ML082460147

Closure of Confirmatory Action Letter NRR - 07-009

ML082460147
Person / Time
Site:	South Texas
Issue date:	09/16/2008
From:	Giitter J Division of Operating Reactor Licensing
To:	Halpin E South Texas
Giitter J G/DORL, 415-1453
References
TAC MD4186, TAC MD4187, TAC MD7296
Download: ML082460147 (5)

Text

September 16, 2008 Mr. Edward D. Halpin Chief Nuclear Officer STP Nuclear Operating Company South Texas Project P.O. Box 289 Wadsworth, TX 77483

SUBJECT:

SOUTH TEXAS PROJECT, UNITS 1 AND 2 - CLOSURE OF CONFIRMATORY ACTION LETTER NRR-07-009 (TAC NO. MD7296)

Dear Mr. Halpin:

On March 27, 2007, the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) issued Confirmatory Action Letter (CAL) Number NRR-07-009 (Agencywide Documents Access and Management System (ADAMS) Accession No. ML070790336) regarding dissimilar metal welds in the pressurizers at South Texas Project (STP), Units 1 and 2. This letter acknowledges receipt of STP Nuclear Operating Company letter dated July 15, 2008 (ADAMS Accession No. ML082040627) informing the NRC of actions taken in response to this CAL.

In your letter, you stated that structural weld overlays have been applied to the pressurizer spray, relief, safety and surge nozzle safe ends for STP Units 1 and 2. Your letter also stated that all applicable commitment actions in the CAL and the supporting commitment letter dated February 22, 2007 (ADAMS Accession No. ML070600123), have been completed.

Your letter dated June 18, 2008 (ADAMS Accession No. ML081760284), reported to the NRC completed actions regarding the application of structural weld overlays at STP Unit 1, including satisfactory non-destructive examination results. Based on these letters, the NRC staff finds that the commitments listed in the CAL and in the supporting commitment letter dated February 22, 2007, have been completed at STP Unit 1. Technical Assignment Code (TAC) No. MD7296 will be closed.

Previously, by letter dated December 26, 2007 (ADAMS Accession No. ML073531897), the NRC acknowledged the completion of the applicable confirmatory action items for STP Unit 2.

Therefore, the NRC has found that all the commitments listed in the CAL and supporting commitment letter have been met for STP Units 1 and 2. No further response is required regarding the CAL. We consider the CAL closed. As such, it is no longer necessary to implement enhanced inspection and leakage monitoring requirements for the reactor coolant system.

Thank you for informing us of the actions documented in your letter. These actions may be examined during a future NRC inspection of your facility.

Current NRC guidance regarding CALs is contained in the NRC Enforcement Policy and the NRC Enforcement Manual, which are available at the NRC web site at http://www.nrc.gov/about-nrc/regulatory/enforcement.html (click on Enforcement Policy or Enforcement Guidance) or by contacting the Government Printing Office (GPO) toll-free at

E. Halpin 1-888-293-6498. The GPO is open from 7:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. EST, Monday through Friday (except Federal holidays).

In accordance with 10 CFR 2.390 of the NRC's "Rules of Practice," a copy of this letter will be made available electronically for public inspection in the NRC Public Document Room or from the NRC=s document system (ADAMS), accessible from the NRC Web site at http://www.nrc.gov/reading-rm.html.

Sincerely,

/RA by Robert A. Nelson for/

Joseph G. Giitter, Director Division of Operating Reactor Licensing Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation Docket Nos. 50-498 and 50-499 cc: See next page

ML082460147 OFFICE DCI/CPNB DCI/CPNB LPL4/GE LPL4/PM LPL4/LA NAME JCollins TChan LWilkins MThadani JND JBurkhardt for DATE 9/10/08 9/10/08 9/9/08 9/9/08 9/8/08 OFFICE LPL4/BC DCI/D DRP/D RIV DORL/D NAME MMarkley MEvans DChamberlain JGiitter RNelson RCaniano for for DATE 9/16/08 9/10/08 9/15/08 9/16/08 South Texas Project, Units 1 and 2 9/3/2008 cc:

Senior Resident Inspector Mr. David W. Rencurrel, Site Vice President U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission STP Nuclear Operating Company P. O. Box 289 South Texas Project Electric Wadsworth, TX 77473 Generating Station P.O. Box 289 C. M. Canady Wadsworth, TX 77483 City of Austin Electric Utility Department S. M. Head, Manager, Licensing 721 Barton Springs Road STP Nuclear Operating Company Austin, TX 78704 P.O. Box 289, Mail Code N5014 Wadsworth, TX 77483 J. J. Nesrsta/R. K. Temple E. Alercon/Kevin Pollo C. T. Bowman, General Manager, Oversight CPS Energy STP Nuclear Operating Company P.O. Box 1771 P.O. Box 289 San Antonio, TX 78296 Wadsworth, TX 77483 INPO Ms. Marilyn Kistler Records Center Senior Staff Specialist, Licensing 700 Galleria Parkway STP Nuclear Operating Company Atlanta, GA 30339-3064 P.O. Box 289, Mail Code 5014 Wadsworth, TX 77483 Regional Administrator, Region IV U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission Environmental and Natural Resources 612 E. Lamar Blvd., Suite 400 Policy Director Arlington, TX 76011-4125 P.O. Box 12428 Austin, TX 78711-3189 Mr. Kevin Howell, Ms. Catherine Callaway, and Mr. Jim von Suskil Mr. Jon C. Wood NRG Energy, Inc. Cox, Smith, & Matthews 1301 McKinney, Suite 2300 112 E. Pecan, Suite 1800 Houston, TX 77010 San Antonio, TX 78205 Mr. Nate McDonald Director, Division of Compliance & Inspection County Judge for Matagorda County Bureau of Radiation Control 1700 7th Street, Room 301 Texas Department of State Health Services Bay City, TX 77414 1100 W. 49th Street Austin, TX 78756 A. H. Gutterman, Esq.

Morgan, Lewis & Bockius Mr. Ted Enos 1111 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW 4200 S. Hulen, Suite 422 Washington, DC 20004 Ft. Worth, TX 76109 Mr. Tim Powell, Vice President, Engineering Mr. Brian Almon STP Nuclear Operating Company Public Utility Commission of Texas South Texas Project Electric P.O. Box 13326 Generating Station Austin, TX 78711-3326 P.O. Box 289 Wadsworth, TX 77483

Ms. Susan M. Jablonski Office of Permitting, Remediation and Registration Texas Commission on Environmental Quality MC-122 P.O. Box 13087 Austin, TX 78711-3087 Mr. Ken Coates Plant General Manager STP Nuclear Operating Company South Texas Project Electric Generating Station P.O. Box 289 Wadsworth, TX 77483 Mr. Anthony P. Jones, Chief Boiler Inspector Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation Boiler Division E.O. Thompson State Office Building P.O. Box 12157 Austin, TX 78711