[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 29 (Wednesday, February 12, 1997)]
[Notices]
[Pages 6565-6566]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-3462]
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NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION
[Docket Nos. 50-315 and 50-316]
Indiana Michigan Power Company; Donald C. Cook Nuclear Plant,
Unit Nos. 1 and 2 Environmental Assessment and Finding of no
Significant Impact
The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (the Commission) is
considering issuance of amendments to Facility Operating License Nos.
DPR-58 and DPR-74, issued to Indiana Michigan Power Company, (the
licensee), for operation of the D. C. Cook Nuclear Plant, Units 1 and
2, located in Berrien County, Michigan.
Environmental Assessment
Identification of the Proposed Action
By letter dated February 26, 1996, the licensee requested
amendments to the Technical Specifications (TS) to allow an increased
limit for the nominal enrichment of new (unirradiated) Westinghouse
fabricated fuel stored in the new fuel storage racks. The proposed
changes would allow for the storage of fuel with an enrichment not to
exceed a nominal 4.95 weight percent (w/o) U-235, subject to certain
integral fuel burnable absorber (IFBA) requirements, in the new fuel
storage racks. Plant operation using the higher enriched fuel will be
demonstrated to be acceptable by a cycle specific reload safety
evaluation performed prior to each fuel loading.
Need for Proposed Action
The licensee intends to use higher enrichment fuel in subsequent
fuel load cycles which does not currently meet the new fuel storage
limits in the TSs. By increasing the fuel enrichment, the licensee will
implement the fuel strategies developed for D.C. Cook Units 1 and 2.
Environmental Impact of the Proposed Action
The Commission has completed its evaluation of the proposed
revision to the TSs and concludes that storage of fuel enriched with U-
235 up to 4.95 weight percent at D.C. Cook Units 1 and 2 is acceptable.
The safety considerations associated with higher enrichments have been
evaluated by the NRC staff and the staff has concluded
[[Page 6566]]
that such changes would not adversely affect plant safety. The proposed
changes have no adverse effect on the probability of any accident. As a
result, there is no increase in individual or cumulative radiation
exposure.
The environmental impacts of transportation resulting from the use
of higher enrichment and extended irradiation are discussed in the
staff assessment entitled ``NRC Assessment of the Environmental Effects
of Transportation Resulting from Extended Fuel Enrichment and
Irradiation.'' This assessment was published in the Federal Register on
August 11, 1988 (53 FR 30355), as corrected on August 24, 1988 (53 FR
32322), in connection with the Shearon Harris Nuclear Power Plant, Unit
I: Environmental Assessment and Finding of No Significant Impact. As
indicated therein, the environmental cost contribution of an increase
in fuel enrichment of up to 5 weight percent U-235 and irradiation
limits of up to 60 Gigawatt Days per Metric Ton (GWD/MT) are either
unchanged, or may in fact be reduced from those summarized in Table S-4
as set forth in 10 CFR 51.52(c). These findings are applicable to the
proposed amendment for D.C. Cook Units 1 and 2. Accordingly, the
Commission concludes that this proposed action would result in no
significant radiological environmental impact.
With regard to potential nonradiological impacts, the proposed
changes involve systems located within the restricted area as defined
in 10 CFR Part 20. It does not affect nonradiological plant effluents
and has no other environmental impact. Therefore, the Commission
concludes that there are no significant nonradiological environmental
impacts associated with the proposed amendment.
The Notice of Consideration of Issuance of Amendment to Facility
Operating License, Proposed No Significant Hazards Consideration
Determination, and Opportunity for a Hearing in connection with this
action was published in the Federal Register on April 24, 1996 (61 FR
18172).
Alternative to the Proposed Action
Since the Commission concluded that there are no significant
environmental effects that would result from the proposed action, any
alternative with equal or greater environmental impacts need not be
evaluated.
The principal alternative would be to deny the requested amendment.
This would not reduce environmental impacts of plant operation and
would result in reduced operational flexibility.
Alternative Use of Resources
This action does not involve the use of any resources not
previously considered in the Final Environmental Statement for D.C.
Cook, Units 1 and 2, dated August 1973.
Agencies and Persons Contacted
In accordance with its stated policy, on December 20, 1996, the
Commission consulted with the Michigan State official, Mr. Dennis Hahn
of the Michigan Department of Public Health, Nuclear Facilities and
Environmental Monitoring, 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 this action, see the
application for license amendment dated February 26, 1996. Copies are
available for public inspection at the Commission's Public Document
Room, the Gelman Building, 2120 L Street, NW., Washington, DC 20555,
and at the local public document room located at the Maud Preston
Palenske Memorial Library, 500 Market Street, St. Joseph, Michigan
49085.
Dated at Rockville, Maryland, this 28th day of January 1997.
For the Nuclear Regulatory Commission.
John B. Hickman,
Project Manager, Project Directorate III-3, Division of Reactor
Projects III/IV, Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation.
[FR Doc. 97-3462 Filed 2-11-97; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 7590-01-P
