[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 17 (Monday, January 27, 1997)]
[Notices]
[Page 3925]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-1858]
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NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION
[Docket No. STN 50-530]
Arizona Public Service Company; Palo Verde Nuclear Generating
Station, Unit No. 3; Environmental Assessment and Finding of No
Significant Impact
The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (the Commission) is
considering issuance of an exemption to Facility Operating License No.
NPF-74, issued to Arizona Public Service Company (the licensee), for
operation of the Palo Verde Nuclear Generating Station, Unit No. 3
located in Maricopa County, Arizona.
Environmental Assessment
Identification of the Proposed Action
The proposed action would allow a temporary exemption for Palo
Verde Nuclear Generating Station (PVNGS), Unit 3, from the requirements
of 10 CFR 50.44, 10 CFR 50.46, and 10 CFR Part 50, Appendix K. The
proposed action would permit the use of up to three lead fuel
assemblies containing fuel rods clad with advanced Zirconium-based
alloys in PVNGS Unit 3 for Cycles 7, 8, and 9.
The proposed action is in accordance with the licensee's
application for exemption dated September 12, 1996.
The Need for the Proposed Action
The proposed action is needed to allow testing of representative
cladding material whose chemical composition falls outside the ASTM
specifications for Zircaloy. The regulations currently specify the use
of Zircaloy or ZIRLO cladding material. The proposed action would allow
testing to collect data to support future regulation changes to allow
full batch use of the new cladding material.
Environmental Impacts of the Proposed Action
The Commission has completed its evaluation of the proposed action
and concludes, pursuant to 10 CFR 50.12, that the exemption is
authorized by law and will not endanger life or property and is
otherwise in the public interest. The proposed material is very similar
to current cladding materials used in the core and, core neutronics,
mechanics, hydraulics and materials integrity will not be affected by
the use of the test assemblies.
The change will not increase the probability or consequences of
accidents, no changes are being made in the types of any effluents that
may be released offsite, and there is no significant increase in the
allowable individual or cumulative occupational radiation exposure.
Accordingly, the Commission concludes that there are no significant
radiological environmental impacts associated with the proposed action.
With regard to potential nonradiological impacts, the proposed
action does involve features located entirely within the restricted
area as defined in 10 CFR Part 20. It does not affect nonradiological
plant effluents and has no other environmental impact. Accordingly, the
Commission concludes that there are no significant nonradiological
environmental impacts associated with the proposed action.
Alternatives to the Proposed Action
Since the Commission has concluded that there is no measurable
environmental impact associated with the proposed action, any
alternatives with equal or greater environmental impact need not be
evaluated. As an alternative to the proposed action, the staff
considered denial of the proposed action. Denial of the application
would reduce operational flexibility and would not change current
environmental impacts.
Alternative Use of Resources
This action does not involve the use of any resources not
previously considered in the Final Environmental Statement for the Palo
Verde Nuclear Generating Station dated February 1982.
Agencies and Persons Consulted
In accordance with its stated policy, on January 21, 1997, the
staff consulted with the Arizona State official, Mr. William Wright of
the Arizona Radiation Regulatory Agency, regarding the environmental
impact of the proposed action. The State official had no comments.
Finding of No Significant Impact
Based upon the environmental assessment, the Commission concludes
that the proposed action will not have a significant effect on the
quality of the human environment. Accordingly, the Commission has
determined not to prepare an environmental impact statement for the
proposed action.
For further details with respect to the proposed action, see the
licensee's letter dated September 12, 1996, 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 Phoenix Public Library, 1221 N. Central
Avenue, Phoenix, Arizona 85004.
Dated at Rockville, Maryland, this 21st day of January 1997.
For the Nuclear Regulatory Commission
James W. Clifford,
Senior Project Manager, Project Directorate IV-2, Division of Reactor
Projects--III/IV, Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation.
[FR Doc. 97-1858 Filed 1-24-97; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 7590-01-P
