ML20141H851

Discusses Implementation of Requirements of 10CFR50.65, Requirements for Monitoring Effectiveness of Maintenance at Npps, for BFN

ML20141H851
Person / Time
Site:	Browns Ferry
Issue date:	07/30/1997
From:	Williams J NRC (Affiliation Not Assigned)
To:	Kingsley O TENNESSEE VALLEY AUTHORITY
References
TAC-M98931, NUDOCS 9708010226
Download: ML20141H851 (4)

Text

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NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION WASHINGTON D.C. 20666-0001

% p! July 30 , 1997 Mr. Oliver D. Kingsley, Jr.

President. TVA Nuclear and Chief Nuclear Officer Tennessee Valley Authority 6A Lookout Place 1101 Market Street Chattanooga Tennessee 37402-2801

SUBJECT:

IMPLEMENTATION OF THE MAINTENANCE RULE. 10 CFR 50.65 FOR BROWNS FERRY NUCLEAR PLANT, UNIT 1 (TAC N0. M98931)

Dear Mr. Kingsley:

From April 14 - 18, 1997, an inspection was conducted at the Browns Ferry Nuclear Plant (BFN), examining implementation of the requirements of 10 CFR 50.65. " Requirements for Monitoring the Effectiveness of Maintenance at Nuclear Power Plants." (the maintenance rule). Results of this inspection were documented in Inspection Report 50-259/97-04, 50-260/97-04. and 50-296/97-04 (IR 97-04). 0.ne unresolved item. URI 50-259/97-04-01, was identified, regarding whether the actions taken by the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) to implement the maintenance rule for BFN Unit 1. satisfy the rule. The Nuclear Regulatory Commission staff has evaluated this issue as described below.  ;

IR 97-04 states "[TVA's maintenance rule implementation] program was I comprehensive and was being effectively im)1emented." However one unresolved item remains regarding implementation of tie Rule on BFN Unit 1. This unresolved item resulted from the licensee's consideration of plant status in its program development. BFN Unit 1 has been shut oown since 1985, and has been defueled for several years. TVA has made a specific commitment to notify the NRC of any plans to return the unit to o]eration. TVA's maintenance rule implementing procedure specifically states tlat scoping would be reevalu:ted if BFN Unit I conditions were to change. The ins)ection found TVA's maintenance rule program for BFN Unit 1 to be tecinically adequate. However, the scope of the program is inconsistent with the requirements of the rule.

i Paragraph (a)(1) of the maintenance rule requires "each holder of an operating license under SS50.21(b) or 50.22" to conform to the provisions of the rule.

However, paragraph (a)(1) later limits the extent that the rule applies to nuclear power plants "for which the licensee has submitted the certifications specified in S50.82(a)(1)." That is, licensees that have " determined to

)ermanently cease operations" and that have appropriately notified the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) of that determination are permitted to reduce their maintenance rule scope to include only "all structures, systems, and components associated with the storage, control, and maintenance of spent fuel D in a safe condition..." There are no other categories of nuclear power plants s granted exception under the maintenance rule. I ila t] ,;g 7 l 0 il8* A88n H85Hr @C HLE CENTER COPY

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Mr. O. D. Kingsley Therefore. BFN Unit 1 falls within the category of nuclear power plants for  !

which full compliance with the maintenance rule is required, as TVA has not submitted certifications specified in S50.82(a)(1). TVA has three apparent alternatives: i 4

1. Revise the scope of the maintenance rule monitoring program for Unit 1 L

to include structures, systems, and components as specified in paragraph  :'

l (b) of the Rule, or

2. Submit a written certification to the NRC, as specified in S50.82(a)(1).

l that TVA has determined to permanently cease BFN Unit 1 operations, or  ;

3. Petition the NRC for an exemption from the requirements of the Rule that l are not currently being met.

I In order to resolve this issue. TVA is requested to describe which of these  ;

! alternatives it considers to be applicable. If another course of action is c pro)osed. TVA should discuss why it considers that option to be' consistent

! wit 1 regulatory requirements. TVA should include a pro)osed schedule for l implementation of its chosen alternative. We request tlat TVA respond to this l letter within 60 days. '

Please call me at (301) 415-1470 if you have any questions regarding this l topic. .

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l Sincerely, i 1

Joseph F. Williams. Project Manager l Project Directorate II '

Division of Reactor Projects -.I/II Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation Decket No. 50-259

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See next page I

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l Mr. O. D. Kingsley i Therefore.'BFN Unit 1 falls within the category of nuclear power plants for

which full compliance with the maintenance rule is required, as TVA has not i submitted certifications specified in S50.82(a)(1). TVA has three apparent  ;

I alternatives: -

j 1. Revise the scope of the maintenance rule monitoring program for Unit 1

to include structures, systems, and components as specified in paragraph 4- (b) of the Rule, or 4

2. ' Submit a written certification to the NRC, as s)ecified in S50.82(a)(1).

that TVA has determined to permanently cease BFi Unit 1 operations, or

3. Petition the NRC for an exemption from the requirements of the Rule that are not currently being-met.  ;

t In order to resolve this issue. TVA is requested to describe which of these

alternatives it considers to be applicable. If another course of action is i pro)osed. TVA should discuss why it considers that option to De consistent

wit 1 regulatory requirements. TVA should include a pro)osed schedule for i

implementation of its chosen alternative. We request tlat TVA respond to this letter within 60 days.

j .Please call me at (301) 415-1470 if you have any questions regarding this ,

topic.

~

l Sincerely.

/S/

Joseph F. Williams. Project Manager Project Directorate II-3 Division of Reactor Projects - I/II Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation ,

Docket No. 50-259 .

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8 Mr. Oliver D. Kingsley, Jr. BROWNS FERRY NUCLEAR PLANT Tennessee Valley Authority cc:

Mr. O. J. Zeringue, Sr. Vice President Mr. Timothy E. Abney, Manager Nuclear Operations Licensing and Industry Affairs Tennessee Valley Authority Browns Ferry Nuclear Plant 6A Lookout Place Tennessee Valley Authority 1101 Market Street P.O. Box 2000 Chattanooga, TN 37402-2801 Decatur, AL 35609 Mr. Jack A. Bailey, Vice President Regional Administrator '

Engineering & Technical Services U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission i Tennessee Valley Authority Region II l 6A Lookout Place 61 Forsyth Street, SW., Suite 23T85 1101 Market Street Atlanta, GA 30303-3415 Chattanooga, TN 37402-2801 l Mr. Leonard D. Wert Mr. C. M. Crane, Site Vice President Senior Resident Inspector j Browns Ferry Nuclear Plant Browns Ferry Nuclear Plant 1 Tennessee Valley Authority U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission I P.O. Box 2000 10833 Shaw Road i Decatur, AL 35609 Athens, AL 35611 l General Counsel Chairman Tennessee Valley Authority Limestone County Commission ET 10H 310 West Washington Street 400 West Summit Hill Drive Athens, AL 35611 Knoxville, TN 37902 State Health Officer Mr. Raul R. Baron, General Manager Alabama Department of Public Health Nuclear Assurance and Licensing 434 Monroe Street Tennessee Valley Authority Montgomery, A,L 36130-1701 4J Blue Ridge /f l 1101 Market Street Chattanooga, TN 37402-2801 Mr. Masoud Bajestani, Plant Manager Browns Ferry Nuclear Plant '

Tennessee Valley Authority P.O. Box 2000 Decatur, AL 35609 i Mr. Pedro Salas, Manager Licensing and Industry Affairs Tennessee Valley Authority 4J Blue Ridge 1101 Market Street Chattanooga, TN 37402-2801