RS-11-009, Additional Information Supporting License Amendment Request Regarding the Use of Neutron Absorbing Inserts in Unit 2 Spent Fuel Pool Storage Racks

Additional Information Supporting License Amendment Request Regarding the Use of Neutron Absorbing Inserts in Unit 2 Spent Fuel Pool Storage Racks

ML110250141
Person / Time
Site:	LaSalle
Issue date:	01/24/2011
From:	Simpson P Exelon Generation Co, Exelon Nuclear
To:	Document Control Desk, Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation
References
RS-11-009
Download: ML110250141 (3)

Text

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Exelor Generator www exeloncorp.con 43oo VYirfieid Road Nuclear W; rnenvilie, H 6oS5; RS-1 1-009 January 24, 2011 U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission ATTN: Document Control Desk Washington, DC 20555-0001 LaSalle County Station, Units 1 and 2 Facility Operating License Nos. NPF-11 and NPF-18 NRC Docket Nos. 50-373 and 50-374

Subject:

Additional Information Supporting License Amendment Request Regarding the Use of Neutron Absorbing Inserts in Unit 2 Spent Fuel Pool Storage Racks

References:

1. Letter from P. R. Simpson (Exelon Generation Company, LLC) to U.S. NRC, "License Amendment Regarding the Use of Neutron Absorbing Inserts in Unit 2 Spent Fuel Pool Storage Racks," dated October 5, 2009

2. Letter from E. A. Brown (U.S. NRC) to M. J. Pacilio (Exelon Nuclear),

"LaSalle County Station, Units 1 and 2 - Proposed License Conditions Related to Use of Neutron Absorbers (TAC Nos. ME2376 and ME2377),"

dated January 24, 2011

3. Letter from P. R. Simpson (Exelon Generation Company, LLC) to U. S. NRC, "Additional Information Supporting License Amendment Request Regarding the Use of Neutron Absorbing Inserts in Unit 2 Spent Fuel Pool Storage Racks," dated June 10, 2010 In Reference 1, Exelon Generation Company, LLC (EGC) requested an amendment to Facility Operating License Nos. NPF-1 1 and NPF-18 for LaSalle County Station (LSCS), Units 1 and 2, respectively. The proposed change revises Technical Specifications (TS) Section 4.3.1, "Criticality," to address a non-conservative IS. Specifically, the proposed change addresses the BORAFLEXTM degradation issue in the Unit 2 spent fuel storage racks by revising TS Section 4.3.1 to allow the use of NETCO-SNAP-IN rack inserts in Unit 2 spent fuel storage rack cells as a replacement for the neutron absorbing properties of the existing BORAFLEXTM panels.

In Reference 2, the NRC described proposed license conditions that will be necessary to address the crediting of boron (i.e., in BORAFLEXTM) in the LSCS Unit 2 spent fuel storage racks during the interim period until NETCO-SNAP-IN rack inserts are loaded in all accessible storage rack cells. Reference 2 requested EGC to provide a response indicating EGC's

January 24, 2011 U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission Page 2 understanding and acceptance of the license conditions. EGC has reviewed the proposed license conditions, and understands that the NRC plans to issue license conditions as described in Reference 2.

In addition, during recent discussions the NRC requested EGC to submit the data and analysis associated with the first 10-year surveillance of the NETCO-SNAP-IN rack inserts. Details regarding the NETCO-SNAP-IN rack insert surveillance program are discussed in References 1 and 3. EGC will submit the requested information within 60 days following completion of the analysis.

EGC has reviewed the information supporting a finding of no significant hazards consideration, and the environmental consideration, that were previously provided to the NRC in Attachment 1 of Reference 1. The additional information provided in this submittal does not affect the bases for concluding that the proposed license amendment does not involve a significant hazards consideration. In addition, the additional information provided in this submittal does not affect the bases for concluding that neither an environmental impact statement nor an environmental assessment needs to be prepared in connection with the proposed amendment.

Regulatory Commitments are contained in the Attachment to this letter. Should you have any questions concerning this letter, please contact Mr. Kenneth M. Nicely at (630) 657-2803.

I declare under penalty of perjury that the foregoing is true and correct. Executed on the 24th day of January 2011.

Patrick R. Simpson Manager - Licensing

Attachment:

Summary of Regulatory Commitments cc: NRC Regional Administrator, Region III NRC Senior Resident Inspector - LaSalle County Station Illinois Emergency Management Agency - Division of Nuclear Safety

ATTACHMENT Summary of Regulatory Commitments The following list identifies those actions committed to by Exelon Generation Company, LLC, (EGC) in this submittal. Any other actions discussed in the submittal represent intended or planned actions by EGC, are described only for information, and are not regulatory commitments.

COMMITMENT TYPE ONE-TIME PROGRAM-ACTION MATIC COMMITTED DATE COMMITMENT OR "OUTAGE" (YES/NO) (YES/NO)

EGC will submit the data and Within 60 days following Yes No analysis associated with the first completion of the 10-year surveillance of the analysis NETCO-SNAP-IN rack inserts.