ML22249A091

Letter to SNC on VEGP, Units 3 & 4, Alternative to the Requirements of the ASME Code for Main Turbine System Valve Testing, VEGP 3&4-IST-ALT-02

ML22249A091
Person / Time
Site:	Vogtle
Issue date:	09/14/2022
From:	Victor Hall NRC/NRR/VPOB
To:	Whitley B Southern Nuclear Operating Co
Gleaves B
Shared Package
ML22249A088	List: ML22249A091 ML22249A092
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Download: ML22249A091 (3)

Text

September 14, 2022 Mr. Brian H. Whitley, Director Regulatory Affairs Southern Nuclear Operating Company, Inc.

3535 Colonnade Parkway, Bin N226EC Birmingham, AL 35243

SUBJECT:

ALTERNATIVE TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF THE AMERICAN SOCIETY OF MECHANICAL ENGINEERS CODE FOR MAIN TURBINE SYSTEM VALVE TESTING, VOGTLE ELECTRIC GENERATING PLANT, UNITS 3 AND 4, VEGP 3&4IST-ALT02 (EPID L2022LLR0042)

Dear Mr. Whitley:

By letter dated April 8, 2022 (Agencywide Documents Access and Management System (ADAMS) Accession No. ML22098A144), Southern Nuclear Operating Company, Inc. (SNC or licensee) submitted Alternative Request VEGP 3&4IST-ALT02 to the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) for the use of an alternative to certain American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME) Code for Operation and Maintenance of Nuclear Power Plants (OM Code) requirements at Vogtle Electric Generating Plant (VEGP), Units 3 and 4. The specific requirements for which the alternative was requested are in the 2012 Edition of the ASME, Division 1, OM Code, Section IST as incorporated by reference in Title 10 of the Code of Federal Regulations (10 CFR) Section 50.55a, Codes and Standards, for the initial 10Year IST Program interval at VEGP Units 3 and 4.

Specifically, pursuant to 10 CFR 50.55 a(z)(1), the licensee requested to use the proposed alternative on the basis that the alternative provides an acceptable level of quality and safety.

The NRCs review of the Alternative Request VEGP 3&4IST-ALT02 is in the enclosed safety evaluation.

The NRC staff has reviewed the subject request and concludes that, as set forth in the safety evaluation, SNC has adequately addressed the regulatory requirements set forth in 10 CFR 50.55 a(z)(1). Therefore, the NRC authorizes the use of Alternative Request VEGP 3&4-IST-ALT-02 for the Initial 10Year IST Program interval at VEGP Units 3 and 4. All other ASME Code requirements for which relief or an alternative was not specifically requested, and granted or authorized (as appropriate), in the subject request remain applicable.

In accordance with 10 CFR Part 2, Agency Rules of Practice and Procedure, a copy of this letter will be available electronically for public inspection in the NRC Public Document Room or from the Publicly Available Records component of the NRCs Agencywide Documents Access and Management System (ADAMS). ADAMS is accessible from the NRC website at http://www.nrc.gov/reading-rm/adams.html.

B. Whitley If you have any questions, please contact the Senior Project Manager, Billy Gleaves, at (301) 415-5848.

Sincerely, Signed by Hall, Victor on 09/14/22 Victor E. Hall, Director Vogtle Project Office Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation Docket Nos.: 52-025 52-026

Enclosure:

Safety Evaluation

ML22249A091; Ltr ML22249A091 OFFICE NRR/VPO/VPOB NRR/VPO/VPOB R-II/DRP/RPB4 NRR/DSS/SNRB NAME WGleaves WG RButler RB SBailey SB RPatton RP DATE Sep 7, 2022 Sep 8, 2022 Sep 8, 2022 Sep 8, 2022 OFFICE NRR/DSS/SCPB NRR/VPO/VPOB NRR/VPO/VPOB NAME BWittick BW CSantos CS VHall VH DATE Sep 12, 2022 Sep 12, 2022 Sep 14, 2022