NL-20-038, Response to U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission Region I Letter Regarding Algonquin Incremental Market Project Pipeline
| ML20114F481 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Site: | Indian Point  |
| Issue date: | 04/23/2020 |
| From: | Vitale A Entergy Operations |
| To: | Document Control Desk, Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation |
| References | |
| NL-20-038 | |
| Download: ML20114F481 (2) | |
Text
- ===-EntetgY.
Entergy Operations, Inc.
Indian Point Energy Center 450 Broadway, GSB P. 0. Box 249 Buchanan, NY 10511-6700 Tel (914) 254-6700 NL-20-038 April 23, 2020 Anthony J. Vitale Site Vice President 10 CFR 50.59 ATIN: Document Control Desk U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission Washington, DC 20555-0001
Subject:
References:
Response to U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission Region I Letter Regarding Algonquin Incremental Market Project Pipeline Indian Point Nuclear Generating Unit Nos. 2 and 3 NRC Docket Nos. 50-247 and 50-286 Renewed Facility Operating License Nos. DPR-26 and DPR-64
- 1) "Report of the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission [NRC] Expert Evaluation Team on Concerns Pertaining to Gas Transmission Lines Near the Indian Point Nuclear Power Plant," (ADAMS Accession No. ML201 OOF635), dated April 8, 2020
- 2) NRC's Office of the Inspector General (OIG) Event Inquiry Report, "Concerns Pertaining to Gas Transmission Lines at the Indian Point Nuclear Power Plant," (OIG Case No. 16-0624) (ADAMS Accession No. ML20056F095), dated February 13, 2020
- 3) NRC Letter to Entergy Nuclear Operations, Inc. (Entergy), "Safety Evaluation and Supporting Analysis Regarding the Algonquin Incremental Market Project Pipeline Near the Indian Point Energy Center, Units 2 and 3," (ADAMS Accession No. ML20113F066), dated April 23, 2020 Reference 1 transmitted the report of the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) Expert Evaluation Team on concerns pertaining to the gas transmission lines near the Entergy Nuclear Operations, Inc. (Entergy) Indian Point Nuclear Generating Unit Nos. 2 and 3 (Indian Point Energy Center, hereafter referred to as IPEC) plant site. The independent team of experts concluded that the NRC and Entergy used optimistic assumptions in analyzing the potential impacts to the IPEC site from a postulated rupture of the 42-inch Algonquin Incremental Market (AIM) natural gas transmission pipeline. The NRC Team performed its own evaluation and determined that the IPEC reactors would remain safe in the unlikely event of a pipe rupture.
Specifically, the Team determined that a rupture of the 42-inch natural gas transmission pipeline that runs near IPEC is unlikely.
NL-20-038 Page 2 of 2 The NRC Team recommended that Entergy revisit the assumptions used to identify the risk posed by a postulated rupture of the 42-inch pipeline near IPEC. Specifically, Entergy should be asked to assess the importance of these assumptions to its original conclusions and update its hazards analysis, if needed.
In Reference 3, the NRC transmitted a request to update our evaluation and supporting analysis of the 42-inch gas pipeline rupture as necessary and assess the validity and materiality of our assumptions, including the impact of updated information from pipeline operator Enbridge on those assumptions.
Entergy is currently reviewing the validity and materiality of the assumptions made in previous analyses and will update or clarify the hazards analysis as appropriate. These reviews and associated updates or clarifications, if needed, are expected to be complete by June 30, 2020, and will be available for NRC inspection at that time.
This letter contains no new regulatory commitments.
Should you have any questions or require additional information, please contact Robert Walpole, Director, IPEC Regulatory and Performance Improvement, at 914-254-6710.
Respectfully, AJV/sp/cdm cc:
Regional Administrator, NRC Region I NRC Senior Resident Inspector, Indian Point Energy Center NRC Senior Project Manager, NRC NRA DORL President and CEO, NYSERDA New York State (NYS) Public Service Commission