ML17159A276
| ML17159A276 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Site: | Susquehanna  |
| Issue date: | 02/21/1998 |
| From: | Buckley B NRC (Affiliation Not Assigned) |
| To: | |
| Shared Package | |
| ML17159A275 | List: |
| References | |
| NUDOCS 9804280003 | |
| Download: ML17159A276 (11) | |
Text
7590-01-P UNITED STATES NUCLEAR REGULATORYCOMMISSION PENNSYLVANIAPOWER AND LIGHTCOMPANY DOCKET NOS. 50-387 AND50-388 NOTICE OF CONSIDERATION OF ISSUANCE OF AMENDMENTSTO FACILITYOPERATING LICENSES PROPOSED NO SIGNIFICANTHAZARDS CONSIDERATION DETERMINATION AND OPPORTUNITY FOR A HEARING The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (the Commission) is considering issuance of an amendment to Facility Operating License Nos. NPF-14 and NPF-22 issued to Pennsylvania Power and Light Company (the licensee) for operation of the Susquehanna Steam Electric Station, Units 1 and 2, located in Luzeme County, Pennsylvania.
(3.p.) The proposed amendment would revise the frequency of Technical Specifications (TSs) surveillance requirement (SR) for rod worth minimizer (RWM) channel functional test.
Before issuance of the proposed license amendment, the Commission willhave made findings required by the Atomic Energy Act of 1954, as amended (the Act) and the Commission's regulations.
The Commission has made a proposed determination that the amendment request involves no significant hazards consideration.
Under the Commission's regulations in 10 CFR 50.92, this means that operation of the facilityin accordance with the proposed amendment would not (1) involve a significant increase in the probability or consequences of an accident previously evaluated; or (2) create the possibility of a new or different kind of accident from any accident previously evaluated; or (3) involve a significant reduction in a margin of safety. As required by 10 CFR 50.91(a), the licensee has provided its analysis of the issue of no significant hazards consideration, which is presented below:
9804280003 980421 PDR ADOCK 05000387 P
1.
Does the change involve a'significant increase in the probability or consequences of an accident previously evaluated'P The proposed changes eliminate the requirement that SRs be completed at an interval shorter than the normal Surveillance Frequency just prior to the start of a special activity in Modes 4 or 5 such as. fuel handling, control rod withdrawal or removal, or control rod drive removal. These changes willnot result in a significant increase in the probability or consequences of an accident previously evaluated because there is no change to the requirement that the conditions verified by the SR be met throughout the special activity. Additionally, the Surveillance continues to be performed at the normal Frequency and the normal Surveillance Frequency has been shown, based on operating experience, to be adequate for assuring that required conditions are established and maintained.
This change is consistent with both SSES CTS 4.0.4 and SSES ITS SR 3.0.4 which requires that a surveillance be performed within the required frequency prior to entering the applicable Mode or Condition. SSES ITS [Improved TS] still requires that ifany Surveillance has not been performed within this interval or is determined not to meet the Surveillance Requirement during the activity, the special activity may not be performed or must be stopped ifin progress.
This ensures the Surveillance Requirements are adequately checked prior to and during these activities.
2.
Does the change create the possibility of a new or different kind of accident from any accident previously evaluated.
This proposed change willnot involve any physical changes to plant systems, structures, or components (SSC). The changes in normal plant operation are consistent with the current safety analysis assumptions.
Therefore, this change willnot create the possibility of a new or different kind of accident from any accident previously evaluated.
3.
Does this change involve a significant reduction in a margin of safety?
This change does not involve a significant reduction in a margin of safety because there is no change to the requirement that the conditions verified by the SR be met throughout the special activity. Additionally, the Surveillance continues to be performed at its normal Frequency and the normal Surveillance Frequency has been shown, based on operating experience, to be adequate for assuring that conditions are established or that equipment is available and capable of performing its intended safety function. SSES ITS still requires that ifany Surveillance has not been performed within this interval or is determined not to meet the Surveillance Requirement during the activity, the special activity may not be performed or must be stopped ifin progress.
This ensures the Surveillance Requirements are adequately checked prior to and during these activities.
l a
3 The NRC staff has reviewed the Ii&nsee's analysis and, based on this review, it appears that the three standards of 10 CFR 50.92(c) are satisfied. Therefore, the NRC staff proposes to determine that the amendment request involves no significant hazards consideration.
The Commission is seeking public comments on this proposed determination.
Any comments received within 30 days after the date of publication of this notice willbe considered in making any final determination.
Normally, the Commission willnot issue the amendment until the expiration of the'30-day notice period. However, should circumstances change during the notice period such that failure.
to act in a timely way would result, for example, in derating or shutdown of the facility, the Commission may issue the license amendment before the expiration of the 30-day notice period, provided that its final determination is that the amendment involves no significant hazards consideration.
The final determination willconsider all public and State comments received.
Should the Commission take this action, it willpublish in the FEDERAL REGISTER a notice of issuance and provide for opportunity for a hearing after issuance.
The Commission expects that the need to take this action willoccur very infrequently.
Written comments may be submitted by mail to the Chief, Rules and Directives Branch, Division of Administrative Services, Office of Administration, U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission, Washington, DC 20555-0001, and should cite the publication date and page number of this FEDERAL REGISTER notice. Written comments may also be delivered to Room 6D59, Two White Flint North, 11545 Rockville Pike, Rockville, Maryland, from 7:30 a.m. to 4:15 p,m. Federal workdays.
Copies ofwritten comments received may be examined at the NRC Public Document Room, the Gelman Building, 2120 L Street, NW., Washington, DC.
The filingof requests for hearing and petitions for leave to intervene is discussed below.
By May 27, 1998, the licensee may file a'request for a hearing with respect to issuance of the amendment to the subject facilityoperating license and any person whose interest may be
affected by this proceeding and who wishes to participate as a party in the proceeding must file a written request for a hearing and a petition for leave to intervene.
Requests for a hearing and a petition for leave to intervene shall be filed in accordance with the Commission's "Rules of Practice for Domestic Licensing Proceedings" in 10 CFR Part 2. Interested persons should consult a current copy of 10 CFR 2.714 which is available at the Commission's Public Document Room, the Gelman Building, 2120 L Street, NW., Washington, DC, and at the local public document room located at the Osterhout Free Library, Reference Depa'rtment, 71 South Franklin
'treet, Wilkes-Barre, PA 18701.
Ifa request for a hearing or petition for leave to intervene is filed by the above date, the Commission or an Atomic Safety and Ucensing Board, designated by the Commission or by the Chairman of the Atomic Safety and Ucensing Board Panel, willrule on the request and/or petition; and the Secretary or the designated Atomic Safety and Ucensing Board willissue a notice of hearing or an appropriate order.
As required by 10 CFR 2.714, a petition for leave to intervene shall set forth with particularity the interest of the petitioner in the proceeding, and how that interest may be affected by the results of the proceeding.
The petition should specifically explain the reasons why intervention should be permitted with particular reference to the following factors:
(1) the nature of the petitioner's right under the Act to be made party to the proceeding; (2) the nature and I
extent of the petitioner's property, financial, or other interest in the proceeding; and (3) the possible effect of any order which may be entered in the proceeding on the petitioner's interest.
The petition should also identify the specific aspect(s) of the subject matter of the proceeding as to which petitioner wishes to intervene.
Any person who has filed a petition for leave to intervene
~ or who has been admitted as a party may amend the petition without requesting leave of the Board up to 15 days prior to the first prehearing conference scheduled in the proceeding, but such an amended petition must satisfy the specificity requirements described above.
'h
Not later than 15 days prior to the first prehearing conference scheduled in the proceeding, a petitioner shall file a supplement to the petition to intervene which must Include a list of the contentions which are sought to be litigated in the matter.
Each contention must consist of a specific statement of the issue of taw or fact to be raised or controverted. In, addition, the petitioner shall provide a brief explanation of the bases of the contention and a concise statement of the alleged facts or expert opinion which support the contention and on which the petitioner intends to rely in proving the conterition at the hearing. The petitiorier must also provide references to those specific sources and documents ofwhich the petitioner is aware and on which the petitioner intends to rely to establish those facts or expert opinion. Petitioner must provide sufficient information to show that a genuine dispute exists with the applicant on a material issue of law or fact. Contentions shall be limited to matters within the scope of the
'mendment under consideration.
The contention must be one which, ifproven, would entitle the petitioner to relief. A petitioner who fails to file such a supplement which satisfies these requirements with respect to at least one contention willnot be permitted to participate as a party.
Those permitted to intervene become parties to the proceeding, subject to any limitations in the order granting leave to intervene, and have the opportunity to participate fullyin the conduct of the hearing, including the opportunity to present evidence and cross-examine witnesses.
Ifa hearing is requested, the Commission willmake a final determination on the issue of no significant hazards consideration.
The final determination willserve to decide when the hearing is held.
Ifthe final determination is that the amendment request involves no significant hazards consideration, the Commission may Issue the amendment and make it immediately effective,
notwithstanding the request for a hearing.'ny hearing held would take place after Issuance of the amendment, Ifthe final determination is that the amendment request involves a significant hazards consideration, any hearing held would take place before the issuance of any amendment.
A request for a hearing or a petition for leave to intervene must be filed with the Secretary of the Commission, U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission, Washington, DC 205554001, Attention Rulemakings and Adjudications Staff, or*may'e delivered to the'ommission's Public Document Room, the Geiman Building, 2120 L Street, NW., Washington, DC, by the above date.
A copy of the petition should also be sent to the Office of the General Counsel, U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission, Washington, DC 20555-0001, and to Jay Silberg, Esquire, Shaw, Pittman, Potts and Trowbridge, 2300 N Street NW., Washington, DC 20037, attorney for the I
licensee.
Nontimely filings of petitions for leave to intervene, amended petitions, supplemental petitions and/or requests for hearing willnot be entertained absent a determination by the Commission, the presiding officer or the presiding Atomic Safety and Licensing Board that the petition and/or request should be granted based upon a balancing of the factors specified in 10 CFR 2.714(a)(1)(l)-(v) and 2.714(d).
For further details with respect to this action, see the application for amendment dated August,1, 1996, which is available for public inspection at the Commission's Public Document
Room, the Gelman Building, 2120 L Street, NW,.Washington, DC, and at the local public document room located at the Osterhout Free Library, Reference Department, 71 South Franklin Street, Wilkes-Barre, PA 18701.
Dated at Rockville, Maryland, this 21st day of February 1998.
FOR THE NUCLEAR REGULATORYCOMMISSION Bartholomew C. Buckley, Acting Director Project Directorate I-2 Division of Reactor Projects - I/II Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation