ML042860145

Response to NRC Bulletin 2003-02, Leakage from Reactor Pressure Vessel Lower Head Penetrations and Reactor Coolant Pressure Boundary Integrity

ML042860145
Person / Time
Site:	Cook
Issue date:	10/15/2004
From:	Lyon C NRC/NRR/DLPM/LPD3
To:	Nazar M American Electric Power Co, Indiana & Michigan Electric Co
Lyon C, NRR/DLPM, 415-2296
References
TAC MC0533
Download: ML042860145 (4)

Text

October 15, 2004 Mr. Mano K. Nazar American Electric Power Senior Vice President and Chief Nuclear Officer Indiana Michigan Power Company Nuclear Generation Group 500 Circle Drive Buchanan, MI 49107

SUBJECT:

DONALD C. COOK NUCLEAR PLANT, UNIT 1 - RESPONSE TO NRC BULLETIN 2003-02, LEAKAGE FROM REACTOR PRESSURE VESSEL LOWER HEAD PENETRATIONS AND REACTOR COOLANT PRESSURE BOUNDARY INTEGRITY (TAC NO. MC0533)

Dear Mr. Nazar:

On August 21, 2003, the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) issued NRC Bulletin 2003-02, Leakage from Reactor Pressure Vessel Lower Head Penetrations and Reactor Coolant Pressure Boundary Integrity, to the industry. This Bulletin informed addressees that current methods of inspecting the reactor pressure vessel (RPV) lower heads may need to be supplemented with bare-metal visual inspections in order to detect reactor coolant pressure boundary leakage and requested these addressees to provide the NRC with information related to inspections that have been performed to verify the integrity of the RPV lower head penetrations.

The Bulletin requested that addressees provide a description of the RPV lower head penetration inspection program that would be implemented at their respective plants during the next and subsequent refueling outages. This description was to include the extent of the inspection, the inspection methods to be used, the qualification standards for the inspection methods, the process used to resolve the source of findings of boric acid deposits or corrosion, the inspection documentation to be generated, and the basis for concluding that their plant satisfied applicable regulatory requirements related to the structural and leakage integrity of the RPV lower head penetrations.

By letter dated September 17, 2003, Indiana Michigan Power Company (I&M) provided its response to this request. I&M stated that a bare-metal visual examination of the RPV lower head and penetrations will be conducted at every refueling outage at Donald C. Cook Nuclear Plant (CNP), Unit 1. I&M also stated that insulation will be modified or removed from the RPV lower heads in order to permit full visual examinations of the penetrations and carbon steel in the vicinity of the penetrations. American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME)-qualified VT-2 examiners will perform these inspections. As such, I&M is requested to notify the NRC staff in writing of any changes to this regulatory commitment prior to implementation.

The Bulletin also requested that addressees provide a summary of the RPV lower head penetration inspection that was performed at their plants, the extent of the inspection and the M. Nazar methods used, a description of the as-found condition of the lower head, any findings of relevant indications of through-wall leakage, and a summary of the disposition of any findings of boric acid deposits and any corrective actions taken as a result of indications found.

By letter dated March 25, 2004, I&M provided a summary of its inspection results at CNP, Unit 1. I&M reported it had performed a 360-degree bare-metal visual examination on all 58 RPV lower head penetrations with no evidence of penetration leakage observed.

Based on its review of I&Ms responses to NRC Bulletin 2003-02, the NRC staff finds that I&M has met the reporting requirements of the Bulletin. Accordingly, TAC No. MC0533 is closed for CNP, Unit 1.

Sincerely,

/RA/

Carl F. Lyon, Project Manager, Section 1 Project Directorate III Division of Licensing Project Management Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation Docket No. 50-315 cc: See next page

ML042860145 OFFICE PDIII-1/PM PDIII-1/LA LPM EMCB PDIII-1/SC NAME FLyon THarris SMonarque ESullivan LRaghavan DATE 10/14/04 10/14/04 10/14/04 10/15/04 10/15/04 Donald C. Cook Nuclear Plant, Units 1 and 2 cc:

Regional Administrator, Region III Michigan Department of Environmental U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission Quality 801 Warrenville Road Waste and Hazardous Materials Div.

Lisle, IL 60532-4351 Hazardous Waste & Radiological Protection Section Attorney General Nuclear Facilities Unit Department of Attorney General Constitution Hall, Lower-Level North 525 West Ottawa Street 525 West Allegan Street Lansing, MI 48913 P. O. Box 30241 Lansing, MI 48909-7741 Township Supervisor Lake Township Hall Michael J. Finissi, Plant Manager P.O. Box 818 Indiana Michigan Power Company Bridgman, MI 49106 Nuclear Generation Group One Cook Place U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission Bridgman, MI 49106 Resident Inspectors Office 7700 Red Arrow Highway Mr. Joseph N. Jensen, Site Vice President Stevensville, MI 49127 Indiana Michigan Power Company Nuclear Generation Group David W. Jenkins, Esquire One Cook Place Indiana Michigan Power Company Bridgman, MI 49106 One Cook Place Bridgman, MI 49106 Mayor, City of Bridgman P.O. Box 366 Bridgman, MI 49106 Special Assistant to the Governor Room 1 - State Capitol Lansing, MI 48909 Mr. John A. Zwolinski Director, Design Engineering and Regulatory Affairs Indiana Michigan Power Company Nuclear Generation Group 500 Circle Drive Buchanan, MI 49107