ML20133N915

Forwards Insp Repts 50-498/96-09 & 50-499/96-09 on 961201- 970111.No Violations Noted But Expresses Concern That Unit 2 Inadvertently Introduced Highly Borated Water Into Reactor Coolant Sys,Causing Unexpected Power Transient

ML20133N915
Person / Time
Site:	South Texas
Issue date:	01/17/1997
From:	Dyer J NRC OFFICE OF INSPECTION & ENFORCEMENT (IE REGION IV)
To:	Cottle W HOUSTON LIGHTING & POWER CO.
Shared Package
ML20133N916	List: IR 05000498/1996009 ML20133N915
References
NUDOCS 9701240026
Download: ML20133N915 (5)

See also: IR 05000498/1996009

Text

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fB8' % , UNITED STATE S

, t NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION l

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- .'- g REclON IV

611 RYAN PLAZA ORIVE, SUITE 400

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• AR (.lNGT oN, T E X AS 76011 8064

JAN IT 99T I

William T. Cottle, Group Vice

President, Nuclear

Houston Lighting & Power Company

P.O. Box 289

Wadsworth, Texas 77483

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SUBJECT: NRC INSPECTION REPORT 50-498/96-09; 50-499/96-09 '

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Dear Mr. Cottle:

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On January 11,1997, the NRC completed an inspection at your South Texas Project,  ;

Units 1 and 2, facility. The enclosed report presents the scope and results of that I

inspection.  !

During the 6-week period covered by this inspection, your conduct of activities at South

Texas Projact was generally characterized by safety-conscious operations and maintenance

activities, with effectivo support by the engineering organization and excellent plant

support activities. However, we are concerned that Unit 2 operators inadvertently  ;

introduced highly borated water into the reactor coolant system, causing an unexpected l

power transient. It is our understanding that the event also failed to meet your stated

management expectations for the evolution.

In accordance with 10 CFR 2.790 of the NRC's " Rules of Practice," a copy of this letter,

its enclosure, and your response will be placed in the NRC Public Document Room (PDR).

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Sincerely,  ;

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jft J. E. Dyer, Director

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Division of Reactor Projects

Docket Nos.: 50-498

50-499

License Nos.: NPF-76

NPF 80

Enclosure:

NRC Inspection Report

50-498/96-09:50-499/96-09  ;

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9701240026 970117

PDR ADOCK 05000498

O PDR

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Houston Lighting & Power Company -2-

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cc w/ enclosure:

Lawrence E. Martin, General Manager

Nuclear Assurance & Licensing

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Houston Lighting & Power Company

P.O. Box 289

Wadsworth, Texas 77483

)i Mr. J. C. Lanier/Mr. M. B. Lee

1 City of Austin

l Electric Utility Department

j ' 721 Barton Springs Road

Austin, Texas 78704

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1 Mr. K. J. Fiedler/Mr. M. T. Hardt

City Public Service Board

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P.O. Box 1771

San Antonio, Texas 78296

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Jack R. Newman, Esq.

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Morgan, Lewis & Bockius

, 1800 M. Street, N.W.

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Washington, D.C. 20036-5869

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Mr. G. E. Vaughn/Mr. C. A. Johnson

. Central Power & Light Company

j P.O. Box 289

Mail Code: N5Cl2

Wadsworth, Texas 77483

INPO

Records Center

700 Galleria Parkway

Atlanta, Georgia 30339-5957

Dr. Bertram Wolfe

15453 Via Vaquero

Monte Sereno, California 95030

Bureau of Radiation Control i

State of Texas

1100 West 49th Street I

Austin, Texas 78756 I

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Houston Lighting & Power Company -3- .

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Mr. Glenn W. Dishong

Texas Public Utility Commission i

7800 Shoal Creek Blvd.

Suite 400N

Austin, Texas 78757-1024

Andy Barrett, Director

Environmental Policy )

Office of the Governor

{

P.O. Box 12428 l

Austin, Texas 78711

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Judge, Matagorda County

Matagorda County Courthouse

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1700 Seventh Street

Bay City, Texas 77414

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Licensing Representative

Houston Lighting & Power Company

Suite 610

Three Metro Center

Bethesda, Maryland 20814

Rufus S. Scott, Associate

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General Counsel

Houston Lighting & Power Company

P.O. Box 61867

Houston, Texas 77208

Joseph R. Egan, Esq.

Egan & Associates, P.C.

2300 N Street, N.W.

Washington, D.C. 20037

Mr. J. W. Beck

Little Harbor Consultants, Inc

44 Nichols Road

Cohasset, MA 02025-1166

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Houston Lighting & Power Company -4-

JAN I T 1997

E-Mail report to T. Boyce (THB)

E-Mail report to NRR Event Tracking System (IPAS)

E-Mail report to Richard Correia (RPC)

E-Mail report to Ronald Frahm, Jr. (RKF)

bec to DMB (IE01)

bec distrib. by RIV:

L. J. Callan Resident inspector

DRP Director DRS-PSB

Branch Chief (DRP/A) MIS System

Project Engineer (DRP/A) RIV File

Branch Chief (DRP/TSS) R. Bachmann, OGC (MS: 15-B-18)

Leah Tremper (OC/LFDCB, MS: TWFN 9E10)

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DOCUMENT NAME: R:\_STP\ST609RP.DPL

To receive copy of document, indicate in box: "C" = Copy without enclosures "E" = Copy wdh enclosures "N" = No copy

RIV: SRI ,l C:DRP/A } (_. D:DRP M i

DPLoveless Qf gg JITapia QV JEDyerW

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Houston Lighting & Power Company -4-

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E-Mail report to T. Boyce (THB)

E-Mail report to NRR Event Tracking System (IPAS)

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E-Mail report to Richard Correia (RPC)

E-Mail report to Ronald Frahm, Jr. (RKF)

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bec to DMB (IE01)

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L. J. Callan Resident inspector

DRP Director DRS-PSB

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Branch Chief (DRP/A) MIS System

Project Engineer (DRP/A) RIV File

j Branch Chief (DRP/TSS) R. Bachmann, OGC (MS: 15-B-18)

Leah Tremper (OC/LFDCB, MS: TWFN 9E10)

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DOCUMENT NAME: R:\_STP\ST609RP.DPL

To receive copy of document. Indicate in box: "C" = Copy without enclosures "E" = Copy with enclosures "N" = No copy

RIV: SRI , C:DRP/A_ o C. D:DRP b

DPLoveless Q{J .f g JITapia W JEDye Q

1/th/97 [JT 1/[6/97 ( ) 1/p/97

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OFFICIAL RECORD COPY