ML19247A718
| ML19247A718 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Site: | Maine Yankee |
| Issue date: | 06/22/1979 |
| From: | Grimes B Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation |
| To: | Groce R YANKEE ATOMIC ELECTRIC CO. |
| References | |
| NUDOCS 7908020192 | |
| Download: ML19247A718 (3) | |
Text
I
),i UNITED STATES gy ' *e NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION
,: C WASHINGTON, D. C. 20555 o
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June 22, 1979 Docket No. 50-309 Mr. Robert H. Groce Licensing Engineer Yankee Atomic Electric Company 20 Turnpike Road Westboro, Massachusetts 01581
Dear Mr. Groce:
By letter dated November 22, 1978, you infomed us of a modified spent fuel pin storage concept which would increase the spent fuel storage capability at the Maine Yankee Atomic Power Station.
Your proposal contemplates implementing this concept in two phases.
Phase one would involve compaction of spent fuel pins into modified fuel bundles which fit into existing storage locations.
Phase two would be the increase in total plant fuel inventory at the Maine Yankee site above that equivalent to the 953 assemblies evaluated and authorized by License Amendment No.11, issued October 31, 1975.
In your letter you state your detemination that phase one can commence without prior Comission approval, pursuant to 10 CFR 50.59, and provide your evaluation supporting this detemination.
As discussed during phone t
conversations with your staff there are several areas of concern which may affect this determination. Regardless of the resolution of these concerns, l
we have concluded that NRC review and approval of all aspects of your proposed concept are required prior to implementation of either phase.
i With respect to the spent fuel storage activities currently authorized at the i
Maine Yankee Atomic Power Station, License Amendment No.11, issued October 31, l
1975 authorized modification of the spent fuel pool to increase its capacity to the equivalent of 953 existing fuel assemblies.
It is our view that this i
I quantity of spent fuel, which was reviewed in the Staff's Safety Evaluation I
and Environmental Impact Appraisal supporting a negative declaration bounds r
the amount of spent fuel that can be stored in the spent fuel pool.
The parpose of yoJr proposed modified spent fuel pin storage concept is clearly to increase the amount of spent fuel which can be stored in the spent fuel pool above the amount presently authorized. Such a change requires another amend-ment to Maine Yankee's license.
Your suggestion that the concept can be considered in two independent phases would result in artificially dividing the i
action and is not acceptable.
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't G 64 358
_2-Our review of your proposal would consider both phases of your spent fuel storage capacity increases. With regard to our environmental assessment, this is necessary to properly balance the net benefits and costs associated with the proposed spent fuel storage concept.
You are requested to infom us of your intent in this matter and, if appropriate, submit the required fee.
Since m
K y
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Brian K. Grimes, Assistant Director for Engineering & Projects Division of Operating Reactors cc: See next page 4%F# 39 489 11 <!
i
ankee Atomic Electric Company v
3 1
cc:
E. W. Thurlow, President i
Maine Yankee Atomic Power Company
~_
9 Green Street Augusta, fiaine 04330 t
Mr. Donald E. Vandenburgh Vice President - Engineering Yankee Atomic Electric Company l
20 Turnpike Road Westboro, Massachusetts 01581 John A. Ritsher, Esquire Ropes and Gray 225 Franklin Street Boston, flassachusetts 02110 Mr. John M. R. Paterson Assistant Attorney General State of ?!aine Augusta, Maine 04330 Harold P. Green, Esquire Suite 1000 The Watergate 600 flew Hampshire Avenue, N.W.
Washing ton, D.C.
20037 Mr. Nicholas Barth Executive Director Sheepscot Valley Conservation Association, Inc.
P. O. Box 125 Alna, tiaine 04535 Wiscasset Public Library Association High Street Wiscasset, Maine 04578 Mrs. L. Patricia Doyle, President SAFE POWER FOR MAINE P. O. Box 774 I
Camden, Maine 04843
!!r. Robert R. Radcliffe Office of Energy Resources 55 Capitol Street Augusta, Maine 04330 e
489 il5
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