ML072560002

Er 05000325-07-301, Er 05000324-07-301; 7/16 - 22/2007 and 08/3/2007; Brunswick Steam Electric Plant, Units 1 & 2; Licensed Operator Examinations

ML072560002
Person / Time
Site:	Brunswick
Issue date:	09/12/2007
From:	Haag R NRC/RGN-II/DRS/OLB
To:	Scarola J Carolina Power & Light Co
References
50-324/07-301, 50-325/07-301 50-324/07-301, 50-325/07-301
Download: ML072560002 (9)

See also: IR 05000324/2007301

Text

September 12, 2007Carolina Power & Light CompanyATTN:Mr. James ScarolaVice PresidentBrunswick Steam Electric Plant

P. O. Box 10429

Southport, NC 28461SUBJECT:BRUNSWICK STEAM ELECTRIC PLANT - NRC EXAMINATION REPORT05000325/2007301 AND 05000324/2007301Dear Mr. Scarola:

During the period of July 16-22, 2007, the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) administeredoperating examinations to employees of your company who had applied for licenses to operate

the Brunswick Steam Electric Plant. The examiners discussed examination questions and

preliminary findings related to the operating test with those members of your staff identified in

the enclosed report on July 23, 2007. The written examination was administered by your staff

on August 3, 2007. The Chief Examiner discussed questions and preliminary findings related to

the written examination with members of your staff on September 12, 2007. Three Reactor Operator (RO) applicants passed both the operating test and writtenexamination. Four RO applicants failed the written examination and two Senior ReactorOperator (SRO) applicants failed the walkthrough portion of the operating test. There were no

post examination comments. A Simulation Facility Report is included in this report as

Enclosure 2. In accordance with 10 CFR 2.390 of the NRC's "Rules of Practice," a copy of this letter and itsenclosures will be available electronically for public inspection in the NRC Public Document Roomor from the Publicly Available Records (PARS) component of NRC's document system (ADAMS).

ADAMS is accessible from the NRC Web site at http://www.nrc.gov/reading-rm/adams.html (thePublic Electronic Reading Room).Sincerely,\\RA\\Robert C. Haag, ChiefOperations Branch

Division of Reactor SafetyDocket Nos.: 50-325, 50-324License Nos.: DPR-71, DPR-62Enclosures: (See page 2)

CP&L2Enclosures:1. Report Details2. Simulation Facility ReportBenjamin C. Waldrep, DirectorSite Operations

Brunswick Steam Electric Plant

Carolina Power & Light Company

Electronic Mail DistributionJames W. Holt, ManagerPerformance Evaluation and

Regulatory Affairs PEB 7

Carolina Power & Light Company

Electronic Mail DistributionTerry Hobbs, Plant ManagerBrunswick Steam Electric Plant

Carolina Power & Light Company

P. O. Box 10429

Southport, NC 28461Paul Fulford, ManagerPerformance Evaluation and

Regulatory Affairs PEB 5

Carolina Power & Light Company

P. O. Box 1551

Raleigh, NC 27602-1551Edward T. O'Neil, ManagerTraining

Carolina Power & Light Company

Brunswick Steam Electric Plant

Electronic Mail DistributionRandy C. Ivey, ManagerSupport Services

Carolina Power & Light Company

Brunswick Steam Electric Plant

Electric Mail DistributionGarry D. Miller, ManagerLicense Renewal

Progress Energy

Electronic Mail DistributionAnnette H. Pope, SupervisorLicensing/Regulatory Programs

Carolina Power and Light Company

Electronic Mail DistributionDavid T. ConleyAssociate General Counsel - Legal Dept.

Progress Energy Service Company, LLC

Electronic Mail Distribution

James RossNuclear Energy Institute

Electronic Mail DistributionJohn H. O'Neill, Jr.Shaw, Pittman, Potts & Trowbridge

2300 N. Street, NW

Washington, DC 20037-1128Beverly Hall, Chief, RadiationProtection Section

N. C. Department of Environment

and Natural Resources

Electronic Mail Distribution Peggy ForceAssistant Attorney General

State of North Carolina

Electronic Mail DistributionChairman of the North Carolina Utilities Commission

c/o Sam Watson, Staff Attorney

Electronic Mail DistributionRobert P. GruberExecutive Director

Public Staff NCUC

4326 Mail Service Center

Raleigh, NC 27699-4326(cc cont'd - See page 3)

CP&L3 (cc cont'd)Public Service Commission

State of South Carolina

P. O. Box 11649

Columbia, SC 29211David R. SandiferBrunswick County Board of

Commissioners

P. O. Box 249

Bolivia, NC 28422Warren LeeEmergency Management Director

New Hanover County Department of

Emergency Management

P. O. Box 1525

Wilmington, NC 28402-1525

_ ML072560002

______OFFICERII:DRSRII:DRSRII:DRSRII:DRPSIGNATUREMAB7BLC2RCHRM1NAMEMBatesBCaballeroRHaagRMusserDATE9/12/20079/12/20079/12/20079/12/2007

E-MAIL COPY? YESNO YESNO YESNO YESNO YESNO YESNO YESNO

Enclosure 1NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSIONREGION IIDocket Nos.:50-325, 50-324License Nos.:DPR-71, DPR-62

Report Nos.:05000325/2007301, 05000324/2007301

Licensee:Carolina Power and Light (CP&L)

Facility:Brunswick Steam Electric Plant, Units 1 & 2

Location:8470 River Road SESouthport, NC 28461Dates:Operating Tests - July 16-22, 2007Written Examination - August 3, 2007Examiners:M. Bates, Chief ExaminerR. Aiello, Senior Operations Engineer

B. Caballero, Operations Engineer Approved by:R. Haag, ChiefOperations Branch

Division of Reactor Safety

SUMMARY OF FINDINGSER 05000325/2007301, ER 05000324/2007301; 7/16 - 22/2007 and 08/3/2007; BrunswickSteam Electric Plant, Units 1 & 2; Licensed Operator Examinations.The Brunswick training staff developed the written examination and operating tests. Thisincluded all outlines, written examinations, job performance measures (JPMs) and scenarios.

The NRC examiners conducted operator licensing initial examinations in accordance with the

guidance of NUREG-1021, Revision 9, "Operator Licensing Examination Standards for Power

Reactors." This examination implemented the operator licensing requirements identified in 10

CFR §55.41, §55.43, and §55.45. The NRC administered the operating tests during the period of July 16 - 22, 2007. TheBrunswick training staff administered the written examination on August 3, 2007. Three RO

applicants passed both the operating test and written examination. One RO applicant was

issued an operating license; however, two of the RO applicants who passed the written

examination and operating test, passed the written examination with overall scores between

80% and 82%. These two applicants were issued a letter stating that they passed the

examination and issuance of their license has been delayed pending any written examinationappeals that may impact the licensing decision for their application. Four RO applicants were

issued denial letters due to failing the written examination and two SRO applicants were issued

denial letters due to failing the walkthrough portion of the operating test.There were no post examination comments.

No significant issues were identified.

Report Details4.OTHER ACTIVITIES (OA)4OA5Operator Licensing Initial Examinations

a.Inspection ScopeThe licensee developed the operating tests and written examinations. The NRCexamination team reviewed the proposed examination to determine whether it was

developed in accordance with NUREG-1021, "Operator Licensing Examination

Standards for Power Reactors," Revision 9. Examination changes agreed upon

between the NRC and the licensee were made according to NUREG-1021 and

incorporated into the final version of the examination materials.The examiners reviewed the licensee's examination security measures while preparingand administering the examinations to ensure examination security and integrity

complied with 10 CFR 55.49, Integrity of examinations and tests. The examiners evaluated seven RO applicants and two SRO upgrade applicants whowere being assessed under the guidelines specified in NUREG-1021. The examinersadministered the operating tests during the period

of July 16-22, 2007. Members of theBrunswick Steam Electric Plant training staff administered the written examination onAugust 3, 2007. The evaluations of the applicants and review of documentation were

performed to determine if the applicants, who applied for licensees to operate the

Brunswick Steam Electric Plant, met requirements specified in 10 CFR Part 55. b.FindingsThe initial written examination submittal, although not determined to be outside theacceptable quality range as outlined in NUREG-1021, contained flaws that required the

examination administration to be delayed. The original agreed upon examination

administration date was the week of July 9, 2007. The written examination flaws were

corrected and the examination was administered on August 3, 2007. Future

examination submittals should incorporate lessons learned from this effort to allow for

the original agreed upon schedule to be met.Three RO applicants passed both the operating tests and written examination. One ROapplicant was issued an operating license; however, two of the RO applicants who

passed the written examination and operating test, passed the written examination with

overall scores between 80% and 82%. These two applicants were issued a letter stating

that they passed the examination and issuance of their license has been delayed

pending any written examination appeals that may impact the licensing decision for their

application. Four RO applicants were issued denial letters due to failing the written

examination and two SRO applicants were issued denial letters due to failing the

walkthrough portion of the operating test. The written examinations, and examination

references may be accessed in the ADAMS system (ADAMS Accession Number

ML072550116, ML072550136, ML072550159).

4OA6MeetingsExit Meeting SummaryOn July 23, 2007, the Chief Examiner discussed generic applicant performance andexamination development issues with members of licensee management. The

inspectors asked the licensee whether any materials examined during the inspection

should be considered proprietary. No proprietary information was identified.The Chief Examiner discussed questions and preliminary findings related to the writtenexamination with members of the Brunswick staff on September 12, 2007.PARTIAL LIST OF PERSONS CONTACTED

LicenseeJ. Scarola, Site Vice PresidentB. Waldrep, Director Site Operations

T. Hobbs, Plant General Manager

S. Howard, Operations Manager

P. Dubroullet, Shift Operations Manager

D. Griffith, Training Manager

R. Ivey, Support Services Manager

L. Beller, Operations Training Supervisor

S. Knotts, Initial Training Supervisor

A. Pope, Licensing Supervisor

T. Sherrill, Licensing

NRCJ. Austin, Senior Resident Inspector

Enclosure 2SIMULATION FACILITY REPORTFacility Licensee: Brunswick Steam Electric PlantFacility Docket No.: 05000325/05000324

Operating Tests Administered on: July 16-22, 2007

This form is to be used only to report observations. These observations do not constitute auditor inspection findings and, without further verification and review in accordance with IP 71111.11, are not indicative of noncompliance with 10 CFR 55.46. No licensee action is

required in response to these observations.While conducting the simulator portion of the operating tests, examiners did not observe anysimulation fidelity issues.