ML20129E139

Informs That Listed Representatives from Northeast Utilities Met W/Listed Representatives from NRC on 910522 to Discuss Seabrook,Psnh Status & Millstone SALP

ML20129E139
Person / Time
Site:	Millstone, Seabrook
Issue date:	05/30/1991
From:	Taylor J NRC OFFICE OF THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR FOR OPERATIONS (EDO)
To:	NRC
Shared Package
ML20129C718	List: B14432, Discusses Final Policy Statement on Possible Safety Impacts of Economic Performance Incentives ML20129C713 ML20129D183 ML20129D238 ML20129D252 ML20129D310 ML20129D315 ML20129D321 ML20129D333 ML20129D725 ML20129D778 ML20129D831 ML20129D850 ML20129D861 ML20129E043 ML20129E061 ML20129E088 ML20129E104 ML20129E125 ML20129E139 ML20129E161 ML20129E208 ML20129E219
References
FOIA-96-298 NUDOCS 9610250282
Download: ML20129E139 (2)

Text

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May 30, 1991 I

MEMORANDUM FOR: RECORD I FROM: James M. Taylor i Executive Director for Operations )

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SUBJECT:

DROP-IN VISIT - NORTHEAST UTILITIES On May 22, 1991, Messrs. B. Fox, E.Mroczka, and R.Kacich from )

l Northeast Utilities (NU) and Mr. W. Reynolds, NU Legal Counsel j

met with Messrs. J. Sniezek, J. Partlow, J. Scinto, J. Caldwell,  !

and me to discuss items of mutual interest. Included in the discussion were the following topics:

a Seabrook, Public Service of New Hampshire (PSNH) status a Mills'9ne SALP l Mr. Fox indicated that NU was one step closer to thE acquisition i of Seabrook with PSNP having completed its reorganization and debt payments under bankruptcy protection. In addition, he indicated that NU required three items for the acquisition to become finalized: (1) a positive vote from the full FERC;

, (2) SEC approved securities on PSNH common stock; and, (3) NRC approval of the license transfer. Mr. Fox shared that the senior managers from PSNH were working well with the NU managers and that even though the Seabrook O/M budget had been cut, operations at Seabrook appeared to be going very well.

The NU managers were reminded of the continuing concerns with weld issues at Seabrook, and that they continued to be of keen interest to numerous members of Congress. They were urged to be fully responsive to the resolution of these issues so that this issue could be appropriately resolved and brought to closure.

Regarding Millstone, the staff was informed that NU believed the plants were running well; however, NU was aware and concerned about the negative trends which were identified in their most recent SALP. Mr. Fox indicated that these trends were considered by NU to be unacceptable and that three separate task forces had been established to evaluate, determine the root causes and develop corrective actions for these negative trends. He went on to say that he had informed Region I that NU was committed to safety, to being an instrument of public policy, and to establishing the same posture with the NRC (e.g., being able to

, express their differences with the NRC but ultimately agreeing l with the NRC if unable to convince them otherwise).

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b Memorandum for Record 2 (Continued)

Mr. Fox also noted that NU had believed that communications with the NRC and others were good. Now, however, they understand that there have been problems in that area and they intend to correct them. They also understand that problems exist in the area of reportability. NU's present mode of operation is to report identified design problems early on. He assured the staff, that NU was willing to spend the necessary money to implement whatever correctiva actions might be needed to reestablish NU's reputation of being an excellent performer.

It was also indicated that NU was aware that they were an outlier  ;

in the area of allegations. They believe that they have been making good faith efforts to resolve the problems in this area; however there hasn't been any noticeable improvement. NU has filed an FOIA to obtain more information on the allegations and Mr. Fox stated that this additional information should help NU in its root causes determination. He emphasized that NU had a deep concern with these problems.

Mr. Fox was reminded that one of the NRC's functions was to always be available to anyone who wanted to report what they believe to be a safety concern at one to the NRC's licensed facilities. It was also reemphasized that the NRC was obligated to follow up on these concerns and bring them to a timely and appropriate resolution.

The meeting adjourned at 3:00 pm. No regulatory decisions were requested or made.

4 ar s M. aylor 4