ML22118A076

Cover Letter for Vogtle Electric Generating Plant, Units 3 and 4 Request for Alternative Requirements for Inservice Test Interval Code Edition (VEGP 3&4-IST-ALT-01R2)

ML22118A076
Person / Time
Site:	Vogtle
Issue date:	05/13/2022
From:	Victor Hall NRC/NRR/VPOB
To:	Whitley B Southern Nuclear Operating Co
Santos C, 301-415-7270
Shared Package
ML22118A072	List: ML22118A076 ML22118A077
References
VEGP 3&4-IST-ALT-01R2
Download: ML22118A076 (3)

Text

May 13, 2022 Mr. Brian H. Whitley, Director Regulatory Affairs Southern Nuclear Operating Company, Inc.

3535 Colonnade Parkway, Bin N-226-EC Birmingham, AL 35243

SUBJECT:

VOGTLE ELECTRIC GENERATING PLANT, UNITS 3 AND 4 - REQUEST FOR ALTERNATIVE UNDER TITLE 10 OF THE CODE OF FEDERAL REGULATIONS, SECTION 50.55a(z)(1): ALTERNATIVE REQUIREMENTS FOR INSERVICE TEST INTERVAL CODE EDITION (VEGP 3&4-IST-ALT-01R2)

Dear Mr. Whitley:

By letter dated October 31, 2019 (Agencywide Documents Access and Management System (ADAMS) Accession No. ML19304C432), and a supplement dated February 6, 2020 (ADAMS Accession No. ML20037A329), Southern Nuclear Operating Company, Inc. (SNC), requested U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) approval of an alternative to the inservice testing (IST) requirements of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME) Operation and Maintenance of Nuclear Power Plants, Division 1, OM Code: Section IST (OM Code) associated with establishing the applicable OM Code Edition for the Initial 120-month IST Program interval for Vogtle Electric Generating Plant (VEGP) Unit 4. In a letter dated March 2, 2020 (ADAMS Accession No. ML20045D487), the NRC authorized this alternative (VEGP-IST-ALT-01) for VEGP Unit 4 initial fuel load dates prior to November 23, 2022. By letter dated March 22, 2022 (ADAMS Accession No. ML22081A381), SNC submitted Alternative Request VEGP 3&4-IST-ALT-01R2 to the NRC to revise the previously authorized alternative. Specifically, SNC proposed in VEGP 3&4-IST-ALT-01R2 to remove the latest date condition imposed in the authorization of VEGP-IST-ALT-01 and implement the 2012 Edition of the ASME OM Code as the OM Code of Record for the Initial IST Program intervals at both VEGP Units 3 and 4 on the basis that having a common ASME OM Code edition provides an acceptable level of quality and safety pursuant to subparagraph (1), Acceptable level of quality and safety, in paragraph (z),

Alternatives to codes and standards requirements, of 10 CFR 50.55a.

The NRC staff has reviewed the subject request and concludes that VEGP 3&4-IST-ALT-01R2 provides an acceptable level of quality and safety in accordance with 10 CFR 50.55a(z)(1).

Therefore, the staff authorizes the use of VEGP 3&4-IST-ALT-01R2 in establishing the 2012 Edition of the ASME OM Code as incorporated by reference in 10 CFR 50.55a as the OM Code of Record for the Initial 120-month IST Program Interval for VEGP Units 3 and 4 as an alternative to the schedule requirement in 10 CFR 50.55a(f)(4)(i). The applicability of the 2012 Edition of the ASME OM Code as incorporated by reference in 10 CFR 50.55a as the OM Code of Record for VEGP Unit 4 ends with the completion of the Initial 120-month IST Program interval for VEGP Unit 3 so that the OM Code of Record will remain consistent for both VEGP Units 3 and 4. All other ASME OM Code requirements as incorporated by reference in

B. Whitley 10 CFR 50.55a for which relief from, or an alternative to, were not addressed in this safety evaluation remain applicable.

If you have any questions, please contact Cayetano Santos Jr., Project Manager at (301) 415-7270 or Cayetano.Santos@nrc.gov.

Sincerely, Signed by Hall, Victor on 05/13/22 Victor E. Hall, Chief Vogtle Project Office Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation Docket Nos.: 52-025 and 52-026

Enclosure:

Safety Evaluation cc: Listserv

ML22118A076 Package: ML22118A072 NRR-008 OFFICE NRR/VPO:PM NRR/VPO:LA NAME CSantos RButler DATE 4/28/22 5/3/22 OFFICE NRR/DEX/EMIB:BC NRR/VPO:BC NAME SBailey VHall DATE 5/13/22 5/13/22