IR 05000259/2016005
| ML16244A692 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Site: | Browns Ferry  |
| Issue date: | 08/31/2016 |
| From: | Alan Blamey Reactor Projects Region 2 Branch 6 |
| To: | Shea J W Tennessee Valley Authority |
| References | |
| IR 2016005 | |
| Download: ML16244A692 (5) | |
Text
August 31, 2016
Mr. Joseph Vice President, Nuclear Licensing Tennessee Valley Authority 1101 Market Street, LP 3D-C Chattanooga, TN 37402-2801
SUBJECT: MID-CYCLE ASSESSMENT LETTER FOR BROWNS FERRY NUCLEAR PLANT UNITS 1, 2 AND 3, NRC INSPECTION REPORTS 05000259/2016005, 05000260/2016005 AND 05000296/2016005
Dear Mr. Shea:
On August 10, 2016, the NRC completed its mid-cycle performance review of the Browns Ferry Nuclear Plant, Units 1, 2, and 3. The NRC reviewed the most recent quarterly performance indicators (PIs) in addition to inspection results and enforcement actions from July 1, 2015, through June 30, 2016. This letter informs you of the NRC's assessment of your facility during this period and its plans for future inspections at your facility. The NRC determined that overall, Browns Ferry Units 1, 2, and 3 operated in a manner that preserved public health and safety and met all cornerstone objectives. The NRC determined the performance at Browns Ferry Units 1, 2, and 3 during the most recent quarter was within the Licensee Response Column of the NRC's Reactor Oversight Process (ROP) Action Matrix because all inspection findings had very low (i.e., green) safety significance, and all PIs indicated that your performance was within the nominal, expected range (i.e., green). Therefore, the NRC plans to conduct ROP baseline inspections at your facility. The enclosed inspection plan lists the inspections scheduled through June 30, 2018. Routine inspections performed by resident inspectors are not included in the inspection plan. The inspections listed during the last nine months of the inspection plan are tentative and may be revised at the end-of-cycle performance review. The NRC provides the inspection plan to allow for the resolution of any scheduling conflicts and personnel availability issues. The NRC will contact you as soon as possible to discuss changes to the inspection plan should circumstances warrant any changes. This inspection plan does not include security related inspections, which will be sent via separate, non-publicly available correspondence.
In addition to the ROP baseline inspections at your facility, we also plan on conducting infrequently performed inspections which include: Inspection Procedure (IP) 43004 Inspection of Commercial-Grade Dedication Programs, and Operator Licensing Examaminations. In response to the accident at Fukushima, the Commission issued Order EA-12-049, "Order Modifying Licenses with Regard to Requirements for Mitigation Strategies for Beyond-Design-Basis External Events," and Order EA-12-051, "Order Modifying Licenses with Regard to Reliable Spent Fuel Pool Instrumentation." The NRC conducted audits of licensee efforts towards compliance with these Orders, and the information gathered will aid staff in development of the ultimate Safety Evaluation for the site. After the NRC staff receives the Final Compliance letter for the site, the Safety Evaluation will be issued. Then, the NRC staff will confirm through inspections the full implementation of the orders mentioned above by performing Temporary Instruction 191, "Inspection of the Implementation of Mitigation Strategies and Spent Fuel Pool Instrumentation Orders and Emergency Preparedness Communication/Staffing/Multi-Unit Dose Assessment Plans." In Staff Requirements Memorandum - SECY 16-0009, "Recommendations Resulting from the Integrated Prioritization and Re-Baselining of Agency Activities," the Commission approved the NRC staff recommendation to discontinue the formal mid-cycle assessment process beginning in calendar year 2017. This will be the final mid-cycle assessment letter. The staff will continue to conduct quarterly assessment meetings and communicate changes in the assessment of licensee performance in accordance with the guidance in Inspection Manual Chapter 0305, "Operating Reactor Assessment Program."
In accordance with 10 CFR 2.390 of the NRC's "Agency Rules of Practice and Procedure," a copy of this letter will be available electronically for public inspection in the NRC Public Document Room or from the Publicly Available Records (PARS) component of NRC's document system (ADAMS). ADAMS is accessible from the NRC Web site at http://www.nrc.gov/reading-rm/adams.html (the Public Electronic Reading Room). Please contact me at (404) 997-4415 with any questions you may have regarding this letter.
Sincerely,/RA/ Alan Blamey, Chief Reactor Projects Branch 6 Division of Reactor Projects Docket Nos.: 50-259, 50-260, 50-296 License Nos.: DPR-33, DPR-52, DPR-68
Enclosure:
Browns Ferry Inspection/Activity Plan (09/01/2016 - 06/30/2018) cc: Distribution via ListServ