ML25154A434
| ML25154A434 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Site: | Vogtle  |
| Issue date: | 06/03/2025 |
| From: | John Lamb Plant Licensing Branch II |
| To: | Lowery K Southern Nuclear Operating Co |
| References | |
| Download: ML25154A434 (3) | |
Text
From:
John Lamb Sent:
Tuesday, June 3, 2025 6:29 AM To:
Lowery, Ken G.
Cc:
Joyce, Ryan M.
Subject:
Acceptance Review - Vogtle 3 and 4 - License Amendment Request regarding Spent Fuel Assemblies Maximum Enrichment
- Ken, By \
letter dated May 22, 2025 (ML25142A172), Southern Nuclear Operating Company (SNC, the licensee) submitted a license amendment request (LAR) for Vogtle Electric Generating Company (Vogtle), Units 3 and 4. The proposed LAR is to the Vogtle, Units 3 and 4, Technical Specifications (TSs) to revise TS 4.3.1.1.a and TS 4.3.1.1.g to add nominal to clarify the maximum nominal enrichment of 4.95 weight percent uranium 235 (U-235). The LAR also proposes changes to TS 3. 7.12 and Figure 3. 7.12-1 to clarify that the initial enrichment is initial nominal enrichment.
The purpose of this e-mail is to provide the results of the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) staffs acceptance review of this LAR. 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.
Consistent with Section 50.90 of Title 10 of the Code of Federal Regulations (10 CFR), an application for an amendment to a license (including the technical specifications) must fully describe the changes requested, and following as far as applicable, the form prescribed for original applications. Section 50.34 of 10 CFR addresses the content of technical information required. This section stipulates that the submittal address the design and operating characteristics, unusual or novel design features, and principal safety considerations.
The NRC staff has reviewed your LAR 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 LAR 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, you will be advised by separate correspondence.
Due to insufficient precedent to support a schedule or hour estimate, the NRC staff based its estimate on the information provided in your submittal and discussions during the pre-licensing meeting on April 22, 2025 (ML25114A245). The NRC staff estimates that this licensing request will require approximately 210 hours0.00243 days <br />0.0583 hours <br />3.472222e-4 weeks <br />7.9905e-5 months <br /> to complete and 6 months. However, to support a more efficient process, the NRC is setting a goal of achieving a 15% improvement over the initial estimates. Based on that target, the goal for this review is 180 hours0.00208 days <br />0.05 hours <br />2.97619e-4 weeks <br />6.849e-5 months <br /> and 5.1 months. However, the NRC staff expects to expedite its completion of the review by September 18, 2025, to support SNCs operational need to allow time for ordering fuel for the next refueling outage, which is scheduled to begin in Spring 2026.
These estimates are based on the NRC staffs initial review of the LAR, and they could change, due to several factors including 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.
John G. Lamb, Senior Project Manager Plant Licensing Branch II-1 Division of Operating Reactor Licensing Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation
Hearing Identifier:
NRR_DRMA Email Number:
2769 Mail Envelope Properties (MN2PR09MB50840D263DE1E915E3AA906DFA6DA)
Subject:
Acceptance Review - Vogtle 3 and 4 - License Amendment Request regarding Spent Fuel Assemblies Maximum Enrichment Sent Date:
6/3/2025 6:29:20 AM Received Date:
6/3/2025 6:29:00 AM From:
John Lamb Created By:
John.Lamb@nrc.gov Recipients:
"Joyce, Ryan M." <rmjoyce@southernco.com>
Tracking Status: None "Lowery, Ken G." <kglowery@southernco.com>
Tracking Status: None Post Office:
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