ML25336A068
| ML25336A068 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Site: | Hatch, Vogtle, Farley  |
| Issue date: | 12/03/2025 |
| From: | John Lamb Plant Licensing Branch II |
| To: | Southern Nuclear Company |
| Lamb J | |
| References | |
| EPID L-2025-LRM-0141 | |
| Download: ML25336A068 (0) | |
Text
Farley, Hatch, and Vogtle 1&2 License Amendment Request to Revise the 10 CFR 50.69 Categorization Process to Adopt the Enhanced Risk-Informed Categorization Methodology for Pressure Boundary Components Pre-submittal Meeting: December 03, 2025
Agenda Introductions & Meeting Purpose Background Information Proposed Change Enhanced Passive Methodology License Amendment Request (LAR) Overview Schedule / Q&A
SNC Adoption of the Enhanced Passive Categorization Methodology
Introductions
Southern Nuclear Operating Company (SNC)
Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC)
Meeting Purpose SNC intends to submit a LAR to revise the license conditions that currently authorize implementation of 10 CFR 50.69 at Farley, Hatch, and Vogtle 1&2.
The proposed amendment would update the license conditions to reflect NRC authorization for use of the Enhanced Risk-Informed Categorization Methodology for Pressure Boundary Components, as part of the 10 CFR 50.69 categorization process.
The purpose of this meeting is to discuss some background information, the proposed change, the enhanced method for risk-informed categorization of passive components, the LAR, and a preliminary timeline.
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SNC Adoption of the Enhanced Passive Categorization Methodology Background Information - Enhanced Passive Methodology On August 17, 2023, the Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI) formally requested NRC review and approval of Technical Report (TR) 3002025288, Enhanced Risk-Informed Categorization Methodology for Pressure Boundary Components (ML23234A266).
To support the NRCs review, EPRI provided supplemental information on:
November 30, 2023 - ML23334A210 June 28, 2024 - ML24180A016 April 30, 2025 - ML25121A201 On July 15, 2025, the NRC issued a Safety Evaluation (ML25168A015) approving the enhanced passive methodology for use in 10 CFR 50.69 categorization.
In August 2025, EPRI published the final, NRC-approved version of the methodology as TR 3002033536 (Revision 1-A), incorporating all supplemental information provided during audits and in response to Requests for Additional Information (RAIs).
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SNC Adoption of the Enhanced Passive Categorization Methodology Proposed Change - Example of Proposed Revisions to the License Condition (LC) 5
SNC Adoption of the Enhanced Passive Categorization Methodology Proposed Change - Transition Framework for Passive Categorization 6
- The proposed LC allows SSC categorizations previously completed using the ANO-2 passive methodology to remain valid until the plant-level evaluation is completed using the enhanced approach.
- This structure supports the completion of categorization activities that may be underway using the ANO-2 approach.
- SNC will not be permitted to choose between passive categorization methodologies. Once the plant-level evaluation is complete, use of the ANO-2 approach will be suspended.
- The LC language establishes a clear transition framework:
the ANO-2 approach remains valid only until replaced by categorizations performed using the enhanced methodology.
- This transition strategy will be described in the LAR.
SNC Adoption of the Enhanced Passive Categorization Methodology Enhanced Passive Methodology The LAR will summarize application of the Enhanced Risk-Informed Categorization Methodology for Pressure Boundary Components, as described in EPRI 3002033536.
Passive categorization will continue to follow NEI 00-04 guidance, supplemented by the steps outlined in Chapter 4 of EPRI 3002033536.
The enhanced methodology includes:
A defined set of prerequisites, A predetermined set of high safety significant (HSS) systems/subsystems, and A plant-specific search to identify additional pressure boundary components for inclusion in the HSS scope.
The LAR will describe how this methodology is implemented across all phases of the process.
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SNC Adoption of the Enhanced Passive Categorization Methodology Enhanced Passive Methodology - Five Phases Phase 1 - Prerequisites PRA Technical Adequacy Integrity Management - Corrosion and Erosion Programs Protection Measures for Internal Flooding Events PRA Reflects the As-Built, As-Operated Plant Phase 2 - Predetermined HSS Passive SSCs (Criteria 1 through 10)
Phase 3 - Design and Plant Specific Search for HSS passive SSCs (Criteria 11 & 12)
Phase 4 - Sensitivity Study and IDP Review/Concurrence Phase 5 - Performance Monitoring 8
LAR Overview The LAR will be presented in a similar format as other plants that revised their
§ 50.69 categorization approach:
Point Beach - Addition of EPRI Tier 2 with SMA (ML24282A760)
Hatch - Addition of EPRI Tier 2 with Seismic PRA (ML24051A239)
Notes:
LAR content presented on this slide is draft and subject to change.
9 SNC Adoption of the Enhanced Passive Categorization Methodology
SNC Adoption of the Enhanced Passive Categorization Methodology Remaining Actions and Schedule Submit LAR to NRC - Q1 2026 Support a LAR audit, as necessary - 2026 Implementation - within 60 days following issuance of the amendment Discussion / Q&A 10