[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 159 (Thursday, August 15, 1996)]
[Notices]
[Pages 42447-42448]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-20827]
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NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION
[Docket No. 50-305]
Wisconsin Public Service Corporation; Wisconsin Power and Light
Company; Madison Gas and Electric Company; Kewaunee Nuclear Power
Plant; Environmental Assessment and Finding of No Significant Impact
The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (the Commission) is
considering issuance of an exemption from the requirements of 10 CFR
Part 50, Appendix K, Sections I.D.3 and I.D.5, to Wisconsin Public
Service Corporation, Wisconsin Power and Light Company, and Madison Gas
and Electric Company (the licensee), for the Kewaunee Nuclear Power
Plant located in Kewaunee County, Wisconsin.
Environmental Assessment
Identification of the Proposed Action
The proposed exemption would grant relief from the requirements of
10 CFR Part 50, Appendix K, Sections I.D.3 and I.D.5, as these
requirements relate to the calculational method for determining the
core exit flow based on carryover fraction and the heat transfer
analysis during the refill and reflood phase of a loss of coolant
accident (LOCA). These calculations are part of a thermal/hydraulic
analysis that demonstrates the existing emergency core cooling system
(ECCS) will provide adequate protection of the reactor fuel during a
LOCA.
The proposed exemption is in accordance with the licensee's request
for exemption dated July 23, 1996.
The Need for the Proposed Action
The proposed exemption is required because the features described
in the licensee's request indicate that the method assumed for
injection cooling water in the reactor in thermal/hydraulic analysis is
different than the actual method used at the plant. The evaluation
model for analyzing potential accidents assumed cooling water would
enter the reactor via the lower plenum, while the pipe configuration of
the plant injects cooling water in the upper plenum of the reactor.
Environmental Impacts of the Proposed Action
The Commission has completed its evaluation of the proposed
exemption and concludes that the exemption deals with the calculational
method in the analysis of a potential accident. The exemption does not
affect in any way the plant operating characteristics or procedures,
components or systems. Further, the proposed exemption will 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 there are no significant radiological environmental
impacts associated with the proposed exemption.
With regard to potential nonradiological impacts, the proposed
exemption 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 exemption.
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. 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 for the
Kewaunee Nuclear Power Plant.
Agencies and Persons Consulted
In accordance with its stated policy, on August 1, 1996, the staff
consulted with the Wisconsin State official, Lanny L. Smith, Director-
Technical Unit, Electric Division, of the Public Service Commission of
Wisconsin, 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 July 23, 1996, which is available for public
inspection at the Commission's Public Document Room,
[[Page 42448]]
The Gelman Building, 2120 L Street, NW., Washington, DC, and at the
local public document room located at the University of Wisconsin,
Cofrin Library, 2420 Nicolet Drive, Green Bay, Wisconsin 54311-7001.
Dated at Rockville, Maryland, this 9th day of August 1996.
For the Nuclear Regulatory Commission.
Richard J. Laufer,
Project Manager, Project Directorate III-3, Division of Reactor
Projects--III/IV, Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation.
[FR Doc. 96-20827 Filed 8-14-96; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 7590-01-P
