ML19323C851
| ML19323C851 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Site: | Vermont Yankee File:NorthStar Vermont Yankee icon.png |
| Issue date: | 05/08/1980 |
| From: | Conway W VERMONT YANKEE NUCLEAR POWER CORP. |
| To: | Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation |
| References | |
| WVY-80-74, NUDOCS 8005190305 | |
| Download: ML19323C851 (2) | |
Text
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8005190 9#f i
VERMONT YAN KEE NUCLEAR POWER CORPORATION SEVENTY SEVEN GROVE STREET B.3.2.1 RUTLAND, VERMONT 05701 WVY 80-74 REPLY TO:
N IN ING OFFICE May 8, 1980 TURNPIKE RO AD WESTBORO. M ASS ACHUSETTS 01581 TELEPHONE s t 7 366-60 f t United States Nuclear Regulatory Commission Washington, D. C.
20555 Attention: Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation
References:
(a) License No. DPR-28 (Docket No. 50-271)
(b) VYNPC Letter (WVY 79-25) to USNRC dated March 2, 2979.
(c) VYNPC Letter (WVY 80-16) to USNRC dated January 21, 1980.
Subject:
Primary Containment Leak Rate Testing
Dear Sir:
As a result of failing two consecutive Type A tests, in 1974 and 1978,Section III.A.6(b) of Appendix J requires that Type A tests continue to be performed at each refueling outage until two consecutive tests meet the acceptance criteria.
This letter is written pursuant to 10CFR50.12 to formally request an exemption frem the testing requirements specified in Section III.A.6(b) of Appendix J to 10CFR50.
Vermont Yankee submitted a similar request for exemption to the NRC in 1979 (Reference (b)), because we felt that increasing the frequency of Type A testing without focusing attention on the cause(s) of the inability to meet the acceptance criteria does not necessarily provide greater assurance of continuing containment integrity. That request for exemption was subsequently denied. A telephone conversation was initiated on April 18, 1979 to allow additional discussion between the NRC staff (V. Rooney, J. Huang) and cognizant VY personnel regarding the NRC's denial of the exemption request. During that conversation, Mr.
Huang stated that implementation of the Corrective Action Plan along with successful completion of a 1979 Type A test would provide a favorable data base that might preclude the necessity for performing a Type A Test in 1980.
Vermont Yankee did implement a Corrective Action Plan which #r.a J attention on the cause of the 1978 test failure and, as documented in Reference (c), successfully passed the Type A test conducted during the 1979 refueling outage.
As was the case previously, this exemption request endorses the Corrective Action Plan as an acceptable alternative to the aforementioned testing requirement of Appendix J to 10CFR50. We trust that the information provided above, along with the referenced material is sufficient to allow for your review and approval of our request.
f U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission May 8, 1980 Attn: Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation Page 2 i
Should you require additional clarification or information, please feel free to contact us.
Since this exemption request has a direct impact on planning for the 1980 Refueling Outage, presently scheduled for September,1980, we would appreciate an expeditious response.
We have determined that the staff review of this proposal requires an approval that involves a single safety issue and is deemed not to involve a significant hazards consideration. For these reasons, Vermont Yankee proposes this request for axemption as a Class III submittal.
A payment of $4,000.00 is enclosed.
Very truly yours, VERMONT YANKEE NUCLEAR POWER CORPORATION W. F. Con Vice President RJW/hm i
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