[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 51 (Tuesday, March 17, 1998)]
[Notices]
[Pages 13079-13080]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-6781]
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NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION
[Docket Nos. 50-280 and 50-281]
Virginia Electric and Power Company; Surry Power Station,
Environmental Assessment and Finding of No Significant Impact
The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (the Commission) is
considering issuance of amendments to Facility Operating Licenses Nos.
DPR-32 and DPR-37, issued to Virginia Electric and Power Company, (the
licensee), for operation of the Surry Power Station (SPS) located in
Surry County, Virginia.
Environmental Assessment
Identification of the Proposed Action
By letter dated November 5, 1997, as supplemented by letter dated
January 28, 1998, the licensee proposed to change the technical
specifications (TS) to allow an increase in fuel enrichment (Uranium
235, U-235) to 4.3 weight percent. Surry TS currently limit fuel in the
spent fuel pool and reactor to a maximum enrichment of 4.1 weight
percent of U-235.
The Need for the Proposed Action
The licensee intends, in the future, to use the more highly
enriched fuel to support longer fuel cycles. Currently, TS 5.3.A.3 and
5.4.B limit the enrichment of reload fuel for the reactor core and the
spent fuel storage racks to 4.1 weight percent U-235. The amendment is
needed to give the licensee the flexibility to use more highly enriched
fuel to support longer fuel cycles.
Environmental Impacts of the Proposed Action
The Commission has completed its evaluation of the proposed
revision to
[[Page 13080]]
the TS and concludes that storage and use of fuel enriched with U-235
up to 4.3 weight is acceptable. The safety considerations associated
with higher enrichments were evaluated by the NRC staff and the staff
concluded that such changes would not adversely affect plant safety.
The proposed changes will not increase the probability of any accident.
The higher enrichment and increased fuel burnup may slightly change the
mix of fission products that might be released in the event of a
serious accident, but such small changes would not significantly affect
the consequences of accidents.
No changes are being made in the types or quantity of any effluents
that may be released offsite, no changes are being made to the
authorized power level, and there is no significant increase in the
allowable individual or cumulative occupational 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,'' dated July 7, 1988. 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 an Environmental
Assessment and Finding of No Significant Impact related to the Shearon
Harris Nuclear Power Plant, Unit 1. 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 these proposed amendments
for Surry Power Station, Units 1 and 2, given that the proposal
involves less than 5% enrichment and burnup of less than 60 GWD/MT.
Accordingly, the Commission concludes that this proposed action would
result in no significant radiological environmental impact.
With regard to potential nonradiological impacts, the proposed
action involves 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 there is no significant
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 result in no change in current 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 the
Surry Power Station.
Agencies and Persons Consulted
In accordance with its stated policy, on February 4, 1998, the
staff consulted with the Virginia State official, Mr. L. Foldese of the
Virginia Department of Health, 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 November 5, 1997, as supplemented by letter
dated January 28, 1998, which are 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 Swem Library, College of William and Mary, Williamsburg,
Virginia 23185.
Dated at Rockville, Maryland, this day of 1998.
For the Nuclear Regulatory Commission.
Gordon E. Edison, Sr.,
Project Manager, Project Directorate II-1, Division of Reactor
Projects--I/II, Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation.
[FR Doc. 98-6781 Filed 3-16-98; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 7590-01-P
