ML051930391

ESP-22a - NRC Treatment of Design Parameters Identified in an ESP - Interpretation of 10 CFR 52.39

ML051930391
Person / Time
Site:	Nuclear Energy Institute
Issue date:	08/10/2005
From:	Beckner W NRC/NRR/DRIP/RNRP
To:	Heymer A Nuclear Energy Institute
Araguas C, NRR/DRIP/RNRP,415-3637
References
ESP-22a
Download: ML051930391 (9)

Text

August 11, 2005Mr. Adrian P. HeymerDirector, New Plant Deployment Nuclear Generation Division Nuclear Energy Institute (NEI) 1776 I Street, NW, Suite 400 Washington, D.C. 20006-3708

SUBJECT:

INTERPRETATION OF 10 CFR 52.39(a)(2)(ii) AND 10 CFR 52.39(b) (ESP-22a)

Dear Mr. Heymer:

The purpose of this letter is to respond to requests by the Nuclear Energy Institute (NEI) toprovide interpretations to specific language contained in Title 10 of the Code of FederalRegulations (10 CFR) sections 52.39(a)(2)(ii) and 52.39(b). In a September 27, 2004, letter(ADAMS Accession No. ML042820378), associated with the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) review of early site permit (ESP) applications, NEI requested that the staffprovide an interpretation of 10 CFR 52.39(b). During a public meeting on January 18, 2005 (ADAMS Accession No. ML050400256), the NRC staff agreed to consider this request. Subsequently, NEI requested that the staff also provide further clarification of 10 CFR52.39(a)(2)(ii). This letter provides the NRC staff's position regarding these regulations.10 CFR 52.39(b) provides for a construction permit (CP), operating license (OL), or combinedlicense (COL) applicant, who has filed an application referencing an ESP issued under Subpart A of Part 52, to seek a variance from "one or more elements" of the permit. The intent of the staff regarding the phrase "one or more elements" was not to exclude any aspects contained in the permit. At the time the rule was written, the staff sought to use a generalphrase that would cover all of the components approved as part of an ESP. It is the staff's intent that the phrase "one or more elements," as used in 10 CFR 52.39(b), refer to, one ormore site characteristics, design parameters, and terms and conditions of the permit.10 CFR 52.39(a)(2) sets forth the conditions for when a CP, OL, or COL applicant cannotreference an ESP in a CP, OL, or COL application. One condition occurs when there exists a petition alleging that the site is not in compliance with the terms of the ESP. 10 CFR52.39(a)(2)(ii) states that this petition must include, or clearly reference, official NRC documents, documents prepared by or for the permit holder, or evidence admissible in a proceeding under Subpart C of 10 CFR Part 2, which show that the acceptance criteria have A. Heymer-2-not been met. It is the staff's intent that the phrase "acceptance criteria," as used in 10 CFR52.39(b), refer to site characteristics, design parameters, and terms and conditions of the permit.Please contact John Segala at (301) 415-1858 or by email at jps1@nrc.gov if you have anyquestions.Sincerely,/RA/William D. Beckner, Program DirectorNew, Research and Test Reactors Program Division of Regulatory Improvement Programs Office of Nuclear Reactor RegulationProject No. 689 cc: See next page

ML051930391OFFICERNRPPM:RNRPOGC/NLO w/commentsSC:RNRPPD:RNRPNAMECAraguasJSegalaDReddickLDudesWBeckner DATE07/12/0507/12/0508/02/0508/08/0508/09/05 Distribution for Letter to A. Heymer Dated August 10, 2005Hard CopyRNRP R/FCAraguas JSegala BSosa RAnand LDudesE-MailPUBLICJDyer (RidsNrrOd)

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