ML25346A099
| ML25346A099 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Site: | Davis Besse  |
| Issue date: | 12/12/2025 |
| From: | Robert Kuntz NRC/NRR/DORL/LPL3 |
| To: | Hicks J Energy Harbor Nuclear Corp |
| Haeg, LE | |
| References | |
| EPID L-2025-LLA-0176 TS 3.3.9 | |
| Download: ML25346A099 (0) | |
Text
From:
Robert Kuntz To:
jack.hicks@vistracorp.com Cc:
Osting, Steven; Bahnsen, Scott
Subject:
Acceptance Review for Davis-Besse Use of Neutron Instrumentation Amendment Date:
Friday, December 12, 2025 6:15:00 AM
SUBJECT:
Davis-Besse Nuclear Power Station, Unit No. 1 - Acceptance of Requested Licensing Action Re: Amendment for Technical Specification 3.3.9 to Allow Use of Alternative Neutron Instrumentation (EPID L-2025-LLA-0176)
Dear Mr. Jack Hicks,
By letter dated November 19, 2025 (Agencywide Documents Access and Management System (ADAMS) Accession No. ML25323A016), Vistra Operations Company, LLC submitted a license amendment for Davis-Besse Nuclear Power Station, Unit No. 1. 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) 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/relief] 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. The staff estimates that this licensing request will require 63 hours7.291667e-4 days <br />0.0175 hours <br />1.041667e-4 weeks <br />2.39715e-5 months <br /> to complete and 3 months, and estimates completion by March 23, 2026.
For this request, the staff used the Graded Estimate Method (GEM) for licensing actions, which was discussed with industry during a public workshop on August 5, 2025 (ML25217A212). Consistent with this guidance, when an application relies on approved precedents or NRC-approved methodologies without deviation, the technical review should focus primarily on site-specific considerations. In such cases, confirmatory analyses may
be limited to spot checks, and certain areas may receive a less detailed review than in the past. The emphasis is placed on evaluating new or different information that has not been previously addressed.
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, unanticipated expansion of the review scope, hearing-related activities, or if the submittal is provided to the NRC in advance of or concurrently with industry program initiatives or pilot applications.
If you have any questions, please contact me.
Robert Kuntz, Project Manager Plant Licensing Branch III Division of Operating Reactor Licensing Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation
Docket No.
50-346
cc: Listserv