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, 2005 Mr. Adrian P. Heymer Director, 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) to provide interpretations to specific language contained in Title 10 of the Code of Federal Regulations (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 staff provide 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 CFR 52.39(a)(2)(ii). This letter provides the NRC staffs position regarding these regulations.

10 CFR 52.39(b) provides for a construction permit (CP), operating license (OL), or combined license (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 general phrase that would cover all of the components approved as part of an ESP. It is the staffs intent that the phrase one or more elements, as used in 10 CFR 52.39(b), refer to, one or more 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 cannot reference 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 CFR 52.39(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 not been met. It is the staffs intent that the phrase acceptance criteria, as used in 10 CFR 52.39(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 any questions.

Sincerely,

/RA/

William D. Beckner, Program Director New, Research and Test Reactors Program Division of Regulatory Improvement Programs Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation Project No. 689 cc: See next page

ML051930391 OFFICE RNRP PM:RNRP OGC/NLO w/comments SC:RNRP PD:RNRP NAME CAraguas JSegala DReddick LDudes WBeckner DATE 07/12/05 07/12/05 08/02/05 08/08/05 08/09/05

Distribution for Letter to A. Heymer Dated August 10, 2005 Hard Copy RNRP R/F External e-mail CAraguas bhupinder.singh@hq.doe.gov JSegala tom.miller@hq.doe.gov BSosa Vanessa.Quinn@dhs.gov RAnand Kenneth.Wierman@dhs.gov LDudes James.Purvis@dhs.gov E-Mail PUBLIC JDyer (RidsNrrOd)

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