ML093521259

Acceptance Review Email, Request for Temporary Exemption from the Provisions of 10 CFR 50.46 and 10 CFR 50, Appendix K for Lead Fuel Assemblies

ML093521259
Person / Time
Site:	Palo Verde
Issue date:	12/18/2009
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 ME2590
Download: ML093521259 (2)

Text

From:

Hall, Randy Sent:

Friday, December 18, 2009 2:01 PM To:

Russell.Stroud@aps.com Cc:

Carl.Stephenson@aps.com

Subject:

Acceptance Review for Exemption Request for Palo Verde Unit 3, re: Use of Lead Fuel Assemblies (TAC No. ME2590)

December 18, 2009 Russell A. (Rusty) Stroud Licensing Section Leader Regulatory Affairs Palo Verde Nuclear Generating Station Arizona Public Service Company Rusty:

By letter dated November 2, 2009, Arizona Public Service Company (APS) submitted a request for temporary exemption for Palo Verde Nuclear Generating Station (PVNGS), Unit 3. The temporary exemption from the specific requirements of Title 10 of the Code of Federal Regulations (10 CFR), Part 50, Section 50.46, Acceptance criteria for emergency core cooling systems for light-water nuclear power reactors, and Appendix K, ECCS Evaluation Models, would allow APS to load up to 8 lead fuel assemblies (LFAs) with Optimized ZIRLO fuel cladding manufactured by Westinghouse into the PVNGS Unit 3 reactor core during the Fall 2010 refueling outage, to be used for up to three operating cycles (Cycles 16, 17, and 18).

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 exemption 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 10 CFR 50.12, the Commission may, upon application by any interested person, or upon its own initiative, grant exemptions from the requirements of the regulations in this part, which are authorized by law, will not present an undue risk to public health and safety, and are consistent with the common defense and security. Additionally, special circumstances, as defined in 10 CFR 50.12(a)(2) must be present.

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 make an independent assessment regarding the acceptability of the proposed exemption 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:

Acceptance Review for Exemption Request for Palo Verde Unit 3, re: Use of Lead Fuel Assemblies (TAC No. ME2590)

Sent Date: 11/12/2009 9:26:23 AM Received Date: 12/18/2009 2:00:00 PM From: Hall, Randy Created By: Randy.Hall@nrc.gov Recipients:

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

Tracking Status: None Carl.Stephenson@aps.com (Carl.Stephenson@aps.com)

Tracking Status: None Post Office:

Files Size Date & Time MESSAGE 11176 11/12/2009 Options Expiration Date:

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