ML20211F442

Forwards SE Authorizing Licensee 990513 Request for Relief RR-ENG-2-13,seeking Relief from ASME B&PV Code Section Xi,Exam Vessel shell-to-flange Welds for Second ISI Intervals

ML20211F442
Person / Time
Site:	South Texas
Issue date:	08/24/1999
From:	Gramm R NRC (Affiliation Not Assigned)
To:	Cottle W HOUSTON LIGHTING & POWER CO.
Shared Package
ML20211F447	List: ML20211F442 ML20211F453
References
TAC-MA5453, TAC-MA5454, NUDOCS 9908300338
Download: ML20211F442 (2)

Text

. -

Mr. Willi:m T. Cottia ^*" '

President and Chi;f Ex:cutiva Officer STP Nuclear Operating Company South Texas Project Electric Generating Station P. O. Box 289 1Nadsworth, TX 77483

SUBJECT:

SOUTH TEXAS PROJECT, UNITS 1 AND 2 (STP)- SECOND 10-YEAR INTERVAL INSERVICE INSPECTION PROGRAM PLAN REQUEST FOR RELIEF RR-ENG-2-13 (TAC NOs. MAS 453 AND MA5454)

Dear Mr. Cottle:

By letter dated May 13,1999, STP Nuclear Operating Company (STPNOC) submitted Request for Relief RR-ENG-2-13, seeking relief from ASME Boiler and Pressure Vessel (B&PV) Code,Section XI, examination scheduling requirements applicable to the STP Units 1 and 2 reactor pressure vessel shell-to-flange welds for the second inservice inspection interval. STPNOC requested approval to defer the partial, first period examinations to the third period. The request stated that performance of the required examinations would constitute a hardship or unusual difficulty without a compensating increase in the level of quality and safety.

The Nuclear Regulatory Commission staff has evaluated the information provided and concludes that compliance with the Code requirement to do a partial examination of the subject weld during the first period constitutes a hardship without a compensating increase in the level of quality and safety. STPNOC's proposed alternative to defer the partial first period examinations of the flange-to-shell weld to the third period and to perform all the required ultrasonic examinations, both manual and automated, during the third period provides reasonable assurance of structuralintegrity of the subject component. Accordingly, the proposed alternative contained in Request for Relief RR-ENG-2-13 is authorized pursuant to 10 CFR 50.55a(a)(3)(ii). Our related safety evaluation is enclosed.

Sincerely, ORIGINAL SIGNED BY Robert A. Gramm, Chief, Section 1 Project Directorate IV & Decommissioning Division of Licensing Project Management Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation Docket Nos. 50-498 and 50-499

Enclosure:

Safety Evaluation cc w/ encl: See next page fEC FEF CMTBh;W DISTRIBUTION: l iDocket File ( GHill(4) OGC RScholl (E-mail-SE) RFS PUBLIC PDIV-1 r/f SRichards (clo)

JTapia, RIV ACRS DLange fo/

DOCUMENT NAME: G:\PDIV-1\SouthTexas\RRa5453.WPD *No substantive change from SE To receive a copy of this document, indicate "C" in the box iM LN OFFICE PDIV-1/Py ,C EMCB/SC C PDIV-2/LA C OG M PDIV-2/SC C NAME Fretz/A!e k ESullivan* CJamerson d/k/yrks/ RGrammk DATE 8/ k) /99N 07/14/99 8 / 9 /99 h P /M /99 fr /2V /99

. .- OFFICIAL RECORD COPY 9908300338 990824 PDR ADOCK 05000498 G PDR

South Texas, Units 1 & 2 cc:

1 Mr. Cornelius F. O'Keefe Mr. J. J. Sheppard, Vice President Senior Resident inspector Engineering & Technical Services U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission STP Nuclear Operating Company P. O. Box 910 P. O. Box 289 Bay City, TX 77414 Wadsworth, TX 77483 A. Ramirez/C. M. Canady S. M. Head, Supervisor, Licensing City of Austin Quality & Licensing Department Electric Utility Department STP Nuclear Operating Company 721 Barton Springs Road P. O. Box 289 Austin, TX 78704 Wadsworth, TX 77483 Mr. M. T. Hardt Office of the Governor Mr. W. C. Gunst ATTN: John Howard, Director City Public Service Board Environmental and Natural P. O. Box 1771 Resources Policy San Antonio, TX 78296 P. O. Box 12428 Austin, TX 78711 Mr. G. E. Vaughn/C. A. Johnson Central Power and Light Company Jon C. Wood P. O. Box 289 Matthews & Branscomb Mail Code: N5012 One Alamo Center Wadsworth, TX 74483 106 S. St. Mary's Street, Suite 700 San Antonio, TX 78205-3692 INPO Records Center Arthur C. Tate, Director 700 Galleria Parkway {

Division of Compliance & Inspection Atlanta, GA 30339-5064 Bureau of Radiation Control Texas Department of Health l Regional Administrator, Region IV 1100 West 49th Street U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission Austin, TX 78756 611 Ryan Plaza Drive, Suite 400 Arlington, TX 76011 Jim Calloway Public Utility Commission cf Texas D. G. Tees /R. L. Balcom Electric Industry Analysis Houston Lighting & Power Co. P. O. Box 13326 P. O. Box 1700 Austin, TX 78711-3326 Houston, TX 77251 l

Judge, Matagorda County i Matagorda County Courthouse 1700 Seventh Street Bay City, TX 77414 Jack R. Newman, Esq. l Morgan, Lewis & Bockius 1800 M Street, N.W.

Washington, DC 20036-5869 May 1999