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| NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION | | NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION |
| [Docket Nos. 50-338 and 50-339; NRC-2012-0051] License Nos. NPF-4 and NPF-7 Virgina Electric and Power Company; Receipt of Request for Action Notice is hereby given that by petition dated September 8, 2011 (Agencywide Documents Access and Management System (ADAMS) Accession No.ML11256A019), as supplemented by letters dated September 8, 2011 (ADAMS Accession No. ML11334A152), and October 21, 2011 (ADAMS Accession No. ML11308A016), Thomas Saporito (the petitioner) requests that the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC or the Commission) take action with regard to Virginia Electric and Power Company's (the licensee's) North Anna Power Station, Units 1 and 2 (North Anna 1 and 2). The petitioner requests that the NRC: (1) take escalated enforcement action against the licensee and suspend, or revoke, the operating licenses for North Anna 1 and 2; (2) issue a notice of violation against the licensee with a proposed civil penalty in the amount of 1 million dollars; and (3) issue an order to the licensee requiring the licensee to keep North Anna 1 and 2, in a "cold shutdown" mode of operation until such time as a series of actions described in the petition are completed. As the basis for this request, the petitioner states that: (1) On August 23, 2011, North Anna 1 and 2, automatically tripped offline as a direct result of ground motion caused by an earthquake centered in Mineral, Virginia, approximately 10 miles from North Anna 1 and 2. The licensee has not determined the root cause of this event, nor has it explained why the reactor tripped on "negative flux rate" rather than on loss of offsite power. (2) Subsequent to the earthquake, the licensee initiated various inspection activities and tests to discover the extent of damage to the nuclear facility, but these inspection and testing activities continue and remain incomplete and non-validated. (3) The licensee had set an overly aggressive schedule for restarting North Anna 1 and 2 that was based on economic considerations rather than safety. (4) The licensee needs to amend its licensing documents, including its licenses and the updated facility analysis report. As a result of ground motion experienced at, and damage sustained to, North Anna 1 and 2, due to the earthquake of August 23, 2011, which is greater than the licensee's design and safety bases, North Anna 1 and 2, are in an unanalyzed condition and current licensing documents are erroneous and incomplete. As a result, the licensee cannot rely on them to provide reasonable assurance to the NRC that these nuclear reactors can be operated in a safe and reliable manner to protect public health and safety. (5) The licensee needs to conduct new seismic and geological evaluations of the North Anna 1 and 2, site that are independent. These evaluations should ascertain the degree and magnitude of future earthquake events and address a "worst case" earthquake. (6) There are numerous issues with the seismic instrumentation at North Anna 1 and 2, including lack of free field instrumentation, issues associated with conversion of analog data to digital data, issues with lack of on-site personnel with sufficient training in seismic measurements, and potential skewing of ground motion data due to the location of the "scratch plates." | | [Docket Nos. 50-338 and 50-339; NRC-2012-0051] |
| (7) Retrofitting of North Anna 1 and 2, is required due to damage to North Anna 1 and 2, from the earthquake of August 23, 2011. (8) There are concerns with the impact of the August 23, 2011, earthquake on the North Anna 1 and 2, Independent Spent Fuel Storage Installation (ISFSI) including the fact that 25 casks weighing over 115 tons were not supposed to shift as much as 4.5 inches during a predicted earthquake, validation of the integrity of the seals inside the spent fuel casks, assessing whether spent nuclear fuel storage facilities could topple or otherwise sustain significant damage resulting in a release, and assessing whether the licensee's emergency plans adequately addressed damage to the ISFSI as a result of a severe earthquake. (9) The petitioner is concerned that the licensee cannot be trusted to communicate reliable information to the public or the regulator based on the fact that the licensee in the 1970s failed to promptly disclose the discovery of geological information and was subjected to a monetary fine for the violation. The request is being treated pursuant to Title 10 of the Code of Federal Regulations (10 CFR) 2.206, "Requests for action under this subpart," of the Commission's regulations. The request has been referred to the Director of the Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation. As provided by § 2.206, appropriate action will be taken on this petition within a reasonable time.
| | License Nos. NPF-4 and NPF-7 Virgina Electric and Power Company; Receipt of Request for Action Notice is hereby given that by petition dated September 8, 2011 (Agencywide Documents Access and Management System (ADAMS) Accession No.ML11256A019), as supplemented by letters dated September 8, 2011 (ADAMS Accession No. ML11334A152), and October 21, 2011 (ADAMS Accession No. ML11308A016), Thomas Saporito (the petitioner) requests that the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC or the Commission) take action with regard to Virginia Electric and Power Companys (the licensees) North Anna Power Station, Units 1 and 2 (North Anna 1 and 2). The petitioner requests that the NRC: |
| The petitioner met with the NRR petition review board on September 29, 2011 (transcript at ADAMS Accession No. ML11332A046), and November 7, 2011 (transcript at ADAMS Accession No. ML113530035), to discuss the petition. The results of these discussions were considered in the PRB's final recommendation to accept the petition for review and in establishing the schedule for the review of the petition.
| | (1) take escalated enforcement action against the licensee and suspend, or revoke, the operating licenses for North Anna 1 and 2; (2) issue a notice of violation against the licensee with a proposed civil penalty in the amount of 1 million dollars; and (3) issue an order to the licensee requiring the licensee to keep North Anna 1 and 2, in a cold shutdown mode of operation until such time as a series of actions described in the petition are completed. |
| A copy of the petition is available for inspection at the Commission's Public Document Room, located at One White Flint North, Public File Area O1-F21, 11555 Rockville Pike (first floor), Rockville, Maryland 20852. Publicly available documents created or received at the NRC are accessible electronically through the NRC's Agencywide Documents Access and Management System (ADAMS) in the NRC Library at http://www.nrc.gov/reading-rm/adams.html. Persons who do not have access to ADAMS or who encounter problems in accessing the documents located in ADAMS should contact the NRC PDR Reference staff by telephone at 1-800-397-4209 or 301-415-4737, or by e-mail to PDR Resource@nrc.gov Dated at Rockville, Maryland, this 22nd day of February, 2012.
| | As the basis for this request, the petitioner states that: |
| For the Nuclear Regulatory Commission.
| | (1) On August 23, 2011, North Anna 1 and 2, automatically tripped offline as a direct result of ground motion caused by an earthquake centered in Mineral, Virginia, approximately 10 miles from North Anna 1 and 2. The licensee has not determined |
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| /RA/ Eric J. Leeds, Director Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation}}
| | the root cause of this event, nor has it explained why the reactor tripped on negative flux rate rather than on loss of offsite power. |
| | (2) Subsequent to the earthquake, the licensee initiated various inspection activities and tests to discover the extent of damage to the nuclear facility, but these inspection and testing activities continue and remain incomplete and non-validated. |
| | (3) The licensee had set an overly aggressive schedule for restarting North Anna 1 and 2 that was based on economic considerations rather than safety. |
| | (4) The licensee needs to amend its licensing documents, including its licenses and the updated facility analysis report. As a result of ground motion experienced at, and damage sustained to, North Anna 1 and 2, due to the earthquake of August 23, 2011, which is greater than the licensees design and safety bases, North Anna 1 and 2, are in an unanalyzed condition and current licensing documents are erroneous and incomplete. As a result, the licensee cannot rely on them to provide reasonable assurance to the NRC that these nuclear reactors can be operated in a safe and reliable manner to protect public health and safety. |
| | (5) The licensee needs to conduct new seismic and geological evaluations of the North Anna 1 and 2, site that are independent. These evaluations should ascertain the degree and magnitude of future earthquake events and address a worst case earthquake. |
| | (6) There are numerous issues with the seismic instrumentation at North Anna 1 and 2, including lack of free field instrumentation, issues associated with conversion of analog data to digital data, issues with lack of on-site personnel with sufficient training in seismic measurements, and potential skewing of ground motion data due to the location of the scratch plates. |
| | |
| | (7) Retrofitting of North Anna 1 and 2, is required due to damage to North Anna 1 and 2, from the earthquake of August 23, 2011. |
| | (8) There are concerns with the impact of the August 23, 2011, earthquake on the North Anna 1 and 2, Independent Spent Fuel Storage Installation (ISFSI) including the fact that 25 casks weighing over 115 tons were not supposed to shift as much as 4.5 inches during a predicted earthquake, validation of the integrity of the seals inside the spent fuel casks, assessing whether spent nuclear fuel storage facilities could topple or otherwise sustain significant damage resulting in a release, and assessing whether the licensees emergency plans adequately addressed damage to the ISFSI as a result of a severe earthquake. |
| | (9) The petitioner is concerned that the licensee cannot be trusted to communicate reliable information to the public or the regulator based on the fact that the licensee in the 1970s failed to promptly disclose the discovery of geological information and was subjected to a monetary fine for the violation. |
| | The request is being treated pursuant to Title 10 of the Code of Federal Regulations (10 CFR) 2.206, Requests for action under this subpart, of the Commission's regulations. The request has been referred to the Director of the Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation. As provided by § 2.206, appropriate action will be taken on this petition within a reasonable time. |
| | The petitioner met with the NRR petition review board on September 29, 2011 (transcript at ADAMS Accession No. ML11332A046), and November 7, 2011 (transcript at ADAMS Accession No. ML113530035), to discuss the petition. The results of these discussions were considered in the PRBs final recommendation to accept the petition for review and in establishing the schedule for the review of the petition. |
| | |
| | A copy of the petition is available for inspection at the Commission's Public Document Room, located at One White Flint North, Public File Area O1-F21, 11555 Rockville Pike (first floor), Rockville, Maryland 20852. Publicly available documents created or received at the NRC are accessible electronically through the NRCs Agencywide Documents Access and Management System (ADAMS) in the NRC Library at http://www.nrc.gov/reading-rm/adams.html. Persons who do not have access to ADAMS or who encounter problems in accessing the documents located in ADAMS should contact the NRC PDR Reference staff by telephone at 1-800-397-4209 or 301-415-4737, or by e-mail to PDR Resource@nrc.gov Dated at Rockville, Maryland, this 22nd day of February, 2012. |
| | For the Nuclear Regulatory Commission. |
| | /RA/ |
| | Eric J. Leeds, Director Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation}} |
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MONTHYEARML11256A0192011-09-0808 September 2011 G20110668/EDATS: OEDO-2011-0622 - Thomas Saporito E-mail 2.206 - Licensed Activities at North Anna Nuclear Plant (Units 1 and 2) Project stage: Request ML11262A1512011-09-17017 September 2011 Independent Spent Fuel Storage Installation - Summary Report of August 23, 2011 Earthquake Response and Restart Readiness Determination Plan Project stage: Request ML11334A1522011-09-29029 September 2011 G20110668/EDATS: OEDO-2011-0622 - 2011/09/29 NRR E-mail Capture - Supplemental Information for 2.206 Petition Record Regarding Licensed Activities at North Anna Nuclear Plant (Unit 1 and 2) Project stage: Request ML11332A0462011-09-29029 September 2011 G20110668/EDATS: OEDO-2011-0622 - Corrected Transcript of 10 Crr 2.206 Petition Review Board, North Anna, Units 1 and 2 - November 7, 2011, Pages 1-41 Project stage: Request ML11277A2672011-10-0303 October 2011 Response to Request for Additional Information Regarding August 23, 2011 Earthquake - Restart Readiness Determination Plan Project stage: Response to RAI ML11308A0162011-10-21021 October 2011 G20110775/ (EDATS: SECY-2011-0579) - E-mail Thomas Saporito North Anna Nuclear Power Plant Project stage: Request ML1135300352011-11-0707 November 2011 G20110668/EDATS: OEDO-2011-0622 - Corrected Transcript of 10 CFR 2.206 Petition Review Board, North Anna, Units 1 and 2 - November 7, 2011, Pages 1-41 Project stage: Request ML11312A2442011-11-0808 November 2011 NRR E-mail Capture - ME7100 Kewaunee Chi-over-Q RAI Response Due and Received on November 8, 2011 Project stage: RAI ML11356A1642012-02-22022 February 2012 G20110668/EDATS: OEDO-2011-0622 - Acknowledgement Letter Thomas Saporito 2.206 Petition - Licensed Activities at North Anna Nuclear Plant, Unit Nos. 1 and 2 Project stage: Acceptance Review ML11357A1052012-02-22022 February 2012 G20110668/EDATS: OEDO-2011-0622 - North Anna Power Station, Unit Nos. 1 and 2, Receipt of Request for Action Under 10 CFR 2.206 Project stage: Other NRC-2012-0051, G20110668/EDATS: OEDO-2011-0622 - North Anna Power Station, Unit Nos. 1 and 2, Receipt of Request for Action Under 10 CFR 2.2062012-02-22022 February 2012 G20110668/EDATS: OEDO-2011-0622 - North Anna Power Station, Unit Nos. 1 and 2, Receipt of Request for Action Under 10 CFR 2.206 Project stage: Other ML11357A1172012-02-28028 February 2012 G20110668/EDATS: OEDO-2011-0622 - Letter to Licensee Regarding 2.206 for Licensed Activities at North Anna Power Station, Unit Nos. 1 and 2 Project stage: Acceptance Review ML11357A1062012-02-28028 February 2012 G20110668/EDATS: OEDO-2011-0622 - 2.206 Director Decision Regarding Licensed Activities at North Anna Power Station, Unit Nos. 1 and 2 Project stage: Acceptance Review 2011-09-17
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Category:Federal Register Notice
MONTHYEARML24215A2662024-09-0404 September 2024 SLR - FRN for SLR ML24208A0202024-07-26026 July 2024 Final Environmental Impact Statement - Notice of Availability Federal Register Notice ML24114A3102024-05-0303 May 2024 Monthly (28-Day) Federal Register Notice - Applications and Amendments to Facility Operating Licenses and Combined Licenses Involving No Significant Hazards Considerations - Publication Date: May 14, 2024 ML24086A4312024-04-0505 April 2024 Monthly (28-day) Federal Register Notice - Applications and Amendments to Facility Operating Licenses and Combined Licenses Involving No Significant Hazards Considerations - Publication Date: April 16, 2024 ML24067A0372024-03-20020 March 2024 Federal Register Notice - Issuance of Multiple Exemptions Regarding 10 CFR Part 73 - February 2024 ML22294A1892022-11-0808 November 2022 Federal Register Notice - Notice of Intent to Prepare EIS and to Conduct EIS Scoping for North Anna Power Station ML21222A1632021-08-19019 August 2021 Subsequent License Renewal Draft SEIS NOA FRN ML21153A2112021-07-0707 July 2021 Individual Notice of Consideration of Issuance of Amendment(S) to (Renewed) Facility Operating Licenses, Proposed No Significant Hazards Consideration Determination, Opportunity for Hearing (EPID L-2021-LLA-0082) LTR ML21153A2122021-07-0707 July 2021 Individual Notice of Consideration of Issuance of Amendment(S) to (Renewed) Facility Operating Licenses, Proposed No Significant Hazards Consideration Determination, Opportunity for Hearing (EPID L-2021-LLA-0082)FRN ML20274A1982020-10-19019 October 2020 Notice of Intent to Prepare an Environmental Impact Statement and Conduct Scoping Process (EPID No. L-2020-SLE-0000) - Federal Register Notice ML20252A0042020-09-23023 September 2020 Request for Relief Request Fifth 10-Year Interval ML20224A1052020-09-17017 September 2020 SLRA - Receipt and Availability Letter ML20177A6452020-07-15015 July 2020 FRN - Notice of Issuance of Multiple Exemptions Regarding Various Parts of 10 CFR Due to COVID-19 Impacts for June 2020 ML19169A2612019-07-31031 July 2019 Federal Register Notice: Virginia Electric and Power Company, Dominion Energy Kewaunee, Inc. and Dominion Nuclear Connecticut, Inc. North Anna ISFSI: Environmental Assessment and Finding of No Significant Impact; Issuance ML18173A1792018-08-0707 August 2018 OEDO-17-00070 - Notice of Issuance of Director'S Decision, 2.206 Petition for Emergency Enforcement Action Per 10 CFR 2.206 at Listed U.S. Reactors with Forged Components and Parts Manufactured at France'S AREVA-Le Creusot Forge and Japan C ML18036B1302018-02-12012 February 2018 Applications and Amendments to Facility Operating Licenses and Combined Licenses Involving Proposed No Significant Hazards Considerations and Containing SUNSI and Order Imposing Procedures for Access to SUNSI - Publication Date: March 6, 20 ML18031A2312018-02-0808 February 2018 Federal Register Notice - Notice of Issuance for License Renewal (Letter to D. G. Stoddard Issuance of Renewed Materials License No. SNM-2507 for the North Anna Power Station ISFSI) ML17312A6062018-01-29029 January 2018 Federal Register Notice for the Final Environmental Assessment for the North Anna ISFSI License Renewal ML17236A2102017-09-13013 September 2017 Enclosufederal Register Notice-Notice of Issuance of Amendment Request to Materials License No. SNM-2507 NRC-2015-0237, Enclosufederal Register Notice-Notice of Issuance of Amendment Request to Materials License No. SNM-25072017-09-13013 September 2017 Enclosufederal Register Notice-Notice of Issuance of Amendment Request to Materials License No. SNM-2507 ML17198A3292017-08-30030 August 2017 OEDO-17-00070 - Acknowledgement Letter, Paul Gunter, Beyond Nuclear, Petition for Emergency Enforcement Action Per 10 CFR 2.206 at Listed U.S. Reactors with Forged Components and Parts Manufactured at France'S AREVA-Le Creusot Forge and Jap ML17200A0652017-08-30030 August 2017 OEDO-17-00070 - Acknowledgement FRN, Paul Gunter, Beyond Nuclear, 2.206 Petition for Emergency Enforcement Action Per 10 CFR 2.206 at Listed U.S. Reactors with Forged Components and Parts Manufactured at France'S AREVA-Le Creusot Forge and ML16061A3012016-03-0202 March 2016 Biweekly Federal Register Notice - Applications and Amendments to Facility Operating Licenses and Combined Licenses Involving No Significant Hazards Considerations - Publication Date: March 15, 2016 NRC-2012-0258, Unit 2 - Federal Register Notice Director'S Decision 15-092015-10-30030 October 2015 Unit 2 - Federal Register Notice Director'S Decision 15-09 ML15293A4542015-10-30030 October 2015 Revised Director'S Decision Letter (G20110757) ML15293A4892015-10-30030 October 2015 Unit 2 - Federal Register Notice Director'S Decision 15-09 ML15176A6282015-08-21021 August 2015 G20110757 - Petition Federal Register Notice (Enclosure 2) ML15218A6252015-08-14014 August 2015 Biweekly FRN - Applications and Amendments to Facility Operating Licenses and Combined Licenses Involving No Significant Hazards Considerations - Publication Date: August 14, 2015 ML15148A3762015-06-0101 June 2015 Applications and Amendments to Facility Operating Licenses and Combined Licenses Involving No Significant Hazards Considerations - Published June 9, 2015 ML14311A6242015-04-17017 April 2015 G20110757 - North Anna Proposed Director'S Decision ML13018A2392015-04-0808 April 2015 G20110171 - Letter to Petitioner Saporito on Proposed Director'S Decision Regarding 2.206 Petition Dated: March 12, 2011 NRC-2014-0917, Biweekly Sholly FRN - Applications and Amendments to Facility Operating Licenses and Combined Licenses Involving No Significant Hazards Considerations - Publication Date: September 16, 20142014-09-0505 September 2014 Biweekly Sholly FRN - Applications and Amendments to Facility Operating Licenses and Combined Licenses Involving No Significant Hazards Considerations - Publication Date: September 16, 2014 ML14247A1542014-09-0505 September 2014 Biweekly Sholly FRN - Applications and Amendments to Facility Operating Licenses and Combined Licenses Involving No Significant Hazards Considerations - Publication Date: September 16, 2014 NRC-2014-0193, Biweekly Sholly FRN - Applications and Amendments to Facility Operating Licenses and Combined Licenses Involving No Significant Hazards Considerations - Publication Date: September 2, 20142014-08-22022 August 2014 Biweekly Sholly FRN - Applications and Amendments to Facility Operating Licenses and Combined Licenses Involving No Significant Hazards Considerations - Publication Date: September 2, 2014 ML14233A2082014-08-22022 August 2014 Biweekly Sholly FRN - Applications and Amendments to Facility Operating Licenses and Combined Licenses Involving No Significant Hazards Considerations - Publication Date: September 2, 2014 ML14114A6592014-05-0909 May 2014 Withdrawal of an Amendment Request ML14122A3042014-05-0909 May 2014 Federal Register Notice: North Anna Power Station, Unit 2 - Withdrawal of an Amendment Request NRC-2014-0121, Federal Register Notice: North Anna Power Station, Unit 2 - Withdrawal of an Amendment Request2014-05-0909 May 2014 Federal Register Notice: North Anna Power Station, Unit 2 - Withdrawal of an Amendment Request ML13225A5572013-08-12012 August 2013 Rescission of Certain Security Orders Concerning Spent Nuclear Fuel in Transit ML13228A3992013-08-12012 August 2013 Letter to Holders of Independent Spent Fuel Storage Installation (ISFSI) Licenses Re Rescission of Certain Security Orders Concerning Spent Nuclear Fuel in Transit - Rin 3150-AI64 (NRC-2009-0163) EA-02-109 ML13205A2192013-07-24024 July 2013 Environmental Assessment and Finding of No Significant Impact ML13205A2232013-07-24024 July 2013 FRN - Environmental Assessment and Finding of No Significant Impact NRC-2013-0172, Units 1 and 2 - FRN - Environmental Assessment and Finding of No Significant Impact (TAC Nos. ME9753, ME9754, ME9755, and ME9756)2013-07-24024 July 2013 Units 1 and 2 - FRN - Environmental Assessment and Finding of No Significant Impact (TAC Nos. ME9753, ME9754, ME9755, and ME9756) ML12262A1602012-10-19019 October 2012 G20110757/EDATS:OEDO-2011-0701 - Federal Register Notice - Issuance of Partial Director'S Decision ML12277A3662012-10-10010 October 2012 Withdrawal of Amendment ML12277A3732012-10-10010 October 2012 Federal Register Notice - Withdrawal of Amendment NRC-2012-0241, Units 1 and 2 - Federal Register Notice - Withdrawal of Amendment (TAC Nos. ME7814, ME7815, ME7816, and ME7817)2012-10-10010 October 2012 Units 1 and 2 - Federal Register Notice - Withdrawal of Amendment (TAC Nos. ME7814, ME7815, ME7816, and ME7817) ML12094A2512012-04-27027 April 2012 G20110668/ EDATS: OEDO-2011-0622 - Federal Register Notice - Final Director'S Decision Under 10 CFR 2.206 Re North Anna Power Station, Unit Nos. 1 and 2 NRC-2012-0084, Enclosufederal Register Notice (Notice of Availability of Exemption for Virginia Electric and Power Company, North Anna Power Station Independent Spent Fuel Storage Installation)2012-04-12012 April 2012 Enclosufederal Register Notice (Notice of Availability of Exemption for Virginia Electric and Power Company, North Anna Power Station Independent Spent Fuel Storage Installation) ML12104A1282012-04-12012 April 2012 Enclosufederal Register Notice (Notice of Availability of Exemption for Virginia Electric and Power Company, North Anna Power Station Independent Spent Fuel Storage Installation) 2024-09-04
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Text
[7590-01-P]
NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION
[Docket Nos. 50-338 and 50-339; NRC-2012-0051]
License Nos. NPF-4 and NPF-7 Virgina Electric and Power Company; Receipt of Request for Action Notice is hereby given that by petition dated September 8, 2011 (Agencywide Documents Access and Management System (ADAMS) Accession No.ML11256A019), as supplemented by letters dated September 8, 2011 (ADAMS Accession No. ML11334A152), and October 21, 2011 (ADAMS Accession No. ML11308A016), Thomas Saporito (the petitioner) requests that the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC or the Commission) take action with regard to Virginia Electric and Power Companys (the licensees) North Anna Power Station, Units 1 and 2 (North Anna 1 and 2). The petitioner requests that the NRC:
(1) take escalated enforcement action against the licensee and suspend, or revoke, the operating licenses for North Anna 1 and 2; (2) issue a notice of violation against the licensee with a proposed civil penalty in the amount of 1 million dollars; and (3) issue an order to the licensee requiring the licensee to keep North Anna 1 and 2, in a cold shutdown mode of operation until such time as a series of actions described in the petition are completed.
As the basis for this request, the petitioner states that:
(1) On August 23, 2011, North Anna 1 and 2, automatically tripped offline as a direct result of ground motion caused by an earthquake centered in Mineral, Virginia, approximately 10 miles from North Anna 1 and 2. The licensee has not determined
the root cause of this event, nor has it explained why the reactor tripped on negative flux rate rather than on loss of offsite power.
(2) Subsequent to the earthquake, the licensee initiated various inspection activities and tests to discover the extent of damage to the nuclear facility, but these inspection and testing activities continue and remain incomplete and non-validated.
(3) The licensee had set an overly aggressive schedule for restarting North Anna 1 and 2 that was based on economic considerations rather than safety.
(4) The licensee needs to amend its licensing documents, including its licenses and the updated facility analysis report. As a result of ground motion experienced at, and damage sustained to, North Anna 1 and 2, due to the earthquake of August 23, 2011, which is greater than the licensees design and safety bases, North Anna 1 and 2, are in an unanalyzed condition and current licensing documents are erroneous and incomplete. As a result, the licensee cannot rely on them to provide reasonable assurance to the NRC that these nuclear reactors can be operated in a safe and reliable manner to protect public health and safety.
(5) The licensee needs to conduct new seismic and geological evaluations of the North Anna 1 and 2, site that are independent. These evaluations should ascertain the degree and magnitude of future earthquake events and address a worst case earthquake.
(6) There are numerous issues with the seismic instrumentation at North Anna 1 and 2, including lack of free field instrumentation, issues associated with conversion of analog data to digital data, issues with lack of on-site personnel with sufficient training in seismic measurements, and potential skewing of ground motion data due to the location of the scratch plates.
(7) Retrofitting of North Anna 1 and 2, is required due to damage to North Anna 1 and 2, from the earthquake of August 23, 2011.
(8) There are concerns with the impact of the August 23, 2011, earthquake on the North Anna 1 and 2, Independent Spent Fuel Storage Installation (ISFSI) including the fact that 25 casks weighing over 115 tons were not supposed to shift as much as 4.5 inches during a predicted earthquake, validation of the integrity of the seals inside the spent fuel casks, assessing whether spent nuclear fuel storage facilities could topple or otherwise sustain significant damage resulting in a release, and assessing whether the licensees emergency plans adequately addressed damage to the ISFSI as a result of a severe earthquake.
(9) The petitioner is concerned that the licensee cannot be trusted to communicate reliable information to the public or the regulator based on the fact that the licensee in the 1970s failed to promptly disclose the discovery of geological information and was subjected to a monetary fine for the violation.
The request is being treated pursuant to Title 10 of the Code of Federal Regulations (10 CFR) 2.206, Requests for action under this subpart, of the Commission's regulations. The request has been referred to the Director of the Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation. As provided by § 2.206, appropriate action will be taken on this petition within a reasonable time.
The petitioner met with the NRR petition review board on September 29, 2011 (transcript at ADAMS Accession No. ML11332A046), and November 7, 2011 (transcript at ADAMS Accession No. ML113530035), to discuss the petition. The results of these discussions were considered in the PRBs final recommendation to accept the petition for review and in establishing the schedule for the review of the petition.
A copy of the petition is available for inspection at the Commission's Public Document Room, located at One White Flint North, Public File Area O1-F21, 11555 Rockville Pike (first floor), Rockville, Maryland 20852. Publicly available documents created or received at the NRC are accessible electronically through the NRCs Agencywide Documents Access and Management System (ADAMS) in the NRC Library at http://www.nrc.gov/reading-rm/adams.html. Persons who do not have access to ADAMS or who encounter problems in accessing the documents located in ADAMS should contact the NRC PDR Reference staff by telephone at 1-800-397-4209 or 301-415-4737, or by e-mail to PDR Resource@nrc.gov Dated at Rockville, Maryland, this 22nd day of February, 2012.
For the Nuclear Regulatory Commission.
/RA/
Eric J. Leeds, Director Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation