ML040630087
| ML040630087 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Site: | Nine Mile Point  |
| Issue date: | 03/02/2004 |
| From: | Blough A Division Reactor Projects I |
| To: | Spina J Nine Mile Point |
| Shared Package | |
| ML040620013 | List: |
| References | |
| IR-04-001 | |
| Download: ML040630087 (7) | |
Text
March 2, 2004 Mr. James Spina Vice President Nine Mile Point Nine Mile Point Nuclear Station, LLC P.O. Box 63 Lycoming, NY 13093
SUBJECT:
ANNUAL ASSESSMENT LETTER - NINE MILE POINT NUCLEAR STATION (REPORT 05000220/2004001 AND 05000410/2004001)
Dear Mr. Spina:
On February 4, 2004, the NRC staff completed its end-of-cycle plant performance assessment of Nine Mile Point Nuclear Station. The end-of-cycle review involved the participation of all technical divisions in evaluating performance indicators (PIs) for the most recent quarter and inspection results for the period January 1 through December 31, 2003. The purpose of this letter is to inform you of our assessment of your safety performance during this period, and our plans for future inspections at your facility so that you will have an opportunity to prepare for these inspections and to inform us of any planned inspections that may conflict with your plant activities.
Overall, both Nine Mile Point units operated in a manner that preserved public health and safety, and fully met all cornerstone objectives. Plant performance at Unit 1 for the most recent quarter was within the Regulatory Response Column of the NRCs Action Matrix, based on one finding of low to moderate safety significance (White) in the Mitigating Systems Cornerstone regarding degraded reactor building closed loop cooling system piping. This finding was identified during the first quarter of this assessment cycle. A Supplemental Inspection, conducted in September 2003, determined that the root causes of this performance issue were understood, the extent of condition was identified, and the corrective actions were sufficient to prevent recurrence.
Plant performance at Unit 2 for the most recent quarter was within the Licensee Response Column of the NRCs Action Matrix, based on all inspection findings being classified as having very low safety significance (Green) and all PIs indicating performance at a level requiring no additional NRC oversight (Green). While plant performance for the most recent quarter was within the Licensee Response Column of the Action Matrix, there was one White PI during the third quarter of the assessment cycle in the Initiating Event Cornerstone. The PI for Unplanned Scrams per 7000 Critical Hours exceeded the Green/White threshold due to two automatic scrams that occurred during the third quarter of 2003. We are planning to conduct a Supplemental Inspection, starting on March 8, 2004, to review your actions related to this PI.
Mr. James Spina 2 During our mid-cycle assessment, we identified a substantive cross-cutting issue in the area of problem identification and resolution (PIR). During this assessment period, you initiated several actions to improve your PIR process. In October 2003, our PIR team inspection noted some improvement in program implementation and a reduction in the number of backlogged issues.
However, a number of inspection findings during the past 12 months involved ineffective corrective actions for longstanding equipment deficiencies and narrowly focused operability assessments. Therefore, the cross-cutting issue will remain open. Findings included repetitive reactor building closed cooling system piping leaks, recurring problems with 115 kV offsite power availability, aging scram pilot solenoid diaphragms that caused slow rod scram times, and several incomplete operability determinations for degraded equipment. We request that you describe actions being taken to address this cross-cutting issue at our upcoming Annual Assessment Meeting. We plan to monitor your progress to improve PIR performance at the plant during baseline inspection activities.
The enclosed inspection plan details the inspections scheduled through September 30, 2005.
The inspection plan is provided to minimize the resource impact on your staff, and to allow for scheduling conflicts and personnel availability to be resolved in advance of inspector arrival onsite. Routine resident inspections are not listed due to their ongoing and continuous nature.
The inspections in the last six months of the inspection plan are tentative and may be revised at the mid-cycle review meeting.
As you are aware, the NRC has issued several Orders and threat advisories to enhance security capabilities and improve guard force readiness since the terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001.
We have conducted inspections to review your implementation of these requirements and have monitored your actions in response to changing threat conditions. For calendar year 2004, we plan to continue inspections of order implementation combined with newly developed portions of the security baseline inspection program.
In accordance with 10 CFR 2.790 of the NRCs Rules 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 Publically Available Records (PARS) component of NRCs 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).
Mr. James Spina 3 If circumstances arise which cause us to change the inspection plan, we will contact you to discuss the change as soon as possible. Please contact James M. Trapp, Chief, Projects Branch 1, at 610-337-5186 with any questions you may have regarding this letter or the inspection plan.
Sincerely,
/RA/
A. Randolph Blough, Director Division of Reactor Projects Docket Nos. 50-220, 50-410 Licensee Nos. DPR-63, NPF-69
Enclosure:
Nine Mile Point Inspection/Activity Plan cc w/encl: M. J. Wallace, President, Nine Mile Point Nuclear Station, LLC J. M. Petro, Jr., Esquire, Counsel, Constellation Energy Group, Inc.
M. J. Wetterhahn, Esquire, Winston and Strawn P. R. Smith, President, New York State Energy, Research, and Development Authority J. Spath, Program Director, New York State Energy Research and Development Authority C. Adrienne Rhodes, Chairman and Executive Director, State Consumer Protection Board P. D. Eddy, Electric Division, NYS Department of Public Service Supervisor, Town of Scriba C. Donaldson, Esquire, Assistant Attorney General, New York Department of Law J. R. Evans, LIPA T. Judson, Central NY Citizens Awareness Network Institute of Nuclear Power Operations (INPO)
Mr. James Spina 4 Distribution w/encl: H. Miller, RA/J. Wiggins, DRA (1)
A. Blough, DRP W. Lanning,, DRS B. Holian, DRP R. Crlenjak, DRS D. Screnci, PAO N. Sheehan, PAO J. Trapp, DRP DRS Branch Chiefs (5)
N. Perry, DRP J. Jolicoeur, RI EDO Coordinator R. Laufer, NRR P. Tam, PM, NRR G. Vissing, NRR (Backup)
G. Hunegs, SRI - Nine Mile Point B. Fuller, RI - Nine Mile Point E. Knutson, RI - Nine Mile Point J. Noggle, DRS P. Frechette, DRS D. Silk, DRS RidsNrrDipmLipb Region I Docket Room (with concurrences)
DOCUMENT NAME: G:\BRANCH1\2003 ROP 4 Annual Assessment Meetings\NIne Mile \NMP LETTER.wpd After declaring this document An Official Agency Record it will/will not be released to the Public.
To receive a copy of this document, indicate in the box: "C" = Copy without attachment/enclosure "E" = Copy with attachment/enclosure "N" = No copy OFFICE RI/DRP RI/DRP RI/DRP NAME Ghunegs/JMT JTrapp/JMT ABlough/AB for DATE 02/25/04 02/25/04 03/02/04 03/ /04 03/ /04 OFFICIAL RECORD COPY
Page 1 of 3 Nine Mile Point 03/02/2004 12:52:07 Inspection / Activity Plan Report 22 01/01/2004 - 09/30/2005 Unit No. of Staff Planned Dates Inspection Number Inspection Activity Title on Site Start End Type 95001 - WHITE PI - UNIT 2 SCRAMS - SUPPLEMENTAL 2 2 IP 95001 Supplemental Inspection For One Or Two White Inputs In A Strategic Performance Area 03/08/2004 03/12/2004 Supplemental Program 7111108G - INSERVICE INSPECTION - UNIT 2 2 2 IP 7111108G Inservice Inspection Activities - BWR 03/22/2004 03/26/2004 Baseline Inspections 71121 - OCC RAD SAFETY 1 2 IP 7112101 Access Control to Radiologically Significant Areas 03/22/2004 03/26/2004 Baseline Inspections 2 IP 7112102 ALARA Planning and Controls 03/22/2004 03/26/2004 Baseline Inspections 2 IP 7112103 Radiation Monitoring Instrumentation and Protective Equipment 03/22/2004 03/26/2004 Baseline Inspections 7111112B - MAINTENANCE RULE 2 1, 2 IP 7111112B Maintenance Effectiveness 05/10/2004 05/14/2004 Baseline Inspections 71121 - OCC RAD SAFETY 1 1, 2 IP 7112101 Access Control to Radiologically Significant Areas 06/07/2004 06/11/2004 Baseline Inspections 1, 2 IP 7112102 ALARA Planning and Controls 06/07/2004 06/11/2004 Baseline Inspections 1, 2 IP 7112103 Radiation Monitoring Instrumentation and Protective Equipment 06/07/2004 06/11/2004 Baseline Inspections 71114 - EP PROGRAM INSPECTION & PI VERIFICATION 1 1, 2 IP 7111402 Alert and Notification System Testing 07/12/2004 07/16/2004 Baseline Inspections 1, 2 IP 7111403 Emergency Response Organization Augmentation Testing 07/12/2004 07/16/2004 Baseline Inspections 1, 2 IP 7111404 Emergency Action Level and Emergency Plan Changes 07/12/2004 07/16/2004 Baseline Inspections 1, 2 IP 7111405 Correction of Emergency Preparedness Weaknesses and Deficiencies 07/12/2004 07/16/2004 Baseline Inspections 1, 2 IP 71151 Performance Indicator Verification 07/12/2004 07/16/2004 Baseline Inspections 7111121 - SSDI 6 1, 2 IP 7111121 Safety System Design and Performance Capability 08/16/2004 08/20/2004 Baseline Inspections 1, 2 IP 7111121 Safety System Design and Performance Capability 08/30/2004 09/03/2004 Baseline Inspections 71121 - OCC RAD SAFETY 1 1 IP 7112101 Access Control to Radiologically Significant Areas 09/20/2004 09/24/2004 Baseline Inspections 1, 2 IP 7112102 ALARA Planning and Controls 09/20/2004 09/24/2004 Baseline Inspections 1, 2 IP 7112103 Radiation Monitoring Instrumentation and Protective Equipment 09/20/2004 09/24/2004 Baseline Inspections 1, 2 IP 71151 Performance Indicator Verification 09/20/2004 09/24/2004 Baseline Inspections 71130 - SECURITY 2 1, 2 IP 7113001 Access Authorization 09/20/2004 09/24/2004 Baseline Inspections 1, 2 IP 7113002 Access Control 09/20/2004 09/24/2004 Baseline Inspections 1, 2 IP 7113008 Fitness For Duty Program 09/20/2004 09/24/2004 Baseline Inspections 1, 2 IP 71151 Performance Indicator Verification 09/20/2004 09/24/2004 Baseline Inspections This report does not include INPO and OUTAGE activities.
This report shows only on-site and announced inspection procedures.
Page 2 of 3 Nine Mile Point 03/02/2004 12:52:07 Inspection / Activity Plan Report 22 01/01/2004 - 09/30/2005 Unit No. of Staff Planned Dates Inspection Number Inspection Activity Title on Site Start End Type 11/1 EXM - U1 OPERATOR LICENSING INITIAL EXAMS 3 1 U01524 NINE MILE POINT UNIT 1 INITIAL EXAM (8/2-6/04) 10/04/2004 10/07/2004 Not Applicable 1 U01524 NINE MILE POINT UNIT 1 INITIAL EXAM (8/2-6/04) 11/01/2004 11/13/2004 Not Applicable 7111107B - HEAT SINK 1 1, 2 IP 7111107B Heat Sink Performance 11/01/2004 11/05/2004 Baseline Inspections 7111111B - LO REQUALIFICATION PROGRAM UNIT 2 2 2 IP 7111111B Licensed Operator Requalification Program 11/14/2004 11/19/2004 Baseline Inspections 7112202 - PUB RAD SAFETY - RADWASTE 1 1, 2 IP 7112202 Radioactive Material Processing and Transportation 11/15/2004 11/19/2004 Baseline Inspections 7111108G - INSERVICE INSPECTION - U1 2 1 IP 7111108G Inservice Inspection Activities - BWR 03/21/2005 03/25/2005 Baseline Inspections 71121 - OCC RAD SAFETY 1 1, 2 IP 7112101 Access Control to Radiologically Significant Areas 03/21/2005 03/25/2005 Baseline Inspections 1, 2 IP 7112102 ALARA Planning and Controls 03/21/2005 03/25/2005 Baseline Inspections 1, 2 IP 7112103 Radiation Monitoring Instrumentation and Protective Equipment 03/21/2005 03/25/2005 Baseline Inspections 5/2+EXM - U2 OPERATOR LICENSING INITIAL EXAMS 3 2 U01520 NINE MILE POINT UNIT 2 INITIAL EXAM (4/19-23/04) 04/04/2005 04/08/2005 Not Applicable 2 U01520 NINE MILE POINT UNIT 2 INITIAL EXAM (4/19-23/04) 05/02/2005 05/06/2005 Not Applicable 7112201 - PUB RAD SAFETY - RETS (UNIT 1 ONLY) 1 1 IP 7112201 Radioactive Gaseous and Liquid Effluent Treatment and Monitoring Systems 04/11/2005 04/15/2005 Baseline Inspections 7112201 - PUB RAD SAFETY - RETS (UNIT 2 ONLY) 1 2 IP 7112201 Radioactive Gaseous and Liquid Effluent Treatment and Monitoring Systems 04/18/2005 04/22/2005 Baseline Inspections 71121 - OCC RAD SAFETY 1 1, 2 IP 7112101 Access Control to Radiologically Significant Areas 06/27/2005 07/01/2005 Baseline Inspections 1, 2 IP 7112102 ALARA Planning and Controls 06/27/2005 07/01/2005 Baseline Inspections 1, 2 IP 7112103 Radiation Monitoring Instrumentation and Protective Equipment 06/27/2005 07/01/2005 Baseline Inspections 7111401 - EXERCISE EVALUATION & EP PI VERIFICATION 1 1, 2 IP 7111401 Exercise Evaluation 08/15/2005 08/19/2005 Baseline Inspections 1, 2 IP 71151 Performance Indicator Verification 08/15/2005 08/19/2005 Baseline Inspections 7111117B - MODS & 50.59 1 1, 2 IP 7111102 Evaluation of Changes, Tests, or Experiments 09/19/2005 09/23/2005 Baseline Inspections 1, 2 IP 7111117B Permanent Plant Modifications 09/19/2005 09/23/2005 Baseline Inspections 71121 - OCC RAD SAFETY 1 1, 2 IP 7112101 Access Control to Radiologically Significant Areas 09/26/2005 09/30/2005 Baseline Inspections This report does not include INPO and OUTAGE activities.
This report shows only on-site and announced inspection procedures.
Page 3 of 3 Nine Mile Point 03/02/2004 12:52:07 Inspection / Activity Plan Report 22 01/01/2004 - 09/30/2005 Unit No. of Staff Planned Dates Inspection Number Inspection Activity Title on Site Start End Type 71121 - OCC RAD SAFETY 1 1, 2 IP 7112102 ALARA Planning and Controls 09/26/2005 09/30/2005 Baseline Inspections 1, 2 IP 7112103 Radiation Monitoring Instrumentation and Protective Equipment 09/26/2005 09/30/2005 Baseline Inspections 1, 2 IP 71151 Performance Indicator Verification 09/26/2005 09/30/2005 Baseline Inspections This report does not include INPO and OUTAGE activities.
This report shows only on-site and announced inspection procedures.