ML24018A248

License Amendment Request to Modify the Implementation Date of License Amendment No. 238

ML24018A248
Person / Time
Site:	Wolf Creek
Issue date:	01/18/2024
From:	Boyce M Wolf Creek
To:	Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation, Document Control Desk
References
000273
Download: ML24018A248 (1)

Text

P.O. Box 411 l Burlington, KS 66839 l 620-364-8831 Michael T. Boyce Vice President Engineering January 18, 2024 000273 U. S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission ATTN: Document Control Desk Washington, DC 20555-0001

Reference:

1) Letter 000163 / ET 23-000163, dated October 19, 2023, from M. T. Boyce, WCNOC, to USNRC, Wolf Creek Nuclear Operating Corporation Request for Correction in Response to Issuance of Amendment No. 237 and Corresponding Safety Evaluation (ML23292A357)

2) Letter 000225 / ET 23-000225, dated November 27, 2023, from M. T.

Boyce, WCNOC, to USNRC, Supplement to License Amendment Request to Modify the 90-Day Implementation of License Amendment No.

237 (ML23331A497)

Subject:

Docket No. 50-482: License Amendment Request to Modify the Implementation Date of License Amendment No. 238 Commissioners and Staff:

On November 29, 2023, the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) issued Amendment No. 238 to Wolf Creek Generating Station (WCGS), approving a modified implementation period for Amendment No. 237. The approved Amendment No. 238 granted an additional 90-day implementation period, altering the required implementation date for Amendment No. 237 from November 29, 2023, to February 27, 2024. The additional time requested was necessary to provide additional time to Wolf Creek Nuclear Operating Corporation (WCNOC) and the NRC to explore solutions on how to correct the discrepancies identified in the safety evaluation (SE), as illustrated in Reference 1. Since the issuance of Amendment No. 238, the NRC has not indicated how or when it will correct the issues present in the SE. Wolf Creek communicated in Reference 2 that if no solution was identified in the additional time requested, then more time for implementation would be requested.

Therefore, in accordance with 10 CFR 50.90, WCNOC requests an additional year for implementation. The license amendment request (LAR) serves as an enhancement to the existing Fire Protection Program. The LAR enables WCGS to increase efficiency and management of resources while improving the response capabilities to postulated events. The existing Fire Protection Program will continue to be utilized as it is fully compliant with applicable W o If C re e k...rw~,~J'TJ'>

Nuclear Operating Corporation

000273 Page 2 of 3 rules and regulations as approved for use at WCGS. Therefore, modifying the implementation date will have no impact on WCGSs ability to protect the health and safety of the public and remain compliant with the associated regulations.

WCNOC requests approval of this proposed amendment by February 27, 2024. The time frame is necessary due to the currently required 90-day implementation period for Amendment No. 238, which ends on the requested approval date.

The amendment application was reviewed by the WCNOC Plant Safety Review Committee. The proposed amendment contained in this submittal does not involve a significant hazards consideration set forth in 10 CFR 50.92(c). In accordance with 10 CFR 50.91, a copy of this letter is being provided to the designated Kansas State official.

This letter contains no commitments. If you have any questions concerning this matter, please contact me at (620) 364-8831 x8687, or Dustin Hamman at (620) 364-4204.

Sincerely, Michael T. Boyce MTB/nwl Attachment I - Evaluation of Proposed Change cc:

S. S. Lee (NRC), w/a J. D. Monninger (NRC), w/a G. E. Werner (NRC), w/a Senior Resident Inspector (NRC), w/a J. Meinholdt (KDHE), w/a Licensing Correspondence - ET 24-000273

000273 Page 3 of 3 STATE OF KANSAS

)

) ss COUNTY OF COFFEY )

Michael T. Boyce, of lawful age, being first duly sworn upon oath says that he is Vice President Engineering of Wolf Creek Nuclear Operating Corporation; that he has read the foregoing document and knows the contents thereof; that he has executed the same for and on behalf of said Corporation with full power and authority to do so; and that the facts therein stated are true and correct to the best of his knowledge, information and belief.

By ~_

M ichaelT.Boy Vice President Engineering SUBSCRIBED and sworn to before me this \\cS day of

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, 2024.

Notary Public JENA MICHELLE STUCKER Notary Public - State of Kansas My Appointment Expires \\ '-\\\\* "'Z.

Expiration Date __ \\_~-~-\\ _* _Q,_ti_ Q;_:-'1 __

Attachment I to 000273 Page 1 of 7 EVALUATION OF PROPOSED CHANGE

Subject:

License Amendment Request to Modify the Implementation Date of License Amendment No. 238 1.0

SUMMARY

DESCRIPTION 2.0 DETAILED DESCRIPTION

2.1 Background

2.2 Current Requirement 2.3 Reason for the Proposed Change 2.4 Description of the Proposed Change

4.0 REGULATORY EVALUATION

4.1 Applicable Regulatory Requirements/Criteria 4.2 No Significant Hazards Consideration 4.3 Conclusions

6.0 REFERENCES

Attachment I to 000273 Page 2 of 7 1.0

SUMMARY

DESCRIPTION The NRC approved License Amendment Number (No.) 237 to Renewed Facility Operating License No. NPF-42 for Wolf Creek Generating Station (WCGS), Unit 1, on August 31, 2023 (Reference 6.1).

The amendment approved modifications to License Condition 2.C(5) and approved changes to USAR Appendix 9.5E, 10 CFR Part 50 Appendix R Comparison, to allow the use of portable lighting as the primary emergency lighting means (with limited exceptions) for illuminating safe shutdown equipment and access egress routes to the equipment. On October 19, 2023, Wolf Creek Nuclear Operating Corporation (WCNOC) requested the safety evaluation (SE) associated with Amendment No. 237 be corrected as there are a number of inconsistencies that are present in the SE that do not align with the original license amendment request (LAR) scope as submitted (Reference 6.2). WCNOC requested additional time to implement Amendment No. 237 via Reference 6.3, as supplemented by Reference 6.4, to allow more time for WCNOC and the NRC to identify how the issues in the SE would be corrected. That LAR was approved via the issuance of Amendment No. 238 (Reference 6.5) to WCGS.

Since a resolution has not been provided by the NRC to correct the inconsistencies present in the SE and the amount of time necessary for WCNOC to implement Amendment No. 237 by the required implementation date of Amendment No. 238 has expired, WCNOC requests an additional year for implementation. The additional year would require implementation of Amendment No. 237 by February 27, 2025. The requested amendment for the implementation date is necessary due to the impact of the inconsistencies that are present in the current SE, in addition to other concerns detailed in Section 2.3 of this Attachment. The proposed amendment does not involve a significant hazards consideration under the standards set forth in 10 CFR 50.92(c).

2.0 DETAILED DESCRIPTION

2.1 Background

WCNOC had planned to implement Amendment No. 237, with the additional requested 90-days as approved by Amendment No. 238, in accordance with the NRC approved timeline. However, the NRC indicated that within the additional 90-days requested, it would determine what actions were necessary to correct the issues identified in the SE. No path forward or correction of the SE has occurred, and WCNOC will not have enough time to implement any corrections or components of the approved amendment until those actions occur. Details of the inconsistencies have been provided to the NRC, and subsequent calls to discuss the issues held, with no concrete action or path forward determined.

Therefore, as indicated in Reference 6.4, WCNOC needs additional time to implement Amendment No. 237 while the remedies to the SE are explored consistent with NRR Office Instruction LIC-101, License Amendment Review Process.

2.2 Current Requirement License Amendment No. 237, with the additional 90-days as approved by Amendment No. 238, requires implementation by February 27, 2024. This is based on the date of issuance of Amendment No. 238 being November 29, 2023.

Attachment I to 000273 Page 3 of 7 2.3 Reason for the Proposed Change The inconsistencies in the SE for License Amendment No. 237 when compared to the associated LAR provides the basis for why WCNOC requests an additional year for implementation. Although the SE is not a part of the licensing basis, it is relied upon by the NRC when confirming compliance with changes approved by the NRC, as well as confirming compliance with applicable regulations. The effect of an SE that is not consistent with a LAR is that it can establish new interpretations of the facility licensing basis. The NRC-issued SE introduces Staff conclusions that arguably support an unrequested change to the facility licensing basis.

Additionally, the issued SE did not discuss the use of portable lighting as a primary emergency lighting means, which is the core of the LAR. Instead, it discussed the use of portable lighting in specific fire areas affected by a fire event. Also, because the SE discussion is much more limiting than what was requested by WCNOC, the SE also appears to be inconsistent with WCNOCs No Significant Hazards Consideration (NSHC) that was published in the Federal Register pursuant to 10 CFR 50.90. The NSHC appears to be inconsistent with the SE as currently written because the SE includes additional information that was not a part of the proposed changes and therefore, was not part of WCNOCs NSHC review.

The request for an additional 90-days as approved via issuance of Amendment No. 238 was contingent on the NRC determining which path was necessary for correction of the SE inconsistencies.

Since approval, no decision or path forward was determined, necessitating this request for an additional year of implementation. The NRC has made clear that options were being explored for correction of the issues. Since then, no action or decisions have been made.

Therefore, implementing the approved License Amendment No. 237 as is creates the potential for improper interpretation of the WCGS licensing basis. The information that is present in the SE is not consistent with the information originally provided in Reference 6.6, as supplemented, and as evaluated. It is critical that the information present in the SE be corrected prior to implementation so that there is no uncertainty in the licensing basis of WCGS, and that the information aligns with what was requested in the proposed change.

2.4 Description of the Proposed Change Based on the information provided in Section 2.3, WCNOC requests an additional year for implementation. The additional time is necessary for WCNOC to remain in compliance while solutions for the inconsistencies present in the SE are explored by the NRC.

3.0 TECHNICAL EVALUATION

WCNOC cannot implement the approved License Amendment No. 237 due to the inconsistencies identified in the SE. Even though License Condition 2.C(5) and the USAR changes were approved as requested, the lack of a consistent and accurate SE to support the changes originally proposed in Reference 6.6 prevents WCNOC from implementing associated changes until it is sure that WCNOC and the NRC have a consistent understanding of what License Amendment No. 237 approves and on what basis.

Attachment I to 000273 Page 4 of 7 Details on the inconsistencies and recommended markups to address them were provided in a separate correspondence to the NRC (Reference 6.2). The correspondence requests that the SE, and associated transmittal letter, be corrected in accordance with LIC-101. Until the inconsistencies are addressed in Reference 6.2, WCNOC cannot implement License Amendment No. 237 as approved, as there is not a consistent SE to support the implementation.

In the interim, WCNOC will continue to utilize the existing Fire Protection Program until resolution of the inconsistencies in the License Amendment No. 237 SE as the current program is fully compliant with applicable rules and regulations as approved for use by the NRC. Until resolution of the issues identified, WCNOC will not take any action for implementation of License Amendment No. 237.

4.0 REGULATORY EVALUATION

4.1 Applicable Regulatory Requirements/Criteria The request for an additional year for implementation does not affect the requirements of the current Fire Protection Program as reviewed and approved by the NRC. Placing the implementation period on hold until resolution of the issues identified in the SE will not challenge regulatory compliance. The current Fire Protection Program will continue to satisfy the following regulations:

10 CFR 50, Section 48, Fire protection, which states in paragraph (a) that Each holder of an operating license issued under this part or a combined license issued under part 52 of this chapter must have a fire protection plan that satisfies Criterion 3 of appendix A to this part. Paragraph (b) states, Appendix R to this part establishes fire protection features required to satisfy Criterion 3 of appendix A to this part with respect to certain generic issues for nuclear power plants licensed to operate before January 1, 1979.

10 CFR 50, Appendix A, Criterion 3-Fire protection. Structures, systems, and components important to safety shall be designed and located to minimize, consistent with other safety requirements, the probability and effect of fires and explosions. Noncombustible and heat resistant materials shall be used wherever practical throughout the unit, particularly in locations such as the containment and control room. Fire detection and fighting systems of appropriate capacity and capability shall be provided and designed to minimize the adverse effects of fires on structures, systems, and components important to safety. Firefighting systems shall be designed to assure that their rupture or inadvertent operation does not significantly impair the safety capability of these structures, systems, and components.

10 CFR 50, Appendix R, Fire Protection Program for Nuclear Power Facilities Operating Prior to January 1, 1979,Section III.J, Emergency lighting. Emergency lighting units with at least an 8-hour battery power supply shall be provided in all areas needed for operation of safe shutdown equipment and in access and egress routes thereto.

Since WCGS was licensed after January 1, 1979, WCGS is not obligated to meet the requirements of Section III.J. However, USAR Appendix 9.5E provides a comparison of the WCGS design to Appendix R.

Attachment I to 000273 Page 5 of 7 4.2 No Significant Hazards Consideration

1. Does the proposed amendment involve a significant increase in the probability or consequences of an accident previously evaluated?

Response: No The proposed modification to provide an additional year for implementation for License Amendment Number 237 does not involve a significant increase in the probability or consequences of an accident previously evaluated. The existing Fire Protection Program will remain in effect during the modified implementation period.

The current Fire Protection program and associated post-fire operator manual actions for a fire outside the control room will continue to remain feasible and reliable, demonstrating that the plant can be safely shutdown in the event of a fire. The use of the existing Fire Protection Program will not adversely affect the performance of operator manual actions in support of applicable procedures.

Therefore, the proposed change does not involve a significant increase in the probability or consequences of an accident previously evaluated.

2. Does the proposed amendment create the possibility of a new or different kind of accident from any accident previously evaluated?

Response: No The proposed modification to provide an additional year for implementation for License Amendment Number 237 does not create the possibility of a new or different kind of accident from any accident previously evaluated. The existing Fire Protection Program will remain in effect during the modified implementation period. Considering the current Fire Protection remains in place, no physical alteration of the plant will occur and does not result in the installation of any new or different kind of equipment.

Therefore, the proposed change does not create the possibility of a new or different kind of accident from any accident previously evaluated.

3. Does the proposed amendment involve a significant reduction in a margin of safety?

Response: No The proposed modification to provide an additional year for implementation for License Amendment Number 237 is not a reduction in a margin of safety. The existing Fire Protection Program will remain in effect during the modified implementation period and has an acceptable margin of safety and has been approved by the NRC.

Therefore, the proposed change does not involve a significant reduction in a margin of safety.

Attachment I to 000273 Page 6 of 7 4.3 Conclusions In conclusion, based on the considerations above, (i) there is reasonable assurance that the health and safety of the public will not be endangered by operation in the proposed manner, (ii) such activities will be conducted in compliance with the Commissions regulations, and (iii) the issuance of the amendment will not be inimical to the common defense and security or to the health and safety of the public.

5.0 ENVIRONMENTAL CONSIDERATION

The proposed change would alter a requirement with respect to the implementation date for License Amendment Number 237 for Wolf Creek Generating Station, Unit 1. However, the proposed amendment does not involve (i) a significant hazards consideration, (ii) a significant change in the types or a significant increase in the amounts of any effluents that may be released offsite, or (iii) a significant increase in individual or cumulative occupational radiation exposure. Accordingly, the proposed amendment meets the eligibility criterion for categorical exclusion set forth in paragraph (c)(9) of 10 CFR 51.22, Criterion of categorical exclusion, identification of licensing and regulatory actions eligible for categorical exclusion or otherwise not requiring an environmental review.

Therefore, pursuant to 10 CFR 51.22(b), no environmental impact statement or environmental assessment need be prepared in connection with the proposed amendment.

Attachment I to 000273 Page 7 of 7

6.0 REFERENCES

6.1 Letter from USNRC, dated August 31, 2023, from S. S. Lee, USNRC, to C. Reasoner, WCNOC, Wolf Creek Generating Station, Unit 1 - Issuance of Amendment No. 237 Re:

Request for Deviation from Fire Protection Program Requirements (EPID: L-2022-LLA-0107)

(ML23165A250) 6.2 Letter 000163 / ET 23-000163, dated October 19, 2023, from M. T. Boyce, WCNOC, to USNRC, Wolf Creek Nuclear Operating Corporation Request for Correction in Response to License Amendment No. 237 and Corresponding Safety Evaluation (ML23292A357) 6.3 Letter 000169 / ET 23-000169, dated October 19, 2023, from M. T. Boyce, WCNOC, to USNRC, License Amendment Request to Modify the 90-Day Implementation of License Amendment No. 237 (ML23292A359) 6.4 Letter 000225 / ET 23-000225, dated November 27, 2023, from M. T. Boyce, WCNOC, to USNRC, Supplement to License Amendment Request to Modify the 90-Day Implementation of License Amendment No. 237 (ML23331A497) 6.5 Letter from USNRC, dated November 29, 2023, from S. S. Lee, USNRC, to C. Reasoner, WCNOC, Wolf Creek Generating Station, Unit 1 - Issuance of Amendment No. 238 Re:

Modified Implementation Date of License Amendment No. 237 (EPID: L-2023-LLA-0144)

(ML23299A266) 6.6 Letter ET 22-0010, dated August 2, 2022, from M. T. Boyce, WCNOC, to USNRC, License Amendment Request (LAR) for Deviation from Fire Protection Program Requirements (ML22215A000)