ML25121A343
| ML25121A343 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Site: | Diablo Canyon  |
| Issue date: | 05/01/2025 |
| From: | Samson Lee Plant Licensing Branch IV |
| To: | Richardson M Pacific Gas & Electric Co |
| Lee S, 301-415-3158 | |
| References | |
| EPID L-2025-LLA-0059, EPID L-2025-LLE-0012 | |
| Download: ML25121A343 (1) | |
Text
From:
Samson Lee To:
"Richardson, Michael"
Subject:
Acceptance Review: Diablo Canyon application to utilize Optimized ZIRLO for improved fuel rod cladding (EPID:
L-2025-LLA-0059 and L-2025-LLE-0012)
Date:
Thursday, May 1, 2025 10:06:00 AM By letter dated March 26, 2025 (Agencywide Documents Access and Management System (ADAMS) Accession No. ML25085A409), Pacific Gas and Electric Company (the licensee) submitted a license amendment request for Diablo Canyon Nuclear Power Plant, Units 1 and 2, for approval to modify Technical Specifications (TS) 4.2.1, Fuel Assemblies, and TS 5.6.5 Core Operating Limits Report (COLR), to allow the use of Optimized ZIRLO as an approved fuel rod cladding material. By the same letter, the licensee also submitted a corresponding exemption request from certain requirements of Title 10 of the Code of Federal Regulation (10 CFR) Section 50.46, Acceptance criteria for emergency core cooling systems for light-water nuclear power reactors. The purpose of this email is to provide the results of the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) staffs acceptance review of this application.The acceptance review was performed to determine if there is sufficient technical information in scope and depth to allow the NRC staff to complete its detailed technical review.The acceptance review is also intended to identify whether the application has any readily apparent information insufficiencies in its characterization of the regulatory requirements or the licensing basis of the plant.
The NRC staff has reviewed the licensees application and concluded that it does provide technical information in sufficient detail to enable the NRC staff to complete its detailed technical review and make an independent assessment regarding the acceptability of the proposed change in terms of regulatory requirements and the protection of public health and safety and the environment.Given the lesser scope and depth of the acceptance review as compared to the detailed technical review, there may be instances in which issues that impact the NRC staffs ability to complete the detailed technical review are identified despite completion of an adequate acceptance review.If additional information is needed, the licensee will be advised by separate correspondence.
Based on the information provided in the licensees submittal, the NRC staff has estimated that this licensing request will take approximately 350 hours0.00405 days <br />0.0972 hours <br />5.787037e-4 weeks <br />1.33175e-4 months <br /> and 250 hours0.00289 days <br />0.0694 hours <br />4.133598e-4 weeks <br />9.5125e-5 months <br /> to complete for the license amendment and exemption, respectively. The NRC staff expects to complete this review by March 18, 2026.If there are emergent complexities or challenges in the NRC staffs review that would cause changes to the initial forecasted completion date or significant changes in the forecasted hours, the reasons for the changes, along with the new estimates, will be communicated during the routine interactions with the assigned project manager.
These estimates are based on the NRC staffs initial review of the application, and they could change, due to several factors including complexity and uniqueness of the review, requests for additional information, unanticipated addition of scope to the review, and review by NRC advisory committees or hearing-related activities.Additional delay may occur if the submittal is provided to the NRC in advance or in parallel with industry program initiatives or pilot applications.
If you have any questions, please contact me.
Diablo Canyon Project Manager Plant Licensing Branch 4 Division of Operating Reactor Licensing Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation 301-415-3168
Docket Nos. 50-275 and 50-323