ML19250B711

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Requests Authorization to Defer Shutdown of Facility Until 791103 to Alleviate Potential Generating Capacity Shortage. Numerous Stations Unavailable for Svc Due to Scheduled Outages & Component Failures
ML19250B711
Person / Time
Site: Millstone Dominion icon.png
Issue date: 10/26/1979
From: Counsil W
NORTHEAST UTILITIES
To: Reid R
Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation
References
TAC-11793, NUDOCS 7911010382
Download: ML19250B711 (3)


Text

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NORTHEU4.Tr INILITIES 3

ESZ2,70'",IO""~~" En"foEo7 CONNECTICUT 06101

=,7*~1",K" "~~ am> men L L J =::' OT;,'=.'Jrl October 26, 1979 Docket No. 50-336 Director of Nuclear Reactor Regulation Attn: Mr. R. Reid, Chief Operating Reactors Branch #4

. S. Nuclear degulatory Commission Washington, D. C. 20555

References:

(1) R. Reid letter to W. G. Counsil dated August 25, 1979.

(2) W. G. Counsil letter to R. Reid dated October 22, 1979.

(3) W. G. Counsil letter to R. Reid dated October 24, 1979.

Centlemen:

Millstone Nuclear Power Station, Unit No. 2 Feedwater System Piping In Reference (1), the NRC Staff documented its requirement to:

"By October 31, 1979, commence an approach to cold shutdown to perform ultrasonic examination of the four affected welds using the same methods, techniques, and conditions as were used to previously characterize the indications."

Recent developments regarding system generating capacity in the New England area render it highly desirable to operate Millstone Unit No. 2 for an additional three days beyond October 31 to facilitate alleviation of the potential generating capacity shortage.

Numerous generating stations in the New England system are unavailable for service as a result of scheduled outages, outages longer in duration than originally anticipated, or component failures. The major base load units out of service and their associated approximate capacity include:

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UNIT CAPACITY, MW Bridgeport 3 400 Middletown 3 240 Norwalk 1 165 Brayton Point 3 650 Canal 2 585 New Boston 2 380 Salem Harbor 4 460 Yarmouth 4 620 Vermont Yankee 525 Maine Yankee 830 Yankee Rowe 175 Total 5,030 In addition, several other unita in the New England area cannot achieve full pover operation at this time for various reasons. Smaller (< 100 MW) units currently out of service are not included in the above listing.

Currently, New England Power Exchange (NEPEX) is purchasing power from both the New Brunswick and New York areas. The transmission system has also been reconfigured to locally improve short-term reliability at the expense of system wide long-term reliability. Despite the above measures, the available reserve capacity is well below the optimum amount.

The situation is further compounded by the unseasonably cold weather in the Northeast region at this time, resulting in higher than normal power demands for this time of year.

The above considerations summarize Northeast Nuclear Energy Company's (NNECO) basis for requesting authorization to defer the shutdown of Millstone Unit No. 2 until November 3,1979. The additional time results in the following advantages:

(1) Additional time to complete outages on units currently unavailable.

The low demand on weekends effectively alleviates the shortage until November 5, 1979.

(2) Additional time to prepare for maximum utilization of the Housatsnic River System for hydroelectric power. It is currently anticipated that this system will be utilized in a mode which has not occurred since approximately 1950. The resulting drain of the affected lakes /

reservoirs could substantially impact the residents of the immediate area. Northeast Utilities plans to issue public announcements, such as full-page ads in local newspapers, to advise the communities and allow them sufficient time to prepare.

(3) Reduction of the potential for utilizing gas turbines and peaking units thereby eliminating generating reserve capacity.

(4) Substantial favorable economic impact to the NU system and its customers.

NNECO has reviewed the above request with respect to safety implications, and has determined that the proposed three-day deferral is thoroughly justified. The basis for this determination is summarized in References (2) and (3).

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It is our current understanding that Ref erence (1) would require amending on or

- before October 31, 1979 to authorize our request. Your timely and favorable action would be greatly appreciated.

Very truly yours, NORTHEAST NUCLEAR ENEROY COMPANY

/$tst W.' G. Counsil 8 Vice President 1280 ~:12