ML20207M926

Environ Assessment & Finding of No Significant Impact Re Issuance of Amends to Licenses DPR-39 & DPR-48.Amends Would Authorize Util to Remove Boron Injection Tank & Associated Piping,Valves & Heat Trace for Recirculation

ML20207M926
Person / Time
Site:	Zion  File:ZionSolutions icon.png
Issue date:	10/13/1988
From:	Muller D Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation
To:
References
NUDOCS 8810180424
Download: ML20207M926 (5)

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7590-01 UNITED STATES NUCLEAk CEGULATORY COMMISSION COMMONWEALTH EDISON COMPANY

, DOCKET NOS. 50-295 AND 50-304 ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT AND FINDING 0F NO SIGNIFICANT IMPACT The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (the Commission) is considering issuance of amendments to Facility Operating Licenses Nos. OPR-39 and DPR-48, issued to the Commonwealth Edison Company (CECO, the licensee) for Zion Nuclear Power Station, Units 1 and 2, located in Lake County, Illinois.

ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT:

Identification of Proposed Action:

The proposed amendments to Facility Operating License Nos. OPR-39 and DPR-48, Appendix A Sections 3.2, 3.4, 3.8. and 3.9 would authorize Zion Station to remove Boron injecticn Tank (BIT) and the associated piping, valves and heat trace for recirculation between the BIT dnd the Boric Acid Tanks (BAT).

These revisions to the licenses of Zion Nuclear Power Station, Units 1 and 2 would be made in response to thi licensee's application for amendaent dated June 9, 1988, i

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Need For The Proposed Action:

Improvements in the analytical techniques used for the Final Safety AnalysisReport(FSAR)accidentanalyseshaveshownthattheBITconcentration can be reduced or the entire BIT can be removed in Westinghouse nuclear steam supply system plants. The high boric acid concentrations currently required in the BIT pose o trational and maintenance problems such as maintaining of minimum volumes and concentrations in boric acid system tanks, heat tracing nulfunctions, BIT valve testing, recovery from inadvertent safety injection and entering into Technical Specification Limiting Conditions of Operation to accomplish these repairs. The detrimental consequences of high boric acid concentrations are also factors that contribute to the emergency core cooling systen's inoperability.

Environrental Impact of the Proposed Action:

The licensee contracted Westinghouse to reanalyze the FSAR accident sequences involving postulated steam 11ne break accidents, the consequences of which are mitigated by BIT. Westinghouse performed the reanalysis using improved analytical techniques and prepared the "Report For The Boron Concentration Reduction / Boron Injection Tank Elimination For Zion Units 1 and 2"(Report). The Report concluded that Zion Units 1 and 2 may reduce the boron concentration in the BIT to 0 ppm or remove the BIT entirely.

The Commission has reviewed these analyses and finds that potential radiological releases during norral operations, transients, and for accidents would not be increased over those considered in the Final Environmental Statement related to Operation of Zioq Nuclear Power Station, Units 1 and 2, dated December 1972.

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involve systems loca w . r' :ted area as 2 fined fn 10 CFR Part 20. They do nc. .

, ,. cal plant effluents and h:ve no other environmental impact, i re, the Commission also concludes that there are no significant non-radiological environmental impacts associated with the proposed amendtrents.

Accordingly, the Cortmission findings in the Final Environmental Statement related to Operation of Zion Nuclear Power Station Units 1 and 2 dated December 1972, regarding radiological and non-radiological environtrental impacts from the plant during rormal operation or after accident are not adversely altered by this action.

Tne Notice of Consideration of Issuance of Atrendment and Opportunity for Hearing in connection with this action was published in the Federal Reaister on September 8,1988(53FR34849). No request for hearing or petition for leave to intervene was filed following this notice.

Alternate to the Proposed Actions:

The principal alternative would be to deny the requested anendrrent. This would not reduce environtrental irrpacts of plant operation and would result in reduced operational flexibility.

Since the Commission has concluded that no significant environmental effects are associated with this proposed action, any alternatives with equal or greater environmental impact need not be evaluated.

Alternative Use of Resources:

This action does not involve the use -f resources not previously considered in the Final Environtrental Staterrent for the Zion Nuclear Power Station, Units 1 and 2 dated December 1972.

, Agencies and Persons Consulted:

The NRC staff reviewed the licensee's request of June 9, 1988 and did not consult other agencies or persons.

QNDINGOFNOSIGNIFICANTIMPACT:

The Comission has detemined not to prepare an environmental impact statement for the proposed license amendment.

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

For further details ;ith respect to this action, see the request for amendments dated June 9,1988 and the Final Environmental Statement for Zion Nuclear Power Station, Units 1 and 2 dated December 1972, which are available for public inspection at the Comission's Public Document Room, 2120 L Street, N.W., Washington, D.C., 20555 and at the Waukeegan Public Library,128 N. County Street, Waukeegan, Illinois 60085.

Dated at Reckville, Maryland this 13th day of October 1988.

FOR THE NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION v

Daniel R. Muller, Director Project Directorate !!!-2 Division of Reactor Projects - !!!,

IV, V and Special Projects

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_4 Agencies and Persons Consulted:

The NRC staff reviewed the licensee's request of June 9,1988 and did not consult other agencies or persons.

FINDING OF N0 SIGNIFICANT IMPACT:

The Comission has determined not to prepare an environmental impact statement for the proposed license amendment.

Based upon this environmental assessment, the Commission concludes that the proposed action will not have a significant effect on the quality of the human envirorvnent.

For further details with respect to this action, see the request for amendments dated June 9,1988 and the Final Environnental Statement for Zion Nuclear Power Station, Units 1 and 2 dated December 1972, which are available for public inspection at the Conmission's Public Document Room, 2120 L Street, N.W., Washington, D.C., 20555 and at the Waukeegan Public Library, 128 N. County Street, Waukeegan, Illinois 60085.

Dated at Rockville, Maryland this 13th day of October 1988.

FOR THE NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION

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Daniel R, Muller, Director Project Directorate III-2 Division of Reactor Projects - III,

' IV, V and Special Projects l DISTRIBUTION:

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