ML090690655

Acceptance Review Email, Relief Request No. 41 to Allow Use of Appendix I of Code Case N-729-1 for Remainder of Third 10-year Inservice Inspection Interval

ML090690655
Person / Time
Site:	Palo Verde
Issue date:	03/10/2009
From:	Hall J Plant Licensing Branch IV
To:	Stroud R Arizona Public Service Co
Hall, J R, NRR/DORL/LPL4, 301-415-4032
References
TAC ME0664, TAC ME0665, TAC ME0666
Download: ML090690655 (2)

Text

From:

Randy Hall Sent:

Tuesday, March 10, 2009 2:35 PM To:

Russell.Stroud@aps.com Cc:

Michael Markley; Janet Burkhardt; Susan Lent; Thomas.N.Weber@aps.com

Subject:

Acceptance Review for Palo Verde Units 1, 2, and 3 - Relief Request No. 41 (TAC Nos. ME0664, ME0665, ME0666)

Russell A. (Rusty) Stroud Licensing Section Leader Regulatory Affairs Palo Verde Nuclear Generating Station Arizona Public Service Company Rusty:

By letter dated February 17, 2009, Arizona Public Service Company (APS) submitted a request for relief from the requirements of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME) Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code,Section XI, for the Palo Verde Nuclear Generating Station (PVNGS), Units 1, 2, and 3.

The proposed relief request, RR No. 41, would allow the use of the methodology of Appendix I of Code Case N-729-1, to define an alternative examination area or volume definition for reactor vessel head penetrations. The relief would apply for each unit through the end of the third inspection interval, or until that unit's reactor vessel head is replaced, whichever occurs first.

The purpose of this e-mail is to provide the results of the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) staff's acceptance review of this amendment request. The acceptance review was performed to determine if there is sufficient technical information in scope and depth to allow the NRC staff to complete its detailed technical review. The acceptance review is also intended to identify whether the application has any readily apparent information insufficiencies in its characterization of the regulatory requirements or the licensing basis of the plant.

Consistent with Section 50.55a of Title 10 of the Code of Federal Regulations (10 CFR), an alternative to the requirements of that section or portion thereof may be used when authorized by the NRC. The applicant shall demonstrate that: 1) the proposed alternatives would provide an acceptable level of quality and safety, or 2) compliance with the specified requirements of this section would result in hardship or unusual difficulty without a compensating increase in the level of quality and safety.

The NRC staff has reviewed your application and concluded that it does provide technical information in sufficient detail to enable the staff to proceed with its detailed technical review and to make an independent assessment regarding the acceptability of the proposed relief request in terms of regulatory requirements and the protection of public health and safety and the environment. If additional information is needed for the staff to complete its technical review, you will be advised by separate correspondence.

If you have any questions, please contact me at (301) 415-4032.

James R. (Randy) Hall, Senior Project Manager Plant Licensing Branch IV

Division of Operating Reactor Licensing Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation USNRC (301) 415-4032 Randy.Hall@nrc.gov E-mail Properties Mail Envelope Properties (D841D501B2C4D244B75AB897F70C1494862DE7123D)

Subject:

Acceptance Review for Palo Verde Units 1, 2, and 3 - Relief Request No. 41 (TAC Nos. ME0664, ME0665, ME0666)

Sent Date: 3/10/2009 2:34:44 PM Received Date: 3/10/2009 2:34:44 PM From: Randy Hall Created By: Randy.Hall@nrc.gov Recipients:

Russell.Stroud@aps.com (Russell.Stroud@aps.com)

Tracking Status: None Michael.Markley@nrc.gov (Michael Markley)

Tracking Status: None Janet.Burkhardt@nrc.gov (Janet Burkhardt)

Tracking Status: None Susan.Lent@nrc.gov (Susan Lent)

Tracking Status: None Thomas.N.Weber@aps.com (Thomas.N.Weber@aps.com)

Tracking Status: None Post Office:

HQCLSTR01.nrc.gov Files Size Date & Time MESSAGE 8399 3/10/2009 Options Expiration Date:

Priority: olImportanceNormal ReplyRequested: False Return Notification: False Sensitivity: olNormal Recipients received: