ML20217A083

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Manager Response to Demand for Info Re Yankee Atomic Electric Co
ML20217A083
Person / Time
Site: Yankee Rowe
Issue date: 03/12/1998
From: Robeck M
BAKER & BOTTS
To:
Shared Package
ML20217A074 List:
References
EA-97-387, NUDOCS 9803240244
Download: ML20217A083 (3)


Text

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l UNITED STATES NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION In the Matter of f Q

YANKEE ATOMIC ELECTRIC f COMPANY f Q EA 97-387 and {

f DUKE ENGINEERING SERVICES f MANAGER'S RESPONSE TO DEMAND FOR INFORMATION The individual identified in the above-captioned Demand for Information

(" Demand")' as the Manager of the LOCA Group (the " Manager")2 respectfully submits this response to the Demand:

The Demand does not require the Manager to submit a response and the Manager is not a party to this proceeding. Nonetheless, the Manager recognizes that the issues raised in the Demand are serious and has given the issues careful consideration.

Duke Engineering & Services ("DE&S") responded to the Demand with several reports from multiple teams that imestigated the various issues raised therein. Having reviewed the i i d This response should not be construed as consent to the Commission's authority to either exercise jurisdiction over the Manager or effectively penalize the Manager through issuance of the Demand. 'lhere are unresolved questions regarding the statutory authority of the Commission to exercisc jurisdiction over an employee of an unlicensed vendor. Additionally, informally penalizing the Manager based on a legal standard that has not been adopted into the regulations raises constitutional questions. Although the Manager has chosen to respond to the Demand, he reserves all rights to assert any and all legal challenges to this proceeding.

2 As in the Demand, the individuals specifically identified in the Demand will be referred to as the " Manager" and the " Lead Engineer."

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e DEAS response, the Manager generally' agrees with the conclusions stated therein, including that the Manager and Lead Engineer did not carelessly disregard the NRC's requirements.

DE&S is not the only entity to have analyzed these issues. In the aftermath of the December 1995 anonymous allegation letter that was sent to the NRC, there have been numerous lengthy and thorough investigations by Yankee Atomic Electric Company ("YAEC") and Maine .

. Yankee Atomic Power Company (' Maine Yankee"), by outside lawyers and technical experts, and by various agencies of the United States government, including the Justice Department. During the course of these investigations, the Manager always has cooperated and has openly and honestly responded to questions to the best of his ability. While the Manager feels that there may be room for differences ofopinion concerning thejudgments that he made regarding the MYAPS SBLOCA analysis, there is no justification for attacking the Manager's honesty, integrity and credibility. The issues surrounding the application of RELAP5YA to Maine Yankee Atomic Power Station

("MYAPS") were well known and based on institutional decisions. Therefore, the Manager does not understand why the focus of the Demand is on two individual.

The Manager believes that the conclusions reached by DE&S are supported by the evidence gathered by the Commission during its investigations of the matters discussed in the Demand, including sworn interviews given by the Manager. Therefore, while reserving the right to respond in more detail at some appropriate time in the future if such a response is requested or necessary, the Manager does not think a further response is needed at this time.

3 It is the Manager's opinion that the analysis described in YAEC-1868 provided a valid and conservative SBLOCA analysis for MYAPS.

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Based on the record before the Commission, which, as determined by DE&S, does not support a conclusion of careless disregard, the Manager requests a letter from the Commission declaring that he did not disregard NRC requirements. The Manager respectfully submits that equity

- warrants the granting of this request because of the personal hardship the Manager has suffered or may sufTer due to the issuance of the Demand. The Manager respectfully requests that such a letter be placed in the Public Document Room as soon as practicable as a conclusion to the Manager's direct involvement in this matter.

. Respectfully submitted, BAKER & BOTTS, L.L.P.

9 By:

Mark R. Robeck Texas Bar No. 16990040 1600 San Jacinto Center 98 San Jacinto Boulevard Austin, Texas 78701 ,

l Phone:(512) 322-2500 Fax:(512) 322-2501 Michael P. Lennon, Jr. .

Texas Bar No. 00787895 3000 One Shell Plaza 910 Louisiana )

Houston, Texas 77002 Phone:(713) 229-1234 Fax:(713) 229-1522 ATTORNEYS FOR THE LOCA GROUP MANAGER 3-