NRC CAL – NOV (Red)

On May 9, 2011, the NRC issued a violation of Technical Specifications associated with a Red Significance Determination Process finding involving the failure to implement an IST program in accordance with the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME), Code for Operation and Maintenance of Nuclear Power Plants (OM Code), 1995 Edition, 1996 Addenda, Section ISTC 4.1. In a letter dated June 8, 2011, the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) appealed the Final Significance Determination of this Red Finding. The NRC performed an independent review of this finding and in a letter dated August 16, 2011, concluded that TVA failed to establish adequate programs, as required by 10 CFR Part 50.55a(b)3(ii), to ensure that motor-operated valves continued to be capable of performing their design basis safety functions. The inadequacy of TVA programs resulted in the Unit 1 LPCI outboard injection valve, 1-FCV-74-66, being left in a significantly degraded condition and the Unit 1 LPCI/RHR Loop II unable to fulfill its safety function. The basis and outcome of the final risk significance determination evaluation on this Red finding remained unchanged.