ML22256A214

Summary of September 12, 2022, Meeting with the Technical Specifications Task Force Revised Draft Traveler TSTF-588, Revise List of COLR Methods

ML22256A214
Person / Time
Site:	Technical Specifications Task Force
Issue date:	09/20/2022
From:	Michelle Honcharik NRC/NRR/DSS/STSB
To:	Victor Cusumano NRC/NRR/DSS/STSB, Technical Specifications Task Force
Honcharik M, NRR/DSS 301-415-1774
References
Download: ML22256A214 (5)

Text

September 20, 2022

MEMORANDUM TO: Victor G. Cusumano, Branch Chief Technical Specifications Branch Division of Safety Systems Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation

FROM: Michelle C. Honcharik, Senior Project Manager Technical Specifications Branch Division of Safety Systems Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation

SUMMARY

OF SEPTEMBER 12, 2022, MEETING WITH THE TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS TASK FO RCERE: REVISED DRAFT TRAVELER TSTF-588, REVISE LIST OF COLR METHODS

On September 12, 2022, the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) staff held a public teleconference with members of the Technical Specifications Task Force (TSTF). The purpose of the meeting was for the NRC staff and the TSTF to discuss NRC staff feedback and comments on revised draft traveler TSTF-588, Revised List of COLR [Core Operating Limits Report] Methods (ADAMS ML22244A219). The meeting notice is available in the ADAMS at Accession No. ML22244A219. A list of attendees is enclosed.

The NRC staff explained how the current proposal would not meet the regulatory requirements for Technical Specifications (TS). This included a discussion on how and why the current TS are structured. The NRC staff explained that one acceptable method of controlling reactor physics parameters in TS to assure conformance to 10 CFR 50.36 is to specify the specific value(s) determined to be within specified acceptance criteria (usually the limits of the safety analyses) using an approved calculation methodology. An alternative means of controlling the values of reactor physics parameters in TS (e.g., cycle-specific parameters) that also assures conformance to the 10 CFR 50.36 requirement that TS specify the lowest functional performance levels acceptable for continued safe operation is by specifying the calculation methodology and acceptance criteria. The reason this alternative means assures conformance with 10 CFR 50.36 is : (1) Administrative Controls TS for the COLR specifies the inclusion of the specific calculation methodology and acceptance criteria thereby providing a direct link to the specific NRC-approved methodology used to calculate the values previously listed in the TS, and (2) this arrangement allows the actual values, previously listed in the TS, to be consistently reproduced and controlled. Therefore, with respect to assuring conformance with 10 CFR 50.36, the inclusion of the specific methodology in the TS is equivalent to listing a particular parameter in the TS that is calculated by the methodology because the values can be consistently reproduced and, importantly, the change controls are the same (all changes to the TS require prior NRC approval).

CONTACT: Michelle C. Honcharik, NRR/DSS 301-415-1774

V. Cusumano

The TSTF proposal to relocate the specific methodology from TS to the FSAR does not assure conformance with 10 CFR 50.36 because under 10 CFR 50.59 licensees may make certain changes to the specific NRC-approved methodology without NRC approval. The imposition of obligations or regulatory requirements are reserved for matters that satisfy the criteria of 10 CFR 50.36 or are otherwise found to be of high safety or regulatory significance. In such matters concerning the adequate protection of the public health and safety, changes to obligations cannot generally be made by licensees without prior NRC approval.

Pertinent to this, and in response to justifications in the TSTFs revised draft traveler, the statements of consideration for the 10 CFR 50.59 rulemaking (64 FR 53582, dated 10/4/1999) explicitly state that the current administrative controls for the COLR were adequate as-is and did not require changes or clarifications in concert with the revisions to 10 CFR 50.59 being made at the time.

The TSTF agreed to take the staff comments under consideration as they decide how or if to continue to develop this draft Traveler.

No public comments were received.

Project No. 753

Enclosure:

As stated

cc: See next page

Package: Meeting summary: ML22256A214; Meeting notice:

ML22244A219 NRR-106 OFFICE NRR/DSS/STSB NRR/DSS/STSB NAME VCusumano MHamm for MHoncharik DATE 09/20/2022 09/20/2022 LIST OF ATTENDEES

NRC Staff Cusumano, Victor Krepel, Scott Honcharik, Michelle Hamm, Matthew Lehning, John Jackson, Christopher Beaulieu, David Parks, Benjamin Nolan, Ryan

TSTF Mann, Brian (TSTF, EXCEL Services)

Sparkman, Wesley A.

Lueshen, Kevin Richards, Drew

Industry/Public Bergman, Jana (Scientech)

Gross, Karl (NuScale Power)

Mount, Brian Phillippe, Aaron Holt, Amy Andrachek, James Wells, Lewis E:(Constellation Nuclear)

Staum, Christopher J:(Constellation Nuclear)

Enclosure Technical Specifications Task Force Project No. 753

cc:

Technical Specifications Task Force c/o EXCEL Services Corporation 11921 Rockville Pike, Suite 100 Rockville, MD 20852 Attention: Brian D. Mann E-mail: brian.mann@excelservices.com

Drew Richards STP Nuclear Operating Company 12090 FM 521 Mail Code: N5016 Wadsworth, TX 77483 Email: amrichards@stpegs.com

Kevin Lueshen Constellation Energy Generation 4300 Winfield Road Warrenville IL 60555 Email: kevin.lueshen@constellation.com

Jordan L. Vaughan Duke Energy EC07C / P.O. Box 1006 Charlotte, NC 28202 Email: jordan.vaughan@duke-energy.com

Ryan M. Joyce Southern Nuclear Operating Company 3535 Colonnade Parkway / Bin N-274-EC Birmingham, AL 35243 Email: rmjoyce@southernco.com

Wesley Sparkman Southern Nuclear Operating Company 3535 Colonnade Parkway / Bin N-226-EC Birmingham, AL 35242 Email: wasparkm@southernco.com