ML072060688

SRM-SECY-07-0096 - Possible Reactivation of Construction and Licensing Activities for the Watts Bar Nuclear Plant Unit 2

ML072060688
Person / Time
Site:	Watts Bar
Issue date:	07/25/2007
From:	Annette Vietti-Cook NRC/SECY
To:	Reyes L NRC/EDO
References
SECY-07-0096 SRM-SECY-07-0096
Download: ML072060688 (1)

Text

July 25, 2007 MEMORANDUM TO: Luis A. Reyes Executive Director for Operations FROM: Annette L. Vietti-Cook, Secretary /RA/

SUBJECT:

STAFF REQUIREMENTS - SECY-07-0096 - POSSIBLE REACTIVATION OF CONSTRUCTION AND LICENSING ACTIVITIES FOR THE WATTS BAR NUCLEAR PLANT UNIT 2 The Commission has approved the staffs recommendations for the licensing and inspection program approach to be used for Watts Bar, Unit 2 if the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) decides to reactivate Unit 2 construction, subject to the comments noted below.

Should TVA decide to reactivate its Operating License application for Watts Bar Unit 2, the staff should issue a further notice of opportunity for hearing on the application.

The staff should keep the Commission informed of any significant issues that arise concerning the implementation of the Commission policy on deferred plants.

The Commission supports a licensing review approach that employs the current licensing basis for Unit 1 as the reference basis for the review and licensing of Unit 2. Further, TVA and the NRC staff should review any exemptions, reliefs, and other actions which were specifically granted for Unit 1 to determine whether the same allowance is appropriate for Unit 2.

Significant changes to that licensing approach would be allowed where the existing backfit rule would be met or as necessary to support dual unit operation. The staff should encourage the licensee to adopt updated standards for Unit 2 where it would not significantly detract from design and operational consistency between Units 1 and 2.

There are current generic safety issues at the resolution stage, such as GSI-191 or security issues, that will be much easier to resolve before plant operation. The staff and TVA should, during the licensing period, look for opportunities to resolve such issues where the unirradiated state of Watts Bar 2 makes the issue easier to resolve than at Watts Bar 1.

cc: Chairman Klein Commissioner McGaffigan Commissioner Jaczko Commissioner Lyons OGC CFO OCA OPA Office Directors, Regions, ACRS, ACNW, ASLBP (via E-Mail)

PDR