ML071920402

Texas A&M University Nuclear Science Center - Draft Request for Additional Information (Rai), Regarding Application for Renewal of License No. R-83 Docket No. 128

ML071920402
Person / Time
Site:	05000128
Issue date:	07/11/2007
From:	William Schuster NRC/NRR/ADRA/DPR/PRTA
To:	Dan Collins NRC/NRR/ADRA/DPR/PRTA
Schuster W, NRR/ADRA/DPR/PRTA, 415-2614
References
TAC MC2315
Download: ML071920402 (6)

Text

July 11, 2007 MEMORANDUM TO: Daniel S. Collins, Chief Research and Test Reactor Branch A Division of Policy and Rulemaking Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation FROM: William C. Schuster IV, General Engineer /RA/

Research and Test Reactor Branch A Division of Policy and Rulemaking Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation

SUBJECT:

TEXAS A&M UNIVERSITY NUCLEAR SCIENCE CENTER - DRAFT REQUEST FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION (RAI), REGARDING APPLICATION FOR RENEWAL OF LICENSE NO. R-83 DOCKET NO.

128 (TAC NO. MC2315)

On July 11, 2007, Mr. Schuster contacted Mr. Jim Remlinger of Texas A&M University Nuclear Science Center (TAMU NSC) to schedule a teleconference to discuss efforts to relicense the Nuclear Science Center Reactor (NSCR). Mr. Remlinger requested the NRC staffs preliminary Relicensing Path Forward document provided during the April 2007 routine inspection and any additional information that would be useful to reference during the teleconference. The NRC staff provided the attached pages on the path forward and draft RAI by e-mail on July 11, 2007, to Mr. Remlinger. Review of the draft RAI would allow the licensee to identify areas where clarification may be needed, as well as determine and agree upon a schedule for responding to the RAI. This memorandum and attachment do not convey a formal request for information or represent a Nuclear Regulatory Commission position.

Docket No. 50-128

Attachment:

As stated CONTACT: W. Schuster, NRR 301-415-3934

July 11, 2007 MEMORANDUM TO: Daniel S. Collins, Chief Research and Test Reactor Branch A Division of Policy and Rulemaking Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation FROM: William C. Schuster IV, General Engineer /RA/

Research and Test Reactor Branch A Division of Policy and Rulemaking Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation

SUBJECT:

TEXAS A&M UNIVERSITY NUCLEAR SCIENCE CENTER - DRAFT REQUEST FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION (RAI), REGARDING APPLICATION FOR RENEWAL OF LICENSE NO. R-83 DOCKET NO.

128 (TAC NO. MC2315)

On July 11, 2007, Mr. Schuster contacted Mr. Jim Remlinger of Texas A&M University Nuclear Science Center (TAMU NSC) to schedule a teleconference to discuss efforts to relicense the Nuclear Science Center Reactor (NSCR). Mr. Remlinger requested the NRC staffs preliminary Relicensing Path Forward document provided during the April 2007 routine inspection and any additional information that would be useful to reference during the teleconference. The NRC staff provided the attached pages on the path forward and draft RAI by e-mail on July 11, 2007, to Mr. Remlinger. Review of the draft RAI would allow the licensee to identify areas where clarification may be needed, as well as determine and agree upon a schedule for responding to the RAI. This memorandum and attachment do not convey a formal request for information or represent a Nuclear Regulatory Commission position.

Docket No. 50-128

Attachment:

As stated CONTACT: W. Schuster, NRR 301-415-3934 DISTRIBUTION:

PUBLIC PRTA r/f RidsNrrDprPrta ADAMS Accession Number:ML07 OFFICE PRTA:GE PRTA:BC NAME WSchuster ws DCollins dsc DATE 7/11/2007 7/11/2007 OFFICIAL RECORD COPY

Texas A&M TRIGA Relicensing Path Forward

• Schedule facility familiarization trip to TAMU (April 2007)

• Licensee to ensure SAR reflects current design/core configuration with any associated analysis (September 2007)

• Review current state of relicensing with facility, setting goals/milestones for relicensing (September 2007)

• Letter of intent to facility (October 2007)

• Submit FRN for relicensing after receiving updates to SAR (October 2007)

• Complete environmental review (November 2007)

• Timeline for comprehensive round of RAIs, loosely schedule RAI resolution trip to TAMU (December 2007)

• RAI resolution trip (January 2008)

• Submit FRN for environmental assessment (February 2008)

• Resolve any final, remaining RAIs (March 2008)

• Complete SER (April 2008)

• Submit FRN for relicensing (May 2008)

• Complete relicensing (June 2008)

The following questions pertain to the areas of Filing of Application, Financial Qualifications, Operator Requalification, Physical Security, and Environmental Assessment, which are necessary to verify compliance with the listed regulations.

1. The Application for Renewal of License No. R-83 Docket No. 50-128 was not submitted under oath or affirmation. In accordance with 10 CFR 50.30(b), all license applications must be executed in a signed original under oath or affirmation. Please provide oath or affirmation for the aforementioned document.

2. Section 15.3. The NRC staff has determined that additional information is needed for the NRC review for assurance of operating costs. 10 CFR 50.33(f)(2) requires an applicant seeking to renew or extend the term of an operating license for a non-power reactor to provide the financial information that is required in an application for an initial license. According to the regulation, this information includes estimates for total annual operating costs for each of the first five years of operation of the facility.

Using the attached table as a guide, please provide the information necessary to satisfy the requirement.

3. Section 15.2. The NRC staff has determined that additional information is needed for the NRC review for assurance of decommissioning funding for license renewal. The position of the NRC is that Texas A&M NSC has assurance from the State of Texas for decommissioning funding under the current license, but updated assurance of decommissioning funding is required for license renewal. 10 CFR 50.75(e)(iv) permits State licensees to provide assurance of decommissioning funding by a statement of intent containing a cost estimate for decommissioning, and indicating that funds for decommissioning will be obtained when necessary. The statement of intent must be signed by an official who has the authority to commit to spending the necessary funds to accomplish decommissioning, and it should be clearly asserted in the statement of intent that the signing official has that authority. In addition, the statement of intent should contain a statement that funding will be provided sufficiently in advance of decommissioning to prevent delay of required activities.

If decommissioning funding is to continue to be assured by the State of Texas, please submit an updated statement of intent to this effect, signed by an appropriate State official. Otherwise, 10 CFR 50.75(e) provides alternate options for assurance of decommissioning funding.

4. Please submit a copy of your current and implemented operator requalification program.

This will be reviewed with your application to ensure it meets current NRC requirements for non-power reactors, 10 CFR 50.54(i-1) and 10 CFR Part 55. Please submit any changes you wish to make as part of the renewal application.

5. The Texas A&M NSC physical security plan on file with the NRC will be reviewed with your application to ensure it meets current NRC requirements for non-power reactors, 10 CFR 73.67. If you want to modify your physical security plan, changes should be made in accordance with the requirements of 10 CFR 50.54(p) or 10 CFR 50.90.

6. The NRC staff has determined that additional information is needed for the NRC environmental assessment. 10 CFR 50.30(f) requires an applicant for an operating license of a utilization facility to provide an Environmental Report. An Environmental Report should include sufficient operational data, analyses, and discussions to provide a substantial basis for NRC to develop its environmental assessment. For guidance, consider the applicable Sections of 10 CFR Part 51 and NUREG-1537, "Guidelines for Preparing and Reviewing Applications for the Licensing of Non-Power Reactors" (i.e.

Section 12.12 of part one and Section 12.12 and Appendix 12.1 of Part 2).

Please provide additional information using the aforementioned guidance in the form of an Environmental Report.

TABLE PROVIDING A FIVE-YEAR FORECAST FOR FINANCIAL QUALIFICATION FOR LICENSE RENEWAL FY2007 FY2008 FY2009 FY2010 FY2011 FY2012 Revenue: Source A: $ $ $ $ $ $

Source B: $ $ $ $ $ $

Source C: $ $ $ $ $ $

Total: $ $ $ $ $ $

Expenses: Item D: $ $ $ $ $ $

Item E: $ $ $ $ $ $

Item F: $ $ $ $ $ $

Item G: $ $ $ $ $ $

Item H: $ $ $ $ $ $

Item I: $ $ $ $ $ $

Total $ $ $ $ $ $

Note: The number of revenue sources may be expanded or contracted, but at least 5 (five) expense categories should be identified.

ATTACHMENT