ML15257A325

Acceptance of Requested Licensing Action Amendment to Add Technical Specifications to Support Dual-Unit Operations

ML15257A325
Person / Time
Site:	Watts Bar
Issue date:	10/07/2015
From:	Dion J Watts Bar Special Projects Branch
To:	James Shea Tennessee Valley Authority
Schaaf R
References
TAC MF6376
Download: ML15257A325 (3)

Text

UNITED STATES NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION WASHINGTON, D.C. 20555-0001 October 7, 2015 Mr. Joseph W. Shea Vice President, Nuclear Licensing Tennessee Valley Authority 1101 Market Street, LP 3R-C Chattanooga TN 37402-2801

SUBJECT:

WATTS BAR NUCLEAR PLANT, UNIT NO. 1 -ACCEPTANCE OF REQUESTED LICENSING ACTION RE: AMENDMENT TO ADD TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS TO SUPPORT DUAL-UNIT OPERATIONS (TAC NO.

MF6376)

Dear Mr. Shea:

By letter dated June 17, 2015, the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA, the licensee) submitted a license amendment request for Watts Bar Nuclear Plant (WBN), Unit 1 (Agencywide Documents Access and Management System (ADAMS) Accession No. ML15170A474). The proposed amendment request would modify the Technical Specifications (TSs) to define support systems needed in the first 48 hours2 days <br />0.286 weeks <br />0.0658 months <br /> after a unit shutdown when steam generators are not available for heat removal. The proposed change is required to support dual-unit operation of WBN, if Unit 2 should receive an operating license. The acceptance review was performed to determine if there is sufficient technical information in scope and depth to allow the NRC staff to complete its detailed technical review. The acceptance review is also intended to identify whether the application has any readily apparent information insufficiencies in its characterization of the regulatory requirements or the licensing basis of the plant.

On July 9, 2015, the NRC issued a letter documenting the need for information supplementing the requested license amendment before the application could be accepted for review (ADAMS Accession No. ML15187A403). TVA submitted supplemental information regarding balance of plant, operator manual actions, and radiological dose on July 14, 2015 (ADAMS Accession No. ML15197A357). TVA stated in its July 14, 2015, letter that supplemental information regarding containment performance analyses would be submitted by August 14 and September 18, 2015, for Unit 2 and Unit 1 containments, respectively. TVA submitted the Unit 2 containment performance analysis on August 13, 2015 (ADAMS Accession No. ML15225A382),

and the Unit 1 containment performance analysis on September 11, 2015 (ADAMS Accession No. ML15254A564), as supplemented by letter dated September 21, 2015 (ADAMS Accession No. ML15266A026).

Consistent with Section 50.90 of Title 10 of the Code of Federal Regulations (10 CFR), an amendment to the license (including the TSs) must fully describe the changes requested, and following as far as applicable, the form prescribed for original applications. Section 50.34 of 10 CFR addresses the content of technical information required. This section stipulates that the submittal address the design and operating characteristics, unusual or novel design features, and principal safety considerations.

J. Shea The NRC staff has reviewed your application and the supplements dated July 14, August 13, September 11, and September 21, 2015, and concluded that they provide technical information in sufficient detail to enable the NRC staff to complete its detailed technical review and make an independent assessment regarding the acceptability of the proposed amendment in terms of regulatory requirements and the protection of public health and safety and the environment.

Given the lesser scope and depth of the acceptance review as compared to the detailed technical review, there may be instances in which issues that impact the NRC staff's ability to complete the detailed technical review are identified despite completion of an adequate acceptance review. You will be advised of any further information needed to support the NRC staff's detailed technical review by separate correspondence.

If you have any questions, please contact me at (301) 415-1349 or jeanne.dion@nrc.gov.

Sincerely, c :*n, ~::ager Watts Bar Special Projects Branch Division of Operating Reactor Licensing Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation Docket No. 50-390 cc: Distribution via Listserv

ML15257A325 *via e-mail OFFICE NRR/DORL/LPWB/PM NRR/DORL/LPLll-2/LA NRR/DRA/APHB/BC NRR/DRA/ARCB/BC NAME RSchaaf BClayton SWeerakkody* US hoop*

DATE 10/06/2015 10/06/2015 10/02/2015 9/30/2015 OFFICE NRR/DSS/SBPB/BC NRR/DSS/SCVB/BC NRR/DORL/LPWB/BC NRR/DORL/LPWB/PM NAME GCasto RDennig* JQuichocho JD ion DATE 10/02/2015 9/30/2015 10/05/2015 10/07/2015