ML20206M450

Discusses NNECO 981221 Request for Relief from ASME BPV Code Section XI Requirement to Perform in-service Surface Exam of Nozzle to safe-end Welds Greater than 4-inch Nominal Pipe Size on Rv.Se Supporting Proposed Alternative Encl

ML20206M450
Person / Time
Site:	Millstone
Issue date:	05/11/1999
From:	Clifford J NRC (Affiliation Not Assigned)
To:	Necci R NORTHEAST NUCLEAR ENERGY CO.
Shared Package
ML20206M454	List: ML20206M450 ML20206M463
References
TAC-MA4425, NUDOCS 9905140264
Download: ML20206M450 (4)

Text

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Mr. Raymond P. N:cci May 3. 1999

., Vice Pr:sid:nt - Nuclar Ov:rsight and Regulatory Affairs Northeast Nuclear Energy Company P. O. Box 128 Waterford, CT 06385

SUBJECT:

MILLSTONE NUCLEAR POWER STATION, UNIT NO. 3 - REQUEST FOR RELIEF FROM THE REQUIREMENTS OF THE ASME CODE (TAC NO. MA4425)

Dear Mr. Necci:

By letter dated December 21,1998, Northeast Nuclear Energy Company (the licensee) requested relief, pursuant to 10 CFR 50.55a, from the requirements of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code (ASME Code),Section XI for Millstone

' Unit 3. Specifically, the licensee requested relief, pursuant to 10 CFR 50.55a(g)(5)(iii), from the requirement to perform the in-service surface examination of the nozzle to safe-end welds greater than 4-inch nominal pipe size (nps) on the reactor vessel and proposed as an alternative examination a full-volume volumetric examination of the welds using a method that has been demonstrated to be capable of detecting outside diameter (surface) weld flaws.

The NRC staff concludes that the Code requirement to perform a surface examination on the outside diameter of the vessel nozzle to safe-end welds would result in a hardship upon the licensee without a compensating increase in the level of quality and safety. Pursuant to

.10 CFR 50.55a(a)(3)(ii)'he NRC staff authorizes the proposed alternative to the surface examination requiremer described in the enclosed Safety Evaluation. The imposed alternative is authorized by law, y ot endanger life or property or the common defense and security, and is otherwise in the pubi . interest giving due consideration to the burden upon the licensee that could result if the reqv ments were imposed on the facility.

The staff's evaluation and conclusions are contained in the enclosed Safety Evaluation.

u Sincerely,

[aNNCNkd5ef, Section 2 Project Directorate i Division of Licensing Project Management Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation Doci:et No. 50-423

Enclosure:

Safety Evaluation '

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• • • • • 'May 11, 1999 Mr. Raymond P. Necci -

- Vice President - Nuclear Oversight and Regulatory Affairs

' Northeast Nuclear Energy Company

~ P O. Box 128

Waterford, CT 06385

SUBJECT:

MILLSTONE NUCLEAR POWER STATION, UNIT NO. 3 - REQUEST FOR RELIEF FROM THE REQUIREMENTS OF THE ASME CODE (TAC NO.'MA4425)

Dear Mr. Necci:

. By letter dated Decem'ber 21,1998, Northeast Nuclear Energy Company (the licensee) requested relief, pursuant to 10 CFR 50.55a, from the requirements of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code (ASME Code),Section XI for Millstone Unit 3. . Specifically, the licensee requested relief, pursuant to 10 CFR 50.55a(g)(5)(iii), from the

. requirement to perform the in-service surface examination of the nozzle to safe-end welds greater than 4-inch nominal pipe size (nps) on the reactor vessel and proposed as an alternative

. examination a full-volume volumetric examination of the welds using a method that has been demonstrated to be capable of detecting outside diameter (surface) weld flaws.

The NRC staff concludes that the Code requirement to perform a surface examination on the

outside diameter of the vessel nozzle to safe-end welds would result in a hardship upon the licensee without a compensating increase in the level of quality and safety.' Pursuant to 10 CFR 50.55a(a)(3)(ii) the NRC staff authorizes the proposed alternative to the surface examination requirement described in the enclosed Safety Evaluation. The imposed alternative is authorized by law, will not endanger life or property or the common defense and security, and ]

is otherwise in the public interest giving due consideration to the burden upon the licensee that '

' could result if the requirements were imposed on the facility.

The staff's evaluation and conclusions are contained in the enclosed Safety Evaluation.

Sincerely, mes W. Clifford, hief, Section 2 Project Directorate i Division of Licensing Project Management Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation Docket No. 50-423

Enclosure:

Safety Evaluation cc w/ encl: See next page

w Millstone Nucle:r Power Station -

. Unit 3 cc:

Ms. L. M. Cuoco Mr. F. C. Rothen Genior Nuclear Counsel Vice President - Operations Northeast Utilities Service Company Northeast Utilities Service Company P. O. Box 270 P. O. Box 128 Hartford, CT 06141-0270 : Waterford, CT 06385 Edward L. Wilds, Jr., Ph.D. Emest C. Hadley, Esquire Director, Division of Radiation 1040 B Main Street Depaitment of Environmental Protection P.O. Box 54g 79 Elm Street West Wareham, MA 02576 Hartford, CT 06106-5127 Mr. James S. Robinson, Manager

- Regional Administrator, Region i Nuclear Investments and Administration U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission New England Power Company 475 Allendale Road 25 Research Drive i King of Prussia, PA 19406 Westborough, MA 01582 First Selectmen Mr. R. P. Necci Town of Waterford Vice President - Nuclear Oversight and 15 Rope Ferry Road Regulatory Affairs Waterford, CT 06385 Northeast Nuclear Energy Company P. O. Box 128

' Mr. Wayne D. Lanning, Director Waterford, CT 06385 Millstone inspections Office of the Regional Administrator Deborah Katz, President 475 Allendale Road Citizens Awareness Network King of Prussia, PA 19406-1415 P.O. Box 83 Shelbume Falls, MA 03170 Mr. M. H. Brothers Vice President - Operations . Mr. Allan Johanson, Assistant Director Northeast Nuclear Energy Company Office of Policy and Management P.O. Box 128 Policy Development and Planning Waterford, CT 06385 Division 450 Capitol Avenue - MS# 52ERN Mr. M. R. Scully, Executive Director P. O. Box 341441 Connecticut Municipal Electric Hartford, CT 06134-1441 Energy Cooperative 30 Stott Avenue Ms. Terry Concannon

' Norwich, CT 06360 Co-Chair Nuclear Energy Advisory Council .

Mr. J. T. Carlin Room 4100  !

Vice President - Human Services- Legislative Office Building Northeast Utilities Service Company

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Capitol Avenue P. O. Box 128 Hartford, CT 06106 Waterford, CT 06385 i

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Millstone Nuclear Power Station Unit 3.

cc:

Mr. Evan W. Woollacott Citizens Regulatory Commission Co-Chair.

ATTN: Ms. Susan Perry Luxton Nuclear Energy Advisory Council 180 Great Neck Road 128 Terry's Plain Road Waterford, CT 06385 Simsbury, CT 06070 - I Mr. William D. Meinert Mr. John W. Beck, President Nuclear Engineer Little Harbor Consultants, Inc. Massachusetts Municipal Wholesale Millstone - ITPOP Project Office. Electric Company

. P.O. Box 0630 P.O. Box 426 Niantic, CT. 06357-0630 Ludlow, MA 01056 Mr. L. J. Olivier ' Mr. B. D. Kenyon Senior Vice President and President and Chief Executive Officer-Chief Nuclear Officer- Millstone Nuclear Group Northeast Nuclear Energy Company Northeast Utilities Service Company P.O. Box 128 P.O. Box 128 Waterford, CT 06385 Waterford, CT 06385 Mr. C.'J. Schwarz Mr. D. B. Amerine Director- Unit 3 Operations Vice President - Engineering Services Northeast Nuclear Energy Company Northeast Nuclear Energy Company P.O. Box 128 P. O. Box 128

• Waterford, CT 06385 Waterford, CT 06385 l Senior Resident inspector Mr. D. A. Smith Millstone Nuclear Power Station Manager- Regulatory Affairs c/o U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission Northeast Nuclear Energy Company P. O. Box 513 P. O. Box 128 l Niantic, CT 06357 Waterford, CT 06385 Nicholas J. Scobbo, Jr., Esquire Ms. Nancy Burton Ferriter, Scobbo, Caruso, & Rodophele, P.C. 147 Cross Highway 75 State Street,7th Floor Redding Ridge, CT 00870 Boston, MA 0210 i

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