ML112210387
| ML112210387 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Site: | Indian Point  |
| Issue date: | 08/09/2011 |
| From: | Boska J Plant Licensing Branch 1 |
| To: | Prussman S Entergy Nuclear Operations |
| Boska J, NRR/DORL, 301-415-2901 | |
| References | |
| TAC ME6689 | |
| Download: ML112210387 (2) | |
Text
From:
Boska, John Sent:
Tuesday, August 09, 2011 11:46 AM To:
'Prussman, Stephen G'
Subject:
NRC Request for Additional Information on Indian Point 2 Relief Request RR-13, ME6689 By letter dated June 29, 2011 (Agencywide Documents Access & Management System (ADAMS) at ML11192A013), Entergy Nuclear Operations, Inc. (the licensee) submitted Request for Relief (RR) IP2-ISI-RR-13 from the requirements of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code (ASME Code),Section XI, for Indian Point Nuclear Generating Unit No. 2 (IP2). Specifically, the ASME Code requires that 100% of the examination volumes, or surface areas, described in Section XI, Tables IWB-2500 be performed during each interval. The request for relief applies to the third 10-year inservice inspection (ISI) interval in which the licensee adopted the 1989 Edition of ASME Code Section XI, No Addenda as the Code of Record. The IP2 third 10-year ISI interval for the subject weld examinations was extended to 2012 by NRC safety evaluation (SE) dated March 6, 2009 (ADAMS at ML090360460).
In accordance with Title 10 of the Code of Federal Regulations (10 CFR) 50.55a(a)(3)(i), the licensee has submitted the subject RR for IP2 in which the licensee proposes to defer completion of the ASME Code-required volumetric examination of the reactor pressure vessel (RPV) full penetration pressure retaining Category B-A and B-D welds from the March 2012 refueling outage to the end of the operating license for IP2, but not later than March 2014. The IP2 operating license currently expires on September 28, 2013, but an application for license renewal was submitted to the NRC on April 30, 2007 (ADAMS at ML071210507). Under the provisions of 10 CFR 2.109(b), if the licensee of a nuclear power plant licensed under 10 CFR 50.21(b) or 50.22 files a sufficient application for renewal of either an operating license or combined license at least 5 years before the expiration of the existing license, the existing license will not be deemed to have expired until the application has been finally determined.
Hence, the existing license for IP2 will not be deemed to expire in 2013 unless the NRCs review of the IP2 license renewal application has been completed.
The NRC has reviewed the information submitted by the licensee and has determined the following additional information is required to complete the evaluation. The two questions are found below. On August 9, 2011, the Entergy staff indicated that a response to the request for additional information would be provided by September 16, 2011.
- 1. For IP2, the licensee proposes to defer completion of the ASME Code required volumetric examination of the RPV full penetration pressure retaining ASME Code,Section XI, Category B-A and B-D welds from the March 2012 refueling outage to the end of the operating license for IP2 but not later than March 2014. State to which date that the deferral is being requested; to the end of the operating license for IP2 which expires September 28, 2013, or March 2014.
- 2. The licensee, as its basis for the deferral of the subject RPV full penetration pressure retaining welds, referred to its previous Request for Relief RR-76 contained in the licensees letter dated July 8, 2008, (ADAMS at ML081980058), as supplemented by letters dated December 23, 2008, and January 20, 2009, (ADAMS at ML090050020 and ML090400575 respectively) based on WCAP-16168-NP-A, Revision 2 "Risk-Informed Extension of Reactor Vessel In-Service Inspection Interval," dated June 2008, (ADAMS at ML082820046), which was
authorized to extend the examinations only to 2012. RR-76 was authorized in NRC SE dated March 6, 2009, as noted above.
It is the NRCs expectation that each request for relief stand on its own merit. Provide a basis as to why the proposed alternative to defer the subject RPV full penetration pressure retaining welds examinations from 2012 to the end of the operating license for IP2, or March 2014, provides reasonable quality and safety or provide a basis as to why it would be a hardship to examine the subject welds during the March 2012 refueling outage and to why deferring the examinations to the end of the operating license for IP2, or March 2014, provides reasonable assurance of continued structural integrity of the subject welds.
John Boska Indian Point Project Manager, NRR/DORL U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission 301-415-2901 email: john.boska@nrc.gov