NL-04-1862, Notification of a Completed Assessment Regarding the Common Safety Review Board
| ML043280513 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Site: | Hatch, Vogtle, Farley  |
| Issue date: | 11/19/2004 |
| From: | Gasser J Southern Nuclear Operating Co |
| To: | Document Control Desk, Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation |
| References | |
| NL-04-1862 | |
| Download: ML043280513 (2) | |
Text
Jeffrey T. Gasser Southern Nuclear Executive Vice President Operating Company, Inc.
and Chief Nuclear Officer 40 Inverness Center Parkway Post Office Box 1295 Birmingham, Alabama 35201 Tel 205.992.7721 Fax 205.992.6165 SOUTHERN A November 19, 2004 COMPANY Energy to Serve Your World Docket Nos.:
50-321 50-348 50-424 NL-04-1862 50-366 50-364 50425 U. S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission ATTN: Document Control Desk Washington, D. C. 20555-0001 Edwin I. Hatch Nuclear Plant Joseph M. Farley Nuclear Plant Vogtle Electric Generating Plant Common Safety Review Board Ladies and Gentlemen:
Southem Nuclear Operating Company, Inc. (SNC) has completed an assessment regarding the regulatory and operational benefits associated with a common Safety Review Board (SRB) that would fulfill the offsite review committee responsibilities for each plant site location. This effort has included careful consideration of the licensing requirements and commitments of SNC as the licensed operator of the Joseph M. Farley Nuclear Plant, the Edwin 1. Hatch Nuclear Plant, and the Vogtle Electric Generating Plant.
A revision to the membership and reporting relationship is reflected in the common SRB.
Previously, each plant's SRB was represented by project specific management and the Quality Assurance Manager, who reported to the respective Project Vice President. The newv SRB membership includes representation by the Vice President-Farley Project, Vice President-Hatch Project, Vice President-Vogtle Project, Vice President-Engineering, Quality Assurance Manager, as well as external members. The new membership reports to the Executive Vice President-Chief Nuclear Officer. This change will broaden the span of control, increase expertise, improve effectiveness, and increase independence of the SRB.
SNC had advised Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) management of this activity and of SNC's intention to implement a common SRB for all three sites. Accordingly, the purpose of this letter is to notify the NRC that SNC has implemented the common SRB for all three sites, effective November 15, 2004.
Implementation of a common SRB will not impact plant staff qualification requirements as specified in each plant Technical Specifications. Line management, as required by each plant Technical Specifications, also remains unchanged. The functions and activities of the SRB will continue to meet existing commitments to ANS 3.2/N18.7. Additionally, a common SRB will not modify the membership or responsibilities of the onsite review committee Plant Review Boards (PRBs).
- 00C)
U. S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission NL-04-1 862 Page 2 Evaluations in accordance with 10 CFR 50.54(a) have been performed regarding the necessary revisions to each of the plant's Quality Assurance (QA) Programs described in their Final Safety Analysis Reports (FSARs) to facilitate these changes. Implementation of a common SRB does not affect the operational QA support function since the reporting relationship of the QA Manager to the SNC Executive Vice President and the responsibilities of the onsite QA staff to ensure nuclear safety remain unchanged. The QA staff will continue to have the requisite authority necessary as well as the organizational freedom required by 10 CFR 50.54(a)(3) to ensure the QA function remains independent from cost and schedule when opposed to safety considerations.
Accordingly, it has been determined that these changes to the Quality Assurance Programs do not reduce the commitments in the program descriptions as approved by the NRC.
Likewise, other changes to the plants' FSARs were necessary. Evaluations in accordance with 10 CFR 50.59 have been performed regarding these changes, and it has been determined that prior approval by the NRC is not necessary to implement these changes.
These evaluations have been reviewved by each plant's PRB. Accordingly, all of these changes will be submitted to the NRC in accordance with the requirements of 10 CFR 50.71 (e) as part of the FSAR update process.
This letter contains no NRC commitments. If you have any questions, please advise.
Sincerely ffrey T. Gasser JTG/TMM/sdl cc:
Southern Nuclear Operating Company Mr. L. M. Stinson, Vice President - Plant Farley Mr. H. L. Sumner, Jr., Vice President - Plant Hatch Mr. D. E. Grissette, Vice President - Plant Vogtle Mr. J. R. Johnson, General Manager - Plant Farley Mr. G. R. Frederick, General Manager-Plant Hatch Mr. W. F. Kitchens, General Manager - Plant Vogtle RType: CFA04.054; CHAO2.004; CVC7000; LC# 14144 U. S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission Dr. W. D. Travers, Regional Administrator Mr. S. E. Peters, NRR Project Manager - Farley Mr. C. Gratton, NRR Project Manager - Hatch Mr. C. Gratton, NRR Project Manager - Vogtle Mr. C. A. Patterson, Senior Resident Inspector - Farley Mr. D. S. Simpkins, Senior Resident Inspector-Hatch Mr. G. J. McCoy, Senior Resident Inspector - Vogtle