ML091630155

Summary of Meeting with the Technical Specification Task Force to Discuss Status of Current and Planned TSTF Travelers, and Process and Administrative Issues of Mutual Interest

ML091630155
Person / Time
Site:	Technical Specifications Task Force
Issue date:	06/18/2009
From:	Williams J NRC/NRR/DPR/PSPB
To:	Rosenberg S NRC/NRR/DPR/PSPB
Williams J, NRR/DPR, 415-1470
Shared Package
ML091630185	List: ML091630155 ML091630177
References
Download: ML091630155 (4)

Text

June 18, 2009 MEMORANDUM TO: Stacey L. Rosenberg, Chief Special Projects Branch Division of Policy and Rulemaking Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation FROM: Joseph F. Williams, Senior Project Manager /RA/

Special Project Branch Division of Policy and Rulemaking Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation

SUMMARY

OF JUNE 4, 2009, MEETING WITH THE TECHNICAL SPECIFICATION TASK FORCE On June 4, 2009, a Category 2 public meeting was held between the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) staff and representatives of the Technical Specifications Task Force (TSTF). The purpose of this meeting was to discuss status of current and planned TSTF Travelers, and process and administrative issues of mutual interest. A list of attendees is provided in Enclosure 1. A copy of the handout provided by the TSTF is provided in .

Meeting participants discussed the status of current TSTF submittals. In the discussion of TSTF-425, Relocate Surveillance Frequencies to Licensee Control, the NRC staff noted that this and other risk-informed initiatives can be beneficial in preparation for a possible pandemic.

Licensee implementation of these items can help avoid resource challenges and permit continued safe operation by providing flexibility to respond to plant issues if utility or NRC staffing is affected by a pandemic.

Participants discussed issues with previously-approved TSTF travelers. There have been several recent examples where NRC staff has identified issues with approved travelers during review of plant-specific license amendment requests. NRC meeting attendees stated that the staff is encouraged to maintain a questioning attitude and to identify safety issues, while also being held to a rigorous standard for demonstration of conformance to regulatory requirements.

Issues which can arise from incomplete documentation of the basis for acceptance of approved travelers. In reviewing plant-specific amendments, the NRC staff must provide a safety evaluation describing the basis for approval or denial of the proposed change. If the approved traveler lacks a well-documented basis, the process of developing that information in a plant-specific change can result in problems being identified.

CONTACT: Joseph F. Williams, NRR/DPR 301-415-1470

S. Rosenberg Issues have also arisen in cases where better documentation exists, such as travelers approved by the Consolidated Line Item Improvement Process (CLIIP). The staff has identified examples where a CLIIP traveler could be applied in a manner unexpected at the time the item was originally reviewed. In such cases, the staff may need to develop means to restrict the unintended scope of the traveler so that a possible safety issue can be avoided.

Meeting participants discussed examples of issues, and agreed that industry and NRC should develop means to address these issues and provide clear guidance to stakeholders on processes used to address them.

Development of Revision 4 of the improved Technical Specifications was also discussed.

Stakeholders expressed interest in having a Word version of Revision 4 available from NRC.

The staff agreed this would be desirable.

Actions from a workshop on Technical Specification issues were discussed. Among other things, the TSTF stated that travelers will be developed to support clarification of Limiting Condition for Operation (LCO) 3.0.4.a, LCO 3.0.5, and the term operational convenience.

NRC staff noted that it may be worthwhile to consider reliance on only LCO 3.0.4.b, which could provide better integration of risk assessments into routine plant operation.

The next NRC meeting with TSTF was tentatively planned for Thursday, November 5, 2009.

The staff suggested that planning for this meeting begin in mid-September 2009 to facilitate development of a comprehensive agenda and early resolution of any logistical issues.

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

Project 753

Enclosure:

1. Attendee List

2. Meeting Slides

S. Rosenberg Issues have also arisen in cases where better documentation exists, such as travelers approved by the Consolidated Line Item Improvement Process (CLIIP). The staff has identified examples where a CLIIP traveler could be applied in a manner unexpected at the time the item was originally reviewed. In such cases, the staff may need to develop means to restrict the unintended scope of the traveler so that a possible safety issue can be avoided.

Meeting participants discussed examples of issues, and agreed that industry and NRC should develop means to address these issues and provide clear guidance to stakeholders on processes used to address them.

Development of Revision 4 of the improved Technical Specifications was also discussed.

Stakeholders expressed interest in having a Word version of Revision 4 available from NRC.

The staff agreed this would be desirable.

Actions from a workshop on Technical Specification issues were discussed. Among other things, the TSTF stated that travelers will be developed to support clarification of Limiting Condition for Operation (LCO) 3.0.4.a, LCO 3.0.5, and the term operational convenience.

NRC staff noted that it may be worthwhile to consider reliance on only LCO 3.0.4.b, which could provide better integration of risk assessments into routine plant operation.

The next NRC meeting with TSTF was tentatively planned for Thursday, November 5, 2009.

The staff suggested that planning for this meeting begin in mid-September 2009 to facilitate development of a comprehensive agenda and early resolution of any logistical issues.

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

Project 753

Enclosure:

1. Attendee List

2. Meeting Slides DISTRIBUTION:

PSPB R/F RidsNrrDprPspb RidsNrrDpr SRosenberg JWilliams JHughey RGrover VCusamano MHamm MKowal BTjader RElliott PBamford MBlumberg CSchulten ALewin Accession Number: ML091630185 (Package) ML091630155 (Summary)

ML091630177 (Slides) NRR-106 OFFICE PSPB/PM PSPB/LA DIRS/ITSB PSPB/BC PSPB/PM NAME JWilliams DBaxley RElliott SRosenberg JWilliams (CHawes for)

DATE 6/15/09 6/15/09 6/16/09 6/17/09 6/18/09 OFFICIAL RECORD COPY

Attendees NRC Meeting With Technical Specification Task Force June 4, 2009 Name Affiliation Brian Mann TSTF Don Hoffman TSTF Thomas Raidy TSTF/SCE John Messina TSTF/Boiling Water Reactor Owners Group Ken Schrader TSTF/Pressurized Water Reactor Owners Group Joe Williams NRC John Hughey NRC Ravi Grover NRC Vic Cusamano NRC Matthew Hamm NRC Mark Kowal NRC Bob Tjader NRC Rob Elliott NRC Peter Bamford NRC Mark Blumberg NRC Carl Schulten NRC Aron Lewin NRC Robert Sharpe AREVA-NP Enclosure