Browse: Departments   Dates   Agencies  

NOTICE: NOTICES

ACTION: Reports and guidance documents; availability, etc.:

DOCUMENT ACTION: Notice of Availability.

SUBJECT CATEGORY: Notice of Availability on Model Safety Evaluation; Model No Significant Hazards Determination, and Model Application for Licensees That Wish to Adopt TSTF-478, Revision 2, ``BWR Technical Specification Changes that Implement the Revised Rule for Combustible Gas Control''

DATES: The NRC staff issued a Federal Register Notice on October 11, 2007 (72 FR 57970) that provided a model safety evaluation (SE), a model application, and a model no significant hazards consideration (NSHC) determination relating to licensee adoption of TSTF478, Revision 2, ``BWR Technical Specification Changes that Implement the Revised Rule for Combustible Gas Control.'' The NRC staff hereby announces that the model SE and NSHC determination may be referenced in plantspecific applications to adopt the changes. The staff will post a model application on the NRC web site to assist licensees in using the consolidated line item improvement process (CLIIP).

DOCUMENT SUMMARY: Notice is hereby given that the staff of the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) has prepared a model safety evaluation (SE) and a model application related to the modification of containment combustible gas control requirements in technical specifications (TS) for Boiling Water Reactors (BWR). The NRC staff has also prepared a model nosignificanthazardsconsideration (NSHC) determination related to this matter. The purpose of these models is to permit the NRC to efficiently process license amendment applications that propose to adopt TSTF478, Revision 2, ``BWR Technical Specification Changes that Implement the Revised Rule for Combustible Gas Control.'' TSTF478, Revision 2, deletes Standard Technical Specification (STS) 3.6.3.3, ``Containment Atmosphere Dilution (CAD) System'' and modifies STS 3.6.3.1, ``Drywell Cooling System Fans,'' in NUREG1433, ``Standard Technical
[[Page 65611]]
Specifications General Electric Plants, BWR/4, Rev. 3,'' to establish TS for containment combustible gas control requirements as permitted by revised 10 CFR 50.44. Licensees of nuclear power reactors to which the models apply could then request amendments, confirming the applicability of the SE and NSHC determination to their plants.

SUMMARY: Combustible gas control; boiling water reactor technical specification changes,

SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION

Regulatory Issue Summary 200006, ``Consolidated Line Item Improvement Process for Adopting Standard Technical Specification Changes for Power Reactors,'' was issued on March 20, 2000. The consolidated line item improvement process (CLIIP) is intended to improve the efficiency of NRC licensing processes by processing proposed changes to the standard technical specifications (STS) in a manner that supports subsequent license amendment applications. The CLIIP includes an opportunity for the public to comment on a proposed change to the STS after a preliminary assessment by the NRC staff and a finding that the change will likely be offered for adoption by licensees. The CLIIP directs the NRC staff to evaluate any comments received for a proposed change to NUREG1433 and to either reconsider the change or announce the availability of the change for adoption by licensees.

This notice contains changes proposed for incorporation into the standard technical specifications by owners group participants in the Technical Specification Task Force (TSTF) and is designated TSTF478. TSTF478, Revision 2 can be viewed on the NRC's web page utilizing the Agencywide Documents Access and Management System (ADAMS). The ADAMS accession number for TSTF478, Revision 2, is ML071920140.

TSTF478, Revision 0, was originally submitted to the NRC on April 25, 2005 (ADAMS Accession No. ML051170308). The NRC staff issued a Request for Additional Information (RAI) letter on November 9, 2006 (ADAMS Accession No. ML062770089) and the TSTF provided an RAI Response letter dated February 7, 2007 (ADAMS Accession No. ML070380175). TSTF 478, Revision 1, was submitted to the NRC on February 21, 2007 (ADAMS Accession No. ML070530490). The NRC made a final determination, and denied TSTF478, Revision 1, on May 8, 2007 (ADAMS Accession No. ML071090368). TSTF478, Revision 2, removes the parts of TSTF478, Revision 1, that were considered unacceptable to NRC staff.

It should be noted that TSTF478, Revision 2, also proposes to revise the Bases for STS 3.6.3.2, ``Drywell Purge System'' in NUREG 1434, ``Standard Technical Specifications General Electric Plants, BWR/ 6, Rev. 3,'' by eliminating references to Design Basis Accidents while adding references to Accidents. This change was also listed in TSTF 478, Revision 1, and the NRC staff found this modification to be acceptable (ADAMS Accession No. ML071090368). Licensees that wish to revise the Bases of TS 3.6.3.2, ``Drywell Purge System,'' may do so, without a plantspecific license amendment request, provided the requirements of 10 CFR 50.59 are met. As a result, modifications to the Bases are not included in the model safety evaluation or model application.

Applicability

Licensees opting to apply for this TS change are responsible for reviewing the staff's evaluation, referencing the applicable technical justifications, and providing any necessary plantspecific information. To efficiently process the incoming license amendment applications, the NRC staff requests that each licensee applying for the changes addressed by TSTF478, Revision 2, using the CLIIP, submit a license amendment request that adheres to the attached model application. Variations from the model application in this notice may require additional review by NRC staff, and may increase the time and resources needed for review. Significant variations from the model application, or inclusion of additional changes to the license, may result in staff rejection of the submittal. Each amendment application made in response to the notice of availability will be processed and noticed in accordance with applicable rules and NRC procedures.

Public Notices

In a notice in the Federal Register dated October 11, 2007 (72 FR 57970), the staff requested comment on the use of the CLIIP to process requests to revise the TS regarding TSTF478, Revision 2. No comments were received. Licensees wishing to adopt the change must submit an application in accordance with applicable rules and other regulatory requirements. For each application the staff will publish a notice of consideration of issuance of amendment to facility operating licenses, a proposed no significant hazards consideration determination, and a notice of opportunity for a hearing. The staff will also publish a notice of issuance of an amendment to an operating license to announce the deletion of TS 3.6.3.3, ``Containment Atmosphere Dilution (CAD) System'' and the modification of TS 3.6.3.1, ``Drywell Cooling System Fans,'' for each plant that receives the requested change.

Dated at Rockville, Maryland, this 14th of November 2007.

For the Nuclear Regulatory Commission.
Timothy Kobetz,
Branch Chief, Technical Specifications Branch, Division of Inspections and Regional Support, Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation. Proposed Model Application for License Amendments Adopting TSTF478, REV. 2, ``BWR Technical Specification Changes That Implement the Revised Rule for Combustible Gas Control''
U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission, Document Control Desk, Washington, DC 20555

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT Tim Kobetz, Mail Stop: O-12H2, Division of Inspection and Regional Support, Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation, U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission, Washington, DC 20555 0001, telephone 3014151932.