94-26649. Cleveland Electric Illuminating Company, Et Al. (Davis-Besse Nuclear Power Plant, Unit No. 1); Environmental Assessment and Finding of No Significant Impact  

  • [Federal Register Volume 59, Number 208 (Friday, October 28, 1994)]
    [Unknown Section]
    [Page ]
    From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
    [FR Doc No: 94-26649]
    
    
    [Federal Register: October 28, 1994]
    
    
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    NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION
    
    [Docket No. 50-346]
    
    
    Cleveland Electric Illuminating Company, Et Al. (Davis-Besse 
    Nuclear Power Plant, Unit No. 1); Environmental Assessment and Finding 
    of No Significant Impact
    
        The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (the Commission) is 
    considering issuance of a partial exemption from the requirements of 10 
    CFR part 50, appendix J, for Facility Operating License No. NPF-3 
    issued to the Toledo Edison Company, Centerior Service Company, and the 
    Cleveland Electric Illuminating Company (the licensees), for operation 
    of the Davis-Besse Nuclear Power Station, Unit No. 1, located in Ottawa 
    County, Ohio.
    
    Environmental Assessment
    
    Identification of Proposed Action
    
        The proposed exemption would relieve the licensee from the 
    requirement of conducting a full pressure airlock leakage test, 
    pursuant to section III.D.2(b)(ii) of appendix J to 10 CFR part 50, 
    whenever airlocks are opened during periods when containment integrity 
    is not required and no maintenance has been performed on the airlock 
    that affects its sealing capabilities. The licensee would rely instead, 
    on the seal leakage test described in section III.D.2(b)(iii), when the 
    reactor is in cold shutdown (MODE 5) or refueling (MODE 6) and when no 
    maintenance has been performed on the airlock.
        The licensee's request for exemption and the bases therefor are 
    contained in a letter dated October 21, 1994.
    
    The Need for the Proposed Action
    
        The proposed exemption is from performance of the leakage rate test 
    required by paragraph III.D.2(b)(ii) of 10 CFR part 50, appendix J, 
    which requires at least 12 hours per airlock to perform. Exemption from 
    full pressure leakage tests on airlocks opened during a period when 
    containment integrity is not required would provide the licensee with 
    greater plant availability over the lifetime of the plant.
    
    Environmental Impact of Proposed Action
    
        The proposed exemption would permit the substitution of an airlock 
    seal leakage test (section III.D.2(b)(iii) of appendix J of 10 CFR part 
    50) for the full pressure airlock test, otherwise required by section 
    III.D.2(b)(ii) when the airlock is opened, while the reactor is in cold 
    shutdown or refueling mode. If the tests required by section III.D.2(b) 
    (i) and (iii) are current, and no maintenance performed on the airlock, 
    then there will be adequate assurance of continued leak tight integrity 
    of the airlock, and this exemption will not affect containment 
    integrity, and does not affect the risk of facility accidents. Thus, 
    post-accident radiological releases will not be greater than previously 
    determined, nor does the proposed exemption otherwise affect 
    radiological plant effluents, nor result in any significant 
    occupational exposure. Likewise, the exemption does not affect non-
    radiological plant effluents and has no other environmental impact. 
    Therefore, the Commission concludes that there are no significant 
    radiological or non-radiological environmental impacts associated with 
    the proposed exemption.
    
    Alternative to the Proposed Action
    
        Because it has been concluded that there is no significant impact 
    associated with the proposed exemption, any alternative to the 
    exemption will have either no environmental impact or greater 
    environmental impact.
        The principal alternative would be to deny the requested exemption. 
    Such action would not reduce environmental impacts of Davis-Besse, Unit 
    No. 1 operations and would result in reduced operational flexibility or 
    unwarranted delays in power ascension.
    
    Alternative Use of Resources
    
        This action does not involve the use of resources not previously 
    considered in connection with the ``Final Environmental Statement 
    Related to Operation of Davis-Besse, Unit No. 1,'' dated October 1975.
    
    Agencies and Persons Consulted
    
        The NRC staff consulted with the Ohio State official regarding the 
    environmental impact of the proposed action. The state official had no 
    comments.
    
    Finding of No Significant Impact
    
        Based upon the foregoing 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 exemption.
        For further details with respect to the proposed action, see the 
    licensee's request for exemption dated October 21, 1994, which is 
    available for public inspection at the Commission's Public Document 
    Room, 1717 H Street NW., Washington, DC, and the University of Toledo 
    Library, Documents Department, 2801 Bancroft Avenue, Toledo, Ohio 
    03606.
    
        Dated at Rockville, Maryland, this 21st day of October 1994.
    
        For the Nuclear Regulatory Commission.
    Linda L. Gundrum,
    Project Manager, Project Directorate III-3, Division of Reactor 
    Projects--III/IV, Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation.
    [FR Doc. 94-26649 Filed 10-27-94; 8:45 am]
    BILLING CODE 7590-01-M
    
    
    

Document Information

Published:
10/28/1994
Department:
Nuclear Regulatory Commission
Entry Type:
Uncategorized Document
Document Number:
94-26649
Pages:
0-0 (None pages)
Docket Numbers:
Federal Register: October 28, 1994, Docket No. 50-346