IR 05000395/2011301

Er 05000395-11-301, Operating Test September 12 - 22, 2011, & Written Exam October 21, 2011, V.C. Summer, Operator License Examinations

ML113430854
Person / Time
Site:	Summer
Issue date:	12/09/2011
From:	Junge M A NRC/RGN-II/DRS/OLB
To:	Gatlin T D South Carolina Electric & Gas Co
References
50-395/11-301
Download: ML113430854 (10)

Text

December 19, 2011

Mr. Thomas Vice President - Nuclear Operations South Carolina Electric & Gas Company Virgil C. Summer Nuclear Station P.O. Box 88 Jenkinsville, SC 29065

SUBJECT: VIRGIL C. SUMMER NUCLEAR STATION - NRC OPERATOR LICENSE EXAMINATION REPORT 05000395/2011301

Dear Mr. Gatlin:

During the period of September 12 - 22, 2011, the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) administered operating tests to employees of your company who had applied for licenses to operate the Virgil C. Summer Nuclear Station. At the conclusion of the tests, the examiners discussed preliminary findings related to the operating tests and the written examination submittal with those members of your staff identified in the enclosed report. The written examination was administered by your staff on October 21, 2011. Six Reactor Operator (RO) applicants and four Senior Reactor Operator (SRO) applicants passed both the operating test and written examination. One RO applicant passed the operating test but did not pass the written examination. Five RO applicants and four SRO applicants were issued licenses. There was one RO borderline written grade with an overall grade between 80% and 82%. Because there was one borderline written grade, the individual's license was held in abeyance pending any examination appeals. There were no post-examination comments. A Simulator Fidelity Report is included in this report as Enclosure 2. The initial written SRO examination submitted by your staff failed to meet the guidelines for quality contained in NUREG-1021, Operator Licensing Examination Standards for Power Reactors, Revision 9, Supplement 1, as described in the enclosed report. In accordance with 10 CFR 2.390 of the NRC's "Rules of Practice," a copy of this letter and its enclosures will be available electronically for public inspection in the NRC Public Document Room or from the Publicly Available Records (PARS) component of the NRC's document SCE&G 2 system (ADAMS). ADAMS is accessible from the NRC Website at http://www.nrc.gov/reading-rm/adams.html (the Public Electronic Reading Room). If you have any questions concerning this letter, please contact me at (404) 997-4436.

Sincerely,/RA by Bruno L. Caballero for/ Michael A. Junge, Acting Chief Operations Branch 2 Division of Reactor Safety Docket No: 50-395 License No: NPF-12

Enclosures:

1. Report Details 2. Simulator Fidelity Report cc w/encl: (See page 3)

SCE&G 2 system (ADAMS). ADAMS is accessible from the NRC Website at http://www.nrc.gov/reading-rm/adams.html (the Public Electronic Reading Room). If you have any questions concerning this letter, please contact me at (404) 997-4436.

Sincerely,/RA by Bruno L. Caballero for/ Michael A. Junge, Acting Chief Operations Branch 2 Division of Reactor Safety Docket No: 50-395 License No: NPF-12

Enclosures:

1. Report Details 2. Simulator Fidelity Report cc w/encl: (See page 3) Distribution w/enclC. Evans, RII EICS (Part 72 Only) : L. Douglas, RII EICS (Linda Douglas) OE Mail (email address if applicable) RIDSNRRDIRS PUBLIC RidsNrrPMSummer Resource X PUBLICLY AVAILABLE G NON-PUBLICLY AVAILABLE G SENSITIVE X NON-SENSITIVE ADAMS: X Yes ACCESSION NUMBER: ML 113430854 X SUNSI REVIEW COMPLETE OFFICE RII:DRS RII:DRS RII:DRS SIGNATURE GWL for SNINH FOR BLC FOR NAME RBaldwin GMcCoy MJunge DATE 12/ 9 /2011 12/ 9 /2011 12/ 9 /2011 E-MAIL COPY? YES NO YES NO YES NO YES NO YES NO OFFICIAL RECORD COPY DOCUMENT NAME: G:\OLEXAMS\SUMMER EXAMINATIONS\INITIAL EXAM 2011-301\CORRESPONDENCE\EXAMINATION REPORT\FINAL VC SUMMER EXAMINATION REPORT 2011301 (MKM 12 15 2011) (12 19 RSB)REV 3.DOCX SCE&G 3 cc w/encls: J. B. Archie Senior Vice President Nuclear Operations and Chief Nuclear Officer South Carolina Electric & Gas Company Electronic Mail Distribution George A. Lippard, III General Manager Nuclear Plant Operations South Carolina Electric & Gas Company Electronic Mail Distribution Andy T. Barbee Director Nuclear Training South Carolina Electric & Gas Company Electronic Mail Distribution Wayne D. Stuart (Acting) General Manager Engineering Services South Carolina Electric & Gas Company Electronic Mail Distribution Robin R. Haselden General Manager Organizational Development & Effectiveness South Carolina Electric & Gas Company Electronic Mail Distribution Shaun M. Zarandi General Manager Nuclear Support Services South Carolina Electric & Gas Company Electronic Mail Distribution Robert L. Justice Manager Nuclear Operations South Carolina Electric & Gas Company Electronic Mail Distribution Bruce L. Thompson Manager Nuclear Licensing (Mail Code 830) South Carolina Electric & Gas Company Electronic Mail Distribution Donna W. Railey Licensing Technician Nuclear Licensing South Carolina Electric & Gas Company Electronic Mail Distribution Robin J. White Nuclear Coordinator S.C. Public Service Authority Mail Code 802 Electronic Mail Distribution Susan E. Jenkins SC Department of Health & Environmental Control Bureau of Land and Waste Management Electronic Mail Distribution Sandra Threatt, Manager Nuclear Response and Emergency Environmental Surveillance Bureau of Land and Waste Management Department of Health and Environmental Control Electronic Mail Distribution Kathryn M. Sutton, Esq. Morgan, Lewis & Bockius LLP Electronic Mail Distribution Division of Radiological Health TN Dept. of Environment & Conservation 401 Church Street Nashville, TN 37243-1532 Senior Resident Inspector Virgil C. Summer Nuclear Station U.S. NRC 576 Stairway Road Jenkinsville, SC 29065 Electronic Mail Distribution South Carolina Electric & Gas Company ATTN: Mr. Michael W. Mosley, Training Manager Virgil C. Summer Nuclear Station P. O. Box 88 Jenkinsville, SC 29065 Enclosure 1 U.S. NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION REGION II Docket No.: 05000395 License No.: NPF-12 Report No.: 05000395/2011301 Licensee: South Carolina Electric and Gas Facility: Virgil C. Summer Nuclear Station, Unit 1 Location: Jenkinsville, South Carolina Dates: Operating Test - September 12 - 22, 2011 Written Examination - October 21, 2011 Examiners: Richard S. Baldwin, Chief Examiner, Senior Operations Engineer Michael K. Meeks, Operations Engineer Robert L. Monk, Senior Resident Inspector, Watts Bar Approved by: Michael A. Junge, Acting Chief Operations Branch 2 Division of Reactor Safety Enclosure 1 SUMMARY OF FINDINGS ER 05000395/2011301, Operating Test September 12 - 22, 2011, & Written Exam October 21, 2011; V.C. Summer; Operator License Examinations. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) examiners conducted an initial examination in accordance with the guidelines in Revision 9, Supplement 1, of NUREG-1021, "Operator Licensing Examination Standards for Power Reactors." This examination implemented the operator licensing requirements identified in 10 CFR §55.41, §55.43, and §55.45, as applicable. Members of the V.C. Summer training staff developed both the operating tests and the written examination. The NRC developed the written examination outlines. The initial written SRO examination submittal did not meet the quality guidelines contained in NUREG-1021. The NRC administered the operating tests during the period September 12 - 22, 2011. Members of the V.C. Summer training staff administered the written examination on October 21, 2011. Six Reactor Operator (RO) applicants and four Senior Reactor Operator (SRO) upgrade applicants passed both the operating test and written examination. One RO applicant passed the operating test but did not pass the written examination. Five RO applicants and four SRO applicants were issued licenses. There was one RO borderline written grade with an overall grade between 80% and 82%. There were no post-examination comments. No findings were identified.

Enclosure 1 REPORT DETAILS 4. OTHER ACTIVITIES 4OA5 Operator Licensing Examinations a. Inspection Scope Members of the Virgil C. Summer training staff developed both the operating tests and the written examination. The NRC developed the written examination outlines. All examination material was developed in accordance with the guidelines contained in Revision 9, Supplement 1, of NUREG-1021, "Operator Licensing Examination Standards for Power Reactors." The NRC examination team reviewed the proposed examination. Examination changes agreed upon between the NRC and the licensee were made per NUREG-1021 and incorporated into the final version of the examination materials. The NRC reviewed the licensee's examination security measures while preparing and administering the examinations in order to ensure compliance with 10 CFR §55.49,

"Integrity of examinations and tests."

The NRC examiners evaluated seven Reactor Operator (RO) and four Senior Reactor Operator (SRO) applicants using the guidelines contained in NUREG-1021. The examiners administered the operating tests during the period September 12 - 22, 2011. Members of the Virgil C. Summer training staff administered the written examination on October 21, 2011. Evaluations of applicants and reviews of associated documentation were performed to determine if the applicants, who applied for licenses to operate the Virgil C. Summer Nuclear Plant, met the requirements specified in 10 CFR Part 55, "Operators' Licenses." b. Findings The NRC determined that the licensee's examination submittal was outside the range of acceptable quality specified by NUREG-1021. The initial written SRO examination submittal was outside the range of acceptable quality because more than 20%, (6 of 10 questions reviewed) sampled for review contained unacceptable flaws. The written SRO examination was returned for the licensee to meet the requirements of NUREG 1021. Individual questions that were evaluated as unsatisfactory for the following reasons: 3 questions failed to meet the K/A statement contained in the examination outline. 1 question contained two or more implausible distractors. 4 questions on the SRO examination were not written at the SRO license level.

4 Enclosure 1 Administration of the written examination was delayed, in part, because the quality of the licensee's examination submittal was unacceptable. Additional delays were incurred due to the licensee's request to change/replace questions on the originally approved examination. Future examination submittals need to incorporate lessons learned from issues that developed during this examination submittal. The NRC determined that the licensee's initial operating test and RO written examination submittals were within the range of acceptability expected for a proposed examination. Six Reactor Operator (RO) applicants and four Senior Reactor Operator (SRO) upgrade applicants passed both the operating test and written examination. One RO applicant passed the operating test but did not pass the written examination. Five RO applicants and four SRO applicants were issued licenses. There was one RO borderline written grade with an overall grade between 80% and 82%. This applicant was issued a letter stating that they passed the examination and issuance of their license has been delayed pending any written examination appeals that may impact the licensing decision for their application.

Copies of all individual examination reports were sent to the facility Training Manager for evaluation of weaknesses and determination of appropriate remedial training. The licensee did not submit any post-examination comments. A copy of the final written examination and answer key, with all changes incorporated, may be accessed not earlier than October 22, 2013, in the ADAMS system (ADAMS Accession Number(s) ML113202865 and ML113202870). 4OA6 Meetings, Including Exit Exit Meeting Summary On September 23, 2011, the NRC examination team discussed generic issues associated with the operating test with Dan Gatlin, Site Vice President, and members of the Virgil C. Summer staff. The examiners asked the licensee if any of the examination material was proprietary. No proprietary information was identified.

5 Enclosure 1 KEY POINTS OF CONTACT Licensee personnel D. Gatlin, Site Vice President M. Mosley, Nuclear Training Manager, Unit 1 R. Justice, Operations Manager G. Lippard, Plant Manager F. Lucas, Operations Supervisor B. Thompson, Nuclear Licensing Manager R. Johnston, Initial License Operator (ILO) Training Supervisor R. Garner, Operations Training Supervisor A. Harris, Examination Team Operations Representative M. Bender, Examination Author NRC personnel E. Coffman, RI, Virgil C. Summer Enclosure 2 SIMULATOR FIDELITY REPORT Facility Licensee: V.C. Summer Facility Docket No.: 05000395 Operating Test Administered: September 12 - 22, 2011 This form is to be used only to report observations. These observations do not constitute audit or inspection findings and, without further verification and review in accordance with Inspection Procedure 71111.11, are not indicative of noncompliance with 10 CFR 55.46. No licensee action is required in response to these observations. No simulator fidelity or configuration issues were identified.