ML112360347
| ML112360347 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Site: | Watts Bar  |
| Issue date: | 08/29/2011 |
| From: | John Lamb Watts Bar Special Projects Branch |
| To: | Krich R Tennessee Valley Authority |
| Lamb J 301-415-3100 | |
| References | |
| TAC ME6980 | |
| Download: ML112360347 (3) | |
Text
August 29, 2011 Mr. R. M. Krich Vice President, Nuclear Licensing Tennessee Valley Authority 3R Lookout Place 1101 Market Street Chattanooga, TN 37402-2801
SUBJECT:
WATTS BAR NUCLEAR PLANT, UNIT 1 - ACCEPTANCE REVIEW REGARDING THE PROPOSED LICENSE AMENDMENT REQUEST TO MODIFY TECHNICAL SPECIFICATION 3.8.1, AC [ALTERNATING CURRENT] SOURCES - OPERATING, SURVEILLANCE REQUIREMENT NOTES IN SUPPORT OF TESTING AND OPERATION AT WATTS BAR NUCLEAR PLANT, UNIT 2 (TAC NO. ME6980)
Dear Mr. Krich:
By letter dated August 10, 2011 (Agencywide Documents and Access Management System Accession No. ML11227A256), Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) submitted a license amendment request (LAR) for Watts Bar Nuclear Plant (WBN), Unit 1. The proposed amendment request would revise Technical Specification (TS) 3.8.1 "AC
[Alternating Current] Sources - Operating. The proposed change would modify Surveillance Requirement (SR) Notes associated with SR 3.8.1, SR 3.8.1.9, SR 3.8.1.10, SR 3.8.1.11, SR 3.8.1.13, SR 3.8.1.16, SR 3.8.1.18, and SR 3.8.1.19. The LAR seeks to amend the WBN Unit 1 TS to permit performance of the WBN Unit 2 integrated safeguards test without requiring WBN Unit 1 be shut down.
The purpose of this letter is to provide the results of the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) staffs 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 50.90 of Title 10 of the Code of Federal Regulations (10 CFR),
an amendment to the license (including the TSs) must fully describe the changes requested, and following as far as applicable, the form prescribed for original applications. Section 50.34 of 10 CFR addresses the content of technical information required. This section stipulates that the submittal address the design and operating characteristics, unusual or novel design features, and principal safety considerations.
R. M. Krich 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 amendment in terms of regulatory requirements and the protection of public health and safety and the environment. If additional information is needed for the NRC staff to complete its technical review, you will be advised by separate correspondence.
In TVA amendment request dated August 10, 2011, you stated the following:
TVA requests approval of this amendment in time to allow performance of the WBN Unit 2 integrated safeguards test without requiring shutdown of WBN Unit 1. TVA will notify the NRC when the WBN Unit 2 integrated safeguards test is planned to be performed.
As you know, the NRC performance goals for licensing actions is to complete 90-percent in less than 1 year and 100-percent in less than 2 years. The NRC faces significant challenges to balance its work load, available resources, and budget constraints, and achieve its performance goals. The NRC staff will endeavor to complete its review consistent with the proposed TVA schedule once you inform the staff of the schedule.
If you have any questions, please contact me at (301) 415-3100.
Sincerely,
/RA/
John G. Lamb, Senior Project Manager Special Projects Branch Division of Operating Reactor Licensing Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation Docket No. 50-390 cc: Distribution via Listserv
R. M. Krich 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 amendment in terms of regulatory requirements and the protection of public health and safety and the environment. If additional information is needed for the NRC staff to complete its technical review, you will be advised by separate correspondence.
In TVA amendment request dated August 10, 2011, you stated the following:
TVA requests approval of this amendment in time to allow performance of the WBN Unit 2 integrated safeguards test without requiring shutdown of WBN Unit 1. TVA will notify the NRC when the WBN Unit 2 integrated safeguards test is planned to be performed.
As you know, the NRC performance goals for licensing actions is to complete 90-percent in less than 1 year and 100-percent in less than 2 years. The NRC faces significant challenges to balance its work load, available resources, and budget constraints, and achieve its performance goals. The NRC staff will endeavor to complete its review consistent with the proposed TVA schedule once you inform the staff of the schedule.
If you have any questions, please contact me at (301) 415-3100.
Sincerely,
/RA/
John G. Lamb, Senior Project Manager Special Projects Branch Division of Operating Reactor Licensing Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation Docket No. 50-390 cc: Distribution via Listserv PUBLIC RidsOgcRp Resource LPWB Reading RidsNrrDorlDpr Resource RidsAcrsAcnw_MailCTR Resource RidsRgn2MailCenter Resource RidsNrrDraAadb Resource RidsNrrDssScvb RidsNrrDraApla Resource RidsNrrDeEeeb Resource RidsNrrDorl Resource GBowman, OEDO RidsNrrDorlLp-Wb Resource RHannah, OPA RII RidsNrrPMWattsBar1 Resource RidsNrrDirsltsb Resource RidsNrrLABClayton Resource Accession No.: ML112360347 OFFICE DORL/LPWB/PM DORL/LPWB/LA DORL/LPWB/BC NAME JLamb BClayton SCampbell DATE 08/26/11 08/26/11 08/29/11 OFFICIAL RECORD COPY