ML20099J067

Notice of Environ Assessment & Finding of No Significant Impact Re Application for Amend to License DPR-22,changing Aprm/Rod Block Monitor/Tech Spec Improvement Program

ML20099J067
Person / Time
Site:	Monticello
Issue date:	11/09/1984
From:	Lainas G Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation
To:
Shared Package
ML20099J071	List: ML20099J067
References
NUDOCS 8411280472
Download: ML20099J067 (3)

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7590-01 UNITED STATES NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION NORTHERN STATES POWER COMPANY MONTICELLO NUCLEAR GENERATING PLANT DOCKET NO. 50-263 NOTICE OF ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT AND-

' FINDING OF N0'SIGNIFICANT IMPACT The U. S. Nuclear-Regulatory Commission (the Commission) is considering:

the issuance of an amendment to Facility Operating License No. DPR-22 issued to Northern States Power Company, (NSP/the licensee) for operation of the Monticello Nuclear Generating Plant, (the facility), located in Wright 4

County, Minnesota.

ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT P

Identification of Proposed Action:

l The proposed action would permit the licensee to implement changes (called the Average Power Range Monitor / Rod Block Monitor / Technical Specification (ARTS) Improvement Program) to the Monticello Nuclear i

Generating Plant and Technical Specifications as described in its letter of May 30, 1984, as supplemented May 31, September 6, and October 17, 1984.

The Need for the Proposed Action:

The need for the proposed action is to:

(i) reduce the need for l

manual setpoint adjustments and allow for more direct thermal limit administration; (ii) improve the_ quality of electronic hardware in the Rod Block Monitor; and (iii) change certain operating limits to bring about i

consistency among the various changes being implemented.

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8411280472 841109 PDR ADOCK 05000263 P

PDR i-

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. Environmental Impacts of the Proposed Action:

The proposed action improves the accuracy of indications provided to the operator for control of thermal parameters in the reactor. While the proposed amendment changes a number of operating control features, the net power level is unchanged and the response of the reactor protection systen under accident conditions is unchanged. Thus, post-accident radiological releases will not be greater than previously determined, nor does the proposed change otherwise affect radiological plant effluents.

Occupational exposures to radiation would also be unaffected. Therefore, the Commission concludes that there are no significant radiological environmental impacts associated with this proposed amendment.

With regard to potential non-radiological impacts, the proposed change involves systems located within the restricted area as defined in 10 CFR Part 20. Therefore, the Commission concludes that there are no significant nonradiological environmental impacts associated with the proposed change.

Since we have concluded that there is no measurable environmental impact associated with the proposed changes to the Technical Specifications, any alternatives to these changes will have either no

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environmental impact or greater environmental impact.

The principal alternative would be to deny the requested amendment.

This would not reduce environmental impacts of plant operation.

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~ Alternative Use of Resources:

This action would involve no use of resources not previously considered in connection with the Final Environmental Statement related to operation (Final Environmental Statement dated November 1972).

Agencies and Persons Consulted:

The Commission's staff reviewed the licensee's request and did not consult other agencies or persons.

FINDING 0F N0 SIGNIFICANT IMPACT The Commission has determined not to prepare an environmental impact statement for the proposed license amendment.

Based upon the foregoing environmental assessment, the Commission concludes that the prcposed action will not have a significant effect on the quality of the human environment.

For further details with respect to this action, see the application for amendment dated May 30, 1984, as supplemented by letters dated May 31, September 6, and October 17, 1984, which is available for public inspection at the Commisgion's Public Document Room, 1717 H Street, N. W., Washington, D. C., and at the local public document room located at the Environmental Conservation Library, 300 Nicollet Mall, Minneapolis, Minnesota.

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Dated at Bethesda, Maryland, this 9th day of November,1984, FOR THE NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION

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Gus C. Lainas, Assistant Director for Operating Reactors Division of Licensing

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