ML19305B066
| ML19305B066 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Site: | Pilgrim |
| Issue date: | 02/21/1980 |
| From: | Eisenhut D Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation |
| To: | |
| Shared Package | |
| ML19305B067 | List: |
| References | |
| NUDOCS 8003190094 | |
| Download: ML19305B066 (4) | |
Text
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UNITED STATES OF AMERICA NUCLEAR REGULATORY CO MISSION In the Matter of
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BOSTON EDIS0N C0WANY Docket No. 50-293 (Pilgrim Nuclear Power Station)
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CONFIRPATORY ORDER I.
Boston Edison Company (the licensee) is the holder of Facility Operating License No. DPR-35 which authorizes the Licensee to operate the Pilgrim Nuclear Power Station at power levels not in excess of 1998 megawatts thermal (rated power). The facility is a boiling water reactor located at the Licensee's site in Plymouth, Massachusetts.
II.
Over the past eleven years the subject of anticipated transients without scram (ATWS) events and the manner in which they should be considered in the design of nuclear power plants has been discussed extensively between the Nuclear Regulatory Cormiission (NRC) Staff and the nuclear industry.
In April 1978, the Staff published a report on, " Anticipated Transients Without Scram for Light-Water Reactors", NUREG-0460, Volumes 1 and 2, which summarized technical considerations related to ATWS and made recomendations.
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, Following additional investigations by the Staff and by the ACRS, the Staff issued Volume 3 of NUREG-0460, in December.1978.
i Although final determination of all the design changes to nuclear power plants which may be necessary to respond to ATWS events has not yet been reached, the Staff has concluded that the addition of a Recirculation Pump Trip (RPT) in boiling water reactors (BWRs) would significantly limit the immediate consequences of an ATWS event. Therefore, letters dated January 9,1979 were sent to the BWR licensees who did not have installed RPTs.
These letters:
- described the reasons for requiring an RPT at this time,
- described two alternative ways to provide an acceptable RPT, and
- requested that licensees provide an RPT implementation schedule which would provide for installation within two years.
III.
Because an RPT provides considerable additional assurance that a BWR can safely respond to an ATWS event, I have determined that installation of an RPT by BWR licensees should be completed as soon as practicable and in no event later than December 31, 1980. In response to the letter of January 9,1979, and additional discussions with the Staff, the licensee committed, by letter dated April 10, 1979, to installation of an RPT before reactor operation during calendar year 1981.
I have determined that this commitnent should be forralized by Order requiring that RPT installation be completed no later than December 31, 1980.
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. IV.
Accordingly, pursuant to the Atomic Energy Act of 1954, as amended, and the Commission's regulations in 10 CFR Parts 2 and 50, IT IS HEREBY ORDERED THAT:
The licensee shall, by December 31, 1980, install a recirculation pump trip, or in the alternative, place and maintain its facility in a cold shutdown or refueling mode of operation.
V.
Any person who has an interest affected by this Order may request a hearing within twenty (20) days of the date of the Order.
Any request for a hearing will not stay the effectiveness of this Order.
Any request for a hearing shall be addressed to the Director, Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation, U. S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission, Washington, D. C.
20555.
If a hearing is requested by a person whose interst may be affected by this Order, the Commission will issue an Order designating the time and place of any such hearing.
In light of the Licensee's expressed willingness to install an RPT, if a hearing is held concerning this Order the issue to be considered at the hearing shall be:
whether RPT installation should be implemented as prescribed in this Order.
, Operation of the facility on terms consistent with this Order is not stayed by the pendency of any proceedings on the Order.
F R THE NUCLEAR REGULATORY COPMISSION Darre')$
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I G. Eisenhut, Acting Director Division of Operating Reactors Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation Effective date: FEBRUARY 2 1 1980 Bethesda, Maryland I
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