ML20248E581

Discusses Rev of Intermediate Date in Implementation of Spds.Spds Functional Schedule Changed from at Cycle 14 Startup to Prior to End of Cycle 14. Full Implementation of SPDS Operability Required Prior to End of Cycle 14

ML20248E581
Person / Time
Site:	Vermont Yankee File:NorthStar Vermont Yankee icon.png
Issue date:	03/29/1989
From:	Lainas G Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation
To:	Capstick R VERMONT YANKEE NUCLEAR POWER CORP.
References
TAC-71953, NUDOCS 8904120292
Download: ML20248E581 (4)

Text

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et i UNITED STATES NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION WASHINGTON, D. C. 20555 5 E' March 29, 1989 R.....l Docket No. 50-271 Mr. R. W. Capstick Licensing Engineer Vermont Yankee Nuclear Power Corporation 580 Main Street Bolton, Massachusetts 01740-1398

SUBJECT:

REVISION OF AN INTERMEDIATE DATE IN THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE SAFETY PARAMETER DISPLAY SYSTEM (TAC NO. 71953)

By Order dated June 12, 1984 the NRC established a schedule for implementation of the NUREG-0737 Supplement 1 items required to enhance emergency response capability at the Vermont Yankee Nuclear Power Station (VYNPS). The June 12th Order provided the initial schedule for the plant safety parameter display system (SPDS) completion date; in addition, it provided a mechanism for exten-sion of time "for good cause."

Subsequently, the NRC staff, by letter dated February 18, 1987 approved a modified schedule for implementing the SPDS NUREG-0737 Supplement I require-ments. This schedule required that the system be functional by restart for Cycle 14, about mid-April 1989, and full SPDS operability be completed prior to the end of Cycle 14 which will occur about October 1990.

By letter dated January 5,1989 you requested that the schedular requirement to have the SPDS functional prior to startup of Cycle 14 be changed to have the SPDS functional during Cycle 14. However, you did not request relief from the more important date of the SPDS being in a fully operational status at the completion of Cycle 14.

You stated that the delay in " functional" status was caused by financial distress on the part of your system vendor and a resultant vendor reorganiza-tion that caused major vendor personnel changes that resulted in hardware delivery delays. You also stated that you could ship the equipment from the vendor's site in Idaho and install it to meet the ordered schedule. However, you point out that testing of the system is not completed and that it would be more prudent to resolve any testing deficiencies at the vendor's site and not ship until the system is fully factory tested and acceptable for plant installation.

Members of my staff visited the VYNPS and the Brattleboro training facility, J on two occasions, to assess your progress on this program. The VYNPS project  !

manager visited the site on October 25, 1988 and reviewed SPDS progress. He was informed of vendor problems encountered thus far, and concluded that your progress was adequate. On January 23 and 24,1989 the new VYNPS project manager hb l 8904120292 890329 I \ I DR ADOCK 0500 1

March 29,1989 and a project engineer from y staf f visited the plant and conducted walk _ downs of the completed portions of the system, interviewed cognizant VYNPS staff members and ruviewed SPDS documentation. This second plant visit was for the specific purpose-of reviewing your request for schedular relief in your January 5, 1989 letter. Based on this visit the staff members concluded you are making a good faith effort in planning and executing this work.

We agree that char.ging the SPDS functional date in our February 18, 1987 letter from Cycle 14 startup to prior to the end of Cycle 14 is appropriate. This is

, based on our conclusion regarding the amount of work completed and progress on

[ the remaining items. This will not impact having the SPDS fully operational by the end of Cycle 14. This latter date remains unchanged from our February 18, 1987 letter. We base this on the following considerations:

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1. By permitting this delay you will be able to perform system testing at the vendor's plant rather than at VYNPS. This should result in delivery of a more reliable system.

l 2 The delay in system delivery has been caused by your vendor's financial difficulties and that you have made every effort to expedite this work. ,

Therefore, in accordance with the terms of the June 12, 1984 Connission Order we conclude that there is adequate justification for modification of our February 18, 1987 letter and hereby grant the requested delay. The SPDS functional schedule is changed from, "at Cycle 14 startup" to " prior to the end of Cycle 14." However, the requirement for full SPDS operability, prior to completion of Cycle 14, remains in force. In addition, you should attempt to make the SPDS functional as soon as practicable during Cycle 14.

Sincerely ,

Original signed by:

Gus C. Lainas, Acting Director Division of Reactor Projects I/II Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation cc:

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Docket BBoger, File,' NRC & Local MRushbrook. fairtile,PDRS VRooney, PDI.3 r/f, B.

OGC, THurley/JSniezek, Grimes, T. Meek, ACRS SVarga, (10CRossi},

GPA/PA, SECY (Order only), ARM /LFMB, J.Wiggins, RI

• See previous concurrence OFC :PDI-3 :PDI-3* :0GC* :DIR/PDI-3*  : ADRI* :DPR  :

NAME :0MRushbrook :MFairtile:cb: :RWessman

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DATE :3/16/89 :3/16/89 :3/23/89 :3/28/89 :3/28/89 :3/X/89  :

OFFICIAL RECORD COPY

Mr. R. W. Capstick Vermont Yankee Nuclear Power Corporation Vermont Yankee Nuclear Power Station cc:

Mr. J. Gary Weigand W. P. Murphy, Vice President President & Chief Executive Officer and Manager of Operations Vermont Yankee Nuclear Power Corp. Vermont Yankee Nuclear Power Corp.

R.D. 5, Box 169 R.D. 5, Box 169 Ferry Road Ferry Road Brattleboro, Vermont 05301 Brattleboro, Vermont 05301 Mr. John DeVincentis, Vice President Mr. George Sterzinger, Commissioner Yankee Atomic Electric Company Vermont Department of Public Service

580 Main Street 120 State Street, 3rd Floor 0 Bolton, Massachusetts 01740-1398 Montpelier, Vermont 05602 S

New England Coalition on Nuclear Public Service Board Pollution State of Vermont Hill and Dale Farm 120 State Street R.D. 2, Box 223 Montpelier, Vermont 05602 '

Putney, Vermont 05346 Vermont Public Interest Research Group, Inc. G. Dean Weyman 43 State Street Chairman, Board of Selectman Montpelier, Vermont 05602 Post Office Box 116 Vernon, Vermont 05354 William Russell, Regional Administrator Raymond N. McCandless Region I Office Vermont Division of Occupational U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission and Radiological Health 475 Allendale Road Administration Building King of Prussia, Pennsylvania 19406 Montpelier, Vermont 05602 Mr. R. W. Capstick Honorable John J. Easton Vermont Yankee Nuclear Attorney General Power Corporation State of Vermont 580 Main St. 109 State Street Bolton, Massachusetts 01740-1398 Montpelier, Vermont 05602 R. K. Gad III Ropes & Gray Conner & Wetterhahn, P.C.

225 Franklin Street Suite 1050 Boston, Massachusetts 02110 1747 Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W.  ;

Washington, D.C. 20006 l t

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Vermont Yankee Nuclear Power Vermont Yankee Nuclear Power Station Corporation CC:

Ellyn R. Weiss, Esq. Resident Inspector Harmon & Weiss U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission 2001 S Street, N.W. P.O. Box 176 Washington, D.C. 20009 Vernon, Vermont 05354 David J. Mullett, Esq. Carol S. Sneider, Esq.

Special Assistant Attorney General Assistant Attorney General Vermont Depart. of Jublic Service Office of the Attorney General 120 State Street One Ashburton Place, 19th Floor Montpelier, VT 05602 Boston, MA 02108 Jay Gutierrez Geoffrey M. Huntington, Esquire Regional Counsel Office of the Attorney General USNRC, Region I Environmental Protection Bureau 475 Allendale Road State House Annex King of Prussia, PA 19406 25 Capitol Street Concord, NH 03301-6397 G. Dana Bisbee, Esq. Charles Bechhoefer, Esq.

Office of the Attorney General Administrative Judge Environmental Protection Bureau Atomic Safety and Licensir.g Board State House Annex U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission 25 Capitol Street Washington, DC 20555 Concord, NH 03301-6397 Dr. James H. Carpenter Administrative Judge Atomic Safety and Licensing Board Atomic Safety and Licensing Board U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission Washington, DC 20555 Washington, DC 20555 Mr. Gustave A. Linenberger, Jr. Adjudicatory File (2)

Administrative Judge Atomic Safety and Licensing Board Atomic Safety and Licensing Board Panel Docket U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission Washington, DC 20555 Washington, D.C. 20555

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