ML051030399
| ML051030399 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Site: | Diablo Canyon  |
| Issue date: | 04/05/2005 |
| From: | Shukla G NRC/NRR/DLPM/LPD4 |
| To: | Rueger G Pacific Gas & Electric Co |
| SHUKLA G , NRR/DLPM/PD4, 415-8420 | |
| References | |
| BL-03-002, TAC MC0536 | |
| Download: ML051030399 (4) | |
Text
April 5, 2005 Mr. Gregory M. Rueger Senior Vice President, Generation and Chief Nuclear Officer Pacific Gas and Electric Company Diablo Canyon Power Plant P.O. Box 3 Avila Beach, CA 93424
SUBJECT:
DIABLO CANYON POWER PLANT, UNIT NO. 1 - RESPONSE TO NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION BULLETIN 2003-02, LEAKAGE FROM REACTOR PRESSURE VESSEL LOWER HEAD PENETRATIONS AND REACTOR COOLANT PRESSURE BOUNDARY INTEGRITY (TAC NO. MC0536)
Dear Mr. Rueger:
On August 21, 2003, the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) issued NRC Bulletin 2003-02, Leakage from Reactor Pressure Vessel Lower Head Penetrations and Reactor Coolant Pressure Boundary Integrity, to the industry. This bulletin informed addressees that current methods of inspecting the reactor pressure vessel (RPV) lower heads may need to be supplemented with bare-metal visual inspections in order to detect reactor coolant pressure boundary leakage. The bulletin also requested these addressees to provide the NRC with information related to inspections that have been performed to verify the integrity of the RPV lower head penetrations.
The bulletin requested that addressees provide a description of the RPV lower head penetration inspection program that would be implemented at their respective plants during the next, and subsequent, refueling outages. This description was to include the extent of the inspection, the inspection methods to be used, the qualification standards for the inspection methods, the process used to resolve the source of findings of boric acid deposits or corrosion, the inspection documentation to be generated, and the basis for concluding that their plant satisfied applicable regulatory requirements related to the structural, and leakage integrity of the RPV lower head penetrations.
By [[letter::DCL-03-151, 90-Day Response to NRC Bulletin 2003-02, Leakage from Reactor Pressure Vessel Lower Head Penetrations and Reactor Coolant Pressure Boundary Integrity|letter dated November 18, 2003]], Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E) provided its response to this request. PG&E committed to perform a bare-metal visual examination of the RPV lower head during the next refueling outage (Unit 1 twelfth refueling outage in Spring 2004) and every third refueling outage thereafter until such a time that industry experience or regulatory guidance indicates a modification of the inspection frequency or method is warranted. Specifically, PG&E committed that this examination scope would include all 58 RPV lower head penetrations, including 100 percent of the circumference of each penetration as it enters the RPV lower head, and the areas surrounding the tubes. Hence, PG&E is requested to make it a regulatory commitment and notify the NRC in writing of any significant change to this commitment in the future.
G. Rueger The bulletin also requested that addressees provide a summary of the RPV lower head penetration inspection that was performed at their plants, the extent of the inspection, and the methods used, a description of the as-found condition of the lower head, any findings of relevant indications of through-wall leakage, and a summary of the disposition of any findings of boric acid deposits, and any corrective actions taken as a result of indications found.
By "DCL-04-082, Day Response to NRC Bulletin 2002-02, Reactor Pressure Vessel Head and Vessel Head Penetration Nozzle Inspection Program, 60-Day Response to [[NRC bulletin" contains a listed "[" character as part of the property label and has therefore been classified as invalid., Leakage from Reactor Pressure Vessel Lower Head Penetrations|letter dated July 6, 2004]], PG&E provided a summary of its inspection results at Diablo Canyon Power Plant, Unit 1. PG&E reported that during the Unit 1 twelfth refueling outage, completed on June 7, 2004, it had performed a bare-metal visual examination of all 58 RPV lower head penetrations, including 100 percent of the circumference of each penetration as it enters the RPV lower head, and the areas surrounding the penetrations. PG&E did not observe any evidence of RPV lower head penetration leakage.
Based on its review of PG&Es responses to NRC Bulletin 2003-02, the NRC staff finds that PG&E has met the reporting requirements of the bulletin for Diablo Canyon Power Plant, Unit 1.
Accordingly, TAC No. MC0536 is closed for Diablo Canyon Power Plant, Unit 1.
Sincerely,
/RA/
Girija Shukla, Project Manager, Section 2 Project Directorate IV Division of Licensing Project Management Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation Docket No. 50-275 cc: See next page
ML051030399 OFFICE PDIV-2/PM PDIV-2/LA PDII/PM EMCB PDIV-2/SC NAME GShukla LFeizollahi SMonarque ESullivan RGramm DATE 4/5/05 3/24/05 3/24/05 4/4/05 4/5/05
Diablo Canyon Power Plant, Units 1 and 2 cc:
NRC Resident Inspector Diablo Canyon Power Plant c/o U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission P.O. Box 369 Avila Beach, CA 93424 Sierra Club San Lucia Chapter c/o Henriette Groot 1000 Montecito Road Cayucos, CA 93430 Ms. Nancy Culver San Luis Obispo Mothers for Peace P.O. Box 164 Pismo Beach, CA 93448 Chairman San Luis Obispo County Board of Supervisors Room 370 County Government Center San Luis Obispo, CA 93408 Mr. Truman Burns Mr. Robert Kinosian California Public Utilities Commission 505 Van Ness, Room 4102 San Francisco, CA 94102 Diablo Canyon Independent Safety Committee ATTN: Robert R. Wellington, Esq.
Legal Counsel 857 Cass Street, Suite D Monterey, CA 93940 Regional Administrator, Region IV U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission Harris Tower & Pavillion 611 Ryan Plaza Drive, Suite 400 Arlington, TX 76011-8064 Richard F. Locke, Esq.
Pacific Gas & Electric Company P.O. Box 7442 San Francisco, CA 94120 Mr. David H. Oatley, Vice President and General Manager Diablo Canyon Power Plant P.O. Box 56 Avila Beach, CA 93424 City Editor The Tribune 3825 South Higuera Street P.O. Box 112 San Luis Obispo, CA 93406-0112 Mr. Ed Bailey, Chief Radiologic Health Branch State Department of Health Services P.O. Box 997414 (MS 7610)
Sacramento, CA 95899-7414 Mr. James D. Boyd, Commissioner California Energy Commission 1516 Ninth Street (MS 31)
Sacramento, CA 95814 Mr. James R. Becker, Vice President Diablo Canyon Operations and Station Director Diablo Canyon Power Plant P.O. Box 3 Avila Beach, CA 93424 Jennifer Tang Field Representative United States Senator Barbara Boxer 1700 Montgomery Street, Suite 240 San Francisco, CA 94111