ML070780080

Summary of Meeting with the Tennessee Valley Authority Regarding the Possible Resumption of Construction and Licensing for the Watts Bar Nuclear Unit 2

ML070780080
Person / Time
Site:	Watts Bar
Issue date:	03/22/2007
From:	Williams J Plant Licensing Branch III-2
To:
J.F. Williams, LPL2-2
References
Download: ML070780080 (5)

Text

March 22, 2007 APPLICANT: TENNESSEE VALLEY AUTHORITY FACILITY: WATTS BAR NUCLEAR PLANT UNIT 2

SUMMARY

OF MARCH 12, 2007, MEETING WITH THE TENNESSEE VALLEY AUTHORITY REGARDING THE POSSIBLE RESUMPTION OF CONSTRUCTION AND LICENSING FOR THE WATTS BAR NUCLEAR PLANT UNIT 2 On March 12, 2007, a Category 1 public meeting was held between representatives of the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC, or the Commission) staff and the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA). The purpose of this meeting was to discuss TVAs ongoing study of the feasibility of resuming construction and licensing of the Watts Bar Nuclear Plant (WBN) Unit 2, as described in TVAs letter of November 14, 2006 (Agencywide Documents Access and Management System (ADAMS) Accession Number ML063200135). A list of meeting attendees is enclosed. Handouts provided by TVA may be found at ADAMS Accession Number ML070740440.

TVA and its contractors are conducting a Detailed Scoping, Estimating, and Planning (DSEP) study of the feasibility of completing WBN Unit 2 by 2013. The planned product of the DSEP is a detailed cost estimate and schedule for presentation to the TVA Board of Directors in August 2007. The study is also intended to identify and quantify project risks, including licensing risks. If the Board of Directors approves proceeding with the project, TVA will notify the NRC 120 days in advance of resuming construction in accordance with the Commission Policy on Deferred Plants. TVA is also preparing a Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement addressing impacts of resuming construction and future operation of WBN Unit 2.

Onsite activity supporting DSEP began in early January 2007, with walkdowns and inspections being conducted to assess the plant material condition. For example, TVA has conducted limited steam generator inspections, and believes those components can operate for 10 to 12 years before requiring replacement. TVA is also identifying equipment that will be replaced or overhauled. Additional walkdowns will be needed to support engineering design if construction resumes.

WBN Units 1 and 2 share some common areas, including the control room, so TVA is assessing how construction activities can be safely segregated from the operating unit.

TVA stated that WBN Unit 2 will be completed using the same licensing basis and design criteria as Unit 1. However, TVA recognizes that there will be some licensing and design differences between the units due to changes in regulatory requirements and criteria. Topics that will be addressed include application of Corrective Action Programs and Special Programs developed to address issues identified in the Nuclear Performance Plan (NPP). The NPP was written to respond to a September 17, 1985, NRC letter requesting information from TVA regarding significant problems at all TVA sites. TVA also plans to incorporate upgrades to WBN Unit 1 into Unit 2, including capital projects planned over the next 5 years. TVA intends to

keep the units as similar as possible. The regulatory standard to be applied to WBN Unit 2 are current rules and review criteria, such as the current Standard Review Plan. An evaluation to address severe accidents will also be needed.

The NRC staff and TVA discussed the timing and content of TVA submittals, particularly the "120-day" letter per the Commission Policy Statement on Deferred Plants. The staff stressed the need for early interaction to identify regulatory issues. During discussion of the WBN Unit 2 milestone schedule, the NRC staff emphasized the need for TVA to provide details regarding its proposed regulatory framework. The NRC staff also noted that construction activities conducted before regulatory reviews are completed will proceed at TVAs risk. TVA personnel indicated they understood these issues, and that they will review their milestones to determine if information can be provided sooner than originally envisioned.

Additional meetings and communications prior to the presentation to the TVA Board of Directors in August 2007 are expected. As discussed above, the staff expressed particular interest in early identification of potential regulatory issues. The staff is also interested in the material condition of the facility, so a meeting may be held at or near the WBN site. The staff also suggested that a closed meeting be planned to discuss security topics.

TVA has taken notice of the Commissioners' discussion of WBN Unit 2 licensing and inspection during the March 8, 2007, Commission briefing on NRR programs and is evaluating potential implications.

Members of the public were in attendance. Public Meeting Feedback forms were not received.

Questions regarding this meeting can be directed to me at 301-415-1470 or at jfw1@nrc.gov.

/RA/

Joseph F. Williams, Senior Project Manager Division of Operating Reactor Licensing Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation Docket No. 50-391

Enclosure:

As stated cc w/encl: See next page

ML070780080 OFFICE LPL2-2/PM LPL2-2/LA LP3-1/BC NAME JWilliams CSola LRaghavan DATE 3/22/07 3/22/07 3/22/07 Attendees NRC Meeting With TVA Possible Reactivation of Watts Bar Nuclear Plant Unit 2 March 12, 2007 Name Affiliation Pedro Salas AREVA Tom Harrison McGraw-Hill Eric Benner NRC Scott Burnell NRC Cathy Haney NRC Doug Huyck NRC Mark Lesser NRC John Lubinski NRC Charles Moulton NRC L. Raghavan NRC Will Smith NRC Sherwin Turk NRC Joe Williams NRC Jack Bailey TVA Raul Baron TVA Joe McCarthy TVA Jim Gresham Westinghouse Enclosure

Tennessee Valley Authority WATTS BAR NUCLEAR PLANT cc:

Mr. Karl W. Singer Ms. Beth A. Wetzel, Manager Chief Nuclear Officer and Corporate Nuclear Licensing and Executive Vice President Industry Affairs Tennessee Valley Authority Tennessee Valley Authority 6A Lookout Place 4X Blue Ridge 1101 Market Street 1101 Market Street Chattanooga, TN 37401-2801 Chattanooga, TN 37402-2801 Mr. Ashok S. Bhatnagar, Senior Vice President Mr. James D. Smith, Acting Manager Nuclear Operations Licensing and Industry Affairs Tennessee Valley Authority Watts Bar Nuclear Plant 6A Lookout Place Tennessee Valley Authority 1101 Market Street P.O. Box 2000 Chattanooga, TN 37402-2801 Spring City, TN 37381 Mr. Preston D. Swafford, Senior Vice President Mr. Michael J. Lorek, Plant Manager Nuclear Support Watts Bar Nuclear Plant Tennessee Valley Authority Tennessee Valley Authority 6A Lookout Place P.O. Box 2000 1101 Market Street Spring City, TN 37381 Chattanooga, TN 37402-2801 Senior Resident Inspector Mr. Larry S. Bryant, Vice President Watts Bar Nuclear Plant Nuclear Engineering & Technical Services U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission Tennessee Valley Authority 1260 Nuclear Plant Road 6A Lookout Place Spring City, TN 37381 1101 Market Street Chattanooga, TN 37402-2801 County Executive 375 Church Street Mr. Michael D. Skaggs, Site Vice President Suite 215 Watts Bar Nuclear Plant Dayton, TN 37321 Tennessee Valley Authority P.O. Box 2000 County Mayor Spring City, TN 37381 P. O. Box 156 Decatur, TN 37322 General Counsel Tennessee Valley Authority Mr. Lawrence E. Nanney, Director 6A West Tower Division of Radiological Health 400 West Summit Hill Drive Dept. of Environment & Conservation Knoxville, TN 37902 Third Floor, L and C Annex 401 Church Street Mr. John C. Fornicola, Manager Nashville, TN 37243-1532 Nuclear Assurance Tennessee Valley Authority Ms. Ann P. Harris 6A Lookout Place 341 Swing Loop Road 1101 Market Street Rockwood, TN 37854 Chattanooga, TN 37402-2801 Mr. Robert H. Bryan, Jr., General Manager Licensing and Industry Affairs Tennessee Valley Authority 4X Blue Ridge 1101 Market Street Chattanooga, TN 37402-2801