ML26027A281
| ML26027A281 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Site: | Comanche Peak  |
| Issue date: | 01/26/2026 |
| From: | William Orders Plant Licensing Branch IV |
| To: | Boehmisch N Vistra Operations Company |
| References | |
| Download: ML26027A281 (0) | |
Text
From:
William Orders Sent:
January 26, 2026 To:
Nicholas Boehmisch
Subject:
Comanche Peak Nuclear Power Plant (CPNPP) Acceptance of Requested Licensing Action to Revise Technical Specifications to Allow the Use of Optimized ZIRLO Fuel Rod Cladding Material Dear Mr. Boehmisch By letter dated November 11, 2025 (Agencywide Documents Access and Management System (ADAMS) Accession No. ML25315A017), Vistra Operations Company LLC (Vistra OpCo, the licensee) submitted a license amendment request (LAR) to Facility Operating License Nos.
NPF-87 and NPF-89 for the Comanche Peak Nuclear Power Plant Units 1 and 2 (Comanche Peak, CPNPP). The licensee requested to modify Technical Specifications (TS) 4.2.1, Fuel Assemblies, and TS 5.6.5, Core Operating Limits Report (COLR), to allow the use of Optimized ZIRLOTM for improved fuel rod cladding performance.
The purpose of this e-mail is to provide the results of the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) staffs acceptance review of this relief request. The review was performed to determine whether the application contains sufficient technical information to allow the NRC staff to complete a detailed technical review. The review is also intended to identify any readily apparent deficiencies related to the characterization of the regulatory requirements or plant licensing basis.
The NRC staff has reviewed your application and concluded that it includes technical information of sufficient detail to enable the NRC staff to complete its comprehensive technical review and make an independent assessment regarding the acceptability of the proposed 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 conclusions of the acceptance review. If additional information is needed, you will be notified by separate correspondence.
The NRCs Graded Estimate Method (GEM) approach for the review of licensing actions, was discussed with industry during a public workshop on August 5, 2025 (ML25217A212). The NRC staff evaluated precedents similar to this request employing the GEM approach, resulting in a calculated an estimated review time for this request of 85 hours9.837963e-4 days <br />0.0236 hours <br />1.405423e-4 weeks <br />3.23425e-5 months <br />, and a completion time for the review of June 30, 2026. If achieved, this represents approximately a 45% reduction in estimated review hours and a 30% reduction in review time. These estimates are based on the NRC staffs initial review of the application, which could change due to several factors including requests for additional information, and an unanticipated addition to the scope of the review.
Additional delay may occur if the submittal is provided to the NRC in advance of or in parallel with industry program initiatives or pilot applications.
If emergent complexities or challenges arise during the NRC staffs review that affect the 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.
If you have any questions, please contact me at (301) 415-3329 or by email to William.Orders@nrc.gov.
Sincerely, William T. Orders, Senior Project Manager Plant Licensing Branch LPL4 Division of Operating Reactor Licensing Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation Docket Nos.
50-445, 50-446 and 72-74 cc: Listserv