ML093230287
| ML093230287 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Site: | Palo Verde  |
| Issue date: | 11/19/2009 |
| 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 ME2311 | |
| Download: ML093230287 (2) | |
Text
From:
Hall, Randy Sent:
Thursday, November 19, 2009 9:58 AM To:
Russell.Stroud@aps.com
Subject:
NRC Acceptance Review for Palo Verde Unit 2, Relief Request No. 45, TAC No.
ME2311 November 19, 2009 Russell A. (Rusty) Stroud Licensing Section Leader Regulatory Affairs Palo Verde Nuclear Generating Station Arizona Public Service Company Rusty:
By letter dated September 10, 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), Unit 2.
In this relief request, RR No. 45, APS has requested relief from certain requirements for Class 1 weld and component volumetric examinations of the reactor vessel outlet nozzles, and from requirements for Class 2 system pressure tests for the nitrogen system used to stabilize the chemical and volume control system charging pumps. APS considers compliance with the Code requirements to be impractical for these exams and relief is requested for the Unit 2 second 10-Year inservice inspection interval. The proposed alternative is to perform the required exams to the extent practical.
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. In addition, the NRC will evaluate licensee determinations that code requirements are impractical, and may grant such relief and impose such alternative requirements as it determines is authorized by law and will not endanger life or property or the common defense and security and is otherwise in the public interest, giving due consideration to the burden upon the licensee that could result if the requirements were imposed on the facility.
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.
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 ()
Subject:
NRC Acceptance Review for Palo Verde Unit 2, Relief Request No. 45, TAC No. ME2311 Sent Date: 10/22/2009 9:41:14 AM Received Date: 11/19/2009 9:57:00 AM From: Hall, Randy Created By: Randy.Hall@nrc.gov Recipients:
Russell.Stroud@aps.com (Russell.Stroud@aps.com)
Tracking Status: None Post Office:
Files Size Date & Time MESSAGE 9063 10/22/2009 Options Expiration Date:
Priority: olImportanceNormal ReplyRequested: False Return Notification: False Sensitivity: olNormal Recipients received: ZZZ