Headquarters Daily Report MAY 27, 1998 *************************************************************************** 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 III MAY 26, 1998 Licensee/Facility: Notification: Iowa Electric Light & Power Co. MR Number: 3-98-0037 Duane Arnold 1 Date: 05/22/98 Palo,Iowa SRI VIA LAN Dockets: 50-331 BWR/GE-4 Subject: PLANT STARTUP FOLLOWING REFUELING OUTAGE Discussion: On May 18, 1998, the licensee commenced a reactor startup following a 46-day refueling outage. At approximately 5:45 a.m. (CST) on May 18, the unit was taken critical and the generator was loaded onto the grid on May 22. The major activities accomplished during the outage included turbine and generator overhauling, refueling, and replacement of the emergency core cooling system suction strainers. Regional Action: The resident inspectors observed the plant startup. Contact: LAURA COLLLINS (319)851-5111 _ REGION III MORNING REPORT PAGE 2 MAY 26, 1998 Licensee/Facility: Notification: Commonwealth Edison Co. MR Number: 3-98-0038 Quad Cities 2 Date: 05/26/98 Cordova,Illinois E- MAIL Dockets: 50-265 BWR/GE-3 Subject: STARTUP OF UNIT 2 AFTER AN EXTENDED OUTAGE Discussion: Unit 2 was shutdown September 26, 1997, after the utility identified deficiencies in the procedures and equipment used to safely shut down the plant in the event of a fire. As a result, the NRC issued a confirmatory action letter documenting the utility's plan to make necessary improvements to the plant and equipment. Based on inspection findings and compensatory steps taken by the licensee, the NRC determined the issues had been sufficiently addressed for plant restart. The operators took Unit 2 critical on May 23 and synchronized the unit to the grid on May 26, 1998. Presently, operators are holding power stable at 23 percent, inerting the drywell, and performing control rod scram time testing. The licensee plans to startup Unit 1 on May 29, 1998. Regional Action: Both resident inspector staff and regional staff are providing around the clock coverage of the unit startup. Contact: M. RING (630)829-9703 _ REGION IV MORNING REPORT PAGE 3 MAY 26, 1998 Licensee/Facility: Notification: Entergy Operations, Inc. MR Number: 4-98-0033 Arkansas Nuclear 2 Date: 05/26/98 Russelville,Arkansas Resident Inspector Dockets: 50-368 PWR/CE Subject: STARTUP FROM FORCED OUTAGE Discussion: Arkansas Nuclear One, Unit 2, returned to operation following a plant shutdown to repair a condenser tube leak on May 20, 1998. On May 23, at 11:43 a.m. reactor startup commenced; at 1:50 p.m. reactor criticality was achieved; the main generator was connected to the grid at 6:41 p.m. Power ascension continued with the unit reaching 100 percent power at 11:10 a.m. on May 25. Postshutdown investigations revealed one significant condenser tube failure and two tubes with minor plug leakage. Repairs to the affected components have been completed. On May 22, while preparations were being made to restore the unit to operation after completion of condenser tube repairs, a minor leak was discovered on a 3/4-inch drain line socket weld associated with the steam generator emergency feedwater system. Because the connection was unable to be isolated from the steam generator, the unit was cooled down to facilitate repairs. Plant heatup and subsequent startup commenced when the existing drain line was removed and a new line installed on May 22. Regional Action: The NRC resident inspection staff will continue to monitor licensee activities. Contact: E. E. Collins (817)860-8291 S. Burton (501)968-3290 _ REGION IV MORNING REPORT PAGE 4 MAY 27, 1998 Licensee/Facility: Notification: Entergy Operations, Inc. MR Number: 4-98-0034 Arkansas Nuclear 1 2 Date: 05/27/98 Russelville,Arkansas Senior Resident Inspector Dockets: 50-313,50-368 PWR/B&W-L-LP,PWR/CE Entergy Operations, Inc. Waterford 3 Killona,Louisiana Dockets: 50-382 PWR/CE Subject: Retirement of Entergy Corporation Chairman Discussion: On May 26, 1998, Entergy Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Ed Lupberger, announced that he will begin a transition to retirement by relinquishing his duties as Chairman and CEO. Mr. Lupberger plans to continue acting as a consultant to the leadership team during the transition. Bob Luft, an Entergy Director since 1992 and Chairman of the Finance Committee of the Board, will serve as Chairman and acting CEO pending selection of a successor. Entergy anticipated that a CEO will be selected by year end. President and Chief Operating Officer, Wayne Leonard, will serve as acting CFO. Regional Action: None. Contact: Elmo Collins (817)860-8291 Charlie Marschall (817)860-8185 _