ML13211A390

Acceptance Review Email, License Amendment Request to Adopt Revise Shutdown Margin Definition to Address Advanced Fuel Designs

ML13211A390
Person / Time
Site:	River Bend
Issue date:	07/30/2013
From:	Matt Bartlett Plant Licensing Branch IV
To:	Burmeister B, Clark J Entergy Operations
Bartlett M
References
TAC MF2470, TSTF-535, Rev 0
Download: ML13211A390 (1)

Text

Burkhardt, Janet From: Bartlett, Matthew Sent: Tuesday, July 30, 2013 2:23 PM To: BBURMEI@entergy.com; JCLARK@entergy.com Cc: Wang, Alan

Subject:

FW: Acceptance Review of River Bend Station License Amendment Request Regarding Technical Task Force (TSTF) -535 Revised Shut Down Margin (TAC No. MF2470)

Barry and Joey, The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) staff has completed the acceptance review for the amendment request dated July 16, 2013 (Agencywide Documents Access and Management System Accession No. ML13203A143) from Entergy Operations, Inc. (Entergy, the licensee), for the River Bend Station, Unit 1 (RBS). The license amendment request proposes to adopt Technical Specification (TS)

Changes Task Force (TSTF) -535, Revision 0, Revise Shutdown Margin Definition To Address Advanced Fuel Designs. Specifically, the proposed amendment would modify the TSs definition of "Shutdown Margin "

(SDM) to allow for shutdown moderator temperatures at or above the current 68°F. This change is needed to accommodate new Boiling Water Reactor (BWR) fuel designs which may be more reactive at shutdown temperatures above 68°F. This TS improvement is part of the Consolidated Line Item Improvement Process (CLIIP) and no modifications are proposed.

Consistent with Section 50.90 of Title 10 of the Code of Federal Regulations (10 CFR), an amendment to the license (including the technical specifications) must fully describe the changes requested and follow as far as applicable, the form prescribed for original applications. Section 10 CFR 50.34 addresses the content of technical information required. This section stipulates that the submittal address the design and operating characteristics, unusual or novel design features, and principal safety considerations.

The acceptance review was performed to determine if there is sufficient technical information in scope and depth to allow the NRC staff to complete its detailed technical review. The acceptance review is also intended to identify whether the application has any readily apparent information insufficiencies in its characterization of the regulatory requirements or the licensing basis of the plant.

The NRC staff has reviewed your application and concludes that sufficient technical information is available to complete a detailed review. The NRC staff will make an independent assessment regarding the acceptability of the proposed amendment in terms of regulatory requirements and the protection of public health and safety and the environment. If additional information is needed for the staff to complete its technical review, you will be advised by separate correspondence.

If you have any questions, please contact Alan Wang at (301) 415-1445.

Sincerely, Matt Bartlett, Project Manager NRR/DORL (Rotation)

(301) 415-1577 1