ML041270445

DC Cook Units 1 & 2, Exemption Regarding Use of Framatome Anp Incorporated Fuel

ML041270445
Person / Time
Site:	Cook
Issue date:	05/13/2004
From:	John Lamb NRC/NRR/DLPM/LPD3
To:	Nazar M American Electric Power Co, Indiana Michigan Power Co
Lamb J, NRR/DLPM, 415-1446
References
TAC MC2720, TAC MC2721
Download: ML041270445 (4)

Text

May 13, 2004 Mr. Mano K. Nazar American Electric Power Senior Vice President and Chief Nuclear Officer Indiana Michigan Power Company Nuclear Generation Group 500 Circle Drive Buchanan, MI 49107

SUBJECT:

DONALD C. COOK NUCLEAR PLANT, UNITS 1 AND 2 - EXEMPTION REQUEST TO SUPPORT THE USE OF FRAMATOME ANP, INCORPORATED FUEL (TAC NOS. MC2720 AND MC2721)

Dear Mr. Nazar:

The purpose of this letter is to advise you that the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) staff may not meet your requested schedule for your exemption request from the requirements of Title 10 of the Code of Federal Regulations (10 CFR) Section 70.24.

By letter dated April 6, 2004 (ADAMS Accession No. ML040990555), you applied for amendments to the Donald C. Cook Nuclear Plant Units 1 and 2, Operating License Nos. DPR-58 and DPR-74 to use Framatome ANP, Inc. fuel. The proposed change would revise Technical Specifications design features for fuel assemblies and new fuel storage criticality limitations. In addition, you requested NRC approval of the criticality analysis methodology supporting the spent fuel storage rack and new fuel storage rack in accordance with 10 CFR 50.59(c)(2)(viii). You also requested exemptions to 10 CFR 50.44, 10 CFR 50.46, and 10 CFR Part 50 Appendix K to use M5 advanced alloy cladding as well as an exemption to 10 CFR 70.24 regarding criticality monitors.

Regarding the exemption for 10 CFR 70.24, the NRC staff has concerns about your qualitative approach, that is based on comparisons between Westinghouse, Holtec, and Framatome analyses. For example, Framatome utilized previously approved spent fuel pool criticality analyses done by Westinghouse and Holtec, which were based on Westinghouse fuel.

Framatomes justification for this approach is that its fuel is so similar in design such that a new base case Keff calculations is not necessary. The specific "reactivity equivalencing" methodology employed by Framatome will require extensive NRC staff review time to confirm the Framatome methodology is conservative and acceptable.

M. Nazar Based on this information, the NRC staff may not be able to complete its review of your 10 CFR 70.24 exemption by your requested December 15, 2004, date.

Sincerely,

/RA/

John G. Lamb, Project Manager, Section 1 Project Directorate III Division of Licensing Project Management Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation Docket Nos. 50-315 and 50-316 cc: See next page

ML041270445 OFFICE PDIII-1/PM PDIII-1/LA SRXB/SC PDIII-1/SC NAME JLamb THarris JUhle LRaghavan DATE 05/10 /04 05/10/04 05/10/04 05/12/04 Donald C. Cook Nuclear Plant, Units 1 and 2 cc:

Regional Administrator, Region III Michigan Department of Environmental U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission Quality 801 Warrenville Road Waste and Hazardous Materials Div.

Lisle, IL 60532-4351 Hazardous Waste & Radiological Protection Section Attorney General Nuclear Facilities Unit Department of Attorney General Constitution Hall, Lower-Level North 525 West Ottawa Street 525 West Allegan Street Lansing, MI 48913 P. O. Box 30241 Lansing, MI 48909-7741 Township Supervisor Lake Township Hall David A. Lochbaum P.O. Box 818 Nuclear Safety Engineer Bridgman, MI 49106 Union of Concerned Scientists 1707 H Street NW, Suite 600 U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission Washington, DC 20036 Resident Inspectors Office 7700 Red Arrow Highway Michael J. Finissi, Plant Manager Stevensville, MI 49127 Indiana Michigan Power Company Nuclear Generation Group David W. Jenkins, Esquire One Cook Place Indiana Michigan Power Company Bridgman, MI 49106 One Cook Place Bridgman, MI 49106 Mr. Joseph N. Jensen, Site Vice President Indiana Michigan Power Company Mayor, City of Bridgman Nuclear Generation Group P.O. Box 366 One Cook Place Bridgman, MI 49106 Bridgman, MI 49106 Special Assistant to the Governor Room 1 - State Capitol Lansing, MI 48909 Mr. John A. Zwolinski Director, Design Engineering and Regulatory Affairs Indiana Michigan Power Company Nuclear Generation Group 500 Circle Drive Buchanan, MI 49107