ML13099A301

From kanterella
Jump to navigation Jump to search
Termination of Resident Inspection Staffing for Crystal River Nuclear Plant Following Certification of Cessation of Power Operations and Permanent Removal of Fuel from the Reactor Vessel
ML13099A301
Person / Time
Site: Crystal River Duke Energy icon.png
Issue date: 04/09/2013
From: Mccree V
Region 2 Administrator
To: Leeds E
Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation
References
Download: ML13099A301 (3)


Text

UNITED STATES NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION REGION II 245 PEACHTREE CENTER AVENUE NE, SUITE 1200 ATLANTA, GEORGIA 30303-1257 April 9, 2013 MEMORANDUM TO: Eric J. Leeds, Director Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation FROM: Victor M. McCree /RA By Victor McCree - 3/27/2013/

Regional Administrator

SUBJECT:

TERMINATION OF RESIDENT INSPECTOR STAFFING FOR CRYSTAL RIVER NUCLEAR PLANT FOLLOWING CERTIFICATION OF CESSATION OF POWER OPERATIONS AND PERMANENT REMOVAL OF FUEL FROM THE REACTOR VESSEL Crystal River Unit 3 has been in an extended shutdown since September 2009 when the unit was shut down for steam generator replacement. Completion of outage activities and restart of the plant were delayed due to internal cracking in one containment bay wall. Initial repairs were completed in 2010 but additional cracking in two other bays occurred during retensioning of the containment building tendons. The Crystal River Unit 3 reactor has been in a defueled condition since May 28, 2011.

A temporary exception to the resident inspector staffing policy for Crystal River was previously approved in a memorandum from V. McCree to E. Leeds dated September 24, 2012, which permitted staffing of the Crystal River facility with one resident inspector (ADAMS ML12270A148). On February 5, 2013, Progress Energy Florida (a subsidiary of Duke Energy) publically announced their intent to retire Crystal River Unit 3. On February 20, 2013, Florida Power Corporation, the licensee, certified the permanent removal of fuel from the reactor vessel (ADAMS ML13056A005). The NRC acknowledged the licensees certification of permanent fuel removal by a letter dated March 13, 2013 (ADAMS 13058A380). As NRC oversight of Crystal River Unit 3 transitions to a decommissioning inspection program, Region II plans to terminate resident inspector staffing.

Inspection Manual Chapter (IMC) 2561, Decommissioning Power Reactor Inspection Program, Section 6, provides guidance regarding the use of resident inspectors at decommissioning power reactors. For licensees who plan to implement long-term storage (SAFSTOR), the guidance contained in IMC 2561 is based on the licensees decommissioning schedule and the NRCs assessment of licensee performance. Additionally, IMC 2561 states that the length of service of the remaining resident inspector would not typically exceed six months. Region II has performed an assessment of the licensees decommissioning schedule and concluded that inspection activities consistent with anticipated plant decommissioning operations should be accomplished without a permanently detailed resident inspector at the site.

CONTACT: Daniel Rich, RII/DRP/B3 (404) 997-4721

E. Leeds 2 Additionally, the NRCs most recent assessment of Crystal Rivers performance concluded Crystal River Unit 3 was in the licensee response column of the NRCs action matrix. One resident inspector is currently assigned at Crystal River. Region II plans to reassign this inspector by the end of fiscal year 2013, and requests concurrence from the Director, Division of Nuclear Reactor Regulation to terminate resident inspector staffing at Crystal River Unit 3.

Additionally, Region II recommends cessation of monitoring of resident inspector coverage on the quarterly update to the Region II Operating Report. NRRs concurrence with these recommendations will align inspection resources to be consistent with the guidance provided by IMC 2561 and will allow Region II the ability to arrange transfer of the current Crystal River resident inspector. Required inspections will be conducted by region based inspectors.

x Approved Disapproved

_/RA By J. Jhle For/_____________ _3/29/2013___________________

Eric J. Leeds, Director Date Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation

_________________________ X SUNSI REVIEW COMPLETE G FORM 665 ATTACHED OFFICE RII:DRP RII:DRP RII:ORA RII:RA SIGNATURE DWR:/RA/ RXC:/RA/ LDW /RA/ VMM /RA/

NAME DRich RCroteau LWert VMcCree DATE 3/25/2013 3/25/2013 3/27/20/13 3/27/2013 E-MAIL COPY? YES NO YES NO YES NO YES NO YES NO YES NO YES NO