ML18067A698

Notifies NRC That Util Will Be Providing Addl Info Re Methodology Used to Determine Updated Fluence Values & Requests That NRC Withhold Issuance of Final SER Until Addl Info Is Presented

ML18067A698
Person / Time
Site:	Palisades
Issue date:	10/01/1997
From:	Bordine T CONSUMERS ENERGY CO. (FORMERLY CONSUMERS POWER CO.)
To:	NRC OFFICE OF INFORMATION RESOURCES MANAGEMENT (IRM)
References
NUDOCS 9710060444
Download: ML18067A698 (2)

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October 1, 1997 U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission ATTN: Document Control Desk Washington, DC 20555 DOCKET 50-255 - LICENSE DPR PALISADES PLANT

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• Man#er Licensing UPDATED REACTOR VESSEL FLUENCE SUBMITTAL - ADDITIONAL INFORMATION This is to notify the NRG that Consumers Energy will be providing additional information regarding the methodology used by Consumers Energy to determine updated fluence values. Consumers Energy is in the process of hiring a number of recognized experts in the field of fluence determination to provide independent evaluations of the methodology used to determine the updated fluence values we have submitted for NRG staff review.

We expect to present the results of these independent evaluations at a meeting with the NRG staff in December 1997 or January 1998.

In April 1996, Consumers Energy provided updated fluence values for the Palisades reactor vessel and requested NRG concurrence with the methodology used to derive those values. This information was further discussed with the staff at two meetings in 1996 which resulted in the NRG requesting additional information that was supplied by Consumers Energy in six additional submittals during 1996.

The foregoing resulted in an Interim SER issued in December 1996 which approved an

- 8% reduction of previously accepted fluerice values us-ing methodology based-on more -

accurate reactor vessel physical measurements and determined that further evaluation was required for the methodology used to derive a proposed additional 17% reduction based on fluence measurement using incore and excore dosimetry.

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L Palisades' Nuclear Plant

• 27780 Blue Star Memorial Highway

• Covtii/, Ml 49043

• Tel: 616 764 2913

• Fax: 616 764 2490 f§Jb1

2 At a meeting on February 26, 1997, the Consumers Energy technical staff and the NRC technical staff met to further discuss the methodology Consumers Energy used to determine that the proposed 17% reduction in fluence value satisfies the requirements of 1 OCFR50.61 and Regulatory Guide 1.99. This meeting raised additional issues relative to the Consumers Energy methodology. Those issues were addressed in Consumers Energy's June 26, 1997, submittal.

It is our understanding that the NRC staff is now in the process of evaluating the new information presented in our June 26, 1997 submittal and reevaluating the information in our previous submittals. It is our further understanding that the. NRC staff currently plans to complete this evaluation by February 1998. Therefore, it is our intent to present the results of the above described independent evaluations before the staff completes their review. We request that NRC withhold issuance of the final SER until the additional information is presented to the NRC.

SUMMARY

OF COMMITMENTS This letter contains no new commitments and no revisions to existing commitments.

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. ~s C. Berdine Manager, Licensing CC Administrator, Region Ill, USNRC Project Manager, NRR, USNRC NRC Resident Inspector - Palisades