ML053540384
| ML053540384 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Site: | Vermont Yankee File:NorthStar Vermont Yankee icon.png |
| Issue date: | 12/16/2005 |
| From: | Reyes L NRC/EDO |
| To: | Jeffords J US SEN (Senate) |
| Byrdsong A T | |
| References | |
| 50-271-OLA, ASLBP 04-832-02-OLA, RAS 10851 | |
| Download: ML053540384 (6) | |
Text
UNlTED STATES
- ^ar-c' 6
NUCLEAR REGULATBWY @OMFil-=-
U ~. W S ; ~
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20555-0001 The Honorable James M. Jeffords United States Senate Washington, D.C. 2051 5 December 16, 2005 December 20,2005 (9:50am)
OFFICE OF SECRETARY RULEMAKINGS AND ADJUDICATIONS STAFF Docket No. 50-271 -0LA SERVED December 20,2005
Dear Senator Jeffords:
On behalf of the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC), I am writing in response to your letter of November 10, 2005, in which you urged the NRC to fully evaluate the condition of the steam dryer at the Vermont Yankee Nuclear Power Station (Vermont Yankee) as the NRC staff reviews the proposed extended power uprate (EPU) request from Entergy Nuclear Vermont Yankee, LLC and Entergy Nuclear Operations, Inc. (Entergy). I am pleased to take this opportunity to update you on the NRC's actions to address this issue.
During the fall 2005 refueling outage at Vermont Yankee, Entergy performed an enhanced visual inspection which identified 46 indications of small cracks in the steam dryer. These were in addition to 18 indications identified during the spring 2004 outage. Although the previous dryer inspection was conducted in accordance with the American Society of Mechanical Engineers Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code, it was expected that additional indications would be found during the 2005 outage based on use of visual examination techniques that provided greater magnification and resolution. The enhanced inspection also confirmed that none of the previously-identified cracks had propagated in width or length since the last inspection.
Entergy currently believes that, like the previously-identified indications, these new indications developed sometime early in plant operational history, and will not affect the steam dryer structural integrity at current power conditions or at the proposed EPU conditions. None of the identified indications required repairs; however, Entergy did make modifications during the 2004 outage to provide additional structural support to the steam dryer to address generic industry issues with steam dryer integrity. Entergy will continue to monitor the indications during future inspections to ensure there is no further change to the individuai indications.
The NRC is closely monitoring Entergy's steam dryer examination and evaluation activities. A specialist inspector from the NRC's Region I office was sent to the site to review the steam dryer inspection results. Further, specialists from Region I and NRC Headquarters reviewed the examination data and steam dryer evaluation. The NRC reviews did not identify problems with the steam dryer crack evaluation and disposition that would cause concern with operation of Vermont Yankee at current licensed conditions.
Entergy is completing its final evaluation of the new steam dryer indications with regard to EFU operation. The NRC will thoroughly review the final evaluation as part of the proposed EPU review. Additiofially, if the proposed EPU is granted, a condition v~ould be added tc the Vermont Yankee license for Entergy to rnonitcr and evaluate the effects of increased steam flow on the steam dryer, and promptly take actions as necessary to resolve any adverse flow effects.
The NRC's primary mission is to ensure adequate protection of public health and safety. The NRC will not approve the Vermont Yankee EPU, or any proposed change to any plant license, unless our technical staff can conclude that it has reasonable assurance that adequate protection of public health and safety will be ensured.
Executive Dir
November 10,2005 The Honorable Nils J. Diaz Chairman U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission Washington, DC 20555-0001
Dear Mr. Chairman:
We write in rcsponsc to thc announccrnent today of the discovery, during a recent scheduled outage, of more than 40 additional cracks in the steam dryer at Vcrmont Yankec. Wc undcrstand that a Region 1 Nuclear Regulatory Conlmission (NRC) inspector was dispatched to assist the resident inspector in the deternlining whether these cracks pose safety and operational concerns for the plant's current power production. We request that the condition of the steam dryer be fully evaluated, using the techniques of the most recent inspection and any other appropriate means, as the NRC considers Entergy Nuclear's request to produce an additional 100 megawatts of power from Vermont Yankee.
Wc understand that thcse cracks were discovered through the use of enhanced visual inspection techniques. As you know, thcse cracks arc in addition to some IS cracks, both hairline and larger, that were discovered through visual inspections of the plant's.steam dryer in April and May of 2004. Steam dryer cracking is of concern at many boiling water reactor facilities. We know that cracking problems have persisted at the Quad Cities facilities' steam dryers, despite repeated fixes, and that uprated power conditions at those facilities place additional strcsses on dryer performance. While the steam dryer itself is not a safety-related piece of equipment, its proper fimctioning is important to the plant's safe and rcliablc operation. Stcam dryer cracking could result in pieces breaking off, and falling back into the stcam lines that lend out of the reactor. In the case ofthe Quad Cities reactors, these plants have been forced to shut down because of cracking, making their operation lcss rcliablc.
As the h R C reviews the Vermont Yankee power uprate request, we believe it is essential that our constituents receive needed information about whether the plant's steam drycr will bc able to withstand boosted power conditions and operate safely and reliably. The functioning of this piece of equipment should receive the Commission's full and thorough attention during the rcvicw of the uprate application.
We look fonvard to a prompt reply.
Sincerely, PRINTED O N RECYCLED PAPER
Diaz, pg. 2 November 10,2005
UNITED STATES OF AMERICA NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION In the Matter of 1
1 ENTERGY NUCLEAR VERMONT YANKEE L.L.C. )
and ENTERGY NUCLEAR OPERATIONS, INC.
)
)
Vermont Yankee Nuclear Power Station)
)
)
(Operating License Amendment)
)
Docket No. 50-271 -0LA CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE I hereby certify that copies of the foregoing LETTER FROM LUIS A. REYES ADDRESSED TO SENATOR JAMES M. JEFFORDS, AS WELL AS THE LETTER FROM SENATOR JAMES M.
JEFFORDS DATED NOVEMBER 10, 2005 have been served upon the following persons by U.S. mail, first class, or through NRC internal distribution.
Office of Commission Appellate Adjudication U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission Washington, DC 20555-0001 Administrative Judge Anthony J. Baratta Atomic Safety and Licensing Board Panel Mail Stop - T-3 F23 U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission Washington, DC 20555-0001 Robert M. Weisman, Esq.
Sherwin E. Turk, Esq.
Jason C. Zorn, Esq.
Office of the General Counsel Mail Stop 1 5 D21 U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission Washington, DC 20555-0001 Administrative Judge Alex S. Karlin, Chair Atomic Safety and Licensing Board Panel Mail Stop - T-3 F23 U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission Washington, DC 20555-0001 Administrative Judge Lester S. Rubenstein 4270 E Country Villa Drive Tucson, AZ 8571 8 Raymond Shadis New England Coalition P.O. Box 98 Edgecomb, ME 04556
Docket No. 50-271 -0LA LETTER FROM LUIS A. REYES ADDRESSED TO SENATOR JAMES M. JEFFORDS, AS WELL AS THE LETTER FROM SENATOR JAMES M. JEFFORDS DATED NOVEMBER 10,2005 John M. Fulton, Esq.
Sarah Hofmann, Esq.
Assistant General Counsel Special Counsel Entergy Nuclear Operations, Inc.
Department of Public Service 440 Hamilton Avenue 11 2 State Street - Drawer 20 White Plains, NY 10601 Montpelier, VT 05620-2601 Anthony Z. Roisman, Esq.
Jay E. Silberg, Esq.
National Legal Scholars Law Firm Matias F. Travieso-Diaz, Esq.
84 East Thetford Rd.
Pillsbury Winthrop Shaw Pittman LLP Lyme, NH 03768 2300 N Street, NW Washington, DC 20037-1 128 Jonathan M. Rund, Esq.
Law Clerk Atomic Safety and Licensing Board Panel Mail Stop - T-3 F23 U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission Washington, DC 20555-0001 Office of tt@ Secretary of the ~dmmission Dated at Rockville, Maryland, this 2oth day of December 2005