IR 05000327/2012006

Mid Cycle Assessment Letter Sequoyah 2012

ML12248A104
Person / Time
Site:	Sequoyah
Issue date:	09/04/2012
From:	Shaeffer S M Reactor Projects Region 2 Branch 6
To:	Shea J W Tennessee Valley Authority
References
Download: ML12248A104 (7)

Text

September 4, 2012

Mr. JosephManager, Corp. Nuclear Licensing Programs Tennessee Valley Authority 1101 Market Street, LP 4B-C Chattanooga, TN 37402-2801

SUBJECT: MID-CYCLE ASSESSMENT LETTER FOR SEQUOYAH NUCLEAR PLANT UNITS 1 AND 2 (REPORT 05000327/2012006 AND 05000328/2012006)

Dear Mr. Shea:

On August 16, 2012, the NRC completed its mid-of-cycle performance review of Sequoyah Nuclear Plant Units 1 and 2. The NRC reviewed the most recent quarterly performance indicators (PIs) in addition to inspection results and enforcement actions from July 1, 2011, through June 30, 2012. This letter informs you of the NRC's assessment of your facility during this period and its plans for future inspections at your facility. This assessment reflects the integration of the Security Cornerstone into the ROP performance assessment program.

The NRC determined the performance at Sequoyah Units 1 and 2 during the most recent quarter was within the Licensee Response Column of the NRC=s Reactor Oversight Process (ROP) Action Matrix because all inspection findings had very low (i.e., green) safety significance, and all PIs indicated that your performance was within the nominal, expected range (i.e., green). Therefore, the NRC plans to conduct ROP baseline inspections at your facility. During the first quarter 2012, Sequoyah Unit 1 was within the Regulatory Response Column of the NRC=s Reactor Oversight Process (ROP) Action Matrix because the Unplanned Scrams per 7000 Critical Hours performance indicator provided a White input in the 3rd quarter of 2011. This PI had returned to Green status in the 4th quarter 2011; however, in addition to ROP baseline inspections, a supplemental inspection in accordance with Inspection Procedure 95001,

"Supplemental Inspection for One or Two White Inputs in a Strategic Performance Area" was required. The NRC completed this inspection in March 2012, which resulted in Unit 1 returning to the Licensee Response Column in the second quarter 2012 as documented in an NRC Assessment Followup letter dated March 29, 2012.

The enclosed inspection plan lists the inspections scheduled through December 31, 2013.

Routine inspections performed by resident inspectors are not included in the inspection plan.

The inspections listed during the last nine months of the inspection plan are tentative and may be revised at the mid-cycle performance review. The NRC provides the inspection plan to allow for the resolution of any scheduling conflicts and personnel availability issues. The NRC will contact you as soon as possible to discuss changes to the inspection plan should circumstances warrant any changes. This inspection plan does not include security related inspections, which will be sent via separate, non-public available correspondence.In addition to the baseline inspections at your facility, we also plan on conducting infrequently performed inspections which include: IP 50001, (Unit 2) Steam Generator Replacement Inspection; initial reactor operator licensing examinations; and Temporary Instruction (TI)

2515/182, Review of the Implementation of the Industry Initiative to Control Degradation of Underground Piping and Tanks. Additionally, consistent with the Agency's actions related to Fukushima, the NRC will perform TI 2515/187, "Inspection Of Near-Term Task Force Recommendation 2.3 - Flooding Walkdowns", and TI 2515/188, "Inspection Of Near-Term Task Force Recommendation 2.3 - Seismic Walkdowns".

In accordance with 10 CFR 2.390 of the NRC's Rules of Practice, a copy of this letter will be available electronically for public inspection in the NRC Public Document Room or from the Publicly Available Records (PARS) component of NRC's document system (ADAMS). ADAMS is accessible from the NRC Web site at http://www.nrc.gov/reading-rm/adams.html (the Public Electronic Reading Room).

Please contact me at 404-997-4521 with any questions you have regarding this letter.

Sincerely,/RA/

Scott M. Shaeffer, Chief Reactor Projects Branch 6 Division of Reactor Projects Docket Nos. 50-327, 50-328 License Nos. DPR-77, DPR-79

Enclosure:

Sequoyah Inspection / Activity Plan (09/01/2012 - 12/31/2013)

cc w/encl: (See page 3)