NRC 2012-0023, Answer to March 12, 201 2 Commission Order Modifying License with Regard to Reliable Spent Fuel Pool Instrumentation Order Number EA-12-051

Answer to March 12, 201 2 Commission Order Modifying License with Regard to Reliable Spent Fuel Pool Instrumentation Order Number EA-12-051

ML12090A156
Person / Time
Site:	Point Beach
Issue date:	03/28/2012
From:	Meyer L Point Beach
To:	Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation, Document Control Desk
References
EA-12-051, NRC 2012-0023
Download: ML12090A156 (2)

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POINT BEACH March 28, 2012 NRC 2012-0023 10 CFR 2.202 U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission ATTN: Document Control Desk Washington, DC 20555 Point Beach Nuclear Plant, Units 1 and 2 Dockets 50-266 and 50-301 Renewed License Nos. DPR-24 and DPR-27 NextEra Enerav Point Beach, LLC1sAnswer to March 12, 2012 Commission Order Modifvina License With Regard to Reliable Spent Fuel Pool Instrumentation Order Number EA-12-051 On March 12, 2012, the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) issued an immediately effective order in the captioned matter entitled, "Issuance of Order to Modify Licenses with Regard to Reliable Spent Fuel Pool Instrumentation," to NextEra Energy Point Beach, LLC (NextEra Energy Point Beach). The Order states that, as a result of the NRC's evaluation of the lessons learned from the accident at Fukushima Dai-ichi in March 201 1, the NRC has decided to direct nuclear power plant licensees and construction permit holders to take certain actions. Specifically, the NRC is requiring additional defense-in-depth measures to address uncertainties associated with protection from beyond-design-basis events. With respect to this Order, licensees are specifically directed to provide a reliable means of remotely monitoring "wide-range spent fuel pool levels" to support effective prioritization of event mitigation and recovery actions in the event of a beyond-design-basis external event. Specific requirements are outlined in Attachment 2 to the Order.

The Order requires submission of an overall integrated plan, including a description of how compliance with the requirements described in Attachment 2 will be achieved to the NRC for review by February 28, 2013. In addition, the Order requires submission of an initial status report 60 days following issuance of the final interim staff guidance, and at six month intervals following submittal of an overall integrated plan on February 28, 2013. The Order states that the NRC intends to issue the interim staff guidance containing specific details on implementation of the requirements of this Order in August 2012. Finally, the Order requires full implementation of its requirements no later than two refueling cycles after submittal of the overall integrated plan, or December 31, 2016, whichever comes first.

NextEra Energy Point Beach, LLC, 6610 Nuclear Road, Two Rivers, WI 54241

Document Control Desk Page 2 Pursuant to 10 CFR 2.202 and the terms specified in the Order, NextEra Energy Point Beach hereby submits its answer to the Order. NextEra Energy Point Beach consents to the Order and does not request a hearing. Based on information currently available, NextEra Energy Point Beach has not identified any circumstances of the type described in Sections IV.B.l and IV.B.2 of the Order requiring relief at this time. In addition, NextEra Energy Point Beach has not identified any impediments to compliance with the Order within two refueling cycles after submittal of the integrated plan, or December 31, 2016, whichever is earlier. NextEra Energy Point Beach will provide further responses as required by Section 1V.C. in accordance with the specified deadlines.

However, given the uncertainties associated with the ultimate scope of required work caused by the unavailability of implementing guidance until August 2012, and the impact on the ability of NextEra Energy Point Beach to comply with the specific compliance due dates based on the probable availability of that guidance, NextEra Energy Point Beach's future responses may include requests for schedule relief as warranted by subsequent NRC requirements, implementing guidance, or the results of engineering analyses not yet performed. Such request would be submitted in accordance with the relaxation provision in Section IV of the Order.

If you have any questions regarding this confirmation of receipt, please contact Mr. James Costedio, Licensing Manager, at 9201755-7427.

I declare under penalty of perjury that the foregoing is true and correct.

Executed on March 28,2012.

Very truly yours, NextEra Energy Point Beach, LLC

- L,&Site Vice Meyer President cc: Administrator, Region Ill, USNRC Project Manager, Point Beach Nuclear Plant, USNRC Resident Inspector, Point Beach Nuclear Plant, USNRC Director of Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation, USNRC