ML030170434
| ML030170434 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Site: | Robinson  |
| Issue date: | 01/22/2003 |
| From: | Chandu Patel NRC/NRR/DLPM/LPD2 |
| To: | Moyer J Carolina Power & Light Co |
| References | |
| TAC MB7265 | |
| Download: ML030170434 (10) | |
Text
January 22, 2003 Mr. J. W. Moyer, Vice President Carolina Power & Light Company H. B. Robinson Steam Electric Plant, Unit No. 2 3581 West Entrance Road Hartsville, South Carolina 29550
SUBJECT:
H. B. ROBINSON STEAM ELECTRIC PLANT, UNIT NO. 2 - NOTICE OF CONSIDERATION OF ISSUANCE OF AMENDMENT TO FACILITY OPERATING LICENSE, PROPOSED NO SIGNIFICANT HAZARDS CONSIDERATION DETERMINATION, AND OPPORTUNITY FOR A HEARING (TAC NO. MB7265)
Dear Mr. Moyer:
Enclosed is a copy of the subject notice for your information. This notice relates to your amendment application for H. B. Robinson Steam Electric Plant, Unit No. 2 (HBRSEP2), dated January 16, 2003, which would revise the Technical Specifications to allow the use of an alternate method of determining rod position for a control rod with an inoperable rod position indication. This would be effective during the current HBRSEP2 operating cycle until repair of the indication system can be completed during the next shutdown of sufficient duration.
This notice has been sent to the Office of the Federal Register for publication.
Sincerely,
/RA/
Chandu P. Patel, Project Manager, Section 2 Project Directorate II Division of Licensing Project Management Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation Docket No. 50-261
Enclosure:
Notice cc w/encl: See next page
ML030170434 OFFICE PM:PDII/S2 LA:PDII/S2 SC:PDII/S2 NAME CPatel EDunnington AHowe DATE 1/17/03 1/17/03 1/17/03
7590-01-P UNITED STATES NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION CAROLINA POWER & LIGHT COMPANY DOCKET NO. 50-261 NOTICE OF CONSIDERATION OF ISSUANCE OF AMENDMENT TO FACILITY OPERATING LICENSE, PROPOSED NO SIGNIFICANT HAZARDS CONSIDERATION DETERMINATION, AND OPPORTUNITY FOR A HEARING The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (the Commission) is considering issuance of an amendment to Facility Operating License No. DPR-23, issued to Carolina Power & Light Company (the licensee), for operation of the H. B. Robinson Steam Electric Plant, Unit No. 2 (HBRSEP2), located in Darlington County, South Carolina..
The proposed amendment would revise the applicable Technical specifications (TS) requirements for rod position monitoring during the current operating cycle (Cycle 22) to allow the use of an alternate method of determining rod position. This will be effective until repair of the indication system can be completed during the next shutdown of sufficient duration.
The reason for the exigency is due to the unanticipated failure of the HBRSEP2 analog rod position indicator for Control Rod H-10 in Shutdown Bank B that was declared inoperable on December 22, 2002. Additionally, there is a concern regarding excessive system wear and potential increase for a malfunction or failure.
Before issuance of the proposed license amendment, the Commission will have made findings required by the Atomic Energy Act of 1954, as amended (the Act) and the Commissions regulations.
Pursuant to 10 CFR 50.91(a)(6) for amendments to be granted under exigent circumstances, the NRC staff must determine that the amendment request involves no significant hazards consideration. Under the Commissions regulations in 10 CFR 50.92, this means that operation of the facility in accordance with the proposed amendment would not (1) involve a significant increase in the probability or consequences of an accident previously evaluated; or (2) create the possibility of a new or different kind of accident from any accident previously evaluated; or (3) involve a significant reduction in a margin of safety. As required by 10 CFR 50.91(a), the licensee has provided its analysis of the issue of no significant hazards consideration, which is presented below:
An evaluation of the proposed change has been performed in accordance with 10 CFR 50.91(a)(1) regarding no significant hazards considerations, using the standards in 10 CFR 50.92(c). A discussion of these standards as they relate to this amendment request follows:
1.
The Proposed Change Does Not Involve a Significant Increase in the Probability or Consequences of an Accident Previously Evaluated.
The proposed change provides an alternative method for verifying the position of one control rod in a shutdown bank of rods. The proposed change meets the intent of the current TS by ensuring verification of the position of this rod once every eight hours. The proposed change only provides an alternative method of monitoring rod position and does not change the assumptions or results of any previously evaluated accident.
Therefore, operation of the facility in accordance with the proposed amendment would not involve a significant increase in the probability or consequences of an accident previously evaluated.
2.
The Proposed Change Does Not Create the Possibility of a New or Different Kind of Accident From Any Previously Evaluated.
As described above, the proposed change only provides an alternative method of determining the position of one control rod in a shutdown bank of rods. No new accident initiators are introduced by the proposed alternative method of performing rod position verification. The proposed change does not affect the reactor protection system or the reactor control system. Hence, no new failure modes are created that would cause a new or different kind of accident from any accident previously evaluated.
Therefore, operation of the facility in accordance with the proposed amendment would not create the possibility of a new or different kind of accident from any previously evaluated.
3.
The Proposed Change Does Not Involve a Significant Reduction in the Margin of Safety.
The Bases of TS 3.1.7 states that the operability of the rod position indicators is required to determine control rod positions and thereby ensure compliance with the control rod alignment and insertion limits. The proposed change does not alter the requirement to determine rod position, but provides an alternative method for determining the position of the affected rod. As a result, the initial conditions of the accident analyses are preserved, and the consequences of previously analyzed accidents are unaffected.
Therefore, operation of the facility in accordance with the proposed amendment would not involve a significant reduction in the margin of safety.
The NRC staff has reviewed the licensees analysis and, based on this review, it appears that the three standards of 10 CFR 50.92(c) are satisfied. Therefore, the NRC staff proposes to determine that the amendment request involves no significant hazards consideration.
The Commission is seeking public comments on this proposed determination. Any comments received within 14 days after the date of publication of this notice will be considered in making any final determination.
Normally, the Commission will not issue the amendment until the expiration of the 14-day notice period. However, should circumstances change during the notice period, such that failure to act in a timely way would result, for example, in derating or shutdown of the facility, the Commission may issue the license amendment before the expiration of the 14-day notice period, provided that its final determination is that the amendment involves no significant hazards consideration. The final determination will consider all public and State comments received. Should the Commission take this action, it will publish in the FEDERAL REGISTER a notice of issuance. The Commission expects that the need to take this action will occur very infrequently.
Written comments may be submitted by mail to the Chief, Rules and Directives Branch, Division of Administrative Services, Office of Administration, U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission, Washington, DC 20555-0001, and should cite the publication date and page number of this FEDERAL REGISTER notice. Written comments may also be delivered to 1 The most recent version of Title 10 of the Code of Federal Regulations, published January 1, 2002, inadvertently omitted the last sentence of 10 CFR 2.714(d) and subparagraphs (d)(1) and (2), regarding petitions to intervene and contentions. For the complete, corrected text of 10 CFR 2.714(d), please see 67 FR 20884 (April 20, 2002).
Room 6D59, Two White Flint North, 11545 Rockville Pike, Rockville, Maryland, from 7:30 a.m.
to 4:15 p.m. Federal workdays. Documents may be examined, and/or copied for a fee, at the NRCs Public Document Room (PDR), located at One White Flint North, Public File Area O1 F21, 11555 Rockville Pike, Rockville, Maryland.
The filing of requests for hearing and petitions for leave to intervene is discussed below.
By February 24, 2003, the licensee may file a request for a hearing with respect to issuance of the amendment to the subject facility operating license and any person whose interest may be affected by this proceeding and who wishes to participate as a party in the proceeding must file a written request for a hearing and a petition for leave to intervene.
Requests for a hearing and a petition for leave to intervene shall be filed in accordance with the Commission's "Rules of Practice for Domestic Licensing Proceedings" in 10 CFR Part 2.
Interested persons should consult a current copy of 10 CFR 2.714,1 which is available at the Commission's PDR, located at One White Flint North, Public File Area O1 F21, 11555 Rockville Pike, Rockville, Maryland, and available electronically on the Internet at the NRC Web site http://www.nrc.gov/reading-rm/doc-collections/cfr/. If a request for a hearing or petition for leave to intervene is filed by the above date, the Commission or an Atomic Safety and Licensing Board, designated by the Commission or by the Chairman of the Atomic Safety and Licensing Board Panel, will rule on the request and/or petition; and the Secretary or the designated Atomic Safety and Licensing Board will issue a notice of hearing or an appropriate order.
As required by 10 CFR 2.714, a petition for leave to intervene shall set forth with particularity the interest of the petitioner in the proceeding, and how that interest may be affected by the results of the proceeding. The petition should specifically explain the reasons why intervention should be permitted with particular reference to the following factors: (1) the nature of the petitioners right under the Act to be made a party to the proceeding; (2) the nature and extent of the petitioners property, financial, or other interest in the proceeding; and (3) the possible effect of any order which may be entered in the proceeding on the petitioners interest. The petition should also identify the specific aspect(s) of the subject matter of the proceeding as to which petitioner wishes to intervene. Any person who has filed a petition for leave to intervene or who has been admitted as a party may amend the petition without requesting leave of the Board up to 15 days prior to the first prehearing conference scheduled in the proceeding, but such an amended petition must satisfy the specificity requirements described above.
Not later than 15 days prior to the first prehearing conference scheduled in the proceeding, a petitioner shall file a supplement to the petition to intervene which must include a list of the contentions which are sought to be litigated in the matter. Each contention must consist of a specific statement of the issue of law or fact to be raised or controverted. In addition, the petitioner shall provide a brief explanation of the bases of the contention and a concise statement of the alleged facts or expert opinion which support the contention and on which the petitioner intends to rely in proving the contention at the hearing. The petitioner must also provide references to those specific sources and documents of which the petitioner is aware and on which the petitioner intends to rely to establish those facts or expert opinion.
Petitioner must provide sufficient information to show that a genuine dispute exists with the applicant on a material issue of law or fact. Contentions shall be limited to matters within the scope of the amendment under consideration. The contention must be one which, if proven, would entitle the petitioner to relief. A petitioner who fails to file such a supplement which satisfies these requirements with respect to at least one contention will not be permitted to participate as a party.
Those permitted to intervene become parties to the proceeding, subject to any limitations in the order granting leave to intervene, and have the opportunity to participate fully in the conduct of the hearing, including the opportunity to present evidence and cross-examine witnesses.
If the amendment is issued before the expiration of the 30-day hearing period, the Commission will make a final determination on the issue of no significant hazards consideration. If a hearing is requested, the final determination will serve to decide when the hearing is held.
If the final determination is that the amendment request involves no significant hazards consideration, the Commission may issue the amendment and make it immediately effective, notwithstanding the request for a hearing. Any hearing held would take place after issuance of the amendment.
If the final determination is that the amendment request involves a significant hazards consideration, any hearing held would take place before the issuance of any amendment.
A request for a hearing or a petition for leave to intervene must be filed with the Secretary of the Commission, U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission, Washington, DC 20555-0001, Attention: Rulemakings and Adjudications Staff, or may be delivered to the Commissions PDR, located at One White Flint North, Public File Area O1 F21,11555 Rockville Pike, Rockville, Maryland, by the above date. Because of continuing disruptions in delivery of mail to United States Government offices, it is requested that petitions for leave to intervene and requests for hearing be transmitted to the Secretary of the Commission either by means of facsimile transmission to 301-415-1101 or by e-mail to hearingdocket@nrc.gov. A copy of the request for hearing and petition for leave to intervene should also be sent to the Office of the General Counsel, U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission, Washington, DC 20555-0001, and because of continuing disruptions in delivery of mail to United States Government offices, it is requested that copies be transmitted either by means of facsimile transmission to 301-415-3725 or by e-mail to OGCMailCenter@nrc.gov. A copy of the request for hearing and petition for leave to intervene should also be sent to William D. Johnson, Vice President and Corporate Secretary, Carolina Power & Light Company, Post Office Box 1551, Raleigh, North Carolina 27602, attorney for the licensee.
Nontimely filings of petitions for leave to intervene, amended petitions, supplemental petitions and/or requests for hearing will not be entertained absent a determination by the Commission, the presiding officer or the presiding Atomic Safety and Licensing Board that the petition and/or request should be granted based upon a balancing of the factors specified in 10 CFR 2.714(a)(1)(i)-(v) and 2.714(d).
For further details with respect to this action, see the application for amendment dated January 16, 2003, which is available for public inspection at the Commissions PDR, located at One White Flint North, Public File Area O1 F21, 11555 Rockville Pike, 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/adams.html. Persons who do not have access to ADAMS or who encounter problems in accessing the documents located in ADAMS, should contact the NRC PDR Reference staff by telephone at 1-800-397-4209, 301-415-4737, or by e-mail to pdr@nrc.gov.
Dated at Rockville, Maryland, this 17th day of January 2003.
FOR THE NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION
/RA/
Chandu P. Patel, Project Manager, Section 2 Project Directorate II Division of Licensing Project Management Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation
Mr. J. W. Moyer H. B. Robinson Steam Electric Plant, Carolina Power & Light Company Unit No. 2 cc:
Mr. William D. Johnson Vice President and Corporate Secretary Carolina Power & Light Company Post Office Box 1551 Raleigh, North Carolina 27602 Ms. Karen E. Long Assistant Attorney General State of North Carolina Post Office Box 629 Raleigh, North Carolina 27602 U. S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission Resident Inspectors Office H. B. Robinson Steam Electric Plant 2112 Old Camden Road Hartsville, South Carolina 29550 Mr. P. T. Cleary Plant General Manager Carolina Power & Light Company H. B. Robinson Steam Electric Plant, Unit No. 2 3581 West Entrance Road Hartsville, South Carolina 29550 Mr. Chris L. Burton Director of Site Operations Carolina Power & Light Company H. B. Robinson Steam Electric Plant, Unit No. 2 3581 West Entrance Road Hartsville, South Carolina 29550 Public Service Commission State of South Carolina Post Office Drawer 11649 Columbia, South Carolina 29211 Mr. B. L. Fletcher III Manager - Regulatory Affairs Carolina Power & Light Company H. B. Robinson Steam Electric Plant, Unit No. 2 3581 West Entrance Road Hartsville, South Carolina 29550-0790 Mr. C. T. Baucom Supervisor, Licensing/Regulatory Programs Carolina Power & Light Company H. B. Robinson Steam Electric Plant, Unit No. 2 3581 West Entrance Road Hartsville, South Carolina 29550 Ms. Beverly Hall, Acting Director N.C. Department of Environment and Natural Resources Division of Radiation Protection 3825 Barrett Dr.
Raleigh, North Carolina 27609-7721 Mr. Robert P. Gruber Executive Director Public Staff - NCUC 4326 Mail Service Center Raleigh, North Carolina 27699-4326 Mr. Virgil R. Autry, Director South Carolina Department of Health Bureau of Land & Waste Management 2600 Bull Street Columbia, South Carolina 29201 Mr. Terry C. Morton Manager Performance Evaluation and Regulatory Affairs CPB 7 Carolina Power & Light Company Post Office Box 1551 Raleigh, North Carolina 27602-1551 Mr. John H. ONeill, Jr.
Shaw, Pittman, Potts, & Trowbridge 2300 N Street NW.
Washington, DC 20037-1128