ML070190527
| ML070190527 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Site: | Indian Point  |
| Issue date: | 01/23/2007 |
| From: | Dyer J Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation |
| To: | Kansler M Entergy Nuclear Operations |
| Pickett D, NRR/DORL, 415-1364 | |
| References | |
| EA-05-190 | |
| Download: ML070190527 (5) | |
Text
January 23, 2007 EA-05-190 Mr. Michael R. Kansler President Entergy Nuclear Operations, Inc.
440 Hamilton Avenue White Plains, NY 10601
SUBJECT:
RELAXATION OF IMPLEMENTATION DATE FOR NRC CONFIRMATORY ORDER (EA-05-190) - EMERGENCY NOTIFICATION SYSTEM BACKUP POWER FOR INDIAN POINT NUCLEAR GENERATING UNITS 2 AND 3
Dear Mr. Kansler:
On January 31, 2006, the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) issued a Confirmatory Order, EA-05-190 (Order), to Entergy Nuclear Operations, Inc. (Entergy), to implement Section 651(b) of the Energy Policy Act (Act) of 2005. Section 651(b) of the Act provides that the NRC shall require nuclear power plants located within certain population densities to have back-up power for their emergency notification systems, including sirens. Indian Point Nuclear Generating Units 2 and 3 (Indian Point), located at the Indian Point Energy Center in Buchanan, New York, was the only NRC-licensed facility that met the population density threshold of the Act. NRCs Order required implementation of back-up power for the Indian Point emergency notification system by January 30, 2007.
Section IV.V of the Order permits Entergy to request relaxation of requirements of the Order.
By letter dated January 11, 2007, Entergy requested that the NRC relax Section IV.II of the Order to change the required implementation date for the back-up power system to the emergency notification system from January 30, 2007, to April 15, 2007. In its extension request letter, Entergy identified the following three factors that contributed to the delay:
permits and approval, equipment installation issues, and other follow-up activities such as system testing and emergency personnel training.
In the extension request, Entergy provided a summary of the progress it has made in complying with the Order. Entergy indicated that it had completed the research, design, and fabrication of the two redundant, physically separated communication systems that will comprise the communication links for the new emergency notification system. In addition, Entergy has nearly completed installation of all of the equipment. Entergy indicated that the system will consist of 150 new sirens and metal poles, 12 computer-based control stations, and new communications links between the redundant technologies. Entergy also stated that it expects installation of the few remaining components, with the exception of equipment to be installed on the Grasslands Tower, to be completed by January 30, 2007.
M. Kansler The NRC staff evaluated the factors presented in the extension request and Entergys ability to have reasonably foreseen difficulties impacting the required completion date of January 30, 2007. Additionally, the NRC staff evaluated Entergys level of control to rectify each problem.
In particular, the NRC staff noted that the structural modification of the Grasslands Tower was the critical path element impacting the schedule. The NRC staff determined that Entergy provided sufficient evidence that the necessary structural modifications for the Grasslands Tower to support the equipment installation of antennas and microwave dishes could not have been reasonably foreseen any earlier. The NRC staff review included evaluating when Entergy discovered the need to modify the tower and whether Entergy could control the necessary modifications. After receiving a preliminary analysis that identified structural deficiencies, Entergy undertook the coordination for additional analysis and structural repairs to expedite the completion of the tower improvement project.
Pursuant to Section IV.V of the Order, the NRC staff concludes that Entergy has made a good faith effort to comply with the order and has demonstrated good cause to relax the Order.
Therefore, I hereby grant Entergys request to change the implementation date of the Order from January 30, 2007, to April 15, 2007.
Sincerely,
/RA/
J. E. Dyer, Director Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation Docket Nos. 50-247 and 50-286 cc: See next pages
M. Kansler The NRC staff evaluated the factors presented in the extension request and Entergys ability to have reasonably foreseen difficulties impacting the required completion date of January 30, 2007. Additionally, the NRC staff evaluated Entergys level of control to rectify each problem.
In particular, the NRC staff noted that the structural modification of the Grasslands Tower was the critical path element impacting the schedule. The NRC staff determined that Entergy provided sufficient evidence that the necessary structural modifications for the Grasslands Tower to support the equipment installation of antennas and microwave dishes could not have been reasonably foreseen any earlier. The NRC staff review included evaluating when Entergy discovered the need to modify the tower and whether Entergy could control the necessary modifications. After receiving a preliminary analysis that identified structural deficiencies, Entergy undertook the coordination for additional analysis and structural repairs to expedite the completion of the tower improvement project.
Pursuant to Section IV.V of the Order, the NRC staff concludes that Entergy has made a good faith effort to comply with the order and has demonstrated good cause to relax the Order.
Therefore, I hereby grant Entergys request to change the implementation date of the Order from January 30, 2007, to April 15, 2007.
Sincerely,
/RA/
J. E. Dyer, Director Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation Docket Nos. 50-247 and 50-286 cc: See next pages DISTRIBUTION Public WKane CCarpenter LTrocine RidsNrrAdro (BBoger)
RidsNrrOd RZimmerman ELeeds NMamish, NSIR SCollins, R1 EWeiss KWilliams RidsNrrPMJBoska RidsNrrLASLittle RidsOGCRp GHill (4)
LPL1-1 R/F SBurnell BJones, OGC ECobey, R1 SECY RTaylor, EDO RidsAcrsAcnwMailCenter RidsNrrDorl (CHaney/JLubinski)
Adams Accession Number: ML070190527 OFFICE LPL1-1/PM LPL1-1/LA LPL1-1/BC(A)
NRR/DORL/D NRR/ADRO/AD NAME JBoska MO'Brien for SLittle JBoska JLubinski for CHaney BBoger DATE 01/22/07 01/22/07 01/23/07 01/23/07 01/23/07 OFFICE RGN1/RA NSIR/DD OE OGC NRR/D NAME SCollins NMamish CCarpenter BJones JDyer DATE 01/23/07 01/23/07 01/22/07 01/23/07 01/23/07 OFFICIAL RECORD COPY
Indian Point Nuclear Generating Unit Nos. 2 & 3 cc:
Mr. Gary J. Taylor Chief Executive Officer Entergy Operations, Inc.
1340 Echelon Parkway Jackson, MS 39213 Mr. John T. Herron Senior Vice President and Chief Operating Officer Entergy Nuclear Operations, Inc.
440 Hamilton Avenue White Plains, NY 10601 Mr. Fred R. Dacimo Site Vice President Entergy Nuclear Operations, Inc.
Indian Point Energy Center 295 Broadway, Suite 1 P.O. Box 249 Buchanan, NY 10511-0249 Mr. Paul Rubin General Manager, Plant Operations Entergy Nuclear Operations, Inc.
Indian Point Energy Center 295 Broadway, Suite 2 P.O. Box 249 Buchanan, NY 10511-0249 Mr. Oscar Limpias Vice President Engineering Entergy Nuclear Operations, Inc.
440 Hamilton Avenue White Plains, NY 10601 Mr. Brian OGrady Vice President, Operations Support Entergy Nuclear Operations, Inc.
440 Hamilton Avenue White Plains, NY 10601 Mr. John F. McCann Director, Licensing Entergy Nuclear Operations, Inc.
440 Hamilton Avenue White Plains, NY 10601 Ms. Charlene D. Faison Manager, Licensing Entergy Nuclear Operations, Inc.
440 Hamilton Avenue White Plains, NY 10601 Mr. Michael J. Columb Director of Oversight Entergy Nuclear Operations, Inc.
440 Hamilton Avenue White Plains, NY 10601 Mr. James Comiotes Director, Nuclear Safety Assurance Entergy Nuclear Operations, Inc.
Indian Point Energy Center 295 Broadway, Suite 1 P.O. Box 249 Buchanan, NY 10511-0249 Mr. Patric Conroy Manager, Licensing Entergy Nuclear Operations, Inc.
Indian Point Energy Center 295 Broadway, Suite 1 P. O. Box 249 Buchanan, NY 10511-0249 Mr. Travis C. McCullough Assistant General Counsel Entergy Nuclear Operations, Inc.
440 Hamilton Avenue White Plains, NY 10601 Ms. Stacey Lousteau Treasury Department Entergy Services, Inc.
639 Loyola Avenue Mail Stop: L-ENT-15E New Orleans, LA 70113 Regional Administrator, Region I U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission 475 Allendale Road King of Prussia, PA 19406
Indian Point Nuclear Generating Unit Nos. 2 & 3 cc:
Senior Resident Inspectors Office Indian Point 2 U. S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission P.O. Box 59 Buchanan, NY 10511 Senior Resident Inspectors Office Indian Point 3 U. S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission P.O. Box 59 Buchanan, NY 10511 Mr. Peter R. Smith, President New York State Energy, Research, and Development Authority 17 Columbia Circle Albany, NY 12203-6399 Mr. Paul Eddy Electric Division New York State Department of Public Service 3 Empire State Plaza, 10th Floor Albany, NY 12223 Mr. Charles Donaldson, Esquire Assistant Attorney General New York Department of Law 120 Broadway New York, NY 10271 Mayor, Village of Buchanan 236 Tate Avenue Buchanan, NY 10511 Mr. Ray Albanese Executive Chair Four County Nuclear Safety Committee Westchester County Fire Training Center 4 Dana Road Valhalla, NY 10592 Mr. William DiProfio PWR SRC Consultant 139 Depot Road East Kingston, NH 03827 Mr. Daniel C. Poole PWR SRC Consultant P.O. Box 579 Inglis, FL 34449 Mr. William T. Russell PWR SRC Consultant 400 Plantation Lane Stevensville, MD 21666-3232 Mr. Jim Riccio Greenpeace 702 H Street, NW Suite 300 Washington, DC 20001 Mr. Phillip Musegaas Riverkeeper, Inc.
828 South Broadway Tarrytown, NY 10591 Mr. Mark Jacobs IPSEC 46 Highland Drive Garrison, NY 10524 ATTN: IP/CNPPD/Vanessa E. Quinn, Chief Mail Stop #8610 Department of Homeland Security Washington, DC 20528-8610 Rebecca Thomson Radiological Emergency Preparedness New York Field Office Federal Emergency Management Agency 26 Federal Plaza, Suite 1337 New York, NY 10278-0002