ML20249C820

PNO-76-187:on 761101,Region V Initiated on-site Insp,In Response to Occurrence Described in PNO-76-178,dtd 761029. Licensee Current Plan to Resume Power Operation During Evening of 761110 or Early 761111

ML20249C820
Person / Time
Site:	Trojan File:Portland General Electric icon.png
Issue date:	11/10/1976
From:	Roy G, Thompson D, Whitt K NRC OFFICE OF INSPECTION & ENFORCEMENT (IE)
To:
References
PNO-76-187, NUDOCS 9807010247
Download: ML20249C820 (2)

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PRELIMINARY NOTIFICATION November 10, 1976 PRELIMINARY NOTIFICATION OF EVENT OR UNUSUAL OCCURRENCE--PNO-76-187 This preliminary notification constitutes EARLY notice of an event of POSSIBLE safety or public interest significance. The information g presented is as initially received without verification or evaluation and is basically all that is known by IE staff on this date.

Facility: Portland General Electric Company (Trojan)

Subject:

State of Oregon Regulatory Actions - Potential Conflict with NRC Requirements for Reactor Safety

Reference:

PNO-76-178, dated October 29, 1976. In response to the occurrence described in the referenced PNO, OIE Region.V initiated an on-site inspection on November 1,-1976. This special inspection is continuing by IE:V inspectors who are on-site at the present time. Our inspection has revealed evidence of a thorough ' investigation-by the licensee and no evidence to suggest NRC action to prevent a return of the facility to power operation. The licensee's current plan isLto resume power operation during the evening of November 10, 1976 or early on November 11, 1976.

On the morning of. November 8, 1976, a representative of the State of Oregon Department of Energy (DGE) contacted the Region V Branch Chief for Reactor Operations by telephone about a serious concern they had with plans by the licensee to start plant heatup (Mode 4) operations' that day. The DOE representative was informed that NRC did not share their concern, and the technical. basis for this position was explained at length. The DOE representa-tive stated that DOE had verbally notified the licensee to discontinue heatup operation; however, this position would be reconsidered in view of Regions V's f/)

position. 'The representative ~ contacted the Region V office approximately an hour later (at approximately 12:00 noon) and stated the DOE considered -

Region V's' position " technically sound" and that they were to withdraw the verbalrestrictionimposedearlieruponthelicensee.-Atapproximately3:30 h;

on November 8,1976, the Trojan Plant Superintendent notified the Region V 2 office that the verbal restriction ~by DOE was still in effect.

. .On the morning of November 9, 1976 (at approximately 9:15 a.m.), Mr. A. J. Porter, ,

Senior Vice President, PGE, telephoned the Regio'n V Branch Chief and stated

~

i tnat Dr.. Fred Miller, Director of DOE was in his office. Mr. Porter said that i: they were preparing to attend an Oregon Energy Facility Siting Council (EFSC)

• - meeting within' the hour. Both wished to confirm Regi'on V's position with regard a

to startup of Trojan. .The position provided to the DOE staff representative the previous day was repeated to Mr. Porter and Dr. Miller.

CONTINUED 40 .

- 9907010247 761110 PDR 18dE

PND-76-187 PDR ,

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Continued PNO-76-187 Page 2 November 10, 1976 At approximately 10:30 a.m. on November 9, 1976, Region V learned in a telephone discussion with the NRR Project Manager that, as a result of an <

independent investigation conducted by representatives of Oregon State j University at the direction of the EFSC, the EFSC was also deliberating on certain recommendations made by this investigative group. Among the recommenda-

"y, tions being considered was a change to the interlock circuitry which controls normal makeup and emergency injection of borated water to the primary reactor coolant system. NRR has expressed serious reservations with regard to the  !

implementation of this proposed change, since it bears directly upon engineered safeguards system performance during accidents previously evaluated by the NRC.

Region V notified the Assistant Plant Superintendent by telephone at approximately )

12:00 noon on November 9, 1976 that implementation of the design change i currently under deliberation by the EFSC appears at this time to represent an unreviewed safety question. The licensee's representative indicated agreement with Region V's position and stated that regardless of any pending action by the State of Oregon, PGE considers NRC's jurisdiction to be overriding and will

, pursue any proposed design change through the normal NRC regulatory process.

Contact:

KWhitt, IE x27261 GWRoy, IE x27261 DThompson, IE x27541 Distribution:

Chairman Rowden Commissioner Mason S. J. Chilk, SECY Connaissioner Gilinsky C. C. Kammerer, CA G. F. Murphy, JCAE Commissioner Kennedy L. V. Gossick, EDO

~

E. Volgenau, OIE J. A. Harris, PA B. C. Rusche,.NsR H. K. Shapar, ELD T. J. McTiernan, AIA K. R. Chapman, MSS R. G. Ryan, OSP Transmitted: PBldg  ; H St  ; MNBB  ; Luge  ;

PRELIMINARY NOTIFICATION l

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