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Vermont Yankee Power Uprate ApplicationEntergy submitted a 20 percent extended power uprate (EPU) request for staff review on September 10, 2003. This is the first power uprate application to reference a new topical
report, NEDC-33004, Constant Pressure Power Uprate, which utilizes a
streamlined
methodology and review process. In addition, this is the first use of
the new Review
Standard Some of the technical issues associated with the power uprate include (1) the concerns related to recent steam dryer cracking at other General Electric plants that have been granted EPUs; (2) flow-induced vibration issues; (3) flow-accelerated corrosion; and (4) use of containment overpressure for calculating net positive suction head for emergency core cooling system pumps. On October 14, 2004, the NRC determined that the original review completion date of January 31, 2005, would be extended several months due to issues with the steam dryers. On this page:
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HearingA notice regarding the application for an EPU was published in the Federal Register on July 1, 2004. This Notice provided 60 days for the public to request a hearing. On August 30, 2004, the Vermont Department of Public Service (DPS) and the New England Coalition (NEC) filed requests for hearing in connection with the proposed extended power uprate. The NRC convened a panel of three NRC administrative judges (the "Licensing Board") to review the requests. By Order dated November 22, 2004, the Atomic Safety and Licensing Board found that each of the petitioners has standing to intervene and has submitted at least one admissible contention. The Licensing Board admitted two contentions from the State of Vermont related to the use of containment overpressure, and two contentions from the New England Coalition related to the completion of large transient testing and structural integrity of the cooling towers. On December 16, 2004, the ASLB issued its decision to proceed with a Subpart L hearing, which is the less formal hearing type. This type of hearing is conducted primarily through the filing of documents. The more formal procedure that was requested by the Department of Public Services of the State of Vermont and the New England Coalition, is run more like a trial with discovery and cross examination of witnesses. The ASLB panel will hold at least one session in Vermont where the judges will question witnesses. The ASLB also ruled that the State shall participate in the hearing as a party, with the rights and responsibilities of a party. Documents related to the hearing, including pleadings and Orders, are available through the Adjudication (Hearings) Web page. Members of the public may submit written "limited appearance" statement for consideration by the Board. For more information, see the Licensing Board Order dated October 1, 2004. For information on hearings, please see our web page on The Hearing Process. Request from the Vermont Public Service BoardIn addition to NRC approval, Entergy must get approval from the Vermont Public Service Board (PSB) to increase rated power. On March 15, 2004, the state PSB approved the uprate if certain conditions are met. One of these conditions is that the PSB request that the NRC conduct its analysis in a way "that will provide Vermont with a level of assurance about reliability equivalent to an independent engineering assessment." The type of analysis recommended by the PSB focuses on the reliability of the plant and not the plant’s safety. The PSB is precluded under Federal law from reviewing radiological concerns regarding the power uprate. Specifically, the PSB’s stated concern is the effect that a large power uprate will have on the reliability of the plant output in light of recent difficulties that have been experienced by other boiling water reactors following extended power uprate implementation. The NRC responded to the PSB's request by letter dated May 4, 2004. The NRC has decided to conduct a detailed engineering inspection that we believe will be appropriate for addressing our oversight responsibilities and is also responsive to the PSB's concerns. Temporary Instruction 2515/158 will be used to develop the plan for this inspection. The NRC has concluded that its detailed technical review, prescribed by the Extended Power Uprate Review Standard, coupled with a program of power uprate and engineering inspections, will assist in addressing the Board's concerns regarding the future reliability of Vermont Yankee. The NRC addressed the PSB on June 28,2004, to more fully explain its review process and answer questions from the Board. The Vermont State Senate also approved a resolution on March 16, 2004, that urges the NRC to condition approval of any uprate at the Vermont Yankee nuclear power facility upon performance of an "independent engineering assessment" as called for in the PSB ruling. The NRC responded to this letter on May 24, 2004. See our Frequently Asked Questions page regarding the Vermont Yankee Extended Power Uprate. |
Date |
Description |
|---|---|
| 12/08/2004 | Paul Blanch and Arnold Gundersen |
| 08/30/2004 | Union of Concerned Scientists |
| 07/29/2004 | 2.206 Petition from Paul Blanch and Arnold Gundersen |
| 06/09/2004 | State of Vermont, Department of Public Service |
| 06/08/2004 | State of Vermont, Department of Public Service |
| 05/05/2004 | Paul Blanch |
| 03/17/2004 | State of Vermont, Senate Resolution |
| 03/15/2004 | Vermont Public Service Board |
| 03/12/2004 | Union of Concerned Scientists |
| 02/27/2004 | Senators Leahy and Jeffords |
| 01/12/2004 | Senator Patrick Leahy |
| 12/08/2003 | State of Vermont, Dept. of Public Service |
Date |
Description |
|---|---|
| 12/29/2004 | Paul Blanch and Arnold Gundersen |
| 10/15/2004 | Entergy Regarding Review Schedule |
| 09/17/2004 | Commissioner O'Brien, State of Vermont |
| 09/14/2004 | Senators Leahy and Jeffords |
| 09/01/2004 | Governor James Douglas |
| 09/01/2004 | Senator Jeffords |
| 08/20/2004 | Paul Blanch/Arnold Gundersen |
| 07/12/2004 | Union of Concerned Scientists |
| 07/12/2004 | Paul Blanch |
| 06/29/2004 | the Vermont Department of Public Service |
| 05/24/2004 | Vermont State Senate |
| 05/20/2004 | the New England Coalition |
| 05/04/2004 | Representative John Olver |
| 05/04/2004 | Senators Jeffords and Leahy |
| 05/04/2004 | Vermont Public Service Board |
| 03/29/2004 | To Senators Leahy and Jeffords |
| 02/20/2004 | To Senator Patrick Leahy |
Date |
Description |
|---|---|
| 12/21/2004 | Request for Additional Information |
| 12/09/2004 | Supplement 21 |
| 12/08/2004 | Supplement 22 |
| 10/07/2004 | Supplement 20 |
| 10/07/2004 | Supplement 19 |
| 10/05/2004 | Supplement 18 |
| 09/30/2004 | Supplement 16 |
| 09/30/2004 | Request for Additional Information |
| 09/30/2004 | Supplement 17 |
| 09/23/2004 | Supplement 15 |
| 09/15/2004 | Supplement 14 |
| 09/14/2004 | Supplement 13 |
| 09/01/2004 | Request for Additional Information |
| 08/25/2004 | Supplement 12 |
| 08/12/2004 | Supplement 11 |
| 07/30/2004 | Supplement 10 |
| 07/27/2004 | Supplement 9 |
| 07/06/2004 | Request for Additional Information |
| 07/02/2004 | Supplement 8 |
| 05/28/2004 | Request for Additional Information |
| 05/19/2004 | Supplement 7 |
| 03/04/2004 | Supplement 6 |
| 02/20/2004 | NRC Acceptance Review |
| 01/31/2004 | Supplement 5 |
| 01/31/2004 | Supplement 4 |
| 12/30/2003 | NRC Request for Additional Information |
| 12/15/2003 | NRC Acceptance Review Letter |
| 10/28/2003 | Supplement 3 |
| 10/28/2003 | Supplement 2 |
| 10/01/2003 | Supplement 1 |
| 09/10/2003 | Initial Application |
|
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