ML20043E213

Carr Response to Bevill Subcommittee on Energy & Water Development Question 9 for 900326 Hearing

ML20043E213
Person / Time
Issue date:	03/26/1990
From:	Carr NRC COMMISSION (OCM)
To:	Bevill HOUSE OF REP., APPROPRIATIONS
References
BEVILL-900326, CCS, NUDOCS 9006120171
Download: ML20043E213 (1)

Text

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MR. BEVILL:

There has been discussion with regard to the need for a certification for the nonnuclear balance of plant design.

What are your views with regard to a certification for the i

balance of the plant?-

CHAIRMAN'CARR:

In April 1989, the NRC promulgated 10 CFR Part 52. The intent of this rule was i

to provide for the early resolution of licensing issues and enhance the safety and reliability of nuclear power plants. This-regulation requires applications for certification of a nuclear power plant design which is an evolutionary j

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change from existing light water reactors to provide an essentially complete nuclear power plant cesign, except for site-specific elements such as the l

service water intake and the ultimate heat sink.

The Commission believes that-l this is' necessary to receive the full benefit from the certification process --

I early resolution of issues and enhanced safety and reliability.

Long experience in operating light-water designs has demonstrated the potentially adverse safety effects the balance of plant can have on the nuclear island. Given this i

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experience, certification of these designs should be based on a consideration of the whole plant, or else the certifications of those designs will lack that

' degree of finality which the Comission ' intended in promulgating 10 CFR Part 52.

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3 The final rule provides the opportunity for certification of designs of less ll than complete scope, if they belong to the class of advanced designs.

However, I-

. certification of an advanced design of incomplete scope will be given only after I

showing, using a full-scale prototype, that the balance of plant cannot significantly affect the safe operation of the plant.

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900326 BEVILLoo&

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PDC Question 9/Bevill/NRR-q 03/26/90