ML18022B114

Acceptance Letter (LAR 17-044)

ML18022B114
Person / Time
Site:	Vogtle
Issue date:	01/22/2018
From:	Manny Comar NRC/NRO/DNRL/LB4
To:	Whitley B Southern Nuclear Operating Co
comar m/415-3863
References
LAR 17-044
Download: ML18022B114 (3)

Text

January 22, 2018 Mr. Brian H. Whitley, Director Regulatory Affairs Southern Nuclear Operating Company, Inc.

42 Inverness Center Parkway BIN B237 Birmingham, AL 35242

SUBJECT:

ACCEPTANCE REVIEW OF SOUTHERN NUCLEAR OPERATING COMPANYS REQUEST FOR LICENSE AMENDMENT AND EXEMPTION FOR THE VOGTLE ELECTRIC GENERATING PLANT, UNITS 3 AND 4:

ITAAC FOR PNEUMATIC TESTING OF VES AIR LINES (LAR 17-044)

Dear Mr. Whitley:

By letter dated December 20, 2017 (Agencywide Documents Access and Management System Accession No. ML17354964), Southern Nuclear Operating Company (SNC/licensee) submitted a request for a License Amendment (LAR 17-044) for the Combined License (COL) Numbers NPF-91 and NPF-92, for Vogtle Electric Generating Plant (VEGP) Units 3 and 4, respectively.

The requested amendment proposes changes to COL Appendix C (and to plant-specific Tier 1 information) and associated Tier 2 information to allow a pneumatic test to be used in lieu of a hydrostatic test for the Main Control Room Emergency Habitability System (VES) consistent with American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME)Section III.

The purpose of this letter is to provide the results of the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) staffs acceptance review of this amendment 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.

Consistent with 10 CFR 50.90, an amendment to the license must fully describe the changes requested, and follow as far as applicable, the form prescribed for original applications. Section 52.79 of the 10 CFR 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 NRC staff has reviewed your application against the regulatory requirements and has concluded that it provides 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 the 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 staffs ability to complete the detailed technical review are identified despite completion of an adequate

B. Whitley 2 acceptance review. You will be advised of any further information needed to support the NRC staffs detailed technical review by separate correspondence.

If you have any questions, please contact me at (301) 415-3863 or Manny.Comar@nrc.gov Sincerely,

/RA/

Manny Comar, Senior Project Manager Licensing Branch 4 Division of New Reactor Licensing Office of New Reactors Docket Nos.: 52-025 52-026

ML18022B114 *via email NRO-002 OFFICE PM: NRO/DNRL/LB4 LA: NRO/DNRL/LB4*

NAME MComar RButler DATE 1/22/18 1/22/18