ML20203E332

Forwards Insp Repts 50-277/97-08 & 50-278/97-08 on 971123- 980117 & Nov.Concern Noted Where Lack of Understanding of Performance of Various Plant Sys by Operations Personnel, Contributed to Unexpected Plant Equipment Responses

ML20203E332
Person / Time
Site:	Peach Bottom
Issue date:	02/20/1998
From:	Anderson C NRC OFFICE OF INSPECTION & ENFORCEMENT (IE REGION I)
To:	Danni Smith PECO ENERGY CO., (FORMERLY PHILADELPHIA ELECTRIC
Shared Package
ML20203E339	List: ML20203E332 ML20203E360 ML20203E370
References
50-277-97-08, 50-277-97-8, 50-278-97-08, 50-278-97-8, NUDOCS 9802270027
Download: ML20203E332 (3)

See also: IR 05000277/1997008

Text

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Y

February 20, 1998

1

Mr. D. M. Smith, President

PECO Nuclear j

Nuclear Group Headquarters

Correspondence Control Desk

P. O. Box 195

Wayne, Pennsylvania 19087-0195

SUBJECT: ROUTINE INTEGRATED INSPECTION 50 277/97-08 AND 50-278/97-08

Dear Mr. Smith:

This refers to the inspection conducted from November ?3,1997 through January 17,

1998, at the Peach Bottom Atomic Power Station, Delta, Pennsylvania. At the conclusion

of the inspection, the inspectors discussed the findings with Mr. G. Edwards and others of

your staff. The inspectors based these findings on independent observation of activities,

interviews, and oocument reviews.

During the eight-week period covered by this inspection, we noted that shutting down

Units 2 and 3 to replace degraded equipment, exhibited good, conservative, operational

decision making. Unit 3 was shut down to replace a leaking safety reliet valve.

l Subsequently, Unit 2 was shut down to perform electro-hydraulic control system presdure

j regulator work.

Your radioactive liquid and gaseous effluent control programs and security program were

also inspected by Region I specialists during this inspection period. These inspections

j consisted of selective examinations of procedures and representative records, interviews

with personnel, and observations by the inspectors. We determined that you have

implemented an effective radioactive liquid and gaseous effluent program. We also

determined that you are implementing a recurity program that effectively protects against

acts of radiological sabotage.

During this inspection, the 2 'A' reactor feedwater pump turbine high water leve: trip failed

for the third time in 1997. On February 6,1998, this feedwater pump turbine was slow to

trip during testing. We have initiated a specialinspection to evaluate your investigations

and corrective actions in light of the previous trip failures including your decision not to

perform testing of this trip function at power following the second event in November

1997. You will be notified of the results of this inspectiun at a later date.

We were concerned with several examples where the lack of full understanding of the

performance of various plaret systems by operations personnel, contributed to unexpected

plant equipment responses. Also, the written instructions being used at the time of these

events did not contain sufficient details or cautions to prevent these unexpected

responses. The most notable example occurred when the Unit 2 main turbine was

unknowingly rolled for over two hours during startup operations on January 1,1998, and

eventually tripped on main oil pump low pressure. The NRC is continuing its review of this j

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i Mr. D. M. Smith 2

matter. Further, we noted that weaknesses in operator attentiveness and lack of rigor in

implementing procedures were apparent in this and other, more routine activities during

this period.

We were aise concerned with several degraded equipment t.M equipment f ailure issues

that occurred during the inspection period, including the failuie of the 2 'C' circulating

water pump discharge valve. These defic lencies resulted in plant transionts and other

challenges to operations personnel. Of particular concern was th;t some of these issues

were known but not agg.essively pursued to resolution by Operations and Engineering.

'Ne also noted instances in which operators either were not fully aware of, or were not

notified of, degraded conditions on safety related equipment.

We identified one violation of NRC requirement iinvolving procedural non compliance while

inspecting your cold weather preparations. An additional non-compliance of minor

significance associated with independent verification of a clearance restoration was also

identified during this inspection. Several examples of procedural non-compliance have

t een cited in recent inspection reports.

We noted that you initiated a return to basic plant operational fundamentals which focused

on safety culture, procedure use, and work package use. We viewed this initiative as

positive. We will monitor the progress of this initiative during our routine inspection

activitics,

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

and its enclosures will be placed in the NRC Public Document Room.

We appreciate your cooperetion.

Sincerely,

)

' '

.

Clifford J. Anderson, Chief

Prcjects Branch 4

Division of Reactor Projects

Docket / License No. 50-277/DPR-44

50-278/DPR-56

Enclosure:

1. Notice of Violation

2. NRC Inspection Report 50 277/97-08and 50-278/97-08

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Mr. D. M. Smith 3

cc w/ encl:

G. A. Hunger, Jr., Chairman, Nuclear Review Board and Di ector, Licensing

T. Mitchell, Vice President, Peach Bottom Atomic Power Station

G. Rainey, Senior Vice President, Nuclear Operations

J. B. Cotton, Vica President, Nuclear Station Support

T. Niessen, Director, Nucleer Quelity Assurance

A. F. Kirby, Ill, Exte nal Operations - Delmarva Power & Light Co.

G. Edwards, Plant Manager, Peach Bottom Atoniic Power Station

G. J. Lengyel, Managei, Experience Assessment

J. W. Durharn, Sr., Senior Vice President anci General Counsel

T. M. Messick, Manager, Joint Generation, Atlantic Electric

W. T. Henrick, Manager, External Affairs, Public Service Electric & Gas

R. McLean, Power Plant Siting, Nuclear Evaluations

J. Vannoy, Acting Secretary of Harford County Council

R. Ochs, Maryland Safe Energy Coalition

J. H. Walter, Chief Engineer, Public Service Commission of Maryland

Mr. & Mrs. Dennis Hiebert, Peach Bottom Alliance

Mr. & Mrs. Kip Adams

! Commony.'ealth of Pennsylvania

i State of Maryland

TMI- Alert (TMIA:

Distribution w/ encl:

Region I Docket Room (with concurrences)

H. Miller, RA/W. Axelson, DRA (irs)

P. Bonnett, DRP

A. Linde, DRP

Nuclear Safety information Center (NSIC)

NRC Resident inspector

PUBLIC

Distribution w/ encl: (Via E Mail)

W. Dean, OEDO

J. Williams, PM, NRR

J. Stolz, PDI 2, NRR

inspection Program Branch, NRR (IPAS)

R. Correia, NRR

F. Talbot, NRR

DOCDESK

DOCUMENT NAME: G:\ BRANCH 4\PB\PB9708.lNS

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NAME AMcMurtray (lo CAnderson c/G

DATE 02/20/98 't,< 02/ D' /98 02/ /98 , l02/ /98 02/ /98

0FFICIAL RECORD COPY