[Federal Register Volume 71, Number 35 (Wednesday, February 22, 2006)]
[Notices]
[Pages 9179-9182]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 06-1621]
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NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION
Notice for Opportunity To Comment on Model Safety Evaluation on
Technical Specification Improvement To Revise Diesel Fuel Oil Testing
Program Using the Consolidated Line Item Improvement Process
AGENCY: Nuclear Regulatory Commission.
ACTION: Request for comment.
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SUMMARY: Notice is hereby given that the staff of the Nuclear
Regulatory Commission (NRC) has prepared a model safety evaluation (SE)
relating to changes to Diesel Fuel Oil Testing Programs. The changes
relocate references to specific American Society for Testing and
Materials (ASTM) standards for fuel oil testing to licensee-controlled
documents and adds alternate criteria to the ``clear and bright''
acceptance test for new fuel oil. The NRC staff has also prepared a
model no significant hazards consideration (NSHC) determination
relating to this matter. The purpose of these models is to permit the
NRC to efficiently process amendments that propose to adopt the
associated changes into plant-specific technical specifications (TS).
Licensees of nuclear power reactors to which the models apply could
request amendments confirming the applicability of the SE and NSHC
determination to their reactors. The NRC staff is requesting comments
on the model SE and model NSHC determination prior to announcing their
availability for referencing in license amendment applications.
DATES: The comment period expires 30 days from the date of this
publication. Comments received after this date will be considered if it
is practical to do so, but the Commission can only ensure consideration
only for comments received on or before this date.
ADDRESSES: Comments may be submitted either electronically or via U.S.
mail.
Submit written comments to: Chief, Rules and Directives Branch,
Division of Administrative Services, Office of Administration, Mail
Stop T-6D59, U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission, Washington, DC 20555-
0001.
Hand deliver comments to 11545 Rockville Pike, Rockville, Maryland,
between 7:45 a.m. and 4:15 p.m. on Federal workdays.
Copies of comments received may be examined at the NRC's Public
Document Room, located at One White Flint North, 11555 Rockville Pike
(first floor), Rockville, Maryland.
Comments may be submitted by electronic mail to [email protected].
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: William D. Reckley, Special Projects
Branch, Division of Policy and Rulemaking, Office of Nuclear Reactor
Regulation, Mail Stop O-7D1, U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission,
Washington, DC 20555-0001, telephone 301-415-1323.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Background
Regulatory Issue Summary 2000-06, ``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 and transparency of NRC licensing processes.
This is accomplished by processing proposed changes to the Standard
Technical Specifications (STS) (NUREGs 1430-1434) in a manner that
supports subsequent license amendment
[[Page 9180]]
applications. The CLIIP includes an opportunity for the public to
comment on proposed changes to the STS following a preliminary
assessment by the NRC staff and 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 the STS and to
either reconsider the change or proceed with announcing the
availability of the change to licensees. Those licensees opting to
apply for the subject change to TS are responsible for reviewing the
NRC staff's evaluation, referencing the applicable technical
justifications, and providing any necessary plant specific information.
Each amendment application submitted in response to the notice of
availability would be processed and noticed in accordance with
applicable rules and NRC procedures.
This notice for comment involves the relocation of references to
specific ASTM standards for fuel oil testing to licensee-controlled
documents and adds alternate criteria to the ``clear and bright''
acceptance test for new fuel oil. The changes were proposed by the
Technical Specification Task Force (TSTF) in STS Change Traveler TSTF-
374, accessible electronically from the Agencywide Documents Access and
Management System (ADAMS) Public Electronic Reading Room on the
Internet at the NRC Web site http://www.nrc.gov/reading-rm/adams.html
(Accession No. ML011340449). Persons who do not have access to ADAMS or
who encounter problems in accessing the documents located in ADAMS,
should contact the NRC Public Document Room Reference staff by
telephone at 1-800-397-4209, 301-415-4737, or by e-mail to [email protected].
Applicability
This proposed change to adopt TSTF-374 is applicable to all nuclear
power reactors. The CLIIP does not prevent licensees from requesting an
alternative approach or proposing changes other than those proposed in
TSTF-374. Variations from the approach recommended in this notice may,
however, require additional review by the NRC staff and may increase
the time and resources needed for the review.
Public Notices
This notice requests comments from interested members of the public
within 30 days of the date of publication in the Federal Register.
Following the NRC staff's evaluation of comments received as a result
of this notice, the NRC staff may reconsider the proposed change or may
proceed with announcing the availability of the change in a subsequent
notice (perhaps with some changes to the SE or proposed NSHC
determination as a result of public comments). If the NRC staff
announces the availability of the change, licensees wishing to adopt
the change will submit an application in accordance with applicable
rules and other regulatory requirements. The NRC staff will in turn
issue for each application a notice of proposed action, which includes
a proposed NSHC determination. A notice of issuance of an amendment of
operating license will also be issued to announce the adoption of TSTF-
374 for each plant that applies for and receives the requested change.
Proposed Safety Evaluation
U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission, Office of Nuclear Reactor
Regulation, Consolidated Line Item Improvement, Technical Specification
Task Force (TSTF) Change Traveler TSTF-374, Diesel Fuel Oil Testing
Program.
1.0 Introduction
By application dated [DATE], [LICENSEE NAME] (the licensee),
submitted a request for changes to the [PLANT NAME], Technical
Specifications (TS) (Agencywide Documents Access and Management System
Accession No. [MLxxxxxxxxx]). The requested change would relocate
references to specific American Society for Testing and Materials
(ASTM) standards for fuel oil testing to licensee-controlled documents
and would add alternate criteria to the ``clear and bright'' acceptance
test for new fuel oil. These changes were described in a Notice of
Availability published in the Federal Register on [DATE] ([xx FR
xxxxx]).
2.0 Regulatory Evaluation
The onsite electrical power system includes standby power sources,
distribution systems, and vital auxiliary supporting systems to supply
power to safety-related equipment. Most commercial nuclear power plants
use diesel generators as the emergency power source for the safety-
related electrical buses. The importance of the diesel generators (or
other standby power sources) is reflected in their incorporation into
NRC regulations, TS, and other regulatory programs, including Appendix
B (``Quality Assurance Criteria for Nuclear Power Plants and Fuel
Reprocessing Plants'') to part 50 of Title 10 of the Code of Federal
Regulations (10 CFR part 50). NUREG-0800, ``Standard Review Plan for
the Review of Safety Analysis Reports for Nuclear Power Plants,''
addresses diesel fuel oil and other supporting systems in section
9.5.4, ``Emergency Diesel Engine Fuel Oil Storage and Transfer System
Review Responsibilities.''
The TS include requirements for testing diesel fuel oil to ensure
it is of the appropriate grade and that it has not been contaminated
(i.e., proper fuel oil quality). The Diesel Fuel Oil Testing Program
defined in the TS includes tests for (1) the acceptability of new fuel
oil for use prior to addition to storage tanks; (2) other properties of
new fuel oil within limits within 30 days following sampling and
addition to storage tanks; and (3) total particulate concentration of
the fuel oil every 31 days. The current TS identify particular ASTM
standards and methods of performing these tests. The industry submitted
TSTF-374 proposing changes to the Standard TS (STS) (NUREGs 1430--1434)
to provide the flexibility to address future changes in Environmental
Protection Agency (EPA) regulations for fuel oil or revisions to the
ASTM standards. TSTF-374 was reviewed and accepted by the NRC staff and
has been incorporated into each of the STS NUREGs. Requirements for
testing the diesel fuel oil are maintained, but references to specific
ASTM standards are relocated to licensee-controlled documents and an
alternative to the ``clear and bright'' acceptance test for new fuel is
added to address changes in EPA requirements.
3.0 Technical Evaluation
In adopting TSTF-374, the licensee proposes to relocate the
reference to specific ASTM standards from the TS Administrative
Controls Section [5.5.13], ``Diesel Fuel Oil Testing Program,'' to a
licensee-controlled document. Although the reference to specific
testing standards or methods is relocated, TS [5.5.13] retains
acceptance criteria for new and stored diesel fuel oil and refers to
``applicable ASTM standards'' for sampling and testing requirements.
The specific testing standards or methods are relocated to the TS Bases
Section, which are controlled in accordance with 10 CFR 50.59,
``Changes, tests, and experiments,'' as described in TS [5.5.14],
``Technical Specification (TS) Bases Control Program.'' The licensee's
testing programs for diesel fuel oil are also governed by other
regulatory requirements, including Appendix B (Quality Assurance
Criteria) to 10 CFR part 50. While the relocation of selected program
details provides the licensee with some flexibility to adopt practices
defined in future ASTM standards, the NRC staff finds that the
remaining TS, TS Bases Control Program, and other
[[Page 9181]]
NRC regulations provide appropriate regulatory controls to ensure
diesel fuel oil quality will be maintained.
The plant-specific adoption of TSTF-374 also includes an
alternative to the ``clear and bright'' test currently required for new
fuel oil acceptability. The revised TS would allow either the ``clear
and bright'' test or a test confirming that the fuel oil has ``water
and sediment content within limits.'' This alternative test is better
suited for darker colored fuels and is recognized in ASTM standards
that have been referenced in NRC approved amendment requests. The NRC
staff finds that the alternative for testing the water and sediment
content will maintain or improve the inspection of new fuel oil and
therefore finds the change acceptable.
The licensee included in its application the proposed revisions to
the TS Bases to reflect the changes to TS [5.5.13] and to incorporate
the references to the applicable ASTM standards. The changes are
consistent with TSTF-374 and will be incorporated into the TS Bases in
accordance with TS [5.5.14].
4.0 State Consultation
In accordance with the Commission's regulations, the [STATE] State
official was notified of the proposed issuance of the amendments. The
State official had [(1) no comments or (2) the following comments--with
subsequent disposition by the staff].
5.0 Environmental Consideration
The amendment changes a requirement with respect to the
installation or use of a facility component located within the
restricted area as defined in 10 CFR part 20 and changes surveillance
requirements. The NRC staff has determined that the amendment involves
no significant increase in the amounts and no significant change in the
types of any effluents that may be released offsite, and that there is
no significant increase in individual or cumulative occupational
radiation exposure. The Commission has previously issued a proposed
finding that the amendment involves no significant hazards
consideration, and there has been [(1) no public comment on such
finding (2) the following comments with subsequent disposition by the
NRC staff ([xx FR xxxxx, DATE]). Accordingly, the amendment meets the
eligibility criteria for categorical exclusion set forth in 10 CFR
51.22(c)(9). Pursuant to 10 CFR 51.22(b) no environmental impact
statement or environmental assessment need be prepared in connection
with the issuance of the amendment.
6.0 Conclusion
The Commission has concluded, based on the considerations discussed
above, that (1) there is reasonable assurance that the health and
safety of the public will not be endangered by operation in the
proposed manner, (2) such activities will be conducted in compliance
with the Commission's regulations, and (3) the issuance of the
amendments will not be inimical to the common defense and security or
to the health and safety of the public.
Proposed No Significant Hazards Consideration Determination
Description of amendment request: The requested change would
relocate references in the technical specifications (TS) to specific
American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) standards for fuel
oil testing to licensee-controlled documents and would add alternate
criteria to the ``clear and bright'' acceptance test for new fuel oil.
The proposed change is described in Technical Specification Task Force
(TSTF) Standard TS Change Traveler TSTF-374 related to the Diesel Fuel
Oil Testing Program and was described in the Notice of Availability
published in the Federal Register on [DATE] ([xx FR xxxxx]).
Basis for proposed no significant hazards consideration
determination: As required by 10 CFR 50.91(a), an analysis of the issue
of no significant hazards consideration is presented below:
1. Does the proposed change involve a significant increase in the
probability or consequences of any accident previously evaluated?
Response: No.
The proposed changes relocate the specific ASTM standard references
from the Administrative Controls Section of TS to a licensee-controlled
document. Requirements to perform testing in accordance with applicable
ASTM standards are retained in the TS as are requirements to perform
surveillances of both new and stored diesel fuel oil. Future changes to
the licensee-controlled document will be evaluated pursuant to the
requirements of 10 CFR 50.59, ``Changes, tests and experiments,'' to
ensure that such changes do not result in more than a minimal increase
in the probability or consequences of an accident previously evaluated.
In addition, the ``clear and bright'' test used to establish the
acceptability of new fuel oil for use prior to addition to storage
tanks has been expanded to recognize more rigorous testing of water and
sediment content. Relocating the specific ASTM standard references from
the TS to a licensee-controlled document and allowing a water and
sediment content test to be performed to establish the acceptability of
new fuel oil will not affect nor degrade the ability of the emergency
diesel generators (DGs) to perform their specified safety function.
Fuel oil quality will continue to meet ASTM requirements.
The proposed changes do not adversely affect accident initiators or
precursors nor alter the design assumptions, conditions, and
configuration of the facility or the manner in which the plant is
operated and maintained. The proposed changes do not adversely affect
the ability of structures, systems, and components (SSCs) to perform
their intended safety function to mitigate the consequences of an
initiating event within the assumed acceptance limits. The proposed
changes do not affect the source term, containment isolation, or
radiological release assumptions used in evaluating the radiological
consequences of any accident previously evaluated. Further, the
proposed changes do not increase the types and amounts of radioactive
effluent that may be released offsite, nor significantly increase
individual or cumulative occupational/public radiation exposures.
Therefore, the changes do not involve a significant increase in the
probability or consequences of any accident previously evaluated.
2. Does the proposed change create the possibility of a new or
different kind of accident from any accident previously evaluated?
Response: No.
The proposed changes relocate the specific ASTM standard references
from the Administrative Controls Section of TS to a licensee-controlled
document. In addition, the ``clear and bright'' test used to establish
the acceptability of new fuel oil for use prior to addition to storage
tanks has been expanded to allow a water and sediment content test to
be performed to establish the acceptability of new fuel oil. The
changes do not involve a physical alteration of the plant (i.e., no new
or different type of equipment will be installed) or a change in the
methods governing normal plant operation. The requirements retained in
the TS continue to require testing of the diesel fuel oil to ensure the
proper functioning of the DGs.
Therefore, the changes do not create the possibility of a new or
different kind of accident from any accident previously evaluated.
[[Page 9182]]
3. Does the proposed change involve a significant reduction in a
margin of safety?
Response: No.
The proposed changes relocate the specific ASTM standard references
from the Administrative Controls Section of TS to a licensee-controlled
document. Instituting the proposed changes will continue to ensure the
use of applicable ASTM standards to evaluate the quality of both new
and stored fuel oil designated for use in the emergency DGs. Changes to
the licensee-controlled document are performed in accordance with the
provisions of 10 CFR 50.59. This approach provides an effective level
of regulatory control and ensures that diesel fuel oil testing is
conducted such that there is no significant reduction in a margin of
safety.
The ``clear and bright'' test used to establish the acceptability
of new fuel oil for use prior to addition to storage tanks has been
expanded to allow a water and sediment content test to be performed to
establish the acceptability of new fuel oil. The margin of safety
provided by the DGs is unaffected by the proposed changes since there
continue to be TS requirements to ensure fuel oil is of the appropriate
quality for emergency DG use. The proposed changes provide the
flexibility needed to improve fuel oil sampling and analysis
methodologies while maintaining sufficient controls to preserve the
current margins of safety.
Based upon the reasoning presented above, the NRC staff proposes to
determine that the amendment request involves no significant hazards
consideration.
Dated at Rockville, Maryland, this 10th day of February 2006.
For the Nuclear Regulatory Commission.
William D. Reckley,
Senior Project Manager, Special Projects Branch, Division of Policy and
Rulemaking, Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation.
[FR Doc. 06-1621 Filed 2-21-06; 8:45 am]
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