NRC Generic Letter 79-32, Transmitting NUREG-0578, "TMI-2 Lessons Learned"
text
GL79032
Internal Distribution See attached list
Docket No. Sent to all utilities on attached sheet
Gentlemen:
SUBJECT: TMI-2 LESSONS LEARNED TASK FORCE REPORT - NUREG - 0578
Enclosed for your information is the first report of the TMI-2 Lessons Learned Task Force. It contains a set of short term recommendations to be implemented in two stages over the next 18 months on operating plants, plants under construction, and pending construction permit applications. There are 23 specific recommendations which would provide substantial, additional protection for the public health and safety.
Three of the recommendations appear to require changes in existing regulations for which the Task Force recommends immediate effective rulemaking. They are: 1)inerting of Mark I and Mark II BWR containments that are not already inerted; 2) provision of the capability to install an external recombiner for plants that do not already have recombiners; and, 3) revised limiting conditions of operation to operating licenses for total loss of safety system availability through human or operational error.
While the Task Force recommended actions were discussed with the Regulatory Requirements Review Committee, the Commission, the TMI-
Subcommittee of the ACRS, and ACRS, the final management review is still underway. Final review of the Director of Nuclear Reactor Regulation has not been completed. Upon completion of his review and final approval, further guidance will be provided.
.Now that specific recommendations for short term action have been identified by the Lessons Learned Task Force, the Task Force will turn to broader, more fundamental interests as described in Section 3 of the enclosed report. The Task Force intends to develop its final recommendations into a report to be released in early September 1979. The final report will also be sent to all applicants, permittees and licensees.
Sincerely,
Domenic E. Vassallo, Acting Director Division of Project Management Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation
Enclosure:
NUREG-0578, "TMI-2 Lessons Learned Task Force Status Report and Short-Term Recommendations"
cc: w/enclosure:
Service List for each utility listed on attached sheet