ML19327B954
| ML19327B954 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Site: | Comanche Peak  |
| Issue date: | 11/06/1989 |
| From: | Charemagne Grimes Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation |
| To: | |
| Shared Package | |
| ML19327B955 | List: |
| References | |
| NUDOCS 8911140263 | |
| Download: ML19327B954 (4) | |
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5 UNITED STATES NUCLEAR REGULATORY COPNISSION TEXAS UTILITIES ELECTRIC COMPANY, ET AL*
s DOCKET NO. 50-445 NOTICE OF ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT AND FINDING OF f
NO SIGNIFICANT IMPACT TheU.S.NuclearRegulatoryCommission(theCommission)isconsidering the issuance of an exemption from a portion of the requirements-of Append 1x J i
uf.10 CFR Part.50 to the Texas Utilities Electric Company, et al (the applicant).
The exemption would apply to the facility operating license for the Comanche Peak
. Steam Electric Station, Unit 1, located on the applicant's site in Somervell L
County, Texas.
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ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSML'NT
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Identification of the Proposed Action: The proposed action would allow an s
exemption from the requirements of 10 CFR Part 50 Appendix J.Section III.D.2(b)(11)for.theoperationofComanchePeak, Unit 1inresponsetothe a
' applicant's request dated January 20, 1986.
.c The current owners of the Comanche Peak Steam Electric Station are: Texas Utilities Electric Company (TV Electric), Tex-La Electric Coo Texas Inc. '(Tex-La), and. Texas Municipal Power Agency (TMPA) perative of L
Transfer of ownership from TMPA to TU Electric was previously authorized by
' Amendment No. 9 to Construction Pennit CPPR-126 for Comanche Peak, Unit 1 1-on August 25, 1988 to take place in 10 installments as set forth in the agreement attached to the application for amendment dated March 4,1988.
i-At the completion thereof, TMPA will no longer retain any ownership L
interest ir. Comanche Peak, Unit 1.
Transfer of ownership from Tex-La to
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TU Electric was previously authorized by Amendment No.11 to Construction u
Pennit CPPR-126 for Comanche Peak, Unit 1 on August 29, 1989 as set forth i
in the agreement attached to the application for Amendment dated May 4,1989.
At the completion thereof, Tex-La will no longer retain any ownership L
interest in Comanche Peak, Unit 1.
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The Need for the Proposed Action: Section !!!.?,2(b)(ii) of Appendix J states that " Air locks open during periods whten containtent integrity is not required by the plant's Technical Specificatfors shall be tested at the end of such t
periods at not less than P,."
In its request, the applicant requested that the Comanche Peak Unit 1 Technical Specifications be written to instead require an overall air lock leakage test at P, to be perfomed only upon co..pfetion of maintenance which has been performed on the air lock that could affect the air i
lock sealing en $111ty. Otherwise, if an air lock is opened during periods when containment integrity is not required and no such maintenance has been performed, a door seal leak rate test (a less time-consuming test) must be f
perfomed. This requested exemption is ennsistent with the staff's position f
on the acceptable testing frequency necessary to demonstrate air lock sealing capability. intended in Appendix J.
The staff's current position is shown in the Standard Technical Specifications for Westinghouse Pressurized Water Reactors (NUREG-0452. Revision 4). Until Commission rulemaking changes the i
current requirement in /.ppendix J. an exeription to the present regulation must j
be granted before the applicant can adopt the requested Technical Specification.
l The proposed exemption is needed because, based on experience at various 4
plants, the staff found that 'fiteral compliance with Section III.D.2(b)(ii) of Appendix.; is not necessary to assure containment laaktightness. The requested I
exemption is consistent with the staff's technical position and has been l
L granted to n ny plants. Literal compliance with the regulation would lead to increased costs and occupational exposure.
Environmental Impacts of the Proposed Action: The proposed exemption to 10 CFR Part 50, Appendix J.Section III.D.2(b)(ii) will assure air lock i
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sealing capability and r:ontainment integrity; therefore, this exemption will not increase the probability of accidents and post-accident radiological releases, nor otherwise affect radiological plant effluents. Therefore, the Comission concluders that there are no sigr.;ficar.t radiological environmental impacts associated with this proposed exemption.
With regard to potential non-radiological impacts, the proposed exemption r
involves systems located entirely within the restricted area as defined in i
i 10 CFR Part 20. The proposed exemption does not affect non-radiological plant i
effluents and has no other environmental impact. TM Cumission concludes that there are no significant non-radiological environmentai impacts associated with the proposed exemption.
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Alternative to the Proposed Action: The principal alternative would be for the Comission to deny the requested exemption.
This would result in increased l
costs and occupational exposure and would not reduce the environmental impacts of plant operation.
Alternative Use of Resources: This action does not involve the use of resources i
not previously considered in the Final Environmental Statement related to the operation of Comanche Peak Steam Electric Station, Units 1 and 2 (NUREG-0775),
j dated September 1981.
i Acencies and Persons Consulted: The NRC staff reviewed the applicant's request and applicable documents referenced therein that support this exemption for Comanche Peak, Unit 1.
The NRC did not consult other agencies I
or persons in preparing this assessment.
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4 FINDING OF NO SIGNIFICANT IMPACT The Commission has detemined that preparation of an environmental impact statement for this proposed action is not necessary. Based on the foregoing environmental assesssent, the Comission concludes that this action will not have a significant effect on the quality of the human environment.
For further details with respect to this action, see the applicant's request for exemption dated January 20, 1986. This document is available for public inspectica at the Comission's Public Document Room, 2120 L Street.
' N. W., Washington, D. C. 20555, and at the Local Public Document Room at the Somervell County Public Library on the Square P. O. Box 1417. Glen Rose, Texas 76043. The staff's evaluation of the request will be published in the Safety Evaluation Report related to the operation of the Comanche Peak Steen Electric Station Units 1 and 2 (NUREG-0797), Supplement No. 22, and will be available for inspection at the locations listed above.
Dated at Rockville, Maryland this 6th day of November, 1989.
FOR THE NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION l
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Christopher 1. Grimes, Director Comanche Peak Project Division Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation l
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