ML20148C067
| ML20148C067 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Site: | Maine Yankee |
| Issue date: | 05/02/1997 |
| From: | Hehl C NRC OFFICE OF INSPECTION & ENFORCEMENT (IE REGION I) |
| To: | Sellman M Maine Yankee |
| Shared Package | |
| ML20148C073 | List: |
| References | |
| 50-309-97-01, 50-309-97-1, EA-97-147, NUDOCS 9705150018 | |
| Download: ML20148C067 (4) | |
See also: IR 05000309/1997001
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May 2,1997
EA No: 97-147
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Mr. Michael B. Sellman
President
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Maine Yankee Atomic Power Company
329 Bath Road
Brunswick, Maine 04011
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SUBJECT: NRC INTEGRATED INSPECTIOh REPORT 50-309/97-01
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Dear Mr. Sellman:
On March 15,1997, the NRC completed an inspection at your Maine Yankee (MY) reactor
facility. The inspectors met with Messrs M. Meisner, R. Blackmore and others of your staff
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at an exit meeting held on April 2,1997. The enclosed report presents the results of this
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seven week inspection.
Our inspectors noted three specific actions / decisions by MY which reflect an improved
safety focus. They are: the decision to replace, rather than repair, the leaking and
susceptible fuel assemblies; the assessment of operator workarounds potentially impacting
operators and the related commitment to no workarounds for startup; the initiation of action
to review, consolidate, and reduce the maintenance and engineering backlogs.
However, the inspectors identified four apparent violations of NRC requirements which are
additional examples of apparent violations noted in NRC Inspection Report 50-309/96-16
which were discussed during the pre-decisional enforcement conference of March 11,
1997. The PCCW and SCCW pump were not qualified for a harsh environment that may
result in the turbine building, this is an apparent violation of 10 CFR 50.49. The installation
of a 1000 gallon propane tar.k near the service water pump building and the installation of a
temporary drain hose on a spent fuel pool system pipe, both without a safety analysis, were
further examples of apparent violations related to the implementation of 10 CFR 50.59.
The f ailure to promptly assess the operability of the service water system and implement
necessary corrective actions following an engineering evaluation was another example of
failure to implement adequate corrective actions in a timely manner, an apparent violation of
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10 CFH 50i Appendix B, Criterion XVI. The design vulnerability of the ventilation system in . J
the circulating pump house could have challenged service water system operability in cold
weather. These violations will be processed with those discussed at the pre-decisional
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enforcement conference of March 11,1997. At the enforcement conference of March 11, N/
1997 and the exit meeting of April 2,1997 you agreed that no additional conference would
be needed for these four apparent violations and your written corrective actions should be
addressed in response to our future correspondence in this regard.
9705150018 970502
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ADOCK 05000309
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Michael B. Sellman
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Maine Yankee Atomic Power Co.
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Additionally, the inspectors observed poor performance indicating informality in operations
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during shutdown conditions. This was reflected by two spills of refueling water storage
tank water during testing and the movement of an incorrect fuel bundle in the spent fuel
pool. The former example reflects a lack of inquisitiveness when the first spill occurred and
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the later example reflected inattention to detail on adhering to procedures, but we are
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crediting you for self identification and good corrective actions for this later case.
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Also during the period, a four person team conducted an inspection of your controls in
identifying, resolving and preventing problems - a significant problem as noted in the
Independent Safety Assessment Report (ISAT) report. This review focused on the new
learning process, management of maintenance and engineering backlogs, operator
workarounds, vertical audits of safety systems, and off-site safety review committee
performance. The learning process reflected a low threshold high volume process but
weaknesses were noted. Because of only recent use of this process, the inspectors could
not assess the overall effectiveness of the learning process. Actions associated with the
maintenance and engineering backlogs were good but weaknesses were still noted. The
vertical system audits were thorough for the scope of review, but there was a reduced
scope and the resolution of operability concerns were not timely. Actions associated with
operator workarounds and off-site safety review committee performance were good with a
focus on safety principles.
In accordance with 10 CFR 2.790 of the NRC's " Rules of Practice," a copy of this letter and
its enclosures will be placed in the NRC Public Document Room. No response is required to
this report.
Sincerely,
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ha'rlisW H'ehl, Director
Division of Reactor Projects
Docket No:
50-309
License No:
DRP-36
Enclosures:
1.
NRC Inspection Report No. 60-309/97-01
2.
Enforcement Conference Handout / Slides, March 11,1997
3.
Transcripts of Enforcement Conference, (Condensed Format and Normal Format)
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Michael B. Sellman
Maine Yankee Atomic Power Co.
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cc w/ encl:
G. Leitch, Vice President, Operations
M. Meisner, Vice President, Licensing and Regulatory Compliance
B. Hinkley, Acting Vice President, Engineering
J. M. Block, Attorney at Law
P. L. Anderson, Project Manager (Yankee Atomic Electrit: Company)
R. Blackmore, Plant Manager
L. Diehl, Manager of Public and Governmental Affairs
J. A. Riteher, Attorney (Ropes and Gray)
P. Dostie, State Nuclear Safety inspector
P. Brann, Assistant Attorney General
U. Vanags, State Nuclear Safety Advisor
C. Brinkman, Combustion Engineering, Inc.
W. D. Meinert, Nuclear Engineer
First Selectmen of Wiscasset
Maine State Planning Officer - Nuclear Safety Advisor
State Planning Officer - Executive Department
Friends of the Coast
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Michael B. Sei man
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Mair e Yankee Atomic Power Co.
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Distribution w/ encl:
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Rogion i Docket Room (with concurrences)
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Nuclear Safety information Center (NSIC)
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PUBLIC
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NRC Resident inspector
D. Screnci, PAO
W. Axelson, DRA
OE (2)
R. Conte, DRP
H. Eichenholz, DRP
D. Beard, DRP
Distribution w/enci (VIA E MAIL):
W. Dean, OEDO
S. Varga, Director,1/11, DRPE, NRR
D. Dorman, LPM, NRR
M. Callahan, OCA
R. Correia, NRR
- D. Taylor, NRR
D. Screnci, PAO
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N. Sheehan, PAO
Inspection Program Branch, NRR (IPAS)
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"E' = Copy with attachment / enclosure
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