[Federal Register Volume 60, Number 237 (Monday, December 11, 1995)]
[Notices]
[Page 63549]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 95-30253]
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NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION
[Docket Nos. 50-295 and 50-304]
Commonwealth Edison Company; Zion Nuclear Power Station, Units 1
and 2 Environmental Assessment and Finding of No Significant Impact
The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (the Commission) is
considering issuance of exemptions from certain requirements of 10 CFR
part 50, Appendix J, Paragraph III, Leakage Testing Requirements, to
Facility Operating License Nos. DPR-39 and DPR-48, issued to
Commonwealth Edison Company (ComEd, the licensee), for operation of the
Zion Nuclear Power Station, Units 1 and 2, located in Lake County,
Illinois.
Environmental Assessment
Identification of the Proposed Action
This Environmental Assessment has been prepared to address
potential environmental issues related to the licensee's application
dated November 28, 1995, as supplemented on December 6, 1995. The
proposed action would exempt the licensee from the requirements of 10
CFR part 50, Appendix J, Paragraph III.C and III.D, to the extent that
exemptions would be granted due to system and penetration design.
The Need for the Proposed Action
The current Type C containment leak rate test requirements for Zion
Nuclear Power Station, pursuant to 10 CFR part 50, Appendix J, Sections
III.C and III.D.3 are that local leak rate periodic tests shall be
performed during reactor shutdown for refueling, or other convenient
intervals, but in no case at intervals greater than 2 years. ComEd has
determined that the required tests have not been performed previously
on the penetrations that form the basis for this exemption request. The
exemptions are needed to allow the licensee to use an alternate testing
method and thereby realize considerable cost savings, less radiological
exposure and fewer unit thermal cycles with no adverse impact on public
health and safety.
Environmental Impacts of the Proposed Action
The proposed exemptions would not increase the probability or
consequences of accidents previously analyzed and would not affect
facility radiation levels or facility radiological effluents. The
licensee has analyzed the possible leak paths, availability of the
isolation valve seal water system, prior Type A leak test results as
they are impacted by leaks from the types of valves in question and the
probability of the sequences of events necessary for significant
leakage to occur through the identified pathways. The licensee has
provided an acceptable basis for concluding that in spite of the
proposed exemptions the containment leak rates would still be
maintained within acceptable limits.
Accordingly, the Commission has concluded that the exemptions do
not result in a significant increase in the amounts of any effluents
that may be released nor do they result in a significant increase in
individual or cumulative occupational radiation exposure. Therefore,
there are no significant radiological environmental impacts associated
with the proposed exemption.
With regard to potential nonradiological impacts, the proposed
exemptions only involve Type C testing of the containment. They do not
affect nonradiological plant effluents and have no other environmental
impact. Accordingly, the Commission concludes that there are no
significant nonradiological environmental impacts associated with the
proposed exemptions.
Alternatives to the Proposed Action
Since the Commission has concluded there is no measurable
environmental impact associated with the proposed exemptions, any
alternatives with equal or greater environmental impact need not be
evaluated. The principal alternative to this action would be to deny
the request for exemptions. Such action would not reduce the
environmental impacts of plant operations.
Alternative Use of Resources
This action does not involve the use of resources not previously
considered in connection with the Nuclear Regulatory Commission's Final
Environmental Statement dated December 1972, related to the operation
of the Zion Nuclear Power Station, Units 1 and 2.
Agencies and Persons Consulted
In accordance with its stated policy, on November 28, 1995, the NRC
staff consulted with the Illinois State Official, Mr. Frank Niziolek;
Head, Reactor Safety Section; Division of Engineering; Illinois
Department of Nuclear Safety; 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 exemption.
For further details with respect to this action, see the licensee's
letters dated November 28, 1995, as supplemented on December 6, 1995,
which are available for public inspection at the Commission's Public
Document Room, 2120 L Street, NW., Washington, DC, and at the local
public document room located at the Waukegan Public Library, 128 N.
County Street, Waukegan, Illinois 60085.
Dated at Rockville, Maryland, this 7th day of December 1995.
For the Nuclear Regulatory Commission.
Clyde Y. Shiraki,
Project Manager, Project Directorate III-2, Division of Reactor
Projects--III/IV, Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation.
[FR Doc. 95-30253 Filed 12-8-95; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 7590-01-P
