ML12081A124
| ML12081A124 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Issue date: | 03/23/2012 |
| From: | David Skeen Japan Lessons-Learned Division |
| To: | Heymer A Nuclear Energy Institute |
| Laura R, NRR/JLD 301-415-1837 | |
| References | |
| Download: ML12081A124 (3) | |
Text
March 23, 2012 Mr. Adrian P. Heymer, Executive Director Strategic Programs Nuclear Energy Institute Washington, DC 20006-3708
SUBJECT:
STATUS OF REGULATORY RESPONSE TO THE ACCIDENTS AT FUKUSHIMA DAI-ICHI
Dear Mr. Heymer:
This letter responds to your correspondence dated March 15, 2012, which requested clarification of the phrase two refueling cycles and, also, the correct filing method required by the 20-day responses to the Orders issued by the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC, the Commission) on March 12, 2012. The Orders contain requirements for reliable hardened containment vents, mitigation strategies for beyond-design-basis external events, and spent fuel pool instrumentation. These Orders were issued as a result of the NRCs evaluation of the lessons learned from the accident at Fukushima Dai-ichi in March 2011.
The Order implementation schedules are identical and state that licensees shall complete full implementation no later than two refueling cycles after submittal of the overall integrated plan (due no later than February 28, 2013), or December 31, 2016, whichever comes first. The implementation schedule specified in the Orders conforms to Commission direction to the staff to implement the lessons learned from Fukushima within five years. Additionally, the schedule incorporated feedback received from stakeholders, including the nuclear industry, during several public meetings. Specifically, the industry stated that at least two maintenance periods would be required during regularly scheduled refueling outages to perform necessary inspections, measurements and implementation of hardware changes. Therefore, in accordance with Commission direction, and with appropriate consideration of stakeholder feedback, the proper interpretation of two refueling cycles is that full implementation shall be completed prior to commencement of plant start-up (control rod withdrawal) from the second scheduled refueling outage after submittal of the overall integrated plan required by the Orders. Under this schedule, all 104 operating reactors are expected to complete full implementation prior to December 31, 2016. For example, a reactor on an 18-month operating cycle and for whom its first scheduled refueling outage after February 28, 2013, occurs in the spring of 2013, will be required to achieve full implementation prior to commencing control rod withdrawal following its scheduled fall of 2014 refueling outage. This affords that licensee two full refueling cycles to plan and implement the necessary plant modifications.
Should a licensee encounter significant hardship in meeting the schedule required by any of the Orders, it may, with demonstration of good cause, request relief from that specific Order. Each such request will be reviewed by the staff on a case-by-case basis.
The second issue raised in your letter involved the method of specific filing requirements for the 20-day responses. We agree with your interpretation that licensees who do not request a hearing on the order should use the same mechanisms by which routine licensing actions are submitted. Those licensees who request a hearing on the Order should file their 20-day response as adjudicatory filings in the E-filing system.
If you, or your staff, have additional questions, please contact myself or Mr. Robert Pascarelli, Chief of the Project Management Branch of the Japan Lessons-Learned Project Directorate at 301-415-6603, or by email at Robert.Pascarelli@nrc.gov.
Sincerely,
/RA by Robert M. Taylor for/
David L. Skeen, Director Japan Lessons-Learned Project Directorate Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation cc: E. Leeds M. Johnson R. Taylor
ML12081A124 OFFICE LA: NRR/JLD PM: NRR/JLD/PMB BC: NRR/JLD/PMB D: NRR/JLD NAME SRohrer RLaura RPascarelli DSkeen (RTaylor for)
DATE 03/21/2012 03/21/2012 03/22/2012 03/23/2012