ML17286A534
| ML17286A534 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Site: | Columbia  |
| Issue date: | 01/02/1991 |
| From: | Dyer J Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation |
| To: | |
| Shared Package | |
| ML17286A535 | List: |
| References | |
| NUDOCS 9101070068 | |
| Download: ML17286A534 (7) | |
Text
7590-01 UNITED STATES NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION WASHINGTON PUBLIC POWER SUPPLY SYSTEM DOCKET NO. 50-397 WPPSS NUCLEAR PROJECT NO.
2 ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT AND FINDING OF NO SIGNIFICANT IMPACT The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (the Commission) is considering issuance of an exemption from 10 CFR 55.45(b)(2)(iii) and 10 CFR 55.45(b)
(2)(iv) for Facility Operating License NPF-21 issued to Washington Public Power Supply System (WPPSS), for operation of WPPSS Nuclear Project No.
2 located on the Hanford Reservation, Benton County, Washington.
ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT Identification of Pro osed Action The proposed exemption would extend the date for filing NRC Form 474, "Simulation Facility Certification," as required by 10 CFR 55.45(b)(2)(iii) from March 26, 1991, to September 30, 1992.
The licensee also proposed an exemption from 10 CFR 55.45(b)(2)(iv) to allow continued used of its current simulator for operator training and examinations until certification of its new simulator.
The proposed action is in accordance with the licensee's application for exemption dated April 4, 1990, as amended on September 27, 1990.
The Need for the Pro osed Action The proposed exemption to 10 CFR 55.45(b)(2)(iii) and 10 CFR 55.45(b)
(2)(iv), is required in order to permit continued training and examination of qio>0700as 9>0~0~
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licensed operators and continued plant operation until the licensee has procured and certified a plant-referenced simulator in accordance with the dates specified in 10 CFR Part 55; however, it has been notified by the simulator manufacturer that delivery of the new simulator will be delayed.
Environmental Im act of the Pro osed Action The Commission has completed its evaluation of the proposed exemptions and concludes that approval of these exemptions will not endanger the public health and safety.
Acceleration of the licensee's schedule to certify the simulator would be at great expense and may impact the quality of the simulator.
Training licensed operator candidates at other facilities would also be expensive and defeat the intent of 10 CFR 55.45.
The licensee has continuously upgraded its current simulator and successfully conducted operator training and examinations.
The licensee has asserted that upgrade of its current simulator will continue until receipt and certification of its new simulator.
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 exemption would result in no significant radio-logical environmental impact.
With regard to potential nonradiological
- impacts, the proposed exemption involves the training and examination of licensed operator candidates.
It 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.
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Alternative to the Pro osed Action Since the Commission concluded that there are no significant environmental effects that would result from the proposed action, any alternatives with equal or greater environmental impacts need not be evaluated.
The principal alternative would be to deny the requested exemption.
This would not reduce environmental impacts of plant operation and would result in reduced operational flexibility.
Alternative Use of Resources This action does not involve the use of resources not previously considered in the Final Environmental Statement related to operation of the WPPSS Nuclear Project No. 2, dated December 1981.
A encies and Persons Consulted The NRC staff reviewed the licensee's request and did not consult other agencies or persons.
FINDING OF NO SIGNIFICANT IMPACT The Commission has determined not to prepare an environmental impact statement for the proposed exemption.
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.
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V For further details with respect to this action, see the licensee's application for exemption dated April 4, 1990, and the amendment thereto dated September 27, 1990, which are available for public inspection at the Commission's Public Document
- Room, Gelman Building, 2120 L Street, N.W.,
Washington, D.C.
20555 and at the local public document room at the Richland Public Library, 955 Northgate Street, Richland; Washington 99352.
Dated at Rockville, Maryland, this 2nd day of January 1991.
FOR THE NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION James E. Dyer, Director Project Directorate V
Division of Reactor Project III/IV/V Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation
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