BVY 08-043, Update Program Commitments Relative to Periodic Testing of Alternate AC Source

Update Program Commitments Relative to Periodic Testing of Alternate AC Source

ML082320813
Person / Time
Site:	Vermont Yankee
Issue date:	08/14/2008
From:	Ted Sullivan Entergy Nuclear Operations
To:	Document Control Desk, Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation
References
BVY 08-043
Download: ML082320813 (5)

Text

Entergy Nuclear operations, Inc.

Vermont Yankee P.O. Box 0250

ýEntergy - 320 Governor Hunt Rd Vernon, VT 05354 Tel 302 257 7711 August 14, 2008 BVY 08-043 ATTN: Document Control Desk U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission Washington, DC 20555-0001

References:

a) Letter, VYNPC to USNRC, "Additional Information in Support of Vermont Yankee Compliance with the Station Blackout Rule," BVY 93-94, dated September 2, 1993 b) NUMARC 87-00, Revision 1, "Guidelines and Technical Bases for NUMARC Initiatives Addressing Station Blackout at Light Water Reactors," dated August 1991 c) Letter, USNRC to VYNPC, "Supplemental Safety Evaluation of Station Blackout Analysis-Vermont Yankee Nuclear Power Station (TAC No. M87808)," NVY 94-85, dated June 1, 1994 d) NEI 99-04, Revision 0, "Guidelines for Managing NRC Commitment Changes," dated July 1999

Subject:

Vermont Yankee Nuclear Power Station License No. DPR-28 (Docket No. 50-271)

Update on Vermont Yankee Program Commitments

.Relative to Periodic Testing of Alternate AC Source

Dear Sir or Madam,

In Reference (a), Vermont Yankee (VY) committed to a periodic load testing program for the Alternate AC (AAC) source, as it applies to compliance with 10CFR50.63. The following summarizes a change to VY commitments made in Reference (a).

The AAC source at VY is the Vernon Hydroelectric Station and the testing program involves, in part, closing two breakers to supply power from the Vernon Station (through the Vernon tie line) to a safety bus, recording the time it takes to load the bus to a nominal value and holding the load for at least one hour. In Reference (a), VY committed to initially perform this load testing on a once per refueling outage basis. Reference (b) provided the guidance for developing the test program and the USNRC staff approved the program in Reference (c).

VY has performed ten tests to date, all of which have successfully demonstrated that theý AAC source is capable of performing its intended function. Based on these tests, VY has concluded that testing is no longer necessary on a per refueling outage basis to assure that the AAC source can supply the safety buses. Based on this, VY intends to change the periodicity of the load testing to every third refueling outage.

BVY 08-043 / page 2 of 2 The reasons for moving from testing every refueling outage to every third refueling outage are the elimination of unnecessary testing, which can challenge both the plant electrical systems and operators, and critical path time savings during our refueling outages.

No NRC action is requested on this issue. This letter serves to update the docket relative to this prior commitment. This change in commitment continues to provide adequate assurance of the ability to supply the safety buses from the AAC source.

This commitment change was evaluated in accordance with Entergy's procedure for implementing the industry guidance contained in Reference (d) and determined to not impact nuclear safety.

This letter revises an existing regulatory commitment.

We trust that the information provide is adequate; however should you have any question or require additional information, please contact Mr. Dave Mannai (802) 451- 3304.

SSincerely, Ted A. Sullivan Site Vice President Vermont Yankee Nuclear Power Station Attachment 1 - List of Regulatory Commitments

cc: Mr. Samuel J. Collins, Regional Administrator U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission, Region 1 475 Allendale Road King of Prussia, PA 19406-1415 Mr. James S. Kim, Project Manager U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission Mail Stop 08C2A Washington, DC 20555 USNRC Resident Inspector Entergy Nuclear Vermont Yankee, LLC P.O. Box 157 Vernon, Vermont 05354 Mr. David O'Brien, Commissioner VT Department of Public Service 112 State Street - Drawer 20 Montpelier, Vermont 05620-2601

BVY 08-043 Docket No. 50-271 Attachment 1 Vermont Yankee Nuclear Power Station List of Regulatory Commitments

BVY 08-043/ Attachment 1/ page 1 of 1 List of Regulatory Commitments The following table identifies those actions committed to by Entergy in this document. Any other statements in this submittal are provided for information purposes and are not considered to be regulatory commitments.

TYPE (Check one) SCHEDULED COMMITMENT COMPLETION DATE ONE-TIME CONTINUING ACTION COMPLIANCE Perform load test of the Alternate X Every third refueling AC source every third refueling outage outage.

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