ML113110674

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

ML113110674
Person / Time
Site:	Waterford
Issue date:	11/23/2011
From:	Kalyanam N Plant Licensing Branch IV
To:	Entergy Operations
Kalyanam N, NRR/DORL/LPL4, 415-1480
References
TAC ME6499, BL-11-001
Download: ML113110674 (5)

Text

UNITED STATES NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION WASHINGTON, D.C. 20555-0001 November 23, 2011 Vice President, Operations Entergy Operations, Inc.

Waterford Steam Electric Station, Unit 3 17265 River Road Killona, LA 70057-3093

SUBJECT:

WATERFORD STEAM ELECTRIC STATION, UNIT 3 - REQUEST FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION REGARDING 60-DAY RESPONSE TO NRC BULLETIN 2011-01, "MITIGATING STRATEGIES" (TAC NO. ME6499)

Dear Sir or Madam:

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' mitjgating strategies to maintain or restore core cooling, spent fuel cooling, and containment following large explosions or fires were in compliance with the requirements in 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 efforts are needed to ensure compliance with current requirements, (2) whether enhancement to the existing regulations and guidance are necessary, and/or (3) to determine if 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 10, 2011 (ADAMS Accession No. ML111610519), Entergy Operations, Inc. (Entergy, the licensee),

provided a response to the first set of questions for Waterford Steam Electric Station, Unit 3.

The second response was due 60 days after issuance of the bulletin (July 11, 2011). By letter dated July 11, 2011 (ADAMS Accession No. ML111930167), Entergy responded to the second set of questions.

The NRC staff has reviewed the information provided in your letters dated June 10 and July 11, 2011, and determined that additional information is needed for the NRC staff to complete its review of your 60-day response to the bulletin. This request for additional information was discussed with Mr. W. Steelman of your staff on November 22, 2011, and it was agreed that Entergy will provide the requested additional information within 45 days of the date of this letter.

- 2 If you have any questions regarding this letter, please to contact me at 301-415-1480 or via e-mail at kaly.kalyanam@nrc.gov.

Sincerely,

~

N. Kalyanam, Project Manager Plant Licensing Branch IV Division of Operating Reactor Licensing Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation Docket No. 50-382

Enclosure:

As stated cc w/encl: Distribution via Listserv

REQUEST FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION NRC BULLETIN 2011-01, "MITIGATING STRATEGIES" ENTERGY OPERATIONS, INC.

WATERFORD STEAM ELECTRIC STATION, UNIT 3 DOCKET NO. 50-382 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). 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 large explosions or fires were in compliance with the requirements in 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 10, 2011 (ADAMS Accession No. ML111610519), Entergy Operations, Inc. (Entergy, the licensee),

provided a response to the first set of questions for Waterford Steam Electric Station, Unit 3.

The second response was due 60 days after issuance of the bulletin (July 11, 2011). By letter dated July 11, 2011 (ADAMS Accession No. ML111930167), Entergy responded to the second set of questions.

The NRC staff has reviewed the information provided in the licensee's letters dated June 10 and July 11, 2011, and determined that additional information is needed for the NRC staff to complete its review of the 60-day response to the bulletin.

1. Please describe in detail the maintenance or testing of monitor nozzles, spray nozzles, or similar devices to ensure that they will be functional when needed.

The bulletin requested that each licensee describe in detail the maintenance and testing on equipment procured to support the mitigating strategies to ensure that it will be functional when needed. In the context of the mitigating strategies, these devices are commonly used for firefighting, spent fuel pool spray strategies, and as a means to reduce the magnitude of fission product releases.

2. 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 Enclosure

-2 chargers. The NRC staff noted that some radios are included in the inventory of the fire brigade locker, but it was not clear if the locker contained all the radios needed to support the mitigating strategies.

3. 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 typically needed to implement the strategies since the portable pump and other equipment is stored away from target areas.

4. Please identify the minimum inventory frequency for equipment needed for the mitigating strategies not specifically identified in the response to the bulletin. Alternatively, please describe the inventory frequency for firefighter turnout gear, tools, and instruments needed to support the mitigating strategies.

The bulletin requested that each licensee describe in detail the controls for ensuring equipment supporting the mitigating strategies will be available when needed.

Firefighter turnout gear, tools, and instruments are generally needed to implement the mitigating strategies. Although some of these items are identified in the licensee's response to the bulletin, it is not clear that all of the items needed to implement the mitigating strategies are inventoried.

5. Please clarify whether or not heavy equipment training is provided to the licensee's maintenance department personnel.

The bulletin requested that each licensee describe in detail how configuration and guidance management, including training, is assured so that the strategies remain feasible. 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) states that the licensee provides heavy equipment training, including crane usage, to its maintenance department. However, heavy equipment training is not listed in response to Question 4 of the bulletin.

ML113110674 OFFICE DORULPL4/PM NRRlDORULPL4/LA N RRIDPR/PGCB/PM NAME NKalyanam JBurkhardt BPurnell DATE 11/22/11 11122111 11/22/11 OFFICE NRRIDPR/PGCB/BC NRRIDORULPL4/BC NRRIDORULPL4/PM NAME SRosenberg MMarkley NKalyanam DATE 11/23/11 11123111 123111