NRC 2020-0024, Response to Request for Additional Information Request for Exemption from Certain Operator Requalification Requirements

Response to Request for Additional Information Request for Exemption from Certain Operator Requalification Requirements

ML20230A299
Person / Time
Site:	Point Beach
Issue date:	08/17/2020
From:	Schultz E Point Beach
To:	Document Control Desk, Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation
References
NRC 2020-0024
Download: ML20230A299 (2)

Text

POINT BEACH August17,2020 NRG 2020-0024 U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission ATTN: Document Control Desk Washington, DC 20555-0001 Point Beach Nuclear Plant, Units 1 and 2 Dockets 50-266 and 50-301 Renewed License Nos. DPR-24 and DPR-27 Response to Reguest for Additional Information Request for Exemption from Certain Operator Requalification Requirements

References:

1. NextEra Exemption Request for certain requirements in Part 55, "Operators' Licenses" of title 1O of the Code of Federal Regulations due to COVID-19 Pandemic, August 5, 2020 (ADAMS Accession No. ML20218A702)

2. NRG request for additional information for request for exemption for certain operator requalification requirements, email dated August 14, 2020.

In Reference 1, NextEra Energy Point Beach, LLC (NextEra) requested an exemption from certain operator requalification requirements of 10 CFR 55, Operators' Licenses, due to isolation activities (e.g.,

social distancing) in effect at Point Beach Nuclear Plant, Units 1 and 2 (Point Beach) in response to the COVID-19 public health emergency (PHE). The NRG has requested additional information (Reference 2) in order for the NRG staff to complete its review of the exemption request.

The enclosure to this letter provides NextEra's response to the request for additional information.

This letter contains no new regulatory commitments.

Should you have any questions regarding this submission, please contact Ms. Kim Locke, Pri~cipal Licensing Analyst, at 920-755-7655.

Sincerely, Lr Eric Schultz=

Licensing Manager NextEra Energy Point Beach, LLC Enclosure - Response to Request for Additional Information NextEra Energy Point Beach, LLC 6610 Nuclear Rad, Two Rivers, W! 54241

RESPONSE TO REQUEST FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION REQUEST FOR EXEMPTION FROM CERTAIN OPERATOR REQUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS NEXTERA ENERGY POINT BEACH LLC POINT BEACH NUCLEAR PLANT, UNITS 1 AND 2 DOCKET NOS. 50 266 AND 50 301 On April 14, 2020, the NRC issued a letter (Agencywide Documents Access and Management System (ADAMS) Accession No. ML20104C071) describing a process for expedited review of requests for exemption from certain requirements in Part 55, "Operators' Licenses," of Title 10 of the Code of Federal Regulations (10 CFR) during the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) public health emergency (PHE).

In a letter dated August 5, 2020 (ADAMS Accession No. ML2021 BA702), NextEra Energy Point Beach, LLC (NextEra) requested:

• An exemption from the "not to exceed two years" requirement for the requalification program in 10 CFR 55.59(c)(1) for Point Beach; and

• An exemption for the Point Beach operators and senior operators from the requirements in 10 CFR 55.59(a)(1) and in 10 CFR 55.59(a)(2) for the purpose of allowing delay of these requalification program requirements during the PHE.

The April 14, 2020, NRC letter states, in part, that exemptions approved under this expedited approach would expire no later than December 31, 2020. However, the letter also permits licensees to propose a different expiration date for the exemption. The NRC letter states, in part, that the exemption request should include "a statement that the tests and exam will be provided after the end of the PHE, but before the end of the calendar year (December 31, 2020)." The August 5, 2020, NextEra letter included a statement that the tests and exams for operators and senior operators will be provided after the end of the PHE, but before March 31, 2021 (i.e., beyond December 31, 2020).

In order for the NRC staff to complete its review of the exemption request, provide the following information:

1. the originally scheduled end date for the current requalification program, NextEra Response: The current requalification program end date was originally scheduled for December 9, 2020.

2. the originally scheduled dates for the 2020 annual operating test and date of the fast annual operating test, NextEra Response: The 2020 annual operating test was originally scheduled for August 17 to September 24, 2020. The last annual operating test was completed September 23 through October 16, 2019.

3. the originally scheduled dates for the comprehensive written examination and date of the last comprehensive written examination.

NextEra Response: The comprehensive written examination was originally scheduled for November 16 to December 9, 2020. The last comprehensive written examination was completed August 13 through September 21, 2018.