ML17290B198
| ML17290B198 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Site: | Columbia  |
| Issue date: | 05/25/1994 |
| From: | Quay T Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation |
| To: | |
| Shared Package | |
| ML17290B199 | List: |
| References | |
| NUDOCS 9406030109 | |
| Download: ML17290B198 (6) | |
Text
UNITED STATES NUCLEAR GULATORY COMMISSION WASHINGTON PUBLIC POWER SUPPLY SYSTEM WPPSS NUCLEAR PROJECT NO.
2 DOCKET NO. 50-397 ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT AND FINDING OF NO SIGNIFICANT IMPACT 7590-01 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 Pro osed 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 Pro osed 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 Hill 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 susceptable to common-mode failures.
Failure mechanisms include software, electrostatic discharge, an'd electromagnetic and 9406030109: 940525 7>
PDR ADOCK05000397'I P
PDR Q
radio frequency interference.
- Thus, the licensee needs prior NRC approval and a license amendment to make the change.
Environmental'm acts of the Pro osed Action The proposed exemption would not adversely affect radiation monitor function since the licensee determined the replacement monitor is an exact replacement for the analog monitor.
The HSL 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 J
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 in-plant 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 nonradiologizal 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
~Re ister 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 Pro osed 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.
A encies 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
t ll I,'i k'
I
quality of the human environment.
Accordingly, the Commission has determined not to prepare an environmental 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 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
c 1