ML21309A546

Request for Exemption: Applicability of 10 CFR 26.3, Scope, Until Initial Fuel Load

ML21309A546
Person / Time
Site:	Vogtle
Issue date:	11/05/2021
From:	Yox M Southern Nuclear Operating Co
To:	Document Control Desk, Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation
Shared Package
ML21309A545	List: ML21309A546 ND-21-0991, Exemption Request: Applicability of 10 CFR 26.3, Scope, Until Initial Fuel Load
References
ND-21-0991
Download: ML21309A546 (4)

Text

A Michael Vox 7825 River Road

_i C^i Mi Regulatory Affairs Director Waynesboro, GA 30830 jui^ bouthern Nuclear vogtie3&4 706 848 6459 tei myox @southernco.com November 05, 2021 Docket Nos.: 52-025 ND-21-0991 52-026 10CFR26.9 10CFR 26.3 U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission ATTN: Document Control Desk Washington, DC 20555-0001 Southern Nuclear Operating Company Vogtle Electric Generating Plant Units 3 and 4 Request for Exemption:

Applicabilitv of 10 CFR 26.3, Scope, Until Initial Fuel Load Ladies and Gentlemen:

In accordance with the provisions of Title 10 of the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR),

10 CFR 26.9, Specific Exemptions, Southern Nuclear Operating Company(SNC), as a Combined License (COL) holder under 10 CFR Part 52, hereby requests an exemption from the requirements of 10 CFR 26.3(a) and 10 CFR 26.3(c)(2), as applicable to Vogtle Electric Generating Plant(VEGP) Unit 3(License Number NPF-91) and Unit 4(License Number NPF-92).

Specifically, 10 CFR 26.3(a) imposes Regulations applicable after the Commission has made the finding under 10 CFR 52.103(g) and 10 CFR 26.3(c) imposes Regulations applicable before the Commission has made the finding under 10 CFR 52.103(g). The proposed exemption from the schedule milestones of 10 CFR 26.3(a) and (c) would allow SNC to apply the change in requirements based on initial loading of fuel into the reactor core rather than the 10 CFR 52.103(g) milestone.

During the window between the 10 CFR 52.103(g) finding and initial fuel loading into the reactor vessel, this exemption is necessary to allow VEGP Unit 3 and Unit 4 personnel to continue to utilize the options provided in 10 CFR 26, Subpart KFFD Programs for Construction as allowed by 10 CFR 26.3(c).

The exemption is authorized by law, will not endanger life or property or the common defense and security, and is otherwise in the public interest.

A pre-submittal meeting was held on November 04, 2021 with the NRC staff on the proposed exemption request(ADAMS No. ML21307A049).

The Enclosure to this letter provides the background and supporting basis for the requested exemption.

This letter contains no regulatory commitments. This letter has been reviewed and determined not to contain security-related information.

U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission ND-21-0991 Page 2 of 4 SNC requests NRG staff approval of the exemption by December 20,2021, to avoid unnecessarily transitioning from construction fitness-for-duty (FFD) program (per 10 CFR Part 26 Subpart K)to the operational FFD program prior to the scheduled 10 CFR 52.103(g) finding by the NRC.

Delayed approval of this exemption could result in the premature implementation of labor and other resources to implement the operational FFD program prior to the actual need date.

Should you have any questions, please contact Mr. Steve Leighty at (706) 848-6790.

I declare under penalty of perjury that the foregoing is true and correct. Executed on the 5'^ day of November 2021.

Respectfully submitted.

Michael J. Yox Regulatory Affairs Director Vogtle 3&4 MJY/sfr

Enclosure:

Vogtle Electric Generating Plant (VEGP) Units 3 and 4 - Exemption Request:

Applicability of 10 CFR 26.3, Scope, Until Initial Fuel Load

U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission ND-21-0991 Page 3 of 4 go; Southern Nuclear Operating Company / Georgia Power Comoanv Mr. S. E. Kuczynski (w/o enclosures)

Mr. P. P. Sena III (w/o enclosures)

Mr. H. Nieh (w/o enclosures)

Mr. G. Chick Mr. S. Stimac Mr. P. Martino Mr. J. B. Williams Mr. D. L. McKinney (w/o enclosures)

Mr. T. W. Yelverton (w/o enclosures)

Mr. B. H. Whitley Mr. W. Levis Ms. C. A. Gayheart Ms. M. Ronnlund Mr. J. M DeLano Mr. M. J. Vox Mr. T. H. Arnette Mr. H. E. Curry Mr. C. T. Defnall Mr. J. Tupik Ms. A. C. Chamberlain Mr. S. Leighty Ms. K. Roberts Mr. J. Haswell Mr. D. T. BIythe Mr. K. Warren Mr. A. S. Parton Mr. A. Nix Document Services RTYPE: VND.LI.LOO File AR.01.02.06 Nuclear Reoulatorv Commission Mr. M. King (w/o enclosures)

Mr. G. Bowman Ms. M. Bailey (w/o enclosures)

Ms. A. Veil Mr. G.J. Khouri Mr. G. Armstrong Mr. C. Patel Mr. C. Santos Mr. B. Kemker Mr. J. Eargle Mr. C. J. Even Ms. N. C. Coovert Mr. C. Welch Mr. J. Gaslevic

U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission ND-21-0991 Page 4 of 4 Nuclear Reaulatorv Commission Mr. O. Lopez-Santiago Mr. M. Webb Mr. B. Cleaves Mr. V. Hall Mr. T. Fredette Ms. K. McCurry Mr. B. Davis Mr. J. Parent Mr. B. Griman Mr. P. McKenna State of Georoia Mr. R. Dunn Qglethorpe Power Corporation Mr. M. W. Price Mr. B. Brinkman Mr. E. Rasmussen Municipal Electric Authoritv of Georgia Mr. J. E. Fuller Mr. S. M. Jackson Dalton Utilities Mr. T. Bundros Westinghouse Electric Companv. LLC Mr. L. Oriani, Ph.D.(w/o enclosures)

Mr. T. Rubenstein (w/o enclosures)

Mr. M. Corletti Mr. D. Hawkins Mr. J. Coward Other Mr. S. W. Kline, Bechtel Power Corporation Ms. L. A. Matis, Tetra Tech NUS, Inc.

Mr. W. R. Jacobs, Jr., Ph.D., CDS Associates, Inc.

Mr. S. Roetger, Georgia Public Service Commission Mr. R. L. Trokey, Georgia Public Service Commission Mr. K. C. Greene, Troutman Sanders Mr. S. Blanton, Balch Bingham