Congressional Request for Information Concerning Steam Generator Tube Integrity (Generic Letter No. 82-22)

                                UNITED STATES
                        NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION
                           WASHINGTON, D. C. 20555

                              October 26, 1982

TO ALL PRESSURIZED POWER REACTOR LICENSEES 

 Gentlemen: 

SUBJECT: CONGRESSIONAL REQUEST FOR INFORMATION CONCERNING STEAM GENERATOR 
          TUBE INTEGRITY (GENERIC LETTER NO. 82-22) 

Representative Edward J. Markey, Chairman of the Subcommittee on oversight 
and Investigation has, by letter dated October 19, 1982, requested that the 
NRC submit questions to utilities regarding steam generator tube integrity. 
His letter, copy enclosed, specifically identifies the information 
requested. 

In order to obtain answers to these questions before Congressional hearings 
on this subject tentatively scheduled for December 2, 1982, it would be most
helpful if the answers were mailed to NRC no later than November 25, 1982. 
Please let us know your plans concerning this request. 

This request for information was approved by the Office of Management & 
Budget under clearance number 3150-0092 which expires November 30, 1982. 

                                   Sincerely, 


                                   Darrell G. Eisenhut, Director 
                                   Division of Licensing 
                                   Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation 

Enclosure:
As stated





8210270030 
.

                  COMMITTEE ON INTERIOR AND INSULAR AFFAIRS
                        U.S. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
                           WASHINGTON, D.C. 20515
                                     
                              October 18, 1982

Chairman Nunzio Palladino
U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission
1717 H Street, N.W.
Washington, D.C. 20555

Dear Chairman Palladino: 

     In preparation for the Interior and Insular Affairs Sub-committee on 
Oversight and Investigations' hearing on steam generator tube integrity at 
commercial nuclear power plants, I request that the Nuclear Regulatory 
Commission request answers to the questions listed below from all commercial
licensees which operate pressurized water reactors in the United States. 

     The issue of steam generator tube problems is one of widespread 
importance within the nuclear power industry and those government bodies 
responsible for overseeing nuclear power development, regulation and 
operation. While my primary interest is with safety, I am also concerned 
about the costs involved in maintenance, repair and replacement, and worker 
exposure resulting from these steam generator tube problems. It is my about 
these important and related issues. Therefore, I ask that you submit these 
questions to all utilities with operating plants so that we can know more 
about eh ramifications of the problem. Please request answers to the 
following questions for problem. Please request answers to the following 
questions for the years 1979, 1980, 1981 and available information for 1982.

     1.   How many days of unscheduled outages can be attributed to steam 
          generator-related difficulties per year at your site? 

     2.   During each of the years in questions, how many steam generator 
          tubes have been (a) plugged and (b) sleeved in each steam 
          generator? 

     3.   Do you anticipate major steam generator repairs in any of your 
          units in the next five years, and if so how much would these 
          repairs cost, please specify? 
.

Chairman Palladino Page Two October 18, 1982 

     4.   What have been the total costs and specifically replacement power 
          costs associated with steam, generator maintenance, repair and 
          replacement at your plant? 

     5.   What has been the total occupational radiation exposure (in 
          person-rems) caused by steam generator (a) maintenance and (b) 
          repair/replacement? 

     6.   What percentage of total annual employee dose has been 
          attributable to steam generator-related work at your site(s)? 

     7.   During the years in question, (a) how many workers have received 
          measured radiation doses from steam generator-related work, and 
          (b) what percentage of th total workforce do these workers 
          represent? 

     8.   How many temporary workers (defined by the NRC as all workers 
          other than those hired directly by nuclear power-plants on a 
          conventional, long-term basis) received doses from steam 
          generator-related work at your facility each year? 

     9.   What percentage of (a) total workers involved with steam 
          generator-related work do temporary workers represent, and (b) of 
          the total workforce do temporary workers represent? 

     10.  Has your company used independent firms to find temporary 
          employees who have received an occupational dose from steam 
          generator-related work? 

     I would greatly appreciate if this matter could be handled as 
expeditiously as possible in order to obtain answers to these questions 
before the subcommittee's hearing on December 2, 1982. In advance, thank you
for your assistance in this matter. 

                                        Sincerely,


                                        EDWARD J. MARKEY
                                        Chairman
                                        Subcommittee on Oversight
                                          and Investigations