ML023570406
| ML023570406 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Site: | Summer  |
| Issue date: | 12/23/2002 |
| From: | Cotton K NRC/NRR/DLPM/LPD2 |
| To: | Byrne S South Carolina Electric & Gas Co |
| Cotton K R, NRR/DLPM, 301-415-1438 | |
| References | |
| BL-02-002, TAC MB5928 | |
| Download: ML023570406 (5) | |
Text
December 23, 2002 Mr. Stephen A. Byrne Senior Vice President, Nuclear Operations South Carolina Electric & Gas Company Virgil C. Summer Nuclear Station Post Office Box 88 Jenkinsville, South Carolina 29065
SUBJECT:
VIRGIL C. SUMMER NUCLEAR STATION, UNIT NO. 1 RESPONSE TO NRC BULLETIN 2002-02, REACTOR PRESSURE VESSEL HEAD AND VESSEL HEAD PENETRATION NOZZLE INSPECTION PROGRAMS (TAC NO. MB5928)
Dear Mr. Byrne:
On August 9, 2002, the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) issued Bulletin 2002-02, Reactor Pressure Vessel Head and Vessel Head Penetration Nozzle Inspection Programs.
The Bulletin requested addressees to provide information related to their reactor pressure vessel (RPV) head and vessel head penetration (VHP) nozzle inspection programs for their respective facilities. The information was to include a summary discussion of inspection program plans to supplement their required visual inspections with nonvisual nondestructive examination methods, or justification for reliance on visual examinations as the primary method to detect degradation. Addressees were requested to respond to Item (1) of the Bulletin within 30 days of its issuance, or within 15 days of its issuance, to provide an alternative course of action, including the basis for acceptability of the proposed action.
By letter dated September 12, 2002, South Carolina Electric & Gas Company provided a response to Item (1) of the Bulletin, indicating the plans to perform RPV head and VHP nozzle inspections at V. C. Summer Nuclear Station (VCSNS). The response also indicated that VCSNS is in the category of plants considered to have low susceptibility to RPV head and VHP cracking, based on a susceptibility ranking of less than 8 effective degradation years.
The NRC staff has reviewed your response to Item (1) of the Bulletin. The staff finds your immediate inspection plan to perform a 100-percent bare metal visual examination during Refueling Outage 14 to provide reasonable assurance of adequate protection of public health and safety.
The staff notes that your justification for reliance on visual examinations and long-term inspection plans refer to the Electric Power Research Institute Materials Reliability Program (MRP) inspection plan for pressurized water reactor RPV upper head penetrations. The staff has not completed its review of the MRP inspection plan and, as such, has not made a determination on the adequacy of the program for ensuring applicable regulatory requirements are met. The staffs assessment of your justification and the adequacy of your long-term inspection program plans will be determined upon completion of the staffs review of the MRP proposed inspection plan.
S. Byrne
- 2 -
Also, please note that as stated in Item (2) of the Bulletin, you are to report to the Commission your inspection scope and results within 30 days after plant restart following the inspection of the RPV head and VHP nozzles.
Please contact me at (301) 415-1438, if you have any questions on this issue.
Sincerely,
/RA/
Karen R. Cotton, Project Manager, Section 1 Project Directorate II-1 Division of Licensing Project Management Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation Docket No. 50-395 cc: See next page
ML023570406 OFFICE PDII-1/PM PDII-1/LA DLPM/LPM EMCB/SC PDII-1/SC NAME KCotton BClayton TTate TChan JNakoski DATE 12/11/02 12/9/02 12/11/02 12/12/02 12/17/02
Mr. Stephen A. Byrne VIRGIL C. SUMMER NUCLEAR STATION South Carolina Electric & Gas Company cc:
Mr. R. J. White Ms. Kathryn M. Sutton, Esquire Nuclear Coordinator Winston & Strawn Law Firm S.C. Public Service Authority 1400 L Street, NW c/o Virgil C. Summer Nuclear Station Washington, DC 20005-3502 Post Office Box 88, Mail Code 802 Jenkinsville, South Carolina 29065 Resident Inspector/Summer NPS c/o U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission 576 Stairway Road Jenkinsville, South Carolina 29065 Chairman, Fairfield County Council Drawer 60 Winnsboro, South Carolina 29180 Mr. Henry Porter, Assistant Director Division of Waste Management Bureau of Land & Waste Management Department of Health & Environmental Control 2600 Bull Street Columbia, South Carolina 29201 Mr. Gregory H. Halnon, General Manager Nuclear Plant Operations South Carolina Electric & Gas Company Virgil C. Summer Nuclear Station, Mail Code 303 Post Office Box 88 Jenkinsville, South Carolina 29065 Mr. Melvin N. Browne, Manager Nuclear Licensing & Operating Experience South Carolina Electric & Gas Company Virgil C. Summer Nuclear Station, Mail Code 830 Post Office Box 88 Jenkinsville, South Carolina 29065