ML032930284
| ML032930284 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Site: | South Texas  |
| Issue date: | 10/17/2003 |
| From: | Gramm R NRC/NRR/DLPM/LPD4 |
| To: | Sheppard J South Texas |
| Jaffe D, NRR/DLPM, 415-1439 | |
| References | |
| TAC MB8948, TAC MB8949 | |
| Download: ML032930284 (6) | |
Text
October 17, 2003 Mr. James J. Sheppard President and Chief Executive Officer STP Nuclear Operating Company South Texas Project Electric Generating Station P. O. Box 289 Wadsworth, TX 77483
SUBJECT:
SOUTH TEXAS PROJECT, UNITS 1 AND 2 - ACKNOWLEDGMENT OF WITHDRAWAL OF THE NOVEMBER 12, 2002, RISK-INFORMED INSERVICE TESTING PROGRAM SUBMITTAL (TAC Nos. MB8948 AND MB8949)
Dear Mr. Sheppard:
By letter dated November 12, 2002, STP Nuclear Operating Company (STPNOC) submitted a risk-informed inservice testing (RI-IST) program for pumps and valves, applicable to the second 10-year interval for South Texas Project (STP), Units 1 and 2. The application represented an alternative to the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME) Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code (Code),Section XI requirements and as such was submitted pursuant to Title 10 of the Code of Federal Regulations, Section 50.55a(a)(3)(i).
During the course of reviewing the proposed RI-IST program, the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) staff identified several fundamental technical concerns with the proposal including aspects of the categorization methodology and the adequacy of the testing strategies.
The NRC staffs concerns with the proposed RI-IST program were transmitted to STPNOC by letter dated May 29, 2003 (ADAMS ML031490352), and during a telephone conference on July 31, 2003 (ADAMS ML032461333). The NRC staff and management have had extensive internal dialogue about your submittal in recognition of the considerable investment that STPNOC has made in the proposal. The NRC staff had discussed several options that STPNOC could take with the November 12, 2002, submittal. One option was that the proposal could be withdrawn and a new submittal be made to reflect the review template set by Regulatory Guide 1.175, "An Approach for Plant-Specific, Risk-Informed Decisionmaking:
Inservice Testing," the NRC approved ASME RI-IST code cases, and the NRC staffs approval of other RI-IST programs.
During a September 12, 2003, telephone conference (ADAMS ML032770004), Mr. T. Jordan of your staff stated that STPNOC wished to withdraw the current RI-IST proposal and that a revised application based on Regulatory Guide 1.175 and the San Onofre Nuclear Generating Station approach would be submitted at a later date. STPNOC indicated their desire to hold a meeting with the NRC staff in advance of the new submittal to discuss how STP would intend to handle review questions and concerns that had been raised for the application they are withdrawing.
Mr. James J. Sheppard In response to STPNOCs requests, the NRC staff herein acknowledges the withdrawal of the November 12, 2002, RI-IST submittal. In addition, preliminary discussions have been held with STPNOC to establish a mutually acceptable date for the requested meeting with the NRC staff, which STPNOC deems necessary, prior to the submittal of a revised RI-IST Program.
Accordingly, based upon the above, the NRC staffs review of the STPNOCs November 12, 2002, RI-IST submittal, TAC Nos. MB8948 and MB8949, is terminated. We await your revised submittal following the upcoming meeting.
Sincerely,
/RA/
Robert A. Gramm, Chief, Section 1 Project Directorate IV Division of Licensing Project Management Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation Docket Nos. 50-498 and 50-499 cc: See next page
ML032930284 NRR-106 OFFICE PDIV-1/PM PDIV-1/LA PDIV-1/SC PDIV/D DLPM/D NAME DJaffe:sab MMcAllister RGramm Rgramm for HBerkow LMarsh DATE 10/15/03 10/15/03 10/15/03 10/15/03 10/17/03
South Texas Project, Units 1 & 2 cc:
Mr. Cornelius F. OKeefe Senior Resident Inspector U. S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission P. O. Box 910 Bay City, TX 77414 A. Ramirez/C. M. Canady City of Austin Electric Utility Department 721 Barton Springs Road Austin, TX 78704 Mr. L. K. Blaylock Mr. W. C. Gunst City Public Service Board P. O. Box 1771 San Antonio, TX 78296 Mr. C. A. Johnson/A. C. Bakken AEP Texas Central Company P. O. Box 289 Mail Code: N5022 Wadsworth, TX 77483 INPO Records Center 700 Galleria Parkway Atlanta, GA 30339-3064 Regional Administrator, Region IV U. S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission 611 Ryan Plaza Drive, Suite 400 Arlington, TX 76011 D. G. Tees/R. L. Balcom Texas Genco, LP P. O. Box 1700 Houston, TX 77251 Judge, Matagorda County Matagorda County Courthouse 1700 Seventh Street Bay City, TX 77414 A. H. Gutterman, Esq.
Morgan, Lewis & Bockius 1111 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW Washington, DC 20004 Mr. T. J. Jordan, Vice President Engineering & Technical Services STP Nuclear Operating Company P. O. Box 289 Wadsworth, TX 77483 S. M. Head, Manager, Licensing Nuclear Quality & Licensing Department STP Nuclear Operating Company P. O. Box 289, Mail Code: N5014 Wadsworth, TX 77483 Environmental and Natural Resources Policy Director P. O. Box 12428 Austin, TX 78711-3189 Jon C. Wood Matthews & Branscomb 112 East Pecan, Suite 1100 San Antonio, TX 78205 Arthur C. Tate, Director Division of Compliance & Inspection Bureau of Radiation Control Texas Department of Health 1100 West 49th Street Austin, TX 78756 Brian Almon Public Utility Commission William B. Travis Building P. O. Box 13326 1701 North Congress Avenue Austin, TX 78701-3326
South Texas Project, Units 1 & 2 cc:
Susan M. Jablonski Office of Permitting, Remediation and Registration Texas Commission on Environmental Quality MC-122 P. O. Box 13087 Austin, TX 78711-3087 Mr. Terry Parks, Chief Inspector Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation Boiler Division P. O. Box 12157 Austin, TX 78711 Mr. Ted Enos 4200 South Hulen Suite 630 Ft. Worth, Texas 76109