ML032270377
| ML032270377 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Site: | Palo Verde  |
| Issue date: | 08/13/2003 |
| From: | Donohew J NRC/NRR/DLPM/LPD4 |
| To: | Overbeck G Arizona Public Service Co |
| Donohew J N, NRR/DLPM,415-1307 | |
| Shared Package | |
| ML032270420 | List: |
| References | |
| TAC MB8766, TAC MB8767, TAC MB8768 | |
| Download: ML032270377 (13) | |
Text
August 13, 2003 Mr. Gregg R. Overbeck Senior Vice President, Nuclear Arizona Public Service Company P.O. Box 52034 Phoenix, AZ 85072-2034
SUBJECT:
PALO VERDE NUCLEAR GENERATING STATION, UNITS 1, 2, AND 3 -
ISSUANCE OF AMENDMENTS RE: REVISE TECHNICAL SPECIFICATION 5.3, UNIT STAFF QUALIFICATIONS (TAC NOS. MB8766, MB8767, MB8768)
Dear Mr. Overbeck:
The Commission has issued the enclosed Amendment No. 148 to Facility Operating License No. NPF-41, Amendment No. 148 to Facility Operating License No. NPF-51, and Amendment No. 148 to Facility Operating License No. NPF-74 for the Palo Verde Nuclear Generating Station, Units 1, 2, and 3, respectively. The amendments consist of changes to the Technical Specifications (TSs) in response to your application dated April 25, 2003.
The amendments revise Section 5.3, Unit Staff Qualifications, of the TSs to state new education and experience eligibility requirements for operator license applicants. As stated in the letter dated April 25, 2003, the new requirements are outlined by the National Academy for Nuclear Training in its Guidelines for Initial Training and Qualification of Licensed Operators, which were issued January 2000.
A copy of the related Safety Evaluation is also enclosed. The Notice of Issuance will be included in the Commission's next biweekly Federal Register notice.
Sincerely,
/RA/
Jack Donohew, Senior Project Manager, Section 2 Project Directorate IV Division of Licensing Project Management Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation Docket Nos. STN 50-528, STN 50-529, and STN 50-530
Enclosures:
- 1. Amendment No. 148 to NPF-41
- 2. Amendment No. 148 to NPF-51
- 3. Amendment No. 148 to NPF-74
- 4. Safety Evaluation cc w/encls: See next page
ML032270377 NRR-058 OFFICE PDIV-2/PM PDIV-1/LA PDIV-2/INT DIPM/SC OGC PDIV-2/SC NAME JDonohew MMcAllister DDuvigneaud*
DTrimble*
SCole SDembek*
DATE 8/13/03 8/13/03 07/31/03 07/31/03 08/06/03 08/11/03 DOCUMENT NAME: C:\\ADAMS\\Cache\\ML0322703770.wpd
ARIZONA PUBLIC SERVICE COMPANY, ET AL.
DOCKET NO. STN 50-528 PALO VERDE NUCLEAR GENERATING STATION, UNIT 1 AMENDMENT TO FACILITY OPERATING LICENSE Amendment No.148 License No. NPF-41 1.
The Nuclear Regulatory Commission (the Commission) has found that:
A.
The application for amendment by the Arizona Public Service Company (APS or the licensee) on behalf of itself and the Salt River Project Agricultural Improvement and Power District, El Paso Electric Company, Southern California Edison Company, Public Service Company of New Mexico, Los Angeles Department of Water and Power, and Southern California Public Power Authority dated April 25, 2003, complies with the standards and requirements of the Atomic Energy Act of 1954, as amended (the Act) and the Commission's 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 rules and 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 Commission's regulations; 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 Commission's 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 Facility Operating License No. NPF-41 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. 148, and the Environmental Protection Plan contained in Appendix B, are hereby incorporated into this license. APS shall operate the facility in accordance with the Technical Specifications and the Environmental Protection Plan, except where otherwise stated in specific license conditions.
3.
This license amendment is effective as of the date of issuance and shall be implemented within 90 days of the date of issuance.
FOR THE NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION
/RA/
Stephen Dembek, Chief, Section 2 Project Directorate IV Division of Licensing Project Management Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation
Attachment:
Changes to the Technical Specifications Date of Issuance: August 13, 2003
ARIZONA PUBLIC SERVICE COMPANY, ET AL.
DOCKET NO. STN 50-529 PALO VERDE NUCLEAR GENERATING STATION, UNIT 2 AMENDMENT TO FACILITY OPERATING LICENSE Amendment No. 148 License No. NPF-51 1.
The Nuclear Regulatory Commission (the Commission) has found that:
A.
The application for amendment by the Arizona Public Service Company (APS or the licensee) on behalf of itself and the Salt River Project Agricultural Improvement and Power District, El Paso Electric Company, Southern California Edison Company, Public Service Company of New Mexico, Los Angeles Department of Water and Power, and Southern California Public Power Authority dated April 25, 2003, complies with the standards and requirements of the Atomic Energy Act of 1954, as amended (the Act) and the Commission's 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 rules and 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 Commission's regulations; 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 Commission's 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 Facility Operating License No. NPF-51 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. 148, and the Environmental Protection Plan contained in Appendix B, are hereby incorporated into this license. APS shall operate the facility in accordance with the Technical Specifications and the Environmental Protection Plan, except where otherwise stated in specific license conditions.
3.
This license amendment is effective as of the date of issuance and shall be implemented within 90 days of the date of issuance.
FOR THE NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION
/RA/
Stephen Dembek, Chief, Section 2 Project Directorate IV Division of Licensing Project Management Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation
Attachment:
Changes to the Technical Specifications Date of Issuance: August 13, 2003
ARIZONA PUBLIC SERVICE COMPANY, ET AL.
DOCKET NO. STN 50-530 PALO VERDE NUCLEAR GENERATING STATION, UNIT 3 AMENDMENT TO FACILITY OPERATING LICENSE Amendment No. 148 License No. NPF-74 1.
The Nuclear Regulatory Commission (the Commission) has found that:
A.
The application for amendment by the Arizona Public Service Company (APS or the licensee) on behalf of itself and the Salt River Project Agricultural Improvement and Power District, El Paso Electric Company, Southern California Edison Company, Public Service Company of New Mexico, Los Angeles Department of Water and Power, and Southern California Public Power Authority dated April 25, 2003, complies with the standards and requirements of the Atomic Energy Act of 1954, as amended (the Act) and the Commission's 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 rules and 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 Commission's regulations; 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 Commission's 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 Facility Operating License No. NPF-74 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. 148, and the Environmental Protection Plan contained in Appendix B, are hereby incorporated into this license. APS shall operate the facility in accordance with the Technical Specifications and the Environmental Protection Plan, except where otherwise stated in specific license conditions.
3.
This license amendment is effective as of the date of issuance and shall be implemented within 90 days of the date of issuance.
FOR THE NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION
/RA/
Stephen Dembek, Chief, Section 2 Project Directorate IV Division of Licensing Project Management Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation
Attachment:
Changes to the Technical Specifications Date of Issuance: August 13, 2003
ATTACHMENT TO LICENSE AMENDMENT NOS. 148, 148, AND 148 FACILITY OPERATING LICENSE NOS. NPF-41, NPF-51, AND NPF-74 DOCKET NOS. STN 50-528, STN 50-529, AND STN 50-530 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 5.3-1 5.3-1
SAFETY EVALUATION BY THE OFFICE OF NUCLEAR REACTOR REGULATION RELATED TO AMENDMENT NO. 148 TO FACILITY OPERATING LICENSE NO. NPF-41, AMENDMENT NO. 148 TO FACILITY OPERATING LICENSE NO. NPF-51, AMENDMENT NO. 148 TO FACILITY OPERATING LICENSE NO. NPF-74 ARIZONA PUBLIC SERVICE COMPANY, ET AL.
PALO VERDE NUCLEAR GENERATING STATION, UNITS 1, 2, AND 3 DOCKET NOS. STN 50-528, STN 50-529, AND STN 50-530
1.0 INTRODUCTION
By application dated April 25, 2003, Arizona Public Service Company (the licensee), requested changes to the Technical Specifications (TSs) for Palo Verde Nuclear Generating Station, Units 1, 2, and 3. The amendments would revise Specification 5.3.1 in Section 5.3, Unit Staff Qualifications, of the TSs, and add a new Specification 5.3.2. Specification 5.3.1 states the qualifications of the unit staff. The revision would state that there is an exception for operator license applicants and the new specification would provide the requirements for these applicants. Only the qualification of operator license applicants are being changed. Because a new specification would be added, the existing Specification 5.3.2 would also be renumbered 5.3.3.
2.0 REGULATORY EVALUATION
On March 20, 1985, the NRC issued the Commission Policy Statement on Training and Qualification of Nuclear Power Plant Personnel (50 FR 11147) which endorsed the training accreditation process developed by the Institute of Nuclear Power Operations (INPO) 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. This certification would supersede the requirements 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 its licensing documents to revise or delete, as appropriate, the requirements that had been superseded.
On January 18, 2001, the NRC published 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. RIS 2001-01 stated in part that the 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 for the qualification and training of reactor operator and senior operator license applicants.
3.0 TECHNICAL EVALUATION
The licensee proposes to change Palo Verde TS Section 5.3, Unit Staff Qualification, in the following way:
1.
Specification 5.3.1 will be revised to add the statement with the exception of operator license applicants. TS 5.3.1 states qualifications for the unit staff in which operator license applicants are exempt. The following new specification will provide the requirements for these applicants. Therefore, the NRC staff concludes that this change is acceptable, because it is administrative in nature.
- 2.
A new TS 5.3.2 will be added. This is to update requirements that had been outdated based on licensed operator training programs being accredited by the INPO and promulgation of the revised 10 CFR Part 55, "Operators Licenses." TS Section 5.3 describes the requirements for unit staff qualifications. These changes conform to the current requirements of 10 CFR Part 55. The TS requirements for all other unit staff qualifications remain unchanged.
The licensee stated in its letter of April 25, 2003, that the proposed new requirements are outlined by the NANT in its "Guidelines for Initial Training and Qualification of Licensed Operators," which were issued January 2000. In RIS 2001-01, the Commission stated that these guidelines were an acceptable method for implementing the Commission's regulations for the qualification and training of reactor operator and senior operator license applicants.
The NRC staff concludes that the revised qualification requirements in TS Section 5.3 are adequate as they conform with the reactor operator and senior reactor operator license eligibility criteria and standards acceptable to the NRC, as discussed in Section 2.0 above. 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 by properly qualified licensed operators.
Based on the above discussion, the NRC staff concludes that the proposed revision to TS Section 5.3 is consistent with 10 CFR Part 55 and does not adversely affect nuclear safety or plant operations. Therefore, the staff also concludes that the proposed amendment is acceptable.
- 3.
The current TS 5.3.2, will be renumbered to 5.3.3. This is due to the addition of the new TS, stated above, which will precede the current TS 5.3.2 and be given that title.
Because this change is administrative in nature and does not change any unit staff qualification requirements, the NRC staff concludes that the change is acceptable.
4.0 STATE CONSULTATION
In accordance with the Commission's regulations, the Arizona 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. 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 (68 FR 34662 dated June 10, 2003). 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 Commission's 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: DyLanne Duvigneaud Date: August 13, 2003
Palo Verde Generating Station, Units 1, 2, and 3 cc:
Mr. Steve Olea Arizona Corporation Commission 1200 W. Washington Street Phoenix, AZ 85007 Douglas Kent Porter Senior Counsel Southern California Edison Company Law Department, Generation Resources P.O. Box 800 Rosemead, CA 91770 Senior Resident Inspector U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission P. O. Box 40 Buckeye, AZ 85326 Regional Administrator, Region IV U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission Harris Tower & Pavillion 611 Ryan Plaza Drive, Suite 400 Arlington, TX 76011-8064 Chairman Maricopa County Board of Supervisors 301 W. Jefferson, 10th Floor Phoenix, AZ 85003 Mr. Aubrey V. Godwin, Director Arizona Radiation Regulatory Agency 4814 South 40 Street Phoenix, AZ 85040 Mr. Craig K. Seaman, Director Regulatory Affairs/Nuclear Assurance Palo Verde Nuclear Generating Station P.O. Box 52034 Phoenix, AZ 85072-2034 Mr. Hector R. Puente Vice President, Power Generation El Paso Electric Company 2702 N. Third Street, Suite 3040 Phoenix, AZ 85004 Mr. John Taylor Public Service Company of New Mexico 2401 Aztec NE, MS Z110 Albuquerque, NM 87107-4224 Ms. Cheryl Adams Southern California Edison Company 5000 Pacific Coast Hwy Bldg DIN San Clemente, CA 92672 Mr. Robert Henry Salt River Project 6504 East Thomas Road Scottsdale, AZ 85251 Terry Bassham, Esq.
General Counsel El Paso Electric Company 123 W. Mills El Paso, TX 79901 Mr. John Schumann Los Angeles Department of Water & Power Southern California Public Power Authority P.O. Box 51111, Room 1255-C Los Angeles, CA 90051-0100 Brian Almon Public Utility Commission William B. Travis Building P. O. Box 13326 1701 North Congress Avenue Austin, TX 78701-3326