NUREG-0560, Forwards NRC Response to Congressman Matsui Re Broader Issues Related to B&W Design.Efforts to Enhance Response & Review of Events Underway.Plans to Reexam B&W Design in Progress
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o UNITED STATES 3
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NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION h
WASHINGTON, D. C. 20555
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Aoril 23, 1986 4l CHAIRMAN s
The Honorable John Dingell, Chhirman*
Subcommittee on Oversight and sInvestigations Committee on Energy and Commerce United States House of Representatives Washington, D.'C.
20515
Dear Mr. Chairman:
s Your letter of February 27, 1986 noted that you share Congressman Matsui's concerns regarding plants designed by Babcock and Wilcox (B&W).
You also noted that the concerns extend beyond the Rancho Seco plant discussed in Congressman Matsui's letter..,
A copy of our response to Congressman Matsui is enclosed.
a -s It also addresses the broader issues related to the B&W design.
You stated that there is an apparent reluctance both in the industry and at the NRC to respond to minor problems that have more serious safety implications.
Since the TMI accident, the NRC has implemented a number of efforts that provide an enhanced response to and review of events.
Some of the major ones include:
(1) the formation of'the Office L
for Analysis and Evaluation of Operational Data, (2) the implementation of the Inc'ident Investigation Teams, and (3) the reorganization of NRR to provide increased and specialized attention to the major reactor vendor product lines.
The staff, as you are aware,lis developing a plan to reexamine the B&W desig'n.
This reexamination will result in an integrated look at the issues that have caused concern at B&W reactors.
In addition to the B&W review, the staff has other ongoing programs designed to identify potential problems and prevent them.
One of these efforts deals with
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development of performance indicators.
This program would identify key areas that could be measured and monitored.
These areas would enable the staff and others to track the 6 status and progress of individual utilities as well as the entire industry.
Thi,s effort will include both safety and non-safety related ' hardware', past and current experience and utility performqnce.
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~s Commissioner Asselstine has the following' comment:
My separate views are included in our response to Congressman Matsui.
I als'o agrte with your comment' that-there is a reluctance both in the industry and at the NRC to respond to minor problems that have more-serious-safety implications.
Instead, the NRC and the industry wait until problems manifest themselves in serious operating events.
Sincerely, Y [)l/N.,f
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\\1' Nunzio JijPatladino
Enclosure:
As Stated cc:
Rep. James T. Broyhill
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