ML20205T551
| ML20205T551 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Site: | Palisades  |
| Issue date: | 11/07/1988 |
| From: | Quay T Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation |
| To: | |
| Shared Package | |
| ML20205T556 | List: |
| References | |
| NUDOCS 8811140283 | |
| Download: ML20205T551 (4) | |
Text
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7590-01 UNITED STATES NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION CONSUMERS POWER COMPANY a
DOCKET NO. 50-255 ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT AND FINDING OF NO SIGNIFICANT IMPACT The U. S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (the Commission) is considering issuance of an amendment to Provisional Operating License No. DPR-20 issued to Consumers Power Company (the licensee) for operation of Palisades Plant located in Van Buren County, Michigan.
ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT Identification of Proposed Action:
The proposed amendment would revise the provisions in the Technical Specifications (TSs) to add additional limitations to plant operation with less than four reactor primary coolant pumps operating; modify the reactor protection system setpoints, limiting conditions for operation and surveillance requirements 1
to reflect the modifications being made to the reactor protection syster; and revise the peaking factors and linear heat rate limits.
The proposed action is in accordance with the licensee's application for amendment dated March 25, 1988, as supplemented by a submittal dated June 17, 1988, and the licensee's application for amendment dated September 1, 1988.
The Need for the Proposed Action:
The proposed amendment is required in order to provide more operational margin to safety limits with a new reactor protection system installed during the present refueling outage, the Technical Specifications associated with the new system, additional limitations on operation with less than four reactor primary coolant pumps, and revised peaking factors and linear heat rate limits to reduce fluence on critical reactor welds.
8811140283 881107 PDR ADOCK 05000255 P
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Environmental Impacts of the Proposed Action:
The Commission has m pleted its evaluation of the proposed modifications to the reactor protection system and the revisions to the Technical Specifications.
The reactor protea. tion system modifications include a variable high power trip instead of the fixed high power trip at 106 percent of rated power.
The variable high power trip will be no more than 10 percent above the existing power but no greater than 106 percent of rated power, 2350 Mwt. The modifications include a new thermal margin monitor that has inputs from the upper i
and lower power range neutron detectors so that the axial power distribution in the core can be factored into the thermal margin monitor.
The previous thermal margin monitor used a fixed, conservative value for axial power distribution.
The associated Technical Specifications, both limiting conditions for operation and surveillance requirements, ensure that this system is operable when required.
The Technical Specification change for operation with less than four reactor primary coolant pumps in operation adds restrictions, not presently in the l
Technical Specifications, to preclude operation in a condition that could i
j produce consequencee greater than those determined from the analyses of design basis accidents.
The change in peaking factors and linear heat rate are supported by accident reanalyses that demonstrate that the design basis limits continue to be met.
Therefore, the proposed changes do not increase the l
probability or consequences of any accident, no changes are being made in the types of any effluents that say be released offsite, and there is no significant increase in the allowable individuel or cumulative occupational radiation i
i exposure.
Accordingly, the Commission concludes that the proposed action would i
result in no significant radiological environmental impact.
i
. With regard to potential nonradiological impacts, the proposed changes involve systems located within the restricted area as defined in 10 CFR Part 20.
They do not affect nonradiological plant effluents and have no other environmental impact.
Therefore, the Commission concludes that there are no significant nonradiological environmental impacts associated with the proposed amendment.
Notices of Consideration of Issuance of Amendment and Opportunity for Hearing in connect.'on with this action were published in the FEDERAL REGISTER on July 6, 1988 (53 FR 25397) and September 27, 1988 (53 FR 37663).
No request for hearing or petition for leave to intervene was filed following these notices.
Alternative to Pror.osed Action:
Since the Commissien concluded that there are no significi.nt environmental effects that would result from the proposed action, any alternatives with equal or greater environmental impacts need not be evaluated.
The principal alternative would be to deny the requested amendment.
This would not reduce eivironmental impacts of plant operation and would result in reduced operational flexibility.
Alternative Use of Resources:
.This action does not involve the use of any resources not previously considered in the Final Environmental Statement for the Palisades Plant dated June 1972.
Agencies and Persons Consulted:
The Commission's staff reviewed the licensee's requests and did not consult other agencies or persons.
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FINDING OF NO SIGNIFICANT IMPACT The Commission has determined not to prepare an environmental impact statement for the proposed license amendment.
Based upon the foregoing environmental assessment, we conclude 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 application for amendment dated March 25, 1988, as supplemented June 17, 1988, and the application for amendment dated September 1, 1988, which are availtble for public inspection at the Commission's Public Document Room, Gelman Building, 2120 L Street, NW., Washington, DC, and at the Van Zoeren Library, Hope College, Holland, Michigan 49423.
Dated at Rockville, Maryland, this7th day ofNovember 1988.
FOR THE NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION
&& v_. @.W.3 Theodore Onay, Acting Director Project 01rectorateIII-1 Division of Reactor Projects - III, IV, V
& Special Projects Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation l
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