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Home       > Electronic Reading       Room       > Document       Collections       > Generic       Communications >       Generic       Letters >       1997       > GL97002 
								UNITED STATES                         NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION                      OFFICE OF NUCLEAR REACTOR REGULATION                           WASHINGTON, D.C. 20555-0001                                  May 15, 1997NRC GENERIC LETTER 97-02:  REVISED CONTENTS OF THE MONTHLY OPERATING REPORT    AddresseesAll holders of operating licenses for nuclear power reactors, except those whohave permanently ceased operations and have certified that fuel has beenpermanently removed from the reactor vessel.PurposeThe purpose of this generic letter is to inform licensees that the NRC isrequesting the submittal of less information in the monthly operating report.  This generic letter requires no specific action or written response.DiscussionOVERVIEWThe assessment of NRC information gathering needs has been the subject ofseveral staff reviews.  These reviews have focused on identifying duplicativereporting, determining whether some reports could be reduced in scope oreliminated, and determining whether the frequency of reporting could bereduced.  In this regard, the NRC staff concludes that the scope of theinformation requested in the monthly operating report, which is called for inthe Technical Specifications, may be reduced.  NEED FOR THE MONTHLY OPERATING REPORTThe impetus for the monthly operating report came from the 1973-1974 oilembargo.  Draft Regulatory Guide 1.16, Revision 4, "Reporting of OperatingInformation - Appendix A Technical Specifications," published for comment inAugust 1975, identifies operating statistics and shutdown experienceinformation then desired in the operating report.  Licensees have generallyfollowed the guidance of the draft Regulatory Guide.  The NRC initiallycompiled this information on a monthly basis and published it in hard copyform as NUREG-0020, "Licensed Operating Reactors - Status Summary Report"(referred to as the "Gray Book").  Beginning in 1990, this information waspublished on an annual basis in hard copy form and was also made available ondiskette monthly.  NUREG-0020 was discontinued after the December 1995 report.9705020260.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      GL 97-02                                                                  May 15, 1997                                                                  Page 2 of 4                                                                       NRC staff assessed the information that is submitted in the monthlyoperating report and determined that it is a unique source of information fortwo of the eight performance indicators approved by the Commission for the NRCPerformance Indicator (PI) Program.  Performance indicator data arefundamental tools used by the NRC staff to independently analyze nuclear powerplant safety performance trends.  The performance indicator data provided inthe monthly operating report include the number of reactor critical hours forthe equipment forced outage indicator, the forced outage hours and generatoron-line hours for the forced outage rate indicator, the number of forcedoutages for the equipment forced outage indicator, and the outage type(whether forced or scheduled) for the forced outage rate and equipment forcedoutage indicators.  NRC will retain the monthly operating report because theagency has a continuing need to receive this performance indicator data, andat the same frequency.  Attachment 1 to this generic letter delineates theinformation that is needed for the PI Program.The NRC also has a need to provide operating factor (availability and capacityfactors) data to Congress and other government agencies on a regular basis. This information is useful as an indicator of the ability of a plant toperform its design function, and provides insights into the safety performanceof a plant.  In general, a plant with high availability and capacity factorsis less likely to experience transients which challenge safety systems.  Thesedata are often used by senior NRC managers in meetings and presentations.  Themonthly operating report is a unique source of reliable and timely operatingfactor data  for all commercial nuclear power plants to support theinformation needs of senior NRC managers.  Attachment 1 also delineates theoperating factor data that is needed.    Voluntary Response Requested Effective immediately, licensees of operating nuclear power plants submittingmonthly operating reports called for in the Technical Specifications may do soin accordance with  the guidance provided in Attachment 1 to this genericletter.  Implementation of this option  by licensees is voluntary.  However,licensees will have to take whatever means are appropriate to negate any priorcommitments or requirements to provide monthly operating reports which containthe information identified in Draft Regulatory Guide 1.16, Revision 4, Section C.1.c; this may include an amendment to the facility operating licenseto  remove a license condition.  Licensees who choose not to implement thisoption may continue to submit monthly operating reports as they have in thepast.       Backfit DiscussionThe NRC staff has determined that the backfit rule, Section 50.109 of Title 10of the Code of Federal Regulations (10 CFR 50.109), does not apply to thisgeneric letter because the reduction by licensees of the scope of the monthlyoperating report to that described in Attachment 1 is strictly voluntary. .                                                                                                                                                                                                          GL 97-02                                                                 May 15, 1997                                                                 Page 3 of 4Federal Register NotificationA notice of opportunity for public comment was published in the FederalRegister  (60 FR 43174) on August 18, 1995.  Comments were received from 6utilities, 2 private industries, 1 university, 1 industry organization, 1government agency, 3 public interest groups, and 2 individuals (noaffiliation).  Copies of the staff evaluation of these comments are availablefrom the NRC Public Document Room. Paperwork Reduction Act StatementThis generic letter contains voluntary reductions in the public reportingburden.  The resultant information collections are subject to the PaperworkReduction Act of 1995 (44 U.S.C. 3501 et seq.).  These information collectionswere approved by the Office of Management and Budget, approval number 3150-0011, which expires July 31, 1997.  The public reporting burden for this collection of information is estimated toaverage 10 hours per response, including the time for reviewing instructions,searching existing data sources, gathering and maintaining the data needed,and completing and reviewing the collection of information.  The U.S. NuclearRegulatory Commission is seeking public comment on the potential impact of thecollection of information contained in the generic letter and on the followingissues:1.   Is the proposed collection of information necessary for the proper     performance of the functions of the NRC, including whether the     information will have practical utility?2.   Is the estimate of burden accurate?3.   Is there a way to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the     information to be collected?4.   How can the burden of the collection of information be minimized,     including the use of automated collection techniques?Send comments on any aspect of this collection of information, includingsuggestions for reducing this burden, to the Information and RecordsManagement Branch, T-6 F33,  U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission, Washington,DC 20555-0001, and to the Desk Officer, Office of Information and RegulatoryAffairs, NEOB-10202 (3150-0011), Office of Management and Budget, Washington,DC 20503.The NRC may not conduct or sponsor, and a person is not required to respondto, a collection of information unless it displays a currently valid OMBcontrol number..                                                                                                                                                                                                           GL 97-02                                                                 May 15, 1997                                                                 Page 4 of 4If you have any questions about this matter, please contact one of thetechnical contacts listed below.                                                                                                      signed by                                                                                Marylee M. Slosson, Acting Director                                                                                Division of Reactor Program Management                                                                                Office of Nuclear Reactor RegulationTechnical contacts:  Marcel R. Harper, AEOD                                       (301) 415-6344                                       E-mail:  mrh1@nrc.gov                                       James W. Shapaker, NRR                                       (301) 415-1151                                       E-mail:  jws@nrc.govAttachments:1.  Monthly Operating Report Contents.                                                                                                                                                                                                           Attachment 1                                                                 GL 97-02                                                                 May 15, 1997                                                                                                                            Page 1 of 8                      MONTHLY OPERATING REPORT CONTENTSBackgroundAs part of its mission to protect public health and safety, the NRC monitorsthe performance of licensees that operate the commercial nuclear power plantsin the United States.  This monitoring effort alerts the NRC to the necessityof adjusting plant-specific regulatory programs.  One monitoring tool beingused is a set of eight performance indicators (PIs).  The PIs provideinformation about plant performance trends and assist NRC management to identify poor and/or declining safety performance, as well as good and/orimproving performance.  PI reports are provided to the Commission, NRC seniormanagers, licensee senior managers, and to the public through the NRC PublicDocument Rooms.  Other tools include availability and capacity factors, whichare provided to NRC senior managers, other government agencies, and Congresson a regular basis. Contents of the Monthly Operating ReportRoutine reports of operating statistics and shutdown experience are needed tosupport the NRC Performance Indicator Program, and availability and capacitystatistics.  Therefore, the following information should continue to beprovided in the monthly operating report: .  Docket Number, Unit Name, Date, Name and Telephone Number of Preparer, and   Reporting Month       This information is needed for administrative, tracking, and data entry      purposes for the PI Program.  .  Unit Shutdowns, including:       -             Sequential number of shutdown for calendar year       -             Date of start of shutdown       -             Type (Forced or Scheduled)       -             Duration (hours) -  to the nearest tenth of an hour       -             Reason for shutdown       -             Method of shutting down the reactor       -             Corrective actions/comments       -             Narrative summary of monthly operating experience        This information is needed to calculate the following performance      indicators in the PI report:  forced outage rate and equipment-forced      outages per 1000 commercial critical hours.  The information is also used      to confirm the operational phase of each event.  The operational phase is      identified in the PI report for various initiators:  automatic trip while      critical, safety system actuation, significant event, safety system      failure, and cause codes.  .                                                                                                                                                                                                           Attachment 1                                                                 GL 97-02                                                                 May 15, 1997                                                                 Page 2 of 8.     Number of Hours the Reactor Was Critical           This information is needed to calculate the equipment forced outage          indicator and to tabulate critical hours in the PI report.  .     Number of Hours the Generator Was On Line (Service Hours)           This information is needed to calculate the forced outage rate indicator in          the PI report.  .     Unit Reserve Shutdown Hours          This information is needed to calculate the unit availability factor..     Design Electrical Rating .     Maximum Dependable Capacity .     Net Electrical Energy           This information is needed to calculate the unit capacity factor.Appendices A and B of this attachment provide further guidance concerning theinformation that should continue to be submitted.  Appendices A and B may alsobe used as a guide for the format of the information submitted in the monthlyoperating report.  The completed monthly operating report should be submittedby the 15th of the month following the calendar month covered by the report toDocument Control Desk, U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission, Washington, D.C.20555-0001.  .                                                                                                                                                                                                                   Attachment 1                                                                  GL 97-02                                                                                                                                            May 15, 1997                                                                  Page 3 of 8                                                                                                                                                                                                           APPENDIX A                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              OPERATING DATA REPORT                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        DOCKET NO.   _______________                                    UNIT NAME    _______________                     DATE         _______________                     COMPLETED BY _______________                   TELEPHONE    _______________                 (This report should continue to be furnished on a monthly basis by licensees.)REPORTING PERIOD                                                    (Month/Year)                                                                                           YEAR                                                        TO                                              MONTH     DATE         CUMULATIVE                                                                                       1.  Design Electrical Rating (MWe-Net).    The nominal net electrical output of     the unit specified by the utility and     used for the purpose of plant design.2.  Maximum Dependable Capacity (MWe-Net).        The gross electrical output as measured         at the output terminals of the turbine-         generator during the most restrictive         seasonal conditions minus the normal         station service loads. 3.  Number of Hours the Reactor Was Critical.         The total number of hours during the         gross hours of the reporting period that         the reactor was critical.4.  Number of Hours the Generator Was On Line.        (Also called Service Hours).  The total         number of hours during the gross hours of         the reporting period that the unit operated         with breakers closed to the station bus.        The sum of the hours the generator was on        line plus the total outage hours should         equal the gross hours in the reporting         period..                                                                                                                                                 Attachment 1                                                                                                                                                 GL 97-02                                                                                                                                                                                                                           May 15, 1997                                                                                                                                                 Page 4 of 8                                                                                                                                                                                                           APPENDIX A                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             OPERATING DATA REPORT                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         DOCKET NO.                     UNIT NAME                      DATE                           COMPLETED BY                   TELEPHONE                    (This report should continue to be furnished on a monthly basis by licensees.)REPORTING PERIOD                                                    (Month/Year)                                                                 YEAR                                                                 TO                                                     MONTH       DATE         CUMULATIVE                                                                                     5. Unit Reserve Shutdown Hours.       The total number of hours during the gross        hours of the reporting period that the        unit was removed from service for economic        or similar reasons but was available for        operation. 6. Net Electrical Energy (MWH).       The gross electrical output of the unit        measured at the output terminals of the        turbine-generator minus the normal station        service loads during the gross hours of        the reporting period, expressed in mega-       watt hours.  Negative quantities should        not be used..                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       Attachment 1                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       GL 97-02                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       May 15, 1997                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       Page 5 of 8                                                                                                                                                                                      APPENDIX B                                                                                                                                                                                    UNIT SHUTDOWNS                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             DOCKET NO.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            UNIT NAME                                       DATE                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              COMPLETED BY                            TELEPHONE                                               REPORTING PERIOD:                                                   (Month/Year)| NO.   | DATE    | TYPE        |  DURATION    | REASON (1)          | METHOD OF       |CAUSE/CORRECTIVE ACTIONS|       |         | F: FORCED   |  (HOURS)     |                     | SHUTTING        | |       |         | S: SCHEDULED|              |                     | DOWN (2)        |         COMMENTS|_______|_________|_____________|______________|_____________________|_________________|________________________|       |         |             |              |                     |                 |                       |       |         |             |              |                     |                 ||       |         |             |              |                     |                 |            |       |         |             |              |                     |                 |                       |       |         |             |              |                     |                 ||       |         |             |              |                     |                 |            |       |         |             |              |                     |                 |                       |       |         |             |              |                     |                 ||       |         |             |              |                     |                 |            |       |         |             |              |                     |                 |                       |       |         |             |              |                     |                 ||       |         |             |              |                     |                 |            |       |         |             |              |                     |                 ||       |         |             |              |                     |                 |            |       |         |             |              |                     |                 |                       |       |         |             |              |                     |                 ||       |         |             |              |                     |                 |            .                                                                                                                         Attachment 1                                                                 GL 97-02                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 May 15, 1997                                                                 Page 6 of 8                             SUMMARY:(1) Reason    A - Equipment Failure (Explain)    B - Maintenance or Test    C - Refueling    D - Regulatory Restriction    E - Operator Training/License Examination    F - Administrative    G - Operational Error (Explain)    H - Other (Explain) (2) Method    1 - Manual    2 - Manual Trip/Scram    3 - Automatic Trip/Scram    4 - Continuation    5 - Other (Explain).                                                                Attachment 1                                                                 GL 97-02                                                                 May 15, 1997                                                                 Page 7 of 8                                                                                                                           UNIT SHUTDOWNSINSTRUCTIONS All plant shutdowns that have occurred during the report period should beidentified.  The COMMENTS column should be used to provide additionalinformation when the coded columns are not sufficiently descriptive.  Pleasedo not add to the list of codes or legends now furnished.  Similarly, do notadd additional columns.  NUMBER - This column should indicate the sequential number assigned to eachshutdown for the calendar year.  When a shutdown begins in one report periodand ends in another, an entry should be made for both report periods to ensurethat all shutdowns are reported.  Until a unit has achieved its first powergeneration, no number should be assigned to each entry.  DATE - This column should indicate the date of the start of each shutdown, inthe following numerical format:  YYMMDD, where YY is the year, MM is the monthand DD is the day.  When a shutdown begins in one report period and ends inanother, an entry should be made for both report periods to ensure that allshutdowns are reported.  TYPE - Use "F" or "S" in this column to indicate either a "Forced" or"Scheduled" shutdown, respectively, for each shutdown.  Forced shutdownsinclude those required to be initiated by no later than the weekend followingthe discovery of an off-normal condition.  It is recognized that some judgmentis required in categorizing shutdowns in this way.  In general, a forcedshutdown is one that would not have been completed in the absence of thecondition for which corrective action was taken.  DURATION (Hours) - Self explanatory.  When a shutdown extends beyond the endof a report period, count only the time to the end of the report period andpick up the ensuing downtime in the following report period.  Report durationof outages rounded to the nearest tenth of an hour to facilitate summation. The sum of the total outage hours plus the hours the generator was on lineshould equal the gross hours in the reporting period.  REASON - Categorize by letter designation from the table appearing on thereport form.  If category H (Other) must be used, provide brief, supplementarycomments.  .                                                                 Attachment 1                                                                  GL 97-02                                                                  May 15, 1997                                                                  Page 8 of 8METHOD OF SHUTTING DOWN THE REACTOR - Categorize by number designation fromthe table appearing on the report form.  If Category 5 (Other) must be used,provide brief, supplementary comments.  CAUSE/CORRECTIVE ACTIONS/COMMENTS - Use this column to amplify or explain thereasons for each shutdown, with the corrective action taken, if appropriate. The Comments column entries should provide identification of each shutdownthat occurs as a direct result of an event for which a licensee event reporthas been or will be submitted.  (This information may not be immediatelyevident for all such shutdowns, of course, since further investigation may berequired to ascertain whether or not a licensee event report was involved.) When a direct correlation can be made between a given shutdown and a specificlicensee event report, the Comments column entry should state the licenseeevent report number and date.  SUMMARY: - Write a brief summary description (3 to 4 sentences) of thehighlights of operation of the unit for the reporting month.