IR 05000271/2007301

Er 05000271-07-301; Exam Dates 4/27/2007 and 4/30/2007 - 5/8/2007; Vermont Yankee; Initial Operator Licensing Examination

ML071630338
Person / Time
Site:	Vermont Yankee
Issue date:	06/12/2007
From:	Sykes M D Operations Branch I
To:	Sullivan T A Entergy Nuclear Operations
Shared Package
ML062050096	List: IR 05000271/2007301 ML071150479 ML071350523 ML071350534 ML071350540 ML071350563 ML071350583 ML071410430 ML071410431 ML071410434 ML071410436 ML071410441 ML071410442 ML071430501 ML071440138 ML071590341
References
ER-07-301
Download: ML071630338 (11)

Text

June 12, 2007

Mr. Theodore A. SullivanSite Vice President Entergy Nuclear Operations, Inc.

Vermont Yankee Nuclear Power Station P.O. Box 0500 185 Old Ferry Road Brattleboro, VT 05302-0500

SUBJECT: VERMONT YANKEE OPERATOR AND SENIOR REACTOR OPERATORINITIAL EXAMINATION REPORT NO. 05000271/2007-301

Dear Mr. Sullivan:

This report transmits the results of the reactor operator (RO) and senior reactor operator (SRO)licensing examination conducted by the NRC during the period of April 30 - May 8, 2007. This examination addressed areas important to public health and safety and was developed and administered using the guidelines of the "Examination Standards for Power Reactors" (NUREG-

1021, Revision 9).Based on the results of the examination, all 13 applicants passed all portions of theexamination. The applicants included 6 ROs, 5 instant SROs, and 2 upgrade SROs.

Examination results indicated that the applicants were generally well prepared for the examination. Mr. T. Fish, NRC Chief Examiner, discussed performance insights observed during the examination with Mr. M. Romeo of your training staff on May 8, 2007. On May 31, 2007, final examination results, including individual license numbers, were given during atelephone call between Mr. Fish and Mr. M. Desilets of your staff.In accordance with 10 CFR 2.390 of the NRC's "Rules of Practice," a copy of this letter and itsenclosure will be available electronically for public inspection in the NRC Public DocumentRoom or from the Publicly Available Records (PARS) component of NRC's document management system (ADAMS). These records include the final examination and are available in ADAMS (Master File - Accession Number ML062050096; RO and SRO Written Examination with Answer Key - Accession Number Ml071410431; Final Section A Operating Exam -

Accession Number ML071410436; Final Section B Operating Exam - Accession Number ML071410441; Final Section C Operating Exam - Accession Number ML071410442). ADAMS is accessible from the NRC Web site at http://www.nrc.gov/reading-rm/adams.html (the PublicElectronic Reading Room).

2Mr. T. SullivanShould you have any questions regarding this examination, please contact me at (610) 337-5046, or by E-mail at MD S1@NRC.GOV.

Sincerely,/RA/Marvin D. Sykes, ChiefOperations Branch Division of Reactor SafetyDocket No:50-271License No:DPR-28

Enclosure:

Initial Examination Report No. 05000271/2007-301 2M

SUMMARY OF FINDINGS

ER 05000271/2007301; exam dates 4/27/2007 and 4/30/2007 - 5/8/2007; Vermont Yankee;Initial Operator Licensing Examination. Thirteen of 13 applicants passed the examination (6 reactor operators, 5 SRO instants, and 2 SRO upgrades). The written examinations were administered by the facility and the operating tests wereadministered by 3 NRC region-based examiners. A.Inspector Identified FindingsNo findings of significance were identified.B. Licensee Identified FindingsNo findings of significance were identified.

Enclosure

REPORT DETAILS

1.REACTOR SAFETYMitigating Systems - Reactor Operator (RO) and Senior Reactor Operator (SRO) InitialLicense Examination

a. Scope

of ReviewThe NRC examination team developed the written and operating initial examination andtogether with Vermont Yankee training and operations personnel verified or ensured, as applicable, the following: *The examination was prepared and developed in accordance with the guidelinesof Revision 9 of NUREG-1021, "Operator Licensing Examination Standards for Power Reactors." A review was conducted both in the Region I office and at the Vermont Yankee plant and training facility. Final resolution of comments and incorporation of test revisions were conducted during and following the onsite preparation week.*With one minor exception, simulation facility operation was proper (please seethe attached Simulation Facility Report).*A test item analysis was completed on the written examination for feedback intoVermont Yankee's systems approach to training program.*Examination security requirements were met.

The NRC examiners administered the operating portion of the examination to allapplicants from April 30 to May 8, 2007. The written examination was previously administered by the Vermont Yankee training staff on April 27, 2007.

b. Findings

Grading and ResultsAll 13 applicants (7 SROs and 6 ROs) passed all portions of the initial licensingexamination. The facility had no post-examination comments.Examination Administration and PerformanceThe examination team identified one minor simulator fidelity issue, which is detailed inthe enclosed Simulation Facility Report.

2Enclosure4OA6Exit Meeting SummaryOn May 31, 2007, the NRC provided conclusions and examination results to VermontYankee management representatives via the telephone. License numbers for 12 of 13 applicants were also provided during this time. The license number for the remaining applicant was withheld pending completion of his required six months of non-licensed operator experience. Mr. M. Desilets was informed that when the NRC is notified, in writing, that the six months experience has been completed by this individual, the

license can be issued.The NRC expressed appreciation for the cooperation and assistance that was providedduring the preparation and administration of the examination by the licensee's training staff. ATTACHMENT:

SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION

A1-1AttachmentATTACHMENTSUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATIONKEY POINTS OF CONTACT

Licensee Personnel

M. Romeo Manager, Licensed Operator Training

S. Rua Exam Development LeadLIST OF ITEMS OPENED, CLOSED, AND DISCUSSEDITEM NUMBERTYPEDESCRIPTIONNONENANA

A2-1AttachmentES 501 Simulation Facility ReportFacility Licensee: Vermont YankeeFacility Docket No: 50-271Operating Tests Administered: 4/30/2007-5/8/2007This form is used only to report observations. These observations do not constitute audit orinspection findings and, without further verification and review, are not indicative of a

noncompliance with 10 CFR 55.45(b). These observations do not affect NRC certification or

approval of the simulation facility other than to provide information that may be used in future

evaluations. No licensee action is required in response to these observations.While conducting the simulator portion of the operating test, examiners observed the followingitem:During the administration of a simulator JPM that required manual operation of the RCICsystem, the examiners noted that RCIC flow to the vessel oscillated between nearly zero

system flow and full rated flow. Flow oscillations were unexpected for simulated plant

conditions, that is, RCIC flow should have been close to full rated flow and stable. The

facility licensee generated Discrepancy Report (DR) 07-0062 to track and troubleshoot

the issue.NUREG-1021 Revision 9