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> EA-98-022
EA-98-022 - Waterford 3 (Entergy Operations,
Inc.)
June 16,1998
EA 98-022
Charles M. Dugger, Vice President
Operations - Waterford 3
Entergy Operations, Inc.
P.O. Box B
Killona, Louisiana 70066
SUBJECT: |
NOTICE OF VIOLATION AND PROPOSED IMPOSITION OF CIVIL
PENALTY -$110,000 (NRC Inspection Report No. 50-382/97-25) - AND EXERCISE
OF ENFORCEMENT DISCRETION (VII.B.6) |
Dear Mr. Dugger:
This is in reference to the predecisional enforcement conference conducted
in the NRC's Arlington, Texas office on March 26, 1998. The conference
was conducted to discuss several apparent violations which were identified
during an NRC engineering team inspection at the Waterford Steam Electric
Station, Unit 3 (Waterford-3) reactor facility operated by Entergy Operations,
Inc. (Entergy). The inspection was concluded on February 5, 1998, and
a report describing the inspection results and apparent violations was
issued on March 12, 1998. The apparent violations primarily involved high
pressure safety injection (HPSI) and emergency feedwater (EFW) flow
issues at Waterford-3.
Based on the information developed during the inspection, and the NRC's
review of the information that you provided during the conference and
in a letter dated May 7, 1998, the NRC has determined that violations
of NRC requirements occurred. As discussed at the end of this letter,
some of the apparent violations discussed at the conference have been
modified and two of the apparent violations have been withdrawn. The remaining
violations are cited in the enclosed Notice of Violation and Proposed
Imposition of Civil Penalty and the circumstances surrounding them were
described in detail in the subject inspection report.
In brief, the violations involve two main issues: (1) failing to address
uncertainties in HPSI flow values, resulting in operating the Waterford-3
facility without assurance, as required by 10 CFR 50.46, that
the emergency core cooling system was capable of limiting peak cladding
temperatures to 2200F; and (2) reducing design EFW flow values without
recognizing that an unreviewed safety question existed, resulting in a
failure to obtain NRC approval prior to modifying (reducing) EFW flow
values that had been assumed in design documents and had been considered
by the NRC in approving the licensing of the facility.
There are multiple violations associated with the HPSI flow issues, including:
the failure to adequately consider test instrument uncertainties and valve
position variability when performing surveillance testing of HPSI; the
failure to identify and correct this concern despite several indications
of the problem at various points in time; and the failure to make timely
reports to the NRC and develop a corrective action plan within the required
time frame. Separately and collectively, these violations represent a
failure of the Waterford-3 engineering program to: (1) aggressively pursue
such issues when first identified, and (2) to pursue such issues without
prompting by the NRC. Ultimately, the potential safety consequence of
the HPSI flow issues was reduced by reliance on a new method of analyzing
the capability of emergency core cooling which was approved for Combustion
Engineering (CE) plants such as Waterford-3. The new analytical method,
however, was not approved by the NRC until December 17, 1997. Thus, Waterford-3
was operated from July 28, 1997, until the new CE analytical method was
approved on December 17, 1997, in a condition where acceptance criteria
of 10 CFR 50.46 for peak cladding temperatures could not be met using
the approved analysis methods that were applicable at the time. It is
only fortuitous that Entergy was able to take credit for the revised CE
analytical method -- and therefore conclude that this was not an issue
of potential safety consequence -- when these issues were pursued during
the NRC's engineering team inspection. The inability to meet 10 CFR 50.46
acceptance criteria employing the applicable approved licensing basis
code is of significant regulatory concern. The nature of the failures
associated with HPSI flow issues (Violations A through D) are considered
in the aggregate to represent a significant breakdown in the control of
licensed activities which had the potential to affect the safety of the
facility, and are therefore collectively classified at Severity Level
III in accordance with the "General Statement of Policy and Procedure
for NRC Enforcement Actions" (Enforcement Policy), NUREG-1600.
In accordance with the Enforcement Policy, a civil penalty with a base
value of $55,000 is considered for a Severity Level III problem. Because
the Waterford-3 facility has been the subject of escalated enforcement
actions within the last 2 years,(1) the
NRC considered whether credit was warranted for Identification
and Corrective Action in accordance with the civil penalty assessment
process in Section VI.B.2 of the Enforcement Policy. The NRC has determined
that credit for identification is not warranted because the discovery
of these violations and Entergy's pursuit of HPSI flow uncertainties were
prompted by NRC's engineering team inspection. The NRC also has determined
that credit for corrective action is not warranted because, despite significant
efforts to resolve HPSI flow uncertainties, your initial actions upon
recognizing this problem were not prompt and not in compliance with reporting
requirements in 10 CFR 50.46, as evidenced by Violation B. This results
in the assessment of a civil penalty at twice the base value.
Therefore, to emphasize the importance of maintaining the integrity of
the licensing basis and aggressively pursuing indications that key assumptions
in the licensing basis may have been flawed in a manner important to safety,
I have been authorized, after consultation with the Director, Office of
Enforcement, to issue the enclosed Notice of Violation and Proposed Imposition
of Civil Penalty (Notice) in the amount of $110,000 for the violations
involving HPSI flow uncertainties.
The violation of 10 CFR 50.59 associated with EFW flow is based on Entergy
having reduced design basis EFW flows after recognizing that the assumed
design basis flows could not be achieved by the motor-driven and steam-driven
EFW pumps. Entergy's safety evaluation for reducing design basis EFW flow
from 700 gallons per minute to 575 gallons per minute was less conservative
than the original licensing basis analysis. However, Entergy concluded
that EFW flow was still sufficient to remove decay heat from the reactor
coolant system and to enable reactor coolant system cooldown upon loss
of normal feedwater flow using a revised analysis. While the NRC has not
independently reviewed Entergy's revised analysis, it is apparent that
Entergy failed to recognize that this change in the design basis required
NRC approval because it introduced an unreviewed safety question (USQ)
as defined by 10 CFR 50.59(a)(2). Specifically, a USQ was introduced
because EFW flow was reduced below the value assumed in the plant Technical
Specification bases and Updated Final Safety Analysis Report (UFSAR),
as well as the value considered by the NRC in its Safety Evaluation Report
at the time the facility was licensed, thereby reducing the margin of
safety assumed by the NRC in licensing the facility. In particular, in
your assessment of the reduced EFW flow, you were not able to demonstrate
that plant response to a design basis event analyzed in the FSAR continued
to meet applicable requirements using the analysis and assumptions integral
to the FSAR analysis.
At the conference, Entergy disputed the NRC's view that this change to
design basis assumptions involved a USQ. Entergy argued that the margin
of safety had not been reduced -- and therefore NRC approval was not required
-- because the reduced EFW flows were still sufficient to achieve cooldown
and prevent reactor coolant system pressures from exceeding design basis
values. Entergy argued that a reduction in the specific EFW flow value
input was not a reduction in the margin of safety, provided the plant's
fission product barriers remained intact. After careful consideration
of this argument, the NRC has concluded that the violation occurred for
the reasons discussed above.
The failure to request NRC approval for a change that introduced a USQ
deprived the NRC of the opportunity to assure that plant safety had not
been adversely impacted. Such failures are a matter of significant regulatory
concern and must be resolved by a submittal requesting NRC review and
approval under 10 CFR 50.90. Thus, the violation of 10 CFR 50.59 related
to reduced EFW flow (Violation E) has been classified at Severity Level
III in accordance with the Enforcement Policy. As previously discussed,
a civil penalty with a base value of $55,000 is considered for a Severity
Level III violation. However, based on the specific circumstances of this
case and our consideration of the information that you presented at the
conference, the NRC has determined that no civil penalty will be considered
for this violation in accordance with the discretion described in VII.B.6
of the Enforcement Policy.
You are required to respond to this letter and should follow the instructions
specified in the enclosed Notice when preparing your response. In your
response, you should document the specific actions taken and any additional
actions you plan to prevent recurrence. The NRC will use your response,
in part, to determine whether further enforcement action is necessary
to ensure compliance with regulatory requirements.
The following modifications were made to the apparent violations described
in NRC Inspection Report 50-382/97-25 and discussed at the March 26, 1998,
predecisional enforcement conference:
1. |
Apparent Violation 1, involving 10 CFR 50.46(a)(3)(i),
failure to evaluate the effect of reduced HPSI flow on peak cladding
temperature, was withdrawn based on your assertion that you did evaluate
the effect of the reduced HPSI flow on peak cladding temperature on
December 5, 1997. It has been replaced with Violation A in the enclosed
Notice;
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2. |
Apparent Violation 3, involving 10 CFR Part 50, Appendix B, Criterion
XVI, has been modified to include specific examples of opportunities
to identify and correct HPSI flow uncertainty issues and to incorporate
what had been Apparent Violation 6.a. as one of the specific examples;
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3. |
Apparent Violation 4.c., involving flow instrument uncertainty in
testing the ACCW/CCW heat exchanger, has been withdrawn. You submitted
your technical basis for denying this apparent violation on May 7,
1998 (W3F1-98-0078). The NRC has reviewed this basis and disagrees
that the measurement uncertainties associated with thermal performance
testing can be credited for measurement uncertainties associated with
the flow balance test in a rigorous uncertainty analysis. However,
based on your evaluation that the system is still operable using a
rigorous application of uncertainty and based on the lack of explicit
regulatory or industry standards/requirements for application of instrument
uncertainties beyond Technical Specification parameters, we agree
that the apparent violation should be withdrawn.
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4. |
Apparent Violation 5, involving procedural changes that instructed
operators to secure charging pumps, has been withdrawn. This is based
on your conclusion that these instructions do not conflict with taking
credit for charging pumps in the small-break LOCA analysis because
the analysis predicts that a recirculation actuation signal will not
occur for a small-break LOCA; and
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5. |
Apparent Violation 6.c., involving containment isolation valves
associated with the hydrogen analyzers, has been withdrawn because
we agree that it is within your authority to reclassify containment
isolation valves to a configuration previously approved by the NRC
(i.e., from automatic to manual/remote manual).
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In accordance with 10 CFR 2.790 of the NRC's "Rules of Practice," a copy
of this letter, its enclosure, and your response will be placed in the
NRC Public Document Room (PDR).
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Sincerely,
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original signed by
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Ellis W. Merschoff
Regional Administrator |
Docket No. 50-382
License No. NPF-38
Enclosure: Notice of Violation and Proposed Imposition of Civil Penalty
NOTICE OF VIOLATION
AND
PROPOSED IMPOSITION OF CIVIL PENALTY
Entergy Operations, Inc.
Waterford Steam Electric Station, Unit 3 |
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Docket No. 50-382
License No. NPF-38
EA 98-022 |
During an NRC inspection completed February 5, 1998, violations of NRC
requirements were identified. In accordance with the "General Statement
of Policy and Procedure for NRC Enforcement Actions," NUREG-1600, the
Nuclear Regulatory Commission proposes to impose a civil penalty pursuant
to Section 234 of the Atomic Energy Act of 1954, as amended (Act), 42 U.S.C.
2282, and 10 CFR 2.205. The particular violations and associated civil
penalty are set forth below:
Violations Assessed a Civil Penalty
A. |
10 CFR 50.46 (a)(1)(i) requires, in part,
that each pressurized light-water nuclear power reactor fueled with
uranium oxide pellets must be provided with an emergency core cooling
system (ECCS) that must be designed so that its calculated cooling
performance following postulated loss-of-coolant accidents conforms
to the criteria set forth in paragraph (b) of this section.
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10 CFR 50.46 (b)(1) requires, "The calculated maximum
fuel element cladding temperature shall not exceed 2200ºF."
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Contrary to the above, the facility was operated from
July 28 through at least December 17, 1997, with an emergency
core cooling system whose calculated cooling performance following
postulated loss-of-coolant accidents did not conform to the criteria
specified in paragraph (b) of 10 CFR 50.46. Specifically, using the
licensing basis analysis and the high pressure safety injection (HPSI)
flow available by design, the licensee identified that the calculated
peak fuel cladding temperature would have exceeded 2200ºF. (01013)
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B. |
10 CFR 50.46 (a)(3)(ii) states, "For each change to
or error discovered in an acceptable ECCS evaluation model or in the
application of such a model that affects the temperature calculation,
the applicant shall report the nature of the change or error and its
estimated effect on the limiting emergency core cooling system (ECCS)
analysis to the Commission at least annually as specified in 10 CFR
50.4. If the change or error is significant, the applicant shall provide
this report within 30 days and include with the report a proposed
schedule for providing a reanalysis or taking other action as may
be needed to show compliance with 10 CFR 50.46."
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10 CFR 50.46 (a)(3)(ii) further requires, "Any change
or error correction that results in a calculated ECCS performance
that does not conform to the criteria set forth in paragraph
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(b) of this section is a reportable event as described
in . . . 10 CFR 50.72 and 10 CFR 50.73." 10 CFR 50.46 (b)(1)
states that "The calculated maximum fuel element cladding temperature
shall not exceed 2200ºF."
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10 CFR 50.46 (c)(2) states, in part, that an evaluation
model includes one or more computer programs and all other information
necessary for application of calculational framework to a specific
loss of coolant accident, such as the procedures for treating the
program input and output information and the values of parameters.
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10 CFR 50.72 (b)(ii)(B) states, in part, that "the licensee
shall notify the NRC as soon as practical and in all cases within
one hour of the occurrence of any of the following:. . . (ii) Any
event or condition during operation that results in . . . the nuclear
power plant being:. . . (B) In a condition that is outside the design
basis of the plant."
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Contrary to the above:
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1. |
On December 5, 1997, an error correction which would
have resulted in a calculated ECCS performance that did not conform
to the criteria set forth in paragraph (b) of 10 CFR 50.46 was identified,
but was not reported within one hour. Specifically, the ECCS evaluation
model for a small break loss-of-coolant accident used an input parameter
of 621.8 gpm to model the HPSI flow that would be available to cool
the core. On December 5, 1997, the licensee determined, after test
instrument uncertainty was considered, that only 599.3 gpm of HPSI
flow would be available. The licensee determined, using the licensing
basis analysis and the available HPSI flow, that the peak fuel cladding
temperature would have exceeded 2200ºF, a condition outside the design
basis of the plant. This condition was not reported until December
18, 1997. (01023)
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2. |
As of January 22, 1998, the licensee had not provided a proposed
schedule for an ECCS reanalysis, which corrected the significant input
parameter error (deficit HPSI flow), or for taking other action as
may be needed to show compliance with 10 CFR 50.46. (01033)
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C. |
10 CFR Part 50, Appendix B, Criterion XVI, "Corrective
Action," states, in part, that measures shall be established to ensure
that conditions adverse to quality, such as failures, malfunctions,
deficiencies, deviations, defective material and equipment, and nonconformances
are promptly identified and corrected. In the case of significant
conditions adverse to quality, the measures shall assure that the
cause of the condition is determined and corrective action is taken
to preclude repetition. The identification of the significant condition
adverse to quality, the cause of the condition, and the corrective
action taken shall be documented and reported to appropriate levels
of management.
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Contrary to the above,
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1. |
Corrective action for CE Info Bulletin 91-05, dated October 11,
1991, which identified a case where instrument uncertainty had not
been adequately incorporated into the Technical Specifications, was
not prompt. On June 20, 1995, the licensee completed Revision 0 of
Calculation EC-I95-011, "SI-HPSI Flow Instrumentation Calculation,"
for the purpose of assessing the impact of instrument uncertainty
on the Technical Specifications. The impact review was not completed
until December 5, 1997. (01043)
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2. |
Prior to Refueling Outage 8 (between March 19, 1997 and July 29,1997),
the corrective action to preclude repetition of a significant condition
adverse to quality, identified on Condition Report CR-97-0649, was
not effective. Specifically, Condition Report CR-97-0649 identified
that after consideration of the calculated flow instrument uncertainty,
the Technical Specification limiting condition for operation value
for the low pressure safety injection system did not ensure that available
flow would exceed the analytical value for low pressure safety injection
flow assumed in the safety analysis. To ensure a similar condition
did not exist on the high pressure safety injection, the licensee
informally evaluated Refueling Outage 7 high pressure safety injection
system flow balance test results to determine if enough flow was present
after incorporating uncertainty. This corrective action for the low
pressure safety injection deficiency was not effective at precluding
repetition of a similar condition on the high pressure safety injection
system. This corrective action was also not documented or reported
to appropriate levels of management. (01053)
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3. |
On May 30, 1997, a condition adverse to quality was not identified.
During the design bases review, the licensee reviewed ABB/CE Calculation
612752-MPS-5CALC-001, "SIS: HPSI Technical Specification Development
Based on Analysis of Reworked B Pump Test Results," and Calculation
EC-I95-011, "SI-HPSI Flow Instrumentation Calculation," Revision 1.
These two calculations contained conflicting estimates of HPSI flow
instrument uncertainty; however, due to organizational interface weaknesses
in the design basis review program, the conflict was not identified
as a condition adverse to quality. (01063)
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4. |
On December 11, 1997, the corrective action that was developed to
preclude repetition of a significant condition adverse to quality
identified on Condition Report CR-95-1242, and that was credited to
preclude repetition of a significant condition adverse to quality
identified on Condition Report CR-97-0649, was not effective. Condition
Report CR-95-1242 identified that a component cooling water calculation
was revised without assessing the impact of the results on other design
basis calculations. As a corrective action to preclude recurrence,
the licensee performed 10 CFR 50.59 screening reviews for all calculation
revisions from January 1, 1990 to January 1, 1996 to determine if
any design or license bases were changed without approval. The review
of Calculation EC-I95-011, "SI-HPSI Flow Instrumentation Calculation,"
Revision 1, was not effective in precluding repetition of a similar
condition on the high pressure safety injection system; Calculation
EC-I95-011 was revised on September 18, 1996, without a 10 CFR 50.59
screening review, and the licensee did not assess the impact of the
results of Calculation EC-I95-011 on Calculation 612752-MPS-SCALC-001.
(01073)
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D. |
10 CFR Part 50, Appendix B, Criterion XI, requires,
in part, that all testing required to demonstrate that structures,
systems, and components will perform satisfactorily in service is
performed in accordance with written test procedures, which incorporate
the requirements and acceptance limits contained in applicable design
documents. 10 CFR Part 50, Appendix B, Criterion XI, further
requires, that test procedures shall include provisions for assuring
that adequate test instrumentation is used.
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Surveillance Procedure OP-903-108, "SI Flow Balance
Test," Revision 3, Change 1, provides instructions for performing
the flow balance of the HPSI system that is required by Technical
Specification Surveillance Requirement 4.5.2.h. The bases section
for Technical Specification 3/4.5.2 states that the surveillance requirements
ensure that, at a minimum, the assumptions used in the safety analysis
are met. In addition, Technical Specification Surveillance Requirement
4.5.2.g required the verification of the correct position of each
electrical and/or mechanical position stop for the emergency core
cooling system (ECCS) throttle valves each time the valve was
cycled. Surveillance Procedure OP-903-010, "ECCS Throttle Valves Position
Verification," Revision 3, implemented this Technical Specification
requirement and allowed a +/- 2 percent tolerance band for the as-found
flow control valve position from its set point value.
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Contrary to the above:
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1. |
From April 10, 1994, until December 18, 1997, Surveillance Procedure
OP-903-108 did not include provisions for assuring that adequate test
instrumentation was used. Specifically, the minimum flow of 675 gpm
required by Technical Specification 4.5.2.h included an allowance
of 5 gpm per leg, to account for flow instrument measurement uncertainty.
However, Surveillance Procedure OP-903-108 directed personnel to use
flow instruments that had a flow measurement uncertainty of approximately
18 gpm/leg. (01083)
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2. |
From April 10, 1994 until December 18, 1997, Surveillance Procedure
OP-903-108 did not adequately incorporate the requirements and acceptance
limits contained in Technical Specification 4.5.2.h, Surveillance
Procedure OP-903-010, and the safety analysis. Specifically, the acceptance
limit for flow in Procedure OP-903-108 did not include an allowance
for throttle valve position variability allowed by Procedure OP-903-010.
Consideration of this allowance was necessary to ensure that, for
the worst case ECCS throttle valve position, the flow assumptions
used in the safety analysis would be met. (01093)
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These violations represent a Severity Level III problem (Supplement I).
Civil Penalty - $110,000
Violation Not Assessed a Civil Penalty
E. |
10 CFR 50.59(a)(1) states, in part, that a licensee
may make changes in the facility as described in the safety analysis
report and changes in procedures as described in the safety analysis
report without prior Commission approval unless the proposed change
involves a change in the technical specifications incorporated in
the license or an unreviewed safety question.
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10 CFR 50.59(a)(2) states, in part, that a proposed change, test,
experiment shall be deemed to involve an unreviewed safety question
(i) if the probability of occurrence or the consequences of an accident
or malfunction of equipment important to safety previously evaluated
in the safety analysis report may be increased; or (ii) if a possibility
for an accident or malfunction of a different type than any evaluated
previously in the safety analysis report may be created; or (iii)
if the margin of safety as defined in the basis for any Technical
Specification is reduced.
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From December 18, 1984, until July 10, 1997, Technical Specification
Bases 3/4.7.1.2 stated: "Each electric-driven emergency feedwater
pump is capable of delivering a total feedwater flow of 350 gpm
at a pressure of 1163 psig to the entrance of the steam generators.
The steam-driven emergency feedwater pump is capable of delivering
a total feedwater flow of 700 gpm at a pressure of 1163 psig to the
entrance of the steam generators."
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Until July 10, 1997, UFSAR Section 10.4.9.2, "Emergency Feedwater
System Description," stated that the turbine driven pump or both motor-driven
pumps together have been designed to provide 700 gpm flow to the steam
generators upon loss of feedwater flow in order to remove decay heat
and to reduce reactor coolant system temperature and pressure to the
shutdown cooling entry conditions.
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NUREG-0787, "Safety Evaluation Report related to the operation of
Waterford Steam Electric Station, Unit No. 3," Section 10.4.9.1, "Emergency
Feedwater System," states, "The major components of the Waterford
3 EFWS [Emergency Feedwater System] are three essential safety grade
pumps, one 700 gal/ min (nominal) steam turbine driven pump and two
440 gal/min (nominal) motor driven pumps." This section also states
"The turbine driven EFWS pump or both motor driven pumps together
are designed to provide 100% of the flow necessary for residual heat
removal over the entire range of reactor operation including all postulated
design basis accidents in accordance with the conservatisms assumed
in the accident analysis."
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Section 10.4.9.2 of the Safety Evaluation Report, "Emergency Feedwater
System Review (TMI-2 Considerations)," states, in part, "The staff
has reviewed the applicant's response .... regarding the design basis
for the EFWS flow requirements. The applicant provided this information
in FSAR Table 10.4.9A-3. The staff's evaluation of the applicant's
response against the design basis accidents and transients as identified
in Chapter 15 verifies that adequate EFWS flow is provided and, therefore,
the design basis for the EFWS flow requirements is acceptable."
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Contrary to the above, on July 10, 1997, the licensee approved a
change to the facility as described in the UFSAR, which involved an
unreviewed safety question, without prior Commission approval. Specifically,
Safety Evaluation 97-165 for Licensing Document Change Request (LDCR)
97-0034, revised Technical Specification Bases 3/4.7.1.2 to reduce
the emergency feedwater pump capability requirements. The revised
basis stated that: "The two electric-driven emergency feedwater pumps
combined are capable of delivering a total feedwater flow of 575 gpm
at a pressure of 1102 psig to the entrance of the steam generators.
The steam-driven emergency feedwater pump is capable of delivering
a total feedwater flow of 575 gpm at a pressure of 1102 psig to the
entrance of the steam generator." The reduction in the emergency feedwater
pump capability requirements below those specified in UFSAR Section
10.4.9.2, and below the values assumed in the safety analysis, resulted
in a reduction in the margin of safety as defined in the basis for
Technical Specification 3/4.7.1.2. (02013) |
This is a Severity Level III violation (Supplement I).
Pursuant to the provisions of 10 CFR 2.201, Entergy Operations, Inc.
(Licensee) is hereby required to submit a written statement or explanation
to the Director, Office of Enforcement, U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission,
within 30 days of the date of this Notice of Violation and Proposed
Imposition of Civil Penalty (Notice). This reply should be clearly marked
as a "Reply to a Notice of Violation" and should include for each alleged
violation: (1) admission or denial of the alleged violation, (2) the
reasons for the violation if admitted, and if denied, the reasons why,
(3) the corrective steps that have been taken and the results achieved,
(4) the corrective steps that will be taken to avoid further violations,
and (5) the date when full compliance will be achieved. If an adequate
reply is not received within the time specified in this Notice, an order
or a Demand for Information may be issued as why the license should not
be modified, suspended, or revoked or why such other action as may be
proper should not be taken. Consideration may be given to extending the
response time for good cause shown. Under the authority of Section 182
of the Act, 42 U.S.C. 2232, this response shall be submitted under oath
or affirmation.
Within the same time as provided for the response required above under
10 CFR 2.201, the Licensee may pay the civil penalty by letter
addressed to the Director, Office of Enforcement, U.S. Nuclear Regulatory
Commission, with a check, draft, money order, or electronic transfer payable
to the Treasurer of the United States in the amount of the civil penalty
proposed above, or the cumulative amount of the civil penalties if more
than one civil penalty is proposed, or may protest imposition of the civil
penalty in whole or in part, by a written answer addressed to the Director,
Office of Enforcement, U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission. Should the
Licensee fail to answer within the time specified, an order imposing the
civil penalty will be issued. Should the Licensee elect to file an answer
in accordance with 10 CFR 2.205 protesting the civil penalty, in whole
or in part, such answer should be clearly marked as an "Answer to a Notice
of Violation" and may: (1) deny the violations listed in this Notice,
in whole or in part, (2) demonstrate extenuating circumstances, (3) show
error in this Notice, or (4) show other reasons why the penalty should
not be imposed. In addition to protesting the civil penalty in whole or
in part, such answer may request remission or mitigation of the penalty.
In requesting mitigation of the proposed penalty, the factors addressed
in Section VI.B.2 of the Enforcement Policy should be addressed. Any written
answer in accordance with 10 CFR 2.205 should be set forth separately
from the statement or explanation in reply pursuant to 10 CFR 2.201,
but may incorporate parts of the 10 CFR 2.201 reply by specific reference
(e.g., citing page and paragraph numbers) to avoid repetition. The attention
of the Licensee is directed to the other provisions of 10 CFR 2.205, regarding
the procedure for imposing a civil penalty.
Upon failure to pay any civil penalty due which subsequently have been
determined in accordance with the applicable provisions of 10 CFR 2.205,
this matter may be referred to the Attorney General, and the penalty,
unless compromised, remitted, or mitigated, may be collected by civil
action pursuant to Section 234c of the Act, 42 U.S.C. 2282c.
The response noted above (Reply to Notice of Violation, letter with payment
of civil penalty, and Answer to a Notice of Violation) should be addressed
to: James Lieberman, Director, Office of Enforcement, U.S. Nuclear Regulatory
Commission, One White Flint North, 11555 Rockville Pike, Rockville, MD
20852-2738, with a copy to the Regional Administrator, U.S. Nuclear Regulatory
Commission, Region IV, 611 Ryan Plaza Drive, Suite 400, Arlington, Texas
76011, and a copy to the NRC Resident Inspector at the facility that is
the subject of this Notice.
Because your response will be placed in the NRC Public Document Room
(PDR), to the extent possible, it should not include any personal privacy,
proprietary, or safeguards information so that it can be placed in the
PDR without redaction. If personal privacy or proprietary information
is necessary to provide an acceptable response, then please provide a
bracketed copy of your response that identifies the information that should
be protected and a redacted copy of your response that deletes such information.
If you request withholding of such material, you must specifically
identify the portions of your response that you seek to have withheld
and provide in detail the bases for your claim of withholding (e.g., explain
why the disclosure of information will create an unwarranted invasion
of personal privacy or provide the information required by 10 CFR 2.790(b)
to support a request for withholding confidential commercial or financial
information). If safeguards information is necessary to provide an acceptable
response, please provide the level of protection described in 10 CFR 73.21.
Dated at Arlington, Texas
this 16th day of June 1998
1. The NRC issued a Severity Level III problem on
February 5, 1998 (EA 97-589) for violations associated with a November
1997 mispositioned valve controller in the auxiliary component cooling
water system at Waterford-3, and a Severity Level III problem with a $55,000
civil penalty on May 9, 1997 (EA 97-099) for violations associated with
containment fan coolers.
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