[Federal Register Volume 59, Number 104 (Wednesday, June 1, 1994)]
[Unknown Section]
[Page 0]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 94-13249]
[[Page Unknown]]
[Federal Register: June 1, 1994]
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NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION
[Docket No. 50-397]
Washington Public Power Supply System WPPSS Nuclear Project No.
2; Environmental Assessment and Finding of No Significant Impact
The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (the Commission) is
considering issuing a license amendment in response to a Washington
Public Power Supply System (the licensee) request for the WNP-2 nuclear
plant, located in Benton County, Washington.
Environmental Assessment
Identification of Proposed Action
The proposed action would change the license to permit upgrading
the analog main steam line (MSL) radiation monitors to digital
monitors. The proposed action is in accordance with the licensee's
November 30, 1993, amendment request.
The Need for the Proposed Action
The utility needs the MSL analog to digital radiation monitor
upgrade because General Electric no longer manufactures the analog
monitor currently installed at the plant. Thus, the utility is not sure
replacement parts will be available in the future. The monitors are
also becoming obsolete. The proposed change represents an unreviewed
safety question, as defined in 10 CFR part 59. The digital monitors use
a microcomputer, and have electronic circuits that could be susceptible
to common-mode failures. Failure mechanisms include software,
electrostatic discharge, and electromagnetic and radio frequency
interference. Thus, the licensee needs prior NRC approval and a license
amendment to make the change.
Environmental Impacts of the Proposed Action
The proposed exemption would not adversely affect radiation monitor
functions since the licensee determined the replacement monitor is an
exact replacement for the analog monitors. The MSL radiation monitors
detect fuel element failures, and trip the main condenser mechanical
vacuum pump and associated discharge valve. The new digital monitors
will continue to do these functions. The digital monitor has present
day state of the art technology and features, including improved drift
rate, instrument accuracy and resolution, and reliability. The existing
analog monitors have problems with signal drift, spiking, inaccuracy,
and channel drawer failures. The new installation will use the existing
ion chamber detectors and associated inplant cabling.
Issuing this exemption will not increase accident probability or
result in any environmental impacts beyond those evaluated in the WNP-2
Final Environmental Statement. Therefore, the proposed changes do not
increase the probability or consequences of accidents, no changes are
being made in the types of any effluents that may be released offsite,
and there is no significant increase in the allowable individual or
cumulative occupational radiation exposure. Accordingly, the Commission
concludes that this proposed action would result in no significant
radiological environmental impact.
With regard to potential nonradiological impacts, the proposed
exemption 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 exemption.
The Notice of Consideration of Issuance of Amendment to Facility
Operating License and Opportunity for a Hearing in connection with this
action was published in the Federal Register on March 10, 1994 (59 FR
11334). No request for hearing or petition for leave to intervene was
filed following this notice.
Alternative to the Proposed Action
Any alternative with equal or greater environmental impact does not
need to be evaluated since the Commission has concluded that the
environmental effects of the proposed action are not significant.
The principal alternative would be to deny the license amendment
request. This would not reduce the facility's environmental impact, and
would result in a larger expenditure of licensee resources to maintain,
calibrate, and test the MSL radiation monitors.
Alternative Use of Resources
This action does not use resources not previously considered in the
Final Environmental Statement related to operation of the Washington
Nuclear Project, Unit No. 2 dated December 1981.
Agencies and Persons Consulted
The Commission's staff reviewed the licensee's request and
consulted the Washington State official. 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 environmentall impact statement for
the proposed exemption.
For further details with respect to this action, see the November
30, 1994, request for license amendment which is available for public
inspection at the Commission's Public Document Room, 2120 L Street,
NW., Washington, DC 20555.
Dated: Dated at Rockville, Maryland, this 25th day of May 1994.
For The Nuclear Regulatory Commission
Theodore R. Quay,
Director, Project Directorate IV-3, Division of Reactor Projects--III/
IV, Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation.
[FR Doc. 94-13249 Filed 5-31-94; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 7590-01-M
