Biweekly Notice; Applications and Amendments to Facility Operating Licenses Involving No Significant Hazards Considerations, 6144-6150 [2012-2594]

Agencies

• NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION

[Federal Register Volume 77, Number 25 (Tuesday, February 7, 2012)]
[Notices]
[Pages 6144-6150]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2012-2594]


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NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION

[NRC-2012-0025]


Biweekly Notice; Applications and Amendments to Facility 
Operating Licenses Involving No Significant Hazards Considerations

Background

    Pursuant to Section 189a. (2) of the Atomic Energy Act of 1954, as 
amended (the Act), the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (the 
Commission or NRC) is publishing this regular biweekly notice. The Act 
requires the Commission publish notice of any amendments issued, or 
proposed to be issued and grants the Commission the authority to issue 
and make immediately effective any amendment to an operating license 
upon a determination by the Commission that such amendment involves no 
significant hazards consideration, notwithstanding the pendency before 
the Commission of a request for a hearing from any person.
    This biweekly notice includes all notices of amendments issued, or 
proposed to be issued from January 12, 2012 to January 25, 2012. The 
last biweekly notice was published on January 24, 2012 (77 FR 3508).

ADDRESSES: Please include Docket ID NRC-2012-0025 in the subject line 
of your comments. For additional instructions on submitting comments 
and instructions on accessing documents related to this action, see 
``Submitting Comments and Accessing Information'' in the SUPPLEMENTARY 
INFORMATION section of this document. You may submit comments by any 
one of the following methods:
     Federal Rulemaking Web Site: Go to https://www.regulations.gov and search for documents filed under Docket ID NRC-
2012-0025. Address questions about NRC dockets to Carol Gallagher, 
telephone: (301) 492-3668; email: Carol.Gallagher@nrc.gov.
     Mail comments to: Cindy Bladey, Chief, Rules, 
Announcements, and Directives Branch (RADB), Office of Administration, 
Mail Stop: TWB-05-B01M, U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission, Washington, 
DC 20555-0001.

[[Page 6145]]

     Fax comments to: RADB at (301) 492-3446.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Submitting Comments and Accessing Information

    Comments submitted in writing or in electronic form will be posted 
on the NRC Web site and on the Federal rulemaking Web site, https://www.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.
    You can access publicly available documents related to this 
document 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, Room O1-F21, One White Flint North, 11555 Rockville Pike, 
Rockville, Maryland 20852.
     NRC's Agencywide Documents Access and Management System 
(ADAMS): Publicly available documents created or received at the NRC 
are available online in the NRC Library at https://www.nrc.gov/reading-rm/adams.html. From this page, the public can gain entry into ADAMS, 
which provides text and image files of the 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 email to 
pdr.resource@nrc.gov.
     Federal Rulemaking Web Site: Public comments and 
supporting materials related to this notice can be found at https://www.regulations.gov by searching on Docket ID NRC-2012-0025.

Notice of Consideration of Issuance of Amendments to Facility Operating 
Licenses, Proposed No Significant Hazards Consideration Determination 
and Opportunity for a Hearing

    The Commission has made a proposed determination that the following 
amendment requests involve no significant hazards consideration. Under 
the Commission's regulations in Title 10 of the Code of Federal 
Regulations (10 CFR), 50.92, this means that operation of the facility 
in accordance with the proposed amendment would not (1) involve a 
significant increase in the probability or consequences of an accident 
previously evaluated; (2) create the possibility of a new or different 
kind of accident from any accident previously evaluated; or (3) involve 
a significant reduction in a margin of safety. The basis for this 
proposed determination for each amendment request is shown below.
    The Commission is seeking public comments on this proposed 
determination. Any comments received within 30 days after the date of 
publication of this notice will be considered in making any final 
determination.
    Normally, the Commission will not issue the amendment until the 
expiration of 60 days after the date of publication of this notice. The 
Commission may issue the license amendment before expiration of the 60-
day period provided that its final determination is that the amendment 
involves no significant hazards consideration. In addition, the 
Commission may issue the amendment prior to the expiration of the 30-
day comment period should circumstances change during the 30-day 
comment period such that failure to act in a timely way would result, 
for example in derating or shutdown of the facility. Should the 
Commission take action prior to the expiration of either the comment 
period or the notice period, it will publish in the Federal Register a 
notice of issuance. Should the Commission make a final No Significant 
Hazards Consideration Determination, any hearing will take place after 
issuance. The Commission expects that the need to take this action will 
occur very infrequently.
    Within 60 days after the date of publication of this notice, any 
person(s) whose interest may be affected by this action may file a 
request for a hearing and a petition to intervene with respect to 
issuance of the amendment to the subject facility operating license. 
Requests for a hearing and a petition for leave to intervene shall be 
filed in accordance with the Commission's ``Rules of Practice for 
Domestic Licensing Proceedings'' in 10 CFR part 2. Interested person(s) 
should consult a current copy of 10 CFR 2.309, which is available at 
the NRC's PDR, located at One White Flint North, Room O1-F21, 11555 
Rockville Pike (first floor), Rockville, Maryland 20874. The NRC's 
regulations are accessible electronically from the NRC Library on the 
NRC Web site at https://www.nrc.gov/reading-rm/doc-collections/cfr/. If 
a request for a hearing or petition for leave to intervene is filed by 
the above date, the Commission or a presiding officer designated by the 
Commission or by the Chief Administrative Judge of the Atomic Safety 
and Licensing Board Panel, will rule on the request and/or petition; 
and the Secretary or the Chief Administrative Judge of the Atomic 
Safety and Licensing Board will issue a notice of a hearing or an 
appropriate order.
    As required by 10 CFR 2.309, a petition for leave to intervene 
shall set forth with particularity the interest of the petitioner in 
the proceeding, and how that interest may be affected by the results of 
the proceeding. The petition should specifically explain the reasons 
why intervention should be permitted with particular reference to the 
following general requirements: (1) The name, address, and telephone 
number of the requestor or petitioner; (2) the nature of the 
requestor's/petitioner's right under the Act to be made a party to the 
proceeding; (3) the nature and extent of the requestor's/petitioner's 
property, financial, or other interest in the proceeding; and (4) the 
possible effect of any decision or order which may be entered in the 
proceeding on the requestor's/petitioner's interest. The petition must 
also identify the specific contentions which the requestor/petitioner 
seeks to have litigated at the proceeding.
    Each contention must consist of a specific statement of the issue 
of law or fact to be raised or controverted. In addition, the 
requestor/petitioner shall provide a brief explanation of the bases for 
the contention and a concise statement of the alleged facts or expert 
opinion which support the contention and on which the requestor/
petitioner intends to rely in proving the contention at the hearing. 
The requestor/petitioner must also provide references to those specific 
sources and documents of which the petitioner is aware and on which the 
requestor/petitioner intends to rely to establish those facts or expert 
opinion. The petition must include sufficient information to show that 
a genuine dispute exists with the applicant on a material issue of law 
or fact. Contentions shall be limited to matters within the scope of 
the amendment under consideration. The contention must be one which, if 
proven, would entitle the requestor/petitioner to relief. A requestor/
petitioner who fails to satisfy these requirements with respect to at 
least one

[[Page 6146]]

contention will not be permitted to participate as a party.
    Those permitted to intervene become parties to the proceeding, 
subject to any limitations in the order granting leave to intervene, 
and have the opportunity to participate fully in the conduct of the 
hearing.
    If a hearing is requested, the Commission will make a final 
determination on the issue of no significant hazards consideration. The 
final determination will serve to decide when the hearing is held. If 
the final determination is that the amendment request involves no 
significant hazards consideration, the Commission may issue the 
amendment and make it immediately effective, notwithstanding the 
request for a hearing. Any hearing held would take place after issuance 
of the amendment. If the final determination is that the amendment 
request involves a significant hazards consideration, then any hearing 
held would take place before the issuance of any amendment.
    All documents filed in the NRC adjudicatory proceedings, including 
a request for hearing, a petition for leave to intervene, any motion or 
other document filed in the proceeding prior to the submission of a 
request for hearing or petition to intervene, and documents filed by 
interested governmental entities participating under 10 CFR 2.315(c), 
must be filed in accordance with the NRC E-Filing rule (72 FR 49139, 
August 28, 2007). The E-Filing process requires participants to submit 
and serve all adjudicatory documents over the internet, or in some 
cases to mail copies on electronic storage media. Participants may not 
submit paper copies of their filings unless they seek an exemption in 
accordance with the procedures described below.
    To comply with the procedural requirements of E-Filing, at least 10 
days prior to the filing deadline, the participant should contact the 
Office of the Secretary by email at hearing.docket@nrc.gov, or by 
telephone at (301) 415-1677, to request (1) a digital identification 
(ID) certificate, which allows the participant (or its counsel or 
representative) to digitally sign documents and access the E-Submittal 
server for any proceeding in which it is participating; and (2) advise 
the Secretary that the participant will be submitting a request or 
petition for hearing (even in instances in which the participant, or 
its counsel or representative, already holds an NRC-issued digital ID 
certificate). Based upon this information, the Secretary will establish 
an electronic docket for the hearing in this proceeding if the 
Secretary has not already established an electronic docket.
    Information about applying for a digital ID certificate is 
available on the NRC's public Web site at https://www.nrc.gov/site-help/e-submittals/apply-certificates.html. System requirements for accessing 
the E-Submittal server are detailed in NRC's ``Guidance for Electronic 
Submission,'' which is available on the agency's public Web site at 
https://www.nrc.gov/site-help/e-submittals.html. Participants may 
attempt to use other software not listed on the Web site, but should 
note that the NRC's E-Filing system does not support unlisted software, 
and the NRC Meta System Help Desk will not be able to offer assistance 
in using unlisted software.
    If a participant is electronically submitting a document to the NRC 
in accordance with the E-Filing rule, the participant must file the 
document using the NRC's online, Web-based submission form. In order to 
serve documents through the Electronic Information Exchange System, 
users will be required to install a Web browser plug-in from the NRC's 
Web site. Further information on the Web-based submission form, 
including the installation of the Web browser plug-in, is available on 
the NRC's public Web site at https://www.nrc.gov/site-help/e-submittals.html.
    Once a participant has obtained a digital ID certificate and a 
docket has been created, the participant can then submit a request for 
hearing or petition for leave to intervene. Submissions should be in 
Portable Document Format (PDF) in accordance with the NRC guidance 
available on the NRC's public Web site at https://www.nrc.gov/site-help/e-submittals.html. A filing is considered complete at the time the 
documents are submitted through the NRC's E-Filing system. To be 
timely, an electronic filing must be submitted to the E-Filing system 
no later than 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time on the due date. Upon receipt of 
a transmission, the E-Filing system time-stamps the document and sends 
the submitter an email notice confirming receipt of the document. The 
E-Filing system also distributes an email notice that provides access 
to the document to the NRC's Office of the General Counsel and any 
others who have advised the Office of the Secretary that they wish to 
participate in the proceeding, so that the filer need not serve the 
documents on those participants separately. Therefore, applicants and 
other participants (or their counsel or representative) must apply for 
and receive a digital ID certificate before a hearing request/petition 
to intervene is filed so that they can obtain access to the document 
via the E-Filing system.
    A person filing electronically using the agency's adjudicatory E-
Filing system may seek assistance by contacting the NRC Meta System 
Help Desk through the ``Contact Us'' link located on the NRC's Web site 
at https://www.nrc.gov/site-help/e-submittals.html, by email at 
MSHD.Resource@nrc.gov, or by a toll-free call at 1-(866) 672-7640. The 
NRC Meta System Help Desk is available between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m., 
Eastern Time, Monday through Friday, excluding government holidays.
    Participants who believe that they have a good cause for not 
submitting documents electronically must file an exemption request, in 
accordance with 10 CFR 2.302(g), with their initial paper filing 
requesting authorization to continue to submit documents in paper 
format. Such filings must be submitted by: (1) first class mail 
addressed to the Office of the Secretary of the Commission, U.S. 
Nuclear Regulatory Commission, Washington, DC 20555-0001, Attention: 
Rulemaking and Adjudications Staff; or (2) courier, express mail, or 
expedited delivery service to the Office of the Secretary, Sixteenth 
Floor, One White Flint North, 11555 Rockville Pike, Rockville, Maryland 
20852, Attention: Rulemaking and Adjudications Staff. Participants 
filing a document in this manner are responsible for serving the 
document on all other participants. Filing is considered complete by 
first-class mail as of the time of deposit in the mail, or by courier, 
express mail, or expedited delivery service upon depositing the 
document with the provider of the service. A presiding officer, having 
granted an exemption request from using E-Filing, may require a 
participant or party to use E-Filing if the presiding officer 
subsequently determines that the reason for granting the exemption from 
use of E-Filing no longer exists.
    Documents submitted in adjudicatory proceedings will appear in the 
NRC's electronic hearing docket which is available to the public at 
https://ehd1.nrc.gov/EHD/, unless excluded pursuant to an order of the 
Commission, or the presiding officer. Participants are requested not to 
include personal privacy information, such as social security numbers, 
home addresses, or home phone numbers in their filings, unless an NRC 
regulation or other law requires submission of such information. With 
respect to copyrighted works, except for limited excerpts that serve 
the purpose of the

[[Page 6147]]

adjudicatory filings and would constitute a Fair Use application, 
participants are requested not to include copyrighted materials in 
their submission.
    Petitions for leave to intervene must be filed no later than 60 
days from the date of publication of this notice. Non-timely filings 
will not be entertained absent a determination by the presiding officer 
that the petition or request should be granted or the contentions 
should be admitted, based on a balancing of the factors specified in 10 
CFR 2.309(c)(1)(i)-(viii).
    For further details with respect to this license amendment 
application, see the application for amendment which is available for 
public inspection at the NRC's PDR, located at One White Flint North, 
Room O1-F21, 11555 Rockville Pike (first floor), Rockville, Maryland 
20852. Publicly available documents created or received at the NRC are 
available online through ADAMS in the NRC Library at https://www.nrc.gov/reading-rm/adams.html. Persons who do not have access to 
ADAMS or who encounter problems in accessing the documents located in 
ADAMS should contact the NRC's PDR Reference staff at 1-(800) 397-4209, 
(301) 415-4737, or by email to pdr.resource@nrc.gov.

Entergy Gulf States Louisiana, LLC, and Entergy Operations, Inc., 
Docket No. 50-458, River Bend Station, Unit 1, West Feliciana Parish, 
Louisiana

    Date of amendment request: July 27, 2011, as supplemented by letter 
dated September 16, 2011.
    Description of amendment request: The amendment would modify 
Technical Specification (TS) 3.3.6.1, ``Primary Containment and Drywell 
Isolation Instrumentation,'' to revise the allowable value setpoints 
for the Main Steam Tunnel Temperature functions. Specifically, the 
amendment would modify TS Table 3.3.6.1-1, items; 1.e, ``Main Steam 
Tunnel Temperature-High,'' 3.f. ``Main Steam Line Tunnel Ambient 
Temperature-High,'' and 4.h, ``Main Steam Line Tunnel Ambient 
Temperature-High.'' This setpoint revision is based upon a revision to 
the analytical limit calculation. The change will provide additional 
margin for elevated temperatures in the Main Steam Tunnel--North during 
the summer reliability period. In addition, the amendment would revise 
the River Bend Station (RBS) Emergency Plan by modifying the Emergency 
Action Levels (EAL) in support of the proposed changes to TS 3.3.6.1.
    Basis for proposed no significant hazards consideration 
determination: As required by 10 CFR 50.91(a), the licensee has 
provided its analysis of the issue of no significant hazards 
consideration, which is presented below:

    1. Does the proposed change involve a significant increase in 
the probability or consequences of an accident previously evaluated?
    Response: No.
    The proposed change increases the Technical Specification 
allowable value for the main steam tunnel ambient temperature 
isolation instrumentation for the main steam line isolation, Reactor 
Core Isolation Cooling System isolation and the Reactor Water 
Cleanup System isolation. This TS change does not introduce the 
possibility of an increase in the probability or consequences of an 
accident because the basis for the instrument setpoint is not being 
changed as a result of this request. The proposed TS change involves 
no physical alteration of the plant. The proposed TS change does not 
degrade the performance of, or increase the challenges to, any 
safety systems assumed to function in the accident analysis. 
Therefore, the proposed change does not involve a significant 
increase in the probability of an accident previously evaluated.
    The consequences of a previously evaluated accident are not 
significantly increased. The proposed change does not affect the 
performance of any equipment credited to mitigate the radiological 
consequences of an accident. The basis for the main steam tunnel 
ambient temperature isolation instrumentation has not changed as a 
result of this proposed Allowable value change.
    The proposed change to the Emergency Action Level (EAL) does not 
increase the probability of an accident. The change only impacts the 
initial condition for entry into the Emergency Plan and thus has no 
impact on the probability of an event. The proposed change to the 
Emergency Action Level (EAL) does not increase the consequences of 
an accident. As described in the Technical Analysis the revised 
setpoint continues to support the current licensing basis and event 
analysis.
    Because the process, personnel, and equipment involved in 
implementing the Emergency Plan would complete the same functions as 
those completed under the existing Emergency Plan, the plan would 
continue to ensure adequate protection of public health and safety.
    Therefore, the proposed change does not involve a significant 
increase in the probability or consequences of an 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.
    As discussed above, the proposed change involves increasing the 
TS allowable value for the main steam tunnel ambient temperature 
isolation instrumentation for the main steam line isolation, Reactor 
Core Isolation Cooling System isolation and the Reactor Water 
Cleanup System isolation. The proposed TS change does not introduce 
any failure mechanisms of a different type than those previously 
evaluated, since there are no physical changes being made to the 
facility. No new or different equipment is being installed. No 
installed equipment is being operated in a different manner. The 
computer program being used has been previously used and reviewed. 
As a result, no new failure modes are being introduced. There are no 
new types of failures or new or different kinds of accidents or 
transients that could be created by these changes.
    The change affects the implementation of the Emergency Plan by 
changing the EALs temperature value for entry into the Emergency 
Plan; however, the basis for the temperature value is not changed. 
The change to the EAL does not impact any plant equipment or systems 
needed to respond to an accident, nor does it change the results of 
an analysis of plant accident consequences.
    Therefore, the proposed change does not create the possibility 
of a new or different kind of accident from any previously 
evaluated.
    3. Does the proposed change involve a significant reduction in a 
margin of safety?
    Response: No.
    As discussed above, the proposed change involves increasing the 
TS allowable value for the for the main steam tunnel ambient 
temperature isolation instrumentation, the main steam line 
isolation, the Reactor Core Isolation Cooling System isolation and 
the Reactor Water Cleanup System isolation. The effect of this 
change on system availability is not significant, based on the 
determination that the basis for the allowable values is not being 
revised. The proposed change does not adversely affect the condition 
or performance of structures, systems, and components relied upon 
for accident mitigation. The proposed change does not result in any 
hardware changes. Existing operating margin between plant conditions 
and actual plant setpoints is not significantly reduced due to these 
changes. The proposed change does not significantly impact any 
safety analysis assumptions or results.
    The change to the Emergency Plan does not reduce the margin of 
safety currently provided by the plan. As discussed in this 
submittal the change does not revise the design criteria of 
detecting a 25 gpm [gallon per minute] leak. Also the methods used 
to determine the revised analytical limit and setpoint values are 
currently' accepted. The proposed change does not impact other 
design basis evaluations or consequences. Therefore the changes do 
not affect a margin of safety identified in the plant accident 
analysis.
    Therefore, the proposed change does not involve a significant 
reduction in a margin of safety.

    The NRC staff has reviewed the licensee's analysis and, based on 
this review, it appears that the three standards of 10 CFR 50.92(c) are 
satisfied. Therefore, the NRC staff proposes to determine that the 
amendment request involves no significant hazards consideration.
    Attorney for licensee: Joseph A. Aluise, Associate General 
Counsel--

[[Page 6148]]

Nuclear, Entergy Services, Inc., 639 Loyola Avenue, New Orleans, 
Louisiana 70113.
    NRC Branch Chief: Michael T. Markley.

Entergy Operations, Inc., System Energy Resources, Inc., South 
Mississippi Electric Power Association, and Entergy Mississippi, Inc., 
Docket No. 50-416, Grand Gulf Nuclear Station, Unit 1, Claiborne 
County, Mississippi

    Date of amendment request: January 23, 2012.
    Description of amendment request: The amendment would revise 
Technical Specification (TS) 3.1.7, ``Standby Liquid Control (SLC) 
System.'' Implementation of the Grand Gulf Nuclear Station (GGNS) Cycle 
19 core design results in increased core reactivity, which requires a 
corresponding increase in negative reactivity to be provided by the SLC 
system. The proposed TS changes reflect the change in the enrichment of 
the boron-10 (B-10) isotope in the sodium pentaborate (SPB) solution, 
which is the credited neutron absorber. Increasing the enrichment of 
the B-10 isotope in the SPB solution effectively increases the 
available negative reactivity inserted by the SLC system without having 
to increase the system's storage capacity. The proposed change is 
needed to ensure appropriate shutdown margin can be maintained during 
reload design for future cycles beginning with Cycle 19. In addition, 
TS 3.1.7 will be modified from a graphical limiting condition for 
operation (LCO) to an LCO based on the product of the SPB solution 
concentration (C) and the B-10 enrichment (E) in the SPB solution being 
greater than or equal to 420.
    Basis for proposed no significant hazards consideration 
determination: As required by 10 CFR 50.91(a), the licensee has 
provided its analysis of the issue of no significant hazards 
consideration, which is presented below:

    1. Does the proposed change involve a significant increase in 
the probability or consequences of an accident previously evaluated?
    Response: No.
    The SLC system is designed to provide the capability of bringing 
the reactor, at any time in a fuel cycle, from full power and 
minimum control rod inventory to a subcritical condition with the 
reactor in the most reactive xenon-free state without taking credit 
for control rod movement. The SLC system design satisfies the 
requirements of 10 CFR 50.62, Requirements for the Reduction of Risk 
from Anticipated Transients without Scram (ATWS) Events for Light-
Water-Cooled Nuclear Power Plants. The proposed changes to the SPB 
solution requirements maintain the capability of the SLC system to 
perform this reactivity control function and ensure continued 
compliance with the requirements of 10 CFR 50.62.
    The SLC system is not considered to be an initiator of any 
event. The use of the proposed SPB solution enriched with the B-10 
isotope does not alter the design, function, or operation of the SLC 
system or increase the likelihood of a system malfunction that could 
increase the consequences of an accident.
    Therefore, the proposed changes do not involve a significant 
increase in the probability or consequences of an 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 to the SLC system do not alter the design, 
function, or operation of the SLC system. The proposed change in SPB 
concentration, B-10 enrichment, SPB storage volume, and pump 
discharge pressure will continue to ensure shutdown of the reactor 
in the most reactive xenon-free state without taking credit for 
control rod movement. The proposed change in solution temperature 
continues to ensure the boron remains in solution and does not 
precipitate out of the SLC storage tank or in the SLC piping. The 
change in solution temperature also ensures adequate net positive 
suction head is available for SLC pump operation.
    Therefore, the proposed changes do not create the possibility of 
a new or different kind of accident from any previously evaluated.
    3. Does the proposed change involve a significant reduction in a 
margin of safety?
    Response: No.
    In the event of injection, the proposed change results in an 
increase in the margin between the final B-10 concentration in the 
reactor vessel and concentration required for shutdown. Thus, the 
proposed change results in additional safety margin being provided.
    Therefore, the proposed changes do not involve a significant 
reduction in a margin of safety.

    The NRC staff has reviewed the licensee's analysis and, based on 
this review, it appears that the three standards of 10 CFR 50.92(c) are 
satisfied. Therefore, the NRC staff proposes to determine that the 
amendment request involves no significant hazards consideration.
    Attorney for licensee: Joseph A. Aluise, Associate General 
Counsel--Nuclear, Entergy Services, Inc., 639 Loyola Avenue, New 
Orleans, Louisiana 70113.
    NRC Branch Chief: Michael T. Markley.

Southern Nuclear Operating Company, Inc., Georgia Power Company, 
Oglethorpe Power Corporation, Municipal Electric Authority of Georgia, 
City of Dalton, Georgia, Docket Nos.: 50-321 and 50-366, Edwin I. Hatch 
Nuclear Plant (HNP), Units 1 and 2, Appling County, Georgia

    Date of amendment request: December 15, 2011.
    Description of amendment request: The proposed amendments would 
revise Technical Specification (TS) Limiting Condition for Operation 
(LCO) 3.7.2 for the plant service water (PSW) and ultimate heat sink 
(UHS). Specifically, surveillance requirement (SR) 3.7.2.1 minimum 
water level in each PSW pump well of the intake structure would be 
revised from the existing value of 60.7 feet (ft) mean sea level (MSL) 
to 60.5 ft MSL. This change is based on updated design basis analyses 
that demonstrate that at the new minimum level of 60.5 ft MSL 
sufficient water inventory remains available from the Altamaha River 
for PSW and residual heat removal service water (RHRSW) to handle Loss 
of Coolant Accident (LOCA) cooling requirements for 30 days post-
accident with no additional makeup water source available.
    Basis for proposed no significant hazards consideration 
determination: As required by Title 10 of the Code of Federal 
Regulation (10 CFR), Section 50.91(a), the licensee has provided its 
analysis of the issue of no significant hazards consideration, which is 
presented below:

    1. Does the proposed amendment involve a significant increase in 
the probability or consequences of an accident previously evaluated?
    Response: No.
    The proposed TS change revises the minimum water level in the 
PSW pump well, as required by SR 3.7.2.1, from 60.7 ft MSL to 60.5 
ft MSL. TS SR 3.7.2.1 verifies that the ultimate heat sink (UHS) is 
OPERABLE by ensuring the water level in the PSW pump well of the 
intake structure is sufficient for the PSW, RHRSW, and standby 
service water pumps to supply post-LOCA cooling requirements for 30 
days. The safety function of the UHS is to mitigate the impact of an 
accident. The proposed TS change does not result in or require any 
physical changes to HNP systems, structures, and components, 
including those intended for the prevention of accidents. The 
potential impact of the lower PSW pump well minimum water level on 
pump operation requirements, supply of water for 30 days post-LOCA, 
and potential environmental impact have been evaluated and found to 
be acceptable.
    Therefore, the proposed change does not involve a significant 
increase in the probability or consequences of an accident 
previously evaluated.

[[Page 6149]]

    2. Does the proposed amendment create the possibility of a new 
or different kind of accident from any accident previously 
evaluated?
    Response: No.
    The proposed TS change revises the minimum water level in the 
PSW pump well, as required by SR 3.7.2.1, from 60.7 ft MSL to 60.5 
ft MSL. TS SR 3.7.2.1 verifies that the UHS is OPERABLE by ensuring 
the water level in the PSW pump well of the intake structure is 
sufficient for the PSW, RHRSW and standby service water pumps to 
supply post-LOCA cooling requirements for 30 days. The proposed TS 
change does not result in or require any physical changes to HNP 
systems, structures, and components. The potential impact of the 
lower PSW pump well minimum water level on pump operation 
requirements, supply of water for 30 days post-LOCA, and potential 
environmental impact have been evaluated and found to be acceptable.
    Therefore, the proposed change does not create the possibility 
of a new or different kind of accident from any previously 
evaluated.
    3. Does the proposed amendment involve a significant reduction 
in a margin of safety?
    Response: No.
    The proposed TS change revises the minimum water level in the 
PSW pump well, as required by SR 3.7.2.1, from 60.7 ft MSL to 60.5 
ft MSL. TS SR 3.7.2.1 verifies that the UHS is OPERABLE by ensuring 
the water level in the PSW pump well of the intake structure is 
sufficient for the PSW, RHRSW and standby service water pumps to 
supply post-LOCA cooling requirements for 30 days. The proposed TS 
change does not result in or require any physical changes to HNP 
systems, structures, and components. The potential impact of the 
lower PSW pump well minimum water level on pump operation 
requirements, supply of water for 30 days post-LOCA, and potential 
environmental impact have been evaluated and found to be acceptable.
    Therefore, the proposed change does not involve a significant 
reduction in a margin of safety.

    The NRC staff has reviewed the licensee's analysis and, based on 
this review, it appears that the three standards of 10 CFR 50.92(c) are 
satisfied. Therefore, the NRC staff proposes to determine that the 
amendment request involves no significant hazards consideration.
    Attorney for licensee: Ernest L. Blake, Jr., Esquire, Shaw, 
Pittman, Potts and Trowbridge, 2300 N Street NW., Washington, DC 20037.
    NRC Branch Chief: Nancy Salgado.

Southern Nuclear Operating Company, Inc., Docket No. 50-425, Vogtle 
Electric Generating Plant, Unit 2, Burke County, Georgia

    Date of amendment request: December 19, 2011.
    Description of amendment request: The proposed amendments would 
revise technical specification (TS) 3.7.14 ``Engineered Safety Features 
(ESF) Room Cooler and Safety-Related Chiller.'' Specifically, the 
limiting condition of operation (LCO) allowed completion time for TS 
3.7.14 Condition A would be extended from 72 hours to 9 days, on a one-
time only basis. Also proposed is an editorial change to delete a note 
added as an emergency change to TS 3.7.14, which had been added in 
response to an emergency license amendment request dated August 18, 
2010 (Agencywide Document Access and Management System Accession No. 
ML102300574).
    Basis for proposed no significant hazards consideration 
determination: As required by Title 10 of the Code of Federal 
Regulation (10 CFR) 50.91(a), the licensee has provided its analysis of 
the issue of no significant hazards consideration, which is presented 
below:

    1. Does the proposed license amendment involve a significant 
increase in the probability or consequences of an accident 
previously evaluated?
    The proposed changes do not alter any plant equipment or 
operating practices in such a manner that the probability of an 
accident is increased. The proposed changes will not alter 
assumptions relative to the mitigation of an accident or transient 
event. Therefore, the proposed changes do not involve a significant 
increase in the probability or consequences of an accident 
previously evaluated.
    2. Does the proposed license amendment create the possibility of 
a new or different kind of accident from any accident previously 
evaluated?
    The proposed changes do not involve any physical alteration of 
the plant or significant change in the methods governing normal 
plant operation. Therefore, the proposed changes do not create the 
possibility of a new or different kind of accident from any accident 
previously evaluated.
    3. Does the proposed amendment involve a significant reduction 
in a margin of safety?
    Based on the operability of the remaining ESF Room Cooler and 
Safety-Related Chiller Train 2A, the accident analysis assumptions 
continue to be met with enactment of the proposed changes. The 
system design and operation are not affected by the proposed 
changes. The safety analysis acceptance criteria are not altered by 
the proposed changes. Finally, the proposed compensatory measures 
will provide further assurance that no significant reduction in a 
safety margin will occur.

    The NRC staff has reviewed the licensee's analysis and, based on 
this review, it appears that the three standards of 10 CFR 50.92(c) are 
satisfied. Therefore, the NRC staff proposes to determine that the 
amendment request involves no significant hazards consideration.
    Attorney for licensee: Mr. Arthur H. Domby, Troutman Sanders, 
NationsBank Plaza, Suite 5200, 600 Peachtree Street, NE., Atlanta, 
Georgia 30308-2216.
    NRC Branch Chief: Nancy Salgado.

Notice of Issuance of Amendments to Facility Operating Licenses

    During the period since publication of the last biweekly notice, 
the Commission has issued the following amendments. The Commission has 
determined for each of these amendments that the application complies 
with the standards and requirements of the Atomic Energy Act of 1954, 
as amended (the Act), and the Commission's rules and regulations. The 
Commission has made appropriate findings as required by the Act and the 
Commission's rules and regulations in 10 CFR Chapter I, which are set 
forth in the license amendment.
    Notice of Consideration of Issuance of Amendment to Facility 
Operating License, Proposed No Significant Hazards Consideration 
Determination, and Opportunity for A Hearing in connection with these 
actions was published in the Federal Register as indicated.
    Unless otherwise indicated, the Commission has determined that 
these amendments satisfy the criteria for categorical exclusion in 
accordance with 10 CFR 51.22. Therefore, pursuant to 10 CFR 51.22(b), 
no environmental impact statement or environmental assessment need be 
prepared for these amendments. If the Commission has prepared an 
environmental assessment under the special circumstances provision in 
10 CFR 51.22(b) and has made a determination based on that assessment, 
it is so indicated.
    For further details with respect to the action see (1) the 
applications for amendment, (2) the amendment, and (3) the Commission's 
related letter, Safety Evaluation and/or Environmental Assessment as 
indicated. All of these items are available for public inspection at 
the NRC's Public Document Room (PDR), located at One White Flint North, 
Room O1-F21, 11555 Rockville Pike (first floor), Rockville, Maryland 
20852. Publicly available documents created or received at the NRC are 
accessible online through the Agencywide Documents Access and 
Management System (ADAMS) in the NRC Library at https://www.nrc.gov/reading-rm/adams.html. 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,

[[Page 6150]]

(301) 415-4737 or by email to pdr.resource@nrc.gov.

Entergy Nuclear Operations, Inc., Docket No. 50-255, Palisades Nuclear 
Plant, Van Buren County, Michigan

    Date of application for amendment: August 16, 2011, supplemented by 
letter dated October 6, 2011.
    Brief description of amendment: The proposed amendment would revise 
Technical Specification (TS) Section 5.5.14, ``Containment Leak Rate 
Testing Program'' to increase the value of the calculated peak 
containment internal pressure from 53 pounds per square inch gauge 
(psig) to 54.2 psig. This increase is due to an increase in the 
calculated mass and energy release during the blowdown phase of the 
design basis loss-of-coolant accident (LOCA). The increase in the 
predicted mass and energy release is due to the correction of an error 
in the calculation of the current value of Pa. The 
regulations at 10 CFR part 50, Appendix J Option B define Pa 
as the calculated peak containment internal pressure related to the 
design basis LOCA as specified in the TS and specifies the requirements 
for containment leakage rate testing.
    Date of issuance: January 19, 2012.
    Effective date: As of the date of issuance and shall be implemented 
within 60 days.
    Amendment No.: 244.
    Facility Operating License No. DPR-20: Amendment revised the 
Technical Specifications.
    Date of initial notice in Federal Register: November 15, 2011, (76 
FR 70773). The supplemental letters contained clarifying information 
and did not change the initial no significant hazards consideration 
determination, and did not expand the scope of the original Federal 
Register notice.
    The Commission's related evaluation of the amendment is contained 
in a Safety Evaluation dated January 19, 2012.
    No significant hazards consideration comments received: No.

Entergy Nuclear Operations, Inc., Docket No. 50-255, Palisades Nuclear 
Plant, Van Buren County, Michigan

    Date of application for amendment: March 7, 2011.
    Brief description of amendment: The amendment revises the 
facility's Technical Specifications to add an applicability period of 
42.1 effective full-power years to the existing pressure-temperature 
limit curves and low temperature overpressure protection system 
requirements for PNP.
    Date of issuance: January 19, 2012.
    Effective date: As of the date of issuance and shall be implemented 
within 30 days.
    Amendment No.: 245.
    Facility Operating License No. DPR-20: Amendment revised the 
Technical Specifications.
    Date of initial notice in Federal Register: May 17, 2011, (76 FR 
28472).
    The Commission's related evaluation of the amendment is contained 
in a Safety Evaluation dated January 19, 2012.
    No significant hazards consideration comments received: No.
    Northern States Power Company--Minnesota, Docket No. 50-263, 
Monticello Nuclear Generating Plant, Wright County, Minnesota
    Date of application for amendment: February 7, 2011, as 
supplemented on December 22, 2011.
    Brief description of amendment: The amendment revises the Technical 
Specifications, Section 3.5.1, ``ECCS [Emergency Core Cooling System]--
Operating,'' and 3.5.2, ``ECCS--Shutdown,'' to increase the minimum 
flow rate of the core spray pumps from >=2,800 gallons per minute (gpm) 
to >=2,835 gpm.
    Date of issuance: January 11, 2012.
    Effective date: This license amendment is effective as of the date 
of its issuance, to be implemented within 120 days of issuance.
    Amendment No.: 167.
    Facility Operating License No. DPR-22: Amendment revised the 
Renewed Facility Operating License and Appendix A, Technical 
Specifications.
    Date of initial notice in Federal Register: April 19, 2011 (76 FR 
21923).
    The licensee's supplemental letter contained clarifying 
information, did not change the scope of the original license amendment 
request, did not change the NRC staff's initial proposed finding of no 
significant hazards consideration determination, and did not expand the 
scope of the original Federal Register notice.
    The Commission's related evaluation of the amendment is contained 
in a Safety Evaluation dated January 11, 2012.
    No significant hazards consideration comments received: No.

    For the Nuclear Regulatory Commission.
    Dated at Rockville, Maryland, this 27th day of January 2012.
Michele G. Evans,
Director, Division of Operating Reactor Licensing, Office of Nuclear 
Reactor Regulation.
[FR Doc. 2012-2594 Filed 2-6-12; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 7590-01-P