA) report. However, you identified that certain language used in the ISA report did not facilitate clear munication with the public. By this memorandum, I am forwarding the staff's response to yo report addressing the communication issues noted.

Thank you for your efforts in this matter.

Attachment:

Memorandum to Chairman Jackson from L. Joseph Callan dated

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cc: Commissioner Dieus Commissioner Diaz j

/

Commissioner McGaffigan /

SECY ,

OGC /

OCFO '

OClO OCA Distribution:

OPA Thompson AEOD R/F EDO Control G980087 H. Miller, RI PNorry IRD R/F SMcKelvin (#98-19)

L. Reyes, Ril JBlaha ER R/F JCrutchley (Blue #98-07)

A. Beach, Rlll SBums File Center E. Merschoff, RIV '

CMiller, RIF Public

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DISK / DOCUMENT NAME: h:Wrb\ madison \chrmnitr.ig

• See previous concurrences  ;

To roosive a crip t, indicate 'C' = Copp w/o attachment /endosure: *A* a Copy with attachment /endoeure: *N* = No copr. NO MARK = NO COPYi OFC IRD:AEOD' C D:lRD:AEOD N D:AEOD N D:NRR A RGN-1/D NAME ALMadjson FJCongel TTMartin SCollins ARBloug DATE 03/09/98* 03/09/98* 03/11/98* 03/13/98* 03/16/98 OFC A; EDO A A:DEDE EDO I NAME SDums ACThadani LJCallan DATE / 03/16/98* ,

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OFFICIAL RECORD COPY

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~ MEMORANDUM TO: Hubert T. Bell Inspector General FROM! Shirley Ann Jackson

SUBJECT:

EVENT INQUIRY - PUBLIC'S CONCERNS WITH NRC REPORT OF INDEPENDENT SAFETY ASSESSMENT (ISA) AT MAINE YANKEE ATOMIC POWER STATION (CASE NO.97-03S)

Having reviewed 'the referenced event inquiry, I would like to t k you and your staff for your prompt and professional work. I note that your findings sup it the technical conclusions of the Maine Yankee independent Safety Assessment (lSA) re However, you identified that certain language used in the ISA report did not facilitat ar communication with the public. By this memorandum, I am forwarding the staffs respo to your report addressing the communication issues noted.

Thank you for your efforts in this matter.

Attachment:

Memorandum to Chairma ackson from L. Joseph Callan dated cc: Commissioner Dicus '

Commissioner Diaz Commissioner McGaffiga SECY OGC OCFO ,

OClO  !

OCA Distnbution-OPA HThompson AEOD R/F EDO Control G980087 ,

H. Miller, Rl PNorry - IRD R/F SMcKelvin (#98-19) ,

L.Reyes,R JBlaha ER R/F JCrutchley (Blue #98-07)  ;

A Beach, i SBURNS File Center E. Merschoff, RIV CMiller, RIF Public l i

DISK / DOCUMENT NAME: h:\ erb \ madison \chrmnitr.ig

• See previous concurrences

To sucehe a cop '. Indicals: 'C' = Copy afo anschmentfenclosure:"A" = Copy we suechmenWendoeure: 'tr = No cop t NO MMtK = NO COPY 1 OFC IRD:AEOD C ' D:lRD:AEOD N DAEOD N D:NRR A RGN-1/D l NAME ALMadison FJCongel TTMartin SCollins ARBloug <

DATE- 03/09/98* 03/09/98* 03/11/98* 03/13/98* 03/16/98 OFC A:OEDO A A:DEDE EDh NAME SPURNS ACThadani ~LJCal@

DATE- 03/16/98* 04/ /98 0&f))98 OFFICIAL RECORD COPY

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CHAIRMAN MEMORANDUM TO: Hubert T. Bell inspector General FROM: Shirley Ann Jadson k

SUBJECT:

EVENT INQUIRY - PUBLIC'S CONCERNS WITH NRC REPORT OF 'NDEPENDENT SAFETY ASSESSMENT (ISA) AT MAINE YANKEE ATOMIC POWER STATION (CASE NO.97-03S)

This responds to your January 26,1998, memorandum requesting action taken as a result of the above event inquiry. I note that your findinga support the technical conclusions of the Maine Yankee Independent Safety Assessment (ISA) report. However, the event inquiry identified that certain language used in the ISA report did not facilitate clear communication with the public. By this memorandum, I am forwarding the staffs response to your report addressing the communication issues noted.

Thank you for your efforts in this matter.

Attachment:

Memorandum to Chairman Jackson from L. Joseph Callan dated May 5,1998.

cc: Commissioner Dieus Commissioner Diaz Commissioner McGaffigan SECY OGC OCFO 0C10 OCA OPA H. Miller, RI L. Reyes, Ril A. Beach, Rlli E. Merschoff, RIV

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• • • • • • / May 5, 1998 l

MEMORANDUM TO: Chairman Jackson FROM: L. Joseph Callan Executive Director s

SUBJECT:

EVENT INQUIRY - P BLIC'S CONCERNS WITH NRC REPORT OF INDEPENDENT SAFETY ASSESSMENT (ISA) AT MAINE YANK 5E ATOMIC POWER STATION (CASE NO.07-03S)

In resnonse to your memorandum dated February 10,1998, the subject OlG Event Inquiry Report has been reviewed. The report concluded, in part, that some misunderstanding and confusion resulted from the language used in the Maine Yankee Independent Safety Assessment Team (ISAT) report. While the staff constantly strives to communicate their findings clearly, misunderstandings may occur and should be resolved promptly. I believe the  !

recommendations of the Communications Coordinating Committee in response to DSI-14 will assist in improving the communications issues identified in the OlG Event inquiry Report. Our ,

response to each finding is attachea.

Attachment:

As stated cc: Commissioner Dieus Commissioner Diaz Commissioner McGaffigan SECY OGC OCFO OClO

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OCA OPA l 95[J963ClO3 _

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T I RESPONSES TO FINDINGS IN OlG EVENT INQUIRY - PUBLIC'S CONCERNS WITH NRC l

REPORT OF INDEPENDENT SAFETY ASSESSMENT (ISA) AT MAINE YANKEE ATOMIC POWER STATION (CASE NO.97-038)

1. FINDING: The OlG inquiry revealed that the significant deficiencies identified by the ISAT were either resolved by the iconsee during the ISA or were provided to NRC program offices for resolution. OlG learned that the ISAT considered the balance of the good and bad of the safety systems and programs reviewed to conclude that MYAPS was in general conformance with its licensing and design bases.

Additionally, the ISAT took into account MYAPS' defense-in-depth when it concluded that the plant posed no undue risk to public health and safety and was safe to operate.

RESPONSE: No response required. .

2. FINDING: The OlG inquiry found that several phrases such as " undue risk" and " adequate protection" to the public were used by the ISAT to describe the NRC's standard of )

i protection of public health and safety as applied to MYAPS. However, OlG l l leamed that these phrases are not clearly defined by th'e NRC.

RESPONSE: We recognize the need to communicate clearly with all stakeholder including the public. In response to DSI-14, the staff has developed recommendations on public communications initiatives. These initiatives are documented in the

" Report of the Communications Coordinating Committee With Recommendations on Public Communications initiatives," dated March 24, igg 8 (CCC Report).

Plans include making written and spoken language more understandable by, in part, explaining technical jargon, boilerplate language, acronyms, and regulatory findings in a balanced way so that the public can better understand what we are trying to convey. The CCC highlighted that the staff commonly uses terms in which there is not universal agreement, even within the agency, as to what each means. A recommendation by the CCC was for the agency's technical stuff to conduct a review of the glossary of nuclear expressions that recently was posted on the NRC Website and both expand and enhance it to include often used expressions with clear, agreed-upon definitions in plain English. This is a  ;

1 complex task for many of the terms and phrases because they are rooted in l

l statutory language or judicial interpretations developed over some 40 years of nuclear regulebon The EC recommendation was that the qualitative objectives l of the CCC should be pumuod within the context of annual updates to the glossary of nuclear expressions.

3. FINDING: The OlG concluded that those not involved with the nuclear ir.dustry may have been confused with the ISAT's assessment of MYAPS using language normally found in SALP reports.

RESPONSE: While the choice to use language normally found in SALP reports ws: made to facilitate communications with the licensee, those not directly involved with the i

nuclear industry may have been confused. In response to DSI -14, the staff has developed recommendations on public communications initiatives. The recommendations in the CCC report include the development and adoption of a l

~ .

2-format for both technical reports and public meetings that includes a clear Executive Summary. This summary would state the problems and issues identrflod and NRC's findings in language the layman can comprehend.

4. FINDING: OlG learned that the ISAT resulted in MYAPS performing additional reviews of the plant and enhancing its self-assessment processes. The Suroweic 115 kV offsite power line, the thennal relief valves to protect the heat exchangers, and the cable separation issues were uncovered by the licensee as a result of MYAPS expanded self-assessment.

RESPONSE: No response required.

5. FINDING: OlG found that although the ISAT report contained language to suggest the ISAT

- made operability determinations, OlG determined that all operability determinations were conducted by MYAPS.

RESPONSE: We acknowledge that statements about MYAPS' operability in the ISAT report could confuse a reader. Clearly, at no time did anyone on the ISAT team conduct an operability determination. This finding again highlights the need for clear communications. The initiatives in the CCC Report should address these concems.

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