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Category:INVESTIGATION REPORTS
MONTHYEARML20203B4111997-02-26026 February 1997 Investigation Rept 2-95-020.No Noncompliance Noted.Major Areas Investigated:Alleged Discrimination Against Operations Shift Supervisor for Raising Safety Concerns About Operating Curve ML20203B4261997-01-27027 January 1997 Investigation Rept 2-96-033.No Noncompliance Noted.Major Areas Investigated:Alleged Coverup of Fuel Handling Incident ML20129G4111996-09-18018 September 1996 Investigation Rept 2-94-36S.Noncompliance Noted.Major Areas Investigated:Alleged Violation of Plant Design Basic ML20129G2771996-05-24024 May 1996 Investigation Rept 2-94-036.Noncompliance Noted.Major Areas Investigated:Possible Deliberate Violation of Plant Design Basis 1997-02-26
[Table view] Category:TEXT-INSPECTION & AUDIT & I&E CIRCULARS
MONTHYEARIR 05000302/19990051999-09-13013 September 1999 Insp Rept 50-302/99-05 on 990704-0814.No Violations Noted. Major Areas Inspected:Operations,Maint,Engineering & Plant Support IR 05000302/19990041999-07-27027 July 1999 Insp Rept 50-302/99-04 on 990523-0703.Noncited Violations Identified.Major Areas Inspected:Aspects of Licensee Operations,Engineering,Maint & Plant Support IR 05000302/19990031999-06-0404 June 1999 Insp Rept 50-302/99-03 on 990411-0522.One Violation of NRC Requirements Occurred & Being Treated as non-cited Violation.Major Areas Inspected:Aspects of Licensee Maint, Operations,Engineering & Plant Support IR 05000302/19990021999-05-0606 May 1999 Insp Rept 50-302/99-02 on 990228-0410.Non-cited Violations Noted.Major Areas Inspected:Operations,Engineering, Maintenance & Plant Support IR 05000302/19990011999-03-29029 March 1999 Insp Rept 50-302/99-01 on 990117-0227.No Violations Noted. Major Areas Inspected:Aspects of Licensee Operations, Engineering,Maint & Plant Support IR 05000302/19980101999-01-0404 January 1999 Insp Rept 50-302/98-10 on 981025-1205.Violations Noted. Major Areas Inspected:Operations,Engineering,Maintenance & Plant Support.Insp Also Included Results of Physical Security Specialist ML20199D6161999-01-0404 January 1999 Notice of Violation from Insp on 981025-1205.Violation Noted:Its Requirements for Valve Position Verifications Not Met as Evidenced by Listed Examples IR 05000302/19980131998-12-16016 December 1998 Insp Rept 50-302/98-13 on 981116-20.No Violations Noted. Major Areas Inspected:Area of Plant Support by Regional Safeguards Specialist.Physical Security Program Was Evaluated IR 05000302/19980121998-12-0101 December 1998 Insp Rept 50-302/98-12 on 981013-16.No Violations Noted. Major Areas Inspected:Observation & Evaluation of Biennial EP Exercise for Crystal River Unit 3 IR 05000302/19980091998-11-13013 November 1998 Insp Rept 50-302/98-09 on 980913-1024.No Violations Noted. Major Areas Inspected:Licensee Operations,Engineering,Maint & Plant Support IR 05000302/19980081998-10-0606 October 1998 Insp Rept 50-302/98-08 on 980802-0912.No Violations Noted. Major Areas Inspected:Licensee Operations,Engineering, Maint & Plant Support IR 05000302/19980071998-08-31031 August 1998 Insp Rept 50-302/98-07 on 980621-0801.No Violations Noted. Major Areas Inspected:Licensee Operations,Engineering,Maint & Plant Support IR 05000302/19983011998-07-31031 July 1998 NRC Operator Licensing Exam Rept 50-302/98-301,including Completed & Graded Tests,For Tests Administered on 980629-0702 IR 05000302/19980061998-07-20020 July 1998 Insp Rept 50-302/98-06 on 980510-0620.No Violations Noted. Major Areas Inspected:Operations,Engineering,Maint & Plant Support IR 05000302/19980041998-06-0808 June 1998 Insp Rept 50-302/98-04 on 980322-0509.Violations Noted.Major Areas Inspected:Licensee Operations,Engineering,Maint & Plant Support ML20249A2941998-06-0808 June 1998 Notice of Violation from Insp on 980322-0509.Violation Noted:As of 980423,licensee Had Not Complied W/Requirements of Procedure CP-111,in That,Only Two of Discrepancies Identified in Ioc NL97-0262,had Been Documented IR 05000302/19980991998-06-0404 June 1998 SALP Rept 50-302/98-99 for 961006-980509 ML20216H8941998-04-0808 April 1998 Insp Rept 50-302/98-03 on 980208-0321.Violations Noted.Major Areas Inspected:Licensee Operations,Engineering,Maint & Plant Support ML20216H8871998-04-0808 April 1998 Notice of Violation from Insp on 980208-0321.Violation Noted:On 980220,Axial Power Imbalance Alarm Was Inoperable for Approx 3.5 Hours & Axial Power Imbalance Was Not Verified to Be within Acceptable Operating Limits ML20248L6171998-03-16016 March 1998 Notice of Violations from Insp on 980126-30.Violations Noted:Test Program for ECCS Operating in Piggyback Mode Did Not Demonstrate That Sys Would Perform Satisfactorily in Service IR 05000302/19980021998-03-13013 March 1998 Insp Rept 50-302/98-02 on 980126-30.Violations Noted.Major Areas Inspected:Operations,Maint & Engineering.Emergency Operating Procedures Were Also Reviewed ML20216E9611998-03-0404 March 1998 Insp Rept 50-302/98-01 on 980104-0207.Violations Noted.Major Areas Inspected:Operations,Maint,Engineering & Plant Support ML20216E9291998-03-0404 March 1998 Notice of Violation from Insp on 980104-0207.Violations Noted:On 980203 Licensee Failed to Accomplish Required Posting of Bulletin Boards ML20203F5561998-02-23023 February 1998 Notice of Violation from Insp on 971021-24,1208-12 & 980105-09.Violations Noted:Implementation of Validation Program Did Not Adequately Demonstrate Usability of Emergency Procedures ML20203F5631998-02-23023 February 1998 Insp Repts 50-302/97-12 on 971020-24,1208-12 & 980105-09. Violations Noted.Major Areas Inspected:Adequacy of EOPs Development Process PNO-II-98-005, on 980201,plant Commenced Reactor Startup & Entered Mode 2 Conditions (Keff 0.99).On 980202,criticality Was Achieved,Followed by Mode 1 Conditions.Unit Scheduled to Be at 100% Power Late 9802051998-02-0202 February 1998 PNO-II-98-005:on 980201,plant Commenced Reactor Startup & Entered Mode 2 Conditions (Keff 0.99).On 980202,criticality Was Achieved,Followed by Mode 1 Conditions.Unit Scheduled to Be at 100% Power Late 980205 PNO-II-98-004, on 980130,Region II Administrator Informed FPC That NRC Was Satisfied W/Completion of FPC Actions Specified in Cal, & Concurred That Plant,Unit 3 Could Operate IAW License1998-01-30030 January 1998 PNO-II-98-004:on 980130,Region II Administrator Informed FPC That NRC Was Satisfied W/Completion of FPC Actions Specified in Cal, & Concurred That Plant,Unit 3 Could Operate IAW License IR 05000302/19970191998-01-29029 January 1998 Insp Rept 50-302/97-19 on 971130-980103.No Violations Noted. Major Areas Inspected:Operations,Maint,Engineering & Plant Support PNO-II-98-003, on 980120,licensee Placed Two Reactor Coolant Pumps in Operation to Add Heat to Rcs.Licensee Has Not Yet Requested Release from Cal.Licensee Issued Press Release1998-01-22022 January 1998 PNO-II-98-003:on 980120,licensee Placed Two Reactor Coolant Pumps in Operation to Add Heat to Rcs.Licensee Has Not Yet Requested Release from Cal.Licensee Issued Press Release ML20199G6761998-01-16016 January 1998 Notice of Violation from Insp on 971201-16.Violation Noted: as of 971211,licensee Health Physics Supervisors Failed to Identify & Correct Personnel Contamination Repts That Were Not Completed IAW Requirements of Procedure HPP-104 ML20199G6861998-01-16016 January 1998 Insp Rept 50-302/97-20 on 971201-16.Violations Noted.Major Areas Inspected:Operations,Radiological Protection,Maint & Surveillance Programs IR 05000302/19972011998-01-0909 January 1998 Insp Rept 50-302/97-201 on 970929-1003.No Violations Noted. Major Areas Inspected:Review of Selected Conditions & Records Since Last Insp,Verification of CAs Previously Committed by Licensee & Related Discussion W/Personnel IR 05000302/19970181998-01-0606 January 1998 Insp Rept 50-302/97-18 on 971117-21 & 1201-12.No Violations Noted.Major Areas Inspected:Plant Support ML20198N6271997-12-29029 December 1997 Insp Rept 50-302/97-19 on 971026-1129.Violations Noted.Major Areas Inspected:Operations,Maint,Engineering & Plant Support ML20198N6211997-12-29029 December 1997 Notice of Violation from Insp on 971026-1129.Violation Noted:On 971105,licensee Failed to Perform Adequate Se,Per 10CFR50.59 for Functional Test Procedure for B Emergency Diesel Generator Power Upgrade & Radiator Replacement Mods ML20198P2251997-12-29029 December 1997 Insp Rept 50-302/97-21 on 971203.Violations Noted.Major Areas Inspected:Noncompliances in Design control,10CFR50.59, Procedural Adequacy,Reportability & Corrective Actions.No Notice of Violation Being Issued in This Case ML20199A2091997-12-22022 December 1997 EN-97-116:on 971229,informs Commission That Staff Intends to Exercise Enforcement Discretion in Accordance W/Section VII.B.2 of Enforcement Policy & Not Issue NOV or Proposed Imposition of Civil Penalty to Util for Violations PNO-II-97-063, on 971218,Crystal River Unit 3 Achieved Significant Milestone by Declaring a EDG Operable & Thus Making Both EDGs Operable for Mode 5.Licensee Does Not Plan to Issue Press Release.State of Fl Notified1997-12-19019 December 1997 PNO-II-97-063:on 971218,Crystal River Unit 3 Achieved Significant Milestone by Declaring a EDG Operable & Thus Making Both EDGs Operable for Mode 5.Licensee Does Not Plan to Issue Press Release.State of Fl Notified IR 05000302/19973011997-12-17017 December 1997 NRC Operator Licensing Exam Rept 50-302/97-301 Including Completed & Graded Test for Test Administered on 971118. Exam Results:Sro Candidate Passed Written Exam ML20203A1911997-12-0404 December 1997 Notice of Violation from Insp on 971006-24.Violation Noted:Work Request Numbers 333797 & 333798,issued in Mar 1997 to Install Stem Protectors on Actuators Were Closed W/O Performing Work ML20203A2061997-12-0404 December 1997 Insp Rept 50-302/97-14 on 971006-24.Violations Noted. Major Areas Inspected:Operations,Maint & Engineering ML20202D7301997-11-24024 November 1997 Notice of Violation from Insp on 970921-1025.Violation noted:10CFR50.59 SE Had Not Been Performed as Required within 90 Days on Wds Piping non-conforming Condition IR 05000302/19970161997-11-24024 November 1997 Insp Rept 50-302/97-16 on 970921-1025.Violations Noted.Major Areas Inspected:Operations,Maint,Engineering & Plant Support PNO-II-97-059, on 971118,established Vacuum in Main Condenser & Steam Bubble in Pressurizer.Completed Work on Planned Upgrades for B Edg.Resident & regional-based Inspectors Are Closely Monitoring Subject Activities1997-11-18018 November 1997 PNO-II-97-059:on 971118,established Vacuum in Main Condenser & Steam Bubble in Pressurizer.Completed Work on Planned Upgrades for B Edg.Resident & regional-based Inspectors Are Closely Monitoring Subject Activities ML20212B9061997-10-16016 October 1997 Notice of Violation from Insp on 970817-0920.Violations Noted:Scaffolding Control Program Does Not Contain Measures to Assure That Deviations from Design Quality Std for safety-related Equipment Installed Have Adequate Control IR 05000302/19970131997-10-16016 October 1997 Insp Rept 50-302/97-13 on 970817-0920.Violations Noted.Major Areas Inspected:Licensee Operations,Engineering,Maint & Plant Support IR 05000302/19970151997-10-14014 October 1997 Partially Withheld Insp Rept 50-302/97-15 on 970922-26 (Ref 10CFR73.21).Violations Noted.Major Areas Inspected: Plant Support by Regional Safeguards Inspector ML20211Q2581997-10-14014 October 1997 Notice of Violation from Insp on 970922-26.Violation Noted:On 970820,individual Was Terminated & Authorized Access Was Not Removed from Plant Security Computer Until 970905 ML20211E4891997-09-12012 September 1997 Notice of Violation from Insp on 970713-0816.Violations Noted:On 970728,licensee Personnel Performed quality-related Work to Restore once-through SGs During Reduced RCS Inventory Operation Without Written & Approved Procedure ML20211E5791997-09-12012 September 1997 Insp Rept 50-302/97-11 on 970713-0816.Violations Noted.Major Areas Inspected:Operations,Engineering,Maint & Plant Support 1999-09-13
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CASE No. 2-94-036S i
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1 , : s i United States i, ' ;i Nuclear Regulatory Commission \...../
i l Report of Investigation
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! CRYSTAL RIVER NUCLEAR PLANT:
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! ALLEGED VIOLATION OF PLANT DESIGN BASIS i i
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! Office of Investigations i
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- PDR FOIA CALANDR96-330 PDR
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l SYNOPSIS On August 4, 1995, the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC), Region II, Office of Investigations (01), initiated this supplemental investigation to determine if the shift operators at the Florida Power Corporation (FPC) i Crystal River Nuclear Plant deliberately performed an unauthorized test and l deliberately violated plant procedures. l The investigation consisted of reviewing records, licensee internal memoranda and letters, problem reports, plant procedures, and an internal licensee investigation into this matter. 01 Region 11 then conducted interviews of the midnight shift operators as well as Operations and Engineering management.
Their transcripts were provided to the Region II technical staff to assist them in their on-site inspection efforts regarding Crystal River operations.
1 Based upon the evidence developed in this investigation, it is concluded that the shift supervisor, assistant shift supervisor, and two chief operators on the midnight shift of September 4 and 5, 1994, deliberately conducted an evolution, not required by plant conditions, for the specific purpose of gathering data. Furthermore, when the allowable makeup tank overpressure was i
exceeded, the operators deliberately delayed taking appropriate action to i reduce makeup tank overpressure while gathering that data.
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Case No. 2-94-036S 1
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I TABLE OF CONTENTS )
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D i SYN 0PSIS................................................................. 1- j l I L LIST OF INTERVIEWEES....................................................... 5 i DETAILS OF INVESTIGATION.................................................. 7- -!
Appl i c abl e Reg ul a t i on s . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7 ]
' Purpose of Investigation........................................... 7 l Background......................................................... 7 I Reinterview of Reactor 0perators................................... 7 1 Add i t i on al I n t e rv i ews . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 I Coordination with Licensee......................................... '9 Coordination with NRC Staff........................................ 9 vidence..................................................... 9 A3c n t ' s An al y s i s . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10 j LSnc1usion.................................................. 11 SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION................................................ 13 LIST OF EXHIBITS........................................................ 15 i
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i LIST OF INTERVIEWEES EXHIBIT (S)
ATKINSON, James T., Nuclear 0perator................................... 2 i
l BEARD, Jr., Percy M., Senior Vice President, Nuclear Production........ 9 BERGSTROM, Carl W. , Nuclear Operations Support Manager. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12 BOLDT, Gary L., Vice President, Nuclear Production..................... 10 CZUFIN, David M., Manager, Nuclear Mechanical Shop..................... 13 FIELDS, David A., Nuclear Shift 0per'ator............................... 6 {
L FLEMING, Paul V. , Senior Nucl ear Licensing Engineer. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11 HALNON, Gregory H. , Manager Nuclear Pl ant Operations. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14 & 15 HICKLE, Bruce J., Director, Nuclear Plant Operations................... 17 HINMAN, James P., Project Engineer, Nuclear Pcwer Technical Support.... 18 SALTSMAN, Philip E., Senior Nuclear Mechanical Engineer................ 16 SMITH, Christine, Nuclear 0perator..................................... 3 l STEWART, Jack D. Jr. , Chief Nucl ear 0perator. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 Van SICKLIN, Mark, Chief Nuclear 0perator.............................. 5 WEISS, Robert P., Assistant Nuclear Shift Supervisor................... 7 1
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DETAILS OF INVESTIGATION Applicable Reaulations Allegation: Possible Deliberate Violation of Plant Procedure 10 CFR 50.59: Changes, tests and experiments Technical Specification 5.6.1.1 Operating Procedure 1038, Plant Operating Curves, Curve 8 Administrative Instruction-500 (AI-500), Conduct of Operations, paragraph 4.3.1, Procedural Compliance Purpose of Investication This supplemental investigation was initiated on August 4,1995, by the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC), Region II (RII), Office of Investigations (01), to determine if the shift operators at the Crystal River Nuclear Plant (CRNP) deliberately conducted an unauthorized evolution on September 4, 1994 (Exhibit 1).
Backaround On approximately August 3, 1995, Florida Power Corporation (FPC) was preparing for a predecisional enforcement conference in regard to 01 Case No. 2-94-036, which concluded that on September 5,1994, CRNP control room operators deliberately violated operating procedures when they performed an unauthorized evolution with the makeup tank (MUT). They (FPC) discovered that the same control room crew had, on September 4,1994, performed an evolution which was almost identical to the one they performed on September 5,1994. When interviewed in December 1994 and January 1995, the operators did not disclose the September 4, 1994, evolution to the NRC, 01, or FPC management during their review of the incident.
Reinterview of Reactor ODerators The following operators who were on the September 5, 1994, shift were reinterviewed regarding their participation in the September 4, 1994, evolution (Exhibits 2 through 7).
- DATE OF NAME TITLE INTERVIEW James T. ATKINSON Nuclear Operator 08/08/95 Christine M. SMITH Nuclear Operator 08/08/95 Jack D. STEWART, Jr. Former Chief Nuclear Operator 08/08/95 Mark Van SICKLIN Former Chief Nuclear Operator 08/08/95 Case No. 2-94-0365 7
Coordination with Licensee l
FPC conducted an internal investigation into the following: l
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- 1. Did the operating crew conduct an unauthorized evolution on the MUT on September 4, 19947 !
- 2. Did members of the operating crew agree among themselves not to disclose the September 4, 1994, evolution?
- 3. What are the generic implications or extent of condition (e.g., did the crew perform other unauthorized evolutions); were unauthorized evolutions performed by other crews?
A copy of the FPC final report of investigation, dated August 29, 1995, was l received by 01:RII. At FPC's request for a very limited distribution, a copy '
of their report is being maintained in the case file. A copy was provided to the RII staff on September 20, 1995, under separate cover, for technical ;
assessment, ;
Coordination with NRC Staff l
Copies of transcripts, the licensee investigative report, as well as additional technical data provided by the operators, were reviewed by the RII l technical staff to assess whether or not a violation of NRC regulations had !
occurred. By memorandum, dated January 16, 1996 (Exhibit 19), Albert F.
GIBSON, Director, Division of Reactor Safety, advised that the operators' i
actions caused the licensee to be in violation of NRC regulations.
Evidence Interview of FIELDS (Exhibit 6)
On August 31, 1995, FIELDS was interviewed by OI:RII and stated substantially as follows:
FIELDS stated he'and his crew performed an evolution on September 4, 1994, which was very similar to the one performed on September 5, 1994. They did the evolution by filling the MUT to 86 inches, pressurized it to the maximum allowed by Curve 8, and selected the bleed handle on the main control board to the bleed position and bled the tank down as allowed by Operating Procedure 402. To the best of his recollection, there was not a person
- dressed out in the auxiliary to vent hydrogen like on the September 5 evolution, but the operator was notified via the control board to stand by and be ready to vent the tank if necessary. FIELDS, when asked about the annunciator alarm response, stated they had reviewed the procedure and knew what response was required and knew that basically it said to vent the pressure off or lower the level. FIELDS claimed there was no requirement to immediately clear the alarm and felt comfortable that they were covered under Al-500. .
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l l Conclusion l
l Based upon the evidence developed in this investigation, it is concluded-that l the_ shift supervisor, assistant shift supervisor, and two chief operators on the midnight shift of September 4 and 5, 1994, deliberately conducted an evolution, not required by plant conditions, for the specific purpose of gathering data. Furthermore, when the allowable MUT overpressure was exceeded, the operators deliberately delayed taking appropriate action to reduce MUT overpressure while gathering that data.
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SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION i l
- This matter was referred to the Department of Justice on January 22, 1996.
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Litigation and Legal Advice Section, Criminal Division, stated he declines j prosecution in lieu.of civil remedies available to the NRC. .l i
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l LIST OF EXHIBITS
, Exhibit I No. Description 1 Investigation Status Record, dated August 4, 1995.
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- 2 Transcribed Interview of ATKINSON, dated August 8, 1995. l 3 Transcribed Interview of SMITH, dated August 8,1995.
4 Transcribed Interview of STEWART, dated August 8, 1995.
5 Transcribed Interview of Van SICKLIN, dated August 8, 1995.
l 6 Transcribed Interview of FIELDS, dated August 31, 1995.
7 Transcribed Interview of WEISS, dated August 31, 1995. J 8 Memorandum from HINMAN to HICKLE, dated September 2, 1994.
9 Transcribed Interview of BEARD, dated November 28, 1995.
10 Transcribed Interview of BOLDT, dated November 28, 1995.
i 11 Transcribed Interview of FLEMING, dated November 28, 1995.
12 Transcribed Interview of BERGSTROM, dated November 29, 1995, 13 Transcribed Interview of CZUFIN, dated November 29, 1995.
14 Transcribed Interview of HALNON, dated November 29, 1995.
1 l 15 Transcribed Interview of HALNON, dated November 30, 1995. j 16- Transcribed Interview of SALTSMAN, dated November 29,.
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17 Transcribed Interview of HICKLE, dated November 30, 1995. !
- l 18 Transcribed Interview of HINMAN, dated November 30, 1995. J 19 Memorandum from GIBSON to William J. McNulty, 01:RII, dated January 16, 1996. !
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