ML031280692
| ML031280692 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Site: | Nuclear Energy Institute |
| Issue date: | 06/17/2003 |
| From: | Lyons J NRC/NRR/NRLPO |
| To: | Simard R Nuclear Energy Institute |
| Jenkins R, NRR/ADIP/NRLPO, 415-2985 | |
| References | |
| Download: ML031280692 (7) | |
Text
June 17, 2003 Dr. Ronald L. Simard Nuclear Energy Institute 1776 I Street, NW, Suite 400 Washington, DC 20006-3708
SUBJECT:
RESOLUTION OF EARLY SITE PERMIT TOPIC 13 (ESP-13), GUIDANCE FOR ESP SEISMIC EVALUATIONS
Dear Dr. Simard:
The purpose of this letter is to respond to your understanding and expectations regarding the guidance for seismic evaluation information which will be used in early site permit (ESP) applications. This topic, which is identified as ESP-13 on the list of Nuclear Energy Institute (NEI) generic ESP issues, was discussed during public meetings held on June 13, July 16, October 16, 2002, and March 5, 2003 (Meeting Summaries - ADAMS Accession Nos.
ML021840352, ML022330668, ML023370573, and M030990608). In addition, on September 4, 2002, NEI submitted information related to ESP seismic demonstration activities.
Subsequently, NEI documented its position on this topic in a letter dated April 25, 2003.
Given that specific technical review guidance should reside solely within the ESP Review Standard (RS) in order to avoid any confusion or inefficiency during the application review, no statement made in this letter should be construed as overriding or conflicting with the guidance provided in the ESP RS. In addition, the subject guidance listed below is not intended to be inclusive of the entire scope of review on this subject.
The staffs responses to items 6, 7, and 8 have been combined since they pertain to the same subject matter. Item 9 represents a technical position which will have to be addressed during the ESP application review.
Understandings and expectations:
1.
The staff agrees with NEI. Pursuant to 10 CFR 100.23(c), the ESP applicant will investigate and identify the geological, seismological, and engineering characteristics of a site and its environs to permit evaluation of the site and to support evaluation of the Safe Shutdown Earthquake (SSE) ground motion.
2.
The staff agrees with NEI. Pursuant to 10 CFR 100.23(d), the ESP applicant will identify site-specific geologic and seismic siting factors including a determination of the SSE ground motion for the site, the potential for surface tectonic and nontectonic deformations, and the design bases for seismically induced floods and water waves.
3.
The staff agrees with NEI. Regulatory Guide (RG) 1.132 provides the principal current NRC guidance for conducting geotechnical characterization of the site. The ESP applicant may utilize existing geotechnical data from previously considered applications if its continued validity is confirmed or it is updated.
R. Simard
NEI states that additional exploration and evaluations may be necessary for COL applications to support specific design considerations. The staff does not understand the context of the subject statement within the ESP review scope. As discussed below, the staff expects that all site characterizations will be provided in the ESP application and be consistent with the applicable sections of the ESP RS so that the staffs disposition under 10 CFR Part 100 will be final.
4.
The staff agrees with NEI. RG 1.138 provides the principal current NRC guidance for conducting laboratory testing necessary to determine the properties of subsurface materials of the site.
5.
The staff agrees with NEI. Pursuant to 10 CFR 100.23(d)(1), a probabilistic seismic hazard analysis (PSHA) or suitable sensitivity analyses are acceptable ways to address the uncertainties in the determination of the design basis ground motion for a site. RG 1.165 provides the principal current NRC guidance for determining safe shutdown earthquake ground motion using PSHA.
6.
The staff agrees with NEI. Once the controlling earthquakes are determined using Appendix C of RG 1.165, Regulatory Position 4 in RG 1.165 provides the procedure for determining the SSE. Appendix F of RG 1.165 elaborates on Position 4 by providing further guidance on the development of the smooth SSE free-field spectra. Additional guidance from NUREG/CR-6728 and NUREG/CR-6769 may be used as specified below.
Define appropriate rock spectrum using spectral shape appropriate for CEUS.
Assess dynamic response properties for the site using results of geotechnical investigations.
Perform site response analyses using procedures to develop free-field surface motions.
Site subsurface investigations supporting the ESP application must be conducted to provide sufficient coverage of the areas upon which all safety-related structures will be located, such that there is reasonable assurance that the actual site characteristics, revealed during excavations, will be consistent with the site subsurface model developed to support the ESP application. The ESP will contain a license condition requiring the reporting of any information the ESP holder has identified as having a significant implication for public health and safety.
The Commission will evaluate any such information reported and will take appropriate action.
R. Simard Please contact Michael Scott, the ESP Senior Project Manager at 301-415-1421 if you have any questions on this matter.
Sincerely,
/RA/
James E. Lyons, Director New Reactor Licensing Project Office Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation Project No. 689
Enclosure:
As stated cc w/encl: See next page
R. Simard Please contact Michael Scott, the ESP Senior Project Manager at 301-415-1421 if you have any questions on this matter.
Sincerely,
/RA/
James E. Lyons, Director New Reactor Licensing Project Office Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation Project No. 689
Enclosure:
As stated cc w/encl: See next page ACCESSION NO. ML031280692 *See previous concurrence OFC PM:NRLPO DD:NRLPO*
BC:DE*
OGC*
D:NRLPO NAME MScott MGamberoni GImbro JMoore JLyons DATE 6/16/03 5/13/03 5/13/03 6/15/03 6/16/03 OFFICIAL RECORD COPY
Distribution for letter to R. Simard dated June 17, 2003 Hard Copy NRLPO Rdg RJenkins MGamberoni JLyons E-mail PUBLIC NRLPO Group ACRS/ACNW RidsNrrOD (SCollins)
RidsNrrAdip (RBorchardt)
RidsOgcRp RidsNrrAdpt (BSheron)
ESP-Generic cc:
Mr. David Lochbaum Union of Concerned Scientists 1707 H Street, NW Suite 600 Washington, DC 20006-3919 Mr. Paul Gunter Director of the Reactor Watchdog Project Nuclear Information & Resource Service 1424 16th Street, NW, Suite 404 Washington, DC 20036 Mr. Ron Simard Nuclear Energy Institute Suite 400 1776 I Street, NW Washington, DC 20006-3708 Mr. Russell Bell Nuclear Energy Institute Suite 400 1776 I Street, NW Washington, DC 20006-3708 Mr. Thomas P. Miller U.S. Department of Energy Headquarters - Germantown 19901 Germantown Road Germantown, MD 20874-1290 Mr. James Riccio Greenpeace 702 H Street, NW, Suite 300 Washington, DC 20001 Rod Krich Vice President, Licensing Projects Exelon Nuclear 4300 Winfield Road Warrenville, IL 60555 Patricia Campbell Winston & Strawn 1400 L Street, NW Washington, DC 20005 Mr. Eddie Grant Exelon Generation 200 Exelon Way, KSA3-E Kennett Square, PA 19348 Mr. James F. Mallay, Director Regulatory Affairs FRAMATOME, ANP 3315 Old Forest Road Lynchburg, VA 24501 Mr. Ernie H. Kennedy Vice President New Plants Nuclear Plant Projects Westinghouse Electric Company 2000 Day Hill Road Windsor, CT 06095-0500 Dr. Regis A. Matzie Senior Vice President and Chief Technology Officer Westinghouse Electric Company 2000 Day Hill Road Windsor, CT 06095-0500 Mr. Gary Wright, Manager Office of Nuclear Facility Safety Illinois Department of Nuclear Safety 1035 Outer Park Drive Springfield, IL 62704 Mr. Vince Langman Licensing Manager Atomic Energy of Canada Limited 2251 Speakman Drive Mississauga, Ontario Canada L5K 1B2 Mr. David Ritter Research Associate on Nuclear Energy Public Citizens Critical Mass Energy and Environmental Program 215 Pennsylvania Avenue, SE Washington, DC 20003
Mr. Tom Clements 6703 Guide Avenue Takoma Park, MD 20912 Mr. Edwin Lyman Nuclear Control Institute 1000 Connecticut Avenue, NW Suite 410 Washington, DC 20036 Mr. Jack W. Roe SCIENTECH, INC.
910 Clopper Road Gaithersburg, MD 20878 Dr. Gail H. Marcus U.S. Department of Energy Room 5A-143 1000 Independence Ave., SW Washington, DC 20585 Ms. Marilyn Kray Vice President, Special Projects Exelon Generation 200 Exelon Way, KSA3-E Kennett Square, PA 19348 Mr. Joseph D. Hegner Lead Engineer - Licensing Dominion Generation Early Site Permitting Project 5000 Dominion Boulevard Glen Allen, VA 23060 Mr. George Alan Zinke Project Manager Nuclear Business Development Entergy Nuclear M-ECH-683 1340 Echelon Parkway Jackson, MS 39213 Mr. Charles Brinkman Westinghouse Electric Co.
Washington Operations 12300 Twinbrook Pkwy., Suite 330 Rockville, MD 20852 Mr. Ralph Beedle Senior Vice President and Chief Nuclear Officer Nuclear Energy Institute Suite 400 1776 I Street, NW Washington, DC 20006-3708 Dr. Glenn R. George PA Consulting Group 130 Potter Street Haddonfield, NJ 08033 Arthur R. Woods Enercon Services, Inc.
500 TownPark Lane Kennesaw, GA 30144 Mr. Thomas Mundy Director, Project Development Exelon Generation 200 Exelon Way, KSA3-E Kennett Square, PA 19348