Proposed 10CFR50.59 Changes

[LIPTONW@dteenergy.com]

For all of you power reactor hp's: 
 
The proposed changes to the 10CFR50.59 safety evaluation process were 
published in the "Federal Register" on October 21 (Volume 63, No. 203, pages 
56098 - 56125).   Comments are due by December 21, 1998.  The proposed
changes: 
 
define terms such as "change", "facility as described in the final safety 
analysis report (as updated)", "procedures as described in the final safety 
analysis report (as updated), and "reduction in margin of safety associated 
with any technical specification", 
 
change criteria for requiring NRC approval of a change from:  "the
probability 
of occurrence or the consequences of an accident or malfunction of equipment 
important to safety ... may be increased" to:  "result in more than a
minimal 
increase in the ... [probability or consequences]".   
 
Although this looks good, on first scanning, I suspect that, "The devil is
in 
the details."   
 
We should all review this carefully and submit comments, if appropriate. 
This 
is how we'll do business from now on. 
 
The opinions expessed are strictly mine. 
It's not about dose, it's about trust. 
 
Bill Lipton 
liptonw@dteenergy.com
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