ML081140409
| ML081140409 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Site: | Pilgrim |
| Issue date: | 04/09/2008 |
| From: | Lampert M Pilgrim Watch |
| To: | Atomic Safety and Licensing Board Panel |
| SECY RAS | |
| References | |
| 50-293-LR, ASLBP 06-848-02-LR, J-27 | |
| Download: ML081140409 (9) | |
Text
UNITED STATES OF AMERICA NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION BEFORE THE ATOMIC SAFETY AND LICENSING BOARD DOCKETED USNRC In the matter of Docket # 50-293 April 18,2008.(4:00 prm)
Entergy Corporation OFFICE OF SECRETARY Pilgrim Nuclear Power Station RULEMAKINGS AND License Renewal Application April 9,2008 ADJUDICATIONS STAFF PILGRIM WATCH MOTION REQUESTING THE RECORD BE HELD OPEN SO THAT THE BOARD MAY ADDRESS A NEW AND SIGNIFICANT ISSUE
[METHOD TO CALCULATE CUMULATIVE USAGE-FACTO (CUF)J SUA SPONTE AND PROVIDE PILGRIM WATCH. AN OPPORTUNITY FOR HEARING Pilgrim Watch now seeks to bring before the ASLB certain newly revealed information affecting the assurance of public health and safety; information of which the ASLB should take notice and investigate through the hearing process. We are asking the Board to review this new issue sua sponte and to provide an opportunity for Pilgrim Watch to be heard on the issue in order to assist the Board in building a fair and complete record of adjudication on all issues of importance to public health and safety.
On April 8th, 2008, Pilgrim Watch received new and relevant information regarding serious flaws in the License Renewal Applications of nuclear plants that are in all critical respects identical Pilgrim NPS [BWR, GE, Mark 1 reactors] and serious flaws in the review process.
On April 5, 2008, the Brattleboro Reformer published an article,VY metal fatigue issues raise concerns elsewhere. The article is attached.
In summary the article says that, Issues related to metal fatigue at Vermont Yankee nuclear power plant raised by the New England Coalition on Nuclear Pollution in contentions filed in the relicensing of the of the facility in Vernon, have raised concerns at Oyster Creek nuclear generating station in Ocean County NJ. NEC challenged the way Entergy had calculated the effects of metal T~q D51
fatigue on certain key components and piping. The ACRS took up the issue. After its review of calculations, the ARCS recommended approval of Entergy's application but with the caveat that the NRC require Entergy to conduct analyzes of the nozzles over the next two years. Before the plant receives approval, Entergy must complete those analyses and document them as part of the final safety report.
Following the Yankee finding, the NRC issued a notice that it was reviewing calculations used to determine fatigue of a reactor circulation nozzle at Oyster Creek.
Neil Sheehan, spokesman for NRC, was quoted as saying, "After Vermont Yankee, we are using an abundance of caution to let some of the other plants know they might be affected by this."
He went on to say that, The staff is reviewing the use of a-simplified method to calculate cumulative usage factors that may not be conservative, according to the "significant new information" notice issued by the NRC. NRC staffers have looked at conditions at other nuclear power plants because of the metal fatigue issues raised at Yankee. Did Oyster Creek use a method that was too simplified? After looking at it, We think that might be the case.
Pilgrim Watch now questions whether NRC staffers looked at conditions at Pilgrim because of the metal fatigue issues raised; if so, what were their findings; and did Pilgrim use a method that was too simplified that would impact public safety?
Respectfully submitted, Mary Lampert Pilgrim Watch, pro se 148 Washington Street Duxbury, MA 02332 Adams ML080930335 2
ATTACHMENT VY metal fatigue issues raise concerns elsewhere By BOB AUDETTE, Reformer Staff Saturday, April 5 BRATTLEBORO -- Issues related to metal fatigue at Vermont Yankee nuclear power plant, raised by the New 'England Coalition on Nuclear Pollution in contentions filed in the relicensing of the facility in Vernon, have raised concerns at Oyster Creek nuclear generating station in Ocean County, N.J.
NEC challenged the way Entergy, which owns and operates Yankee, had calculated the effects of metal fatigue on certain: key components and piping.
The Advisory Committee on Reactor Safety took up the issue of Entergy!s calculations used to determine wear and tear onm the reactor recirculation outlet, the feedwater nozzle and the core spray line nozzles in a series of meetings earlier this year.
Entergy maintained that its formula showed the fatigue would meet the safety criteria that would allow the plant to0operate for an additional 20 years past its license expiration in 2012. Entergy has. applied to the NRC for a license renewal, which would extend the plant's operation from 2012 to 2032.
After its review of the calculations, the ACRS recommended approval of.
Entergy's application 'but with the caveat that the NRC require Entergy to condu-ctanalyses of thenozzles over the next two years. Before the plant receives final approval, Entergy must complete those analyses and document them as part of the final safety evaluation rieport.'
Following the Yankee finding, the NRC issued a notice that it was reviewing calculations used to determine fatigue of a reactor recirculation nozzle at Oyster Creek.
,After Vermont Yankee, we are using an abundance of caution to let some of the other plants know they might be effected by this," said Neil Sheehan, spokesman for the NRC.
Like Entergy and its Yankee plant, Amergen is also seeking a license extension for its Oyster Creek plant.
3
"The staff is reviewing the use of a simplified method to calculate cumulative usage factors that may not be conservative," according to the "significant new information" notice issued by the NRC.
NRC staffers have looked at conditiohs at other: nuclear power plants because ofthe metal fatigue issuesraised at Yankee, said Sheehan.
"Did (Oyster Creek) use a method that was too simplified?" asked Sheehan.
"After looking at it, we think that..might be the case."
NRC staff asked Amergen to perform a confirmatory analysis of its calculations that is consistent with methodology recommended by the American Society of Mechanical Engineers "However, the staff believes that the safety significance of using the simplified analysis method is low based on the risk. assessments performed by the staff in resolving generic safety issues," according tothe NRC notice.
"NEC has a long record of raising safety issues that are later acknowledged by the NRC," said NEC consultant Ray Shadis. "Our mission is to make these things less dangerous.
"Numerous times, issues we have raised have been validated by the NRC
- later," agreed Diana Sidebotham, former president of NEC. "It is good to make the plant safer, but~the old plants should be closed."
This July, the Atomic Safety and Licensing Board will be in Brattleboro to hold evidentiary hearings related to NEC's contentions.
The reactors at both Oyster Creek and Vermont Yankee are General Electric Mark I boiling water reactors. Oyster Creek has been in operation since, 1969. It and the reactor at Nine Mile Point in Oswego,. N.Y., are the oldest operating commercial reactors in the country. Vermont Yankee has: been in operation since 1972.
The Nuclear Regulatory Commission has completed its *environmental and safety assessments of Yankee and has concluded there are no significant reasons for denying the request. A decision from the NRC is expected in November.
But before Entergy can continue operating the plant, it must also receive approval from Vermont's Public Service Board and its Legislature. Recently, Entergy submitted its petition for a certificate of public good to the PSB, 4
which will review the reasons Entergy has presented for Yankee's continued operation.
The Legislature.has started its own review on whether the plant should be allowed" to continue ope-rat6ion.
There is also the question of whether an independent safety assessment of the plant should be conducted. Anti-nuclear activists, federal legislators and Gov. James'Douglas have all indicatedthey would like to see some sort of independent assessment conducted prior to license renewal.
The NRC has insisted no such assessment is required :as -its relicensing.
procedure has been amended over the years to include lessons learned at nuclear power plants. around the country,.bUt has agreed to consider requests for an additional inspection of Yankee.
Bob Audette can be reached at raudette(reformer.com or 802-254-2311, ext. 273 httD://www. reformer. com/ci 881991 1?source= most emailed 5
UNITEDSTAT"ES NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION WASHINGTON, D.C. 20555-0001 OFFICE OF THE GENERAL COUNSEL April 3, 2008 E.,Roy Hawkens, Chair Administrative Judge Atomic Safety and Licensing Board U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission Mail Stop: T-3F23 Washington, DC 20555-0001 Anthony J. Baratta Admin'istrative Judge Atomic Safety and Licensing Board U.S. NuClear e.gulatory Commission Mail Stop: T-3F23 Washington, DC 20555-0001 Paul B.Abramson Adm~inistraitive Judge Atomic Safetyard Lcensing Board U.S. Nuclper Regulatory Commission Mail: Stop. T-F23 Washington, DC 20555-0001 In the Matter of AMERGEN ENERGY COMPANY, LLC (License Renewal for ter Creek Nuclear Generating Station)
Docket No. 50-219-LR
Dear Administrative Judges:
Enclosed for your information is a copy of the April 3, 2008 Notification of Information in the Matter of Oyster Creek Nuclear Generating Station License Renewal Application, which the Staff has provided to the Commission.
Sincerely, Counsel for the NRC Staff
Enclosure:
As Stated cc wlenclosure: Service List
UNITED STATES NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION WASHINGTON, D.C, 20555-0001 April 3, 2008 Board Notification 2008-01 MEMORANDUM TO: Chairman Klein Commissioner Jaczko COmmissionrer, Lyons commissioner svnicki Atomic Safety and Uce sing Board All Parties FROM:
Samson S. Lee, Acting Director
-ý t.-L----
Division of License Renewal Ofce ofNulear Reator! Regulatuon
SUBJECT:
'NOTIFICATION OF INFORMATION IN THE MATTER OF OYSTER CREEK NUCLEAR GENERATING' STATION LICENSE RENEWAL APPLICATION In conformance with the Commission's policy on notification to the Commission and the Atomic Safety Lcensing Board (ASLB) regarding significant new Informaton,, this memorandum provides the following information.
The staff is reviewing the use of a simplified method to calculate cumulativeusage factors (CUF) tht may not be conservative.1 Oyýstr Creek Nuclear Generatin Stain (oyster Creek) used this simplif*ed fkaigue Ialculationa*e*mthod fo one te of nozzlei, the recirculatioh no'zle at the p*lat This tye 6f calculation ws not ap!lcble to t.ry*e* l shell analysis which Is the subject of the appealed-o*ntention, pen dingbeor *h Cmmisson. Althugh, this6 simplified calculation is not relevant to thercontention. in the proceeding that was: before the ASLB, we are providing this informetion, because this may be an issue *ofpublic interest.
The staff plansto' ask Oyster Creek to perform a confifmAtory analýsis consistent with the methodology in' Sectionll of the ASME Code.
eHowever, the staff befleves that the safety significanc of using the simplified anlysis methd is low based on'the risk assessments performed by the staff In resolving generic safety issues (GSI)-166:and GSI-190.
Docket No. 50-21.9 cc: See next page CONTACT: 'Donnie J. Ashley, NRR 301-415-3191 Accession Number: ML080930335
UNITED STATES OF AMERICA NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION BEFORE THE ATOMIC SAFETY AND LICENSING BOARD In the matter of Docket # 50-293-LR Entergy Corporation Pilgrim Nuclear Power Station License Renewal Application April 9,2008 CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE I hereby certify that the following was served March 17, 2008 by electronic mail and by U.S. Mail, First Class to the Service List: Pilgrim Watch Motion Requesting the Record be Held Open so That the Board May Address a New and Significant Issue Method to Calculate Usage Factors (CUF) SUA Sponte and Provide Pilgrim Watch an Opportunity for Hearing.
Administrative Judge Ann Marshall Young, Chair Atomic Safety and Licensing Board Mail Stop - T-3 F23 US NRC Washington, DC 20555-0001 Administrative Judge Paul B. Abramson Atomic Safety and Licensing Board Mail Stop T-3 F23 US NRC Washington, DC 20555-0001 Administrative Judge Richard F. Cole Atomic Safety and Licensing Board Mail Stop -T-3-F23 US NRC Washington, DC 20555-0001 Secretary of the Commission Attn: Rulemakings and Adjudications Staff Mai Stop 0-161 C!l United Sttes Nuclear Regulatory Commission [Two Copies]
Office of Commission Appellate Adjudication Mail Stop 0-16 C l United States Nuclear Regulatory Commission Washington, DC 20555-0001 Atomic Safety and Licensing Board Mail Stop T-3 F23 United States Nuclear Regulatory Commission Washington, DC 20555-0001
Susan L. Uttal, Esq.
Kimberly Sekxtn, Esq.
James Adler, Esq.
David Roth, Esq.
Office of General Counsel Mail Stop -O-15 D21 United States Nuclear Regulatory Commission Washington, DC 20555-0001 Paul A. Gaukler, Esq.
David R. Lewis, Esq.
Pillsbury, Wnmthr0p, Shaw, Pittman, LLP 2300 N Street, N.W.
Washington, DC 20037-1138 Mr. Mark Sylvia Town Manager, Town of Plymouth 11 Lincoln Street Plymouth MA 02360 Sheila Slocum Hollis, Esq.
Towri of Plymouth MA DuaheM0orris, LLP 505 9h Street, N.W.1000 Washington D.C. 20004-2166 Richard R. MacDonald Town Manager, Town of Duxbury 878 Tremont Street Duxbury, MA 02332 Fire Chief & Director DEMA, Town of Duxbury 688 Tremont Street P.O. Box 2824 Duxbury, MA 02331
)ý-I Mary Lampert Pilgrim Watch, pro se 148 Washington St.
Duxbury, MA 023332 2