IR 05000255/2014002

Palisades Nuclear Plant - Reply to Non-Cited Violation, "Failure to Complete Volumetric Examinations for DM Butt Welds in Branch Connections,"05000255/2014002-02

ML14162A260
Person / Time
Site:	Palisades
Issue date:	06/06/2014
From:	Gustafson O W Entergy Nuclear Operations
To:	Document Control Desk, NRC/RGN-III
References
IR-14-002, PNP 2014-056
Download: ML14162A260 (2)

Text

Entergy Nuclear Operations, Inc.Palisades Nuclear PlantEntergy27780 Blue Star Memorial HighwayCovert, MI 49043-9530Tel 269 764 2000Otto W. GustafsonDirector, Regulatory Assurance andPerformance ImprovementPNP 2014-056June 06, 2014U. S. Nuclear Regulatory CommissionATTN: Document Control DeskWashington, DC 20555-0001

SUBJECT: Reply to Non-Cited Violation, "Failure to Complete VolumetricExaminations for DM Butt Welds in Branch Connections,"05000255/2014002-02Palisades Nuclear PlantDocket 50-255License No. DPR-20References: 1. Palisades Nuclear Plant Integrated Inspection Report,05000255/2014002, dated May 7, 2014 (ML14127A543)2. NRC Electronic Mail, Palisades Nuclear Plant -VerbalAuthorization for Relief Request RR 4-18 -MF3508, dated March13, 2014 (ML14073A274)Sir or Madam:Entergy Nuclear Operations, Inc. (ENO) hereby submits a reply to non-cited violation,05000255/2014002-02 (Reference 1), for the failure to complete volumetricexaminations for dissimilar metal (DM) butt welds in primary coolant system (PCS)branch connections at Palisades Nuclear Plant (PNP). ENO does not contest theviolation or the significance as determined by the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission(NRC).Based on our evaluations and input from industry code experts, ENO does not considerthe hot and cold leg branch connection welds referenced in the violation to be within thescope of American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME) Boiler and PressureVessel Code, Code Case N-770-1 or the conditions specified in10 CFR 50.55a(g)(6)(ii)(F). Therefore, given the differences in technical opinionregarding the inspection requirement for the PCS branch connection butt welds, ENOplans to explore this issue furthe PNP 2014-56Page 2 of 2In parallel with the proposed alternative outlined in the NRC verbal authorization forRelief Request RR 4-18 (Reference 2), ENO will continue to pursue clarification on theapplicability of Code Case N-770-1 and 10 CFR 50.55a(g)(6)(ii)(F) to the branchconnection welds referenced in the violation. ENO will take the opportunity to provideadditional information to the NRC to support resolution of this issue.This submittal makes no new commitments or revisions to previous commitments.

Sincerely,owg/tadcc: Administrator, Region III, USNRCDirector, Office of Enforcement, USNRCResident Inspector, Palisades, USNRC