ML20197H723

Discusses Region II TIA 97-015 Request to Technical Assistance with Issue of Limited Implementation of 10CFR50.65,at Plant,Unit 1.Results of Insp Are Documented in Insp Repts 50-259/97-04,260/97-04 & 296/97-04

ML20197H723
Person / Time
Site:	Browns Ferry
Issue date:	06/17/1997
From:	Black S NRC (Affiliation Not Assigned)
To:	Hebdon F NRC (Affiliation Not Assigned)
Shared Package
ML20197H447	List: IA-98-330, Partially Deleted Response to TVA Ltr Dtd 980403 Re Implementation of Maint Rule at Browns Ferry,Unit 1 ML20197H442 ML20197H454 ML20197H650 ML20197H723 ML20197H778 ML20197H885 ML20197H901 ML20197H915 ML20197H934 ML20197H951 ML20197H978 ML20197H989 ML20197H995 ML20197J012 ML20197J024 ML20197J033 ML20197J057 ML20197J063 ML20197J399
References
FOIA-98-330 50-259-97-04, 50-259-97-4, 50-260-97-04, 50-260-97-4, 50-296-97-04, 50-296-97-4, NUDOCS 9812140162
Download: ML20197H723 (2)

See also: IR 05000259/1997004

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4 ME%q\ UNITED STATES

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NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION

o WASHINGTON. D.C. 20666-0001

1. 'g ***** ,e June 17,1997 -

MEMORANDUM T0: Frederick J. Hebdon, Director

Project Directorate 11-3

Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation

FROM: Suzanne C. Black, Chief $3AC

Quality Assurance and Maintenance Branch

Division of Reactor Controls

and Human Factors

Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation

SUBJECT: TIA 97-015 REQUEST FOR REVIEW ASSISTANCE-MAINTENANCE RULE

IMPLEMENTATION FOR BROWNS FERRY, UNIT 1

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The purpose of Region II's subject task interface agreement is to request

technical assistance with the issue of the limited implementation of

10 CFR 50.65 (maintenance rule, or Rule) at Browns Ferry Unit 1. The issue

was raised during Region II's maintenance rule baseline inspection at Browns

Ferry on April 18, 1997. The results of that inspection are documented in NRC  ;

inspection report 50-259,260,296/97-04.

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Paragraph (a)(1) of the Rule requires "each holder of an operating license  !

under f950.21(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 i

power plants "for which the licensee has submitted the certifications

specified in E50.82(a)(1)." That is, licensees that have " determined to

permanently cease operations" and that have appropriately notified the NRC of

that determination are permitted to reduce their maintenance rule scope to ,

include only "all structures, systems, and components associated with the i

storage, control, and maintenance of spent fuel in a safe condition ...." 1

There are no other categories of nuclear power plants granted exception under i

the Rule.

The above noted inspection report states, "(TVA's maintenance rule

implementation) program was comprehensive and was being effectively

impl emented. " However, one unresolved item remains regarding implementation

of the Rule on Unit 1. The unresolved item resulted from the licensee's

consideration of plant status in its program development. Unit 1 is shut down

and defueled, and has been in that condition for several years. As well, the

licensee has made a specific commitment to notify the NRC of any plans to

return the unit to operation, and the licensee's maintenance rule implementing

procedure specifically states that scoping would be reevaluated if Unit 1

l conditions were to change.

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F. Hebdon - 7. - June 17, 1997 -

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Your subject TIA requests a " list of actions necessary for TVA to comply

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legally with the Rule on Unit 1." Because Browns Ferry Unit I falls within

the category of nuclear power plants by which full compliance with the i

maintenance rule is required, in that TVA has not submitted certifications '

specified in 550.82(a)(1), TVA has three apparent alternatives: ,

1.

Revise the scope of the maintenance rule monitoring program for Unit 1  !

to include structures, systems, and components as specified in paragraph j

(b) of the Rule, or

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2.

Submit a written certification to the NRC, as specified in 650.82(a)(1),

that TVA has determined to permanently cease Unit I operations, or '

3. Petition the NRC for an exemption from the requirements of the Rule that

are not currently being met.

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