ML20042G199
| ML20042G199 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Site: | Rancho Seco |
| Issue date: | 05/04/1990 |
| From: | Larkins J Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation |
| To: | |
| Shared Package | |
| ML20042G198 | List: |
| References | |
| NUDOCS 9005110216 | |
| Download: ML20042G199 (4) | |
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3' 7590-01 UNITED STATES NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION t
SACRAMENTO MUNICIPAL UTILITY DISTRICT i
DOCKET NO. 50-312 ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT AND FINDING OF NO SIGNIFICANT IMPACT j
The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (the Commission) is considering.
issuance of an exemption from the requirements of 10 CFR 55.45(b) and the requirements to use a simulation facility to grant or maintain operators' licenses to the Sacramento Municipal Utility District (SMUD, the licensee) for~
i the Rancho Seco Nuclear Generating Station located in Sacramento County, California.
ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT:
Identification of Proposed Action:
The proposed action would grant an exemption from the requirements for a simulationfacilityandsimulatortrainingper10CFR55.45(b).
In addition, the proposed action would include exemption from requirements to use a simulation facility to grant or maintain operators' licenses in satisfying the requirementsof10CFR55.59(a)(2)and(c)(3)and10CFR55.33(a)(2). By letter dated February 13, 1990, the licensee requested an exemption from the above specified requirements of 10 CFR 55 " Operators' Licenses."
The Need for the Proposed Action:
The requirements of 10 CFR 55 for a simulation facility are designed for operating power reactors. The licensee ceased power operations at Rancho Seco on June 7, 1989 and completed defueling the reactor vessel on December 8, 1989,
-with all fuel stored in the spent fuel pool.
In the defueled condition, the principal operator activity will be to monitor and maintain the spent pool c305110216 900504 1 DR ADOCK 0500 [2, r
storage. facility to assure the continued safe storage of special' nuclear J
material and ensure that public health and safety is not compromised.
In addition, there are no plant-referenced simulator or simulator devices that reflect the current defueled condition of Rancho Seco. The request for an-1 exemption from requirements for a simulation facility per 10 CFR 55.45(b) is
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based on'the-above plant conditions and the licensee's intent not to resume power operations at Rancho Seco.
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Environmental Impact of the Proposed Action:
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The proposed exemption does not affect the risk of facility accidents due to the defueled condition of the plant. With the reactor vessel defueled and-1 m
l-the licensee not intending to resume power operations at Rancho Seco, there I
are no longer any credible design basit accidents associated with an operating plant from start-up through full power operations. Design basis accidents for.a nuclear facility in a defueled condition are all associated b
.with loss of fuel pool water inventory or with fuel handling. 'Because of the 1
L geometric storage arrangement of. the fuel assemblies underwater, a criticality accident is not considered credible.
In addition, because all fuel is removed from the reactor and placed in long term storage in the spent fuel pool, the l
possibility of a fuel handling accident is further diminished. The operator E
training which remains, without the use of a simulation facility, ensures L
protection of the public health and safety and is consistent with the defueled L
i condition.
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The. post-accident radiological releases will not differ from those-determined previously, and the proposed exemption does not otherwise affect facility radiological effluents, or any significant occupational exposures; With regard to potential non radiological impacts, the proposed exemption does not affect plant non radiological effluents and has no other adverse environmental impact. Therefore, the Commission concludes there are no measurable radiological or non radiological environmental impacts associated I-
~ with the proposed exemption.
Since the Commission has concluded there is no measurable environmental e
impact' associated with the proposed e'xemption, any alternative will either
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have no environmental impact or will have a greater environmental impact. The
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L principal: alternative to the exemption would be to require a simulation facility. Such action would not enhance the protection of the environment and l
would result in unnecessary drain of licensee and Commission resources.
Alternate Use of Resources:
This action does not involve the use of resources not considered l
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previously in the Final Environmental Statement for the Rancho Seco Nuclear i
Generating Station.
l Agencies and persons Consulted:
3 The.NRC staff reviewed the licensee's request and did not consult other J
agencies or persons.
5 FINDING OF NO SIGNIFICANT IMPACT:
The Commission has determined not to prepare an environmental impact statement for the proposed exemption.
Based upon the environmental assessment, l
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the NRC staff concludes that the proposed action will not have a significant effect on the quality of~the human environment.
FOR THE NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION n w John T. Larkins'. Acting Director Project Directorate V Division of Reactor Projects III IV,.V and Special Projects Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation Datedat Rockville, Maryland this 4th day of May 1990, i
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