ML021990258

License Amendment Nos. 154 & 140, Requirements Regarding Facility Staff Qualifications

ML021990258
Person / Time
Site:	LaSalle
Issue date:	09/17/2002
From:	Macon W NRC/NRR/DLPM/LPD3
To:	Skolds J Exelon Generation Co, Exelon Nuclear
Macon W, NRR/DLPM/LPDIII-02, 415-3965
References
TAC MB2690, TAC MB2691
Download: ML021990258 (14)

Text

September 17, 2002 Mr. John L. Skolds, President Exelon Nuclear Exelon Generation Company, LLC 4300 Winfield Road Warrenville, IL 60555

SUBJECT:

LASALLE COUNTY STATION, UNITS 1 AND 2 - ISSUANCE OF AMENDMENTS RE: FACILITY STAFF QUALIFICATIONS FOR LICENSED OPERATOR AND NON-LICENSED PERSONNEL TRAINING PROGRAMS (TAC NOS. MB2690 AND MB2691)

Dear Mr. Skolds:

The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (Commission) has issued the enclosed Amendment No. 154 to Facility Operating License No. NPF-11 and Amendment No. 140 to Facility Operating License No. NPF-18 for the LaSalle County Station, Units 1 and 2, respectively. The amendments are in response to your application dated August 1, 2001, as supplemented by letters dated June 19, 2002, and September 9, 2002.

The amendments revise requirements regarding facility staff qualifications and licensed operator and non-licensed personnel training programs. The changes revise requirements that have been superseded based on licensed operator training programs being accredited by the Institute of Nuclear Power Operations, promulgation of the revised 10 CFR Part 55, Operators Licenses, which became effective on May 26, 1987, and adoption of a systems approach to training as required by 10 CFR 50.120, Training and qualification of nuclear power plant personnel.

A copy of the Safety Evaluation is also enclosed. The Notice of Issuance will be included in the Commission's biweekly Federal Register notice.

Sincerely,

/RA/

William A. Macon, Jr., Project Manager, Section 2 Project Directorate III Division of Licensing Project Management Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation Docket Nos. 50-373, 50-374

Enclosures:

1. Amendment No. 154 to NPF-11

2. Amendment No. 140 to NPF-18

3. Safety Evaluation cc w/encls: See next page

September 17, 2002 Mr. John L. Skolds, President Exelon Nuclear Exelon Generation Company, LLC 4300 Winfield Road Warrenville, IL 60555

SUBJECT:

LASALLE COUNTY STATION, UNITS 1 AND 2 - ISSUANCE OF AMENDMENTS RE: FACILITY STAFF QUALIFICATIONS FOR LICENSED OPERATOR AND NON-LICENSED PERSONNEL TRAINING PROGRAMS (TAC NOS. MB2690 AND MB2691)

Dear Mr. Skolds:

The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (Commission) has issued the enclosed Amendment No. 154 to Facility Operating License No. NPF-11 and Amendment No. 140 to Facility Operating License No. NPF-18 for the LaSalle County Station, Units 1 and 2, respectively. The amendments are in response to your application dated August 1, 2001, as supplemented by letters dated June 19, 2002, and September 9, 2002.

The amendments revise requirements regarding facility staff qualifications and licensed operator and non-licensed personnel training programs. The changes revise requirements that have been superseded based on licensed operator training programs being accredited by the Institute of Nuclear Power Operations, promulgation of the revised 10 CFR Part 55, Operators Licenses, which became effective on May 26, 1987, and adoption of a systems approach to training as required by 10 CFR 50.120, Training and qualification of nuclear power plant personnel.

A copy of the Safety Evaluation is also enclosed. The Notice of Issuance will be included in the Commission's biweekly Federal Register notice.

Sincerely,

/RA/

William A. Macon, Jr., Project Manager, Section 2 Project Directorate III Division of Licensing Project Management Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation Docket Nos. 50-373, 50-374

Enclosures:

1. Amendment No. 154 to NPF-11

2. Amendment No. 140 to NPF-18

3. Safety Evaluation cc w/encls: See next page DISTRIBUTION:

Public W. Macon, Jr. C. Rosenberg R. Pelton PD3-2 r/f OGC, O15B18 GHill (4), T5C3 B. Burgess, RIII A. Mendiola ACRS, T2E26 W. Beckner, O13H15 ADAMS Accession Number: ML021990258

• See Previous Concurrence OFFICE PM:LPD3-2 LA:LPD3-2 SC:IEHB* OGC SC:LPD3-2 NAME WMacon, Jr. CRosenberg DTrimble DPicket for AMendiola DATE 09/12/02 09/11/02 07/12/02 09/26/02 09/17/02 OFFICIAL RECORD COPY

LaSalle County Station Units 1 and 2 cc:

Site Vice President - LaSalle Regional Administrator Exelon Generation Company, LLC U.S. NRC, Region III 2601 North 21st Road 801 Warrenville Road Marseilles, IL 61341-9757 Lisle, IL 60532-4351 LaSalle County Station Plant Manager Illinois Department of Nuclear Safety Exelon Generation Company, LLC Office of Nuclear Facility Safety 2601 North 21st Road 1035 Outer Park Drive Marseilles, IL 61341-9757 Springfield, IL 62704 Regulatory Assurance Manager - LaSalle Document Control Desk-Licensing Exelon Generation Company, LLC Exelon Generation Company, LLC 2601 North 21st Road 4300 Winfield Road Marseilles, IL 61341-9757 Warrenville, IL 60555 U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission Senior Vice President - Nuclear Services LaSalle Resident Inspectors Office Exelon Generation Company, LLC 2605 North 21st Road 4300 Winfield Road Marseilles, IL 61341-9756 Warrenville, IL 60555 Phillip P. Steptoe, Esquire Vice President Sidley and Austin Mid-West Operations Support One First National Plaza Exelon Generation Company, LLC Chicago, IL 60603 4300 Winfield Road Warrenville, IL 60555 Assistant Attorney General 100 W. Randolph St. Suite 12 Senior Vice President Chicago, IL 60601 Mid-West Regional Operating Group Exelon Generation Company, LLC Chairman 4300 Winfield Road LaSalle County Board Warrenville, IL 60555 707 Etna Road Ottawa, IL 61350 Vice President - Licensing and Regulatory Affairs Attorney General Exelon Generation Company, LLC 500 S. Second Street 4300 Winfield Road Springfield, IL 62701 Warrenville, IL 60555 Chairman Illinois Commerce Commission 527 E. Capitol Avenue, Leland Building Springfield, IL 62706 Robert Cushing, Chief, Public Utilities Division Illinois Attorney Generals Office 100 W. Randolph Street Chicago, IL 60601

LaSalle County Station Units 1 and 2 Director - Licensing Mid-West Regional Operating Group Exelon Generation Company, LLC 4300 Winfield Road Warrenville, IL 60555 Senior Counsel, Nuclear Mid-West Regional Operating Group Exelon Generation Company, LLC 4300 Winfield Road Warrenville, IL 60555 Manager - Licensing -Clinton and LaSalle Exelon Generation Company, LLC 4300 Winfield Road Warrenville, IL 60555

EXELON GENERATION COMPANY, LLC DOCKET NO. 50-373 LASALLE COUNTY STATION, UNIT 1 AMENDMENT TO FACILITY OPERATING LICENSE Amendment No.154 License No. NPF-11

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

A. The application for amendment filed by the Exelon Generation Company, LLC (the licensee), dated August 1, 2001, as supplemented by letters dated June 19 and September 09, 2002, complies with the standards and requirements of the Atomic Energy Act of 1954, as amended (the Act), and the Commissions 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 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 Commissions 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 Commissions regulations and all applicable requirements have been satisfied.

2. Accordingly, the license is amended by changes to the Technical Specifications as indicated in the enclosure to this license amendment and paragraph 2.C.(2) of the Facility Operating License No. NPF-11 is hereby amended to read as follows:

(2) Technical Specifications and Environmental Protection Plan The Technical Specifications contained in Appendix A, as revised through Amendment No. 154, and the Environmental Protection Plan contained in Appendix B, are hereby incorporated in the license. The licensee shall operate the facility in accordance with the Technical Specifications and the Environmental Protection Plan.

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

FOR THE NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION

/RA Douglas Pickett for /

Anthony J. Mendiola, Chief, Section 2 Project Directorate III Division of Licensing Project Management Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation

Attachment:

Changes to the Technical Specifications Date of Issuance: September 17, 2002

ATTACHMENT TO LICENSE AMENDMENT NO. 154 FACILITY OPERATING LICENSE NO. NPF-11 DOCKET NO. 50-373 Replace the following pages of the Appendix "A" Technical Specifications with the enclosed pages. The revised pages are identified by amendment number and contain marginal lines indicating the area of change.

Remove Pages Insert Pages 5.3-1 5.3-1

EXELON GENERATION COMPANY, LLC DOCKET NO. 50-374 LASALLE COUNTY STATION, UNIT 2 AMENDMENT TO FACILITY OPERATING LICENSE Amendment No.140 License No. NPF-18

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

A. The application for amendment filed by the Exelon Generation Company, LLC (the licensee), dated August 1, 2001, as supplemented by letters dated June 19 and September 09, 2002, complies with the standards and requirements of the Atomic Energy Act of 1954, as amended (the Act), and the Commissions 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 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 Commissions 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 Commissions regulations and all applicable requirements have been satisfied.

2. Accordingly, the license is amended by changes to the Technical Specifications as indicated in the enclosure to this license amendment and paragraph 2.C.(2) of the Facility Operating License No. NPF-18 is hereby amended to read as follows:

(2) Technical Specifications and Environmental Protection Plan The Technical Specifications contained in Appendix A, as revised through Amendment No. , and the Environmental Protection Plan contained in Appendix B, are hereby incorporated in the license. The licensee shall operate the facility in accordance with the Technical Specifications and the Environmental Protection Plan.

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

FOR THE NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION

/RA Douglas Pickett for/

Anthony J. Mendiola, Chief, Section 2 Project Directorate III Division of Licensing Project Management Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation

Attachment:

Changes to the Technical Specifications Date of Issuance: September 17, 2002

ATTACHMENT TO LICENSE AMENDMENT NO. 140 FACILITY OPERATING LICENSE NO. NPF-18 DOCKET NO. 50-374 Replace the following pages of the Appendix "A" Technical Specifications with the enclosed pages. The revised pages are identified by amendment number and contain marginal lines indicating the area of change.

Remove Pages Insert Pages 5.3-1 5.3-1

SAFETY EVALUATION BY THE OFFICE OF NUCLEAR REACTOR REGULATION RELATED TO AMENDMENT NO. 154 TO FACILITY OPERATING LICENSE NO. NPF-11 AND AMENDMENT NO. 140 TO FACILITY OPERATING LICENSE NO. NPF-18 EXELON GENERATION COMPANY, LLC LASALLE COUNTY STATION, UNITS 1 AND 2 DOCKET NOS. 50-373 AND 50-374

1.0 INTRODUCTION

By application dated August 1, 2001, Exelon Generation Company, LLC (the licensee) submitted an application for license amendments for the LaSalle County Station, Units 1 and 2 (LaSalle), to the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) for approval. The licensee provided additional information by letters dated June 19, 2002, and September 9, 2002. The licensee requested approval of changes to the LaSalle technical specifications (TS) to revise the requirements regarding facility staff qualifications and licensed operator and non-licensed personnel training programs. The application stated that the changes would revise requirements that have been superseded based on licensed operator training programs being accredited by the Institute of Nuclear Power Operations, promulgation of the revised 10 CFR Part 55, Operators Licenses, which became effective on May 26, 1987, and adoption of a systems approach to training as required by 10 CFR 50.120, Training and qualification of nuclear power plant personnel. Additional information was provided by the licensee in its letter of June 19, 2002. The licensee's June 19, 2002, and September 9, 2002, letters provided clarifying information within the scope of the original application and did not change the NRC staff's proposed no significant hazard consideration dated October 31, 2001 (66 FR 55018).

2.0 REGULATORY EVALUATION

On March 20, 1985, the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) issued the Commission Policy Statement on Training and Qualification of Nuclear Power Plant Personnel which endorsed the training accreditation process and the National Academy for Nuclear Training (NANT). In Generic Letter 87-07, "Information Transmittal of Final Rulemaking for Revisions to Operator Licensing - 10 CFR 55 and Conforming Amendments," dated March 19,1987, and in NUREG-1262, "Answers to Questions at Public Meetings Regarding Implementation of Title 10, Code of Federal Regulations, Part 55 on Operators' Licenses," published November 1987, the NRC indicated it would accept a facilitys licensed operator training program if the facility certified in writing that the program was accredited and based on a systems approach to training (SAT). This certification would supersede the requirement of ANSI N18.1-1971, "Selection and Training of Nuclear Power Plant Personnel," and ANSI/ANS-3.1-1978, "Selection, Qualification and Training of Personnel for Nuclear Power Plants." Facility licensees

were advised to submit a request to the NRC for an administrative change to their licensing documents to revise or delete, as appropriate, the requirements that had been superseded.

In 1992 the NRC published its proposed rule 10 CFR 50.120, "Training and qualification of nuclear power plant personnel." The proposed rule stated that, if adopted, the rule would supersede the Policy Statement on Training and Qualification of Nuclear Power Plant Personnel and would not result in any change to accredited programs. The Commission concluded that accredited programs, implemented consistent with industry objectives and criteria would be in compliance with this regulation. In April 1993, the NRC published its final rule on training and qualification of nuclear power plant personnel. The rule requires nuclear power plant licensees to establish, implement, and maintain SAT-based training programs for nine non-licensed positions. Accreditation of these nine training programs is an acceptable means of meeting the requirements of 10 CFR 50.120.

On January 18, 2001, the NRC published NRC Regulatory Issue Summary (RIS) 2001-01, Eligibility of Operator License Applicants," to familiarize licensees with the NRC's current guidelines for the qualification and training of reactor operator and senior operator license applicants. RIS 2001-01 acknowledged that 10 CFR 55.31(a)(4) allows the NRC to accept an application for an operators license if the facility licensee certifies that the applicant has successfully completed a Commission-approved training program that is based on a systems approach to training. In addition, RIS 2001-01 stated that: (1) a training program would be considered approved by the NRC when it receives or renews accreditation from the National Nuclear Accrediting Board (NNAB); (2) accreditation of operator training programs suggests that facilities are implementing the education and experience guidelines endorsed by the NNAB; (3) NANT guidelines for education and experience (those in effect in 1987 or those issued in January 2000) outline acceptable methods for implementing the Commission's regulations; and (4) the staff encourages all facility licensees to review their requirements and commitments related to licensed operator and senior operator education and experience and to update their documentation (e.g., Final Safety Analysis Report, Technical Specifications, and training program descriptions) to enhance consistency and minimize confusion."

3.0 TECHNICAL EVALUATION

The changes proposed by the licensee will revise requirements regarding facility staff qualifications and licensed operator and non-licensed personnel training programs at LaSalle.

The requested changes will update requirements that had been outdated based on licensed operator training programs being accredited by the Institute of Nuclear Power Operations, promulgation of the revised 10 CFR 55, Operators Licenses, and adoption of a systems approach to training as required by 10 CFR 50.120, Training and qualification of nuclear power plant personnel.

The licensed operator training programs and the training programs for the nine non-licensed positions required by 10 CFR 50.120 at LaSalle are accredited by the NNAB and are based on a systems approach to training as stated in writing in the August 1, 2001, submittal.

Proposed TS Section 5.3, Unit Staff Qualifications, describes the requirements for unit staff qualifications. In addition, the education and experience eligibility requirements for reactor operator and senior reactor operator license applicants will be described in applicable station

training procedures. The revised wording of this section specifies that "the education and experience eligibility requirements of the operator license applicants, and changes thereto, shall be approved by the NRC and described in an applicable station training procedure." Changes to the procedures addressing issues other than education and experience eligibility requirements may be made consistent with the licensees procedure revision process. The licensee stated that a note will be added to the applicable procedures to serve as a reminder for the procedure writer to ensure that the requirements imposed by this TS section are followed (i.e., the content of the applicable sections/pages will not be changed without prior NRC approval.)

The NRC staff concludes that the modified education and experience eligibility requirements in Section 5.3 of the LaSalle TS, and the procedural excerpts providing education and experience eligibility flowcharts as described in the submittal of June 19, 2002, are adequate because they conform with the reactor operator and senior reactor operator license eligibility criteria and standards acceptable to the NRC, and that with the revised TS wording it is clear that the NRC has final approval authority through the license amendment process for changes to eligibility criteria contained within the applicable procedures. In order to assure that the approval of future changes to the operator qualifications will be done by a license amendment, the staff clarified the TS by adding a specific document reference (i.e., the licensees letter dated June 19, 2002) that contains the operator qualifications. The licensees letter dated September 9, 2002, acknowledged that this clarification was being added to the TS. In addition, the changes will not affect the 10 CFR 50.36(c)(5) requirement to ensure the licensee maintains administrative controls that assure the operation of the facility in a safe manner. Further, the proposed TS changes are consistent with 10 CFR Part 55 and 10 CFR 50.120 and do not adversely affect nuclear safety or plant operations

4.0 STATE CONSULTATION

In accordance with the Commissions regulations, the Illinois State official was notified of the proposed issuance of the amendments. The State official had no comments.

5.0 ENVIRONMENTAL CONSIDERATION

The amendments relate to changes in recordkeeping, reporting, or administrative procedures or requirements. Accordingly, the amendments meet the eligibility criteria for categorical exclusion set forth in 10 CFR 51.22(c)(10). 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 Commissions 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 Contributor: R. Pelton Date: September 17, 2002