NRC Generic Letter 80-03, BWR Control Rod Failures

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GL80003

UNITED STATES NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION WASHINGTON, D. C. 20555

January 10 1980

Docket No. 50-298

Mr. J. M. Pilant Licensing and Quality Assurance Nebraska Public Power District P. O. Box 499 Columbus, Nebraska 68601

Dear Mr. Pilant:

In response to our letter of August 29, 1978, you provided information on your 1977 experience of control rods failing to fully insert. We evaluated your response along with those provided by other BWR owners. We concluded that such events are general and that the frequencies of occurrence vary among the BWRs, apparently because of different maintenance programs.

Our August 29, 1978 letter recommended that you maintain an ongoing tabulation of any additional such events. To determine whether or not the frequency of these events has changed for a given plant, we now request that you report your more recent experience. This report should include the experience from the time of the last reported occurrence through 1979. In addition please provide a summary of other control rod drive malfunctions, such as unlatchings, for the same time period.

The information should be provided within 90 days. for each event, identify the number of rods not fully inserted, the position of the rods, the cause for failure to fully insert, and any related maintenance activities.

This request for additional generic information is in accordance with the GAO blanket clearance number B-180225 (R0536) which expires June 30, 1981.

Sincerely,

Thomas A. Ippolito, Chief Operating Reactors Branch #3 Division of Operating ReactorsMr. J. M. Pilant Nebraska Public Power Districtcc:

Mr. G. D. Watson, General Counsel Nebraska Public Power District P. O. Box 499 Columbus, Nebraska 68501

Mr. Arthur C. Gehr, Attorney Snell & Wilmer 3100 Valley Center Phoenix, Arizona 85073

Cooper Nuclear Station ATTN: Mr. L. Lessor Station Superintendent P. O. Box 98 Brownville, Nebraska 68321

Auburn Public Library 118 - 15th Street Auburn, Nebraska 68305