ML17324A671

Discusses 860225 Request for Verification That Tech Specs Would Allow Operation in Mode 3 for Period of Time to Conduct Tests of Safety Equipment Maintaining Unit in Mode 3 Acceptable Until 860306

ML17324A671
Person / Time
Site:	Cook
Issue date:	02/27/1986
From:	Novak T Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation
To:	Dolan J INDIANA MICHIGAN POWER CO. (FORMERLY INDIANA & MICHIG
References
NUDOCS 8603060405
Download: ML17324A671 (7)

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UNITED STATES MUCKER-REGULA-FORY-COMMSS ION WASHINGTON, D. C. 20555 FEB 27 1986 Docket No.:

50-316 Mr. John Dolan, Vice President Indiana and Michigan Electric Company c/o American Electric Power Service Corporation 1 Riverside Plaza

Columbus, Ohio 43216

Dear Mr. Dolan:

On February 25, 1986, the Indiana and Michigan Electric Company requested verification of the interpretation that the Technical Specifications for the Donald C.

Cook Nuclear Plant, Unit No.

2 would allow operation in Mode 3 for a period of time to conduct tests of safety equipment.

The Technical Specifications in question govern the operation of the reactor coolant system hot and cold leg resistance temperature detectors (RTD),

the narrow range steam generator level transmitters, and the post-accident high range area radiation monitors.

All of these systems are functional and operating but lack full environmental qualification.

On November 20, 1985, the Coranission issued an order to IMEC which granted an extension of the deadline for environmental qualification of the above monitoring systems until the February 28,

1986, shutdown for refueling.

In discussions with your staff and as supported by the February 25, 1986 letter, Unit 2 will shut down on or before February 28 and be in Mode 3, hot standby, on March 1, 1986.

We understand that Unit 2 will then remain in Mode 3 until about March 5, 1986, to conduct tests of the auxiliary feedwater system in preparation for a long shutdown during which all repairs or modifications can be made to the feedwater systems as necessary.

The benefit to be gained from testing safety systems early in the shutdown can be significant when considering the orderly repair and retesting which may be required prior to restart.

While post-operation testing of safety equipment is important and highly desirable, we must also consider the Coranission's Order for the extension of the deadline for environmental qualification of equipment.

You propose that the November 20, 1985 Order will be met by the unit which is scheduled to be in Mode 3, hot standby, on March 1, 1986.

We believe that maintaining the facility for a brief period in Mode 3 does not violate the Coomission's Order which prohibits plant operation after February 28, 1986, until the corrective measures are taken and is consistent with normal plant progression to cold shutdown and refueling.

Further, it is our understanding that Unit 2 will maintain, during the limited period of Mode 3, the appropriate provisions and alternative monitoring methods found acceptable by the Commission to sup-port the November 20, 1985 Order for extension of environmental qualification and for safe operation in Modes 1 and 2 until February 28, 1986.

On this

basis, maintaining the unit in Mode 3 with the reactor subcritical continues the same level of safety and is acceptable.

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FEB 8'7 1986 On the basis of the above, we find that maintaining Unit 2 in Mode 3 until March 5, 1986 is acceptable compliance with the Commission's Order of November 20, 1985 and will provide for desirable and beneficial testing of safety related equipment.

Therefore, it is our position that Unit 2 can be maintained in Mode 3 as you have proposed.

Sincerely, cc:

See next page Thomas f). Novak, Acting Director Divisiorf of PWR Licensing-A Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation DISTRIBUTION:

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Mr. John Dolan Indiana and Michigan Electric Company ppg 2 "I 1986 Donald C.

Cook Nuclear Plant cc Mr. M. P. Alexich Vice President Nuclear Operations American Electric Power Service Corporation I Riverside Plaza

Columbus, Ohio 43215 Attorney General Department of Attorney General 525 West Ottawa Street Lansing, Michigan 48913 Towns hi p Supervi sor Lake Township Hall Post Office Box 818 Bridgman, Michigan 49106 W.

G. Smith, Jr., Plant Manager Donald C.

Cook Nuclear Plant Post Office Box 458 Bridgman, Michigan 49106

. U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission Resident Inspectors Office 7700 Red Arrow Highway Stevensville, Michigan 49127 Gerald Charnoff, Esquire Shaw, Pittman, Potts and Trowbridge 1800 M Street, N.W.

Washington, DC 20036 Mayor, City of Bridgeman Post Office Box 366 Bridgman, Michigan 49106 Special Assistant to the Governor Room I - State Capitol Lansing, Michigan 48909 Nuclear Facilities and Environmental

-Monitoring Section Office Division of Radiological Health Department of Public Health 3500 N. Logan Street Post Office Box 30035 Lansing, Michigan 48909 The Honorable John E. Grotberg United States House of Representatives Washington, DC 20515 Regional Administrator, Reqion III U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission 799 Roosevelt Road Glen El lyn, Illinois 60137 J. Feinstein American Electric Power Service Corporation I Riverside Plaza

Columbus, Ohio 43216

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