ML20135C399

Forwards Insp Rept 50-334/96-08 & 50-412/96-08 on 960929-1116.One Apparent Violation Identified & Being Considered for Escalated Enforcement Action.Predecisional Enforcement Conference Scheduled for 961219

ML20135C399
Person / Time
Site:	Beaver Valley
Issue date:	11/29/1996
From:	Eselgroth P NRC OFFICE OF INSPECTION & ENFORCEMENT (IE REGION I)
To:	Cross J DUQUESNE LIGHT CO.
Shared Package
ML20135C400	List: ML20135C399 ML20135C408
References
EA-96-462, NUDOCS 9612060294
Download: ML20135C399 (3)

See also: IR 05000334/1996008

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November 29, 1996 l

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EA 96 462

Mr. J. E. Cross

President

Generation Group

Duquesne Light Company (DLC)

Post Office Box 4

Shippingport, Pennsylvania 15077

SUBJECT: NRC INTEGRATED INSPECTION REPORT 50-334/96-08, 50-412/96-08

Dear Mr. Cross: j

This refers to the inspection conducted September 29 to November 16,1996 at the Beaver

Valley Power Station facility. The enclosed report presents the results of this inspection.

During the inspection period, your conduct of activities at the Beaver Valley facility was

generally characterized by safety-conscious operational decisions and sound engineering

assessments. Your organization effectively resolved J-series relay failure and residual heat

removal pump sealleakage issues. Management's decision to defuel Unit 2 to support the

seal repairs demonstrated an appropriate safety perspective regarding heavy load lifts in

the vicinity of safety related equipment. The J-series relay evaluation case study

performed to further improve engineering problem assessment capabilities was noteworthy.

Our inspectors determined that further attention to station housekeeping and operations

oversight of troubleshooting activities is needed.

Based on the results of this inspection, one apparent violation was identified and is being

considered for escalated enforcement action in accordance with the " General Statement of

Policy and Procedure for NRC Enforcement Actions" (Enforcement Policy), NUREG-1600.

Unit 1 operated with two pressurizer power operated relief valve block valves shut,

contrary to the plant design for several years. No safety evaluation was performed to

support this change. Station personnel rnissed several opportunities between 1981 and

1996 to identify the incorrect valve lineup, assess the associated risk significance, and

correct the condition. No Notice of Violation is presently being issued for these inspection

findings. In addition, please be advised that the number and characterization of apparent

violations described in the enclosed inspection report may change as a result of further

NRC review.

A predecisional enforcement conference to discuss this apparent violation has been

scheduled for December 19,1996. The decision to hold a predecisional enforcement

conference does not mean that the NRC has determined that a violation has occurred or

that enforcement action will be taken. This conference is being held to obtain informatir,n

to enable the NRC to make an enforcement decision, such as a common understanding of

9612060294 961129

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the facts, root causes, missed opportunities w A..Gy the apparent violation sooner,

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corrective actions, significance of the issues and the need for lasting and effective

corrective action. In addition, this is an opportunity for you to point out any errors in our

inspection report and for you to provide any information concerning your perspectives on

1) the severity of the violation (s), 2) the application of the factors that the NRC considers

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when it determines the amount of a civil penalty that may be assessed in accordance with

Section VI.B.2 of the Enforcement Policy, and 3) any other application of the Enforcement

Policy to this case, including the exercise of discretion in accordance with Section Vll.

You will be advised by separate correspondence of the results of our deliberations on this

matter. No response regarding the apparent violation is required at this time.

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

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

Sincerely,

Original Signed By:

Peter W. Eselgroth, Chief

Projects Branch No. 7 l

Division of Reactor Projects

Docket Nos. : 50-334, 50-412

License Nos.: DPR-66, NPF-73

Enclosure: I

Inspection Report 50-334/96-08, 50-412/96-08

cc w/ encl:

S. C. Jain, Vice President, Nuclear Services

T. P. Noonan, Vice President, Nuclear Operations

L. R. Freeland, Manager, Nuclear Engineering Department

B. Tuite, General Manager, Nuclear Operations Unit 1

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K. L. Ostrowski, Manager, Quality Services Unit

R. Brosi, Manager, Nuclear Safety Department

M. Clancy, Mayor, Shippingport

Commonwealth of Pennsylvania

State of Ohio

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Distribution w/ encl:

Region l Docket Room (with concurrences)  !

PUBLIC I

Nuclear Safety Information Center (NSIC)

D. Screnci, PAO

NRC Resident inspector

P. Eselgroth, DRP

D. Haverkamp, DRP

C. O'Daniell, DRP

Distribution w/enct (VIA E-MAIL):

J. Stolz, NRR

D. Brinkman, NRR

W. Dean, OEDO

Inspection Program Branch, NRR (IPAS)

R. Correia, NRR

R. Frahm, Jr., NRR

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DOCUMENT NAME: G:\ BRANCH 7\BV\lR9608.BV

To receive e copy of this document, indicate in the box: "C' = Copy without ottachment/ enclosure "E" = Copy with attachment / enclosure

• N" = No copy

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