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{{#Wiki_filter:UNITE D STA TES NUCL EA R RE GULA TORY C OMMIS SI ON REGION I 475 AL LENDAL E ROAD KING OF PRUSSIA, PENNSYLVANIA 19406-141 5 March 2, 2 006 Mr. William Levi s Senior Vi ce President and Chief Nuc lear Officer PSEG Nuclea r LLC - N09 P. O. Box 23 6 Hancocks Bridge, N J 08038 SUBJE CT: ANNUAL ASSESSMENT LETTER - SALEM NUCLEAR GENERATING STATION (REPORT 050002 72/2006001 A ND 0500031 1/2006001)
{{#Wiki_filter:March 2, 2006


==Dear M r. Lev is:==
==SUBJECT:==
On February 7 , 2006, the NR C staff completed its performance revie w of the Sal em Nuclear Generating Station. Our technical staff reviewed performance indi cators (PIs) for the most recent quarter and i nspect ion re sults for the p eriod from Jan uary 1 throu gh Dece mber 31 , 2005. The purpose of this letter is to inform you of our a ssessment of your safety performance duri ng this per iod and our plans fo r fut ure inspe ctions a t your f acility.This performance rev iew and enclosed i nspection pl an do not i nclude phy sical protec tion informat ion. A sepa rate l etter d esigna ted an d marked as "Offici al Us e Only - Secu rity Information" wil l includ e the phys ical protecti on review and resultan t inspection plan.Overall, S alem Nuclea r Generating Statio n Units 1 a nd 2 operated in a manner th at preserved public he alth and safety and fully met all corn erstone objectiv es. Plant p erformance for the most recent quar ter, as well as for the first th ree quarters of the assessment cycle, was within the L ice nsee Res pons e Co lumn of th e NR C's Acti on M atri x, b ased on a ll i nspe ctio n fin din gs being classi fied as havi ng very l ow safety s ignificance (Green)
ANNUAL ASSESSMENT LETTER - SALEM NUCLEAR GENERATING STATION (REPORT 05000272/2006001 AND 05000311/2006001)
and all P Is indicati ng performan ce at a lev el requ iring no add ition al NR C ove rsight (Green).In our mid-cycle assessment lett er dated August 30, 2005, we advised you that, while improvement w as noted in problem iden tification, a su bstantive c ross-cutting issue in the area of problem identi fication and re solution (P I&R) continue d due to w eaknesses in p roblem evaluati on and effectiven ess of correctiv e actions. The end-of-cycle as sessment of this cros s-cuttin g issue in cluded a r eview of insp ection r esults o ver the twelve month pe riod, Ja nuary 1 through December 31 , 2005. Duri ng this period , we observ ed improvemen t in the effective ness of corre ctiv e acti ons. With re gard to probl em eva luati on, the NRC c ontin ued to iden tify so me findin gs tha t lacke d thorou gh evalua tion. Howeve r, our r ecent ins pection of your co rrect ive act io n p rog ram in De cem ber 20 05, de ter min ed tha t y our cor rec tiv e a cti on pro gra m se lf-assessment iden tified the need for further improvement in this area , and that y ou are taking timely acti on to address the deficienci es. Additi onally, we observ ed an improv ing trend, in th at the underly ing PI&R performance issues assoc iated wi th findings this assessment perio d occurred, for the most p art, early i n the assessment period. Bas ed on the pro gress and the ongoin g corr ective act ions that you implem ented du ring th e assess ment pe riod, we have concluded that this cross-cut ting issue is closed. The NRC notes that sustained progress will W. Levis 2 require conti nued s tation focus to reinfo rce sta ndards requir ed for e ffective probl em reso lutio n. We will continue to monitor yo ur performance in th is area duri ng NRC basel ine inspe ctions.The stat ion a lso h as a su bstant ive cross-c utting issue in th e area of safety consc ious work environment (SCWE). During this assessmen t period, PSE G implemented a Nuclear Opera ting Services Contract (NOSC) w ith Exel on, made a numbe r of senior management changes on site, and i mpleme nted i mprov ement i nitia tive s to ad dress l ong-stan ding p erformanc e prob lems. Early i n the period , PSEG's in consistent use of the Executi ve Rev iew Boa rd process, numero us management chan ges, and PSEG staf f uncertainty related to the imp lementation of the NOSC and the pend ing merger betwee n Exelon and PSEG, co ntributed to a range of worker perceptions regarding the advisability of raising issues or challenging decisions. During this assess ment pe riod, PSEG h as taken signi ficant s teps to eval uate th e stati on's work envi ronmen t and i nitia ted ac tions to add ress th e caus es. In September 200 5, the NRC c ompleted a SC WE team inspection at the s ite, whi ch determined that progress has b een made in addressing w ork environment problems. Notw ithstanding, the SCWE inspe ction team no ted so me iss ues th at requi re add ition al ac tion a nd focus ed atte ntion. W e unders tand th at you have init iated act ions to m onitor you r prog ress, in that you ha ve recently conducted a safety culture sur vey and plan a peer assessment of the SCW E in April, 2006. As in dicat ed in the NR C's Re actor Ov ersight Proce ss (ROP) Dev iatio n Me morand um, the NRC w ill ev aluate the S CWE substantive cross-cutti ng issue for closu re after you prov ide the results of an assessment that co ncludes that substantial, sustainable progress has bee n made, and the N RC has compl eted a revi ew wh ich confirms these results.In summary, the S alem Nuclea r Generating Statio n has operated safely and is in the Licensee Response Co lumn of the NRC
's Action Matrix. The long-standin g substantive cross-cutting issue in PI&R ha s been close d, and the su bstant ive cross-c utting issue in SC WE remains o pen. Additional ly, an R OP Deviati on Memorand um remains in effect for this station.


The enclosed inspection plan detai ls the insp ections, les s those relate d to physi cal protectio n, scheduled th rough September 30, 2007. In add ition to the baseline inspection activiti es specified by the Reactor Ov ersight Process, th e enclosed plan incl udes inspec tions of the SCWE. The i nspect ion p lan i s prov ided to all ow for the res oluti on of an y sch eduli ng confl icts and personnel availa bility issues w ell in a dvance of in spector arriv al onsite.
==Dear Mr. Levis:==
On February 7, 2006, the NRC staff completed its performance review of the Salem Nuclear Generating Station. Our technical staff reviewed performance indicators (PIs) for the most recent quarter and inspection results for the period from January 1 through December 31, 2005.


Routine resi dent inspections are not li sted due to the ir ongoing and continuous n ature. The insp ections in the last nine months of the inspection plan are te ntative and may be revised at the mid-cycle revi ew. In acco rdance wit h 10 C FR 2.3 90 of th e NRC's "Ru les o f Practi ce," a copy of this lette r and i ts enclosure will be made available electronically for public inspection in the NRC Public Docume nt Roo m or from t he Pub licl y Av aila ble R ecords (PARS) compo nent o f NRC's document syste m (ADAMS).
The purpose of this letter is to inform you of our assessment of your safety performance during this period and our plans for future inspections at your facility.


ADAMS is accessi ble from the NRC Web site at http://w ww.nrc.gov/readi ng-rm/ada ms.html (the P ubli c Ele ctroni c Read ing Ro om).
This performance review and enclosed inspection plan do not include physical protection information. A separate letter designated and marked as Official Use Only - Security Information" will include the physical protection review and resultant inspection plan.


W. Levis 3 If circu mstance s aris e wh ich ca use us to cha nge thi s insp ectio n pla n, we wil l con tact y ou to discu ss the change as soo n as p ossib le. P lease conta ct Mr. Mel Gray a t 610-3 37-520 9 wi th any question s you may have regardi ng this letter o r the inspecti on plan.Sincere ly,/R A/Samuel J. Co llins Regional Ad ministrator Docket Nos. 50-2 72, 50-311 License No s. DPR-70, D PR-75 ADAMS References:
Overall, Salem Nuclear Generating Station Units 1 and 2 operated in a manner that preserved public health and safety and fully met all cornerstone objectives. Plant performance for the most recent quarter, as well as for the first three quarters of the assessment cycle, was within the Licensee Response Column of the NRCs Action Matrix, based on all inspection findings being classified as having very low safety significance (Green) and all PIs indicating performance at a level requiring no additional NRC oversight (Green).
Salem Mi d-Cycle A ssessment Letter da ted August 30, 20 05 [ML052420725]Reactor Oversi ght Process Dev iation M emorandum dated J uly 29, 2 005 [ML052130264]NRC SCWE Inspection Re port dated Nov ember 10, 2005
[ML053140120]Enclosure: S alem Units 1 and 2 Inspec tion/Activ ity Plan cc w/encl:
T. Joyce, Site Vice Presi dent - Salem D. Winchest er, Vi ce Pre siden t - Nuc lear A ssessme nts W. F. Sperry, D irector - Fina nce D. Benyak, Di rector - Regulatory Assurance C. J. Fricker, Sal em Plant M anager J. J. K eenan , Esqui re M. Wetterha hn, Es quire F. Pompper, Chi ef of Police and Emergency M anagement Coordi nator P. Bal dauf, As sistan t Dire ctor, R adiat ion P rotecti on and Rele ase Pr even tion, State of Ne w Jersey K. Tosch, Chief, Bu reau of Nuclear Engineering, NJ Dept. of Envi ronmental Protec tion H. Otto, Ph.D., DNRE C Div isio n of Water Res ources , State of Del awar e Consu mer Adv ocate, Office of C onsume r Adv ocate N. C ohen , Co ordi nato r - U npl ug Sa lem Camp aign W. Costanzo, Technical Ad visor - Jers ey Shore N uclear Watch E. Zobian, C oordinator - Je rsey Shore Anti Nucle ar Allian ce W. Levis 4 Distributio n w/encl: S. Collins, RA M. Dapas, DRA B. Holian, DRP A. Blough, DRS D. Lew, DRP M. Gamberoni, DRS E. Cobey, DRP M. Gray, DRP B. W elling, DRP D. Orr, DRP - NR C Senior R esident Inspe ctor K. Ven uto, DR P - Re siden t OA R. Lorson, DRS J. W hite, DRS M. Sykes, DRS L. Doerflein, DRS J. Rogge, DRS R. Conte, DRS B. Sos a, RI OE DO D. Roberts, NRR S. Bailey, PM, NRR RidsNrrDirsIp ab@nrc.gov Region I Docket R oom (with c oncurrences)
Instit ute of N uclea r Pow er Oper ation s (INP O)DOC UMEN T NAM E: S:\ROP-6 EO C Review\ROP-6 Annual Assessment Lett ers\SAL EOC.wpd SISP Rev iew Complete: __MXG_____ (Review er's Initial s)After de clari ng this docume nt "An Official Agency Recor d" it will be released to the Publ ic.To re ceive a cop y of thi s docu ment, i ndicat e in t he box: " C" = Copy w ithout attachment/enclo sure " E" = Copy w ith attachment/enclosur e " N" = No copy OFFICE RI/DRP RI/DRP RI/DRS RI/DRP NAME BWelling/BDW MGray/MG ABlough/ARB BHolian/BEH DATE 03/01/06 03/01/06 03/01/06 03/01/06 RI/RA SCollins/SJC 03/02/06 OFFICIAL RECORD COPY Salem Inspection / Activity Plan 03/01/2006-09/30/2007 Inspection Type Inspection Activit y Planned Dates Start End No. of Staff on Site Title Unit Number Page 1 of 2 03/02/2006 17:20:44 Report 22 2 7111112B-MAINTENANCE RULE Baseline Inspections 02/27/2006 03/03/2006 1, 2 7111112B IP Maintenance Effectiveness 4 TRI FIRE-TRIENNIAL FIRE PROTECTION INSPECTION Baseline Inspections 03/13/2006 03/17/2006 1, 2 7111105T IP Fire Protection [Triennial]
Baseline Inspections 03/27/2006 03/31/2006 1, 2 7111105T IP Fire Protection [Triennial]
4 7111401-EXERCISE & EP PI VERIFICATION Baseline Inspections 03/20/2006 03/24/2006 1, 2 7111401 IP Exercise Evaluation Baseline Inspections 03/20/2006 03/24/2006 1, 2 71151 IP Performance Indicator Verification 1 71121-OCC RAD SAFET Y Baseline Inspections 05/08/2006 05/12/2006 1, 2 7112101 IP A ccess Control to Radiologically Significant Areas Baseline Inspections 05/08/2006 05/12/2006 1, 2 7112102 IP A LARA Planning and Controls Baseline Inspections 05/08/2006 05/12/2006 1, 2 7112103 IP Radiation Monitoring Instrumentation and Protective Equipment 6 SCWE-SCWE TEAM INSPECTION (TENTATIVE)
Other Routine 06/12/2006 06/23/2006 1, 2 71152 IP Identification and Resolution of Problems 2 7111107B-HEAT SIN K Baseline Inspections 06/12/2006 06/16/2006 1, 2 7111107B IP Heat Sink Performance 1 71121-OCC RAD SAFET Y Baseline Inspections 10/16/2006 10/20/2006 1, 2 7112101 IP A ccess Control to Radiologically Significant Areas Baseline Inspections 10/16/2006 10/20/2006 1, 2 7112102 IP A LARA Planning and Controls Baseline Inspections 10/16/2006 10/20/2006 1, 2 7112103 IP Radiation Monitoring Instrumentation and Protective Equipment Baseline Inspections 10/16/2006 10/20/2006 1, 2 71151 IP Performance Indicator Verification 1 7111108P-INSERVICE INSPECTION - UNIT 2 Baseline Inspections 10/23/2006 11/09/2006 2 7111108P IP Inservice Inspection Activities - PWR 6 SCWE-SCWE TEAM INSPECTION (ALTERNATE)
Other Routine 11/06/2006 11/14/2006 1, 2 71152 IP Identification and Resolution of Problems 3 12/11EXM-OPERATOR LICENSING INITIAL EXAMS Not Applicable 11/20/2006 11/22/2006 1 U01663 FY07-SALEM INITIAL OPERATOR EXAM Not Applicable 12/11/2006 12/15/2006 1 U01663 FY07-SALEM INITIAL OPERATOR EXAM 1 71121-OCC RAD SAFET Y Baseline Inspections 02/05/2007 02/09/2007 1, 2 7112101 IP A ccess Control to Radiologically Significant Areas Baseline Inspections 02/05/2007 02/09/2007 1, 2 7112102 IP A LARA Planning and Controls Baseline Inspections 02/05/2007 02/09/2007 1, 2 7112103 IP Radiation Monitoring Instrumentation and Protective Equipment 4 71152B-PI&R Baseline Inspections 03/05/2007 03/09/2007 1, 2 71152B IP Identification and Resolution of Problems Baseline Inspections 03/19/2007 03/23/2007 1, 2 71152B IP Identification and Resolution of Problems This report does not include INPO and OUTAGE activities.


This report shows only on-site and announced inspection procedures.
In our mid-cycle assessment letter dated August 30, 2005, we advised you that, while improvement was noted in problem identification, a substantive cross-cutting issue in the area of problem identification and resolution (PI&R) continued due to weaknesses in problem evaluation and effectiveness of corrective actions. The end-of-cycle assessment of this cross-cutting issue included a review of inspection results over the twelve month period, January 1 through December 31, 2005. During this period, we observed improvement in the effectiveness of corrective actions. With regard to problem evaluation, the NRC continued to identify some findings that lacked thorough evaluation. However, our recent inspection of your corrective action program in December 2005, determined that your corrective action program self-assessment identified the need for further improvement in this area, and that you are taking timely action to address the deficiencies. Additionally, we observed an improving trend, in that the underlying PI&R performance issues associated with findings this assessment period occurred, for the most part, early in the assessment period. Based on the progress and the ongoing corrective actions that you implemented during the assessment period, we have concluded that this cross-cutting issue is closed. The NRC notes that sustained progress will require continued station focus to reinforce standards required for effective problem resolution.


Salem Inspection / Activity Plan 03/01/2006-09/30/2007 Inspection Type Inspection Activit y Planned Dates Start End No. of Staff on Site Title Unit Number Page 2 of 2 03/02/2006 17:20:44 Report 22 1 71114-EP PRGM INSP Baseline Inspections 04/02/2007 04/06/2007 1, 2 7111402 IP A lert and Notification System Testing Baseline Inspections 04/02/2007 04/06/2007 1, 2 7111403 IP Emergency Response Organization Augmentation Testing Baseline Inspections 04/02/2007 04/06/2007 1, 2 7111404 IP Emergency Action Level and Emergency Plan Changes Baseline Inspections 04/02/2007 04/06/2007 1, 2 7111405 IP Correction of Emergency Preparedness Weaknesses and Deficiencies Baseline Inspections 04/02/2007 04/06/2007 1, 2 71151-EP01 IP Drill/Exercise Performance Baseline Inspections 04/02/2007 04/06/2007 1, 2 71151-EP02 IP ERO Drill Participation Baseline Inspections 04/02/2007 04/06/2007 1, 2 71151-EP03 IP A lert & Notification System 1 7111108P-SALEM UNIT 1 IN SERVICE INSPECTION Baseline Inspections 04/16/2007 04/20/2007 1 7111108P IP Inservice Inspection Activities - PWR 1 71121-OCC RAD SAFET Y Baseline Inspections 04/23/2007 04/27/2007 1, 2 7112101 IP A ccess Control to Radiologically Significant Areas Baseline Inspections 04/23/2007 04/27/2007 1, 2 7112102 IP A LARA Planning and Controls Baseline Inspections 04/23/2007 04/27/2007 1, 2 7112103 IP Radiation Monitoring Instrumentation and Protective Equipment 3 7111111B-L.O. REQUAL. PROG. + P/F REVIE W Baseline Inspections 08/06/2007 08/10/2007 1, 2 7111111B IP Licensed Operator Requalification Program Baseline Inspections 08/13/2007 08/17/2007 1, 2 7111111B IP Licensed Operator Requalification Program 3 7111117B-MODS AND 50.59 Baseline Inspections 07/16/2007 07/20/2007 1, 2 7111102 IP Evaluation of Changes, Tests, or Experiments Baseline Inspections 07/16/2007 07/20/2007 1, 2 7111117B IP Permanent Plant Modifications 1 71121-OCC RAD SAFET Y Baseline Inspections 08/20/2007 08/24/2007 1, 2 7112101 IP A ccess Control to Radiologically Significant Areas Baseline Inspections 08/20/2007 08/24/2007 1, 2 7112102 IP A LARA Planning and Controls Baseline Inspections 08/20/2007 08/24/2007 1, 2 7112103 IP Radiation Monitoring Instrumentation and Protective Equipment Baseline Inspections 08/20/2007 08/24/2007 1, 2 71151 IP Performance Indicator Verification 1 7112203-PUB RAD SAFETY - REMP Baseline Inspections 09/17/2007 09/21/2007 1, 2 7112203 IP Radiological Environmental Monitoring Program (REMP) And Radioactive Material Control P This report does not include INPO and OUTAGE activities.
We will continue to monitor your performance in this area during NRC baseline inspections.


This report shows only on-site and announced inspection procedures.
The station also has a substantive cross-cutting issue in the area of safety conscious work environment (SCWE). During this assessment period, PSEG implemented a Nuclear Operating Services Contract (NOSC) with Exelon, made a number of senior management changes on site, and implemented improvement initiatives to address long-standing performance problems.
 
Early in the period, PSEGs inconsistent use of the Executive Review Board process, numerous management changes, and PSEG staff uncertainty related to the implementation of the NOSC and the pending merger between Exelon and PSEG, contributed to a range of worker perceptions regarding the advisability of raising issues or challenging decisions. During this assessment period, PSEG has taken significant steps to evaluate the stations work environment and initiated actions to address the causes.
 
In September 2005, the NRC completed a SCWE team inspection at the site, which determined that progress has been made in addressing work environment problems. Notwithstanding, the SCWE inspection team noted some issues that require additional action and focused attention.
 
We understand that you have initiated actions to monitor your progress, in that you have recently conducted a safety culture survey and plan a peer assessment of the SCWE in April, 2006. As indicated in the NRC's Reactor Oversight Process (ROP) Deviation Memorandum, the NRC will evaluate the SCWE substantive cross-cutting issue for closure after you provide the results of an assessment that concludes that substantial, sustainable progress has been made, and the NRC has completed a review which confirms these results.
 
In summary, the Salem Nuclear Generating Station has operated safely and is in the Licensee Response Column of the NRCs Action Matrix. The long-standing substantive cross-cutting issue in PI&R has been closed, and the substantive cross-cutting issue in SCWE remains open.
 
Additionally, an ROP Deviation Memorandum remains in effect for this station.
 
The enclosed inspection plan details the inspections, less those related to physical protection, scheduled through September 30, 2007. In addition to the baseline inspection activities specified by the Reactor Oversight Process, the enclosed plan includes inspections of the SCWE. The inspection plan is provided to allow for the resolution of any scheduling conflicts and personnel availability issues well in advance of inspector arrival onsite. Routine resident inspections are not listed due to their ongoing and continuous nature. The inspections in the last nine months of the inspection plan are tentative and may be revised at the mid-cycle review.
 
In accordance with 10 CFR 2.390 of the NRCs Rules of Practice, a copy of this letter and its enclosure will be made 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). If circumstances arise which cause us to change this inspection plan, we will contact you to discuss the change as soon as possible. Please contact Mr. Mel Gray at 610-337-5209 with any questions you may have regarding this letter or the inspection plan.
 
Sincerely,
/RA/
Samuel J. Collins Regional Administrator Docket Nos. 50-272, 50-311 License Nos. DPR-70, DPR-75 ADAMS References:
Salem Mid-Cycle Assessment Letter dated August 30, 2005 [ML052420725]
Reactor Oversight Process Deviation Memorandum dated July 29, 2005 [ML052130264]
NRC SCWE Inspection Report dated November 10, 2005 [ML053140120]
Enclosure: Salem Units 1 and 2 Inspection/Activity Plan cc w/encl:
T. Joyce, Site Vice President - Salem D. Winchester, Vice President - Nuclear Assessments W. F. Sperry, Director - Finance D. Benyak, Director - Regulatory Assurance C. J. Fricker, Salem Plant Manager J. J. Keenan, Esquire M. Wetterhahn, Esquire F. Pompper, Chief of Police and Emergency Management Coordinator P. Baldauf, Assistant Director, Radiation Protection and Release Prevention, State of New Jersey K. Tosch, Chief, Bureau of Nuclear Engineering, NJ Dept. of Environmental Protection H. Otto, Ph.D., DNREC Division of Water Resources, State of Delaware Consumer Advocate, Office of Consumer Advocate N. Cohen, Coordinator - Unplug Salem Campaign W. Costanzo, Technical Advisor - Jersey Shore Nuclear Watch E. Zobian, Coordinator - Jersey Shore Anti Nuclear Alliance
}}
}}

Latest revision as of 11:10, 15 January 2025

2006-001 - Annual Assessment Letter - Salem Nuclear Generating Station (Report 05-272/2006001 and 05-311/2006001)
ML060620394
Person / Time
Site: Salem, 07200200  PSEG icon.png
Issue date: 03/02/2006
From: Collins S
Region 1 Administrator
To: Levis W
Public Service Enterprise Group
Gray M, RI/DRP/Br3 610-337-5209
References
IR-06-001
Download: ML060620394 (6)
v • d • e


Text

March 2, 2006

SUBJECT:

ANNUAL ASSESSMENT LETTER - SALEM NUCLEAR GENERATING STATION (REPORT 05000272/2006001 AND 05000311/2006001)

Dear Mr. Levis:

On February 7, 2006, the NRC staff completed its performance review of the Salem Nuclear Generating Station. Our technical staff reviewed performance indicators (PIs) for the most recent quarter and inspection results for the period from January 1 through December 31, 2005.

The purpose of this letter is to inform you of our assessment of your safety performance during this period and our plans for future inspections at your facility.

This performance review and enclosed inspection plan do not include physical protection information. A separate letter designated and marked as Official Use Only - Security Information" will include the physical protection review and resultant inspection plan.

Overall, Salem Nuclear Generating Station Units 1 and 2 operated in a manner that preserved public health and safety and fully met all cornerstone objectives. Plant performance for the most recent quarter, as well as for the first three quarters of the assessment cycle, was within the Licensee Response Column of the NRCs Action Matrix, based on all inspection findings being classified as having very low safety significance (Green) and all PIs indicating performance at a level requiring no additional NRC oversight (Green).

In our mid-cycle assessment letter dated August 30, 2005, we advised you that, while improvement was noted in problem identification, a substantive cross-cutting issue in the area of problem identification and resolution (PI&R) continued due to weaknesses in problem evaluation and effectiveness of corrective actions. The end-of-cycle assessment of this cross-cutting issue included a review of inspection results over the twelve month period, January 1 through December 31, 2005. During this period, we observed improvement in the effectiveness of corrective actions. With regard to problem evaluation, the NRC continued to identify some findings that lacked thorough evaluation. However, our recent inspection of your corrective action program in December 2005, determined that your corrective action program self-assessment identified the need for further improvement in this area, and that you are taking timely action to address the deficiencies. Additionally, we observed an improving trend, in that the underlying PI&R performance issues associated with findings this assessment period occurred, for the most part, early in the assessment period. Based on the progress and the ongoing corrective actions that you implemented during the assessment period, we have concluded that this cross-cutting issue is closed. The NRC notes that sustained progress will require continued station focus to reinforce standards required for effective problem resolution.

We will continue to monitor your performance in this area during NRC baseline inspections.

The station also has a substantive cross-cutting issue in the area of safety conscious work environment (SCWE). During this assessment period, PSEG implemented a Nuclear Operating Services Contract (NOSC) with Exelon, made a number of senior management changes on site, and implemented improvement initiatives to address long-standing performance problems.

Early in the period, PSEGs inconsistent use of the Executive Review Board process, numerous management changes, and PSEG staff uncertainty related to the implementation of the NOSC and the pending merger between Exelon and PSEG, contributed to a range of worker perceptions regarding the advisability of raising issues or challenging decisions. During this assessment period, PSEG has taken significant steps to evaluate the stations work environment and initiated actions to address the causes.

In September 2005, the NRC completed a SCWE team inspection at the site, which determined that progress has been made in addressing work environment problems. Notwithstanding, the SCWE inspection team noted some issues that require additional action and focused attention.

We understand that you have initiated actions to monitor your progress, in that you have recently conducted a safety culture survey and plan a peer assessment of the SCWE in April, 2006. As indicated in the NRC's Reactor Oversight Process (ROP) Deviation Memorandum, the NRC will evaluate the SCWE substantive cross-cutting issue for closure after you provide the results of an assessment that concludes that substantial, sustainable progress has been made, and the NRC has completed a review which confirms these results.

In summary, the Salem Nuclear Generating Station has operated safely and is in the Licensee Response Column of the NRCs Action Matrix. The long-standing substantive cross-cutting issue in PI&R has been closed, and the substantive cross-cutting issue in SCWE remains open.

Additionally, an ROP Deviation Memorandum remains in effect for this station.

The enclosed inspection plan details the inspections, less those related to physical protection, scheduled through September 30, 2007. In addition to the baseline inspection activities specified by the Reactor Oversight Process, the enclosed plan includes inspections of the SCWE. The inspection plan is provided to allow for the resolution of any scheduling conflicts and personnel availability issues well in advance of inspector arrival onsite. Routine resident inspections are not listed due to their ongoing and continuous nature. The inspections in the last nine months of the inspection plan are tentative and may be revised at the mid-cycle review.

In accordance with 10 CFR 2.390 of the NRCs Rules of Practice, a copy of this letter and its enclosure will be made 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). If circumstances arise which cause us to change this inspection plan, we will contact you to discuss the change as soon as possible. Please contact Mr. Mel Gray at 610-337-5209 with any questions you may have regarding this letter or the inspection plan.

Sincerely,

/RA/

Samuel J. Collins Regional Administrator Docket Nos. 50-272, 50-311 License Nos. DPR-70, DPR-75 ADAMS References:

Salem Mid-Cycle Assessment Letter dated August 30, 2005 [ML052420725]

Reactor Oversight Process Deviation Memorandum dated July 29, 2005 [ML052130264]

NRC SCWE Inspection Report dated November 10, 2005 [ML053140120]

Enclosure: Salem Units 1 and 2 Inspection/Activity Plan cc w/encl:

T. Joyce, Site Vice President - Salem D. Winchester, Vice President - Nuclear Assessments W. F. Sperry, Director - Finance D. Benyak, Director - Regulatory Assurance C. J. Fricker, Salem Plant Manager J. J. Keenan, Esquire M. Wetterhahn, Esquire F. Pompper, Chief of Police and Emergency Management Coordinator P. Baldauf, Assistant Director, Radiation Protection and Release Prevention, State of New Jersey K. Tosch, Chief, Bureau of Nuclear Engineering, NJ Dept. of Environmental Protection H. Otto, Ph.D., DNREC Division of Water Resources, State of Delaware Consumer Advocate, Office of Consumer Advocate N. Cohen, Coordinator - Unplug Salem Campaign W. Costanzo, Technical Advisor - Jersey Shore Nuclear Watch E. Zobian, Coordinator - Jersey Shore Anti Nuclear Alliance

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