IR 05000255/2014002

Reply to Non-Cited Violation, Failure to Complete Volumetric Examinations for DM Butt Welds in Branch Connections,05000255/2014002-02

ML14162A260
Person / Time
Site:	Palisades
Issue date:	06/06/2014
From:	Gustafson O W Entergy Nuclear Operations
To:	Document Control Desk, NRC/RGN-III
References
IR-14-002, PNP 2014-056
Download: ML14162A260 (2)

Text

Entergy Nuclear Operations, Inc.Palisades Nuclear Plant Entergy27780 Blue Star Memorial Highway Covert, MI 49043-9530 Tel 269 764 2000 Otto W. Gustafson Director, Regulatory Assurance and Performance Improvement PNP 2014-056 June 06, 2014 U. S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission ATTN: Document Control Desk Washington, DC 20555-0001

SUBJECT: Reply to Non-Cited Violation, "Failure to Complete Volumetric Examinations for DM Butt Welds in Branch Connections,"05000255/2014002-02 Palisades Nuclear Plant Docket 50-255 License No. DPR-20 References:

1. Palisades Nuclear Plant Integrated Inspection Report, 05000255/2014002, dated May 7, 2014 (ML14127A543)

2. NRC Electronic Mail, Palisades Nuclear Plant -Verbal Authorization for Relief Request RR 4-18 -MF3508, dated March 13, 2014 (ML14073A274)

Sir or Madam: Entergy Nuclear Operations, Inc. (ENO) hereby submits a reply to non-cited violation,05000255/2014002-02 (Reference 1), for the failure to complete volumetric examinations for dissimilar metal (DM) butt welds in primary coolant system (PCS)branch connections at Palisades Nuclear Plant (PNP). ENO does not contest the violation or the significance as determined by the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC).Based on our evaluations and input from industry code experts, ENO does not consider the hot and cold leg branch connection welds referenced in the violation to be within the scope of American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME) Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code, Code Case N-770-1 or the conditions specified in 10 CFR 50.55a(g)(6)(ii)(F).

Therefore, given the differences in technical opinion regarding the inspection requirement for the PCS branch connection butt welds, ENO plans to explore this issue furthe PNP 2014-56 Page 2 of 2 In parallel with the proposed alternative outlined in the NRC verbal authorization for Relief Request RR 4-18 (Reference 2), ENO will continue to pursue clarification on the applicability of Code Case N-770-1 and 10 CFR 50.55a(g)(6)(ii)(F)

to the branch connection welds referenced in the violatio ENO will take the opportunity to provide additional information to the NRC to support resolution of this issue.This submittal makes no new commitments or revisions to previous commitments.

Sincerely,owg/tad cc: Administrator, Region III, USNRC Director, Office of Enforcement, USNRC Resident Inspector, Palisades, USNRC