NRC Generic Letter 82-22, Congressional Request for Information Concerning Steam Generator Tube Integrity

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WASHINGTON, D. C. 20555

October 26, 1982

TO ALL PRESSURIZED POWER REACTOR LICENSEES

Gentlemen:

SUBJECT: CONGRESSIONAL REQUEST FOR INFORMATION CONCERNING STEAM GENERATOR TUBE INTEGRITY (GENERIC LETTER NO. 82-22)

Representative Edward J. Markey, Chairman of the Subcommittee on oversight and Investigation has, by letter dated October 19, 1982, requested that the NRC submit questions to utilities regarding steam generator tube integrity. His letter, copy enclosed, specifically identifies the information requested.

In order to obtain answers to these questions before Congressional hearings on this subject tentatively scheduled for December 2, 1982, it would be most helpful if the answers were mailed to NRC no later than November 25, 1982. Please let us know your plans concerning this request.

This request for information was approved by the Office of Management &

Budget under clearance number 3150-0092 which expires November 30, 1982.

Sincerely,

Darrell G. Eisenhut, Director Division of Licensing Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation

Enclosure:

As statedCOMMITTEE ON INTERIOR AND INSULAR AFFAIRS U.S. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES WASHINGTON, D.C. 20515

October 18, 1982

Chairman Nunzio Palladino U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission 1717 H Street, N.W. Washington, D.C. 20555

Dear Chairman Palladino:

In preparation for the Interior and Insular Affairs Sub-committee on Oversight and Investigations' hearing on steam generator tube integrity at commercial nuclear power plants, I request that the Nuclear Regulatory Commission request answers to the questions listed below from all commercial licensees which operate pressurized water reactors in the United States.

The issue of steam generator tube problems is one of widespread importance within the nuclear power industry and those government bodies responsible for overseeing nuclear power development, regulation and operation. While my primary interest is with safety, I am also concerned about the costs involved in maintenance, repair and replacement, and worker exposure resulting from these steam generator tube problems. It is my about these important and related issues. Therefore, I ask that you submit these questions to all utilities with operating plants so that we can know more about eh ramifications of the problem. Please request answers to the following questions for problem. Please request answers to the following questions for the years 1979, 1980, 1981 and available information for 1982.

1. How many days of unscheduled outages can be attributed to steam generator-related difficulties per year at your site?

2. During each of the years in questions, how many steam generator tubes have been

(a) plugged and

(b) sleeved in each steam generator?

3. Do you anticipate major steam generator repairs in any of your units in the next five years, and if so how much would these repairs cost, please specify?

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Chairman Palladino Page Two October 18, 1982

4. What have been the total costs and specifically replacement power costs associated with steam, generator maintenance, repair and replacement at your plant?

5. What has been the total occupational radiation exposure (in person-rems) caused by steam generator

(a) maintenance and

(b) repair/replacement?

6. What percentage of total annual employee dose has been attributable to steam generator-related work at your site(s)?

7. During the years in question,

(a) how many workers have received measured radiation doses from steam generator-related work, and

(b) what percentage of th total workforce do these workers represent?

8. How many temporary workers (defined by the NRC as all workers other than those hired directly by nuclear power-plants on a conventional, long-term basis) received doses from steam generator-related work at your facility each year?

9. What percentage of

(a) total workers involved with steam generator-related work do temporary workers represent, and

(b) of the total workforce do temporary workers represent?

10. Has your company used independent firms to find temporary employees who have received an occupational dose from steam generator-related work?

I would greatly appreciate if this matter could be handled as expeditiously as possible in order to obtain answers to these questions before the subcommittee's hearing on December 2, 1982. In advance, thank you for your assistance in this matter.

Sincerely,

EDWARD J. MARKEY Chairman Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations