ML26086A027
| ML26086A027 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Site: | 05000025, 05000026 (NPF-091, NPF-092) |
| Issue date: | 03/26/2026 |
| From: | John Lamb NRC/NRR/DORL/LPL2-1 |
| To: | Haggerty N Southern Nuclear Operating Co |
| Lamb J, NRR/DORL/LPL2-1 | |
| References | |
| EPID L-2026-LLA-004 | |
| Download: ML26086A027 (0) | |
Text
From:
John Lamb To:
Haggerty, Neil Cc:
Joyce, Ryan M.; Dawnmathews Kalathiveettil
Subject:
FYI - Acceptance Review - Vogtle 3 and 4 - SFCP LAR (L-2026-LLA-0041)
Date:
Thursday, March 26, 2026 6:03:00 PM
- Neil,
By letter dated February 26, 2026 (ML26057A390), Southern Nuclear Operating Company (SNC, the licensee) submitted a license amendment request (LAR) Vogtle Electric Generating Plant (Vogtle), Units 3 and 4.
The proposed LAR amendment would modify technical specification (TS) requirements to permit the use of a Surveillance Frequency Control Program (SFCP) based on the methodology described in Technical Specifications Task Force (TSTF) traveler TSTF-425, Revision 3, Relocate Surveillance Frequencies to Licensee Control - RITSTF Initiative 5b (ML090850642), TSTF-563, Revision 0, Revise Instrument Testing Definitions to Incorporate the Surveillance Frequency Control Program, dated December 6, 2018, and TSTF-596, Revision 2, Expand the Applicability of the Surveillance Frequency Control Program (SFCP), (ML25251A241). Safety evaluations were provided by the NRC for TSTF-425 in a Federal Register posting on July 6, 2009 [74 FR 31996 - 32006], and in letters to the TSTF for TSTF-563 (ML18333A144) and for TSTF-596 (ML24362A056).
The purpose of this e-mail is to provide the results of the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) staffs acceptance review of this LAR. 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.
Consistent with Section 50.90 of Title 10 of the Code of Federal Regulations (10 CFR), an application for an amendment to a license (including the TSs) must fully describe the changes requested, and following as far as applicable, the form prescribed for original applications. Section 50.34 of 10 CFR 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 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 amendment 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, you will be advised by separate correspondence.
Based on the information provided in your submittal and discussions during the pre-licensing meeting on September 17, 2025 (ML25265A043), applying the NRC staffs Graded Estimate Method for a comprehensive review, the NRC staffs estimate for this
review is 344 hours0.00398 days <br />0.0956 hours <br />5.687831e-4 weeks <br />1.30892e-4 months <br /> (Historical average not available for this review). The NRC staff expects to complete this review by December 28, 2026. If achieved, this represents approximately a 15% reduction in estimated hours and a 25% reduction in review time.
If there are emergent complexities or challenges in our review that would cause changes to the initial forecasted completion date or significant changes in the forecasted hours, the reasons for the changes, along with the new estimates, will be communicated during the routine interactions with the assigned project manager.
These estimates are based on the NRC staffs initial review of the LAR and they could change, due to several factors including requests for additional information, unanticipated addition of scope to the review, and review by NRC advisory committees or hearing-related activities. Additional delay may occur if the submittal is provided to the NRC in advance or in parallel with industry program initiatives or pilot applications.
If you have any questions, please contact me.
John G. Lamb, Senior Project Manager Plant Licensing Branch II-1 Division of Operating Reactor Licensing Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation