ML012490526

Issuance of Amendments Security Plan Changes

ML012490526
Person / Time
Site:	Salem, Hope Creek
Issue date:	02/22/2002
From:	Richard Ennis NRC/NRR/DLPM/LPD1
To:	Keiser H Public Service Enterprise Group
References
TAC MB1527, TAC MB1528, TAC MB1529
Download: ML012490526 (25)

Text

February 22, 2002 Mr. Harold W. Keiser Chief Nuclear Officer & President PSEG Nuclear LLC-X04 Post Office Box 236 Hancocks Bridge, NJ 08038

SUBJECT:

SALEM NUCLEAR GENERATING STATION, UNIT NOS. 1 AND 2, AND HOPE CREEK GENERATING STATION - ISSUANCE OF AMENDMENTS RE: SECURITY PLAN CHANGES (TAC NOS. MB1527, MB1528, AND MB1529)

Dear Mr. Keiser:

The Commission has issued the enclosed Amendment Nos. 250 and 230 to Facility Operating License (FOL) Nos. DPR-70 and DPR-75 for the Salem Nuclear Generating Station, Unit Nos. 1 and 2 (Salem), and Amendment No. 138 to FOL No. NPF-57 for the Hope Creek Generating Station (Hope Creek). These amendments consist of changes to the FOLs in response to your application dated March 5, 2001, as supplemented on December 17, 2001.

The amendments revise License Condition 2.E in each of the respective FOLs to reflect the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) staffs approval of a change to the Salem-Hope Creek Security Plan and the Salem-Hope Creek Security Training and Qualification Plan. The specific change reviewed and approved by the NRC staff will allow illumination levels to be maintained at a minimum of 0.2 footcandle in the isolation zone while allowing lighting in the remainder of the protected area to be sufficient as determined by the licensee, rather than requiring a minimum 0.2 footcandle illumination level in the entire protected area.

Your application dated March 5, 2001, also proposed a change to the required frequency of protected area patrols and an administrative change to reflect the change of the company name from Public Service Electric and Gas Company to PSEG Nuclear LLC. Per discussions between the NRC and your staff, it was agreed that these two changes do not need prior NRC approval pursuant to the requirements of Section 50.54(p)(1) of Title 10 of the Code of Federal Regulations (10 CFR). It was determined that these changes do not decrease the safeguards effectiveness of the security plan and, therefore, could be made without prior NRC approval pursuant to 10 CFR 50.54(p)(2). On November 1, 2001, you submitted a revision to the Salem-Hope Creek Security Plan to incorporate the changes being made under 10 CFR 50.54(p)(2).

Your application also requested a change associated with the escort requirements for vehicles in the protected area. By your supplement dated December 17, 2001, you requested withdrawal of this portion of the March 5, 2001, application. Accordingly, the Commission has filed the enclosed Notice of Partial Withdrawal of Application for Amendment for issuance in the Federal Register.

H. Keiser A copy of our safety evaluation is also enclosed. Notice of Issuance will be included in the Commission's biweekly Federal Register notice.

Sincerely,

/RA/

Richard B. Ennis, Sr. Project Manager, Section 2 Project Directorate I Division of Licensing Project Management Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation Docket Nos. 50-272, 50-311, and 50-354

Enclosures:

1. Amendment No. 250 to License No. DPR-70

2. Amendment No. 230 to License No. DPR-75

3. Amendment No. 138 to License No. NPF-57

4. Safety Evaluation

5. Notice of Partial Withdrawal cc w/encls: See next page

H. Keiser February 22, 2002 A copy of our safety evaluation is also enclosed. Notice of Issuance will be included in the Commission's biweekly Federal Register notice.

Sincerely,

/RA/

Richard B. Ennis, Sr. Project Manager, Section 2 Project Directorate I Division of Licensing Project Management Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation Docket Nos. 50-272, 50-311, and 50-354

Enclosures:

1. Amendment No. 250 to License No. DPR-70

2. Amendment No. 230 to License No. DPR-75

3. Amendment No. 138 to License No. NPF-57

4. Safety Evaluation

5. Notice of Partial Withdrawal cc w/encls: See next page DISTRIBUTION PUBLIC TClark GHill (6) GMeyer, RGN-I PDI-2 Reading REnnis WBeckner GSmith, RGN-I EAdensam OGC AMadison RFretz JClifford ACRS RManili ACCESSION NO.: ML012490526 OFFICE PDI-2/PM PDI-2/PM PDI-2/LA IOLB/SC OGC PDI-2/SC NAME REnnis RFretz TClark AMadison SUttal VNerses for JClifford DATE 1/7/02 1/10/02 1/18/02 1/15/02 2/7/02 2/22/02 OFFICIAL RECORD COPY

Hope Creek Generating Station and Salem Nuclear Generating Station, Units 1 and 2 cc:

Jeffrie J. Keenan, Esquire Lower Alloways Creek Township PSEG Nuclear - N21 c/o Mary O. Henderson, Clerk P.O. Box 236 Municipal Building, P.O. Box 157 Hancocks Bridge, NJ 08038 Hancocks Bridge, NJ 08038 Hope Creek Resident Inspector Mr. Elbert Simpson U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission Senior Vice President &

Drawer 0509 Chief Administrative Officer Hancocks Bridge, NJ 08038 PSEG Nuclear - N19 P.O. Box 236 Senior Resident Inspector Hancocks Bridge, NJ 08038 Salem Nuclear Generating Station U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission Ms. R. A. Kankus Drawer 0509 Joint Owner Affairs Hancocks Bridge, NJ 08038 PECO Energy Company Nuclear Group Headquarters KSA1-E Mr. Mark B. Bezilla 200 Exelon Way Vice President - Technical Support Kennett Square, PA 19348 PSEG Nuclear - X10 P.O. Box 236 Mr. Carter Kresge Hancocks Bridge, NJ 08038 External Operations - Nuclear Conectiv Mr. David F. Garchow P.O. Box 6066 Vice President - Operations Newark, DE 19714-6066 PSEG Nuclear - X10 P.O. Box 236 Assistant Consumer Advocate Hancocks Bridge, NJ 08038 Office of Consumer Advocate 1425 Strawberry Square Mr. Gabor Salamon Harrisburg, PA 17120 Manager - Licensing PSEG Nuclear - N21 Public Service Commission of Maryland P.O. Box 236 Engineering Division Hancocks Bridge, NJ 08038 Chief Engineer 6 St. Paul Centre Regional Administrator, Region I Baltimore, MD 21202-6806 U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission 475 Allendale Road Maryland Office of People's Counsel King of Prussia, PA 19406 6 St. Paul Street, 21st Floor Suite 2102 Richard Hartung Baltimore, MD 21202 Electric Service Evaluation Board of Regulatory Commissioners 2 Gateway Center, Tenth Floor Newark, NJ 07102

Dr. Jill Lipoti, Asst. Director Radiation Protection Programs NJ Department of Environmental Protection and Energy CN 415 Trenton, NJ 08625-0415

PSEG NUCLEAR LLC EXELON GENERATION COMPANY, LLC DOCKET NO. 50-272 SALEM NUCLEAR GENERATING STATION, UNIT NO. 1 AMENDMENT TO FACILITY OPERATING LICENSE Amendment No. 250 License No. DPR-70

1. The Nuclear Regulatory Commission (the Commission or the NRC) has found that:

A. The application for amendment filed by PSEG Nuclear LLC and Exelon Generation Company, LLC (the licensees) dated March 5, 2001, as supplemented December 17, 2001, complies with the standards and requirements of the Atomic Energy Act of 1954, as amended (the Act), and the Commission's rules and regulations set forth in 10 CFR Chapter I; B. The facility will operate in conformity with the application, the provisions of the Act, and the rules and regulations of the Commission; C. There is reasonable assurance: (i) that the activities authorized by this amendment can be conducted without endangering the health and safety of the public, and (ii) that such activities will be conducted in compliance with the Commission's regulations set forth in 10 CFR Chapter I; D. The issuance of this amendment will not be inimical to the common defense and security or to the health and safety of the public; and E. The issuance of this amendment is in accordance with 10 CFR Part 51 of the Commission's regulations and all applicable requirements have been satisfied.

2. Accordingly, the Operating License is amended as indicated in the attachment to this license amendment.

3. The license amendment is effective as of its date of issuance, and shall be implemented within 60 days from the date of issuance.

FOR THE NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION

/RA/

James W. Clifford, Chief, Section 2 Project Directorate I Division of Licensing Project Management Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation

Attachment:

Changes to the Operating License Date of Issuance: February 22, 2002

ATTACHMENT TO LICENSE AMENDMENT NO. 250 FACILITY OPERATING LICENSE NO. DPR-70 DOCKET NO. 50-272 Replace the following page of the Operating License with the attached revised page. The revised page is identified by amendment number and contains marginal lines indicating the areas of change.

Remove Insert 5 5

D. Paragraph 2.D. has been combined with paragraph 2.E. per Amendment No. 86, June 27, 1988.

E. The licensees shall fully implement and maintain in effect all provisions of the Commission-approved physical security, guard training and qualification, and safeguards contingency plans including amendments made pursuant to provisions of the Miscellaneous Amendments and Search Requirements revisions to 10 CFR 73.55 (51 FR 27817 and 27822) and to the authority of 10 CFR 50.90 and 10 CFR 50.54(p). The plans, which contain Safeguards Information protected under 10 CFR 73.21, are entitled: "Salem-Hope Creek Nuclear Generating Station Security Plan," with revisions submitted through December 17, 2001; "Salem-Hope Creek Nuclear Generating Station Security Training and Qualification Plan," with revisions submitted through December 17, 2001; and "Salem-Hope Creek Nuclear Generating Station Security Contingency Plan," with revisions submitted through June 2, 1998. Changes made in accordance with 10 CFR 73.55 shall be implemented in accordance with the schedule set forth therein.

F. In accordance with the requirement imposed by the October 8, 1976, order of the United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit in Natural Resources Defense Council v. Nuclear Regulatory Commission, No. 74-1385 and 74-1586, that the Nuclear Regulatory Commission "shall make any licenses granted between July 21, 1976 and such time when the mandate is issued subject to the outcome of the proceedings herein," the license amendment issued herein shall be subject to the outcome of such proceedings.

G. Prior to startup following the first regularly scheduled refueling outage, Public Service Electric and Gas Company shall install, to the satisfaction of the Commission, a long-term means of protection against reactor coolant system over-pressurization when water-solid.

H. This amended license is effective as of the date of its issuance.

Facility Operating License No. DPR-70, as amended, shall expire at midnight, August 13, 2016.

Amendment No. 125, 233, 250

PSEG NUCLEAR LLC EXELON GENERATION COMPANY, LLC DOCKET NO. 50-311 SALEM NUCLEAR GENERATING STATION, UNIT NO. 2 AMENDMENT TO FACILITY OPERATING LICENSE Amendment No. 230 License No. DPR-75

1. The Nuclear Regulatory Commission (the Commission or the NRC) has found that:

A. The application for amendment filed by PSEG Nuclear LLC and Exelon Generation Company, LLC (the licensees) dated March 5, 2001, as supplemented December 17, 2001, complies with the standards and requirements of the Atomic Energy Act of 1954, as amended (the Act), and the Commission's rules and regulations set forth in 10 CFR Chapter I; B. The facility will operate in conformity with the application, the provisions of the Act, and the rules and regulations of the Commission; C. There is reasonable assurance: (i) that the activities authorized by this amendment can be conducted without endangering the health and safety of the public, and (ii) that such activities will be conducted in compliance with the Commission's regulations set forth in 10 CFR Chapter I; D. The issuance of this amendment will not be inimical to the common defense and security or to the health and safety of the public; and E. The issuance of this amendment is in accordance with 10 CFR Part 51 of the Commission's regulations and all applicable requirements have been satisfied.

2. Accordingly, the Operating License is amended as indicated in the attachment to this license amendment.

3. The license amendment is effective as of its date of issuance, and shall be implemented within 60 days from the date of issuance.

FOR THE NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION

/RA/

James W. Clifford, Chief, Section 2 Project Directorate I Division of Licensing Project Management Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation

Attachment:

Changes to the Operating License Date of Issuance: February 22, 2002

ATTACHMENT TO LICENSE AMENDMENT NO. 230 FACILITY OPERATING LICENSE NO. DPR-75 DOCKET NO. 50-311 Replace the following page of the Operating License with the attached revised page. The revised page is identified by amendment number and contains marginal lines indicating the areas of change.

Remove Insert 23 23

D. An exemption from certain requirements of Appendix J to 10 CFR Part 50 is described in the Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation's Safety Evaluation Report, Supplement No. 4. This exemption was authorized by law and will not endanger life or property or the common defense and security and is otherwise in the public interest. The exemption, therefore, remains in effect. The granting of the exemption was authorized with the issuance of the License for Fuel-Loading and Low-Power Testing, dated April 18, 1980. The facility will operate, to the extent authorized herein, in conformity with the application as amended, the provisions of the Act, and the regulations of the Commission.

E. The licensees shall fully implement and maintain in effect all provisions of the Commission-approved physical security, guard training and qualification, and safeguards contingency plans including amendments made pursuant to provisions of the Miscellaneous Amendments and Search Requirements revisions to 10 CFR 73.55 (51 FR 27817 and 27822) and to the authority of 10 CFR 50.90 and 10 CFR 50.54 (p). The plans, which contain Safeguards Information protected under 10 CFR 73.21, are entitled: "Salem-Hope Creek Nuclear Generating Station Security Plan," with revisions submitted through December 17, 2001; "Salem-Hope Creek Nuclear Generating Station Security Training and Qualification Plan," with revisions submitted through December 17, 2001; and "Salem-Hope Creek Nuclear Generating Station Security Contingency Plan," with revisions submitted through June 2, 1998. Changes made in accordance with 10 CFR 73.55 shall be implemented in accordance with the schedule set forth therein.

F. A temporary exemption from General Design Criterion 57 found in Appendix A to 10 CFR Part 50 is described in the Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation's Safety Evaluation Report, Supplement No. 5, Section 6.2.3.1. This exemption is authorized by law and will not endanger life or property or the common defense and security and is otherwise in the public interest. The exemption, therefore, is hereby granted and shall remain in effect through the first refueling outage as discussed in Section 6.2.3.1 of Supplement 5 to the Safety Evaluation Report. The granting of the exemption is authorized with the issuance of the Facility Operating License, dated May 20, 1981. The facility will operate, to the extent authorized herein, in conformity with the application as amended, the provisions of the Act, and the regulations of the Commission.

G. This license is subject to the following additional condition for the protection of the environment:

Before engaging in additional construction or operational activities which may result in an environmental impact that was not evaluated by the Commission, PSEG Nuclear LLC shall prepare and record an environmental evaluation of such activity. When the evaluation indicates that such activity may result in a significant adverse environmental impact that was not evaluated, or that is significantly greater than that evaluated in the Final Environmental Statement or any addendum thereto, PSEG Nuclear LLC shall provide a written evaluation of such activities and obtain prior approval from the Director of Nuclear Reactor Regulation.

Amendment No. 14, 15, 104, 172, 214, 230

PSEG NUCLEAR LLC DOCKET NO. 50-354 HOPE CREEK GENERATING STATION AMENDMENT TO FACILITY OPERATING LICENSE Amendment No. 138 License No. NPF-57

1. The Nuclear Regulatory Commission (the Commission) has found that:

A. The application for amendment filed by PSEG Nuclear LLC dated March 5, 2001, as supplemented December 17, 2001, complies with the standards and requirements of the Atomic Energy Act of 1954, as amended (the Act), and the Commission's rules and regulations set forth in 10 CFR Chapter I; B. The facility will operate in conformity with the application, the provisions of the Act, and the rules and regulations of the Commission; C. There is reasonable assurance: (i) that the activities authorized by this amendment can be conducted without endangering the health and safety of the public, and (ii) that such activities will be conducted in compliance with the Commission's regulations set forth in 10 CFR Chapter I; D. The issuance of this amendment will not be inimical to the common defense and security or to the health and safety of the public; and E. The issuance of this amendment is in accordance with 10 CFR Part 51 of the Commission's regulations and all applicable requirements have been satisfied.

2. Accordingly, the Operating License is amended as indicated in the attachment to this license amendment.

3. The license amendment is effective as of its date of issuance, and shall be implemented within 60 days from the date of issuance.

FOR THE NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION

/RA/

James W. Clifford, Chief, Section 2 Project Directorate I Division of Licensing Project Management Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation

Attachment:

Changes to the Operating License Date of Issuance: February 22, 2002

ATTACHMENT TO LICENSE AMENDMENT NO. 138 FACILITY OPERATING LICENSE NO. NPF-57 DOCKET NO. 50-354 Replace the following page of the Operating License with the attached revised page. The revised page is identified by amendment number and contains marginal lines indicating the areas of change.

Remove Insert 8 8

E. The licensee shall fully implement and maintain in effect all provisions of the Commission-approved physical security, guard training and qualification, and safeguards contingency plans including amendments made pursuant to provisions of the Miscellaneous Amendments and Search Requirements revisions to 10 CFR 73.55 (51 FR 27817 and 27822) and to the authority of 10 CFR 50.90 and 10 CFR 50.54(p). The plans, which contain Safeguards Information protected under 10 CFR 73.21, are entitled: "Salem-Hope Creek Nuclear Generating Station Security Plan," with revisions submitted through December 17, 2001; "Salem-Hope Creek Nuclear Generating Station Security Training and Qualification Plan," with revisions submitted through December 17, 2001; and "Salem-Hope Creek Nuclear Generating Station Security Contingency Plan," with revisions submitted through June 2, 1998. Changes made in accordance with 10 CFR 73.55 shall be implemented in accordance with the schedule set forth therein.

F. Except as otherwise provided in the Technical Specifications or Environmental Protection Plan, PSEG Nuclear LLC shall report any violations of the requirements contained in Section 2.C of this license in the following manner: initial notification shall be made within 24 hours2.777778e-4 days <br />0.00667 hours <br />3.968254e-5 weeks <br />9.132e-6 months <br /> to the NRC Operations Center via the Emergency Notification System with written followup within thirty days in accordance with the procedures described in 10 CFR 50.73(b), (c), and (e).

G. The licensees shall have and maintain financial protection of such type and in such amounts as the Commission shall require in accordance with Section 170 of the Atomic Energy Act of 1954, as amended, to cover public liability claims.

H. This license is effective as of the date of issuance and shall expire at midnight on April 11, 2026.

FOR THE NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION

- original signed by H.R. Denton -

Harold R. Denton, Director Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation

Enclosures:

1. Appendix A - Technical Specifications (NUREG-1202)

2. Appendix B - Environmental Protection Plan Date of Issuance: July 25, 1986 Amendment No. 129, 138

SAFETY EVALUATION BY THE OFFICE OF NUCLEAR REACTOR REGULATION RELATED TO AMENDMENT NOS. 250 , 230 , AND 138 TO FACILITY OPERATING LICENSE NOS. DPR-70, DPR-75, AND NPF-57 PSEG NUCLEAR, LLC EXELON GENERATION COMPANY, LLC SALEM NUCLEAR GENERATING STATION, UNIT NOS. 1 AND 2 HOPE CREEK GENERATING STATION DOCKET NOS. 50-272, 50-311, AND 50-354

1.0 INTRODUCTION

By letter dated March 5, 2001, as supplemented on December 17, 2001, PSEG Nuclear LLC (PSEG or the licensee) submitted a request for changes to the Facility Operating Licenses (FOLs) for the Salem Nuclear Generating Station, Unit Nos. 1 and 2 (Salem), and for the Hope Creek Generating Station (Hope Creek). The proposed amendments would revise License Condition 2.E in each of the respective FOLs to reflect the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) staffs approval of changes to the Salem-Hope Creek Security Plan and the Salem-Hope Creek Security Training and Qualification Plan.

The December 17, 2001, letter, withdrew a portion of the request as discussed in Section 2.0 of this Safety Evaluation.

2.0 BACKGROUND

As discussed in Section 50.54(p)(1) of Title 10 of the Code of Federal Regulations (10 CFR),

the licensee may make no change which would decrease the effectiveness of a security plan, or a guard training and qualification plan, without prior NRC approval. A licensee desiring to make such a change must submit a license amendment application pursuant to 10 CFR 50.90.

Pursuant to 10 CFR 73.55(a), the licensee shall establish and maintain an onsite physical protection system and security organization which will have as its objective to provide high assurance that activities involving special nuclear material are not inimical to the common defense and security and do not constitute an unreasonable risk to the public health and safety. Under the provisions of 10 CFR 73.55(a), the NRC may authorize a licensee to provide alternate measures for protection against radiological sabotage other than those required by 10 CFR 73.55 (b) through (h). The licensee must demonstrate that the measures have the same high assurance objectives as the regulation and that the overall level of system performance provides protection against radiological sabotage equivalent to that provided by 10 CFR 73.55 (b) through (h).

As discussed in PSEG's license amendment application dated March 5, 2001, the proposed changes to the Salem-Hope Creek Security Plan and the Salem-Hope Creek Security Training and Qualification Plan were submitted for NRC approval in accordance with the requirements in 10 CFR 50.54(p)(1) "because some of the changes could be construed as having the potential to reduce the safeguards effectiveness of the plans." The proposed changes include: (1) elimination of the requirement (as stated in 10 CFR 73.55(d)(4)) that a member of the security organization escort all vehicles, other than designated licensee vehicles, in the protected area; (2) change to the requirement (as stated in 10 CFR 73.55(c)(5)) that all exterior areas of the protected area be illuminated to a minimum of 0.2 footcandle; (3) change to the PSEG commitment (related to the requirements in 10 CFR 73.55(c)(4)) regarding the frequency of patrols in the protected area; and (4) administrative changes to reflect the change of the company name from Public Service Electric and Gas Company to PSEG Nuclear LLC. The licensee's application stated that the proposed changes will not reduce the measures currently in place to protect Salem and Hope Creek from radiological sabotage. The application further states that these changes would provide relief from unnecessary resource burdens while maintaining the level of security appropriate for operating nuclear power plants in the United States.

Per discussions between the NRC staff and PSEG, it was agreed that proposed changes (3) and (4), as previously described, do not need prior NRC approval pursuant to the requirements of 10 CFR 50.54(p)(1). It was determined that these changes do not decrease the safeguards effectiveness of the security plan and, therefore, could be made without prior NRC approval pursuant to 10 CFR 50.54(p)(2). On November 1, 2001, the licensee submitted a revision to the Salem-Hope Creek Security Plan to incorporate the changes being made under 10 CFR 50.54(p)(2). In addition, the supplement dated December 17, 2001, withdrew proposed change (1) pertaining to vehicle escort requirements. Therefore, the following evaluation only addresses proposed change (2) pertaining to illumination requirements within the protected area.

3.0 EVALUATION The following provides the staffs evaluation of the proposed change to the Salem-Hope Creek Security Plan and Security Training and Qualification Plan against the regulatory requirements of 10 CFR 73.55.

3.1 10 CFR 73.55(c)(5) Illumination Levels This regulatory requirement states in part that all exterior areas within the protected area shall be provided with illumination not less than 0.2 footcandle measured horizontally at ground level. PSEG proposed alternative measures in that the isolation zone on either side of the protected area barrier will be maintained at an illumination level of 0.2 footcandle while the remaining portions of the exterior protected area have sufficient lighting for assessing individual activities within the protected area. PSEG has indicated that this change to the plan will not reduce existing illumination levels within the protected area, but will resolve the literal compliance to the regulation which is sometimes difficult to maintain and achieve. By revising the plan commitment on lighting, the site reduces the resource effort not only by security but also by the maintenance and quality assurance departments. The licensee has indicated that in addition to the perimeter intrusion alarm system and closed circuit television assessment

system that are monitored in the security alarm stations, the protected area also has another security system that will be used to assess alarm annunciations. These types of security systems continue to meet the requirements in 10 CFR 73.55(c)(4) for detecting the unauthorized penetration of the site. Furthermore, the lighting levels will continue to allow the security force personnel to identify unauthorized individuals and unusual or degraded conditions within the protected area and will not change the ability of the security force members to conduct a successful assessment activity.

Based on the above, the staff concludes that the licensee has demonstrated that the proposed alternative measures will continue to maintain the objective and the general performance requirements of 10 CFR 73.55, and would provide protection against radiological sabotage equivalent to that which would be provided by 10 CFR 73.55(c)(5). Therefore, the proposed change is authorized pursuant to 10 CFR 73.55(a).

4.0 STATE CONSULTATION

In accordance with the Commission's regulations, the New Jersey State Official was notified of the proposed issuance of the amendments. The State official had no comments.

5.0 ENVIRONMENTAL CONSIDERATION

These amendments relate solely to safeguards matters and do not involve any significant construction impacts. Accordingly, the amendments meet the eligibility criteria for categorical exclusion set forth in 10 CFR 51.22(c)(12). Pursuant to 10 CFR 51.22(b) no environmental impact statement or environmental assessment need be prepared in connection with the issuance of the amendments.

6.0 CONCLUSION

The Commission has concluded, based on the considerations discussed above, that: (1) there is reasonable assurance that the health and safety of the public will not be endangered by operation in the proposed manner, (2) such activities will be conducted in compliance with the Commission's regulations, and (3) the issuance of the amendments will not be inimical to the common defense and security or to the health and safety of the public.

Principal Contributors: R. Manili R. Ennis Date: February 22, 2002

7590-01-P UNITED STATES NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION PSEG NUCLEAR LLC EXELON GENERATION COMPANY, LLC DOCKET NOS. 50-272, 50-311, AND 50-354 NOTICE OF PARTIAL WITHDRAWAL OF APPLICATION FOR AMENDMENTS TO FACILITY OPERATING LICENSES The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (the Commission) has granted the request of PSEG Nuclear LLC (the licensee) to withdraw a portion of its March 5, 2001, application, for proposed amendments to Facility Operating License (FOL) Nos. DPR-70 and DPR-75 for the Salem Nuclear Generating Station, Unit Nos. 1 and 2 (Salem), and FOL No. NPF-57 for the Hope Creek Generating Station (HCGS), located in Salem County, New Jersey.

The proposed amendments would revise License Condition 2.E in each of the respective FOLs to reflect the NRCs approval of changes to the Salem-Hope Creek Security Plan and the Salem-Hope Creek Security Training and Qualification Plan.

On December 17, 2001, the licensee submitted a letter to the NRC requesting withdrawal of the portion of the proposed change pertaining to escort of vehicles within the protected area.

The Commission had previously issued a Notice of Consideration of Issuance of Amendment to Facility Operating License, Proposed No Significant Hazards Consideration Determination, and Opportunity for a Hearing published in the FEDERAL REGISTER for Salem on June 27, 2001 (66 FR 34288), and for HCGS on July 11, 2001 (66 FR 36343). For further details with respect to this action, see the application for amendments dated March 5, 2001, and the licensee's letter dated December 17, 2001, which withdrew a portion of the application for license amendments. Documents may be examined, and/or copied for a fee, at the NRCs Public Document Room, located at One White Flint North, 11555 Rockville

Pike (first floor), Rockville, Maryland. Publicly available records will be accessible electronically from the Agencywide Documents Access and Management Systems (ADAMS) Public Electronic Reading Room on the internet at the NRC Web site, http://www.nrc.gov/reading-rm.html. Persons who do not have access to ADAMS or who encounter problems in accessing the documents located in ADAMS, should contact the NRC Public Document Room (PDR) Reference staff by telephone at 1-800-397-4209, 301-415-4737 or by email to pdr@nrc.gov.

Dated at Rockville, Maryland, this 22nd day of February, 2002.

FOR THE NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION

/RA/

Richard B. Ennis, Sr. Project Manager, Section 2 Project Directorate I Division of Licensing Project Management Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation