Headquarters Daily Report NOVEMBER 01, 1996 *************************************************************************** REPORT NEGATIVE NO INPUT ATTACHED INPUT RECEIVED RECEIVED HEADQUARTERS û REGION I û REGION II û REGION III û REGION IV û PRIORITY ATTENTION REQUIRED MORNING REPORT - REGION I NOV. 01, 1996 Licensee/Facility: Notification: Vermont Yankee Nuclear Power Corp. MR Number: 1-96-0098 Vermont Yankee 1 Date: 10/31/96 Vernon,Vermont Dockets: 50-271 BWR/GE-4 Subject: UNIT RESTART FOLLOWING 1996 REFUEL OUTAGE Discussion: The unit start-up was commenced at 8:15 pm on October 30, 1996, following completion of the NRC staff's review of the licensee's corrective actions for noncompliance dealing with Fire Protection and 10 CFR 50, Appendix R, and for inspector review of recently implemented compensatory measures for pending Appendix R exemption requests. The reactor was taken critical at 10:10 pm on October 30. As of 7:30 am this morning, the unit was at 80 psig and 310 degrees F and continuing the plant heatup. Prior to exceeding 150 psig, the reactor core isolation cooling and high pressure coolant injection systems will be tested, including uncoupled turbine overspeed trip testing. During the 1996 refueling outage, the licensee completed core shroud repairs (four tie rods installed). No. 5A and 5B low pressure feedwater heater replacement, numerous Appendix R modifications and fire protection program improvements also were completed, as well as extensive inservice inspections (including advanced ultrasonic reactor vessel beltline welds inspections), inservice testing, Appendix J local leak rate testing, and numerous motor-operated valve actuator replacements and modifications. Regional Action: Routine resident inspector staff observations. Contact: Richard J. Conte (610)337-5183 _ REGION IV MORNING REPORT PAGE 2 NOVEMBER 1, 1996 Licensee/Facility: Notification: Arizona Public Service Co. MR Number: 4-96-0114 Palo Verde 1 Date: 10/30/96 Wintersburg,Arizona Phone Call from Resident Inspectors Dockets: 50-528 PWR/CE80 Subject: COMPLETION OF REFUELING OUTAGE Discussion: On October 30, 1996, Arizona Public Service Company completed the sixth refueling outage at Palo Verde Unit 1. The outage, which began on September 21, was completed in 39 days, a Palo Verde record. Significant work during the outage included inspection of one low pressure turbine, replacement of a main generator stator bar, replacement of three reactor coolant pump shafts, replacement of two reactor coolant pump motors, steam generator eddy current inspection, and steam generator feedring modifications. Reactor power is being held at 40 percent as the licensee investigates a suspected tube leak in the main condenser. The licensee is also troubleshooting the feedwater control system due to level oscillations observed in Steam Generator 2. The licensee is completing outage work on the Train A condensate pump in order to return the pump to service. Finally, the licensee is collecting leakage at a body-to-bonnet mechanical joint on shutdown cooling Valve SI-652, which is the first isolation valve from the reactor coolant hot leg. Currently, the body-to-bonnet leak is approximately 0.02 gallons per minute. Regional Action: The NRC resident inspectors are monitoring power ascension testing in Unit 1. Region IV and NRR have discussed the SI-652 body-to-bonnet leak with the licensee. Region IV will review the licensee's plans to deal with the leak. Contact: D. Kirsch (510)975-0290 K. Johnston (602)386-3638 _