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| {{#Wiki_filter:No: I-15-035 September 2, 2015 CONTACT: Diane Screnci, 610-337-5330 E-mail: opa1.resource@nrc.gov Neil Sheehan, 610-337-5331 NRC to Increase Oversight of Pilgrim Nuclear Power Plant Based on New Inspection Finding The Nuclear Regulatory Commission has finalized an inspection finding of low-to-moderate safety significance and an associated violation for the Pilgrim nuclear power plant. The decision will result in increased NRC oversight at the Plymouth, Mass., facility. Specifically, the enforcement action will move the plant into the Repetitive Degraded Action Matrix. The plant transitioned into the Degraded Cornerstone Column, or Column 3, in late 2013 as a result of unplanned shutdowns and unplanned shutdowns with complications that year. During an inspection in December 2014, the NRC shutdowns and that some corrective actions had not been completed as intended or were closed out prematurely. Although the NRC found during a subsequent inspection in early May of this year that the issues had been satisfactorily addressed, the latest finding was identified during a Special Inspection at the plant following a storm-induced unplanned shutdown in January 2015. The more recent finding, Column 3. This will now result in the plant shifting to Column 4. finding highlights the continuing weaknesses in the implementation of ersight will focus on understanding the reasons for Dorman said the NRC will also determine the need for additional regulatory action and examine the extent of equipment, human performance and procedure quality issues that have contributed to or complicated the unplanned shutdowns in 2013 and 2015. The latest inspection finding stems from a determination that Entergy could have prevented a Jan. 27, 2015, problem involving safety relief valves at the plant if it had properly identified, evaluated and corrected a condition that caused one of the valves to fail to operate correctly after a plant Page l 2 shutdown on Feb, 9, 2013. This failure to identify and correct the valve condition also constituted a violation of NRC requirements. All of the safety relief valves were replaced with valves of a different design during a refueling and maintenance outage at the plant this spring. Prior to making a final enforcement decision, the NRC offered the company the opportunity to accept the finding without any formal response or to provide additional information in a Regulatory Conference or in writing. The company opted for a Regulatory Conference, which took place on July 8. During that session, Entergy stated that, among other things, two of the safety relief valves remained fully operable during the event while two others would have functioned at high pressure levels. The company also noted the availability of redundant safety equipment that provides alternative means of achieving the function of the valves. As such, the finding should have been classified as very low safety significance, the company asserted. After considering all of the available information, the NRC has concluded the finding is appropriately characterized as low-to-moderate safety significance. This is based, in part, on the determination that the as-found and historical degradation of the valves indicated there was an increased likelihood that the valves would not properly function when needed. ADAMS electronic documents system.}} | | {{#Wiki_filter:No: I-15-035 September 2, 2015 CONTACT: Diane Screnci, 610-337-5330 E-mail: opa1.resource@nrc.gov Neil Sheehan, 610-337-5331 NRC to Increase Oversight of Pilgrim Nuclear Power Plant Based on New Inspection Finding The Nuclear Regulatory Commission has finalized an inspection finding of low-to-moderate safety significance and an associated violation for the Pilgrim nuclear power plant. The decision will result in increased NRC oversight at the Plymouth, Mass., facility. |
| | Specifically, the enforcement action will move the plant into the Repetitive Degraded Cornerstone Column, or Column 4, of the NRCs Action Matrix. The plant transitioned into the Degraded Cornerstone Column, or Column 3, in late 2013 as a result of unplanned shutdowns and unplanned shutdowns with complications that year. During an inspection in December 2014, the NRC found that Entergy, the plants owner and operator, had not adequately evaluated the causes of those shutdowns and that some corrective actions had not been completed as intended or were closed out prematurely. |
| | Although the NRC found during a subsequent inspection in early May of this year that the issues had been satisfactorily addressed, the latest finding was identified during a Special Inspection at the plant following a storm-induced unplanned shutdown in January 2015. The more recent finding, which involved the performance of the plants safety relief valves, occurred while the plant was in Column 3. This will now result in the plant shifting to Column 4. |
| | The most recent finding highlights the continuing weaknesses in the implementation of Entergys program for identifying, evaluating and resolving problems at Pilgrim, NRC Region I Administrator Dan Dorman said. Our increased oversight will focus on understanding the reasons for those weaknesses and the actions needed to achieve sustained improvements. |
| | Dorman said the NRC will also determine the need for additional regulatory action and examine the extent of equipment, human performance and procedure quality issues that have contributed to or complicated the unplanned shutdowns in 2013 and 2015. |
| | The latest inspection finding stems from a determination that Entergy could have prevented a Jan. 27, 2015, problem involving safety relief valves at the plant if it had properly identified, evaluated and corrected a condition that caused one of the valves to fail to operate correctly after a plant |
| | |
| | shutdown on Feb, 9, 2013. This failure to identify and correct the valve condition also constituted a violation of NRC requirements. |
| | All of the safety relief valves were replaced with valves of a different design during a refueling and maintenance outage at the plant this spring. |
| | Prior to making a final enforcement decision, the NRC offered the company the opportunity to accept the finding without any formal response or to provide additional information in a Regulatory Conference or in writing. The company opted for a Regulatory Conference, which took place on July 8. |
| | During that session, Entergy stated that, among other things, two of the safety relief valves remained fully operable during the event while two others would have functioned at high pressure levels. The company also noted the availability of redundant safety equipment that provides alternative means of achieving the function of the valves. As such, the finding should have been classified as very low safety significance, the company asserted. |
| | After considering all of the available information, the NRC has concluded the finding is appropriately characterized as low-to-moderate safety significance. This is based, in part, on the determination that the as-found and historical degradation of the valves indicated there was an increased likelihood that the valves would not properly function when needed. |
| | The NRCs letter discussing the finalization of the inspection finding will be posted in the agencys ADAMS electronic documents system. |
| | Page l 2}} |
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Category:Press Release
MONTHYEARPress Release-19-056, NRC Approves Changes to Pilgrim Nuclear Power Station'S Emergency Planning Requirements2019-11-0404 November 2019 Press Release-19-056: NRC Approves Changes to Pilgrim Nuclear Power Station'S Emergency Planning Requirements Press Release-19-041, NRC Approves License Transfer for Pilgrim Nuclear Power Plant2019-08-23023 August 2019 Press Release-19-041: NRC Approves License Transfer for Pilgrim Nuclear Power Plant Press Release-19-039, NRC Announces Public Meetings Dates and Venues for Community Advisory Boards Near Decommissioning Nuclear Power Plants2019-08-21021 August 2019 Press Release-19-039: NRC Announces Public Meetings Dates and Venues for Community Advisory Boards Near Decommissioning Nuclear Power Plants Press Release-I-19-004, NRC to Hold Public Meeting to Discuss 2018 Performance of Pilgrim Nuclear Power Station2019-03-19019 March 2019 Press Release-I-19-004: NRC to Hold Public Meeting to Discuss 2018 Performance of Pilgrim Nuclear Power Station Press Release-I-19-002, NRC to Hold Public Meeting for Comments on Pilgrim Nuclear Power Plant Decommissioning Activities Report2019-01-0808 January 2019 Press Release-I-19-002: NRC to Hold Public Meeting for Comments on Pilgrim Nuclear Power Plant Decommissioning Activities Report Press Release-I-19-001, NRC to Conduct Public Webinar to Discuss Pilgrim Nuclear Power Plant Decommissioning Topics2019-01-0303 January 2019 Press Release-I-19-001: NRC to Conduct Public Webinar to Discuss Pilgrim Nuclear Power Plant Decommissioning Topics Press Release-I-18-022, NRC Names New Senior Resident Inspector at Pilgrim Nuclear Plant2018-10-0404 October 2018 Press Release-I-18-022: NRC Names New Senior Resident Inspector at Pilgrim Nuclear Plant Press Release-I-18-003, NRC Staff to Conduct Public Meeting to Discuss 2017 Performance of Pilgrim Nuclear Power Plant2018-03-19019 March 2018 Press Release-I-18-003: NRC Staff to Conduct Public Meeting to Discuss 2017 Performance of Pilgrim Nuclear Power Plant Press Release-IV-18-002, NRC Issues Confirmatory Order to Entergy2018-03-14014 March 2018 Press Release-IV-18-002: NRC Issues Confirmatory Order to Entergy Press Release-18-008, NRC Issues Annual Assessments for Nation'S Nuclear Plants2018-03-0505 March 2018 Press Release-18-008: NRC Issues Annual Assessments for Nation'S Nuclear Plants Press Release-I-17-028, NRC Issues Confirmatory Action Letter to Pilgrim Nuclear Power Plant on Safety Performance Improvement Commitments2017-08-0202 August 2017 Press Release-I-17-028: NRC Issues Confirmatory Action Letter to Pilgrim Nuclear Power Plant on Safety Performance Improvement Commitments Press Release-I-17-026, NRC to Hold Regulatory Conference with Entergy Regarding Apparent Violation at Pilgrim Nuclear Power Plant2017-07-12012 July 2017 Press Release-I-17-026: NRC to Hold Regulatory Conference with Entergy Regarding Apparent Violation at Pilgrim Nuclear Power Plant Press Release-I-17-005, NRC to Hold Pilgrim Nuclear Plant Public Exit Meeting for Inspection, Annual Assessment Discussion2017-03-14014 March 2017 Press Release-I-17-005: NRC to Hold Pilgrim Nuclear Plant Public Exit Meeting for Inspection, Annual Assessment Discussion Press Release-I-17-002, NRC Plans Plymouth Public Meeting to Discuss Reviews at Pilgrim Nuclear Power Plant2017-01-30030 January 2017 Press Release-I-17-002: NRC Plans Plymouth Public Meeting to Discuss Reviews at Pilgrim Nuclear Power Plant Press Release-I-16-030, NRC to Perform Wide-Ranging Team Inspection at Pilgrim Nuclear Power Plant; Review Supports Agency'S Increased Oversight2016-11-28028 November 2016 Press Release-I-16-030: NRC to Perform Wide-Ranging Team Inspection at Pilgrim Nuclear Power Plant; Review Supports Agency'S Increased Oversight Press Release-I-16-020, New NRC Resident Inspector Assigned to Pilgrim Nuclear Plant2016-07-15015 July 2016 Press Release-I-16-020: New NRC Resident Inspector Assigned to Pilgrim Nuclear Plant Press Release-I-16-010, NRC to Hold Regulatory Performance Public Meeting Regarding Pilgrim Nuclear Power Plant on April 13 in Plymouth, Mass2016-04-0505 April 2016 Press Release-I-16-010: NRC to Hold Regulatory Performance Public Meeting Regarding Pilgrim Nuclear Power Plant on April 13 in Plymouth, Mass Press Release-16-011, NRC Issues Annual Assessments for Nation'S Nuclear Plants2016-03-0404 March 2016 Press Release-16-011: NRC Issues Annual Assessments for Nation'S Nuclear Plants Press Release-I-16-003, NRC Creates Web Page on Increased Oversight of Pilgrim Nuclear Power Plant2016-02-18018 February 2016 Press Release-I-16-003: NRC Creates Web Page on Increased Oversight of Pilgrim Nuclear Power Plant Press Release-15-068, NRC Accelerates Schedule for Earthquake Risk Analysis at U.S. Reactors2015-10-27027 October 2015 Press Release-15-068: NRC Accelerates Schedule for Earthquake Risk Analysis at U.S. Reactors Press Release-I-15-035a: NRC to Increase Oversight of Pilgrim Nuclear Power Plant Based on New Inspection Finding, Press Release-I-15-035a: NRC to Increase Oversight of Pilgrim Nuclear Power Plant Based on New Inspection Finding2015-09-0202 September 2015 Press Release-I-15-035a: NRC to Increase Oversight of Pilgrim Nuclear Power Plant Based on New Inspection Finding Press Release-I-15-031, NRC to Hold Regulatory Conference with Entergy on July 8th Regarding Apparent Violation at Pilgrim Nuclear Power Plant2015-06-26026 June 2015 Press Release-I-15-031: NRC to Hold Regulatory Conference with Entergy on July 8th Regarding Apparent Violation at Pilgrim Nuclear Power Plant Press Release-I-15-006, NRC to Hold Regulatory Performance Public Meeting Regarding Pilgrim Nuclear Power Plant on March 18th2015-03-0909 March 2015 Press Release-I-15-006: NRC to Hold Regulatory Performance Public Meeting Regarding Pilgrim Nuclear Power Plant on March 18th Press Release-I-15-003, NRC Initiates Special Inspection at Pilgrim Nuclear Power Plant2015-02-0202 February 2015 Press Release-I-15-003: NRC Initiates Special Inspection at Pilgrim Nuclear Power Plant Press Release-I-14-029, NRC Assigns New Senior Resident Inspector to Pilgrim Nuclear Plant2014-06-24024 June 2014 Press Release-I-14-029: NRC Assigns New Senior Resident Inspector to Pilgrim Nuclear Plant Press Release-I-14-018, NRC to Meet with Entergy on May 1st to Discuss Performance of Pilgrim Nuclear Power Plant2014-04-21021 April 2014 Press Release-I-14-018: NRC to Meet with Entergy on May 1st to Discuss Performance of Pilgrim Nuclear Power Plant Press Release-14-016, NRC Issues Annual Assessments for Nation'S Nuclear Plants2014-03-0606 March 2014 Press Release-14-016: NRC Issues Annual Assessments for Nation'S Nuclear Plants Press Release-I-13-042, NRC Assigns New Resident Inspector to Pilgrim Station2013-12-0505 December 2013 Press Release-I-13-042: NRC Assigns New Resident Inspector to Pilgrim Station Press Release-I-13-041, NRC Region I Office to Conduct Webinar on Use of Dry Cask Storage at Pilgrim Nuclear Power Plant2013-12-0202 December 2013 Press Release-I-13-041: NRC Region I Office to Conduct Webinar on Use of Dry Cask Storage at Pilgrim Nuclear Power Plant ML13335A0022013-11-13013 November 2013 G20130211 - 11/13/13 E-mail from T.Judson to R.Guzman - Supplement #5 to 2.206 Petition Financial Qualifications Fitzpatrick/Vermont Yankee/Pilgrim Press Release-I-13-011, NRC to Hold Open House on April 2 in Plymouth, Mass., to Discuss Pilgrim Nuclear Power Plant Annual Assessment2013-03-28028 March 2013 Press Release-I-13-011: NRC to Hold Open House on April 2 in Plymouth, Mass., to Discuss Pilgrim Nuclear Power Plant Annual Assessment Press Release-I-13-003, NRC Monitors Pilgrim Station After Loss of Offsite Power and Unusual Event Declaration2013-02-0909 February 2013 Press Release-I-13-003: NRC Monitors Pilgrim Station After Loss of Offsite Power and Unusual Event Declaration Press Release-12-099, NRC Issues Mid-Cycle Assessments for Nation? Nuclear Plants2012-09-0606 September 2012 Press Release-12-099: NRC Issues Mid-Cycle Assessments for Nation? Nuclear Plants Press Release-I-12-028, Oral Arguments Session on Request for Hearing on NRC Orders Planned for June 7 in Boston2012-05-30030 May 2012 Press Release-I-12-028: Oral Arguments Session on Request for Hearing on NRC Orders Planned for June 7 in Boston Press Release-12-063, NRC Renews Operating License for Pilgrim Nuclear Power Plant for an Additional 20 Years2012-05-29029 May 2012 Press Release-12-063: NRC Renews Operating License for Pilgrim Nuclear Power Plant for an Additional 20 Years Press Release-12-062, Nuclear Regulatory Commission Authorizes Staff to Renew Operating License for Pilgrim Nuclear Power Plant2012-05-25025 May 2012 Press Release-12-062: Nuclear Regulatory Commission Authorizes Staff to Renew Operating License for Pilgrim Nuclear Power Plant Press Release-I-12-011, NRC to Hold Open House on March 29 in Plymouth, Mass., to Discuss Annual Assessment of Pilgrim Nuclear Power Plant2012-03-22022 March 2012 Press Release-I-12-011: NRC to Hold Open House on March 29 in Plymouth, Mass., to Discuss Annual Assessment of Pilgrim Nuclear Power Plant Press Release-I-11-042, NRC Cites Pilgrim Nuclear Power Plant for Inspection Findings of Low to Moderate Safety Significance2011-11-21021 November 2011 Press Release-I-11-042: NRC Cites Pilgrim Nuclear Power Plant for Inspection Findings of Low to Moderate Safety Significance Press Release-11-159, NRC Makes Preparations for Approach of Hurricane Irene; Dispatches Additional Inspectors to Nuclear Plants2011-08-26026 August 2011 Press Release-11-159: NRC Makes Preparations for Approach of Hurricane Irene; Dispatches Additional Inspectors to Nuclear Plants Press Release-IV-11-038, NRC Issues Confirmatory Order to Entergy with Actions to Improve Quality Control and Employee Concerns Programs2011-08-25025 August 2011 Press Release-IV-11-038: NRC Issues Confirmatory Order to Entergy with Actions to Improve Quality Control and Employee Concerns Programs Press Release-11-124, NRC Issues Supplemental Safety Evaluation for Pilgrim Nuclear Power Plant License Renewal2011-07-0606 July 2011 Press Release-11-124: NRC Issues Supplemental Safety Evaluation for Pilgrim Nuclear Power Plant License Renewal Press Release-I-11-017, NRC to Hold Public Meeting on June 1st in Plymouth, Mass., to Discuss Annual Assessment of Pilgrim Nuclear Power Plant2011-05-23023 May 2011 Press Release-I-11-017: NRC to Hold Public Meeting on June 1st in Plymouth, Mass., to Discuss Annual Assessment of Pilgrim Nuclear Power Plant Press Release-I-11-013, NRC Begins Special Inspection at Pilgrim Nuclear Power Plant2011-05-16016 May 2011 Press Release-I-11-013: NRC Begins Special Inspection at Pilgrim Nuclear Power Plant Press Release-I-11-004, Licensing Board Grants Motion Expediting March 9th Proceedings Plymouth, Mass., on Pilgrim License Renewal Contention2011-02-24024 February 2011 Press Release-I-11-004: Licensing Board Grants Motion Expediting March 9th Proceedings Plymouth, Mass., on Pilgrim License Renewal Contention Press Release-I-11-002, Licensing Board to Hold Evidentiary Hearing on March 9th in Plymouth, Mass., on Pilgrim License Renewal Contention2011-02-16016 February 2011 Press Release-I-11-002: Licensing Board to Hold Evidentiary Hearing on March 9th in Plymouth, Mass., on Pilgrim License Renewal Contention Press Release-I-10-015, NRC to Hold Public Meeting on April 13 with Entergy Nuclear to Discuss Results of Independent Safety Culture Surveys2010-04-0606 April 2010 Press Release-I-10-015: NRC to Hold Public Meeting on April 13 with Entergy Nuclear to Discuss Results of Independent Safety Culture Surveys Press Release-III-10-007, NRC to Hold Public Meeting with Entergy Nuclear Operations Inc2010-03-26026 March 2010 Press Release-III-10-007: NRC to Hold Public Meeting with Entergy Nuclear Operations Inc Press Release-I-10-009, NRC to Hold Open House on March 30, in Plymouth, Mass. to Discuss Annual Assessment of Pilgrim Nuclear Power Plant2010-03-23023 March 2010 Press Release-I-10-009: NRC to Hold Open House on March 30, in Plymouth, Mass. to Discuss Annual Assessment of Pilgrim Nuclear Power Plant Press Release-I-09-013, NRC to Hold Meeting on March 26 in Plymouth, Mass., to Discuss Annual Assessment of Performance for Pilgrim Nuclear Plant2009-03-19019 March 2009 Press Release-I-09-013: NRC to Hold Meeting on March 26 in Plymouth, Mass., to Discuss Annual Assessment of Performance for Pilgrim Nuclear Plant Press Release-08-138, NRC Staff Approves Transfer of Entergy Operating Licenses to New Corporate Structure2008-07-28028 July 2008 Press Release-08-138: NRC Staff Approves Transfer of Entergy Operating Licenses to New Corporate Structure 2019-08-23
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No: I-15-035 September 2, 2015 CONTACT: Diane Screnci, 610-337-5330 E-mail: opa1.resource@nrc.gov Neil Sheehan, 610-337-5331 NRC to Increase Oversight of Pilgrim Nuclear Power Plant Based on New Inspection Finding The Nuclear Regulatory Commission has finalized an inspection finding of low-to-moderate safety significance and an associated violation for the Pilgrim nuclear power plant. The decision will result in increased NRC oversight at the Plymouth, Mass., facility.
Specifically, the enforcement action will move the plant into the Repetitive Degraded Cornerstone Column, or Column 4, of the NRCs Action Matrix. The plant transitioned into the Degraded Cornerstone Column, or Column 3, in late 2013 as a result of unplanned shutdowns and unplanned shutdowns with complications that year. During an inspection in December 2014, the NRC found that Entergy, the plants owner and operator, had not adequately evaluated the causes of those shutdowns and that some corrective actions had not been completed as intended or were closed out prematurely.
Although the NRC found during a subsequent inspection in early May of this year that the issues had been satisfactorily addressed, the latest finding was identified during a Special Inspection at the plant following a storm-induced unplanned shutdown in January 2015. The more recent finding, which involved the performance of the plants safety relief valves, occurred while the plant was in Column 3. This will now result in the plant shifting to Column 4.
The most recent finding highlights the continuing weaknesses in the implementation of Entergys program for identifying, evaluating and resolving problems at Pilgrim, NRC Region I Administrator Dan Dorman said. Our increased oversight will focus on understanding the reasons for those weaknesses and the actions needed to achieve sustained improvements.
Dorman said the NRC will also determine the need for additional regulatory action and examine the extent of equipment, human performance and procedure quality issues that have contributed to or complicated the unplanned shutdowns in 2013 and 2015.
The latest inspection finding stems from a determination that Entergy could have prevented a Jan. 27, 2015, problem involving safety relief valves at the plant if it had properly identified, evaluated and corrected a condition that caused one of the valves to fail to operate correctly after a plant
shutdown on Feb, 9, 2013. This failure to identify and correct the valve condition also constituted a violation of NRC requirements.
All of the safety relief valves were replaced with valves of a different design during a refueling and maintenance outage at the plant this spring.
Prior to making a final enforcement decision, the NRC offered the company the opportunity to accept the finding without any formal response or to provide additional information in a Regulatory Conference or in writing. The company opted for a Regulatory Conference, which took place on July 8.
During that session, Entergy stated that, among other things, two of the safety relief valves remained fully operable during the event while two others would have functioned at high pressure levels. The company also noted the availability of redundant safety equipment that provides alternative means of achieving the function of the valves. As such, the finding should have been classified as very low safety significance, the company asserted.
After considering all of the available information, the NRC has concluded the finding is appropriately characterized as low-to-moderate safety significance. This is based, in part, on the determination that the as-found and historical degradation of the valves indicated there was an increased likelihood that the valves would not properly function when needed.
The NRCs letter discussing the finalization of the inspection finding will be posted in the agencys ADAMS electronic documents system.
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