[Federal Register Volume 72, Number 158 (Thursday, August 16, 2007)]
[Notices]
[Pages 46103-46109]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E7-16138]


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NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION


Notice of Opportunity To Comment on Model Safety Evaluation on 
Technical Specification Improvement To Revise Control Rod Notch 
Surveillance Frequency, Clarify SRM Insert Control Rod Action, and 
Clarify Frequency Example

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 the revision of Standard Technical Specifications (STS), 
NUREG-1433 (BWR/4) and NUREG-1434 (BWR/6). Specifically the SE 
addresses: (1) The revision of the TS surveillance requirement (SR) 
3.1.3.2 frequency in STS 3.1.3, ``Control Rod OPERABILITY,'' (2) a 
clarification to the requirement to fully insert all insertable control 
rods for the limiting condition for operation (LCO) in STS 3.3.1.2, 
Required Action E.2, ``Source Range Monitor Instrumentation'' (NUREG-
1434 only), and (3) the revision of Example 1.4-3 in STS Section 1.4 
``Frequency'' to clarify the applicability of the 1.25 surveillance 
test interval extension. 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 control rod SR testing frequency, clarify TS 
control insertion requirements, and clarify SR frequency discussions. 
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 plant licensing basis. The NRC staff is 
requesting comment on the model SE, model amendment request, and model 
NSHC determination prior to announcing their availability for 
referencing in license amendment applications.

DATES: The comment period expires September 17, 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, Rulemaking, Directives, and 
Editing 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, 
Technical 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 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 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 a TS control rod 
SR testing frequency, clarifies TS control rod insertion requirements, 
and clarifies SR frequency discussions. 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

[[Page 46104]]

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 control rod SR testing 
frequency, clarification of TS control insertion requirements, and 
clarification of SR frequency discussions. 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-475 Revision 1. TSTF-475 Revision 1 can be 
viewed on the NRC's Web page at http://www.nrc.gov/reactors/operating/licensing/techspecs.html.

Applicability

    This proposed TS change to modify TS control rod SR testing 
frequency, clarify TS control insertion requirements, and clarify SR 
frequency discussions is applicable to BWR NSSS plants. The CLIIP does 
not prevent licensees from requesting an alternative approach or 
proposing the changes without the attached model SE and the NSHC. 
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 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, model application 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 the TS control rod SR testing frequency, TS control rod 
insertion requirements, and SR frequency discussions for each plant 
that receives the requested change.

Proposed Safety Evaluation

Nuclear Regulatory Commission, Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation, 
Consolidated Line Item Improvement Program, Technical Specification 
Task, Force (TSTF) Change TSTF-475, Revision 1, Control Rod Notch 
Testing Frequency and Source Range Monitor Technical Specification 
Action To Insert Control Rods

1.0 Introduction

    By letter dated August 30, 2004, BWR OWNERS Group (BWROG) submitted 
a request for changes to NUREG-1433, Standard Technical Specifications 
General Electric Plants, BWR/4 (Reference 1), and NUREG-1434, Standard 
Technical Specifications General Electric Plants, BWR/6 (Reference 2). 
The proposed changes would: (1) Revise the TS control rod notch 
surveillance frequency in TS 3.1.3, ``Control Rod OPERABILITY,'' (2) 
clarify the TS requirement for inserting control rods for one or more 
inoperable SRMs in MODE 5, and (3) revise one Example in Section 1.4 
``Frequency'' to clarify the applicability of the 1.25 surveillance 
test interval extension.
    These changes are based on Technical Specifications Task Force 
(TSTF) change traveler TSTF-475, Revision 1, that proposes revisions to 
the reference BWR standard technical specifications (STS) by: (1) 
Revising the frequency of SR 3.1.3.2, notch testing of each fully 
withdrawn control rod, from ``7 days after the control rod is withdrawn 
and THERMAL POWER is greater than the LPSP of RWM'' to ``31 days after 
the control rod is withdrawn and THERMAL POWER is greater than the LPSP 
of the RWM'', (2) adding the word ``fully'' to LCO 3.3.1.2 Required 
Action E.2 (NUREG-1434 only) to clarify the requirement to fully insert 
all insertable control rods in core cells containing one or more fuel 
assemblies when the associated SRM instrument is inoperable, and (3) 
revising Example 1.4-3 in Section 1.4 ``Frequency'' to clarify that the 
1.25 surveillance test interval extension in SR 3.0.2 is applicable to 
time periods discussed in NOTES in the ``SURVEILLANCE'' column in 
addition to the time periods in the ``FREQUENCY'' column.
    The purpose of these surveillances is to confirm control rod 
insertion capability which is demonstrated by inserting each partially 
or fully withdrawn control rod at least one notch and observing that 
the control rod moves. Control rods and control rod drive (CRD) 
Mechanism (CRDM), by which the control rods are moved, are components 
of the CRD System, which is the primary reactivity control system for 
the reactor. By design, the CRDM is highly reliable with a tapered 
design of the index tube which is conducive to control rod insertion.
    A stuck control rod is an extremely rare event and industry review 
of plant operating experience did not identify any incidents of stuck 
control rods while performing a rod notch surveillance test.
    The purpose of these revisions is to reduce the number of control 
rod manipulations and, thereby, reduce the opportunity for reactivity 
control events.

2.0 Regulatory Evaluation

    Title 10 of the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR), Part 50, 
Appendix A, General Design Criterion (GDC) 29, Protection against 
anticipated occurrence, requires that the protection and reactivity 
control systems be designed to assure an extremely high probability of 
accomplishing their safety functions in an event of anticipated 
operational occurrences. The design relies on the CRDS to function in 
conjunction with the protection systems under anticipated operational 
occurrences, including loss of power to all recirculation pumps, 
tripping of the turbine generator, isolation of the main condenser, and 
loss of all offsite power. The CRDS provides an adequate means of 
inserting sufficient negative reactivity to shut down the reactor and 
prevent exceeding acceptable fuel design limits during anticipated 
operational occurrences. Meeting the requirements of GDC 29 for the 
CRDS prevents occurrence of mechanisms that could result in fuel 
cladding damage such as severe overheating, excessive cladding strain, 
or exceeding the thermal margin limits during anticipated operational 
occurrences. Preventing excessive cladding damage in the event of 
anticipated transients ensures maintenance of the integrity of the 
cladding as a fission product barrier.

3.0 Technical Evaluation

    In order to perform this SE, the NRC staff reviewed the following 
information provided by the BWROG to justify the submitted license 
amendment request for STS NUREG-1433 and NUREG-1434

[[Page 46105]]

to revise the weekly control rod notch frequency to monthly, clarify 
the SRM TS action for inserting control rods, and the applicability of 
the 25% allowance in Example 1.4-3. Specifically, the following 
documents were reviewed during the NRC staff's evaluation:
     TSTF letter TSTF-04-07--Provided a description of the 
proposed NUREG-1433 and NUREG-1434 changes. TSTF-475 would change the 
weekly rod notch frequency to monthly, clarify the SRM TS actions for 
inserting control rods, and clarify the applicability of the 25% 
allowance in Example 1.4-3 (Reference 3).
     TSTF letter TSTF-06-13--Provided responses to NRC staff 
request for additional information (RAI) on (1) Industry experience 
with identifying stuck rods, (2) tests that would identify stuck rods, 
(3) continue compliance with SIL 139, (4) industry experience on collet 
failures, and (4) applying the 25% grace period to the 31 day control 
rod notch SR test frequency (Reference 4).
     BWROG letter BWROG-06036--Provided the GE Nuclear Energy 
Report, ``CRD Notching Surveillance Testing for Limerick Generating 
Station,'' in which CRD notching frequency and CRD performance were 
evaluated (Reference 5).
     TSTF letter TSTF-07-19--Provided response to NRC staff RAI 
on CRD performance in Control Cell Core (CCC) designed plants, 
including TSTF-475, Revision 1 (Reference 6).
    The CRD System is the primary reactivity control system for the 
reactor. The CRD System, in conjunction with the Reactor Protection 
System, provides the means for the reliable control of reactivity 
changes to ensure under all conditions of normal operation, including 
anticipated operational occurrences that specified acceptable fuel 
design limits are not exceeded. Control rods are components of the CRD 
System that have the capability to hold the reactor core subcritical 
under all conditions and to limit the potential amount and rate of 
reactivity increase caused by a malfunction in the CRD System.
    The CRD System consists of a CRDM, by which the control rods are 
moved, and a hydraulic control unit (HCU) for each control rod. The 
CRDM is a mechanical hydraulic latching cylinder that positions the 
control blades. The CRDM is a highly reliable mechanism for inserting a 
control rod to the full-in position. The collet piston mechanism design 
feature ensures that the control rod will not be inadvertently 
withdrawn. This is accomplished by engaging the collet fingers, mounted 
on the collet piston, in notches located on the index tube. Due to the 
tapered design of the index tube notches, the collet piston mechanism 
will not impede rod insertion under normal insertion or scram 
conditions.
    The collet retainer tube (CRT) is a short tube welded to the upper 
end of the CRD which houses the collet mechanism which consist of the 
locking collet, collet piston, collet return spring and an unlocking 
cam. The collet mechanism provides the locking/unlocking mechanism that 
allows the insert/withdraw movement of the control rod. The CRT has 
three primary functions: a) to carry the hydraulic unlocking pressure 
to the collet piston, b) to provide an outer cylinder, with a suitable 
wear surface for the metal collet piston rings, and c) to provide 
mechanical support for the guide cap, a component which incorporates 
the cam surface for holding the collet fingers open and also provides 
the upper rod guide or bushing.
    According to the BWROG, at the time of the first CRT crack 
discovery in 1975 each partially or fully withdrawn operable control 
rod was required to be exercised one notch at least once each week. It 
was recognized that notch testing provided a method to demonstrate the 
integrity of the CRT. Control rod insertion capability was demonstrated 
by inserting each partially or fully withdrawn control rod at least one 
notch and observing that the control rod moves. The control rod may 
then be returned to its original position. This ensures the control rod 
is not stuck and is free to insert on a scram signal.
    It was determined that during scrams, the CRT temperature 
distribution changes substantially at reactor operating conditions. 
Relatively cold water moves upward through the inside of the CRT and 
exits via the flow holes into the annulus on the outside. At the same 
time hot water from the reactor vessel flows downward on the outside 
surface of the CRT. There is very little mixing of the cold water 
flowing from the three flow holes into the annulus and the hot water 
flowing downward. Thus, there are substantial through wall and 
circumferential temperature gradients during scrams which contribute to 
the observed CRT cracking.
    Subsequently, many BWRs have reduced the frequency of notch testing 
for partially withdrawn control rods from weekly to monthly. The notch 
test frequency for fully withdrawn control rods are still performed 
weekly. The change, for partially withdrawn control rods, was made 
because of the potential power reduction required to allow control rod 
movement for partially withdrawn control rods, the desire to coordinate 
scheduling with other plant activities, and the fact that a large 
sample of control rods are still notch tested on the weekly basis. The 
operating experience related to the changes in CRD performance also 
provided additional justification to reduce the notch test frequency 
for the partially withdrawn control rods.
    In response to the NRC staff RAIs and to support their position to 
reduce the CRD notch testing frequency, the BWROG provided plant data 
and GE Nuclear Energy report, CRD Notching Surveillance Testing for 
Limerick Generating Station (CRDNST). The GE report provided a 
description of the cracks noted on the original design CRT surfaces. 
These cracks, which were later determined to be intergranular, were 
generally circumferential, and appeared with greatest frequency below 
and between the cooling water ports, in the area of the change in wall 
thickness. Subsequently, cracks associated with residual stresses were 
also observed in the vicinity of the attachment weld. Continued 
circumferential cracking could lead to 360 degree severance of the CRT 
that would render the CRD inoperable which would prevent insertion, 
withdrawal or scram. Such failure would be detectable in any fully or 
partially withdrawn control rod during the surveillance notch testing 
required by the Technical Specifications. To a lesser degree, cracks 
have also been noted at the welded joint of the interim design CRT but 
no cracks haven been observed in the final improved CRT design. In a 
request for additional information, BWROG response of being unable to 
find a collet housing failure since 1975 supported the NRC staff review 
of not finding a collet housing failure. To date, operating experience 
data shows no reports of a severed CRT at any BWR. No collet housing 
failures have been noted since 1975. On a numerical basis for instance, 
based on BWROG assumption that there are 137 control rods for a typical 
BWR/4 and 193 control rods for a typical BWR/6, the yearly performance 
would be 6590 rod notch tests for a BWR/4 plant and 9284 for a BWR/6 
plant. For example, if all BWRs operating in the U.S. are taken into 
consideration, the yearly performances of rod notch data would 
translate into approximately 240,000 rod notch tests without detecting 
a failure.
    In addition, the IGSCC crack growth rates were evaluated, at 
Limerick Generating Station, using GE's PLEDGE model with the 
assumption that the water chemistry condition is based on GE 
recommendations. The model is

[[Page 46106]]

based on fundamental principles of stress corrosion cracking which can 
evaluate crack growth rates as a function of water oxygen level, 
conductivity, material sensitization and applied loads. It was 
determined that the additional time of 24 days represented an 
additional 10 mils of growth in total crack length. The small 
difference in growth rate would have little effect on the behavior 
between one notch test and the next subsequent test. Therefore, from 
the materials perspective based on low crack growth rates, a decrease 
in the notch test frequency would not affect the reliability of 
detecting a CRDM failure due to crack growth.
    Also, the BWR scram system has extremely high reliability. In 
addition to notch testing, scram time testing can identify failure of 
individual CRD operation resulting from IGSCC-initiated cracks and 
mechanical binding. Unlike the CRD notch tests, these single rod scram 
tests cover the other mechanical components such as scram pilot 
solenoid operated valves, the scram inlet and outlet air operated 
valves, and the scram accumulator, as well as operation of the control 
rods. Thus, the primary assurance of scram system reliability is 
provided by the scram time testing since it monitors the system scram 
operation and the complete travel of the control rod.
    Also, the HCUs, CRD drives, and control rods are also tested during 
refueling outages, approximately every 18-24 months. Based on the data 
collected during the preceding cycle of operation, selected control rod 
drives, are inspected and, as required, their internal components are 
replaced. Therefore, increasing the CRD notch testing frequency to 
monthly would have very minimal impact on the reliability of the scram 
system.
    The NRC staff has reviewed the BWROG TSTF's proposal to amend the 
TS SR 3.1.3.2, ``Control Rod OPERABILITY'' from seven days to monthly. 
Based on the following evaluation condition: (1) Slow crack growth rate 
of the CRT; (2) the improved CRT design; (3) a higher reliable method 
(scram time testing) to monitor CRD scram system functionality; (4) GE 
chemistry recommendations; and (5) no known CRD failures have been 
detected during the notch testing exercise, the NRC staff concluded 
that the changes would reduce the number of control rod manipulations 
thereby reducing the opportunity for potential reactivity events while 
having a very minimal impact on the extremely high reliability of the 
CRD system. Therefore, the NRC staff finds the change acceptable with 
the commitment to implement GE water quality for the CRD system 
recommendations. Furthermore, the utilities should consider the 
replacement of the CRT, when possible, with the GE CRT improved design.
    The NRC staff has reviewed the BWROG TSTF-475 proposal to amend the 
NUREG-1434, Specification 3.3.1.2, Required Action E.2 from ``Initiate 
action to insert all insertable control rods in core cells containing 
one or more fuel assemblies'' to ``Initiate action to fully insert all 
insertable control rods in core cells containing one or more fuel 
assemblies.'' The NRC staff finds the revision acceptable because the 
requirement to insert control rods is meant to require control rods to 
be fully inserted and adding ``fully'' does not change but clarifies 
the intent of the action.
    The NRC staff has reviewed the BWROG TSTF-475 proposal to amend 
Example 1.4-3 in Section 1.4 ``Frequency,'' to make the 1.25 provision 
in SR 3.0.2 to be equally applicable to time periods specified in the 
``FREQUENCY'' column and in the NOTE in the ``SURVEILLANCE'' column. 
The NRC staff finds this change acceptable since the revision would 
make it consistent with the definition of specified ``Frequency'' 
provided in the second paragraph of Section 1.4 which states that the 
specified ``Frequency'' is referred to throughout this section and each 
of the Specifications of Section 3.0, Surveillance Requirement (SR) 
Applicability. The specified ``Frequency'' consists of the requirements 
of the Frequency column of each SR, as well as certain Notes in the 
Surveillance column that modify performance requirements.

3.1 Conclusion

    The NRC staff has reviewed the licensee's proposal to amend 
existing TS sections SR 3.1.3.2, ``Control Rod OPERABILITY,'' NUREG-
1434, LCO 3.3.1.2 Required Action E.2, ``Source Range Monitor (SRM) 
Instrumentation,'' and Example 1.4-3, ``Frequency'' applicable to SR 
3.0.2. The NRC staff has concluded that the TS revisions will have a 
minimal affect on the high reliability of the CRD system while reducing 
the opportunity for potential reactivity events; thus, meeting the 
requirement of CFR, Part 50, Appendix A, GDC 29. Therefore, the staff 
concludes that the amendment request is acceptable.
    Based on the considerations discussed above, the Commission has 
concluded 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.

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. 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. NUREG-1433, ``Standard Technical Specifications General 
Electric Plants, BWR/4, Revision 3,'' August 31, 2003.
    2. NUREG-1434, ``Standard Technical Specifications General 
Electric Plants, BWR/6, Revision 3,'' August 31, 2003.
    3. Letter TSTF-04-07 from the Technical Specifications Task 
Force to the NRC, TSTF-475 Revision 0, ``Control Rod Notch Testing 
Frequency and SRM Insert Control Rod

[[Page 46107]]

Action,'' May 5, 2005, ADAMS accession number ML042520035.
    4. Letter TSTF-06-13 from the Technical Specifications Task 
Force to the NRC, ``Response to NRC Request for Additional 
Information Regarding TSTF-475, Revision 0,'' dated July 3, 2006, 
ADAMS accession number ML0618403421.
    5. Letter BWROG-06036 from the BWR Owners Group to the NRC, 
``Response to NRC Request for Additional Information Regarding TSTF-
475, Revision 0,'' dated November 16, 2006, Enclosure of the GE 
Nuclear Energy Report, ``CRD Notching Surveillance Testing for 
Limerick Generating Station,'' dated November 2006, ADAMS accession 
number ML0632502580.
    6. Letter TSTF-07-19 from the Technical Specifications Task 
Force to the NRC, ``Response to NRC Request for Additional 
Information Regarding TSTF-475, Revision 0,'' dated May 22, 2007, 
ADAMS accession number ML0714204280.

    The following example of an application was prepared by the NRC 
staff to facilitate 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 revision of control rod notch surveillance test frequency, 
clarification of SRM insert control rod action, and a clarification 
of a frequency example. Licensees remain responsible for ensuring 
that their actual application fulfills their administrative 
requirements as well as Nuclear Regulatory Commission regulations.

U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission,
Document Control Desk,
Washington, DC 20555.

Subject:
PLANT NAME
DOCKET NO. 50-
APPLICATION FOR TECHNICAL SPECIFICATION CHANGE REGARDING REVISION OF 
CONTROL ROD NOTCH SURVEILLANCE TEST FREQUENCY, CLARIFICATION OF SRM 
INSERT CONTROL ROD ACTION, AND A CLARIFICATION OF A FREQUENCY 
EXAMPLE USING THE CONSOLIDATED LINE ITEM IMPROVEMENT PROCESS.

    Gentleman: In accordance with the 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: (1) Revise the TS surveillance 
requirement (SR) frequency in TS 3.1.3, ``Control Rod OPERABILITY'', 
(2) clarify the requirement to fully insert all insertable control 
rods for the limiting condition for operation (LCO) in TS 3.3.1.2, 
required Action E.2, ``Source Range Monitoring Instrumentation,'' 
and (3) revise Example 1.4-3 in Section 1.4 ``Frequency'' to clarify 
the applicability of the 1.25 surveillance test interval extension.
    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 is 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: (1) Revise the TS surveillance 
requirement (SR 3.1.3.2) frequency in TS 3.1.3, ``Control Rod 
OPERABILITY'', (2) clarify the requirement to fully insert all 
insertable control rods for the limiting condition for operation (LCO) 
in TS 3.3.1.2, Required Action E.2, ``Source Range Monitoring 
Instrumentation'', and (3) revise Example 1.4-3 in Section 1.4 
``Frequency'' to clarify the applicability of the 1.25 surveillance 
test interval extension.
    The changes are consistent with Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) 
approved Industry/Technical Specification Task Force (TSTF) STS change 
TSTF-475, Revision 1. 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-475, Revision 1. [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-475, Revision 1 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-475 to [PLANT], and commits to establishing 
Technical Specification Bases for TS as proposed in TSTF-475, Revision 
1.
    These changes are based on TSTF change traveler TSTF-475 (Revision 
1) that proposes revisions to the BWR STS by: (1) Revising the 
frequency of SR 3.1.3.2, notch testing of fully withdrawn control rod, 
from ``7 days after the control rod is withdrawn and THERMAL POWER is 
greater than the LPSP of RWM'' to ``31 days after the control rod is 
withdrawn and THERMAL POWER is greater than the LPSP of the RWM'', (2) 
adding the word ``fully'' to LCO 3.3.1.2 Required Action E.2 (NUREG-
1434 only) to clarify the requirement to fully insert all insertable 
control rods in core cells containing one or more fuel assemblies when 
the associated SRM instrument is inoperable, and (3) revising Example 
1.4-3 in Section 1.4 ``Frequency'' to clarify that the 1.25 
surveillance test interval extension in SR 3.0.2 is applicable to time 
periods discussed in NOTES in the ``SURVEILLANCE'' column in addition 
to the time periods in the ``FREQUENCY'' column.

4.0 Environmental Evaluation

    [LICENSEE] has reviewed the environmental evaluation included in 
the model safety evaluation dated [DATE] as part of the CLIIP. 
[LICENSEE]

[[Page 46108]]

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
 Specification Bases for [TS B 3.1.3, TS B      with amendment or within
 3.1.4, and TS B 3.3.1.2] as adopted with the   X days of implementation
 applicable license amendment.                  of amendment].
[LICENSEE] will establish the water quality    [Complete, implemented
 controls as recommended by SIL No. 148,        with amendment or within
 Water Quality Control for the Control Rod      X days of implementation
 System,'' September 15, 1975.                  of 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 
General Electric (GE) Plants (NUREG-1433, BWR/4 and NUREG-1434, BWR/6) 
and plant specific technical specifications (TS), that allows: (1) 
Revising the frequency of SR 3.1.3.2, notch testing of fully withdrawn 
control rod, from ``7 days after the control rod is withdrawn and 
THERMAL POWER is greater than the LPSP of RWM'' to ``31 days after the 
control rod is withdrawn and THERMAL POWER is greater than the LPSP of 
the RWM'', (2) adding the word ``fully'' to LCO 3.3.1.2 Required Action 
E.2 (NUREG-1434 only) to clarify the requirement to fully insert all 
insertable control rods in core cells containing one or more fuel 
assemblies when the associated SRM instrument is inoperable, and (3) 
revising Example 1.4-3 in Section 1.4 ``Frequency'' to clarify that the 
1.25 surveillance test interval extension in SR 3.0.2 is applicable to 
time periods discussed in NOTES in the ``SURVEILLANCE'' column in 
addition to the time periods in the ``FREQUENCY'' column. The staff 
finds that the proposed STS changes are acceptable because the number 
of control rod manipulations is reduced thereby reducing the 
opportunity for potential reactivity events while having a very minimal 
impact on the extremely high reliability of the CRD system as discussed 
in the technical evaluation section of this safety evaluation.
    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 TSTF-475, Revision 1, 
``Control Rod Notch Testing Frequency and SRM Insert Control Rod 
Action.'' TSTF-475, Revision 1 modifies NUREG-1433 (BWR/4) and NUREG-
1434 (BWR/6) STS. The changes: (1) Revise TS testing frequency for 
surveillance requirement (SR) 3.1.3.2 in TS 3.1.3, ``Control Rod 
OPERABILITY'', (2) clarify the requirement to fully insert all 
insertable control rods for the limiting condition for operation (LCO) 
in TS 3.3.1.2, Required Action E.2, ``Source Range Monitoring 
Instrumentation'' (NUREG-1434 only), and (3) revise Example 1.4-3 in 
Section 1.4 ``Frequency'' to clarify the applicability of the 1.25 
surveillance test interval extension. The consequences of an accident 
after adopting TSTF-475, Revision 1 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-475, Revision 1 will: (1) Revise the TS SR 3.1.3.2 frequency 
in TS 3.1.3, ``Control Rod OPERABILITY'', (2) clarify the requirement 
to fully insert all insertable control rods for the limiting condition 
for operation (LCO) in TS 3.3.1.2, ``Source Range Monitoring 
Instrumentation'' (NUREG-1434 only), and (3) revise Example 1.4-3 in 
Section 1.4 ``Frequency'' to clarify the applicability of the 1.25 
surveillance test interval extension. The GE Nuclear Energy Report, 
``CRD Notching Surveillance Testing for Limerick Generating Station,'' 
dated November 2006, concludes that extending the control rod notch 
test interval from weekly to monthly is not expected to impact the 
reliability of the scram system and that the analysis supports the 
decision to change the surveillance frequency. Therefore, the proposed 
changes in TSTF-475, Revision 1 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 9th day of August, 2007.


[[Page 46109]]


    For the Nuclear Regulatory Commission.
Carl Schulten,
Acting Chief, Technical Specifications Branch, Division of Inspection & 
Regional Support, Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation.
 [FR Doc. E7-16138 Filed 8-15-07; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 7590-01-P