ML061440363

RA 06-076, Response to Kaplowitz Regarding Indian Point

ML061440363
Person / Time
Site:	Indian Point
Issue date:	05/24/2006
From:	Barkley R NRC Region 1
To:	Kaplowitz M - No Known Affiliation
References
FOIA/PA-2006-0244, RA 06-076
Download: ML061440363 (2)

Text

May 24, 2006 Mr. Michael Kaplowitz 148 Martine Avenue 800 Michaelean Office Building White Plains, NY 10601

Dear Mr. Kaplowitz:

I am responding to the question you raised at the public meeting on March 28, 2006, to discuss the results of the NRC Special Inspection Team at Indian Point. Specifically, you asked how a structure such as the spent fuel pool at Indian Point 2 would be treated by the NRC and Entergy in the course of a future license renewal request.

Enclosed is an NRC Office of Public Affairs Backgrounder on the license renewal process.

This fact sheet provides an overview of the license renewal process. The license renewal process augments the existing reactor oversight process (ROP) which will continue to be in effect into the period of extended operation, if license renewal is granted by the NRC.

Regarding the spent fuel pool structure and associated systems, any applicant seeking license renewal must demonstrate that they have completed a review of all long-lived, passive structures, systems, and components (SSCs), including the spent fuel pool, that meet the criteria delineated in 10 CFR 54.4(a), i.e., they are relied upon to remain functional during and following design basis events as defined in 10 CFR 50.49(b)(1). For SSCs within the scope of license renewal, the applicant must also describe their methods for managing anticipated aging effects. Applicants may propose a continuation of the existing maintenance and surveillance activities for the SSC, or they may develop additional inspections and/or maintenance as deemed necessary.

Once an application is submitted and accepted for review, the NRC will schedule and complete a series of technical audits to evaluate the adequacy of the identified aging management programs based on the guidance in NUREG-1801, Generic Aging Lessons Learned (GALL)

Report, and conduct onsite safety inspections in accordance with Inspection Procedure 71002, License Renewal Inspection, to verify information contained in the application. The results of these audits and inspections will be discussed during public meetings between the applicant and the NRC. During the audits and inspections, the applicant must be able to demonstrate that aging management programs described in the application are complete and can be relied upon to adequately manage aging effects during the period of extended operation. The NRC will evaluate these programs to determine whether the programs identified by the applicant are adequate and provide reasonable assurance that important SSCs will continue to meet their design bases to prevent or mitigate the consequences of accidents during the period of extended operation.

Mr. Michael Kaplowitz 2 Since Entergy has neither announced a decision regarding license renewal at Indian Point nor submitted a renewal application to the agency, it is premature to speculate on the final disposition of the spent fuel pool. However, recently approved license renewal applications for the Millstone and Ginna stations did include specific programs and evaluations of portions of the spent fuel pool and associated systems to ensure that the spent fuel pool would continue to meet its design function.

If you have further questions in this matter, please contact me at (610) 337-5065.

Sincerely,

/RA/

Richard S. Barkley, P.E.

Technical Communications Assistant

Enclosure:

NRC Fact Sheet on the License Renewal SUNSI Review Complete: rsb (Reviewers Initials)

DOCUMENT NAME: E:\Filenet\ML061440363.wpd After declaring this document An Official Agency Record it will be released to the Public.

To receive a copy of this document, indicate in the box: "C" = Copy without attachment/enclosure "E" = Copy with attachment/enclosure "N" = No copy OFFICE RI/DRS RI/ORA RI/DRS RI/DRS NRR/LR RI/ORA NAME MSykes RBarkley JSegala RBlough LLund MDapas DATE 05/17/06 05/17/06 05/22/06 05/19/06 05/23/06 05/23/06 OFFICIAL RECORD COPY