ML20035B181
| ML20035B181 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Site: | Zion File:ZionSolutions icon.png |
| Issue date: | 03/24/1993 |
| From: | Dyer J Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation |
| To: | |
| Shared Package | |
| ML20035B179 | List: |
| References | |
| NUDOCS 9303310320 | |
| Download: ML20035B181 (5) | |
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7590-01 UNITED STATES NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION COMMONWEALTH EDISON COMPANY ZION NUCLEAR POWER STATION. UNITS 1 AND 2 DOCKET N05. 50-295 AND 50-304 ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT AND FINDING OF NO SIGNIFICANT IMPACT 1
The U. 'S. Nuclear Regulatory Comission (the Commission) is considering issuance of exemptions from the requirements of Sections III.G.2, III.G.2.b and III.G.3 of Appendix R to 10 CFR Part 50 to Commonwealth Edison Company (the licensee), for the Zion Nuclear Power Station, Units 1 and 2, located in Lake County, Illinois.
ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT Identification of Proposed Action In a letter dated August 5, 1992, the licensee requested seven exemptions and documented a revision to a previous exemption from 10 CFR Part 50, Appendix R, as a result of a recent reassessment of the combustible load values in fire zones and areas. The exemption requests are all revisions of previous requests that were either granted or found to be unnecessary by the NRC staff. The following is a summary of the stated exemption requests.
1.
Due to increased combustible loading in the main control room and auxiliary electric equipment room, the licensee requests a revised exemption from the requirements of 10 CFR Part 50, Appendix R, Section III.G.3, for an i
area wide fixed suppression system.
This exemption would increase the allowable combustible loading in these I
areas.
2.
Due to increased combustible loading in the component cooling water I
pump area, auxiliary feedwater pump area, auxiliary building elevations 592',
i 617', and 642' and main steam pipe tunnels, the licensee requests a revised 9303310320 930324 PDR ADOCK 05000295 P
PDR i
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. exemption from the requirements of 10 CFR Part 50, Appendix R, Section III.G.2.b, for area wide detection and suppression and for 20 feet of separation between redundant safe shutdown components.
This exemption would increase the allowable combustible loading in these areas.
3.
Due to increased combustible loading in the outer and inner crib horse, the licensee requests a revised exemption from the requirements of 10 CFR Part 50, Appendix R, Section III.G.2, for redundant circuits to be separated by a 3-hour barrier, or an alternate shutdown capability independent of the areas.
This exemption would increase the allowable combustible loading in these areas.
4.
The licensee previously requested an exemption from the requirements of 10 CFR Part 50, Appendix R, Section III.G.2.b, for area wide detection and
[
suppression and for 20 feet of separation between redundant safe shutdown components as they apply to the auxiliary building, elevation 542', residual heat removal pump room area.
In a safety evaluation report dated June 7, 1988, the NRC staff' concluded an exemption was not required for the 542' elevation because the existing fire protection features in conjunction with cold shutdown repair procedures meet the technical requirements of Section III.G.I b of Appendix R to 10 CFR Part 50 and related staff guidance. Since this conclusion was independent of the combustible loading, the exemption it not affected by the increased combustible loading of which the licensee-is notifying the NRC staff.
O
. The Need for the Proposed Action The licensee's reassessment of the combustible load values in fire zones and areas has identified the need for several exemptions from 10 CFR Part 50, i
Appendix R.
The proposed exemptions are needed to permit the licensee to operate the plant without being in violation of the Commission's requirements.
Environmental Impacts of the Proposed Action The proposed exemptions will provide a degree of fire protection that is adequate for the affected areas of the plant such that there is no increase in the risk of fires at this facility.
Furthermore, the proposed exemptions would not adversely impact the capability to safely shut down the plant in the event of a fire; would not pose a threat to fuel cladding integrity; would not pose a threat to containment integrity; and would provide an acceptable level of safety, equivalent to that attained by compliance with Sections III.G.2, III.G.2.b and Ill.G.3 of Appendix R to 10 CFR Part 50.
Based on considerations discussed above, the Commission concludes that granting the proposed exemptions will not increase the probability of an accident and will not result in any post-accident radiological releases in excess of those sreviously determined for the Zion Nuclear Power Station. The proposed f
exemptions would not otherwise affect radiological plant effluents, nor result i
I in any significant occupational exposure.
With regard to potential non-radiological impacts, the proposed exemptions involve features located within the restricted area as defined in 10 CFR Part 20. They do not affect non-radiological plant effluents and have no other environmental impact.
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. Therefore, the Commission concludes that there are no significant i
radiological or non-radiological environmental impacts associated with the proposed exemptions.
Alternative to the Proposed Action Since the Commission has concluded that there are no measurable environmental impacts associated with the proposed exemptions, any alternatives with equal or greater environmental impact need not be evaluated.
The principal alternative would be to deny the exemptions and require rigid j
compliance with the requirements of 10 CFR Part 50, Appendix R, Sections III.G.2, III.G.2.b and III.G.3. Such action would not enhance the protection of the environment.
Furthermore, requiring installation of modifications to bring the plant into compliance with 10 CFR Part 50, Appendix R, in lieu of the revised exemptions would result in additional costs to the licensee, including loss of income from generating power, without adding any benefits already available by existing plant systems or proposed compensatory measures.
Alternative Use of Resources This action does not involve the use of any resources not previously considered in connection with the Nuclear Regulatory Commission's Final I
Environmental Statement, dated December 1972, related to the operation of the Zion Nuclear Power Station, Units 1 and 2.
Aaencies and persons Consulted i
The NRC staff reviewed the licensee's submittal that supports the proposed exemptions discussed above. The NRC staff did not consult other agencies or persons.
D
- 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 staff concludes that the proposed action will not have a significant effect on the quality of the human environment.
For further details with respect to this action, see the licensee's request for exemption dated August 5,1992, which is available for public inspection at the Commission's Public Document Room, 2120 L Street, NW.,
j Washington, DC and at the Waukegan Public Library,128 North County Street, Waukegan, Illinois 60085.
Dated at Rockville, Maryland, this 24th day of March 1993.
FOR THE NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION U{4 $.
$V James E. Dyer, Director Project Directorate III-2 Division of Roactor Projects III/IV/V Office of Nuciear Reactor Regulation t