ML060190011
| ML060190011 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Site: | Susquehanna  |
| Issue date: | 02/02/2006 |
| From: | Richard Guzman NRC/NRR/ADRO/DORL/LPLA |
| To: | Mckinney B Susquehanna |
| Guzman R, NRR/DLPM 415-1030 | |
| References | |
| TAC MC6206, TAC MC6207 | |
| Download: ML060190011 (15) | |
Text
February 2, 2006 Mr. Britt T. McKinney Sr. Vice President and Chief Nuclear Officer PPL Susquehanna, LLC 769 Salem Blvd., NUCSB3 Berwick, PA 18603-0467
SUBJECT:
SUSQUEHANNA STEAM ELECTRIC STATION, UNITS 1 AND 2 - ISSUANCE OF AMENDMENT RE: REVISION TO TECHNICAL SPECIFICATION SURVEILLANCE REQUIREMENT 3.6.4.1.4 AND 3.6.4.1.5, SECONDARY CONTAINMENT AND DRAW DOWN TESTING (TAC NOS. MC6206 AND MC6207)
Dear Mr. McKinney:
The Commission has issued the enclosed Amendment No. 229 to Facility Operating License No. NPF-14 and Amendment No. 205 to Facility Operating License No. NPF-22 for the Susquehanna Steam Electric Station, Units 1 and 2 (SSES 1 and 2). These amendments consist of changes to the Technical Specifications (TSs) in response to your application dated February 7, 2005.
These amendments change the SSES 1 and 2 TSs for Secondary Containment, limiting condition for operation 3.6.4.1, by revising the frequency note applicable to Surveillance Requirements (SRs) 3.6.4.1.4 and 3.6.4.1.5. The revised note requires each zone configuration be tested at least once every 60 months.
A copy of our safety evaluation is also enclosed. The Notice of Issuance will be included in the Commission's Biweekly Federal Register Notice.
Sincerely,
/RA/
Richard V. Guzman, Project Manager Plant Licensing Branch I-1 Division of Operating Reactor Licensing Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation Docket Nos. 50-387 and 50-388
Enclosures:
- 1. Amendment No. 229 to License No. NPF-14
- 2. Amendment No. 205 to License No. NPF-22
- 3. Safety Evaluation cc w/encls: See next page
February 2, 2006 Mr. Britt T. McKinney Sr. Vice President and Chief Nuclear Officer PPL Susquehanna, LLC 769 Salem Blvd., NUCSB3 Berwick, PA 18603-0467
SUBJECT:
SUSQUEHANNA STEAM ELECTRIC STATION, UNITS 1 AND 2 - ISSUANCE OF AMENDMENT RE: REVISION TO TECHNICAL SPECIFICATION SURVEILLANCE REQUIREMENT 3.6.4.1.4 AND 3.6.4.1.5, SECONDARY CONTAINMENT AND DRAW DOWN TESTING (TAC NOS. MC6206 AND MC6207)
Dear Mr. McKinney:
The Commission has issued the enclosed Amendment No. 229 to Facility Operating License No. NPF-14 and Amendment No. 205 to Facility Operating License No. NPF-22 for the Susquehanna Steam Electric Station, Units 1 and 2 (SSES 1 and 2). These amendments consist of changes to the Technical Specifications (TSs) in response to your application dated February 7, 2005.
These amendments change the SSES 1 and 2 TSs for Secondary Containment, limiting condition for operation 3.6.4.1, by revising the frequency note applicable to Surveillance Requirements (SRs) 3.6.4.1.4 and 3.6.4.1.5. The revised note requires each zone configuration be tested at least once every 60 months.
A copy of our safety evaluation is also enclosed. The Notice of Issuance will be included in the Commission's Biweekly Federal Register Notice.
Sincerely,
/RA/
Richard V. Guzman, Project Manager Plant Licensing Branch I-1 Division of Operating Reactor Licensing Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation Docket Nos. 50-387 and 50-388
Enclosures:
- 1. Amendment No. 229 to License No. NPF-14
- 2. Amendment No. 205 to License No. NPF-22
- 3. Safety Evaluation cc w/encls: See next page DISTRIBUTION PUBLIC LPLI-1 RF RLaufer RGuzman SLittle OGC ACRS GHill(4) RLobel RDennig Br. Chf., RI DORL DPR RidsNrrDirsItsb
- Input provided by memo. No substantial changes made.
ADAMS Accession Number: ML060190011 OFFICE LPLI-1/PM LPLI-1/LA DRA/ACVB OGC LPLI-1/BC NAME RGuzman SLittle RLobel* GLongo RLaufer DATE 1/25/06 1/26/06 12/22/05 (SE DTD) 1/30/06 1/31/06 OFFICIAL RECORD COPY
Susquehanna Steam Electric Station, Unit Nos. 1 and 2 cc:
Robert A. Saccone Steven M. Cook Vice President - Nuclear Operations Manager - Quality Assurance PPL Susquehanna, LLC PPL Susquehanna, LLC 769 Salem Blvd., NUCSB3 769 Salem Blvd., NUCSB2 Berwick, PA 18603-0467 Berwick, PA 18603-0467 Aloysius J. Wrape, III Luis A. Ramos General Manager - Performance Community Relations Manager, Improvement and Oversight Susquehanna PPL Susquehanna, LLC PPL Susquehanna, LLC Two North Ninth Street, GENPL4 634 Salem Blvd., SSO Allentown, PA 18101-1179 Berwick, PA 18603-0467 Terry L. Harpster Bryan A. Snapp, Esq General Manager - Plant Support Assoc. General Counsel PPL Susquehanna, LLC PPL Services Corporation 769 Salem Blvd., NUCSA4 Two North Ninth Street, GENTW3 Berwick, PA 18603-0467 Allentown, PA 18101-1179 Richard D. Pagodin Supervisor - Document Control Services General Manager - Nuclear Engineering PPL Susquehanna, LLC PPL Susquehanna, LLC Two North Ninth Street, GENPL4 769 Salem Blvd., NUCSB3 Allentown, PA 18101-1179 Berwick, PA 18603-0467 Richard W. Osborne Rocco R. Sgarro Allegheny Electric Cooperative, Inc.
Manager - Nuclear Regulatory Affairs 212 Locust Street PPL Susquehanna, LLC P.O. Box 1266 Two North Ninth Street, GENPL4 Harrisburg, PA 17108-1266 Allentown, PA 18101-1179 Director, Bureau of Radiation Protection Walter E. Morrissey Pennsylvania Department of Supervising Engineer Environmental Protection Nuclear Regulatory Affairs Rachel Carson State Office Building PPL Susquehanna, LLC P.O. Box 8469 769 Salem Blvd., NUCSA4 Harrisburg, PA 17105-8469 Berwick, PA 18603-0467 Senior Resident Inspector Michael H. Crowthers U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission Supervising Engineer P.O. Box 35, NUCSA4 Nuclear Regulatory Affairs Berwick, PA 18603-0035 PPL Susquehanna, LLC Two North Ninth Street, GENPL4 Regional Administrator, Region 1 Allentown, PA 18101-1179 U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission 475 Allendale Road King of Prussia, PA 19406
Susquehanna Steam Electric Station, Unit Nos. 1 and 2 cc:
Board of Supervisors Salem Township P.O. Box 405 Berwick, PA 18603-0035 Dr. Judith Johnsrud National Energy Committee Sierra Club 443 Orlando Avenue State College, PA 16803
PPL SUSQUEHANNA, LLC ALLEGHENY ELECTRIC COOPERATIVE, INC.
DOCKET NO. 50-387 SUSQUEHANNA STEAM ELECTRIC STATION, UNIT 1 AMENDMENT TO FACILITY OPERATING LICENSE Amendment No. 229 License No. NPF-14
- 1. The Nuclear Regulatory Commission (the Commission or the NRC) having found that:
A. The application for the amendment filed by PPL Susquehanna, LLC, dated February 7, 2005, complies with the standards and requirements of the Atomic Energy Act of 1954, as amended (the Act), and the Commission's regulations set forth in 10 CFR Chapter I; B. The facility will operate in conformity with the application, the provisions of the Act, and the regulations of the Commission; C. There is reasonable assurance: (I) that the activities authorized by this amendment can be conducted without endangering the health and safety of the public, and (ii) that such activities will be conducted in compliance with the Commission's regulations set forth in 10 CFR Chapter I; D. The issuance of this amendment will not be inimical to the common defense and security or to the health and safety of the public; and E. The issuance of this amendment is in accordance with 10 CFR Part 51 of the Commission's regulations and all applicable requirements have been satisfied.
- 2. Accordingly, the license is amended by changes to the Technical Specifications as indicated in the attachment to this license amendment and paragraph 2.C.(2) of the Facility Operating License No. NPF-14 is hereby amended to read as follows:
(2) Technical Specifications and Environmental Protection Plan The Technical Specifications contained in Appendix A, as revised through Amendment No. 229 and the Environmental Protection Plan contained in Appendix B, are hereby incorporated in the license. PPL Susquehanna, LLC shall operate the facility in accordance with the Technical Specifications and the Environmental Protection Plan.
- 3. This license amendment is effective as of its date of issuance and shall be implemented within 90 days.
FOR THE NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION
/RA/
Richard J. Laufer, Chief Plant Licensing Branch I-1 Division of Operating Reactor Licensing Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation
Attachment:
Changes to the Technical Specifications Date of Issuance: February 2, 2006
ATTACHMENT TO LICENSE AMENDMENT NO. 229 FACILITY OPERATING LICENSE NO. NPF-14 DOCKET NO. 50-387 Replace the following page of the Appendix A Technical Specifications with the attached revised page. The revised page is identified by amendment number and contains marginal lines indicating the areas of change.
REMOVE INSERT TS/3.6-37 TS/3.6-37
PPL SUSQUEHANNA, LLC ALLEGHENY ELECTRIC COOPERATIVE, INC.
DOCKET NO. 50-388 SUSQUEHANNA STEAM ELECTRIC STATION, UNIT 2 AMENDMENT TO FACILITY OPERATING LICENSE Amendment No. 205 License No. NPF-22
- 1. The Nuclear Regulatory Commission (the Commission or the NRC) having found that:
A. The application for the amendment filed by the PPL Susquehanna, LLC, dated February 7, 2005, complies with the standards and requirements of the Atomic Energy Act of 1954, as amended (the Act), and the Commission's regulations set forth in 10 CFR Chapter I; B. The facility will operate in conformity with the application, the provisions of the Act, and the regulations of the Commission; C. There is reasonable assurance: (I) that the activities authorized by this amendment can be conducted without endangering the health and safety of the public, and (ii) that such activities will be conducted in compliance with the Commission's regulations set forth in 10 CFR Chapter I; D. The issuance of this amendment will not be inimical to the common defense and security or to the health and safety of the public; and E. The issuance of this amendment is in accordance with 10 CFR Part 51 of the Commission's regulations and all applicable requirements have been satisfied.
- 2. Accordingly, the license is amended by changes to the Technical Specifications as indicated in the attachment to this license amendment and paragraph 2.C.(2) of the Facility Operating License No. NPF-22 is hereby amended to read as follows:
(2) Technical Specifications and Environmental Protection Plan The Technical Specifications contained in Appendix A, as revised through Amendment No. 205 and the Environmental Protection Plan contained in Appendix B, are hereby incorporated in the license. PPL Susquehanna, LLC shall operate the facility in accordance with the Technical Specifications and the Environmental Protection Plan.
- 3. This license amendment is effective as of its date of issuance and shall be implemented within 90 days.
FOR THE NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION
/RA/
Richard J. Laufer, Chief Plant Licensing Branch I-1 Division of Operating Reactor Licensing Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation
Attachment:
Changes to the Technical Specifications Date of Issuance: February 2, 2006
ATTACHMENT TO LICENSE AMENDMENT NO. 205 FACILITY OPERATING LICENSE NO. NPF-22 DOCKET NO. 50-388 Replace the following page of the Appendix A Technical Specifications with the attached revised page. The revised page is identified by amendment number and contains marginal lines indicating the areas of change.
REMOVE INSERT TS/3.6-37 TS/3.6-37
SAFETY EVALUATION BY THE OFFICE OF NUCLEAR REACTOR REGULATION RELATED TO AMENDMENT NO. 229 TO FACILITY OPERATING LICENSE NO. NPF-14 AND AMENDMENT NO. 205 TO FACILITY OPERATING LICENSE NO. NPF-22 PPL SUSQUEHANNA, LLC ALLEGHENY ELECTRIC COOPERATIVE, INC.
SUSQUEHANNA STEAM ELECTRIC STATION, UNITS 1 AND 2 DOCKET NOS. 50-387 AND 388
1.0 INTRODUCTION
By application dated February 7, 2005 (Agencywide Documents Access and Management System Accession No. ML050470249), PPL Susquehanna, LLC (the licensee), requested changes to the Technical Specifications (TSs) for Susquehanna Steam Electric Station, Units 1 and 2 (SSES 1 and 2).
The proposed changes would change the SSES 1 and 2 TSs for Secondary Containment, limiting condition for operation (LCO) 3.6.4.1, by revising the frequency note applicable to Surveillance Requirements (SR) 3.6.4.1.4 and 3.6.4.1.5. The revised note would require each zone configuration be tested at least once every 60 months. PPL proposes to revise the TSs to resolve a discrepancy identified by PPLs corrective action program. The SRs require verification that each standby gas treatment (SGT) subsystem can draw down the secondary containment to greater than or equal to 0.25 inch vacuum water gauge in less than or equal to the maximum time allowed for the secondary containment configuration that is operable (SR 3.6.1.4) and maintain this vacuum for at least 1 hour1.157407e-5 days <br />2.777778e-4 hours <br />1.653439e-6 weeks <br />3.805e-7 months <br /> (SR 3.6.4.1.5).
PPL states that the basis for the note is that the three zone configuration was assumed to be the most limiting. PPL has concluded that this assumption is not valid, and, therefore proposes to revise the note to test each configuration every 60 months. PPL has provided data from previous tests to support the licensees conclusion.
PPL already performs these surveillances in accordance with the proposed change, which is conservative.
2.0 REGULATORY EVALUATION
2.1 Regulatory Requirements The regulatory requirements and guidance which the NRC staff considered in its review of the application are as follows:
- 1. Title 10 of the Code of Federal Regulations (10 CFR) establishes the fundamental regulatory requirements with respect to the reactivity control systems. Specifically, General Design Criterion 16 (GDC-16), Containment Design, in Appendix A, "General Design Criteria for Nuclear Power Plants," to 10 CFR Part 50 states, in part, that reactor containment and associated systems shall be provided to establish an essentially leak tight barrier against the uncontrolled release of radioactivity to the environment.
- 2. GDC-41, Containment atmosphere cleanup, to 10 CFR Part 50 states, in part, that systems to control fission products, hydrogen, oxygen, and other substances which may be released into the reactor containment shall be provided as necessary to reduce the concentration and quality of fission products released to the environment following postulated accidents.
- 3. GDC-42, Inspection of containment atmosphere cleanup systems, to 10 CFR Part 50 states, in part, that the atmosphere cleanup systems shall be designed to permit appropriate periodic pressure and functional testing.
- 4. GDC-43, Testing of containment atmosphere cleanup systems, to 10 CFR Part 50 states, in part, that the atmosphere cleanup systems shall be designed to permit periodic pressure and functional testing to assure the structural and leaktight integrity of its components.
- 6. Regulatory Guide 1.52, Design, Testing, and Maintenance Criteria for Engineered-Safety Feature Atmosphere Cleanup Filtration and Adsorption Units of Light-Water Cooled Nuclear Power Plants, addresses the atmosphere cleanup system, including the various components and ductwork, in a postulated design basis radiological accident environment. Additional applicable regulatory guidance on secondary containments is provided in Standard Review Plan, Section 6.2.3, Secondary Containment Functional Design.
3.0 TECHNICAL EVALUATION
3.1 Specific Changes Requested TS SR 3.6.4.1.4 states:
Verify each standby gas treatment (SGT) subsystem will draw down the secondary containment to $ 0.25 inch of vacuum water gauge in less than or equal to the maximum allowed for the secondary containment configuration that is OPERABLE.
The frequency of this surveillance is specified as: 24 months on a STAGGERED TEST BASIS.
TS SR 3.6.4.1.5 states:
Verify each SGT subsystem can maintain $ 0.25 inch of vacuum water gauge in the secondary containment for at least 1 hour1.157407e-5 days <br />2.777778e-4 hours <br />1.653439e-6 weeks <br />3.805e-7 months <br /> at a flow rate less than or equal to the maximum flow rate permitted for the secondary containment configuration that is OPERABLE.
The frequency of this surveillance is also specified as: 24 months on a STAGGERED TEST BASIS.
PPL has proposed to revise the surveillance frequency note applicable to SR 3.6.4.1.4 and SR 3.6.4.1.5. Currently, the note states:
Once every 60 months testing will be performed in three zone configuration.
PPL proposes to revise the note to state:
Test each configuration at least one time every 60 months.
3.2 Definition of Zone Boundaries The Susquehanna secondary containment is divided into three zones. Zones I and II surround the respective Unit 1 and Unit 2 primary containments below the floor elevation 779 ft-1 inch and also include the stairwells and elevator machine rooms and shafts above elevation 779 ft-1 inch. Zone III includes the areas above the floor at elevation 779 ft-1 inch including the refueling floor, but excluding the heating, ventilation, and air conditioning fan and equipment rooms.
3.3 Basis for Changes The note requiring the three zone configuration test every 60 months was added to the Unit 1 TSs in Amendment 21 (issued on March 23, 1984) at the request of the NRC staff. The NRC safety evaluation for Amendment 21 did not discuss the basis for the note.
The Unit 2 TSs were subsequently issued to be consistent with the Unit 1 TSs approved in Amendment 21.
When PPL implemented the Improved TSs for SSES 1 and 2, words were added to the TS bases which described the three zone configuration as the most limiting. The TS bases prior to the conversion to the Improved TSs did not describe the three zone configuration as the most limiting.
PPL has determined, based on test results included in PPLs February 7, 2005, letter, that the three zone configuration is the limiting configuration for the draw down test, SR 3.6.4.1.4, but not for the flow test, SR 3.6.4.1.5.
PPL has actually performed these surveillance tests on all three configurations every 60 months. PPL proposes to revise the note to be consistent with present practice and to ensure that the limiting secondary containment draw down configuration is tested every 60 months.
The revised note will read:
Test each configuration at least one time every 60 months.
Since the proposed changes will ensure that all three secondary containment configurations are tested every 60 months, this will ensure that the limiting configuration is tested every 60 months. The proposed revision is therefore consistent with the intent of the surveillance frequency to test the limiting configuration every 60 months and is therefore acceptable.
3.3 NRC Staff Evaluation The NRC staff finds the licensees proposed revision to the frequency note in the Susquehanna TS SRs 3.6.4.1.4 and 3.6.4.1.5 to be acceptable since they more closely comply with the intent of the current note to ensure that the limiting configuration is tested at least once per 60 months.
4.0 STATE CONSULTATION
In accordance with the Commission's regulations, the Pennsylvania State official was notified of the proposed issuance of the amendments. The State official had no comments.
5.0 ENVIRONMENTAL CONSIDERATION
The amendments change a requirement with respect to installation or use of a facility component located within the restricted area as defined in 10 CFR Part 20 and change surveillance requirements. The NRC staff has determined that the amendments involve no significant increase in the amounts, and no significant change in the types, of any effluents that may be released offsite, and that there is no significant increase in individual or cumulative occupational radiation exposure. The Commission has previously issued a proposed finding that the amendments involve no significant hazards consideration, and there has been no public comment on such finding (70 FR 29799). Accordingly, the amendments meet the eligibility criteria for categorical exclusion set forth in 10 CFR 51.22(c)(9). Pursuant to 10 CFR 51.22(b) no environmental impact statement or environmental assessment need be prepared in connection with the issuance of the amendments.
6.0 CONCLUSION
The Commission has concluded, based on the considerations discussed above, that: (1) there is reasonable ass9urance that the health and safety of the public will not be endangered by operation in the proposed manner, (2) such activities will be conducted in compliance with the Commission's regulations, and (3) the issuance of the amendments will not be inimical to the common defense and security or to the health and safety of the public.
Principal Contributor: R. Lobel Date: February 2, 2006