IR 05000454/2011007

Annual Assessment Letter for Byron Station, Units 1 and 2 (Report 05000454/2011007 and 05000455/2011007)

ML12065A108
Person / Time
Site:	Byron
Issue date:	03/05/2012
From:	Stephanie West Division Reactor Projects III
To:	Pacilio M Exelon Generation Co, Exelon Nuclear
References
IR-11-007
Download: ML12065A108 (6)

Text

UNITED STATES NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION

REGION III

2443 WARRENVILLE ROAD, SUITE 210 LISLE, IL 60532-4352 March 5, 2012 Mr. Michael J. Pacilio Senior Vice President, Exelon Generation Company, LLC President and Chief Nuclear Officer (CNO), Exelon Nuclear 4300 Winfield Road Warrenville IL 60555 SUBJECT: ANNUAL ASSESSMENT LETTER FOR BYRON STATION, UNITS 1 AND 2 (REPORT 05000454/20 1 1 00 7 AND 05000455/20 1 1 00 7)

Dear Mr. Paci l i o:

On February 14, 20 1 2 , the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (N RC) staff completed its end-of-cycle performance review of Byron Station, Units 1 and 2. The NRC reviewed the most recent quarterly performance indicators (PIs) in addition to inspection results and enforcement actions from January 1, 201 1 , through December 31, 201 1. This letter informs you of the NRC's assessment of your facility during this period and its plans for future inspections at your facility. This performance review and enclosed inspection plan do not include security information.

A separate letter will include the NRC's assessment of your performance in the Security Cornerstone and its security-related inspection plan.

The NRC determined that overall, Byron Station Unit 1 operated in a manner that preserved public health and safety and met all cornerstone objectives.

The NRC determined the performance at Byron Station Unit 1 during the most recent quarter, as well as the first three quarters of the assessment period

, was within the Licensee Response Column of the NRC's Reactor Oversight Process (ROP) Action Matrix because all inspection findings had very low (i.e., green) safety significance, and all PIs indicated that your performance was within the nominal, expected range (i.e., green). The NRC determined the performance at Byron Station Unit 2 during the most recent quarter was within the Regulatory Response column of the NRC's ROP Action Matrix, based on one inspection finding being classified as having low-to-moderate safety significance (White) and all PIs indicated that your performance was within the nominal, expected range (Green). The White finding involved the failure to ensure that a flange connection on the upper lube oil cooler of the 2A diesel generator was correctly torqued following maintenance. This White finding was closed on August 26, 2011

, as documented in our letter to you dated October 4, 2011 [ML112770516]. Unit 2 returned to the Licensee Response Column of the ROP Action Matrix in the first quarter of 201 2.

M. Pacilio-2- Therefore, the NRC plans to conduct ROP baseline inspections at your facility. We also plan to conduct several special and infrequently performed inspections related to the pre-operational testing and operation of the Independent Spent Fuel Storage Installation (ISFSI). These inspections include IP 60854.1, "Preoperational Testing of Independent Spent Fuel Storage Facility Installations at Operating Plants;" IP 60855.1, "Operation of an Independent Spent Fuel Storage Installation at Operating Plants

" and IP 60856.1, "Review of 10 CFR 72.212(b) Evaluations at Operating Plants."

Temporary Instruction 182, "Review of the Implementation of an Industry Initiative to Control the Degradation of Underground Piping and Tanks," will also be conducted at your Byron Station

. In addition, a follow-up inspection will be conducted using IP 92723, "Follow Up Inspection for Three or More Severity Level IV Traditional Enforcement Violations in the Same Area in a 12-Month Period

," to evaluate your corrective actions and extent of condition review related to a Steam Generator Margin-to-Overfill Backfit [ML110190808] that was issued.

The enclosed inspection plan lists the inspections scheduled through June 30, 20 1 3. Routine inspections performed by resident inspectors are not included in the inspection plan. The inspections listed during the last 9 months of the inspection plan are tentative and may be revised at the mid-cycle performance review. The NRC provides the inspection plan to allow for the resolution of any scheduling conflicts and personnel availability issues. The NRC will contact you as soon as possible to discuss changes to the inspection plan should circumstances warrant any changes

. In accordance with 10 CFR 2.390 of the NRC

=s ARules of Practice,@ a copy of this letter and its enclosure will be made available electronically for public inspection in the NRC Public Document Room or 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 (the Public Electronic Reading Room).

Please contact Eric Duncan a t 6 30-829-9620 with any questions you may have regarding this letter or the inspection plan.

Sincerely,

/RA/

Steven West, Director Division of Reactor Projects Docket Nos. 50-454 and 50-455 License Nos. NPF-37 and NPF-66 Enclosure: Byron Station Inspection

/Activity Plan

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