ML19093B345
| ML19093B345 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Site: | Surry  |
| Issue date: | 03/25/1977 |
| From: | Stallings C Virginia Electric & Power Co (VEPCO) |
| To: | Rusche B Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation |
| References | |
| 043 | |
| Download: ML19093B345 (3) | |
Text
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- ' e VIRGINIA ELECTRIC.A.ND POWER COMPANY RIOHMOND, VIRGINIA 23261 March 25, 1977 Mr. Benard C. Rusche, Director Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation Attention:
Mr. R. W. Reid,* Chief Serial No. 043 ES/MLB:krb Docket Nos.
50-280 50-281 License Nos. DPR-32 DPR-37 Operating Reactors Branch No. 4 U. S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission Washington, D. C.
20555 I:Ear Mr. Rusche:*
By letter dated July 27,* 1976 and during discussions with the NRC Staff at a ~eting on March 24, 1976, VEPCO proposed to sul::mit the derconstration for m::xlifications to the non-radiological operating tech-nical specifications for"Surry lJnits* 1 and 2 in concurrence with the Virginia State Water Control Board section 316 (a) demonstration.
We indicated in the letter* that this demonstration would probably be scheduled in the fall of 1976.
The section 316 (a) demonstration has been deferred in light of court actions which invalidate the limitations in 40 CFR,part 423 applicable to therinal discharges.
On July 16, 1976, the United States Court of Appeals for the Fburth Circuit ruled, arrong other issues, that the Environmental Protec-tion Agency did not establish that the removal of heat from power station discharges* would benefit the. environnent.
The. Court remanded the regula-tion with the* foll<Mmg instructions:'
"On remand, then, EPA must state the benefits especially to aquatic life, for the various alternatives considered if that can be done. If these benefits cannot be stated with any degree of certainty, EPA will state the expected benefits accord.mg to whatever scientific opinion it relies upon, fully explicating the ba.sis, includmg the op.inion, upon which it relies.* If no expected benefits can be stated, EPA must state why they cannot be and the scientific opinion which supports that conclusion."
The* Court also*ruled that the Environrrental Protection Agency had not provided a basis for rejecting the NRC's suggestion to exempt from cooling towerbackfit requirements nuclear power stations that had been ruled acceptable under 'NEPA requirements.
'lb date, the Environmental Protection Agency has not re-praml-
. gated the regulations.
.. ~ _,
e VIRGINIA ELECTRI/ AND POWER COMPANY TO Mr. Benard C. Rusche 2
In view of the.delay m section 316 (a) procedures, we are here-with sul:mitting the conclusions fran the operational studies and the sup-
µ,rtmg data *as required under TS 4.l3D in support of a request* for rrodi-fication of the non-radiological environmental studies. Revised Technical Specifications are now being reviewed.by.the appropriate Company comnittees and upon approval will*be'forwa.:tded'to you for your consideration.
We request that you give this request pranpt consideration. The severe.weather'oonditions m January, 1977 and the accanpanymg ice has destroyed approximately 50 percent of our* fixed monitoring facilities.* Re-
. placement cost of
- these structures is,* in our professional opinion, too high to be environmentally cost-effective in view.bf the independent con-clusions dra'Wll.from foor full years of'operational monitoring data.
Enclosures*:
Eighteen-Month Evaluation of the Ristroph Traveling Fish.Screens
'Ihe Effect of Surry Power Station Operations on Fishes of the Oligohalme Zone, James River, Virginia Ecological Study of the James River Encarrpassing Hog Point Ecological Study of the Tidal Segrrent of the James River Encarrpassing Hog Pomt Thennal Effects of the Surry Nuclear Paver Plant on the James River, Virgmia Very truly yours,
- ZP. m. ~e1t :i y*
C. M. Stallings Vice President-Power Supply Production Operations
\\'l, (SEAL)
Attest:
D. A. Hillsman, Jr., Assistant Secretary COMMONWEALTH OF VIRGINIA
)
) S.S.
CITY OF RICHMOND
)
Before me, Robert M. Neil, a Notary Public, in and for the City and Commonwealth aforesaid, on this 25th day of March, 1977, personnally appeared C. M. Stallings and D. A. Hillsman, Jr., who being duly sworn, made oath and said (1) that they are Vice President - Power Supply and Production Operations and Assistant Secretary, respectively, of the Virginia Electric and Power Company, (2) that they are duly authorized to execute and file the foregoing Amendment in behalf of that Company, and (3) that the statements in the Amendment are true to the best of their knowledge and belief.
Given under my hand and notarial seal this 25th day of March, 1977.
My Com.mission expires January 20, 1981.
(SEAL)
Robert M. Neil Notary Public