ML15224A845

Relief Request Number RR 4-22 - Proposed Alternative, Use of Alternative ASME Code Case N-770-1 Baseline Examination

ML15224A845
Person / Time
Site:	Palisades
Issue date:	08/18/2015
From:	Jennivine Rankin Plant Licensing Branch III
To:	Entergy Nuclear Operations
Rankin J
References
TAC MF6448
Download: ML15224A845 (3)

Text

UNITED STATES NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION WASHINGTON, D.C. 20555-0001 AlJ3llst 18I 2015 Vice President, Operations Entergy Nuclear Operations, Inc.

Palisades Nuclear Plant 27780 Blue Star Memorial Highway Covert, Ml 49043-9530

SUBJECT:

PALISADES NUCLEAR PLANT - RELIEF REQUEST NUMBER RR 4 PROPOSED ALTERNATIVE, USE OF ALTERNATE ASME CODE CASE N-770-1 BASELINE EXAMINATION (TAC NO. MF6448)

Dear Sir or Madam:

By letter dated July 7, 2015 (Agencywide Documents Access and Management System (ADAMS) Accession No. ML15190A262), as supplemented by letter dated July 31, 2015 (ADAMS Accession No. ML15219A587), Entergy Nuclear Operations, Inc. (the licensee),

proposed an alternative to Title 10 of the Code of Federal Regulations (10 CFR) 50.55a(g)(6)(ii)(F)(3) for Palisades Nuclear Plant (Palisades). This regulation defines the inspection requirement for branch connection butt welds at Palisades in accordance with American Society of Mechanical Engineer's Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code Case N-770-1, "Alternative Examination Requirements and Acceptance Standards for Class 1 PWR Piping and Vessel Nozzle Butt Welds Fabricated With UNS N06082 or UNS W86182 Weld Filler Material With or Without Application of Listed Mitigation Activities," with U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) conditions. The licensee is requesting an extension of the required inspection of the Alloy 82/182 branch connections to the primary coolant system for at least one cycle of operation as presented in Relief Request RR 4-22.

The purpose of this letter is to provide the results of the NRC staff's acceptance review of this relief request. 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.

Pursuant to Section 50.55a(z)(2) of 10 CFR, the applicant shall demonstrate that compliance with the specified requirements of Section 50.55a would result in hardship or unusual difficulty without a compensating increase in the level of quality or safety.

The NRC staff has reviewed your application and concluded that it does provide technical information in sufficient detail to enable the NRC staff to complete its detailed technical review and make an independent assessment regarding the acceptability of the proposed amendment in terms of regulatory requirements and protection of public health and safety and the environment. Given the lesser scope and depth of the acceptance review as compared to the detailed technical review, there may be instances in which issues that impact the NRC staff's ability to complete the detailed technical review are identified despite completion of an adequate

acceptance review. You will be advised of any further information needed to support the NRC staff's detailed technical review by separate correspondence.

If you have any questions, please contact the Palisades Project Manager, Jennivine Rankin, at (301) 415-1530.

Sincerely,

.*~

ennivine K. Rankin, Project Manager Plant Licensing Branch 111-1 Division of Operating Reactor Licensing Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation Docket No. 50-255 cc w/encl: Distribution via Listserv

ML15224A845 *via memo OFFICE DORL/LPL3-1 /PM DORL/LPL3-1 /LA DE/EPNB/BC DORL/LPL3-1 /BC DORL/LPL3-1 /PM NAME JRankin MHenderson DAiiey DPelton JRankin DATE 8/18/2015 8/11/2015 8/18/2015 8/18/2015 8/18/2015