[Federal Register Volume 74, Number 216 (Tuesday, November 10, 2009)]
[Notices]
[Pages 58065-58067]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E9-27061]


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NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION

[NRC-2009-0487]


Notice of Opportunity for Public Comment on the Proposed Model 
Safety Evaluation for Plant-Specific Adoption of Technical 
Specification Task Force Traveler-493, Revision 4, ``Clarify 
Application of Setpoint Methodology for LSSS Functions''

AGENCY: Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC).

ACTION: Notice of opportunity for public comment.

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SUMMARY: The NRC is requesting public comment on the enclosed proposed 
model application, model no significant hazards consideration 
determination, and model safety evaluation for plant-specific adoption 
of Technical Specification Task Force (TSTF) Traveler-493, Revision 4, 
``Clarify Application of Setpoint Methodology for LSSS Functions.'' The 
TSTF Traveler-493, Revision 4, is available in the Agencywide Documents 
Access and Management System (ADAMS) under Accession Number 
ML092150990. The proposed changes revise Standard Technical 
Specifications (STS) with respect to limiting safety system settings 
(LSSSs) assessed during periodic testing and calibration of 
instrumentation that may have an adverse effect on equipment 
operability. This model safety evaluation will facilitate expedited 
approval of plant-specific adoption of TSTF Traveler-493, Revision 4.

DATES: Comment period expires November 25, 2009. 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: You may submit comments by any one of the following methods. 
Please include Docket ID NRC-2009-0487 in the subject line of your 
comments. Comments submitted in writing or in electronic form will be 
posted on the NRC Web site and on the Federal rulemaking Web site 
Regulations.gov. Because your comments will not be edited to remove any 
identifying or contact information, the NRC cautions you against 
including any information in your submission that you do not want to be 
publicly disclosed.
    The NRC requests that any party soliciting or aggregating comments 
received from other persons for submission to the NRC inform those 
persons that the NRC will not edit their comments to remove any 
identifying or contact information, and therefore, they should not 
include any information in their comments that they do not want 
publicly disclosed.
    Federal Rulemaking Web site: Go to http://www.regulations.gov and 
search for documents filed under Docket ID NRC-2009-0487. Address 
questions about NRC dockets to Carol Gallagher 301-492-3668; e-mail 
[email protected].
    Mail comments to: Michael T. Lesar, Chief, Rulemaking and 
Directives Branch (RDB), Division of Administrative Services, Office of 
Administration, Mail Stop: TWB-05-B01M, U.S. Nuclear Regulatory 
Commission, Washington, DC 20555-0001, or by fax to RDB at (301) 492-
3446.
    You can access publicly available documents related to this notice 
using the following methods:
    NRC's Public Document Room (PDR): The public may examine and have 
copied for a fee publicly available documents at the NRC's PDR, Public 
File Area O1 F21, One White Flint North, 11555 Rockville Pike, 
Rockville, Maryland.

[[Page 58066]]

    NRC's Agencywide Documents Access and Management System (ADAMS): 
Publicly available documents created or received at the NRC are 
available electronically at the NRC's Electronic Reading Room at http://www.nrc.gov/reading-rm/adams.html. From this page, the public can gain 
entry into ADAMS, which provides text and image files of NRC's public 
documents. If you do not have access to ADAMS or if there are problems 
in accessing the documents located in ADAMS, contact the NRC's PDR 
reference staff at 1-800-397-4209, 301-415-4737, or by e-mail to 
[email protected]. The Proposed Models for Plant-Specific Adoption 
of TSTF Traveler-493, Revision 4, are available electronically under 
ADAMS Accession Number ML093080028.
    Federal Rulemaking Web site: Public comments and supporting 
materials related to this notice can be found at http://www.regulations.gov by searching on Docket ID: NRC-2009-0487.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ms. Michelle C. Honcharik, Senior 
Project Manager, Special Projects Branch, Mail Stop: O-12 D1, Division 
of Policy and Rulemaking, Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation, U.S. 
Nuclear Regulatory Commission, Washington, DC 20555-0001; telephone 
301-415-1774 or e-mail at [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Background

    This notice provides an opportunity for the public to comment on 
proposed changes to the STS after a preliminary assessment and finding 
by the NRC staff that the agency will likely offer the changes for 
adoption by licensees. This notice solicits comment on a proposed 
change to the STS, which if implemented by a licensee will modify the 
plant-specific TS. The NRC staff will evaluate any comments received 
for the proposed change to the STS and 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 NRC staff's safety evaluation, referencing the applicable 
technical justifications, and providing any necessary plant-specific 
information. The NRC will process and note each amendment application 
responding to the notice of availability according to applicable NRC 
rules and procedures.

Applicability

    TSTF Traveler-493, Revision 4, is applicable to all nuclear power 
reactors. The Traveler revises the TS instrument function values 
related to those variables that have a significant safety function.
    The NRC staff requests that each licensee applying for the changes 
proposed in TSTF Traveler-493, Revision 4, include documentation 
regarding the following in their license amendment request (LAR):

Adoption of TSTF Traveler-493, Option A With Changes to Setpoint Values

     The licensee must propose to add footnotes to all the 
functions identified in TSTF Traveler-493, Revision 4, Appendix A, and 
must incorporate the related TS Bases changes.
     The licensee must provide summary calculations for the 
revised setpoints as documentation of the plant-specific instrument 
setpoint methodology for TSTF Traveler-493, Revision 4, consistent with 
Option A. This includes the calculation basis for the Limiting Trip 
Setpoint (LTSP), Nominal Trip Setpoint (NTSP), Allowable Value (AV), 
As-Found Tolerance band, and As-Left Tolerance band for each change to 
an automatic protection instrumentation function setpoint value. If 
multiple similar setpoints are proposed to be revised, a summary 
calculation for each type of setpoint being changed may be provided, if 
the LAR contains a reasoned quantitative or qualitative analysis, as 
appropriate, of how the summary calculation(s) represent the type of 
setpoint values proposed to be changed.

Adoption of TSTF Traveler-493, Option A Without Changes to Setpoint 
Values

     The licensee must add footnotes to all the functions 
identified in TSTF Traveler-493, Revision 4, Appendix A, and must 
incorporate the related TS Bases changes. No changes to any setpoint 
values are proposed. Since no setpoint changes are being proposed, 
there is no requirement to provide the setpoint methodology for review 
or to provide any full or summary calculations.

Adoption of TSTF Traveler-493 With Option B--the Setpoint Control 
Program Option

     The licensee must provide the plant-specific evaluation 
for the list of instrument Functions that are described in Setpoint 
Control Program (SCP) TS 5.5.[18] Paragraph a and must incorporate the 
related TS Bases changes.
     The licensee must provide the content and application of 
the plant-specific setpoint methodology required by the SCP TS 5.5.[18] 
Paragraph b. This includes the calculation basis for the LTSP, NTSP, 
AV, As-Found Tolerance band, and As-Left Tolerance band for each 
automatic protection instrumentation function. The licensee must also 
describe the program methods for ensuring the requirements in Paragraph 
d will function as required by verifying the As-Left and As-Found 
settings are consistent with those established by the setpoint 
methodology. Discussion should include how the plant licensing basis 
meets the guidance provided in Regulatory Information Summary 2006-17, 
``NRC Staff Position on the Requirements of 10 CFR 50.36, ``Technical 
Specifications,'' Regarding Limiting Safety System Settings During 
Periodic Testing and Calibration of Instrument Channels'' and 
Regulatory Guide 1.105, Revision 3, ``Setpoints for Safety-Related 
Instrumentation.'' Describe the measures to be taken to ensure that the 
associated instrument channel is capable of performing its safety 
function(s) in accordance with applicable design requirements and 
associated analyses. Include information on the controls employed to 
ensure that the As-Left trip setting after completion of periodic 
surveillance is consistent with the setpoint methodology. Also, discuss 
the plant corrective action processes (including plant procedures) for 
restoring channels to operable status. If the controls are located in a 
document other than the TS (e.g., plant test procedure), describe how 
it is ensured that the controls will be implemented.
     The licensee must provide the plant-specific evaluation 
identifying the Functions required by SCP TS 5.5.[18] Paragraph d. In 
accordance with Paragraph d, Functions described in SCP TS 5.5.[18] 
Paragraph a are evaluated to identify Functions that are automatic 
protective devices related to variables having significant safety 
functions as delineated by 10 CFR 50.36(c)(1)(ii)(A). Identify any 
deviation from TSTF Traveler-493, Revision 4, and explain the basis for 
each deviation. Paragraph d contains three exclusion criteria to be 
applied during the evaluation. Paragraph d also requires specifying TS 
Surveillance Requirements which are applicable to the performance 
testing criterion of Paragraph d. This requirement of Paragraph d 
should also be included. For Functions which are not under the scope of 
Setpoint Control Program Paragraph d, but are included in Setpoint 
Control Program Paragraph a, explain how the requirements of Paragraph 
c will be met.
    The proposed change does not prevent licensees from requesting an 
alternate approach or proposing changes

[[Page 58067]]

other than those proposed in TSTF Traveler-493, Revision 4. However, 
significant deviations from the approach recommended in this notice or 
the inclusion of additional changes to the license require additional 
NRC staff review. This may increase the time and resources needed for 
the review or result in NRC staff rejection of the LAR. Licensees 
desiring significant deviations or additional changes should instead 
submit an LAR that does not claim to adopt TSTF Traveler-493, Revision 
4.

    Dated at Rockville, Maryland, this 30th day of October 2009.

    For the Nuclear Regulatory Commission.

Eric E. Bowman,
Acting Chief, Special Projects Branch, Division of Policy and 
Rulemaking, Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation.
[FR Doc. E9-27061 Filed 11-9-09; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 7590-01-P