ML20135E910

Forwards Vermont Yankee SALP Rept 50-271/97-99 for Period 950716-970118

ML20135E910
Person / Time
Site:	Vermont Yankee
Issue date:	03/05/1997
From:	Miller H NRC OFFICE OF INSPECTION & ENFORCEMENT (IE REGION I)
To:	Reid D VERMONT YANKEE NUCLEAR POWER CORP.
Shared Package
ML20135E913	List: IR 05000271/1997099 ML20135E910
References
NUDOCS 9703110032
Download: ML20135E910 (4)

See also: IR 05000271/1997099

Text

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March 5, 1997

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! Mr. Donald A. Reid

Vice President, Operations

Vermont Yankee Nuclear Power Corporation

RD 5, Box 169

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Ferry Road

Brattleboro, Vermont 05301

Dear Mr. Reid: j

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SUBJECT: VERMONT YANKEE, SYSTEMATIC ASSESSMENT OF LICENSEE

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PERFORMANCE (SALP) REPORT NO. 50-271/97-99 i

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4 This letter forwards the Vermont Yankee SALP report (Enclosure 1) for the period

1 July 16,1995 to January 18,1997. This assessment was conducted under the current

, SALP process that the NRC implemented on July 19,1993. The SALP process rates

licensees in four functional areas: operations, maintenance, engineering, and plant support.

The plant support area comprises radiological and effluent controls, chemistry, security,

, emergency preparedness, fire protection, and housekeeping.

Vermont Yankee's overall performance remained essentially constant over the course of

this SALP period. Operators performed well during planned evolutions and unplanned

transients. While performance in the area of problem identification was somewhat mixed,

improvements were noted, particularly regarding identification of problems related to

design basis conformance and engineering program adequacy. In addition, some

} improvements were noted in the material condition of the plant as indicated by a reduction

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in plant trips and transients caused by equipment problems. Radiological controls and

other plant support programs continued to be implemented effectively.

! Notwithstanding these performance improvements, human performance problems

4 continued to be noted. For example, maintenance and modification activities resulted in j

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i several-unexpected plant challenges due to poor communications and coordination among

the maintenance, operations, and engineering staffs. Also, weaknesses were found in

surveillance test procedure adequacy and adherence. Further, inconsistencies were noted

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in the scope and depth of root cause analyses and in the prioritization of corrective actions.

i Audits, self assessments, and oversight committee activities have been generally effective

, in identifying problems; however, V.ermont Yankee was not fully effective in using problem

reporting and self assessment results to achieve necessary improvements in procedural

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quality and human performance.

Lastly, Vermont Yankee identified a number of design basis conformance and engineering

program problems this SALP period: The nature of these problems underscores the need ,

for continuing an aggressive search for additional problems in these areas. The NRC staff

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plans to closely follow Vermont Yankee's efforts. l

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Donald A. Reid -2- f

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Enclosure 2 provides the schedule and basis for the NRC inspections of your facility {

planned for the next year. We willinform you of any changes required to the attached }

inspection schedule. The routine resident inspection effort is not included in this schedule. j

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We have scheduled a management meeting with you, open for public observation, at l

3 p.m. on March 12,1997, at the Vernon Town Hall. At the meeting, you should be l

prepared to discuss our assessment and any initiatives you plan to take to address the

weaknesses detailed in our evaluation. in particular, we need to understand your current

and planned actions directed at identifying and resolving design basis and engmeenng

program problems. l

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We appreciate your cooperation.

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Sincerely,  ;

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Original Signed By:  !

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Hubert J. Miller i

Regional Administrator l

Docket No. 50-271 l.

Enclosures: l

1. SALP Report No. 50-271/97-99  !

2. 12 Month inspection Plan for Vermont Yankee l

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cc w/encis- i

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G. Marret, Plant Manager

R. McCullough, Operating Experience Coordinator

J. Duffy, Licensing Engineer, Vermont Yankee Nuclear Power Corporation

J. Gilroy, Director, Vermont Public Interest Research Group, Inc.

D. Tefft, Administrator, Bureau of Radiological Health, State of New Hampshire

Chief, Safety Unit, Office of the Attorney General, Commonwealth of Massachusetts

R. Gad, Esquire

G. Bisbee, Esquire

R. Sedano, Vermont Department of Public Service

T. Rapone, Massachusetts Execu'Jve Office of Public Safety

State of New Hampshire, SLO Designee

Commonwealth of Massachusetts, SLO Designee

State of Vermont, SLO Designee

Chairman Jackson

Commissioner Rogers

Commissioner Dicus

Commissioner Diaz

Commissioner McGaffigan

Institute for Nuclear Power Operations (INPO) i

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Donald A. Reid -3-

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Distribution w/encis:

Region I Docket Room (with concurrences)

PUBLIC

Nuclear Safety Information Center (NSIC)

R. Conte, DRP

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H. Eichenholz, DRP

NRC Resident inspector

H. Miller, RA (SALP Reports)

M. Oprendek, DRP

Branch 5 Secretary

J. Wiggins, DRS

. C. Hehl, DRP

l J. Linville, DR{P

> L. Harrison, DRS

J. Nick, DRS

D. Screnci, PAO 430 copies)

J. Callan, EDO

S. Collins, NRR

J. Lanning, DRM

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Distribution w/encls (VIA E-MAIL):

V/. Dean, OEDO

V. Rooney, NRR

S. Bajwa, NRR

J. Lieberman, OE

< R. Correia, NRR

D. Taylor, NRR

Inspection Program Branch, NRR (IPAS)

bec via E-Mail: 4

Region i Staff (Rafer to SALP Driv 3)

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DOCUMENT NAME: S:\PPRVY\VYSALP97.RV4

To receive a copy of this do:ument, indicate in the box: 'C" = Copy without attachment / enclosure *E' = Copy with attachment / enclosure

"N* = No copy /

OFFICE HQ/NRR Rl/DRP Rl/DRS FJHp1 V

NAME SBajwa/SSB * DCooper/RWC JWiggins/JTW pyifef/#&

DATE

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7 ' $ I9 / 61 /

OFFIClAL RECORD COPY

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'SEE PREVIOUS CONCURRENCE PAGE

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Donald A. Reid -4-

Distribution w/ encl:

Region i Docket Room (with concurrences)

PUBLIC

Nuclear Safety Information Center (NSIC)

R. Conte, DRP

H. Eichenholz, DRP

NRC Resident inspector

H. Miller, RA (SALP Reports)

M. Oprendek, DRP

Branch 5 Secretary

Wiggins, DRS

R. Cooper, DRP

J. Linville, DR{P

L. Harrison, DRS

J. Nick, DRS

C. Hehl, RI

D. Screnci, PAO (30 copies)

J. Callan, EDO

S. Collins, NRR

Distribution w/enci (VIA E-MAIL):

W. Dean, OEDO

V. Rooney, NRR

S. Bajwa, NRR

J. Lieberman, OE

R. Correia, NRR

D. Taylor, NRR

inspection Program Branch, NRR (IPAS)

bec via E-Mail:

Region i Staff (Refer to SALP Drive)

DOCUMENT NAME: S:\PPRVY\VYSALP97.RV4

To receive a copy of this document, Indicate in the box: "C" = Copy without attachment / enclosure *E' = Copy with attachment / enclosure

"N" = No copy

OFFICE HQ/NRR , Rl/DRP Rl/DRS Rl/ ORA l

NAME SBajwa/SSBj%)f>n DCooper/RWC JWiggins/JTW HMiller/HJM

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DATE 3/y/g ) /Jv$g y/q/g

vw4 / G A77g OFFICIAL RECORD COPY

'SEE PREVIOUS CONCURRENCE PAGE