[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 57 (Tuesday, March 25, 1997)]
[Notices]
[Pages 14169-14170]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-7505]
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NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION
[Docket Nos. STN 50-528, STN 50-529, and STN 50-530]
Arizona Public Service Company; Palo Verde Nuclear Generating
Station, Unit Nos. 1, 2, and 3 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.
NPF-41, NPF-51, and NPF-74, issued to Arizona Public Service Company
(the licensee), for operation of the Palo Verde Nuclear Generating
Station, Unit Nos. 1, 2, and 3, located in Maricopa County, Arizona.
[[Page 14170]]
Environmental Assessment
Identification of the Proposed Action
The proposed action would modify the licenses for Palo Verde
Nuclear Generating Station (PVNGS), Unit Nos. 1, 2, and 3, to authorize
revision of the Updated Final Safety Analysis Report (UFSAR) to reflect
a revised electrical grid stability analysis. The revised analysis
addresses a previously unanalyzed condition of loss of two offsite
transmission lines. This condition results from the construction by the
Salt River Project of a new high voltage transmission line over two of
five existing transmission lines serving PVNGS.
The proposed action is in accordance with the licensee's
application dated December 27, 1996.
The Need for the Proposed Action
The proposed action would permit the licensee to revise the UFSAR
to incorporate the previously unanalyzed simultaneous loss of two
transmission lines, making this condition part of the licensing basis
for the facility.
Environmental Impacts of the Proposed Action
The Commission has completed its evaluation of the proposed action
and concludes that there is no significant environmental consideration
involved with the proposed action. Incorporation of the event involving
the simultaneous loss of two of five offsite power sources does not
affect the existing design or operation of the plants, does not involve
any modifications to the plants or any increase in the licensed power
for the plants, does not affect plant effluents, and does not create
any new or unreviewed environmental impacts that were not considered in
the Final Environmental Statement (FES).
The revised analysis for loss of offsite transmission lines
demonstrates that the loss would not result in a loss of offsite power
(LOOP) event to the site. The remaining electrical power supply lines
will continue to supply power to all three units following the grid
disturbance resulting from the postulated simultaneous loss of two
power supply lines. Thus the loss of these two lines will not affect
the plants' operation. The revised analysis does not, therefore,
increase the environmental impacts of postulated accidents discussed in
Section 5.9.2 of the FES, and is of no measurable environmental impact.
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 result in no change in current environmental impacts. The
environmental impacts of the proposed action and the alternative action
are similar.
Alternative Use of Resources
This action does not involve the use of any resources not
previously considered in the ``Final Environmental Statement Related to
the Operation of the Palo Verde Nuclear Generating Station, Units 1, 2,
and 3,'' dated February 1982.
Agencies and Persons Consulted
In accordance with its stated policy, on March 17, 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 on 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 December 27, 1996, which is available for
public inspection at the Commission's Public Document Room, which is
located at The Gelman Building, 2120 L Street, NW., Washington, D.C.,
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 20th day of March 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. 97-7505 Filed 3-24- 97; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 7590-01-P
