[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 36 (Tuesday, February 24, 1998)]
[Notices]
[Pages 9270-9272]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-4624]
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NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION
[Docket Nos. 50-387 and 50-388]
Pennsylvania Power and Light Company; Notice of Consideration of
Issuance of Amendments to Facility Operating Licenses, Proposed No
Significant Hazards Consideration Determination, and Opportunity for a
Hearing
The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (the Commission) is
considering issuance of amendments to Facility Operating License Nos.
NPF-14 and NPF-22 issued to Pennsylvania Power and Light Company (PP&L,
the licensee) for operation of the Susquehanna Steam Electric Station
(SSES), Units 1 and 2, located in Luzerne County, Pennsylvania.
The proposed amendment would change the SSES Technical
Specifications facility staff requirements to allow an individual who
does not hold a current senior reactor operator (SRO) license to hold
the position of Manager-Nuclear Operations (MNO) and require an
individual serving in the capacity of the Operations Supervisor-Nuclear
to hold a current SRO license and report directly to the MNO and be
responsible for directing the licensed activities of licensed
operators.
Before issuance of the proposed license amendment, the Commission
will have made findings required by the Atomic Energy Act of 1954, as
amended (the Act) and the Commission's regulations.
The Commission has made a proposed determination that the amendment
request involves no significant hazards consideration. Under the
Commission's regulations in 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; or (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. 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. The proposed changes do not involve a significant increase in
the probability or consequences of an accident previously evaluated.
The proposed changes affect an administrative control which was
based upon the guidance of ANSI N18.1-1971. ANSI N18.1-1971
establishes that the ``Operations Manager'' hold a SRO license. This
standard was oriented to an organization where the duty Shift
Supervisors reported directly to the ``Operations Manager''. The
intent being that the person in the chain of command directly above
the duty Shift Supervisors hold a SRO license. Susquehanna SES
maintains the position of Operations Supervisor-Nuclear as this
person within the chain of command. The position of Operations
Supervisor-Nuclear satisfies all of the requirements of ANSI N18.1-
1971 for the ``Operations Manager''. These changes retain the
commitment to have a member of the unit staff not assigned to shift
duties who holds a SRO license.
The proposed changes do not alter the design of any system,
structure, or component, nor do they change the way plant systems
are operated. They do not reduce the knowledge, qualifications, or
skills of licensed operators, and do not affect the way the
Operations Group is managed by the Manager-Nuclear Operations. The
Manager-Nuclear Operations will continue to maintain the effective
performance of operations personnel and ensure that the plant is
operated safely and in accordance with the requirements of the
operating license. Additionally, the control room operators will
continue to be supervised by a licensed senior reactor operator.
The proposed changes do not detract from the Manager-Nuclear
Operations ability to perform his primary responsibilities. The
Manager-Nuclear Operations is required to achieve the necessary
training, skills, and experience to fully understand the operation
of plant equipment and the watch requirements for operators.
In summary, the changes retain the commitment to have a member
of the unit staff not assigned to shift duties who holds a SRO
license. The proposed changes do not detract from the Manger-Nuclear
Operations ability to perform his primary responsibilities. Thus,
the proposed changes do not involve a significant increase in the
probability or consequences of an accident previously evaluated.
2. The proposed changes do not create the possibility of a new
or different kind of accident from any accident previously
evaluated.
The proposed changes to Technical Specification 6.2.2g and 6.3.1
do not affect
[[Page 9271]]
the design or function of any plant system, structure, or component,
nor do they change the way the plant systems are operated. They do
not affect the performance of licensed operators. Operation of the
plant in conformance with technical specifications and other license
requirements will continue to be supervised by personnel who hold a
SRO license. Therefore, the proposed changes do not create the
possibility of a new or different kind of accident from any accident
previously evaluated.
3. The proposed changes do not involve a significant reduction
in a margin of safety.
The proposed changes involve an administrative control that is
not related to a margin of safety. The proposed changes do not
reduce the level of knowledge or experience required of an
individual in the chain of command who serves directly above the
duty Shift Supervisors in that the control room operators will
continue to be supervised by personnel who hold a SRO license. Thus,
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.
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 the 30-day notice period. However, should circumstances
change during the notice period such that failure to act in a timely
way would result, for example, in derating or shutdown of the facility,
the Commission may issue the license amendment before the expiration of
the 30-day notice period, provided that its final determination is that
the amendment involves no significant hazards consideration. The final
determination will consider all public and State comments received.
Should the Commission take this action, it will publish in the Federal
Register a notice of issuance and provide for opportunity for a hearing
after issuance. The Commission expects that the need to take this
action will occur very infrequently.
Written comments may be submitted by mail to the Chief, Rules and
Directives Branch, Division of Administrative Services, Office of
Administration, U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission, Washington, DC
20555-0001, and should cite the publication date and page number of
this Federal Register notice. Written comments may also be delivered to
Room 6D59, Two White Flint North, 11545 Rockville Pike, Rockville,
Maryland, from 7:30 a.m. to 4:15 p.m. Federal workdays. Copies of
written comments received may be examined at the NRC Public Document
Room, the Gelman Building, 2120 L Street, NW., Washington, DC.
The filing of requests for hearing and petitions for leave to
intervene is discussed below.
By March 26, 1998, the licensee may file a request for a hearing
with respect to issuance of the amendment to the subject facility
operating license and any person whose interest may be affected by this
proceeding and who wishes to participate as a party in the proceeding
must file a written request for a hearing and a petition for leave to
intervene. 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
persons should consult a current copy of 10 CFR 2.714 which is
available at the Commission's Public Document Room, the Gelman
Building, 2120 L Street, NW., Washington, DC, and at the local public
document room located at the Osterhout Free Library, Reference
Department, 71 South Franklin Street, Wilkes-Barre, PA. If a request
for a hearing or petition for leave to intervene is filed by the above
date, the Commission or an Atomic Safety and Licensing Board,
designated by the Commission or by the Chairman of the Atomic Safety
and Licensing Board Panel, will rule on the request and/or petition;
and the Secretary or the designated Atomic Safety and Licensing Board
will issue a notice of hearing or an appropriate order.
As required by 10 CFR 2.714, 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 factors: (1) The nature of the petitioner's right under the
Act to be made party to the proceeding; (2) the nature and extent of
the petitioner's property, financial, or other interest in the
proceeding; and (3) the possible effect of any order which may be
entered in the proceeding on the petitioner's interest.
The petition should also identify the specific aspect(s) of the
subject matter of the proceeding as to which petitioner wishes to
intervene. Any person who has filed a petition for leave to intervene
or who has been admitted as a party may amend the petition without
requesting leave of the Board up to 15 days prior to the first
prehearing conference scheduled in the proceeding, but such an amended
petition must satisfy the specificity requirements described above.
Not later than 15 days prior to the first prehearing conference
scheduled in the proceeding, a petitioner shall file a supplement to
the petition to intervene which must include a list of the contentions
which are sought to be litigated in the matter. Each contention must
consist of a specific statement of the issue of law or fact to be
raised or controverted. In addition, the petitioner shall provide a
brief explanation of the bases of the contention and a concise
statement of the alleged facts or expert opinion which support the
contention and on which the petitioner intends to rely in proving the
contention at the hearing. The petitioner must also provide references
to those specific sources and documents of which the petitioner is
aware and on which the petitioner intends to rely to establish those
facts or expert opinion. Petitioner must provide 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 petitioner to relief. A
petitioner who fails to file such a supplement which satisfies these
requirements with respect to at least one 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, including the opportunity to present evidence and cross-
examine witnesses.
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, any
[[Page 9272]]
hearing held would take place before the issuance of any amendment.
A request for a hearing or a petition for leave to intervene must
be filed with the Secretary of the Commission, U.S. Nuclear Regulatory
Commission, Washington, DC 20555-0001, Attention: Rulemakings and
Adjudications Staff, or may be delivered to the Commission's Public
Document Room, the Gelman Building, 2120 L Street, NW., Washington, DC,
by the above date. A copy of the petition should also be sent to the
Office of the General Counsel, U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission,
Washington, DC 20555-0001, and to Jay Silberg, Esquire, Shaw, Pittman,
Potts and Trowbridge, 2300 N Street, NW, Washington, DC 20037, attorney
for the licensee.
Nontimely filings of petitions for leave to intervene, amended
petitions, supplemental petitions and/or requests for hearing will not
be entertained absent a determination by the Commission, the presiding
officer or the presiding Atomic Safety and Licensing Board that the
petition and/or request should be granted based upon a balancing of the
factors specified in 10 CFR 2.714(a)(1)(i)-(v) and 2.714(d).
For further details with respect to this action, see the
application for amendment dated January 26, 1998, which is available
for public inspection at the Commission's Public Document Room, the
Gelman Building, 2120 L Street, NW., Washington, DC, and at the local
public document room located at the Osterhout Free Library, Reference
Department, 71 South Franklin Street, Wilkes-Barre, PA 18701.
Dated at Rockville, Maryland, this 18th day of February 1998.
For the Nuclear Regulatory Commission.
Victor Nerses,
Senior Project Manager, Project Directorate I-2, Division of Reactor
Projects--I/II, Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation.
[FR Doc. 98-4624 Filed 2-23-98; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 7590-01-P
