ML25177B284
| ML25177B284 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Issue date: | 07/11/2025 |
| From: | Lawrence Burkhart Advisory Committee on Reactor Safeguards |
| To: | Pelton J Division of Operating Reactor Licensing |
| Burkhardt L | |
| References | |
| Download: ML25177B284 (1) | |
Text
MEMORANDUM TO:
Jamie Pelton, Acting Director Division of Operating Reactor Licensing Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation FROM:
Marissa G. Bailey, Executive Director Advisory Committee on Reactor Safeguards
SUBJECT:
ADVISORY COMMITTEE ON REACTOR SAFEGUARDS POWER UPRATE REVIEWS In light of Executive Order (EO) 14300, Ordering the Reform of the Nuclear Regulatory Commission, we would like to clarify the Advisory Committee on Reactor Safeguards (ACRSs) expectations for achieving greater efficiency in power uprate reviews. The purpose of this memorandum (memo) is to document a revised framework for the staff when engaging the ACRS for review of future power uprate license amendment requests (LARs). This memo supplements the memo dated June 23, 2008, from the Executive Director for Operations to the ACRS Executive Director (ML081410664).
Consistent with EO 14300, only those power uprates containing unique, novel or noteworthy matters, such as first-of-a-kind applications of analysis methodologies or fuel designs, should be referred to the ACRS for consideration; the ACRS would then decide whether to review these amendments and issue a letter report, or not, depending on the specifics of the license amendment request.
We request that the Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation (NRR) notify ACRS when NRC receives a power uprate application that includes unique, novel or noteworthy changes.
Additionally, we request that NRR continue to notify ACRS when NRC receives a power uprate application proposing cumulative power increase greater than 7 percent from the original licensed thermal power. However, in its notifications, NRR should recommend formal ACRS review only when a power uprate application includes unique, novel or noteworthy changes.
CONTACTS: Lawrence Burkhart, ACRS/TSB Lawrence.Burkhart@NRC.gov Weidong Wang, ACRS/TSB Weidong Wang@NRC.gov July 11, 2025 Signed by Bailey, Marissa on 07/11/25
J. Pelton Recommendations should consider the extent to which an application contains an issue that has been previously reviewed and dispositioned by ACRS. For example, a memo dated April 17, 2019, from ACRS to the Executive Director for Operations (EDO) (ML19107A233) related to Maximum Extended Load Line Limit Plus (MELLLA+), states, in part, that ACRS participation in future reviews of this topic [MELLLA+] is not required unless a new LAR involves substantive differences from the plant designs and conditions that have been approved [for Browns Ferry].
We request that NRR notify ACRS during the acceptance review (or before submittal if enough information is known through pre-application engagements) of power uprate LARs meeting these criteria. NRR should provide basic information on the power uprate request and a recommendation for ACRS to review, to not review, or to review portions of the application (see ML090720234 for an example). ACRS will provide a response to NRR as soon as possible for the staff to include ACRS review in its schedule as necessary. ACRS response will be provided no later than 2 weeks after the next full ACRS committee meeting.
Finally, NRR staff has provided ACRS with a comprehensive list of known planned power uprates. Please continue to update us as power uprate LARs are received, or as licensee plans for future requests are known.
The ACRS appreciates the collaboration and support of the NRR staff and management.
ML25177B284 *via e-mail OFFICE ACRS/TSB ACRS/TSB ACRS ED NAME Weidong Wang LBurkhart MBailey DATE 6/27/25 7/10/25 7/11/25