[Federal Register Volume 72, Number 144 (Friday, July 27, 2007)]
[Notices]
[Pages 41360-41365]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E7-14573]


-----------------------------------------------------------------------

NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION


Notice of Opportunity To Comment on Model Safety Evaluation on 
Technical Specification Improvement To Revise MTC Surveillance for 
Startup Test Activity Reduction (STAR) Program (WCAP-16011)

AGENCY: Nuclear Regulatory Commission.

ACTION: Request for comment.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: Notice is hereby given that the staff of the Nuclear 
Regulatory Commission (NRC) has prepared a model safety evaluation (SE) 
relating to the modification of technical specification (TS) moderator 
temperature coefficient (MTC) surveillance requirements (SR) associated 
with implementation of WCAP-16011-P-A, ``Startup Test Activity 
Reduction (STAR) Program.'' The NRC staff has also prepared a model 
license amendment request and a model no significant hazards 
consideration (NSHC) determination relating to this matter. The purpose 
of these models are to permit the NRC to efficiently process amendments 
that propose to modify TS MTC surveillance requirements for 
implementing the STAR Program. 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 reactors. The 
NRC staff is requesting comment on the model SE and model NSHC 
determination prior to announcing their availability for referencing in 
license amendment applications.

DATES: The comment period expires August 27, 2007. Comments received 
after this date will be considered if it is practical to do so, but the 
Commission is able to 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-6 D59, 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, 
11555 Rockville Pike (Room O-1F21), Rockville, Maryland. Comments may 
be submitted by electronic mail to [email protected].

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Timothy Kobetz, Mail Stop: O-12H2, 
Techncial Specifications Branch, Division of Inspection & Regional 
Support, Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation, U.S. Nuclear Regulatory 
Commission, Washington, DC 20555-0001, telephone 301-415-1932.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background

    Regulatory Issue Summary 2000-06, ``Consolidated Line Item 
Improvement Process for Adopting Standard Technical Specification 
Changes for

[[Page 41361]]

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 proposed changes to the STS 
after a preliminary assessment by the NRC staff and finding that the 
change will likely be offered for adoption by licensees. This notice 
solicits comment on a proposed change to the STS that modifies MTC 
surveillance requirements for implementing the STAR Program. 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 announce the 
availability of the change for adoption by licensees. 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 plant-specific information. Each amendment 
application made in response to the notice of availability will be 
processed and noticed in accordance with applicable rules and NRC 
procedures.
    This notice involves the modification of TS MTC surveillance 
requirements for implementing the STAR Program. This change was 
proposed for incorporation into the standard technical specifications 
by the Owners Groups participants in the Technical Specification Task 
Force (TSTF) and is designated TSTF-486. TSTF-486 can be viewed on the 
NRC's Web page at http://www.nrc.gov/reactors/operating/licensing/techspecs.html.

Applicability

    To efficiently process the incoming license amendment applications, 
the staff requests that each licensee applying for the changes proposed 
in TSTF-486 include TS Bases for the proposed TS consistent with the TS 
Bases proposed in TSTF-486. The staff is requesting that the TS Bases 
be included with the proposed license amendments in this case because 
the changes to the TS and the changes to the associated TS Bases form 
an integral change to a plant's licensing basis. To ensure that the 
overall change, including the TS Bases, includes appropriate regulatory 
controls, the staff plans to condition the issuance of each license 
amendment on the licensee's incorporation of the changes into the TS 
Bases document and that the licensee control changes to the TS Bases in 
accordance with the licensees TS Bases Control Program. The CLIIP does 
not prevent licensees from requesting an alternative approach or 
proposing the changes without the requested TS Bases. However, 
deviations from the approach recommended in this notice may 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. 
After evaluating the comments received as a result of this notice, the 
staff will either reconsider the proposed change or announce the 
availability of the change in a subsequent notice (perhaps with some 
changes to the safety evaluation or the proposed no significant hazards 
consideration determination as a result of public comments). If the 
staff announces the availability of the change, 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 operating license to announce the 
modification of MTC surveillance requirements for implementing the STAR 
program for each plant that 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 TSTF-486, Modification of Technical 
Specification Moderator Temperature Coefficient Surveillance 
Requirements associated with implementation of the Startup Test 
Activity Reduction (STAR) Program.

1.0 Introduction

    By letter dated June 3, 2005, (Reference 1) the Technical 
Specifications Task Force (TSTF), a joint owners group activity, 
submitted TSTF-486, ``Revise MTC Surveillance for Startup Test Activity 
Reduction (STAR) Program (WCAP-16011),'' Revision 0, for NRC review. By 
letter dated February 20, 2007, (Reference 2) the TSTF submitted TSTF-
486, Revision 1, for NRC review. By letter dated March 10, 2007, 
(Reference 3) the TSTF submitted TSTF-486, Revision 2, for NRC review. 
TSTF-486 is proposing to change NUREG 1432, ``Standard Technical 
Specifications Combustion Engineering Plants,'' (CE STS) Revision 3.1 
(Reference 4), to generically implement moderator temperature 
coefficient (MTC) surveillance requirement changes associated with 
implementation of WCAP-16011-P-A, ``Startup Test Activity Reduction 
(STAR) Program,'' (Reference 5).
    WCAP-16011-P-A describes methods to reduce the time required for 
startup testing. To this end, WCAP-16011-P-A proposes methods to 
eliminate the control element assembly (CEA) worth and isothermal 
temperature coefficient (ITC) measurements at hot zero power (HZP). The 
measured ITC is used to calculate the HZP MTC. WCAP-16011-P-A includes 
a method to substitute the measured verification of MTC at HZP with an 
alternate MTC verification consisting of the predicted (calculated) MTC 
and measured critical boron concentration (CBC) at HZP. When this 
alternate MTC verification is utilized, WCAP-16011-P-A adds the 
requirement for the early in cycle MTC measurement to verify MTC is not 
more negative than allowed is also used to verify MTC is not more 
positive than allowed. WCAP-16011-P-A adds an ITC measurement at 
intermediate to hot full power (HFP) and applicability requirements for 
core design, fabrication, refueling, startup testing, and CEA lifetime 
viability requirements. WCAP-16011-P-A methods can only be applied to 
cores that are well characterized by an existing database. WCAP-16011-
P-A is only applicable to the particular plants that participated in 
its development, as indicated in the document.
    TSTF-486 will provide standardized wording in the CE STS for plants 
implementing the WCAP-16011-P-A alternate MTC verification at startup.

2.0 Regulatory Evaluation

    In 10 CFR 50.36, the Commission established its regulatory 
requirements related to the content of TS. Pursuant to 10 CFR 50.36, TS 
are required to include items in the following five specific categories 
related to station operation: (1) Safety limits, limiting safety system 
settings, and limiting control settings; (2) limiting conditions for 
operation (LCOs); (3) surveillance requirements (SRs); (4) design 
features; and (5) administrative controls. The regulations do not 
specify the particular requirements to be included in a plant's TS and 
do not explicitly prescribe specific post-refueling startup testing.

[[Page 41362]]

However, the genesis for post-refueling startup testing can be traced 
to the preoperational testing required to be specified in the Final 
Safety Analysis Report by 10 CFR 50.34. Additionally, 10 CFR 50.36 
specifies SRs relating to test, calibration, or inspection to assure 
that the necessary quality of systems and components is maintained, 
that facility operation will be within safety limits, and that the 
limiting conditions for operation will be met. Additionally, 10 CFR 
Part 50, Appendix A, ``General Design Criteria'' (GDC) apply, in that 
the GDC establish the necessary design, fabrication, construction, 
testing, and performance requirements for structures, systems, and 
components important to safety. Additionally, 10 CFR Part 50, Appendix 
B, ``Quality Assurance Criteria for Nuclear Power Plants and Fuel 
Reprocessing Plants'' apply, in that Criterion III ``Design Control'' 
requires that ``* * * measures shall provide for verifying or checking 
the adequacy of design, such as by the performance of design reviews, 
by the use of alternate or simplified calculational methods, or by the 
performance of a suitable testing program.'' Specifically, MTC is a 
parameter controlled in the licensee's TS, including surveillance 
requirements. As a value in the TS, MTC and the applicable SRs are 
subject to regulatory oversight.

2.1 Proposed Change

    TSTF-486 would make the following changes to the CE STS contained 
in NUREG-1432.
     The proposed change revises the MTC (Analog) Surveillance 
Requirement (SR) 3.1.3.1, Surveillance, to indicate the MTC upper limit 
is specified in the Core Operating Limits Report (COLR).
     The proposed change revises the MTC (Analog) SR 3.1.3.1, 
Frequency, to add a requirement to verify MTC is within the upper limit 
within seven (7) effective full power days (EFPD) of reaching 40 EFPD 
of core burnup. This verification would only be required if the MTC 
determined prior to entering Mode 1 is determined using an adjusted, 
predicted MTC.
     The proposed change revises MTC (Analog) surveillance 
requirement (SR) 3.1.3.2, Note, to indicate the MTC lower limit is 
specified in the COLR.
     The proposed change revises MTC (Analog) SR 3.1.3.2, 
Frequency, to replace the phrase `effective full power days' with the 
acronym `EFPD.'
     The proposed change revises MTC (Digital) SR 3.1.3.1, 
Surveillance, to indicate the MTC upper limit is specified in the Core 
Operating Limits Report (COLR).
     The proposed change revises MTC (Digital) SR 3.1.3.1, 
Frequency, to add a requirement to verify MTC is within the upper limit 
within seven (7) EFPD of reaching 40 EFPD of core burnup. This 
verification would only be required if the MTC determined prior to 
entering Mode 1 is determined using an adjusted predicted MTC.
     The proposed change revises MTC (Digital) SR 3.1.3.2, 
Surveillance, and accompanying Note to indicate the MTC lower limit is 
specified in the COLR.
     The proposed change revises MTC (Analog) SR 3.1.3.2, 
Frequency, to replace the phrase `effective full power days' with the 
acronym `EFPD.' TSTF-486 includes changes to the CE STS Bases B 3.1.3 
contained in NUREG-1432.
     Deletes the last sentence of the second paragraph of the 
Background section. (Analog) (Digital)
     Modifies the first sentence of the first paragraph in the 
LCO section to state that the COLR contains both positive and negative 
MTC limits. Modifies the third sentence of the first paragraph in the 
LCO section to state the purpose of the positive MTC limit in the COLR. 
(Analog) (Digital)
     Inserts a new paragraph in the LCO section, between the 
existing first and second paragraphs, into the LCO section to explain 
the positive MTC limits contained in CE STS LCO 3.1.3. (Analog) 
(Digital)
     Modifies the current second paragraph in the LCO section 
to include a discussion of how MTC may be controlled using CEA position 
and boron concentration. (Analog) (Digital)
     Modifies the Surveillance Requirements section by adding a 
Reviewer Note describing the use of the Alternate MTC verification 
method contained in WCAP-16011-P-A. (Analog) (Digital)
     Modifies the first paragraph of the Surveillance 
Requirements section breaking it into three paragraphs. The new first 
paragraph consists of the first and second sentences and precedes the 
Reviewer's Note; the text is otherwise unchanged. The new second 
paragraph is the third sentence of the current first paragraph; the 
text is otherwise unchanged. The new third paragraph is the remainder 
of the current first paragraph, it is modified to state the MTC 
verification must occur within seven (7) effective full power days of 
reaching 40 effective full power days and that the MTC limits are in 
the COLR. (Analog) (Digital)
     The existing second paragraph of the Surveillance 
Requirements section becomes the fourth paragraph and is modified to 
state the end of cycle MTC limit is specified in the COLR. (Analog) 
(Digital)
     The References section is modified to add, in brackets, 
WCAP-16011-P-A. (Analog) (Digital)

3.0 Technical Evaluation

    As stated previously WCAP-16011-P-A describes methods to reduce the 
time required for startup testing. The NRC approved WCAP-16011-P-A on 
January 14, 2005, for referencing in license applications to the extent 
specified and under the limitations stated in the topical report and 
NRC evaluation.
    CE STS SR 3.1.3.1 (Analog) and SR 3.1.3.1 (Digital) are being 
revised to add a frequency that is required by WCAP-16011-P-A when the 
alternate MTC verification method is used to verify MTC is within the 
upper limit during startup testing. That frequency coincides with the 
SR 3.1.3.2 verification that MTC is within the lower limit at 40 EFPD. 
This frequency is consistent with WCAP-16011-P-A and therefore 
acceptable.
    CE STS SR 3.1.3.1 (Analog), and SR 3.1.3.1 (Digital) are also being 
revised to state the upper MTC limit is in the COLR. Currently, the 
location of the upper limit is not specified in either Analog or 
Digital CE STS SR. CE STS 3.1.3 (Analog) LCO states, ``The MTC shall be 
maintained within the limits specified in the COLR. The maximum 
positive limit shall be that specified in Figure 3.1.3-1.'' Figure 
3.1.3-1 is contained in the CE STS. CE STS 3.1.3 (Digital) LCO states, 
``The MTC shall be maintained within the limits specified in the COLR, 
and a maximum positive limit as specified below:'' Two equations then 
follow for determining the maximum positive limit. The use of the 
plural in the LCO statements indicate the STS expect there to be upper 
and lower limits in the COLR, of which the upper limit would be bounded 
by the value in the TS. Therefore, specifying in the SR that the upper 
limit be within the COLR limit is consistent with the CE STS. The 
specific wording is also consistent with current phrasing in the CE 
STS. Therefore, this change is acceptable.
    CE STS SR 3.1.3.2 (Digital) is also being revised to state the 
lower MTC limit is in the COLR. Currently, the location of the lower 
limit is specified in the Note. This change makes the CE STS SR 3.1.3.2 
(Digital) consistent with the analog equivalent. The specific wording 
is also consistent with current phrasing in the CE STS. Therefore, this 
change is acceptable.

[[Page 41363]]

    The first sentence of the Note in CE STS SR 3.1.3.2 (Analog) and SR 
3.1.3.2 (Digital) is being revised from, ``If the MTC is more negative 
than the COLR limit * * *'' to ``If the MTC is more negative than the 
limit specified in the COLR * * *'' SR 3.1.3.2 (Digital) is being 
revised from ``Verify MTC is within the lower limit.'' to ``Verify MTC 
is within the lower limit specified in the COLR.'' In all instances the 
MTC lower limit is specified in the COLR. The revised wording is 
consistent with other CE STS references to the COLR. Therefore, this 
change is acceptable.
    The revision to the CE STS Bases for B 3.1.3 (Analog) and B 3.1.3 
(Digital) Background section is removing an incorrect statement in the 
CE STS that was identified during the staff's review associated with 
Reference 1. The TSTF has agreed to remove the sentence as part of 
TSTF-486 Revision 2. Therefore, this change is acceptable.
    The modification of the first paragraph in the CE STS Bases for B 
3.1.3 (Analog) and B 3.1.3 (Digital) LCO section is intended to 
identify the location of the upper and lower MTC limits. This change is 
consistent with the proposed changes to CE STS described above and 
therefore acceptable.
    The addition of a new second paragraph in the CE STS Bases for B 
3.1.3 (Analog) and B 3.1.3 (Digital) LCO section is intended to 
describe the purpose of the limits and reinforce that the upper MTC 
limit in the COLR must be bounded by that in the TS. This change is 
consistent with the proposed changes to CE STS described above and 
therefore acceptable.
    The modification to the current second paragraph in the LCO section 
adds a discussion of how MTC may be controlled using CEA position and 
boron concentration. While staff acknowledges that the combination of 
CEA position and boron concentration can be used to control MTC, the 
staff believes it is an incomplete discussion that ignores the effects 
of temperature, pressure, and power level. However, there is no 
intention that the STS Basis become a tutorial. Therefore, while the 
discussion is incomplete it is not detrimental to safety and the change 
is acceptable.
    The Reviewer's Note added to the Surveillance Requirements section 
describes the restrictions on the use of the Alternate MTC 
surveillance. The Reviewer's Note is consistent with WCAP-16011-P-A and 
therefore acceptable.
    The current first paragraph of the Surveillance Requirements 
section is being modified by breaking it into three paragraphs.
     The new first paragraph consists of the first and second 
sentences and precedes the Reviewer Note, the text is otherwise 
unchanged. This is an editorial change and acceptable.
     The new second paragraph is the third sentence of the 
current first paragraph, the text is otherwise unchanged. Making the 
sentence a separate paragraph is an editorial change and acceptable.
     The new third paragraph is the remainder of the current 
first paragraph; it is modified to state the MTC verification must 
occur withing seven (7) effective full power days of reaching 40 
effective full power days and that the MTC limits are in the COLR. 
These changes are editorial and acceptable.
    Moving the existing second paragraph of the Surveillance 
Requirements section to become the fourth paragraph and modifying it to 
state the end of cycle MTC limit is specified in the COLR are editorial 
changes. These changes are acceptable.
    Adding WCAP-16011-P-A, in brackets, to the References section is 
appropriate. The brackets indicate WCAP-16011-P-A is an optional 
reference. It would only be included on plants that have implemented 
the Alternate MTC surveillance. This change is acceptable.

3.1 Summary

    TSTF-486 would provide standardized wording in the CE STS for 
plants implementing the WCAP-16011-P-A alternate MTC verification at 
startup. The changes to NUREG-1432 proposed by TSTF-486 have been 
reviewed for consistency with the current NUREG-1432 and WCAP-16011-P-
A. The proposed changes have been found to be consistent with NUREG-
1432 and WCAP-16011-P-A, therefore the proposed changes are acceptable.

4.0 State Consultation

    In accordance with the Commission's regulations, the [ ] State 
official was notified of the proposed issuance of the amendment. The 
State official had [(1) No comments or (2) the following comments--with 
subsequent disposition by the staff].

5.0 Environmental Consideration

    The amendments change 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 change surveillance 
requirements. [For licensees adding a TS Bases Control Program: The 
amendment also changes record keeping, reporting, or administrative 
procedures or requirements.] The NRC staff has determined that the 
amendments involve 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 amendments involve no 
significant hazards considerations, and there has been no public 
comment on the finding [FR]. Accordingly, the amendments meet the 
eligibility criteria for categorical exclusion set forth in 10 CFR 
51.22(c)(9) [and (c)(10)]. Pursuant to 10 CFR 51.22(b), no 
environmental impact statement or environmental assessment need be 
prepared in connection with the issuance of the amendments.

6.0 Conclusion

    The Commission has concluded, on the basis of 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.

7.0 References

    1. Letter from the Technical Specifications Task Force (TSTF), a 
joint owners group activity, re: TSTF-486, ``Revise MTC Surveillance 
for Startup Test Activity Reduction (STAR) Program (WCAP-16011),'' 
dated June 3, 2005. (ADAMS ML051580191)
    2. Letter from the Technical Specifications Task Force (TSTF), a 
joint owners group activity, re: ``Response to NRC Request for 
Additional Information Regarding TSTF-486, Revision 0,'' ``Revise 
MTC Surveillance for Startup Test Activity Reduction (STAR) Program 
(WCAP-16011),'' and ``Submittal of Revision 1,'' dated February 20, 
2007. (ADAMS ML070510667)
    3. Letter from the Technical Specifications Task Force (TSTF), a 
joint owners group activity, re: TSTF-486, Revision 2, ``Revise MTC 
Surveillance for Startup Test Activity Reduction (STAR) Program 
(WCAP-16011),'' dated March 10, 2007. (ADAMS ML071300267)
    4. NUREG 1432, ``Standard Technical Specifications Combustion 
Engineering Plants,'' Tevision 3.1. (ADAMS ML062510040 and 
ML062510042)
    5. WCAP-16011-P-A, ``Startup Test Activity Reduction Program,'' 
dated February 2005. (ADAMS ML050660127)

    The following example of an application was prepared by the NRC 
staff to facilitate

[[Page 41364]]

use of the consolidated line item improvement process (CLIIP). The 
model provides the expected level of detail and content for an 
application to revise technical specifications regarding moderator 
temperature coefficient surveillance for startup test activity 
reduction (STAR) program using CLIIP. Licensees remain responsible 
for ensuring that their actual application fulfills their 
administrative requirements as well as Nuclear Regulatory Commission 
regulations.

U.S. Nuclear Regular Commission,
Document Control Desk,
Washington, DC 20555.
Subject: PLANT NAME, DOCKET NO. 50-, APPLICATION FOR TECHNICAL 
SPECIFICATION CHANGE REGARDING MODERATOR TEMPERATURE COEFFICIENT 
(MTC) SURVEILLANCE FOR STARTUP TEST ACTIVITY REDUCTION (STAR) 
PROGRAM USING THE CONSOLIDATED LINE ITEM IMPROVEMENT PROCESS
Gentleman: In accordance with th provisions of 10 CFR 50.90 
[LICENSEE] is submitting a request for an amendment to the technical 
specifications (TS) for [PLANT NAME, UNIT NOS.].
    The proposed amendment would modify TS requirements for 
moderator temperature coefficient (MTC) surveillance requirements 
(SR) associated with implementation of WCAP-16011-P-A, ``Startup 
Test Activity Reduction (STAR) Program.''
    Attachment 1 provides a description of the proposed change, the 
requested confirmation of applicability, and plant-specific 
verifications. Attachment 2 provides the existing TS pages marked up 
to show the proposed change. Attachment 3 provides revised (clean) 
TS pages. Attachment 4 provides a summary of the regulatory 
commitments made in this submittal.
    [LICENSEE] requests approval of the proposed License Amendment 
by [DATE], with the amendment being implemented [BY DATE OR WITHIN X 
DAYS].
    In accordance with 10 CFR 50.91, a copy of this application, 
with attachments, is being provided to the designated [STATE] 
Official.
    I declare under penalty of perjury under the laws of the United 
Stats of America that I am authorized by [LICENSEE] to make this 
request and that the foregoing s true and correct. (Note that 
request may be notarized in lieu of using this oath or affirmation 
statement).
    If you should have any questions regarding this submittal, 
please contact [NAME, TELEPHONE NUMBER]
    Sincerely,
    [Name, Title]

Attachments:
    1. Description and Assessment.
    2. Proposed Technical Specification Changes.
    3. Revised Technical Specification Pages.
    4. Regulatory Commitments.
    5. Proposed Technical Specification Bases Changes.
cc: NRC Project Manager, NRC Regional Office, NRC Resident 
Inspector, State Contact.

Attachment 1--Description and Assessment

1.0 Description

    The proposed amendment would modify TS requirements for 
moderator temperature coefficient (MTC) surveillance requirements 
(SR) associated with implementation of WCAP-16011-P-A, ``Startup 
Test Activity Reduction (STAR) Program.''
    The changes are consistent with Nuclear Regulatory Commission 
(NRC) approved Industry/Technical Specification Task Force (TSTF) 
STS change TSTF-486 Revision 2. The Federal Register notice 
published on [DATE] announced the availability of this TS 
improvement through the consolidated line item improvement process 
(CLIIP).

2.0 Assessment

2.1 Applicability of Published Safety Evaluation

    [LICENSEE] has reviewed the safety evaluation dated [DATE] as 
part of the CLIIP. This review included a review of the NRC staff's 
evaluation, as well as the supporting information provided to 
support TSTF-486 Revision 2. [LICENSEE] has concluded that the 
justifications presented in the TSTF proposal and the safety 
evaluation prepared by the NRC staff are applicable to [PLANT, UNIT 
NOS.] and justify this amendment for the incorporation of the 
changes to the [PLANT] TS.

2.2 Optional Changes and Variations

    [LICENSEE] is not proposing any variations or deviations from 
the TS changes described in the modified TSTF-486 Revision 2 and the 
NRC staff's model safety evaluation dated [DATE].

3.0 Regulatory Analysis

3.1 No Significant Hazards Consideration Determination

    [LICENSEE] has reviewed the proposed no significant hazards 
consideration determination (NSHCD) published in the Federal 
Register as part of the CLIIP. [LICENSEE] has concluded that the 
proposed NSHCD presented in the Federal Register notice is 
applicable to [PLANT] and is hereby incorporated by reference to 
satisfy the requirements of 10 CFR 50.91(a).

3.2 Verification and Commitments

    As discussed in the notice of availability published in the 
Federal Register on [DATE] for this TS improvement, the [LICENSEE] 
verifies the applicability of TSTF-486 to [PLANT], and commits to 
establishing Technical Specification Bases for TS [3.1.3] as 
proposed in TSTF-486, Revision 2.
    The proposed TSTF-486 change revises SR 3.1.3.1 in the digital 
and analog Combustion Engineering STS (NUREG-1432) by adding a 
second Frequency. This second Frequency requires verifying that MTC 
is within the upper limit each fuel cycle within 7 EFPD after 
reaching 40 EFPD of core burnup, but only when the MTC determined 
prior to entering MODE 1 is verified using predicted MTC as adjusted 
for actual RCS boron concentration. The Frequency is consistent with 
the existing MODE 1 MTC Surveillance Frequency. The Bases are 
revised to describe the new requirements and to clarify the 
analytical basis of the MTC utilizing the suggested changes in WCAP-
16011-P. The Bases modifications clarify the relationship between 
the MTC limits specified in the Core Operating Limits Report (COLR) 
and the maximum positive MTC value specified in the LCO.

4.0 Environmental Evaluation

    [LICENSEE] has reviewed the environmental evaluation included in 
the model safety evaluation dated [DATE] as part of the CLIIP. 
[LICENSEE] has concluded that the staff's findings presented in that 
evaluation are applicable to [PLANT] and the evaluation is hereby 
incorporated by reference for this application.

Attachment 2--Proposed Technical Specification Changes (Mark-Up)

Attachment 3--Proposed Technical Specification Pages

Attachment 4--List Of Regulatory Commitments

    The following table identifies those actions committed to by 
[LICENSEE] in this document. Any other statements in this submittal 
are provided for information purposes and are not considered to be 
regulatory commitments. Please direct questions regarding these 
commitments to [CONTACT NAME].

------------------------------------------------------------------------
          Regulatory commitments                   Due date/event
------------------------------------------------------------------------
[LICENSEE] will establish the Technical     [Complete, implemented with
 Specification Bases for TS [3.1.3] as       amendment OR within X days
 adopted with the applicable license         of implementation of
 amendment.                                  amendment].
------------------------------------------------------------------------

Attachment 5--Proposed Changes to Technical Specification Bases Pages

Proposed No Significant Hazards Consideration Determination

    Description of Amendment Request: [Plant Name] requests adoption 
of an approved change to the standard technical specifications (STS) 
for Combustion Engineering (CE) Plants (NUREG-1432) and plant 
specific technical specifications (TS), to allow modification of TS 
moderator temperature coefficient (MTC) surveillance requirements 
(SR) associated with implementation of WCAP-16011-P-A, ``Startup 
Test Activity Reduction (STAR) Program,'' dated February 2005. The 
changes are consistent with NRC approved Industry/Technical 
Specification Task Force (TSTF) STS Traveler, TSTF-486, Revision 1, 
``Revise MTC Surveillance for Startup Test Activity Reduction (STAR) 
Program (WCAP-16011).'' WCAP-16011-P-A describes methods to reduce 
the time required for startup testing. To this end, WCAP-16011-P-A 
proposes methods to eliminate the control element assembly (CEA) 
worth and isothermal temperature coefficient (ITC) measurements at 
hot zero power (HZP). The measured ITC is then use to calculated the 
HZP MTC. WCAP-16011-P-A includes a method to substitute the measured 
verification of MTC

[[Page 41365]]

at HZP with an alternate MTC verification consisting of the 
predicted (calculated) MTC and measured critical boron concentration 
(CBC) at HZP. When this alternate MTC verification is utilized, 
WCAP-16011-P-A adds the requirement for the early in cycle MTC 
measurement to verify MTC is not more negative than allowed is also 
used to verify MTC is not more positive than allowed. WCAP-16011-P-A 
adds an ITC measurement at intermediate to hot full power (HFP) and 
applicability requirements for core design, fabrication, refueling, 
startup testing, and CEA lifetime viability requirements. WCAP-
16011-P-A methods can only be applied to cores that are well 
characterized by an existing database.
    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:

Criterion 1--The Proposed Change Does Not Involve a Significant 
Increase in the Probability or Consequences of an Accident 
Previously Evaluated

    The proposed change generically implements MTC SR changes 
associated with implementation of WCAP-16011-P-A, STAR Program. 
WCAP-16011-P-A describes methods to reduce the time required for 
startup testing. The consequences of an accident after adopting 
TSTF-486 are no different than the consequences of an accident prior 
to adoption. Therefore, this change does not involve a significant 
increase in the probability or consequences of an accident 
previously evaluated.

Criterion 2--The Proposed Change Does Not Create the Possibility of 
a New or Different Kind of Accident From any Previously Evaluated

    The proposed change does not involve a physical alteration of 
the plant (no new or different type of equipment will be installed) 
or a change in the methods governing normal plant operation. The 
proposed change will not introduce new failure modes or effects and 
will not, in the absence of other unrelated failures, lead to an 
accident whose consequences exceed the consequences of accidents 
previously analyzed. Thus, this change does not create the 
possibility of a new or different kind of accident from any accident 
previously evaluated.

Criterion 3--The Proposed Change Does Not Involve a Significant 
Reduction in the Margin of Safety

    TSTF-486 provides the means and standardized wording for CE STS 
plants implementing the previously approved WCAP-16011-P-A alternate 
MTC verification at startup. MTC is a parameter controlled in the 
licensee's TS, including surveillance requirements. As stated 
previously WCAP-16011-P-A describes methods to reduce the time 
required for startup testing. The changes to NUREG-1432 proposed by 
TSTF-486 have been reviewed for and found to be consistent with the 
current NUREG-1432 and WCAP-16011-P-A, and therefore the proposed 
changes are acceptable and do not involve a significant reduction in 
a margin of safety.
    Based upon the reasoning presented above and the previous 
discussion of the amendment request, the requested change does not 
involve a significant hazards consideration.

    Dated at Rockville, Maryland, this 19th day of July, 2007.

    For The Nuclear Regulatory Commission.
Timothy J. Kobetz,
Section Chief, Technical Specifications Branch, Division of Inspection 
& Regional Support, Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation.
[FR Doc. E7-14573 Filed 7-26-07; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 7590-01-P