ML26022A114
| ML26022A114 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Site: | Diablo Canyon  |
| Issue date: | 01/21/2026 |
| From: | Samson Lee Plant Licensing Branch IV |
| To: | Richardson M Pacific Gas & Electric Co |
| Lee S, 301-415-3158 | |
| References | |
| EPID L-2025-LLA-0191 | |
| Download: ML26022A114 (0) | |
Text
From:
Samson Lee To:
Richardson, Michael
Subject:
Acceptance Review: Diablo Canyon request to utilize ADOPT fuel for improved fuel performance (EPID: L-2025-LLA-0191)
Date:
Wednesday, January 21, 2026 10:35:00 AM By letter dated December 3, 2025 (Agencywide Documents Access and Management System (ADAMS) Accession No. ML25344A426), Pacific Gas and Electric Company (the licensee) submitted a request to revise Technical Specification (TS) 2.1.1, Reactor Core SLs [Safety Limits], TS 4.2.1, Fuel Assemblies, and TS 5.6.5, Core Operating Limits Report (COLR) for Diablo Canyon Nuclear Power Plant, Units 1 and 2, to allow the use of ADOPT' fuel pellets and adoption of improved analysis methods. The purpose of this email is to provide the results of the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) staffs acceptance review of this request. 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.
The NRC staff has reviewed the licensees application 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 change 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, the licensee will be advised by separate correspondence.
Applying the NRC staffs Graded Estimate Method, the NRC staffs estimate for this review is 692 hours0.00801 days <br />0.192 hours <br />0.00114 weeks <br />2.63306e-4 months <br /> (approximately a 30% reduction from historical averages). The NRC staff expects to complete the review by September 30, 2026, as requested by the licensee to support plant outage. 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 estimates will 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.
Samson Lee Plant Licensing Branch 4 Division of Operating Reactor Licensing Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation 301-415-3168
Docket Nos. 50-275 and 50-323