ML12362A009

Issuance of License Amendment Nos. 248 and 252 Operations Manager Qualification Requirements

ML12362A009
Person / Time
Site:	Point Beach
Issue date:	01/29/2013
From:	Beltz T Plant Licensing Branch III
To:	Meyer L Point Beach
Beltz T
References
TAC ME9270, TAC ME9271
Download: ML12362A009 (14)

Text

UNITED STATES NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION WASHINGTON, D.C. 20555-0001 January 29, 2013 Mr. Larry Meyer Site Vice President NextEra Energy Point Beach, LLC Point Beach Nuclear Plant 6610 Nuclear Road Two Rivers, WI 54241

SUBJECT:

POINT BEACH NUCLEAR PLANT, UNITS 1 AND 2 -ISSUANCE OF AMENDMENT RE: OPERATIONS MANAGER QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS (TAC NOS. ME9270 AND ME9271)

Dear Mr. Meyer:

The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) has issued the enclosed Amendment Nos. 248 and 252 to Renewed Facility Operating License Nos. DPR-24 and DPR-27, for the Point Beach Nuclear Plant (PBNP), Units 1 and 2, respectively. The amendments consist of changes to the Technical Specifications in response to your application dated August 16, 2012.

The amendments revise Technical Specification 5.3.1, "Facility Staff Qualifications," regarding the qualification requirements for the Operations Manager at PBNP. Specifically, the change revises the requirement that the Operations Manager hold a senior reactor operator license at the time of appointment to the active position, to a requirement that the Operations Manager meet one of the following: (1) hold a Senior Operator license; (2) have held a Senior Operator license on a similar unit; or (3) have been certified for equivalent Senior Operator knowledge.

A copy of our related safety evaluation is also enclosed. The Notice of Issuance will be included in the Commission's biweekly Federal Register notice.

~~---------

Terry A. Beltz, Senior Project Manager Plant Licensing Branch 111-1 Division of Operating Reactor Licensing Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation Docket Nos. 50-266 and 50-301

Enclosures:

1. Amendment No. 248 to DPR-24

2. Amendment No. 252 to DPR-27

3. Safety Evaluation cc w/encls: Distribution via ListServ

UNITED STATES NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION WASHINGTON, D.C. 20555-0001 NEXTERA ENERGY POINT BEACH, LLC DOCKET NO. 50-266 POINT BEACH NUCLEAR PLANT, UNIT 1 AMENDMENT TO RENEWED FACILITY OPERATING LICENSE Amendment No. 248 License No. DPR-24

1. The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (the Commission) has found that:

A. The application for amendment by NextEra Energy Point Beach, LLC (the licensee) dated August 16, 2012, complies with the standards and requirements of the Atomic Energy Act of 1954, as amended (the Act), and the Commission's rules and regulations set forth in 10 CFR Chapter I; B. The facility will operate in conformity with the application, the provisions of the Act, and the rules and regulations of the Commission; C. There is reasonable assurance (i) that the activities authorized by this amendment can be conducted without endangering the health and safety of the public, and (ii) that such activities will be conducted in compliance with the Commission's regulations; D. The issuance of this amendment will not be inimical to the common defense and security or to the health and safety of the public; and E. The issuance of this amendment is in accordance with 10 CFR Part 51 of the Commission's regulations and all applicable requirements have been satisfied.

2. Accordingly, the license is amended by changes to the Technical Specifications as indicated in the attachment to this license amendment, and Paragraph 4.B of the Renewed Facility Operating License No. DPR-24 is hereby amended to read as follows:

B. Technical Specifications The Technical Specifications contained in Appendices A and B, as revised through Amendment No. 248, are hereby incorporated in the renewed operating license. NextEra Energy Point Beach shall operate the facility in accordance with Technical Specifications.

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3. This license amendment is effective as of the date of issuance and shall be implemented within 30 days of the date of issuance.

FOR THE NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION Robert D. Carlson, Chief Plant Licensing Branch 111-1 Division of Operating Reactor Licensing Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation

Attachment:

Changes to the Technical Specifications and the Renewed Facility Operating License Date of issuance: January 29, 2013

UNITED STATES NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION WASHINGTON, D.C. 20555-0001 NEXTERA ENERGY POINT BEACH, LLC DOCKET NO. 50-301 POINT BEACH NUCLEAR PLANT. UNIT 2 AMENDMENT TO RENEWED FACILITY OPERATING LICENSE Amendment No. 252 License No. DPR-27

1. The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (the Commission) has found that:

A The application for amendment by NextEra Energy Point Beach, LLC (the licensee) dated August 16, 2012, complies with the standards and requirements of the Atomic Energy Act of 1954, as amended (the Act), and the Commission's rules and regulations set forth in 10 CFR Chapter I; B. The facility will operate in conformity with the application, the provisions of the Act, and the rules and regulations of the Commission; C. There is reasonable assurance (i) that the activities authorized by this amendment can be conducted without endangering the health and safety of the public, and (ii) that such activities will be conducted in compliance with the Commission's regulations; D. The issuance of this amendment will not be inimical to the common defense and security or to the health and safety of the public; and E. The issuance of this amendment is in accordance with 10 CFR Part 51 of the Commission's regulations and all applicable requirements have been satisfied.

2. Accordingly, the license is amended by changes to the Technical Specifications as indicated in the attachment to this license amendment, and Paragraph 4.B of the Renewed Facility Operating License No. DPR-27 is hereby amended to read as follows:

B. Technical Specifications The Technical Specifications contained in Appendices A and B, as revised through Amendment No. 252 are hereby incorporated in the renewed operating license NextEra Energy Point Beach shall operate the facility in accordance with Technical Specifications.

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3. This license amendment is effective as of the date of issuance and shall be implemented within 30 days of the date of issuance.

FOR THE NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION Robert D. Carlson, Chief Plant Licensing Branch 111-1 Division of Operating Reactor Licensing Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation

Attachment:

Changes to the Technical Specifications and Renewed Facility Operating License Date of issuance: January 29, 2013

ATTACHMENT TO LICENSE AMENDMENT NO. 248 TO RENEWED FACILITY OPERATING LICENSE NO. DPR-24 AND LICENSE AMENDMENT NO. 252 TO RENEWED FACILITY OPERATING LICENSE NO. DPR-27 DOCKET NOS. 50-266 AND 50-301 Replace the following pages of the Renewed Facility Operating License Nos. DPR-24 and DPR-27, and Technical Specifications with the attached revised pages. The revised pages are identified by amendment number and contain marginal lines indicating the areas of change.

Renewed Facility Operating License REMOVE INSERT 3 3 Technical Specifications REMOVE INSERT 5.3-1 5.3-1

-3 D. Pursuant to the Act and 10 CFR Parts 30, 40 and 70, NextEra Energy Point Beach to receive, possess and use in amounts as required any byproduct, source or special nuclear material without restriction to chemical or physical form, for sample analysis or instrument calibration or associated with radioactive apparatus or components; and E. Pursuant to the Act and 10 CFR Parts 30 and 70, NextEra Energy Point Beach to possess such byproduct and special nuclear materials as may be produced by the operation of the facility, but not to separate such materials retained within the fuel cladding.

4. This renewed operating license shall be deemed to contain and is subject to the conditions specified in the following Commission regulations: 10 CFR Part 20, Section 30.34 of 10 CFR Part 30, Section 40.41 of 10 CFR Part 40, Sections 50.54 and 50.59 of 10 CFR Part 50, and Section 70.32 of 10 CFR Part 70; and is subject to all applicable provisions of the Act and to the rules, regulations, and orders of the Commission now or hereafter in effect; and is subject to the additional conditions specified below:

A. Maximum Power Levels NextEra Energy Point Beach is authorized to operate the facility at reactor core power levels not in excess of 1800 megawatts thermal.

B. Technical Specifications The Technical Specifications contained in Appendices A and B, as revised through Amendment No. 248, are hereby incorporated in the renewed operating license.

NextEra Energy Point Beach shall operate the facility in accordance with Technical Specifications.

C. Spent Fuel Pool Modification The licensee is authorized to modify the spent fuel storage pool to increase its storage capacity from 351 to 1502 assemblies as described in licensee's application dated March 21, 1978, as supplemented and amended. In the event that the on-site verification check for poison material in the poison assemblies discloses any missing boron plates, the NRC shall be notified and an on-site test on every poison assembly shall be performed.

Renewed License No. DPR-24 Amendment No. 248

-3 C. Pursuant to the Act and 10 CFR Parts 30, 40 and 70, NextEra Energy Point Beach to receive, possess and use at any time any byproduct, source, and special nuclear material as sealed neutron sources for reactor startup, sealed source for reactor instrumentation and radiation monitoring equipment calibration, and as fission detectors in amounts as required; D. Pursuant to the Act and 10 CFR Parts 30, 40 and 70, NextEra Energy Point Beach to receive, possess and use in amounts as required any byproduct, source of special nuclear material without restriction to chemical or physical form, for sample analysis or instrument calibration or associated with radioactive apparatus or components; and E. Pursuant to the Act and 10 CFR Parts 30 and 70, NextEra Energy Point Beach to possess such byproduct and special nuclear materials as may be produced by the operation of the facility, but not to separate such materials retained within the fuel cladding.

4. This renewed operating license shall be deemed to contain and is subject to the conditions specified in the following Commission regulations: 10 CFR Part 20, Section 30.34 of 10 CFR Part 30, Section 40.41 of 10 CFR Part 40, Sections 50.54 and 50.59 of 10 CFR Part 50, and Section 70.32 of 10 CFR Part 70; and is subject to all applicable provisions of the Act and to the rules, regulations, and orders of the Commission now or hereafter in effect; and is subject to the additional conditions specified below:

A. Maximum Power Levels NextEra Energy Point Beach is authorized to operate the facility at reactor core power levels not in excess of 1800 megawatts thermal.

B. Technical Specifications The Technical Specifications contained in Appendices A and B, as revised through Amendment No. 252, are hereby incorporated in the renewed operating license.

NextEra Energy Point Beach shall operate the facility in accordance with Technical Specifications.

C. Spent Fuel Pool Modification The licensee is authorized to modify the spent fuel storage pool to increase its storage capacity from 351 to 1502 assemblies as described in licensee's application dated March 21, 1978, as supplemented and amended. In the event that the on-site verification check for poison material in the poison assemblies discloses any missing boron plates, the NRC shall be notified and an on-site test on every poison assembly shall be performed.

Renewed License No. DPR-27 Amendment No. 252

Unit Staff Qualifications 5.3 5.0 ADMINISTRATIVE CONTROLS 5.3 Facility Staff Qualifications 5.3.1 Each member of the facility staff shall meet or exceed the minimum qualifications of ANSI N18.1-1971, as supplemented by Regulatory Guide 1.8, Revision 1, September 1975, for comparable positions, except:

a) The education and experience eligibility requirements for license applicants, and changes thereto, shall be those previously reviewed by the NRC, specifically those referenced in NRC Safety Evaluation letter dated October 24, 2003.

b) The Operations Manager shall meet one of the following:

i) Hold a Senior Operator's license, or ii) Have held a Senior Operator's license on a similar unit (PWR), or iii) Have been certified for equivalent Senior Operator knowledge.

5.3.2 For the purpose of 10 CFR 55.4, a licensed Senior Reactor Operator (SRO) and a licensed reactor operator (RO) are those individuals who, in addition to meeting the requirements of TS 5.3.1, perform the functions described in 10 CFR 50.54(m).

5.3.3 In the event the position of Health Physicist is vacated and the proposed replacement does not meet all the qualifications of TS 5.3.1, but is determined to be otherwise well qualified, the concurrence of NRC shall be sought in approving the qualification of that individual.

Point Beach 5.3-1 Unit 1 - Amendment No. 248 Unit 2 - Amendment No. 252

UNITED STATES NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION WASHINGTON, D.C. 20555*0001 SAFETY EVALUATION BY THE OFFICE OF NUCLEAR REACTOR REGULATION RELATED TO AMENDMENT NO. 248 TO RENEWED FACILITY OPERATING LICENSE NO. DPR-24 AND AMENDMENT NO. 252 TO RENEWED FACILITY OPERATING LICENSE NO. DPR-27 NEXTERA ENERGY POINT BEACH, LLC POINT BEACH NUCLEAR PLANT, UNITS 1 AND 2 DOCKET NOS. 50-266 AND 50-301

1.0 INTRODUCTION

By letter dated August 16,2012 (Agencywide Documents Access and Management System Accession No. ML 12229AS81), NextEra Energy Point Beach. LLC (NextEra, the licensee) submitted an application for a license amendment to revise the Point Beach Nuclear Plant (PBNP) Technical Specifications (TSs). The proposed amendment would revise TS 5.3, "Facility Staff Qualifications," to clarify the required qualifications of the Operations Manager position. Specifically, the change would revise the requirement that the Operations Manager hold a senior reactor operator (SRO) license at the time of appointment to the active position to a requirement that the Operations Manager meet one of the following: (1) hold a Senior Operator license, or (2) have held a Senior Operator license on a similar unit (PWR) , or (3) have been certified for equivalent Senior Operator knowledge.

2.0 REGULATORY EVALUATION

The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) regulatory requirements pertaining to the content of the Technical Specifications are contained in Title 10 of the Code of Federal Regulations (10 CFR) Part 50.36. The regulations in 10 CFR SO.36(c) include a section on Administrative Controls. The Administrative Controls section in 10 CFR SO.36(c)(S) are the provisions relating to organization and management, procedures, recordkeeping, review and audit, and reporting necessary to assure operation of the facility in a safe manner.

At PBNP, the Administrative Controls are located in Section 5.0 of the TSs. Section S.2.2(d).

states that either the Operations Manager or Assistant Operations Manager hold a Senior Enclosure

-2 Reactor Operator's license at PBNP, and Section 5.3.1 states that each member of the facility staff shall meet or exceed the minimum qualifications of ANSI N18.1-1971.

The regulations in 10 CFR 50.54(1) requires, in part, that licensees " ... designate individuals to be responsible for directing the licensed activities of licensed operators. These individuals shall be licensed as Senior Operators pursuant to part 55 of this chapter." The licensee currently meets this requirement with the Assistant Operations Manager, who is directly responsible for the performance and conduct of the operating crew (licensed operators) on shift and is required by TS Section 5.2.2(d) to hold a Senior Operator license. The Assistant Operations Manager reports directly to the Operations Manager.

The Operations Manager is required by TS Section 5.3.1 and ANSI N18.1-1971 to hold a senior operator license for the Point Beach Nuclear Plant at the time of appointment to the active position. The individual designated to be responsible for directing the licensed activities of license operators, be it the Operations Manager or Assistant Operations Manager, must maintain this license current in order to meet 10 CFR 50.54(1).

3.0 TECHNICAL EVALUATION

The Administrative Controls section of the PBNP TSs currently provides the requirements for station staff that relate to the organization and management as specified in 10 CFR 50.36( c).

Currently, TS Section 5.3.1 requires that the Operations Manager hold an SRO license at PBNP. The proposed change will specify that the Operations Manager shall meet one of the following: 1) hold a Senior Operator's license, or 2) have held a Senior Operator's license on a similar unit (PWR), or 3) have been certified for equivalent Senior Operator knowledge.

This change is consistent with ANSI/ANS-3.1-1993, "Selection, Qualification, and Training of Personnel for Nuclear Power Plants," Section 4.2.2, Special Requirements (1 )(a), (b) and (c) which was endorsed by Regulatory Guide (RG)1.8, Revision 3, "Qualification and Training of Personnel for Nuclear Power Plants." Additionally, ANSI/ANS-3.1-1993 specifies that if the Operations Manager does not hold a Senior Operator license, then the Operations Middle Manager (equivalent to the Assistant Operations Manager for PBNP) will hold a Senior Operator license. Current TS Section 5.2.2.d requires that either the Operations Manager or the Assistant Operations Manager shall hold an SRO license at Point Beach. Although PBNP is not committed to ANSI/ANS-3.1-1993, they will meet the Special Requirements for the Operations Manager as specified in this standard based on their revised TS Section 5.3.1 and the existing TS Section 5.2.2.d. Therefore, the proposed changes to TS Section 5.3.1 are consistent with RG 1.8, Revision 3.

The current PBNP TS Section 5.3.1 only requires the Operations Manager to have held an SRO license prior to assuming the Operations Manager position. If the PBNP Senior Operator license is not current, the Operations Manager would not meet the 10 CFR 50.54(1) requirements for directing the licensed activities of licensed operators since 10 CFR 50.54(1) requires that individual to be a licensed Senior Operator. In this case, the Assistant Operations Manager will meet this requirement based on TS Section 5.2.2.d, which requires the Assistant Operations Manager to hold an SRO license. The proposed change provides an allowance for the Operations Manager to hold a Senior Operator license and, if this option is used, then the Operations Manager would meet the requirements of 10 CFR 50.54(1). Additionally, the

-3 proposed change provides an option to have held a Senior Operator license on a similar unit (PWR) or have been certified for equivalent Senior Operator knowledge. These options would not meet the 10 CFR 50.54(1) requirements for the Operations Manager; however, as discussed above, the Assistant Operations Manager would then meet this requirement. In all cases, the proposed change does not affect PBNP's ability or responsibility to meet the requirement of 10 CFR 50.54(1).

In its August 16, 2012, submittal, the licensee stated that the Operations Manager is responsible for establishing high standards and expectation for operations activities and that the Assistant Operations Manager is directly responsible for the performance and conduct of the operating crews on watch (NRC licensed operators). Since the Assistant Operations Manager retains responsibility for directing the licensed operators which cannot be delegated to a non-licensed individual, the requirements of 10 CFR 50.54(1) are met.

The proposed change provides additional alternatives for the Operations Manager to meet experience requirements, yet still retains the required Senior Operator knowledge for a manager level individual. Additionally, the licensee stated that administrative controls are in place to prevent unlicensed personnel from directing the licensed activities of licensed operators, including the situation where the Assistant Operations Manager is unexpectedly unable to perform his duties.

Given that the proposed change is consistent with RG 1.8, Revision 3, and will continue to meet the regulatory requirements of 10 CFR 50.54(1), the NRC staff finds the proposed change to be acceptable.

4.0 STATE CONSULTATION

In accordance with the Commission's regulations, the Wisconsin State official was notified of the proposed issuance of the amendments. The State official had no comments.

5.0 ENVIRONMENTAL CONSIDERATION

The amendment changes requirements with respect to recordkeeping, reporting, or administrative procedures or requirements. Accordingly, the amendment meets the eligibility criteria for categorical exclusion set forth in 10 CFR 51.22(c)(1 0). Pursuant to 10 CFR 51.22(b),

no environmental impact statement or environmental assessment need be prepared in connection with the issuance of the amendment.

6.0 CONCLUSION

The Commission has concluded, based on the considerations discussed above, that: (1) there is reasonable assurance that the health and safety of the public will not be endangered by operation in the proposed manner, (2) there is reasonable assurance that such activities will be conducted in compliance with the Commission's regulations, and (3) the issuance of the

-4 amendments will not be inimical to the common defense and security or to the health and safety of the public.

Principal Contributor: S. Currie Date: January 29, 2013

Mr. Larry Meyer January 29, 2013 Site Vice President NextEra Energy Point Beach, LLC Point Beach Nuclear Plant 6610 Nuclear Road Two Rivers, WI 54241 SURIECT: POINT BEACH NUCLEAR PLANT, UNITS 1 AND 2 -ISSUANCE OF AMENDMENT RE: OPERATIONS MANAGER QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS (TAC NOS. ME9270 AND ME9271)

Dear Mr. Meyer:

The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) has issued the enclosed Amendment Nos. 248 and 252 to Renewed Facility Operating License Nos. DPR-24 and DPR-27, for the Point Beach Nuclear Plant (PBNP), Units 1 and 2, respectively. The amendments consist of changes to the Technical Specifications in response to your application dated August 16, 2012.

The amendments revise Technical Specification 5.3.1, "Facility Staff Qualifications,>> regarding the qualification requirements for the Operations Manager at PBNP. Specifically, the change revises the requirement that the Operations Manager hold a senior reactor operator license at the time of appointment to the active position, to a requirement that the Operations Manager meet one of the following: (1) hold a Senior Operator license; (2) have held a Senior Operator license on a similar unit; or (3) have been certified for equivalent Senior Operator knowledge.

A copy of our related safety evaluation is also enclosed. The Notice of Issuance will be included in the Commission's biweekly Federal Register notice.

Sincerely, IRA!

Terry A. Beltz, Senior Project Manager Plant Licensing Branch 111-1 Division of Operating Reactor Licensing Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation Docket Nos. 50-266 and 50-301

Enclosures:

1. Amendment No. 248 to DPR-24

2. Amendment No. 252 to DPR-27

3. Safety Evaluation cc w/encls: Distribution via ListServ DISTRIBUTION PUBLIC RidsOgcRp Resource SCurrie, NRR LPL3-1 rtf RidsNrrDorlLpl3-1 Resource RidsNrrDirslolb Resource RidsNrrPMPointBeach Resource RidsRgn3MailCenter Resource RidsNrrDssStsb Resource RidsNrrLASRohrer Resource RidsAcrsAcnw_MailCTR Resource RidsNrrDorlDpr Resource Accession Number: ML12362A009 PL3-1/PM DORLILA SFigueroa JMcHaie

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