ML030160876

License Amendment, Issuance of Amendments Regarding Residual Heat Removal Suppression Pool Cooling

ML030160876
Person / Time
Site:	Susquehanna
Issue date:	01/16/2003
From:	Colburn T NRC/NRR/DLPM/LPD1
To:	Shriver B Susquehanna
Guzman R, NRR/DLPM 415-1030
References
TAC MB6452, TAC MB6453
Download: ML030160876 (12)

Text

January 16, 2003 Mr. Bryce L. Shriver Senior Vice President and Chief Nuclear Officer PPL Susquehanna, LLC 769 Salem Boulevard Berwick, PA 18603-0467

SUBJECT:

SUSQUEHANNA STEAM ELECTRIC STATION, UNITS 1 AND 2 - ISSUANCE OF AMENDMENTS REGARDING RESIDUAL HEAT REMOVAL SUPPRESSION POOL COOLING (TAC NOS. MB6452 AND MB6453)

Dear Mr. Shriver:

The Commission has issued the enclosed Amendment No. 207 to Facility Operating License No. NPF-14 and Amendment No. 181 to Facility Operating License No. NPF-22 for the Susquehanna Steam Electric Station, Units 1 and 2. These amendments are in response to your application (PLA-5522) dated September 23, 2002.

The amendments revise Technical Specifications (TSs) Section 2.6.2.4, Residual Heat Removal [RHR] Suppression Pool Cooling, to adopt TS Task Force (TF) change 230, Revision 1 (TSTF-230, Revision 1). This change to Required Action B of Limiting Condition for Operation 3.6.2.3 allows two RHR suppression pool cooling subsystems to be inoperable for up to 8 hours9.259259e-5 days <br />0.00222 hours <br />1.322751e-5 weeks <br />3.044e-6 months <br />. As stated in your application, changes to the Bases for TS 3.6.2.3 will be addressed in accordance with TS 5.5.10, TS Bases Control Program.

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/

Timothy G. Colburn, Sr. Project Manager, Section 1 Project Directorate I Division of Licensing Project Management Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation Docket Nos. 50-387 and 50-388

Enclosures:

1. Amendment No. 207 to License No. NPF-14

2. Amendment No. 181 to License No. NPF-22

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

Mr. Bryce L. Shriver Senior Vice President and Chief Nuclear Officer PPL Susquehanna, LLC 769 Salem Boulevard Berwick, PA 18603-0467

SUBJECT:

SUSQUEHANNA STEAM ELECTRIC STATION, UNITS 1 AND 2 - ISSUANCE OF AMENDMENTS REGARDING RESIDUAL HEAT REMOVAL SUPPRESSION POOL COOLING (TAC NOS. MB6452 AND MB6453)

Dear Mr. Shriver:

The Commission has issued the enclosed Amendment No. 207 to Facility Operating License No. NPF-14 and Amendment No. 181 to Facility Operating License No. NPF-22 for the Susquehanna Steam Electric Station, Units 1 and 2. These amendments are in response to your application (PLA-5522) dated September 23, 2002.

The amendments revise Technical Specifications (TSs) Section 2.6.2.4, Residual Heat Removal [RHR] Suppression Pool Cooling, to adopt TS Task Force (TF) change 230, Revision 1 (TSTF-230, Revision 1). This change to Required Action B of Limiting Condition for Operation 3.6.2.3 allows two RHR suppression pool cooling subsystems to be inoperable for up to 8 hours9.259259e-5 days <br />0.00222 hours <br />1.322751e-5 weeks <br />3.044e-6 months <br />. As stated in your application, changes to the Bases for TS 3.6.2.3 will be addressed in accordance with TS 5.5.10, TS Bases Control Program.

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/

Timothy G. Colburn, Sr. Project Manager, Section 1 Project Directorate I Division of Licensing Project Management Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation Docket Nos. 50-387 and 50-388

Enclosures:

1. Amendment No. 207 to DISTRIBUTION:

License No. NPF-14 PDI-1 R/F TColburn BPlatchek, RGN-I

2. Amendment No. 181 to ACRS RGuzman OGC License No. NPF-22 PUBLIC MOBrien GHill (4)

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

• See previous concurrence page Accession No.: ML030160876 Package No.: ML TSs: ML OFFICE PDI-1/PM PDI-1/PM PDI-2/LA RORP OGC PDI-1/SC NAME RGuzman TColburn SLittle for MOBrien RDennig

• AHodgdon* RLaufer DATE 1/15/03 1/15/03 1/16/03 01/02/03 01/10/03 1/16/03 OFFICIAL RECORD COPY

Susquehanna Steam Electric Station, Units 1 &2 Bryan A. Snapp, Esq Robert A. Saccone Assoc. General Counsel General Manager - Nuclear Engineering PPL Services Corporation PPL Susquehanna, LLC 2 North Ninth Street GENTW3 769 Salem Blvd., NUCSB3 Allentown, PA 18101-1179 Berwick, PA 18603-0035 Senior Resident Inspector Terry L. Harpster U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission General Manager - Plant Support P.O. Box 35, NUCSA4 PPL Susquehanna, LLC Berwick, PA 18603-0035 769 Salem Blvd., NUCSA4 Berwick, PA 18603-0035 Director - Bureau of Radiation Protection Pennsylvania Deparment of Curtis D. Markley Environmental Protection Supervisor - Nuclear Regulatory Affairs P.O. Box 8469 PPL Susquehanna, LLC Harrisburg, PA 17105-8469 769 Salem Blvd., NUCSA4 Berwick, PA 18603-0035 Regional Administrator, Region 1 U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission Rocco R. Sgarro 475 Allendale Road Manager - Nuclear Regulatory Affairs King of Prussia, PA 19406 PPL Susquehanna, LLC Two North Ninth Street, GENA61 Board of Supervisors Allentown, PA 18101-1179 Salem Township P.O. Box 405 Michael H. Crowthers Berwick, PA 18603-0035 Supervising Engineer - Nuclear Regulatory Affairs PPL Susquehanna, LLC PPL Susquehanna, LLC Nuclear Records Two North Ninth Street, GENA61 Attn: G. DallaPalu Allentown, PA 18101-1179 2 North Ninth Street GENA62 Allentown, PA 18101-1179 Aloysius J. Wrape, III General Manager - Nuclear Assurance Richard W. Osborne PPL Susquehanna, LLC Allegheny Electric Cooperative, Inc. Two North Ninth Street, GENA92 212 Locust Street Allentown, PA 18101-1179 P.O. Box 1266 Harrisburg, PA 17108-1266 Dale F. Roth Manager - Quality Assurance Bryce L. Shriver PPL Susquehanna, LLC Senior Vice President and Chief Nuclear Two North Ninth Street, GENA92 Officer Allentown, PA 18101-1179 PPL Susquehanna, LLC 769 Salem Blvd., NUCSB3 Herbert D. Woodeshick Berwick, PA 18603-0035 Special Office of the President PPL Susquehanna, LLC Richard L. Anderson Rural Route 1, Box 1797 Vice President-Nuclear Site Operations Berwick, PA 18603-0035 PPL Susquehanna, LLC 769 Salem Blvd., NUCSB3 Dr. Judith Johnsrud Berwick, PA 18603-0035 National Energy Committee Sierra Club 443 Orlando Avenue State College, PA 16803

PPL SUSQUEHANNA, LLC ALLEGHENY ELECTRIC COOPERATIVE, INC.

DOCKET NO. 50-387 SUSQUEHANNA STEAM ELECTRIC STATION, UNIT 1 AMENDMENT TO FACILITY OPERATING LICENSE Amendment No. 207 License No. NPF-14

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

A. The application for the amendment filed by PPL Susquehanna, LLC, dated September 23, 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 attachment to this license amendment and paragraph 2.C.(2) of the Facility Operating License No. NPF-14 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. 207 and the Environmental Protection Plan contained in Appendix B, are hereby incorporated in the license. PPL Susquehanna, LLC shall operate the facility in accordance with the Technical Specifications and the Environmental Protection Plan.

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

FOR THE NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION

/RA/

Richard J. Laufer, Chief, Section 1 Project Directorate I Division of Licensing Project Management Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation

Attachment:

Changes to the Technical Specifications Date of Issuance: January 16, 2003

ATTACHMENT TO LICENSE AMENDMENT NO. 207 FACILITY OPERATING LICENSE NO. NPF-14 DOCKET NO. 50-387 Replace the following page of the Appendix A Technical Specifications with the attached revised page. The revised page is identified by amendment number and contains marginal lines indicating the areas of change.

REMOVE INSERT 3.6-26 3.6-26

PPL SUSQUEHANNA, LLC ALLEGHENY ELECTRIC COOPERATIVE, INC.

DOCKET NO. 50-388 SUSQUEHANNA STEAM ELECTRIC STATION, UNIT 2 AMENDMENT TO FACILITY OPERATING LICENSE Amendment No. 181 License No. NPF-22

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

A. The application for the amendment filed by the PPL Susquehanna, LLC, dated September 23, 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 attachment to this license amendment and paragraph 2.C.(2) of the Facility Operating License No. NPF-22 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. 181 and the Environmental Protection Plan contained in Appendix B, are hereby incorporated in the license. PPL Susquehanna, LLC shall operate the facility in accordance with the Technical Specifications and the Environmental Protection Plan.

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

FOR THE NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION

/RA/

Richard J. Laufer, Chief, Section 1 Project Directorate I Division of Licensing Project Management Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation

Attachment:

Changes to the Technical Specifications Date of Issuance: January 16, 2003

ATTACHMENT TO LICENSE AMENDMENT NO. 181 FACILITY OPERATING LICENSE NO. NPF-22 DOCKET NO. 50-388 Replace the following page of the Appendix A Technical Specifications with the attached revised page. The revised page is identified by amendment number and contains marginal lines indicating the areas of change.

REMOVE INSERT 3.6-26 3.6-26

SAFETY EVALUATION BY THE OFFICE OF NUCLEAR REACTOR REGULATION RELATED TO AMENDMENT NO. 207 TO FACILITY OPERATING LICENSE NO. NPF-14 AND AMENDMENT NO. 181 TO FACILITY OPERATING LICENSE NO. NPF-22 PPL SUSQUEHANNA, LLC ALLEGHENY ELECTRIC COOPERATIVE, INC.

SUSQUEHANNA STEAM ELECTRIC STATION, UNITS 1 AND 2 DOCKET NOS. 50-387 AND 388

1.0 INTRODUCTION

By application dated September 23, 2002, PPL Susquehanna, LLC (PPL, the licensee),

requested amendments to revise the Susquehanna Steam Electric Station, Units 1 and 2 (SSES 1 and 2), Technical Specifications (TSs). The proposed amendments would revise TS Section 2.6.2.3, Residual Heat Removal [RHR] Suppression Pool Cooling, to adopt TS Task Force change 230, Revision 1 (TSTF-230, Revision 1). This change to Required Action B of Limiting Condition for Operation [LCO] 3.6.2.3 would allow two RHR suppression pool cooling subsystems to be inoperable for up to 8 hours9.259259e-5 days <br />0.00222 hours <br />1.322751e-5 weeks <br />3.044e-6 months <br />.

2.0 REGULATORY EVALUATION

The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) staff finds that PPL in its September 23, 2002, submittal identified the applicable regulatory requirements. The regulatory requirements for which the NRC staff based its acceptance are as follows:

1. The criteria for inclusion of LCOs in the TSs are given in the Title 10 of the Code of Federal Regulations (10 CFR), Section 50.36(c)(2)(ii).

2. Precedent as contained in TSTF-230 for NUREG-1433, Revision 1, Standard Technical Specifications [STS], General Electric Plants, BWR/4," dated April 1995.

3.0 TECHNICAL EVALUATION

3.1 Proposed TS Changes The approval of this license amendment request (LAR) will result in the licensee having more time to restore operability to an RHR suppression pool cooling subsystem when two subsystems are inoperable. A unit is presently required to be in Mode 3 within 12 hours1.388889e-4 days <br />0.00333 hours <br />1.984127e-5 weeks <br />4.566e-6 months <br /> and Mode 4 within an additional 36 hours4.166667e-4 days <br />0.01 hours <br />5.952381e-5 weeks <br />1.3698e-5 months <br />, if both RHR suppression pool cooling subsystems are found to be inoperable.

The LAR does not change, in any way, the design or function of any safety or nonsafety-related systems or components previously reviewed by the NRC staff and found to be acceptable. The LAR requests an allowed 8 hours9.259259e-5 days <br />0.00222 hours <br />1.322751e-5 weeks <br />3.044e-6 months <br /> to restore suppression pool cooling when both RHR suppression pool cooling subsystems have been inoperable. This is consistent with TSTF-230, Revision 1. TS LCO 3.6.2.3 has been revised to add a new Action B which would allow both RHR suppression pool cooling subsystems to be inoperable for 8 hours9.259259e-5 days <br />0.00222 hours <br />1.322751e-5 weeks <br />3.044e-6 months <br />.

Also, the current Condition B, applicable when the Required Action and Completion Times for two inoperable RHR suppression pool cooling subsystems cannot be met, would be revised by deleting the condition of two inoperable subsystems, since that condition would be covered by the revised Action B in TS LCO 3.6.2.3.

3.2 Evaluation of Change The RHR suppression pool cooling subsystem at SSES 1 and 2 consists of two independent RHR loops. A subsystem includes either of the two RHR pumps, an RHR heat exchanger, and associated valves and piping. Each RHR subsystem contains a flow path capable of recirculating water from the suppression chamber through the RHR heat exchanger and is manually initiated and independently controlled. The primary function of the RHR suppression pool cooling system is to maintain suppression pool water temperature within established limits.

In addition, RHR suppression pool cooling subsystems, along with other subsystems, are required to provide suppression pool cooling in the event of a design-basis accident (DBA).

The other subsystems that are used to support or provide suppression pool cooling during a DBA include the suppression pool spray subsystem and the RHR service water subsystems. In part, the basis for the approval of TSTF-230, Revision 1, is that each of these subsystems has a Completion Time of 8 hours9.259259e-5 days <br />0.00222 hours <br />1.322751e-5 weeks <br />3.044e-6 months <br /> to restore operability and, absent any additional safety concern, the RHR suppression pool cooling subsystem should have the same. The suppression pool spray subsystem and the RHR service water subsystems for SSES 1 and 2 have a Completion Time of 8 hours9.259259e-5 days <br />0.00222 hours <br />1.322751e-5 weeks <br />3.044e-6 months <br /> to restore operability.

The proposed 8-hour Completion Time is considered acceptable since an immediate plant shutdown as required by SSES 1 and 2 TS LCO 3.6.2.3 has the potential for the unit to scram.

For this event, there could be a steam discharge into the suppression pool while both RHR suppression pool cooling subsystems are inoperable and incapable of removing the generated heat. The 8-hour limit provides time to restore one of the subsystems prior to requiring the unit to shut down, yet is short enough that it does not significantly increase the time that the subsystems would be unavailable in the event of an accident.

This proposed change is consistent with TSTF-230, Revision 1, for NUREG-1433, Revision 1, Standard Technical Specifications General Electric Plants, BWR/4 facilities. This LAR is not unique in that several other plants, including Grand Gulf, Hatch, and Peach Bottom, have retained their current licensing basis allowances during their improved STS conversions, which essentially adopted provisions similar to TSTF-230, Revision 1. TSTF-230, Revision 1, was accepted by the NRC by letter dated July 26, 1999, from William D. Beckner, NRC, to James Davis, Nuclear Energy Institute.

3.3 Summary The NRC staff finds that the proposed changes will allow safe operation of the RHR suppression pool cooling subsystem. The NRC staff also finds that the proposed changes are consistent with the previously approved TSTF-230, Revision 1. The NRC staff, therefore, concludes that the proposed TS changes are acceptable.

4.0 STATE CONSULTATION

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

5.0 ENVIRONMENTAL CONSIDERATION

The amendments change a requirement with respect to installation or use of a facility component located within the restricted area as defined in 10 CFR Part 20. The NRC staff has determined that the amendments involve no significant increase in the amounts, and no significant change in the types, of any effluents that may be released offsite, and that there is no significant increase in individual or cumulative occupational radiation exposure. The Commission has previously issued a proposed finding that the amendments involve no significant hazards consideration, and there has been no public comment on such finding (67 FR 66012). Accordingly, the amendments meet the eligibility criteria for categorical exclusion set forth in 10 CFR 51.22(c)(9). 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. Guzman Date: January 16, 2003