ML030920071

TVA - Staff Exhibit 86 - Rec'D 05/02/02: TVA Oig Record of Interview of Wilson C. Mcarthur, October 1, 1993

ML030920071
Person / Time
Site:	Browns Ferry, Watts Bar, Sequoyah
Issue date:	10/01/1993
From:	Hickman G, Bernard Thomas Tennessee Valley Authority
To:	NRC/SECY
Byrdsong A T
References
+adjud/ruledam200506, -RFPFR, 50-259-CIVP, 50-260-CIVP, 50-296-CIVP, 50-327-CIVP, 50-328-CIVP, 50-390-CIVP, ASLBP 01-791-01-CIVP, RAS 6207, TVA-Staff-86
Download: ML030920071 (3)

Text

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TENNESSEE VALLEY AUTHORITY DOCKETED 0 Office of the Inspector General USNRC RECORD OF INTERVIEW 2003 MAR I I AM II: 54

- FFICE i.r - ,_ /C-.LIEARY I IJ LEAMINGS AND Name: Wilson C. McArt DICATIONS STAFF Position: Manager Office: Operation rvices Chattano a, Tennessee Work Tel.: (615) 7 g1 - 8 7 1 5 Residence:

Home Tel.:

SSN/DOB: A McArthur was contacted at his office and advised of the identities of the interviewing agents. He was interviewed concerning his knowledge of an allegation that William Jocher, a former Corporate Chemistry Manager, was forced to resign from TVA for identifying safety-related issues in TVA's nuclear chemistry program.

McArthur, who was previously interviewed on July 26, 1993 and August 31, 1953, provided the following additional information.

1. McArthur confirmed that he attended a meeting at Sequoyah Nuclear Plant (SQN) in preparation for an Institute of Nuclear Power Operations (INPO) evaluation. During this meeting, Jocher gave a presentation in which he made a corment to the effect of "I've been sent out here to solve Chemistry problems - If I wasn't here, I would be making a lot more." According to McArthur, Joe Bynum, Vice President, Nuclear Operations, and Dan Keuter, Vice President, Nuclear Operations Services, told him (McArthur) that Oliver Kingsley, President, Generating Group, did not like Jocher's comment.

McArthur stated that he never discussed the comment with Kingsley; however, he did talk to Jocher about the comment.

2. McArthur stated that he did not agree with the decision to terminate Jocher.

However, he (McArthur) considered the decision to be an instruction from his boss' boss (Bynum). He does not believe Kingsley was involved in Bynum's decision to terminate Jocher.

3. At one time, Jocher was going to request that Rob Beecken, Plant Manager, SQN, allow him to stay at SQN to finish the Chemistry Programs he (Jocher) had=

enacted. However, this did not work out and Jocher returned to Corporate Chemistry. Prior to Jocher's return, McArthur may have told Rich that he (Rich) could fill the Corporate Chemistry Manager position if Jocher stayed at SQN. However, McArthur stated that the goal of Rich's first interview was to fill the SQN Chemistry Manager position. In addition, McArthur stated that he wanted Jocher to return to Corporate Chemistry because of his (Jocher's) technical ability.

Continued INVESTIGATION ON: October 1. 1993 AT: Chattanooga, Tennessee-B BY: Beth B. Thomas and G. Donald Hickman: BBT FILE: 2D-133 -59 PAC0OO' 76 1076D

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Continuation of interview of Wilson C. HcArthur Page 2

4. McArthur believes Bynum may have learned of Jocher's problems through Ike Zeringue, Site Vice President, Browns Ferry Nuclear Plant (BFU) or John Scalice, Plant Manager, BFN. HcArthur advised that Bynum and Zeringue had previously worked together at Palo Verde Nuclear Plant.

BBT 1076D BA000277