ML20149K822

Exemption from Requirements of 10CFR70.24, Criticality Accident Requirements. Exemption Granted

ML20149K822
Person / Time
Site:	Catawba
Issue date:	07/29/1997
From:	Collins S NRC (Affiliation Not Assigned)
To:	DUKE POWER CO.
Shared Package
ML20149K819	List: ML20149K816 ML20149K822 ML20149K828
References
NUDOCS 9707300172
Download: ML20149K822 (5)

Text

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7590-01-P l

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION In the Matter of )

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DUKE POWER COMPANY, ET AL. ) Docket Nos. 50-413 and 50-414

) I (Catawba Nuclear Station, )

Units 1 and 2) )

EXEMPTION J

I.

The Duke Power Company, et al. (the licensee) is the holder of Facility Operating License Nos. NPF-35 and NPF-52, for the Catawba Nuclear Station, Units 1 and 2. The licenses provide, among other things, that the licensee is subject to all rules, regulations, and orders of the Commission now or hereafter in effect.

l These facilities consist of two pressurized water reactors located at the licensee's site in York County, South Carolina.

II.

Title 10 of the Code of Federal Reaulations (10 CFR) at subsection (a) of 10 CFR 70.24, " Criticality Accident Requirements," requires that each licensee authorized to possess special nuclear material shall maintain in each area where such material is handled, used, or stored, a criticality accident monitoring system "using gamma- or neutron-sensitive radiation detectors which will energize clearly audible alarm signals if accidental criticality occurs."

Subsections (a)(1) and (a)(2) of 10 CFR 70.24 specify the detection,

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i sensitivity, and coverage capabilities of the monitors required by 10 CFR 70.24(a). Subsection (a)(3) of 10 CFR 70.24 requires that the licensee shall 4

maintain emergency procedures for each area in which this licensed special nuclear material is handled, used, or stored and provides (1) that'the ,

j procedures ensure that all personnel withdraw to an area of safety upon the sounding of a criticality monitor alarm, (2) that the procedures must include f drills to familiarize personnel with the evacuation plan, and (3) that the procedures designate responsible individuals for determining the cause of the i alarm and placement of radiation survey instruments in accessible locations  !

j for use in such an emergency. Subsection (b)(1) requires licensees to have a i s 1

means to quickly identify personnel who have received a dose of 10 rads or l 1

more. Subsection (b)(2) requires licensees to maintain personnel l

decontamination facilities, to maintain arrangements for a physician and other l l

medical personnel qualified to handle radiation emergencies, and to maintain arrangements for the transportation of contaminated individuals to treatment i

facilities outside the site boundary. Subsection (c) exempts Part 50  !

l licensees (such as Catawba) from the requirements of paragraph (b).

! Subsection (d) states that any licensee who believes that there is good cause l why he should be granted an exemption from all or part of 10 CFR 70.24 may

{ apply to the Commission for such an exemption and shall specify the reasons

for the relief requested.

By letter dated February 4,1997, as supplemented March 19, 1997, Duke Power Company requested an exemption for its two nuclear plants from the

{ requirements of 10 CFR 70.24. The staff has reviewed the submittal in regard to Catawba, and documented its detailed review in a Safety Evaluation. The t

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i staff found that Catawba's existing procedures and design features make an l

inadvertent criticality in special nuclear materials handling or storage at Catawba unlikely. The licensee has thus met the intent of 10 CFR 70.24(a)(1),

(2) and (3) by the low probability of an inadvertent criticality in areas l i

l where fresh fuel could be present, by the licensee's adherence to General '

Design Criterion 63 regarding radiation monitoring, and by provisions for personnel training and evacuation.

4 III.

Section 70.14 of 10 CFR, " Specific exemptions," states that The Commission may, upon application by any interested person or upon its own initiative, grant such exemptions from the requirements of the regulations in this part as it determines are authorized by law and will not endanger life or property or the common defense and security and are otherwise in the public interest.

Section 70.24(d) of 10 CFR states that l

Any licensee who believes that good cause exists why he should be granted an exemption in whole or in part from the requirements of this section may apply to the Commission for such exemption.

Accordingly, the Commission has determined that good cause is present as defined in 10 CFR 70.24(d). The Commission has further determined that, pursuant to 10 CFR 70.14, the exemption is authorized by law and will not endanger life or property or the common defense and security and is otherwise in the public interest. Therefore, the Commission hereby grants Duke Power Company an exemption from.the requirements of 10 CFR 70.24(a)(1), (2), and (3) for Catawba, Units 1 and 2, on the bases as stated in Section II above.

Pursuant to 10 CFR 51.32, the Commission has determined that granting of this exemption will have no significant effect on the quality of the human I

environment (62 FR 40553).

This exemption is effective upon issuance. )

FOR THE NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION ORIGINAL SIGNED BY:

Samuel J. Collins, Director Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation Dated at Rockville Maryland, this 29th day of buly 1997.

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Pursuant to 10 CFR 51.32, the Commission has determined that granting of this exemption will have no significant effect on the quality of the human environment (62 FR40553 ).

This exemption is effective upon issuance.

FOR THE NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION c ector Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation Dated at Rockville, Maryland

.this 29th day of July 15l97.

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