[Federal Register Volume 59, Number 170 (Friday, September 2, 1994)]
[Notices]
[Page 0]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 94-21767]
[[Page Unknown]]
[Federal Register: September 2, 1994]
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NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION
[Docket Nos. 50-424 and 425]
Georgia Power Company, et al; Notice of Consideration of Issuance
of Amendment to Facility Operating License, Proposed No Significant
Hazards Consideration Determination, and Opportunity for a Hearing
The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (the Commission) is
considering issuance of an amendment to Facility Operating License Nos.
NPF-68 and NPF-81 issued to Georgia Power Company, Ogelthorpe Power
Corporation Municipal Electric Authority of Georgia, City of Dalton,
Georgia (the licensee) for operation of the Vogtle Electric Generating
Plant, Units 1 and 2, located in Burke County, Georgia.
The proposed amendment will relocate the requirements of Technical
Specification 3/4.7.10, Area Temperature Monitoring, to section 16.3 of
the VEGP Final Safety Analysis Report (FSAR). With this relocation to
the FSAR, GPC plans to clarify the basis for areas to be monitored and
modify these surveillance requirements. This change is being proposed
in accordance with NUREG-1431, ``Standard Technical Specifications,
Westinghouse Plants.''
Before issuance of the proposed license amendment, the Commission
will have made findings required by the Atomic Energy Act of 1954, as
amended (the Act) and the Commission's regulations.
The Commission has made a proposed determination that the amendment
request involves no significant hazards consideration. Under the
Commission's regulations in 10 CFR 50.92, this means that operation of
the facility in accordance with the proposed amendment would not (1)
involve a significant increase in the probability or consequences of an
accident previously evaluated; or (2) create the possibility of a new
or different kind of accident from any accident previously evaluated;
or (3) involve a significant reduction in a margin of safety. As
required by 10 CFR 50.91(a), the licensee has provided its analysis of
the issue of no significant hazards consideration, which is presented
below:
The purpose of area temperature monitoring is to provide reasonable
assurance that the normal operating temperatures in the selected rooms
will remain consistent with the temperatures assumed for the
environmental qualification of safety related equipment.
The normal operating temperature is significant for its effect on
the qualified life of the components as well as the predicted
environmental transients (i.e., pressure, temperature, and radiation)
that occur under accident conditions. The following justifications are
provided for the proposed changes to the area temperature monitoring
program:
1. The proposed change to perform temperature surveillance only
when the normal ventilation system is out of service is justified based
on the following:
a. The HVAC systems at VEGP have been designed to maintain the room
temperatures at less than the maximum normal temperature specified for
environmental qualification purposes. The HVAC calculations have
conservatively considered the worst case heat load conditions with a
nominal safety factor when sizing the cooling systems that serve the
subject rooms. As a result, the plant is generally maintained at
temperatures well below the level assumed for normal operation and used
for environmental qualification of equipment.
b. Temperature monitoring activities per Technical Specification 3/
4.7.10 have been in place for 6 years on Unit 1 and 4 years on Unit 2.
The data collected during this time demonstrate that the temperatures
have remained well within environmental qualification limits with the
exception of the main steam isolation valve (MSIV) area which has
exceeded its reportability limits on several occasions. The MSIV area
has since been provided with a new ventilation system and temperature
monitoring instrumentation.
When the normal ventilation system for one of the specified rooms
is not functioning, temperature monitoring activities will resume at
the previously specified rate of once every 12 hours. The proposed
change to monitor these rooms only when the normal ventilation system
is out of service will provide a level of assurance that is similar to
that provided by the current Technical Specification. Therefore,
continued monitoring is not warranted as long as the normal ventilation
systems are functioning.
2. The proposed change in room selection criteria to eliminate
rooms that are classified as mild environment is justified based on the
current methods of environmental qualification. The qualified life of
safety related equipment in mild environment is no longer based on
environmental qualification, but is based on a combination of design
life, trending, and periodic maintenance and surveillance as discussed
in FSAR section 3.11.B. Therefore, the monitoring of mild rooms is not
required to verify that the normal design temperature is being
maintained. However, the existing Technical Specifications not only
require monitoring of the normal room temperature, but also require
actions to evaluate equipment operability if an abnormal condition
temperature limit is exceeded.
To address this abnormal temperature condition, the rooms that are
not monitored based on mild environment will not exceed 150 deg.F
following a complete loss of normal HVAC for a 7-day period.\1\ The
abnormal temperature limits currently shown in the Technical
Specifications are the calculated room temperatures with a loss of
normal HVAC for a 24-hour period. The new criterion is based on an
equipment qualification analysis that demonstrates that short duration
temperature excursions of up to 24 hours at 150 deg.F have an
insignificant effect on the qualified life of electrical and mechanical
equipment. The limitation is further supported by Appendix F of NUMARC
Report 87-00 that concludes that electrical and mechanical equipment
will operate in station blackout conditions with no loss of function
with temperatures of up to 150 deg.F for short durations (i.e., 4
hours).
\1\Per project calculations, the loss of normal HVAC for 7 days
has been shown to be sufficient time to achieve steady state
temperature conditions.
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3. Relocation of area temperature monitoring to the FSAR and the
revision of the TS reporting requirements are justified as follows:
a. As discussed in enclosure 1 [of the licensee's February 3, 1994
submittal], the existing TS requirements for the area temperature
monitoring program do not meet any of the criteria of the Final Policy
Statement on Technical Specification Improvements for Nuclear Power
Reactors and can safely be relocated to the FSAR.
b. The area temperature monitoring program added to the FSAR will
continue to ensure that room temperatures are maintained within the
limits assumed for environmental qualification. The monitoring
requirements of once every 12 hours when the normal ventilation system
is not in service will ensure that a room would not experience a short
duration temperature excursion for more than 24 hours without an
evaluation of equipment operability. Although reporting requirements
have been excluded from the FSAR description, an evaluation of
equipment operability will continue to be performed in the event that
the temperature limits are exceeded. The reporting of operability
concerns to the NRC will be based on the reporting requirements for the
specific equipment in an affected area after a determination of
operability has been made. The current TS requires that a report be
prepared and submitted to the NRC that demonstrates the continued
operability of the affected equipment if the maximum normal temperature
in an area is exceeded for more than 8 hours.
The new FSAR description will continue to require an evaluation of
equipment operability if either the normal temperature limit or
abnormal condition temperature limit is exceeded. However, no report to
the NRC will be required unless the equipment operability evaluation
indicates a reportable condition.
Based on the above considerations, GPC has concluded the following
concerning 10 CFR 50.92.
1. The proposed change to the Technical Specifications does not
involve a significant increase in the probability or consequences of an
accident previously evaluated. The environmental qualification and
operability of the safety related equipment will not be adversely
affected by the proposed changes to the area temperature monitoring
program. The relocation of TS to the FSAR and the changes to monitoring
frequency will not increase the probability that the room temperature
design limits will be exceeded or result in a loss of qualified life of
safety related equipment. In addition, the consequences of exceeding
the temperature limits will not significantly differ from the existing
program since an evaluation of qualified life and operability will
continue to be performed.
2. The proposed change to the Technical Specifications does not
create the possibility of a new or different kind of accident from any
accident previously evaluated. The relocation of area temperature
monitoring to the FSAR and the changes in monitoring procedures do not
change the design of individual equipment, systems, nor the plant
operating procedures and therefore will not create the possibility of a
new or different kind of accident from those already evaluated.
3. The proposed change to the Technical Specifications does not
involve a significant reduction in the margin of safety because the
revised monitoring requirements will continue to ensure that the
environmental qualification temperature limits of safety related
equipment scoped in the area temperature monitoring program will not be
exceeded without an evaluation of equipment operability.
The NRC staff has reviewed the licensee's analysis and, based on
this review, it appears that the three standards of 10 CFR 50.92(c) are
satisfied. Therefore, the NRC staff proposes to determine that the
amendment request involves no significant hazards consideration.
The Commission is seeking public comments on this proposed
determination. Any comments received within 30 days after the date of
publication of this notice will be considered in making any final
determination.
Normally, the Commission will not issue the amendment until the
expiration of the 30-day period. However, should circumstances change
during the notice period such that failure to act in a timely way would
result, for example, in derating or shutdown of the facility, the
Commission may issue the license amendment before the expiration of the
30-day notice period, provided that its final determination is that the
amendment involves no significant hazards consideration. The final
determination will consider all public and State comments received.
Should the Commission take this action, it will publish in the Federal
Register a notice of issuance and provide for opportunity for a hearing
after issuance. The Commission expects that the need to take this
action will occur very infrequently.
Written comments may be submitted by mail to the Rules Review and
Directives Branch, Division of Freedom of Information and Publications
Services, Office of Administration, U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission,
Washington, DC 20555, and should cite the publication date and page
number of this Federal Register notice. Written comments may also be
delivered to Room 6D22, Two White Flint North, 11545 Rockville Pike,
Rockville, Maryland, from 7:30 a.m. to 4:15 p.m. Federal workdays.
Copies of written comments received may be examined at the NRC Public
Document Room, the Gelman Building, 2120 L Street, NW., Washington, DC
20555.
The filing of requests for hearing and petitions for leave to
intervene is discussed below.
By October 3, 1994, the licensee may file a request for a hearing
with respect to issuance of the amendment to the subject facility
operating license and any person whose interest may be affected by this
proceeding and who wishes to participate as a party in the proceeding
must file a written request for a hearing and a petition for leave to
intervene. Requests for a hearing and a petition for leave to intervene
shall be filed in accordance with the Commission's ``Rules of Practice
for Domestic Licensing Proceedings'' in 10 CFR Part 2. Interested
persons should consult a current copy of 10 CFR 2.714 which is
available at the Commission's Public Document Room, the Gelman
Building, 2120 L Street, NW., Washington, DC 20555 and at the local
public document room located at Burke County Public Library, 412 Fourth
Street, Waynesboro, Georgia 30830. If a request for a hearing or
petition for leave to intervene is filed by the above date, the
Commission or an Atomic Safety and Licensing Board, designated by the
Commission or by the Chairman of the Atomic Safety and Licensing Board
Panel, will rule on the request and/or petition; and the Secretary or
the designated Atomic Safety and Licensing Board will issue a notice of
hearing or an appropriate order.
As required by 10 CFR 2.714, a petition for leave to intervene
shall set forth with particularity the interest of the petitioner in
the proceeding, and how that interest may be affected by the results of
the proceeding. The petition should specifically explain the reasons
why intervention should be permitted with particular reference to the
following factors: (1) The nature of the petitioner's right under the
Act to be made party to the proceeding; (2) the nature and extent of
the petitioner's property, financial, or other interest in the
proceeding; and (3) the possible effect of any order which may be
entered in the proceeding on the petitioner's interest. The petition
should also identify the specific aspect(s) of the subject matter of
the proceeding as to which petitioner wishes to intervene. Any person
who has filed a petition for leave to intervene or who has been
admitted as a party may amend the petition without requesting leave of
the Board up to 15 days prior to the first prehearing conference
scheduled in the proceeding, but such an amended petition must satisfy
the specificity requirements described above.
Not later than 15 days prior to the first prehearing conference
scheduled in the proceeding, a petitioner shall file a supplement to
the petition to intervene which must include a list of the contentions
which are sought to be litigated in the matter. Each contention must
consist of a specific statement of the issue of law or fact to be
raised or controverted. In addition, the petitioner shall provide a
brief explanation of the bases of the contention and a concise
statement of the alleged facts or expert opinion which support the
contention and on which the petitioner intends to rely in proving the
contention at the hearing. The petitioner must also provide references
to those specific sources and documents of which the petitioner is
aware and on which the petitioner intends to rely to establish those
facts or expert opinion. Petitioner must provide sufficient information
to show that a genuine dispute exists with the applicant on a material
issue of law or fact. Contentions shall be limited to matters within
the scope of the amendment under consideration. The contention must be
one which, if proven, would entitle the petitioner to relief. A
petitioner who fails to file such a supplement which satisfies these
requirements with respect to at least one contention will not be
permitted to participate as a party.
Those permitted to intervene become parties to the proceeding,
subject to any limitations in the order granting leave to intervene,
and have the opportunity to participate fully in the conduct of the
hearing, including the opportunity to present evidence and cross-
examine witnesses.
If a hearing is requested, the Commission will make a final
determination on the issue of no significant hazards consideration. The
final determination will serve to decide when the hearing is held.
If the final determination is that the amendment request involves
no significant hazards consideration, the Commission may issue the
amendment and make it immediately effective, notwithstanding the
request for a hearing. Any hearing held would take place after issuance
of the amendment.
If the final determination is that the amendment request involves a
significant hazards consideration, any hearing held would take place
before the issuance of any amendment.
A request for a hearing or a petition for leave to intervene must
be filed with the Secretary of the Commission, U.S. Nuclear Regulatory
Commission, Washington, DC 20555, Attention: Docketing and Services
Branch, or may be delivered to the Commission's Public Document Room,
the Gelman Building, 2120 L Street, NW., Washington, DC 20555, by the
above date. Where petitions are filed during the last 10 days of the
notice period, it is requested that the petitioner promptly so inform
the Commission by a toll-free telephone call to Western Union at 1-
(800) 248-5100 (in Missouri 1-(800) 342-6700). The Western Union
operator should be given Datagram Identification Number N1023 and the
following message addressed to Herbert N. Berkow: petitioner's name and
telephone number, date petition was mailed, plant name, and publication
date and page number of this Federal Register notice. A copy of the
petition should also be sent to the Office of the General Counsel, U.S.
Nuclear Regulatory Commission, Washington, DC 20555, and to Arthur H.
Domby, Troutman Sanders, Nations Bank Plaza, 600 Peachtree Street, NE.,
Atlanta, Georgia 30308, attorney for the licensee.
Nontimely filings of petitions for leave to intervene, amended
petitions, supplemental petitions and/or requests for hearing will not
be entertained absent a determination by the Commission, the presiding
officer or the presiding Atomic Safety and Licensing Board that the
petition and/or request should be granted based upon a balancing of the
factors specified in 10 CFR 2.714(a)(1) (i)-(v) and 2.714(d).
For further details with respect to this action, see the
application for amendment dated February 3, 1994, which is available
for public inspection at the Commission's Public Document Room, the
Gelman Building, 2120 L Street, NW., Washington, DC 20555, and at the
local public document room located at the Burke County Public Library,
412 Fourth Street, Waynesboro, Georgia 30830.
Dated at Rockville, Maryland, this 29th day of August, 1994.
For the Nuclear Regulatory Commission.
Louis Wheeler,
Project Manager, Project Directorate II-3, Division of Reactor
Projects--I/II, Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation.
[FR Doc. 94-21767 Filed 9-1-94; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 7590-01-M