ML23017A092

NRR E-mail Capture - Revised Estimated Hours - Vogtle, Units 1 and 2 - Exemption Request from 10 CFR 50.68 to Allow Use of 6-Weight Percent Enriched Fuel Rods in 4 LTAs (L-2022-LLE-0022)

ML23017A092
Person / Time
Site:	Vogtle
Issue date:	01/17/2023
From:	John Lamb Plant Licensing Branch II
To:	Pournaras D Southern Nuclear Operating Co
References
L-2022-LLE-0022
Download: ML23017A092 (3)

Text

From: John Lamb Sent: Tuesday, January 17, 2023 10:05 AM To: Pournaras, DeLisa S.

Cc: Lowery, Ken G.; Chamberlain, Amy Christine

Subject:

Revised Estimated Hours - Vogtle, Units 1 and 2 - Exemption Request from 10 CFR 50.68 to Allow Use of 6-Weight Percent Enriched Fuel Rods in 4 LTAs (L-2022-LLE-0022)

Importance: High

DeLisa, By email dated August 1, 2022 (ML22213A010), the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) staff accepted the Southern Nuclear Operating Company (SNC) exemption request for Vogtle Electric Generating Plant (Vogtle), Units 1 and 2. SNC requests a proposed exemption from the provisions of Title 10 of the Code of Federal Regulations (10 CFR), 50.68, Criticality accident requirements, to permit the use of 4 Lead Tests Assemblies (LTAs) with a limited number of fuel rods with a maximum nominal U-235 enrichment of up to six percent by weight.

The NRC staff estimated that it would take approximately 150 hours0.00174 days <br />0.0417 hours <br />2.480159e-4 weeks <br />5.7075e-5 months <br /> to complete this exemption request. The NRC staff is changing its initial estimated hours from 150 hours0.00174 days <br />0.0417 hours <br />2.480159e-4 weeks <br />5.7075e-5 months <br /> to 400 hours0.00463 days <br />0.111 hours <br />6.613757e-4 weeks <br />1.522e-4 months <br />, because this exemption request is more challenging than estimated initially.

Thanks.

John From: Lamb, John Sent: Monday, August 1, 2022 7:01 AM To: Pournaras, DeLisa S. <DSPOURNA@SOUTHERNCO.COM>

Cc: Lowery, Ken G. <KGLOWERY@southernco.com>

Subject:

Acceptance Review - Vogtle, Units 1 and 2 - Exemption Request from 10 CFR 50.68 to Allow Use of 6-Weight Percent Enriched Fuel Rods in 4 LTAs (L-2022-LLE-0022)

DeLisa, By letter dated June 30, 2022 (ML22181B156), Southern Nuclear Operating Company (SNC, the licensee) submitted an exemption request for Vogtle Electric Generating Plant (Vogtle),

Units 1 and 2. SNC requests a proposed exemption from the provisions of Title 10 of the Code of Federal Regulations (10 CFR), 50.68, Criticality accident requirements, to permit the use of 4 Lead Tests Assemblies (LTAs) with a limited number of fuel rods with a maximum nominal U-235 enrichment of up to six percent by weight.

The purpose of this e-mail is to provide the results of the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) staffs acceptance review of this [amendment/relief] request. The acceptance review was performed to determine if there is sufficient technical information in scope and depth to allow the NRC staff to begin its detailed technical review. The acceptance review is also intended to identify whether the application has any readily apparent information insufficiencies in its characterization of the regulatory requirements or the licensing basis of the plant.

The NRC staff has reviewed your application and concluded that it does provide technical information in sufficient detail to enable the NRC staff to complete its detailed technical review and make an independent assessment regarding the acceptability of the proposed amendment in terms of regulatory requirements and the protection of public health and safety and the environment. Given the lesser scope and depth of the acceptance review as compared to the detailed technical review, there may be instances in which issues that impact the NRC staffs ability to complete the detailed technical review are identified despite completion of an adequate acceptance review. If additional information is needed, you will be advised by separate correspondence.

Based on the information provided in your submittal and discussions during the pre-licensing meeting on January 27 (ML22028A046), and May 11, 2022 (ML22132A010), the NRC staff has estimated that this licensing request will take approximately 150 hours0.00174 days <br />0.0417 hours <br />2.480159e-4 weeks <br />5.7075e-5 months <br /> to complete. The NRC staff expects to complete this review in approximately one year from the date of this email. If there are emergent complexities or challenges in our review that would cause changes to the initial forecasted completion date or significant changes in the forecasted hours, or review by NRC advisory committees, the reasons for the changes, along with the new estimates, will be communicated during the routine interactions with the assigned project manager.

Additional delay may occur if the submittal is provided to the NRC in advance or in parallel with industry program initiatives or pilot applications.

If you have any questions, please contact me.

John G. Lamb, Senior Project Manager Plant Licensing Branch II-1 Division of Operating Reactor Licensing Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation

Hearing Identifier: NRR_DRMA Email Number: 1912 Mail Envelope Properties (MN2PR09MB50849D772B8255A7BBE9F4F1FAC69)

Subject:

Revised Estimated Hours - Vogtle, Units 1 and 2 - Exemption Request from 10 CFR 50.68 to Allow Use of 6-Weight Percent Enriched Fuel Rods in 4 LTAs (L-2022-LLE-0022)

Sent Date: 1/17/2023 10:04:34 AM Received Date: 1/17/2023 10:04:00 AM From: John Lamb Created By: John.Lamb@nrc.gov Recipients:

"Lowery, Ken G." <KGLOWERY@southernco.com>

Tracking Status: None "Chamberlain, Amy Christine" <ACCHAMBE@southernco.com>

Tracking Status: None "Pournaras, DeLisa S." <DSPOURNA@SOUTHERNCO.COM>

Tracking Status: None Post Office: MN2PR09MB5084.namprd09.prod.outlook.com Files Size Date & Time MESSAGE 4110 1/17/2023 10:04:00 AM Options Priority: High Return Notification: No Reply Requested: No Sensitivity: Normal Expiration Date: