[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 141 (Monday, July 22, 1996)]
[Notices]
[Pages 37941-37942]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-18492]
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NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION
[Docket Nos. 50-369 and 50-370]
Duke Power Company; McGuire Nuclear Station, 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.
NPF-9 and NPF-17, issued to Duke Power Company (the licensee), for
operation of the McGuire Nuclear Station, Units 1 and 2, located in
Mecklenburg, North Carolina.
Environmental Assessment
Identification of the Proposed Action
By letter dated March 4, 1996, Duke Power Company (DPC) submitted a
proposal for amendments to the Facility Operating Licenses that would
allow the McGuire Units 1 and 2 Containment Airborne Particulate
Radiation Monitors (CAPRMs, 1/2 EMF38(L)) to be reclassified in the
Final Safety Analysis Report (FSAR) as non-seismic Category I. During a
DPC engineering review of the seismic classification of these CAPRMs,
it was determined that these monitors are not seismic Category I.
Furthermore, DPC had documents that showed that these monitors are not
required nor were they ever intended to be seismically qualified. Also,
in a DPC letter to the NRC dated March 25, 1981, DPC further stipulated
that the CAPRMs were not safety related. However, none
[[Page 37942]]
of this information was reflected in the McGuire FSAR.
By letter dated March 4, 1996, the licensee stated that the matter
involved an unreviewed safety question and requested amendments to its
Facility Operating Licenses including proposed changes to the FSAR,
which would clarify that the CAPRMs are not designed to remain
functional following a safe shutdown earthquake (SSE). Further, the
licensee has proposed an alternative to Position C.6 of Regulatory
Guide (RG) 1.45, ``Reactor Coolant Pressure Boundary Leakage Detection
Systems,'' by showing that adequate instrumentation and procedures will
be available to assess conditions inside containment following a
seismic event comparable to an SSE and that, accordingly, the seismic
qualification requirement for the CAPRMs may be deleted from the FSAR.
The Need for the Proposed Action
The proposed action is needed so that the appropriate seismic
qualification for the CAPRMs can be reflected in the FSAR.
Environmental Impacts of the Proposed Action
The Commission has completed its evaluation of the proposed
revisions to the FSAR. The proposed revisions would permit the
Containment Airborne Particulate Radiation Monitors (1/2 EMF38(L)) at
McGuire Units 1 and 2 to be classified as non-seismic Category I. The
safety considerations associated with this re-classification have been
evaluated by the NRC staff. The staff has concluded that the licensee
has demonstrated an acceptable alternative to Position C.6 of RG 1.45
by showing that adequate instrumentation and procedures will be
available to assess conditions inside containment following a seismic
event comparable to an SSE. The proposed changes have no adverse effect
on the probability of any accident. No changes are being made in the
types or amounts of any radiological effluents that may be released
offsite. There is no significant increase in the allowable individual
or cumulative occupational radiation exposure.
Accordingly, the Commission concludes that there are no significant
radiological environmental impacts associated with the proposed
amendments.
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 measurable
environmental impact associated with the proposed action, any
alternatives with equal or greater environmental impact need not be
evaluated. The principal alternative to this action would be to deny
the requested amendments. 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 the ``Final Environmental Statement Related to the
Operation of McGuire Nuclear Station Units 1 and 2,'' dated April 1976.
Agencies and Persons Consulted
In accordance with its stated policy, on July 8, 1996, the NRC
staff consulted with the North Carolina State official, Mr. J. James of
the Division of Radiation Protection, Department of Environmental,
Health and Natural Resources, 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 license amendments.
For further details with respect to this action, see the licensee's
letter dated March 4, 1996, which is 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 J. Murrey Atkins Library, University of North Carolina
at Charlotte (UNCC Station), Charlotte, North Carolina.
Dated at Rockville, Maryland, this 3rd day of July 1996.
For the Nuclear Regulatory Commission.
Victor Nerses,
Project Manager, Project Directorate II-2, Division of Reactor
Projects--I/II, Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation.
[FR Doc. 96-18492 Filed 7-19-96; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 7590-01-P
