ML12172A409
| ML12172A409 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Site: | Palo Verde  |
| Issue date: | 06/11/2012 |
| From: | Mims D Arizona Public Service Co |
| To: | Document Control Desk, Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation |
| References | |
| 102-06531-DCM/MAM/DLK | |
| Download: ML12172A409 (3) | |
Text
A subsidiary of Pinnacle West Capital Corporation Palo Verde Nuclear Generating Station Dwight C. Mims Senior Vice President Nuclear Regulatory and Oversight Tel. 623-393-5403 Fax 623-393-6077 Mail Station 7605 P.O. Box 52034 Phoenix, Arizona 85072-2034 102-06531 -DCM/MAM/DLK June 11,2012 U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission Attn: Document Control Desk 11555 Rockville Pike Rockville, MD 20852
Reference:
1.
NRC Letter, Request for Information Pursuant to Title 10 of the Code of Federal Regulations 50.54(f) Regarding Recommendations 2.1, 2.3, and 9.3, of the Near-Term Task Force Review of Insights from the Fukushima Dai-ichi Accident, dated March 12, 2012
Dear Sir:
Subject:
Palo Verde Nuclear Generating Station (PVNGS) Units 1, 2, and 3 Docket No. STN 50-528, STN 50-529, and STN 50-530 License No. NPF-41, NPF-51, and NPF-79 90-Day Response to Seismic Evaluation Information Requested by NRC Letter, Request for Information Pursuant to Title 10 of the Code of Federal Regulations 50.54(o Regarding Recommendations 2.1, 2.3, and 9.3, of the Near-Term Task Force Review of Insights from the Fukushima Dai-ichi Accident, dated March 12, 2012 On March 12, 2012, the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) issued Reference 1 to all power reactor licensees and holders of construction permits in active or deferred status. Enclosure 1 of Reference 1 contains specific Requested Actions, Requested Information, and Required Responses associated with Recommendation 2.1, Seismic Evaluations. Reference 1 requires that, if an addressee cannot meet the requested response date, it must provide a response to the NRC within 90 days of the date of the information request describing the licensee's proposed alternative course of action, the basis for the acceptability of the proposed alternative course of action, and the estimated completion dates.
AOD(
. "PC A member of the STARS (Strategic Teaming and Resource Sharing) Alliance Callaway 9 Comanche Peak 0 Diablo Canyon 9 Palo Verde 0 San Onofre
- South Texas 9 Wolf Creek
102-06531 -DCM/MAM/DLK June 11,2012 ATTN: Document Control Desk U.S Nuclear Regulatory Commission 90 Day Response to 10 CFR 50.54(f) Letter Regarding Seismic Recommendation 2.1 Page 2 Within 60 days of the NRC endorsement of the Screening, Prioritization and Implementation guidance, APS will submit: (1) its intention to follow the endorsed guidance, or (2) provide an alternative approach. At that time, APS will assess whether it can meet the submittal deadlines for the Seismic Risk Evaluation and take the appropriate regulatory action.
The response date for PVNGS's Seismic Hazard Evaluation was identified as March 12, 2015 which corresponds to three years from the date of Reference 1. Enclosure 1 of Reference 1 states that if an addressee cannot meet the requested response date, then the addressee must provide a response within 90 days of the date of the letter and describe the alternative course of action that it proposes to take, including the basis of the acceptability of the proposed alternative course of action and estimated completion date. This letter provides APS's response to this requirement with respect to performance of a Senior Seismic Hazard Analysis Committee (SSHAC) Level 3 in accordance with NUREG-2117 for Ground Motion Characterization (GMC) and Seismic Source Characterization (SSC).
Currently, it is APS's intent to perform a SSHAC Level 3 in accordance with NUREG-2117 for GMC and SSC, and to meet the schedule for completion of the subsequent Seismic Hazard Evaluation for PVNGS specified in Reference 1. However, an alternate plan may be necessary because the number of personnel available with the level of seismic expertise necessary to participate in the SSHAC process for Western U.S.
(WUS) nuclear power plants is limited. The WUS plants will be performing 6-8 SSHACs within this three year period. This resource limitation has the potential to delay the development of the new models needed for performance of the Seismic Hazard Evaluation within three years.
APS is currently in the process of retaining experts and coordinating with other WUS nuclear plant licensees concerning the performance of the required SSHAC Level 3 activities. Completion of these actions will permit APS and the other WUS plants to better estimate the time frames needed for implementation of the SSHAC Level 3 process. If it is determined that APS will be unable to implement these activities on a schedule that supports completion of a Seismic Hazard Evaluation for PVNGS by March 12, 2015, as required by Reference 1, APS proposes to meet with the NRC to agree upon a new completion date. Additionally, if resource constraints develop during the estimated 2.5 years it will take to complete the SSHAC Level 3 process, APS would propose to meet with the NRC to develop a revised mutually agreeable schedule. Any revised schedule would consider prioritization of the limited available resources for the WUS sites.
102-06531 -DCM/MAM/DLK June 11, 2012 ATTN: Document Control Desk U.S Nuclear Regulatory Commission 90 Day Response to 10 CFR 50.54(f) Letter Regarding Seismic Recommendation 2.1 Page 3 APS believes that this course of action is acceptable because it will result in performance of the SSHAC process and Seismic Hazard Evaluation as soon as reasonably possible for PVNGS in light of limited seismic resources and in accordance with applicable NRC guidance.
This letter contains no new regulatory commitments.
Should you have any questions concerning the content of this letter, please contact Mark McGhee, Operations Support Manager, Regulatory Affairs at (623) 393-4972.
I declare under penalty of perjury that the foregoing is true and correct.
Executed on (Date)
Respectfully, DCM/MAM/DLK/hsc cc:
E. J. Leeds E. E. Collins Jr.
B. K. Singal L. K. Gibson J. R. Hall M. A. Brown NRC Director, Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation NRC Region IV Regional Administrator NRC NRR Project Manager for PVNGS NRC NRR Project Manager NRC NRR Senior Project Manager NRC Senior Resident Inspector for PVNGS