ML20148A952

Discusses Storage of Spent Fuel Assemblies at Plant,Per 791127 Request for Info for Constituents.Forwards Amends 27 & 12 to Licenses DPR-53 & DPR-69,respectively

ML20148A952
Person / Time
Site:	Calvert Cliffs
Issue date:	12/21/1979
From:	Gossick L NRC OFFICE OF THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR FOR OPERATIONS (EDO)
To:	Barnes M HOUSE OF REP.
Shared Package
ML20148A955	List: ML20148A952 ML20148A957 ML20148A961 ML20148A964 ML20148A970 ML20148A975 ML20148A980
References
NUDOCS 8001160129
Download: ML20148A952 (2)

Text

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DISTRIBUTI N H/0 ENCL - DISTRT 7 1Z:

AMENDMENT 7 & 12 PREVIOUSLY Docke: File (2) w/inc. & enc 1.

ISSUED. NRC P:R (2) v/i .c & encl.

L PDR w/in:. & encl.

DEC 21 MS ORB N ?.69 Dockets Nos. 50-317 ECase TJCarter NRR R:a and 50-318 Merkow OELD

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DMuller MStein DEise:hu:t RMattson RReid JCook MConner w/inc. &

The Honorable Michael D. Barnes enc 1.

United States House of RepresentativesGErtter (ED079S?) $ )er

) P,Ingram Washington, DC 20515 MGrof: Gray File Rm. 330

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Dear Congressman Barnes:

HRussell JPfiiller w/inc. Rm. 330 Your letter of November 27, 1979 to Mr. Carltom C. Kamettr of the NRC Congressional Affairs Office has been forwarded to ne for response. The following information is provided to assist you in responding to questions from your constituents on the storage of trent fuel assemblies at the Calvert Cliffs Nuclear Power Plant ir Lushy, Maryland.

In a light water reactor such as the Calvert Cliffs units, the source of heat to generate steam is enriched uranium, ecocarable to oil or coal used as the source of heat in a fossil-fired plare. The uranium is sealed in metal tubes, which are fabricated together to form fuel assemblies. During .'

. operation, the enrichment of the uranium gradually decreases. Eventually, a point is reached where, considering reduced pcwer generation and cost of new fuel, it is no longer cost effective to operate with the used fuel. At this point, the fuel is referred to as "spert" ar.d is replaced. At this i point, only approximately 751, of the uraniun h as been used. During the process, plutonium is generated, which is a sc usable as fuel.

Starting in the 1950's, when the first nuclear pxer :lants were designed, and continuing until 1977, the national pol 5y was that the usable uranium and plutonium in the spent fuel would be re:cvered by reprocessing the fuel ,

and recycled back to the reactor (i.e., use: in the fabrication of replace-ment fuel assemblies). The basis for recyclinrg the ' recovered" fuel was to reduce the costs of power production.

In April 1977, President Carter issued his mercy policy. To eliminate the possibility that plutonium in spent fuel mi;nt be diverted to non-peaceful uses, the President stated that "We will de'er ir.defiritely the corraercial reprocessing and recycling of the plutoniuc :rK:ced in the U. S. nuclear pwer progran". The plan included crovisio s fc- the Federal govern ent to construct a pernanent repository wtere the 5:ent '.:cl could be stored indefinitely under governnent control. Stu:ies are t;-derway on the design and pcssible location of a pernanent rrpcsitor.s ':" s ent fuel f rom all nuclear power plants. In the neantire, until the c:ve-tret storage facility is conpleted, the spent fuel nust be !tored et tr e ~.clur penr plants.

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As a result of the above change in national policy, in August 1977 Caltinore Gas and Electric Company (BGSE) requested approval to increase the stcrage capacity of the spent fuel pool at Calvert Cliffs from the original design storage of 410 fuel assemblies to 1,056 fuel assemblies. The purpose was to permit storage of the spent fuel onsite until the perr.anent gcVernnent repo-sitory was available. After a detailed evaluation, we approved this request on January 4,1970. A copy of our evaluation is enclosed.

It now appears that the schedule for construction of the permanent government repository has slipped (or was initially overly optimistic). Because of this delay in the schedule for completing the permanent government repository, in July 1979 BGSE again requested approval for an additional increase in the storage capacity of the onsite. spent fuel pools to a total of 1,368 fuel assenblies. At present, the installed storage capacity of 728 fuel assemblies j is adequate to accommodate operation of both Calvert Cliffs units until the end  ;

of 1982. The current licensed linit of 1,056 fuel assemblies would add storage for four additional refuelings allowing operation of both units through 1984.

The proposed increased capacity would accomodate operation of both units j though most of 1987. Our review of this request will probably not be completed )

for several nonths. When it is completed, I will send you a copy of the safety i evaluation.

BG&E is actively pursuing a plan to increase the approxinate refueling cycle  ;

(the time of operation between refuelings) from the current 12 months to a refueling cycle approaching 18 months. When this program is . completed in a few years, the amount of spent fuel produced will be reduced.

Our Inspection and Enforcement organization is responsible for routine inspections ,

of all types of operation at the Calvert Cliffs units. This inspection program includes spent fuel storage to ensure handling and storage operations confonn j to our requirements. ]

Ue trust that this letter will allow you to satisfactorily respond to questions from your ccnstituents.

Sincerely,

,, m uo -

Lee V. Gossick Executive Director for Operations 90026110 E ncl osure:

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As a result of the abcve change in national policy, in August 1977 Baltimore Gas and Electric Corgany (BG&E) requested approval to increase the storage capacity of the s;e ;t fuel pool at Calvert Cliffs from the original design storage of a!O feel asserblies to 1,056 fuel assemblies. The purpose was to permit storace of the spent fuel ensite until the permanent governnent repo-sitory was available. After a detailed evaluation, we approved this request on January 4,.197E. A cop'y of our evaluation is enclosed.

It now appears that the schedule for construction of the pernanent government repository has slip;e' (or was initially overly optimistic). Baecause of this delay in the schedule for completinc the pernanent government repository, in July 1979 B3LE acain requested, approval for an additional increase in the

, ' storage capacity of the onsite spent fuel pools to a total of 1,368 fuel assenblics. At present, the installed storage capacity of 728 fuel assemblies is adequate to ac:crr:cdate operation of both Calvert Cliffs units until the end of 1982. The current licensed limit of 1,056 fuel assemblies would add storage for four additional refuelings allowing operation of both units through 1984.

The propcsed increased capacity would.accomodate operation of both units y though nest cf 1937. Our review of this request will probably not be completed for several r-onths. Fhen it is completed, I will send you a copy of the safety evaluation.

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BG&E is actively pursuing a plan to increase the approximate refueling cycle (the time of operation between refuelings) from the current li months to a refueling cycle approaching 18 months. When this program is completed in.a few years, the arount of spent fuel produced will be reduced.

Our Inspection and Enforcenent organization is responsible for routine inspections of all types cf Meration at the Calvert Cliffs units. This inspection progran including spent f.:el storage to ersure handling and storage operations confcm t o cu r req ui rere r.s.

We trust that this letter will allori you to satisfactorily respond to questiens from your constituents.

1 I

Si ncerely, l

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