ML113110149

Request for Additional Information, Regarding 60-Day Response to NRC Bulletin 2011-01, Mitigating Strategies

ML113110149
Person / Time
Site:	South Texas
Issue date:	11/28/2011
From:	Balwant Singal Plant Licensing Branch IV
To:	Halpin E South Texas
Singal, Balwant, 415-3016, NRR/DORL/LPL4
References
TAC ME6486, TAC ME6487, BL-11-001
Download: ML113110149 (5)

Text

UNITED STATES NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION WASHINGTON, D.C. 20555-0001 November 28, 2011 Mr. Edward D. Halpin President and Chief Executive Officer STP Nuclear Operating Company South Texas Project P. O. Box 289 VVadsworth, TX 77483

SUBJECT:

SOUTH TEXAS PRO,JECT, UNITS 1 AND 2 - REQUEST FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION REGARDING 60-DAY RESPONSE TO NRC BULLETIN 2011-01, "MITIGATING STRATEGIES" (TAC NOS. ME6486 AND ME6487)

Dear Mr. Halpin:

On May 11, 2011, the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) issued Bulletin 2011-01, "Mitigating Strategies" (Agencywide Documents Access and Management System (ADAMS)

Accession No. ML111250360), to all holders of operating licenses for nuclear power reactors, except those that have permanently ceased operation and have certified that fuel has been removed from the reactor vessel. The purpose of the bulletin was to obtain a comprehensive verification that licensees' mitigating strategies to maintain or restore core cooling, spent fuel cooling, and containment following a large explosion or fire were compliant with Title 10 of the Code of Federal Regulations (10 CFR) Section 50.54(hh)(2). The bulletin requested information on licensees' 10 CFR 50.54(hh)(2) mitigating strategies in light of the recent events at Japan's Fukushima Daiichi facility to determine if (1) additional assessment of program implementation is needed, (2) the current inspection program should be enhanced, or (3) further regulatory action is warranted.

The bulletin required two sets of responses pursuant to the provisions of 10 CFR 50.54(f). The first responses were due 30 days after issuance of the bulletin. By letter dated June 8, 2011 (ADAMS Accession No. ML11165A095), STP Nuclear Operating Company (STPNOC, the licensee) provided a response to the first set of questions for South Texas Project. Units 1 and 2. The second responses were due 60 days after issuance of the bulletin. By letter dated July 7, 2011 (ADAMS Accession No. ML11195A209), STPNOC responded to this second set of questions.

The NRC staff has reviewed the information provided in your letters dated June 8 and July 7, 2011, and determined that additional information is needed for the NRC staff to complete its review of the licensee's 60-day response to the bulletin. Please respond to the enclosed request for additional information within 30 days of the date of this letter.

E. Halpin -2 If you have any questions, please contact me at 301-415-3016 or balwant.singal@nrc.gov.

Sincerely,

~~\ ~~O-~\ t~J~

'tia(want K. Singal. Senior Proje~t-Manager Plant Licensing Branch IV Division of Operating Reactor Licensing Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation Docket Nos. 50-498 and 50-499

Enclosure:

As stated cc w/encl: Distribution via Listserv

REQUEST FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION 60 DAY RESPONSE TO BULLETIN 2011-01, "MITIGATING STRATEGIES" STP NUCLEAR OPERATING COMPANY SOUTH TEXAS PROJECT. UNITS 1 AND 2 DOCKET NOS. 50-498 AND 50-499 On May 11, 2011, the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) issued Bulletin 2011-01, "Mitigating Strategies" (Agencywide Documents Access and Management System (ADAMS)

Accession No. ML111250360), to all holders of operating licenses for nuclear power reactors, except those that have permanently ceased operation and have certified that fuel has been removed from the reactor vessel. The purpose of the bulletin was to obtain a comprehensive verification that licensees' mitigating strategies to maintain or restore core cooling, spent fuel cooling, and containment following a large explosion or fire were compliant with Title 10 of the Code of Federal Regulations (10 CFR) Section 50.54(hh)(2).

The bulletin required two sets of responses pursuant to the provisions of 10 CFR 50.54(f). The first responses were due 30 days after issuance of the bulletin. By letter dated June 8, 2011 (ADAMS Accession No. ML11165A095), STP Nuclear Operating Company (STPNOC, the licensee) provided a response to the first set of questions for South Texas Project, Units 1 and 2. The second responses were due 60 days after issuance of the bulletin. By letter dated July 7, 2011 (ADAMS Accession No. ML11195A209), STPNOC responded to this second set of questions.

The NRC staff has reviewed the information provided in STPNOC's letters dated June 8 and July 7, 2011, and determined that additional information is needed for the NRC staff to complete its review of the licensee's 60-day response to the bulletin.

Request for Additional Information

1. Please describe in detail the testing and inventory of communications equipment to ensure that it is available and functional when needed.

The bulletin requested that each licensee describe in detail the testing and control of equipment supporting the mitigating strategies to ensure that it will be available and functional when needed. Communications equipment needed to support the mitigating strategies was described in the safety evaluation documenting the NRC review of the licensee's response to Section B.5.b of the Interim Compensatory Measures Order (EA-02-026), and typically includes radios, satellite phones, spare batteries, and chargers.

Enclosure

-2

2. Please describe in detail how the licensee ensures that a vehicle is available to move the B.5.b portable pump and other B.5.b equipment to the appropriate place when needed.

The bulletin requested that each licensee describe in detail the controls for ensuring equipment needed to execute the mitigating strategies will be available when needed. A vehicle is typic~lIy needed to implement the strategies since the portable pump and other equipment is stored away from target areas.

ML113110149

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