ML25219A046
| ML25219A046 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Site: | Vogtle  |
| Issue date: | 08/25/2025 |
| From: | Geoffrey Miller NRC/NRR/DORL/LPL2-1 |
| To: | Coleman J Southern Nuclear Operating Co |
| References | |
| EPID L-2025-LLA-0038 | |
| Download: ML25219A046 (1) | |
Text
August 25, 2025 Jamie Coleman Regulatory Affairs Director Southern Nuclear Operating Company, Inc.
3535 Colonnade Parkway, Bin N-274-EC Birmingham, AL 35243
SUBJECT:
VOGTLE ELECTRIC GENERATING PLANT, UNITS 3 AND 4 ISSUANCE OF AMENDMENT TO REMOVE TABLE OF CONTENTS (EPID L-2025-0038)
Dear Ms. Coleman:
In response to your application dated February 27, 2025, the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) has issued the enclosed Amendment Nos. 205 and 203 to Combined License (COL) Nos. NPF-91 and NPF-92 for Vogtle Electric Generating Plant (Vogtle), Units 3 and 4, respectively. The amendments revise the technical specifications (TSs) to remove the Table of Contents and allow it to be maintained by the licensee to reflect future NRC-approved amendments.
A copy of the related Safety Evaluation, which includes the NRC staffs evaluation of the amendment, is enclosed. The notice of issuance of the amendment documents included in this letter will be published in the Federal Register.
In accordance with Title 10 of the Code of Federal Regulations (10 CFR) Part 2, Agency Rules of Practice and Procedure, a copy of this letter will be available electronically for public inspection in the NRC Public Document Room or from the Publicly Available Records component of the NRCs Agencywide Documents Access and Management System (ADAMS).
ADAMS is accessible from the NRC website at http://www.nrc.gov/reading-rm/adams.html.
If you have questions, please contact me at 301-415-2481 or ed.miller@nrc.gov.
Sincerely,
/RA/
G. Edward Miller, Project Manager Plant Licensing Branch II-1 Division of Operating Reactor Licensing Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation Docket Nos.: 52-025 and 52-026
Enclosures:
- 1. Amendment No. 205 to Vogtle, Unit 3, COL
- 2. Amendment No. 203 to Vogtle, Unit 4, COL
- 3. Safety Evaluation cc: Listserv
SOUTHERN NUCLEAR OPERATING COMPANY, INC.
GEORGIA POWER COMPANY OGLETHORPE POWER CORPORATION MEAG POWER SPVM, LLC MEAG POWER SPVJ, LLC MEAG POWER SPVP, LLC CITY OF DALTON, GEORGIA VOGTLE ELECTRIC GENERATING PLANT, UNIT 3 DOCKET NO.52-025 AMENDMENT TO FACILITY COMBINED LICENSE Amendment No. 205 License No. NPF-91
- 1.
The Nuclear Regulatory Commission (the Commission) has found that:
A.
The application for amendment by Southern Nuclear Operating Company (SNC),
dated February 27, 2025, complies with the standards and requirements of the Atomic Energy Act of 1954, as amended (the Act) and the Commissions regulations set forth in 10 CFR Chapter I; B.
The facility will be constructed and will operate in conformity with the application, the provisions of the Act, and the rules and regulations of the Commission; C.
There is reasonable assurance (i) that the activities authorized by this amendment can be conducted without endangering the health and safety of the public, and (ii) that such activities will be conducted in compliance with the Commissions regulations; D.
The issuance of this amendment will not be inimical to the common defense and security or the health and safety of the public; and E.
The issuance of this amendment is in accordance with 10 CFR Part 51 of the Commissions regulations, and all applicable requirements have been satisfied.
- 2.
The License is also amended by changes to Appendix A, Technical Specifications, of the facility Combined License as indicated in the attachment to this license amendment.
Paragraph 2.D(8) of facility Combined License No. NPF-91 is hereby amendment to read as follows:
(8) Incorporation The Technical Specifications and Environmental Protection Plan in Appendices A and B, respectively of this license, as revised through Amendment No. 205, are hereby incorporated into this license.
- 3.
This license amendment is effective as of the date of its issuance and shall be implemented within 30 days of the date of issuance.
FOR THE NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION:
Michael T. Markley, Chief Plant Licensing Branch II-1 Division of Operating Reactor Licensing Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation Date of Issuance: August 25, 2025
Attachment:
- 1. Page 4 of the facility Combined License and affected pages of Appendix A of the facility Combined License MICHAEL MARKLEY Digitally signed by MICHAEL MARKLEY Date: 2025.08.25 13:52:45 -04'00'
SOUTHERN NUCLEAR OPERATING COMPANY, INC.
GEORGIA POWER COMPANY OGLETHORPE POWER CORPORATION MEAG POWER SPVM, LLC MEAG POWER SPVJ, LLC MEAG POWER SPVP, LLC CITY OF DALTON, GEORGIA VOGTLE ELECTRIC GENERATING PLANT, UNIT 4 DOCKET NO.52-026 AMENDMENT TO FACILITY COMBINED LICENSE Amendment No. 203 License No. NPF-92
- 1.
The Nuclear Regulatory Commission (the Commission) has found that:
A.
The application for amendment by Southern Nuclear Operating Company (SNC),
dated February 27, 2025, complies with the standards and requirements of the Atomic Energy Act of 1954, as amended (the Act) and the Commissions regulations set forth in 10 CFR Chapter I; B.
The facility will be constructed and will operate in conformity with the application, the provisions of the Act, and the rules and regulations of the Commission; C.
There is reasonable assurance (i) that the activities authorized by this amendment can be conducted without endangering the health and safety of the public, and (ii) that such activities will be conducted in compliance with the Commissions regulations; D.
The issuance of this amendment will not be inimical to the common defense and security or the health and safety of the public; and E.
The issuance of this amendment is in accordance with 10 CFR Part 51 of the Commissions regulations, and all applicable requirements have been satisfied.
- 2.
The License is also amended by changes to Appendix A, Technical Specifications, of the facility Combined License as indicated in the attachment to this license amendment.
Paragraph 2.D(8) of facility Combined License No. NPF-92 is hereby amendment to read as follows:
(8) Incorporation The Technical Specifications and Environmental Protection Plan in Appendices A and B, respectively, of this license, as revised through Amendment No. 203, are hereby incorporated into this license.
- 3.
This license amendment is effective as of the date of its issuance and shall be implemented within 30 days of the date of issuance.
FOR THE NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION:
Michael T. Markley, Chief Plant Licensing Branch II-1 Division of Operating Reactor Licensing Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation Date of Issuance: August 25, 2025
Attachment:
Page 4 of the facility Combined License and affected pages of Appendix C of the facility Combined License MICHAEL MARKLEY Digitally signed by MICHAEL MARKLEY Date: 2025.08.25 13:53:19 -04'00'
ATTACHMENT TO LICENSE AMENDMENT NOS. 205 AND 203 TO FACILITY COMBINED LICENSE NOS. NPF-91 AND NPF-92 DOCKET NOS.52-025 AND 52-026 Replace the following pages of the facility licenses and Technical Specifications with the attached revised pages. The revised pages are identified by amendment number and contain marginal lines indicating the areas of change.
Remove Pages Insert Pages License License License No. NPF-91, page 4 License No. NPF-91, page 4 License No. NPF-92, page 4 License No. NPF-92, page 4 Appendix A TSs Appendix A TSs i
ii iii iv
D.
The license is subject to, and SNC shall comply with, the conditions specified and incorporated below:
(1)
Changes during Construction - Removed by Amendment No. 202 (2)
Pre-operational Testing - Removed by Amendment Nos. 192 and 202 (3)
Nuclear Fuel Loading and Pre-critical Testing - Removed by Amendment Nos. 192 and 202 (4)
Initial Criticality and Low-Power Testing - Removed by Amendment No. 202 (5)
Power Ascension Testing - Removed by Amendment No. 202 (6)
Maximum Power Level (7)
(8)
SNC is authorized to operate the facility at steady state reactor core power levels not to exceed 3400 MW thermal (100-percent thermal power), as described in the UFSAR, in accordance with the conditions specified herein.
Reporting Requirements - Removed by Amendment No. 202 Incorporation The Technical Specifications and Environmental Protection Plan in Appendices A and B, respectively, of this license, as revised through Amendment No. 205, are hereby incorporated into this license.
(9)
Technical Specifications - Removed by Amendment No. 202 (10)
Operational Program Implementation - Removed by Amendment No. 202 (11)
Operational Program Implementation Schedule - Removed by Amendment No.202 (12)
Site-and Unit-specific Conditions - Removed by Amendment No. 202
[Blank Pages 5 through 14 removed by Amendment No. 202.]
4 Amendment No. 205
D.
The license is subject to, and SNC shall comply with, the conditions specified and incorporated below:
(1)
Changes during Construction - Removed by Amendment No. 199 (2)
Pre-operational Testing - Removed by Amendment Nos. 194 and 199 (3)
Nuclear Fuel Loading and Pre-critical Testing - Removed by Amendment Nos. 194 and 199 (4)
Initial Criticality and Low-Power Testing - Removed by Amendment No. 199 (5)
Power Ascension Testing - Removed by Amendment No. 199 (6)
Maximum Power Level (7)
(8)
SNC is authorized to operate the facility at steady state reactor core power levels not to exceed 3400 MW thermal (100-percent thermal power), as described in the UFSAR, in accordance with the conditions specified herein.
Reporting Requirements - Removed by Amendment No. 199 Incorporation The Technical Specifications and Environmental Protection Plan in Appendices A and B, respectively, of this license, as revised through Amendment No. 203, are hereby incorporated into this license.
(9)
Technical Specifications - Removed by Amendment No. 199 (10)
Operational Program Implementation - Removed by Amendment No. 199 (11)
Operational Program Implementation Schedule - Removed by Amendment No. 199 (12)
Site-and Unit-specific Conditions - Removed by Amendment No. 199
[Blank Pages 5 through 14 removed by Amendment No. 199.]
4 Amendment No. 203
SAFETY EVALUATION BY THE OFFICE OF NUCLEAR REACTOR REGULATION RELATED TO AMENDMENT NOS. 205 AND 203 TO THE COMBINED LICENSE NOS. NPF-91 AND NPF-92 SOUTHERN NUCLEAR OPERATING COMPANY, INC.
GEORGIA POWER COMPANY OGLETHORPE POWER CORPORATION MEAG POWER SPVM, LLC MEAG POWER SPVJ, LLC MEAG POWER SPVP, LLC CITY OF DALTON, GEORGIA VOGTLE ELECTRIC GENERATING PLANT, UNITS 3 AND 4 DOCKET NOS.52-025 AND 52-026
1.0 INTRODUCTION
By letter dated February 27, 2025 (Agencywide Documents Access and Management System Accession No. ML25058A192), Southern Nuclear Operating Company (SNC, the licensee) requested that the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC, the Commission) amend Vogtle Electric Generating Plant (Vogtle), Units 3 and 4 Combined License (COL) Nos. NPF-91 and NPF-92, respectively.
The amendments would revise the technical specifications (TSs) to remove the Table of Contents (TOC) and allow it to be maintained by the licensee to reflect future NRC-approved amendments.
2.0 REGULATORY EVALUATION
In accordance with paragraph C.6. of Section VIII of the Code of Federal Regulations (10 CFR)
Processes for Changes and Departures of Appendix D to Part 52 Design Certification Rule for the AP1000 Design, changes to the plant-specific TS will be treated as license amendments under 10 CFR 50.90. Pursuant to 10 CFR 50.90, whenever a COL holder desires to amend the license, an application for an amendment must be filed with the Commission fully describing the changes desired and following, as far as applicable, the form prescribed for original applications.
Per 10 CFR 52.79(a)(11), the application for a COL shall include proposed TSs prepared in accordance with the requirements of 10 CFR 50.36. The regulation at 10 CFR 50.36(c) requires that TSs include items in the following categories: (1) safety limits, limiting safety systems settings, and limiting control settings; (2) limiting conditions for operation; (3) surveillance requirements; (4) design features; and (5) administrative controls. Administrative controls are the provisions relating to organization and management, procedures, recordkeeping, review and audit, and reporting necessary to assure operation of the facility in a safe manner.
3.0 TECHNICAL EVALUATION
The TOC is a list which provides information as to where (i.e., page number) specific TS sections can be found and does not contain any technical information or establish any requirements. Inclusion of a TOC is not required by 10 CFR 50.36. Transferring control of the TOC from the NRC to SNC does not affect the operation, physical configuration, or function of plant equipment or systems nor does it alter any associated TS requirements.
There is no change to any TS requirement nor any change to operation, configuration, or function of the plant, by the removal of the TOC from the TSs. Therefore, the NRC staff finds that the requirements in 10 CFR 50.36 will continue to be met and the proposed change is acceptable. Subsequent control of the TOC can be left to licensee discretion and is not germane to the NRC staffs evaluation.
4.0 STATE CONSULTATION
In accordance with the Commissions regulations, the Georgia State official was notified of the proposed issuance of the amendments on July 28, 2025. On August 5, 2025, the State official confirmed they had no comments.
5.0 ENVIRONMENTAL CONSIDERATION
The amendment changes a requirement with respect to installation or use of a facility component located within the restricted area as defined in 10 CFR Part 20. The NRC staff has determined that the amendment involves no significant increase in the amounts, and no significant change in the types, or amounts, of any effluents that may be released offsite, and that there is no significant increase in individual or cumulative occupational radiation exposure.
The Commission has previously issued a proposed finding that the amendments involve no significant hazards consideration, and there has been no public comment on such finding published in the Federal Register on May 14, 2025 (90 FR 20519). Accordingly, the amendment meets the eligibility criteria for categorical exclusion set forth in 10 CFR 51.22(c)(9). Pursuant to 10 CFR 51.22(b), no environmental impact statement or environmental assessment need be prepared in connection with the issuance of the amendment.
6.0 CONCLUSION
The Commission has concluded, based on the considerations discussed above, that: (1) there is reasonable assurance that the health and safety of the public will not be endangered by operation in the proposed manner, (2) there is reasonable assurance that such activities will be conducted in compliance with the Commissions regulations, and (3) the issuance of the amendment will not be inimical to the common defense and security or to the health and safety of the public.
Principal Contributors:
A. Bhattacharya, NRR G. E. Miller, NRR Date: August 25, 2025
- via eConcurrence NRO-002 OFFICE NRR/DORL/LPL2-1/PM*
NRR/DORL/LPL2-1/LA*
NRR/DSS/STSB/BC*
NRR/DORL/LPL2-1/BC*
NAME GEMiller KZeleznock SMehta (ARussell for)
MMarkley DATE 8/18/2025 8/19/2025 8/19/2025 8/25/2025 OFFICE NRR/DORL/LPL2-1/PM*
NAME GEMiller DATE 8/25/2025