ML17041A369
| ML17041A369 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Site: | Calvert Cliffs, Peach Bottom, Salem, Nine Mile Point, Oyster Creek, Hope Creek, Byron, Braidwood, Columbia, Limerick, LaSalle |
| Issue date: | 03/09/2017 |
| From: | Doug Broaddus Special Projects and Process Branch |
| To: | Energy Northwest, Exelon Generation Co, Public Service Enterprise Group |
| Wall S | |
| References | |
| GL-16-001 | |
| Download: ML17041A369 (9) | |
Text
UNITED ST ATES NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION WASHINGTON, D.C. 20555-0001 March 9, 2017 To Those on the Attached List
SUBJECT:
GENERIC LETTER 2016-01, "MONITORING OF NEUTRON-ABSORBING MATERIALS IN SPENT FUEL POOLS" - LICENSEE-REPORTED CATEGORY 3 PLANTS On April 7, 2016, the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) issued Generic Letter (GL) 2016-01, "Monitoring of Neutron-Absorbing Materials in Spent Fuel Pools" (Agencywide Documents Access and Management System Accession No. ML16097A169), to address the degradation of neutron-absorbing materials (NAMs) in wet storage systems for reactor fuel at power and non-power reactors.
GL 2016-01 requested that licensees provide information to allow the NRC staff to verify continued compliance through effective monitoring to identify and mitigate any degradation or deformation of NAMs credited for criticality control in spent fuel pools.
To facilitate each licensee's response, GL 2016-01 established four categories (Category 1, Category 2, Category 3, and Category 4). Categories 1, 2, and 3 identify situations where a detailed response to the GL 2016-01 would not be required. The categorization criteria were generally based on if a licensee does not credit NAMs for criticality control, or if a licensee's NAM monitoring program has been incorporated in the licensing basis by an NRG-approved technical specification (TS) change or license condition. A full description of the categories can be found in Enclosure 1. provides a list of GL 2016-01 responses where the licensee reported the plants as meeting Category 3. The NRC staff has completed its review of the responses associated with GL 2016-01 for the plants referenced in Enclosure 2. The NRC staff performed a thorough review of each licensee's response, any documents referenced therein, and other applicable licensing basis documents. The NRC staff review determined that the licensees listed in credit NAMs for criticality control and have established NAM monitoring programs.
However, the NRC staff review also determined that the NAM monitoring programs have not been incorporated into the licensing basis through an NRG-approved TS change or license condition. Therefore, the NRC staff reviewed the previously docketed information referenced in the responses to determine if it contained the information consistent with an acceptable Category 4 response. The NRC staff has separated the plants into Enclosure 3 or Enclosure 4 based on the submitted and reviewed information.
For the power reactor facilities listed in Enclosure 3, the NRC staff review determined that previously docketed information sufficiently addressed the five areas of information described in Appendix A to GL 2016-01. Additionally, the NRC staff found that the licensee intends to continue monitoring the condition of their neutron-absorbing materials as described in. Based on the review of the information provided, the NRC staff concludes no further information or action is requested regarding GL 2016-01 for those plants listed in.
For the power reactor facilities listed in Enclosure 4, the NRC staff review determined that previously-docketed information does not sufficiently address the five areas of information described in Appendix A to GL 2016-01. To complete its review, the NRC staff requests the licensees provide the specific areas of information associated with Appendix A to GL 2016-01, as listed in Enclosure 4. Enclosure 4 also documents when the NRC staff discussed with each licensee the schedule for providing supplemental information, and the date each licensee agreed to provide the information. Provide the written response to the NRC in accordance with the guidance provided in GL 2016-01. Any questions about this matter may be directed to the technical contact listed in GL 2016-01.
Sincerely,
~~IJL
Enclosures:
- 1. List of GL 2016-01 Categories
- 2. List of Plants, Licensee-Reported Categories, Incoming Letters, and CAC numbers
- 3. List of Plants, License Renewal Application or License Amendment, and Testing Frequency
- 4. List of Plants, License Renewal Application or License Amendment NAMs, and Requested Information cc: Listserv Douglas A Broaddus, Chief Special Projects and Process Branch Division of Operating Reactor Licensing Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation
LETTER TO THOSE ON THE ATTACHED LIST DATED MARCH 9, 2017
SUBJECT:
GENERIC LETTER 2016-01, "MONITORING OF NEUTRON-ABSORBING MATERIALS IN SPENT FUEL POOLS" - LICENSEE-REPORTED CATEGORY 3 PLANTS Braidwood Station. Units 1 and 2 Exelon Generation Company, LLC Docket Nos. STN 50-456 and STN 50-457 License Nos. NPF-72 and NPF-77 Mr. Bryan C. Hanson Senior Vice President Exelon Generation Company, LLC President and Chief Nuclear Officer (CNO)
Exelon Nuclear Braidwood Station 4300 Winfield Road Warrenville, IL 60555 Byron Station. Units 1 and 2 Exelon Generation Company, LLC Docket Nos. STN 50-454 and STN 50-455 License Nos. NPF-37 and NPF-66 Mr. Bryan C. Hanson Senior Vice President Exelon Generation Company, LLC President and Chief Nuclear Officer (CNO)
Exelon Nuclear Byron Station 4300 Winfield Road Warrenville, IL 60555 Calvert Cliffs Nuclear Power Plant. Unit 1 Exelon Generation Company, LLC Docket No. 50-317 License No. DPR-53 Mr. Bryan C. Hanson President and Chief Nuclear Officer Exelon Nuclear 4300 Winfield Road Warrenville, IL 60555 Columbia Generating Station Energy Northwest Docket No. 50-397 License No. NPF-21 Mr. Mark E. Reddemann Chief Executive Officer Energy Northwest P.O. Box 968 (Mail Drop 1023)
Richland, WA 99352-0968 Hope Creek Generating Station PSEG Nuclear, LLC Docket No. 50-354 License No. NPF-57 Mr. Peter P. Sena, Ill President and Chief Nuclear Officer PSEG Nuclear LLC - N09 Hope Creek Generating Station P.O. Box 236 Hancocks Bridge, NJ 08038 LaSalle County Station. Units 1 and 2 Exelon Generation Company, LLC Docket Nos. 50-373 and 50-37 4 License Nos. NPF-11 and NPF-18 Mr. Bryan C. Hanson Senior Vice President Exelon Generation Company, LLC President and Chief Nuclear Officer (CNO)
Exelon Nuclear LaSalle County Station 4300 Winfield Road Warrenville, IL 60555
Limerick Generating Station, Units 1 and 2 Exelon Generation Company, LLC Docket Nos. 50-352 and 50-353 License Nos. NPF-39 and NPF-85 Mr. Bryan C. Hanson President and Chief Nuclear Officer Exelon Nuclear 4300 Winfield Road Warrenville, IL 60555 Nine Mile Point Nuclear Station, Unit 1 Exelon Generation Company, LLC Docket No. 50-220 License No. DPR-63 Mr. Bryan C. Hanson President and Chief Nuclear Officer Exelon Nuclear 4300 Winfield Road Warrenville, IL 60555 Oyster Creek Nuclear Generating Station Exelon Generation Company, LLC Docket No. 50-219 License No. DPR-16 Mr. Bryan C. Hanson President and Chief Nuclear Officer Exelon Nuclear 4300 Winfield Road Warrenville, IL 60555 Peach Bottom Atomic Power Station, Units 2 and 3 Exelon Generation Company, LLC Docket Nos. 50-277 and 50-278 License Nos. DPR-44 and DPR-56 Mr. Bryan C. Hanson President and Chief Nuclear Officer Exelon Nuclear 4300 Winfield Road Warrenville, IL 60555 Salem Nuclear Generating Station. Units 1 and 2 PSEG Nuclear, LLC Docket Nos. 50-272 and 50-311 License Nos. DPR-70 and DPR-75 Mr. Peter P. Sena, Ill President and Chief Nuclear Officer PSEG Nuclear LLC - N09 Salem Nuclear Generating Station P.O. Box 236 Hancocks Bridge, NJ 08038
LIST OF GL 2016-01 CATEGORIES Category 1:
Power reactor addressees that do not credit neutron-absorbing materials other than soluble boron in the analysis of record (AOR). In some cases, no neutron-absorbing material is present in the spent fuel storage racks, and in other cases, credit for the neutron-absorbing material has been removed through a regulatory action (e.g., approved license amendment). Those addressees may submit a response letter confirming that no neutron-absorbing materials are currently credited to meet NRC subcriticality requirements in the spent fuel pool (SFP).
Category 2:
Power reactor addressees that have an approved license amendment to remove credit for existing neutron-absorbing materials and that intend to complete full implementation no later than 24 months after the issuance of this GL. Licensees may request extensions to this implementation timeframe if there are extenuating circumstances. Those addressees may submit a response letter affirming that they will implement the approved license amendment request within the specified time. However, they must still provide information equivalent to Category 3 or Category 4 for any other neutron-absorbing material credited in the SFP criticality AOR after the license amendment has been fully implemented.
Category 3:
Power reactor addressees that have incorporated their neutron-absorbing material monitoring programs into their licensing basis through an NRG-approved Technical specification (TS) change or license condition. Those addressees may submit a response letter referencing their approved TS change or license condition and affirming that no change has been made to their neutron-absorbing material monitoring program, as described in the referenced license amendment request. If a change has been made since NRC approval of the reference, the response letter should also describe any such changes. (Licensees with a monitoring program approved as part of a license amendment request or license renewal application that was not incorporated as a TS change or license condition are considered to belong in Category 4.)
Category 4:
All other power reactor addressees. The NRC seeks information in five areas depending upon the type of neutron absorber material used by the licensee in the SFP.
LIST OF PLANTS, CATEGORIES, INCOMING LETTERS, AND CAC NUMBERS Licensee-Incoming Letter Reported (ADAMS Plant Category Accession No.)
CAC Nos.
Braidwood Station, Units 1 and 2 3
ML16308A470 MF8667, MF8668 Byron Station, Units 1 and 2 3
ML16308A470 MF867 4, MF8675 Calvert Cliffs Nuclear Power Plant, 3
ML16308A470 MF8677 Unit 1 Columbia Generating Station 3
ML16245A899 MF8682 Hope Creek Generating Station 3
ML16305A238 MF8649 LaSalle County Station, Units 1 3
ML16308A470 MF8645, MF8646 and 2 Limerick Generating Station, 3
ML16308A335 MF8643, MF8644 Units 1 and 2 Nine Mile Point Nuclear Station, 3
ML16308A470 MF8637 Unit 1 Peach Bottom Atomic Power 3
ML16308A470 MF8624, MF8625 Station, Units 2 and 3 Oyster Creek Nuclear Generating 3
ML16308A470 MF8630 Station Salem Nuclear Generating 3
ML16305A241 MF8610, MF8611 Station, Units 1 and 2
LIST OF PLANTS, LICENSE RENEWAL APPLICATION OR LICENSE AMENDMENT, AND TESTING FREQUENCY The licensees listed in the below table have provided an adequate description of an effective monitoring program, as part of the license renewal or license amendment documentation referenced in their response to GL 2016-01. All monitoring programs include the following key features:
Neutron attenuation testing of coupons.
Established processes to ensure that the licensee will take the appropriate corrective actions if any potentially non-conforming material is discovered.
A testing frequency, as stated in the below table.
Acceptance criteria to ensure maintenance of the 5-percent sub-criticality margin for the spent fuel pool.
License Renewal Application or License Amendment Plant (ADAMS Accession No.)
Testing Frequency Braidwood Station, Units 1 and 2 ML13161A223 At least once every 10 years Byron Station, Units 1 and 2 ML13161A223 At least once every 1 O years Hope Creek Generating Station ML092430374 At least once prior to the period of extended operation, and then at least once in the first 10 years of the period of extended operation.
LaSalle County Station, Units 1 ML14343A840 At least once every 10 years and 2 Limerick Generating Station, ML11179A101 At least once every 1 O years Units 1 and 2 Peach Bottom Atomic Power ML13114A929 Two coupons every 6 months for Station, Units 2 and 3 the "Fast Start" program, and at least 2 coupons every 2 years for the first 10 years of the program, and at least 2 coupons every 4 years after 10 years of acceptable performance Salem Nuclear Generating ML092400531 At least once every 2 years for Station, Units 1 and 2 the first 3 inspections periods, then at least once every 6 years afterwards
Plant Calvert Cliffs Nuclear Power Plant, Unit 1 Columbia Generating Station Nine Mile Point Nuclear Station, Unit 1 Oyster Creek Nuclear Generating Station LIST OF PLANTS, LICENSE RENEWAL APPLICATION OR LICENSE AMENDMENT, NAMs, AND REQUESTED INFORMATION License Renewal Requested Information Application or License (Items described in Conference Call Amendment Appendix A of GL 2016-01)
Date (ADAMS Accession Neutron Absorber No.)
Material ML041040129 Carborundum
- 1.a, b, e February 22, 2017 ML082180478
- 2.a.v, 2.b.i-ii
- 3
- 4.a, c, d
- 5 (all)
ML102440342 Tetrabor
- 2.b.iv March 2, 2017
- 3
- 4.b, c
- 5 (all)
ML041490213 Boraflex
- 1 February 22, 2017 ML062890129
- 2.a, 2.b.iii, 2.b.iv ML062890236
- 3
- 4 (all)
- 5 (all)
ML053050477 Boraflex
- 1.b, 1.c, 1.d.ii, 1.e February 22, 2017 ML071290023
- 2.a, 2.b.iii, 2.b.iv ML071310246
- 4.a (for localized effects), b, c
- 5 (all)
Agreed Date Supplement to Be Provided April 28, 2017 May 2, 2017 April 28, 2017 April 28, 2017
- via email OFFICE NRR/DORL/LSPB/PM NRR/DORL/LSPB/LA NRR/DE/ESGB/BC(A)*
NAME SWall JBurkhardt AJohnson DATE 3/06/17 3/03/17 3/06/17 OFFICE N RR/DPR/PGCB/BC*
NRR/DSS/SNPB/BC*
N RR/DORL/LSPB/BC NAME SStuchell RLukes DBroaddus DATE 3/06/17 3/06/17 3/09/17