ML070190558

Site Visit to Comanche Peak Nuclear Plant Site to Observe Combined License pre-Application Subsurface Investigation Activities (Project No. 754)

ML070190558
Person / Time
Site:	Comanche Peak, PROJ0754
Issue date:	01/19/2007
From:	Lesser M NRC/RGN-II/DCI
To:	Blevins M TXU Power
References
Download: ML070190558 (7)

Text

January 19, 2007 Mr. Mike Blevins, Senior Vice President and Chief Nuclear Officer TXU Power ATTN: Regulatory Affairs Comanche Peak Steam Electric Station P.O. Box 1002 Glen Rose, TX 76043

SUBJECT:

SITE VISIT TO COMANCHE PEAK NUCLEAR PLANT SITE TO OBSERVE COMBINED LICENSE PRE-APPLICATION SUBSURFACE INVESTIGATION ACTIVITIES (PROJECT NO. 754)

Dear Mr. Blevins:

On December 12 - 13, 2006, a Region II Inspector conducted a site visit to the Comanche Peak Nuclear Plant site accompanied by members of the Office of New Reactors (NRO) staff. The purpose of the visit was to observe Combined License (COL) pre-application subsurface investigation activities being conducted to obtain geotechnical/seismic data to support a COL application for new nuclear power plants. These observations will provide background information for NRCs future review of the expected COL application for the Comanche Peak site.

Enclosed is a summary of the site visit, that includes a list of NRC participants and persons with whom discussions were held.

Sincerely,

/RA/

Mark S. Lesser, Chief Construction Inspection Branch 1 Division of Construction Inspection Project No. 754

Enclosure:

As stated cc w/encl: (See next page)

TXU 2 cc w/encl: Mr. Joseph D. Hegner Mr. Charles Brinkman Lead Engineer - Licensing Westinghouse Electric Co. Dominion Generation Washington Operations Early Site Permitting Project 12300 Twinbrook Pkwy., Suite 330 5000 Dominion Boulevard Rockville, MD 20852 Glen Allen, VA 23060 Mr. David Lochbaum, Nuclear Safety Mr. Edward L. Quinn Engineer Longenecker and Associates Union of Concerned Scientists Utility Operations Division 1707 H Street, NW, Suite 600 23292 Pompeii Drive Washington, DC 20006-3919 Dana Point, CA 92629 Mr. Paul Gunter Mr. Paul Leventhal Nuclear Information & Resource Service Nuclear Control Institute 1424 16th Street, NW, Suite 404 1000 Connecticut Avenue, NW Washington, DC 20036 Suite 410 Washington, DC 20036 Mr. James Riccio Greenpeace Mr. Jay M. Gutierrez 702 H Street, NW, Suite 300 Morgan, Lewis & Bockius, LLP Washington, DC 20001 1111 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW Washington, DC 20004 Mr. Adrian Heymer Nuclear Energy Institute Mr. W. Edward Cummins Suite 400 AP600 and AP1000 Projects 1776 I Street, NW Westinghouse Electric Company Washington, DC 20006-3708 P.O. Box 355 Pittsburgh, PA 15230-0355 Mr. George Alan Zinke Project Manager Mr. Gary Wright, Manager Nuclear Business Development Office of Nuclear Facility Safety Entergy Nuclear Illinois Department of Nuclear Safety M-ECH-683 1035 Outer Park Drive 1340 Echelon Parkway Springfield, IL 62704 Jackson, MS 39213 Mr. Brendan Hoffman Ms. Marilyn Kray Research Associate on Nuclear Energy Vice President, Special Projects Public Citizens Critical Mass Energy and Exelon Generation Environmental Program 200 Exelon Way, KSA3-E 215 Pennsylvania Avenue, SE Kennett Square, PA 19348 Washington, DC 20003 Mr. Laurence Parme Mr. Lionel Batty Manager, GT-MHR Safety & Licensing Nuclear Business Team Graftech General Atomics Company 12300 Snow Road P.O. Box 85608 Parma, OH 44130 San Diego, CA 92186-5608 cc w/encl contd - See next page

TXU 3 cc w/encl contd: Mr. Ron Simard Mr. Ian M. Grant 6170 Masters Club Drive Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission Suwanee, GA 30024 280 Slater Street, Station B P.O. Box 1046 Ms. Sandra Sloan Ottawa, Ontario Areva NP, Inc.

K1P 5S9 3315 Old Forest Road P.O. Box 10935 Mr. Glenn H. Archinoff Lynchburg, VA 24506-0935 AECL Technologies 481 North Frederick Avenue Ms. Anne W. Cottingham Suite 405 Assistant General Counsel Gaithersburg, MD 20877 Nuclear Energy Institute 1776 I Street, NW, Suite 400 Dr. Regis A. Matzie Washington, DC 20006 Senior Vice President and Chief Technology Officer Mr. David Repka Westinghouse Electric Company Winston & Strawn LLP 2000 Day Hill Road 1700 K Street, NW Windsor, CT 06095-0500 Washington, DC 20006-3817 Mr. Ed Wallace, General Manager Projects Mr. Robert E. Sweeney PBMR Pty LTD IBEX ESI PO Box 9396 4641 Montgomery Avenue Centurion 0046 Suite 350 Republic of South Africa Bethesda, MD 20814 Mr. Dobie McArthur Mr. Eugene S. Grecheck Director, Washington Operations Vice President, Nuclear Support General Atomics Services 1899 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW, Suite 300 Dominion Energy, Inc.

Washington, DC 20006 5000 Dominion Blvd.

Glen Allen, VA 23060 Mr. Russell Bell Nuclear Energy Institute Suite 400 1776 I Street, NW Washington, DC 20006-3708 Ms. Vanessa E. Quinn, Chief Radiological Emergency Preparedness Branch Nuclear and Chemical Preparedness and Protection Division Department of Homeland Security 1800 South Bell Street, Room 837 Crystal City-Arlington, VA 22202-3546

ML070190558 OFFICE RII:CIB1 HQ:NRO SIGNATURE CAJ via e-mail forCAJ NAME CJulian SCoffin DATE 1/18/07 1/18/07 E-MAIL COPY? YES NO YES NO YES NO YES NO YES NO YES NO YES NO

SITE VISIT TO COMANCHE PEAK SITE TO OBSERVE COMBINED LICENSE (COL) PRE-APPLICATION SUBSURFACE INVESTIGATION ACTIVITIES PROJECT NUMBER 754 Purpose of Visit:

This site visit was conducted on December 12-13, 2006, by staff of the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC), Region II and the Office of New Reactors (NRO). Region II inspectors observed combined license (COL) pre-application subsurface investigation activities being conducted to obtain geotechnical and seismic data at the proposed siting location of two new nuclear power plants. Although this visit was not an official NRC inspection the inspectors utilized the following documents for guidance:

NRC Inspection Manual Chapter 2502, Construction Inspection Program: Pre-Combined License (PRE-COL) Phase NRC Inspection Procedure 45051, Geotechnical/Foundation Activities Procedure Review NRC Inspection Procedure 35005, Pre-Docketing Combined License Quality Assurance Controls Inspection Principal Persons Contacted:

J. Bachhuber, William Lettis and Associates (WLA)

F. Boniadi, FUGRO D. Buschbaum, TXU T. Crisco, ENERCON W. Dam, ENERCON M. Hamby, ENERCON P. Manning, ENERCON R. Ortiz, WLA R. Schoenewe, ENERCON D. Woodlan, TXU NRC Inspectors:

C. Julian, Senior Project Manager, RII NRC Accompanying Personnel:

J. Starefos, Senior Project Manager, NRO C. Munson, NRO S. Gonzalez, NRO W. Wang, NRO Enclosure

2

Background:

By letters of June 27 and September 7, 2006, TXU informed the NRC staff that it had selected the Comanche Peak site to be the subject for a COL application, with the intent of submitting the application prior to the end of 2008. A COL is a combined construction permit and operating license with conditions for a nuclear power facility pursuant to 10 CFR Part 52 Subpart C. TXU has contracted Enercon Services, Inc. as a nuclear services provider to construct the COL application, to provide quality assurance (QA) oversight for geotechnical investigation activities, and to be a managing interface with the site owner TXU Power. Enercon has subcontracted William Lettis and Associates (WLA) to provide overall technical direction for geological, geotechnical, and seismological studies. Enercon has subcontracted FUGRO for implementation of site characterization activities, i.e., drilling, well installation, laboratory testing, and geotechnical engineering services.

Overview of subsurface investigation activities discussed and/or observed:

TXU plans to use the subsurface investigations described below to provide data to determine site suitability for a COL. TXUs current subsurface investigation activities included areas which would be the site of two new reactors of a technology yet to be decided. The scope of the site characterization activities includes the following:

Field Exploration Methods Standard Penetration Testing (SPT)

Rock coring Borehole pressuremeter testing Seismic downhole and P-S suspension velocity measurements (P-S logging)

Borehole televiewer profiles Gamma and Caliper profiles Seismic refraction and gravity Spectral analysis of surface waves Cone Penetration Test (CPT)

Groundwater monitoring wells Geologic mapping Test pit excavation and mapping Laboratory Testing Geotechnical index testing Geotechnical strength testing Dynamic testing Drilling and sampling observations - On December 12 - 13, 2006, members of NRO and Region II team toured the locations where approximately 22 borings were being drilled within the site characterization boundary. The team confirmed that NRC Regulatory Guide 1.132, Site Investigations for Foundations of Nuclear Power Plants, was being used as guidance for site investigation activities. The boreholes were being drilled under direction of a WLA Site Coordinator using rotary drill rig equipment and drilled to various depths appropriate to the borehole location.

Enclosure

3 The inspector observed the boring operations in progress at two locations. Borehole Televiewer Profile testing was observed being performed at a third location during the site visit. Calibration records were also reviewed for the testing equipment. The locations of various other additional borings were also visited.

The inspector also reviewed applicable procedures, and discussed technical aspects of the site investigation with individuals from WLA. The inspector inspected the sample storage facility that had been established in a equipment storage warehouse within the owner controlled area and found samples being adequately stored. Disturbed samples were being collected from this operation using a split-barrel sampler. The team observed that jar samples were being collected, and stored in accordance with ASTM D4220-95, Standard Practices for Preserving and Transporting Soil Samples. Undisturbed sampling operations were not witnessed. The inspector examined warehouse storage location sample log and samples of the Rig Geologists field boring logs and found them adequate.

The inspector inquired about the quality assurance (QA) measures being applied to the current work. TXU representatives explained that they have contracted Enercon Services to perform the COL application development under the Enercon Services QA program. Geotechnical field investigation, laboratory testing, and engineering analysis being performed by WLA and FUGRO is performed under the Enercon Quality Assurance Project Plan. The inspector examined the Enercon Quality Assurance Project Plan document TXUT-001, Rev.1, December 6, 2006 and found it thorough and comprehensive. The inspector examined the detailed work instruction document Project Instruction for Combined License Application Project TXUT-001-PI-02, Rev.

1, November 1, 2006 and found it adequate. The inspector was told that a revision 2 to this document was issued the day before to update attachment 4 to include the latest procedures for P-S suspension logging. The inspector was told that there have been a recent personnel change for the Enercon site QA representatives. As a result they are preparing a revision 3 to this procedure to include new enhancements for records control and other current practices.

The inspector reviewed examples of self-audits and nonconformance reports which had been performed prior to the NRC visit. The inspector reviewed documentation of a TXU Power Supplemental Audit of Enercon Services, QAA-06-095, 10/16-19/06. Two deficiencies and one observation were identified. A response had been provided and corrective actions taken. The inspector reviewed documentation of one Enercon corporate QA surveillance TXUT-SURV-2006-01, November 7-8, 2006. Two CAR corrective action documents resulted, the most significant being not having established a sample log in the warehouse. The inspector observed earlier that the CAR had been corrected and a sample log had been established in the warehouse. The inspector examined the documented results of previous Enercon QA surveillances CPSES-06-001 through 012 performed between November 4, 2006 through December 3, 2006. Observations included numerous instances of minor logging errors which were later corrected. From these observations the inspector concluded that quality assurance measures were being applied to the on site geotechnical investigation activities.

All testing activities appeared to be controlled by adequate procedures and standards, with an appropriate level of supervisory and quality assurance oversight. The inspector considered all observations of work adequate.

Enclosure