IR 05000461/1996010

Discusses Insp Rept 50-461/96-10 Completed on 961004 & OI Investigation Rept 3-96-047 Completed on 961220 Re Involvement in Recirculation Pump Seal Failure Event at Clinton Power Station on 960905.No Further Action Required

ML20217L933
Person / Time
Site:	Clinton
Issue date:	05/20/1997
From:	Beach A NRC OFFICE OF INSPECTION & ENFORCEMENT (IE REGION III)
To:	Mosley G AFFILIATION NOT ASSIGNED
References
50-461-96-10, IA-97-027, IA-97-27, NUDOCS 9708190290
Download: ML20217L933 (3)

Text

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USLE. itilNOIS 60532-43st May 20, 1997 . IA 97-027-

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Mr. Gary R.R. 1 #252 Maroa, IL- 61756-9735 SUBJECT: NRC INSPECTION REPORT 50-461/96010(DKP) AND O! INVESTIGATION REPORT NO. 3-96-047

Dear Mr. Mosley:

This refers to the U. S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) Region 111 special inspection completed on October 4,1996, and the Office of Investigations (01) investigation completed on December 20, 1996, at the Clinton Power Station, an Illinois Power Company facility. The inspection and investigation included a review of your involvement, as Assistant Director, Plant Operations, in the recirculation pump seal failure event at the Clinton , Power Station on September 5, 1996. A predecisional enforcement conference was held with Illinois Power Company on february 4,1997, and an individual enforcement conference was held with you on february 10, 1997, to discuss your involvement in the event.

Through information obtained during the inspection and the investigation, and from the records of both enforcement conferences, we have-carefully reviewed the circumstances of this matter, in particular, we noted that your candor in acknowledging your- performance deficiencies during the event, your sense of

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responsibility for the event, and-the adjustments you have made in conducting your work activities since the event, are positive indications that you have learned from this-event, it is my view that the quality of your future performance is likely to improve, and I believe that you now have a better appreciation for the high level of personal accountability and performance the NRC requires of all licensed individuals.

We also considered that during the february 4,1997, predecisional enforcement conference, Illinois Power Company senior management stated that they had-established an environment t.t'the stttion which condoned this type of behavior.-:Specifically, procedural com)liance was routinely accom)lished through individual interpretations of tie intent af procedures witlout regard for the actual procedural' steps. Illinois Power managers stated that because they had established this type of environment, and because your actions were consistent with their expectations. Illinois Power Company was completely responsible for your procedural adherence violations.

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. Therefore, after consultation with the Director, Office of fnforcement, I have been authorized to inform you that NRC intends to direct any enforcement action arising out of the September event at lilinois Power Company.

Accordingly, the NRC is taking no further enforcement action against you regarding this event.

Nevertheless, you are reminded that you hold a license from the United States government that confers upon you the special trust and confidence of the American people in the safe operation of nuclear facilities and places you in the position where your performance is expected to be above reproach. This trust mandates safety as the highest priority over all other considerations.

This trust also requires that responsible individuals evaluate operating conditions and make appropriate conservative decisions. The proper application of the oversight, experience, and knowledge provided by the Assistant Director, Plant Operations, is essential to ensure that performance of the o)erating crew is effective in maintaining that trust. In addition, to ensure tie facility is operated in a safe condition, your license specifies you will follow the facility's procedures. It is your responsibility, as Assistant Director, Plant Operations, to oversee plant operations, maintain an overall safety perspective, and provide appropriate guidance to the operating crews to ensure that the plant is being operated in a safe and conservative manner. failure to meet these expectations in the future may subject you to enforcement action such as a Notice of Violation or an Order to suspend or revoke your NRC Senior Reactor Operator License.

You should also be aware that NRC regulations allow enforcement actions to be taken directly against persons who, through their deliberate misconduct, cause a licen ue to be in violation of NRC requirements. Deliberate misconduct includes an intentional act or omission that the person knows constitutes a violation of a recuirement, procedure or instruction. In such cases, an order may also be issucc to an individual to prevent him or her from engaging in licensed activities at all NRC licensed facilities. A violation of these requirements, as set forth in 10 CfR 50.5, " Deliberate Misconduct," may also lead to criminal prosecution.

You are not required to respond to this letter. However, if you choose to provide a response, please provide it to me within 30 days at U. S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission, Region III, 801 Warrenville Road, Lisle, IL, 60532-4351.

In accordance with Section 2.790 of the NRC's " Rules of Practice," Part 2 Title 10, Code of federal Regulations, records or documents compiled for enforcement purposes are placed in the NRC Public Document Room (PDR). A copy of this letter with your address removed, and your response, if you choose to submit one, will be piaced in the POR.

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_ . . . - - i <. Should you have any questions or comments on our position, please contact Mr. Brent Clayton at (630) 829-9666.

Sincerely, w2

  ',A. Bill Beach Regional Administrator Docket lio. 55-30946 License fio. 50P-30802-1 cc (w/110ME ADDRESS DELETED):

W. Connell, Vice President Distribution R. Zimmerman, liRR J. Lieberman, OE J. Goldberg, OGC Certified Mail - Return Receint Reauested

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