ML051790189
| ML051790189 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Site: | Prairie Island  |
| Issue date: | 07/07/2005 |
| From: | Mahesh Chawla NRC/NRR/DLPM/LPD3 |
| To: | Solymossy J Nuclear Management Co |
| Chawla M, NRR/DLPM, 415-8371 | |
| References | |
| BL-03-002, TAC MC0558 | |
| Download: ML051790189 (5) | |
Text
July 7, 2005 Mr. Joseph Solymossy Site Vice-President Nuclear Management Company, LLC 1717 Wakonade Drive East Welch, MN 55089
SUBJECT:
PRAIRIE ISLAND NUCLEAR GENERATING PLANT, UNIT 1 - RESPONSE TO NRC BULLETIN 2003-02, LEAKAGE FROM REACTOR PRESSURE VESSEL LOWER HEAD PENETRATIONS AND REACTOR COOLANT PRESSURE BOUNDARY INTEGRITY (TAC NO. MC0558)
Dear Mr. Solymossy:
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 provide the NRC with information related to inspections that will be 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 dated September 19, 2003, Nuclear Management Company (NMC) provided its response to this request. NMC committed to perform a 100-percent bare-metal visual inspection of the lower RPV dome up to and including each bottom-mounted instrumentation penetration to the RPV junction during the fall 2004 refueling outage at Prairie Island, Unit 1. In addition, NMC stated that this inspection would be completed on each unit during future refueling outages, subsequent to the fall 2003 refueling outage at Prairie Island, Unit 2. NMC indicated that this inspection schedule may be adjusted in the future should industry experience, changes to the American Society of Mechanical Engineers Code, or a change in regulatory requirements justify a change to the inspection frequency or method. As such, NMC is requested to notify the NRC staff in writing of any changes to this commitment prior to implementation.
J. Solymossy The bulletin also requested that addresses 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 letter dated January 24, 2005, NMC provided a summary of its inspection results at Prairie Island, Unit 1 for the fall 2004 refueling outage. NMC reported that it had performed a 360-degree bare-metal visual inspection of all 36 RPV lower head penetrations. NMC did not observe any evidence of RPV lower head penetration leakage.
Based on its review of NMCs responses to NRC Bulletin 2003-02, the NRC staff finds that NMC has met the reporting requirements of the bulletin for Prairie Island, Unit 1. Accordingly, TAC No. MC0558 is closed for Prairie Island, Unit 1.
Sincerely,
/RA/
Mahesh Chawla, Project Manager, Section 1 Project Directorate III Division of Licensing Project Management Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation Docket No. 50-282 cc: See next page
ML051790189 OFFICE PDIII-1/PM PDIII-1/LA DLPM/LPM EMCB PDIII-1/SC NAME MChawla THarris SMonarque ESullivan LRaghavan DATE 7/1/05 6/30/05 6/6/05 7/6/05 7/7/05
Prairie Island Nuclear Generating Plant, Units 1 and 2 cc:
Jonathan Rogoff, Esquire Vice President, Counsel & Secretary Nuclear Management Company, LLC 700 First Street Hudson, WI 54016 Manager, Regulatory Affairs Prairie Island Nuclear Generating Plant Nuclear Management Company, LLC 1717 Wakonade Drive East Welch, MN 55089 Manager - Environmental Protection Division Minnesota Attorney Generals Office 445 Minnesota St., Suite 900 St. Paul, MN 55101-2127 U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission Resident Inspector's Office 1719 Wakonade Drive East Welch, MN 55089-9642 Regional Administrator, Region III U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission 801 Warrenville Road Lisle, IL 60532-4351 Administrator Goodhue County Courthouse Box 408 Red Wing, MN 55066-0408 Commissioner Minnesota Department of Commerce 121 Seventh Place East Suite 200 St. Paul, MN 55101-2145 Tribal Council Prairie Island Indian Community ATTN: Environmental Department 5636 Sturgeon Lake Road Welch, MN 55089 Nuclear Asset Manager Xcel Energy, Inc.
414 Nicollet Mall, R.S. 8 Minneapolis, MN 55401 John Paul Cowan Executive Vice President & Chief Nuclear Officer Nuclear Management Company, LLC 700 First Street Hudson, WI 54016 Craig G. Anderson Senior Vice President, Group Operations Nuclear Management Company, LLC 700 First Street Hudson, WI 54016 November 2003