ML20202D318

Safety Evaluation Supporting Amend 160 to License DPR-36

ML20202D318
Person / Time
Site:	Maine Yankee
Issue date:	11/26/1997
From:	NRC (Affiliation Not Assigned)
To:
Shared Package
ML20202D309	List: ML20202D302 ML20202D312 ML20202D318
References
NUDOCS 9712040233
Download: ML20202D318 (2)

Text

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't NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION WASHINGTON, D.C. 20665 4001

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SAFETY EVALUATION Bv THE OFFICE OF NUCLEAR REACTOR REGULATION RELATED TO AMENDMENT NO.160 TO FAClllTY OPERATING LICENSE NO. DPR-36 MAINE YANKEE ATOMIC POWER COMPANY MAlf;E YANKEE ATOMIC POWER STATION DOCKET N0. 50-309

1.0 INTRODUCTION

By letter dated August 7,1997, the licensee certified permanent cessation of power operations and permanent removal of fuel from the reactor at the Maine Yankee facility. By letter dated August 15, 1997, as supplemented by letters dated September 19. 1997 and October 21, 1997. the Maine Yankee Atomic Power Company (the licensee) submitted a request for change to the Maine Yankee Atomic Power Station Technical Specification (TS) Section 5.0. Administrative Controls, to define the facility staffing and training requirements for a permanently shutdown and defueled facility. By letter dated August 15. 1997, the licensee also submitted a related " Request for Approval of the Certified Fuel Handler Training and Retraining Program." By two letters dated August 15, 1997 and August 28. 1997, the licensee requested exemption from certain requirements of 10 CFR 50.54 and 10 CFR 50.120 related to this proposed amendment. These exemptions are not required.

The proposed amendment would eliminate requirements for licensed operators and a licensed operator training program. The purpose of the Certified Fuel Handler Training and Retraining Program is to equip appropriate operations personnel for fuel handling operations, including responses to abnormal events / accidents.

The September 19, 1997, supplemental letter provided additional clarifying information. The Octder 21. 1997, supplemental letter removed a reference to the licensee's requested exemption from certain requirements of 10 CFR 50.64 which the staff has subsequently determined is not required. The supplemental letters did not change the staff's original no signif' cant hazards consideration determination published in the Federal Reaister on September 10.

1997 (62 FR 47698).

2.0 EV.%UATION The proposed amendment would revise the Maine Yankee TS staffing and training requirements to reflect the permanent cessation of activities that require licensed operators or senior licensed o)erators. The licensee has also submitted for NRC approval a Certified ruel Handler Training and Retraining Program, which will provide the training necessary for operators at a defueled facility.

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. The proposed amendment is designed to eliminate the requirements for licensed operators and a licensed operator training and retraining program and to replace those positions and programs with certified fuel handlers and a certified fuel handler training and retraining program. This change ensures that the qualifications of the operations personnel are commensurate with the tasks to be performed and the conditions requiring a response.Section 50.120 of Title 10 of the Code of Federal Regulations. Training and Qualification of Nuclear Power Plant Personnel, requires training programs to be established, implemented and maintained, and derived using a systems approach to training D (SAT) as defined in 10 CFR 55.4. In its submittal, the licensee has described the systematic approach taken to develop, implement, and maintain the certified fuel handler training and retraining program. The approach as described by the licensee contains five key elements and is intended to 3rovide a training system that will ensure successful performance on the job ay trained and qualified personnel. The five key elements are (1) analysis of job performance requirements and training needs. (2) derivation of learning objectives based upon this analysis. (3) design and implementation of the training program based upon learning objectives. (4) trainee evaluatior, and (5) program evaluation and revision.

N e proposed amendment to the Maine Yankee TS and the Certified Fuel Handler Training and Retraining Program are consistent with current 1icensing practice and provide adequate confidence that appropriate SAT-based training of personnel who perform certified fuel handler duties is conducted to ensure the facility is maintained in a safe and stable condition. Accordingly, the proposed amendment to the fiaine Yankee TS and the Certified Fuel Handler Training and Petraining Program are found to be acceptable.

3.0 STALE CONSULTATION In accordance with the Commission's regulations. on October 16, 1997 Mr. Pat Dostle of the State of Maine. Office of Nuclear Safety was notified of the proposed issuance of this ammendment. The State official had no comments.

4.0 ENVIRONMENTAL CONSIDERATION

Pursuant to 10 CFR 51.21. 51.32 ard 51.35, an environmental assessment and finding of no significant impact was published in the Federal Recister on November 25, 1997 (62 FR 62788).

Accordingly, based upon the environmental assessment, the Commission has determined that issuance of this ammendment will not have a significant effect on the quality of the numan environment. .

5.0 CONCLUSION

The Commission has corcluded. based on the considerations discussed above, that: (1) there is reasonable assurance that the health and safety of the public will not be endangered by operation in the proposed manner. (2) such activities will be co.1 ducted in compliance with the Commission's regulations, and (3) the issuance of the amendment will not be inimical to the common defense and security or to the health and safety of the public.

Principal Contributors: Richard M. Pelton Craig W. Smith Date: Novemoer 26, 1997 l

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