ML25195A039
| ML25195A039 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Site: | Browns Ferry  |
| Issue date: | 07/11/2025 |
| From: | Kimberly Green Plant Licensing Branch II |
| To: | Jim Barstow Tennessee Valley Authority |
| Green K | |
| References | |
| EPID L-2025-LLA-0095 TSTF-597-A | |
| Download: ML25195A039 (1) | |
Text
From:
Kimberly Green To:
Eckermann, J Beau Cc:
Subject:
Acceptance Review Results for Browns Ferry Nuclear Plant, Units 1, 2, and 3, License Amendment Request to Adopt TSTF-597-A (EPID L-2025-LLA-0095)
Date:
Friday, July 11, 2025 9:40:00 AM
Dear Mr. Eckermann:
By letter dated June 20, 2025 (Agencywide Documents Access and Management System (ADAMS) Accession No. ML25171A008), the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) submitted a license amendment request for Browns Ferry Nuclear Plant, Units 1, 2, and 3 (Browns Ferry). The proposed amendments would revise Browns Ferry Technical Specification Limiting Condition for Operation (LCO) 3.0.3 to eliminate the requirement to enter Mode 2, consistent with Technical Specification Task Force (TSTF) Traveler TSTF-597-A, Eliminate LCO 3.0.3 Mode 2 Requirement. TVA has requested that the proposed amendments be reviewed in accordance with the Consolidated Line Item Improvement Process.
The purpose of this e-mail is to provide the results of the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) staffs acceptance review of this amendment request. The acceptance review was performed to determine whether the application contains sufficient technical information to allow the NRC staff to complete a detailed technical review. The acceptance review is also intended to identify any readily apparent deficiencies related to the characterization of the regulatory requirements or plant licensing basis.
Consistent with Section 50.90 of Title 10 of the Code of Federal Regulations (10CFR), an application for an amendment to a license (including the technical specifications) [or construction permit] must fully describe the changes requested, and following as far as applicable, the form prescribed for original applications. Section 50.34 of 10CFR 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 application and concluded that it includes 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 amendment in terms of regulatory requirements and the protection of public health and safety and the environment. Given the more limited scope and depth of the acceptance review compared to the detailed technical review, issues that affect the NRC staffs ability to complete the technical review may still be identified despite the acceptance review being deemed adequate. If additional information is needed, you will be notified 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 the median hours for all CLIIP TSTFs (62.8 hours9.259259e-5 days <br />0.00222 hours <br />1.322751e-5 weeks <br />3.044e-6 months <br />) and the maximum duration of 6 months for CLIIP TSTFs.
However, to support a more efficient process, the NRC is setting a goal of achieving at least a 15% improvement over the initial estimates. Based on that target, the goal for this review is 36 hours4.166667e-4 days <br />0.01 hours <br />5.952381e-5 weeks <br />1.3698e-5 months <br /> and 5.1 months. Accordingly, the NRC staff expects to complete the review by December 10, 2025.
If emergent complexities or challenges arise during the NRC staffs review that affect the initial forecasted completion date or result in significant changes to the estimated review hours, the reasons for those changesalong with updated estimateswill be communicated during routine interactions with the assigned project manager. These estimates are based on the NRC staffs initial review of the application and may change due to several factors, including requests for additional information.
If you have any questions, please contact me.
Kimberly Green Senior Project Manager Division of Operating Reactor Licensing Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission 301-415-1627