ML20042G510
| ML20042G510 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Site: | Rancho Seco |
| Issue date: | 05/02/1990 |
| From: | Murley T Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation |
| To: | SACRAMENTO MUNICIPAL UTILITY DISTRICT |
| Shared Package | |
| ML20042G509 | List: |
| References | |
| NUDOCS 9005150014 | |
| Download: ML20042G510 (4) | |
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UNITED STATES OF AMERICA NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION In the Matter of Sacramento Municipal Utility Docket No. 50-312 District Rancho Seco Nuclear Generating License No. DPR-54 i
Station CONFIRMATOR'i ORDER MODIFYING LICENSE (EFFECTIVEIMMEDIATELT) 1.
Sacramento Municipal Utility District (SMUD, the licensee) is the holder
.of Facility Operating License No. DPR-54 issued by the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (theNRC)pursuantto10CFRpart50onAugust 16, 1974 The license authorizes the operation of the Rancho Seco Nuclear Generating Station
.(thefacility)atsteady-statepowerlevelsnotinexcessof2772 megawatts thermal.
The facility consists of a pressurized water reactor (PWR) and j
supporting systems located at the licensee's site in Sacramento County, California.
11.
On June 6, 1989, a public vote on an advisory ballot measure concerning l
the continued operation of the Rancho Seco Nuclear Generating Station by SMUD t
was held. The result of that vote was 46.6 percent in favor of continued operation of Rancho Seco and 53.4 percent against continued operation. Pursuant-to the resolution of the SMUD Board of Directors to abide by this public decision, Rancho Seco ceased power operations en June 7, 1989. Defueling activities began on November 28, 1989, and the movement of all fuel elements
.to the spent fuel pool was completed on December 8,1989.
Since the vote, SMUD fbNkObbk$0bb 2
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5 has been in the proces: of reducing its operating and support staff. Although j
SMUD has assured the NRC that it would ensure adequate staffing to conform to j
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the requirements of its license for the shutdown condition, staffing is currently.below that which would be needed to permit the plant to return to I
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l any mode of power operation.
In addition, SMUD is proceeding with its plans to L
discontinue customary maintenance on equipment necessary to support operation other than that needed for the safe storage of fuel in the spent fuel pool, L
III.
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The NRC has determined that the public health and safety require that the licensee not return fuel to the reactor vessel for the following reascns:
(1) the reduction in the onsite support staff below that necessary for power operations,and(2)theabsenceofproceduresforreturr.ingtoanoperational status systems and equipment that the licensee has decided to place in a preserved, inactive condition, including such systems as the reactor coolant l
system, reactor protection systems, and emergency power systems.
On November 29, 1989, the licensee submitted a letter in which it requested that a condition be placed in the license that prohibits the movement of new or spent fuel into the reactor building without prior NRC approval.
At a meeting j
between the licensee and NRC staff on,lanuary 24, 1990, the licensee again stated its intent not to move any new or spent fuel into the reactor building.
l ll 1 find the licensee's comitment as set forth in its letter of November 29, j
l 1989, and as stated by the licensee hring the meeting of January 24, 1990, is 1
acceptable and necessary and conclude that with this comitment, the plant's safety is reasonably assured.
E p
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J In view of the foregoing, I have determined that the public health and safety require that the licensee's comitment not to move new or spent fuel into the reactor building without prior NRC approval, be confirmed by this Order.
Pursuant to 10 CFR 62.204, I have also determined that the public health and safety require that this order be effective imediately. This l
Confirmatory Order in no way relieves the licensee of the terms and conditions l
of its operating license.
IV.
Accordingly, pursuant to Sections 103,161b, and 1611 of the Atomic Energy Act of 1954, as amended, and the Comission's regulations in 10 CFR 62.204 and f
10 CFR Part 50, IT IS HEREBY ORDERED, EFFECTIVE IMMEDIATELY, that Facility Operating License No. DPR-54 is modified as follows:
The licensee is prohibited from placing any nuclear fuel into the Rancho Seco reactor building without prior approval from the NRC.
t V.
Any person adversely affected by this Confirmatory Order may request a hearing within 20 days of its issuance.
Any request for a hearing sha17 ';
submitted to the Secretery, U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Comission, Washington, D.C. 20555, Attention: Chief, Docketing and Service Section.
Copies also shall be'sent to the Director, Office of Enforcement, U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Comission, Washington, D.C. 20555, to the Assistant General Counsel for Hearings and Enforcement at the same address, and to the Regional 5
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Administrator, NRC Region V, at 1450 Maria Lane, Kuite 210. Walnut Creek, California 94596.
If such a person requests a hearing, that person shall set forth with particularity the manner in which his interest is adversely affected by this order and shall address the criteria set forth in 10 CFR 62.714(a). A REQUEST FOR HEARING SHALL NOT STAY THE IMMEDIATE EFFECTIVENESS OF THIS
-l CONFIRMATORY ORDER.
If a hearing is requested by a person whose interest is adversely affected, the Commission will issue an order designating the time nd place of any hearing.
l If a hearing is held, the' issue to be considered at such hearing shall be
- whether this Confirmatory Order should be sustained.
FOR THE NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION i
f Thomas E. Murley Office of Nuclear, Director Reactor Regulation Dated at Rockville, Maryland, this 2nd day of May, 1990
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