ML20215B344
| ML20215B344 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Site: | Zion File:ZionSolutions icon.png |
| Issue date: | 09/23/1986 |
| From: | Leblond P COMMONWEALTH EDISON CO. |
| To: | Harold Denton Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation |
| References | |
| 1971K, NUDOCS 8610060519 | |
| Download: ML20215B344 (17) | |
Text
1l One Fwst Namonal Plaze, Chcago, Itinois Address Reply to: Post Omco Box 767 Chcago,lHinois 60600 0767 t
September 23, 1986 1
Mr. Harold.R. Denton, Director Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Convaission Washington, DC 20555
Subject:
Zion Nuclear Power Station Units 1 and 2 Proposed Amendment to Facility Operating License Nos. DPR-39 and DPR-48 40-Year Operating License NRC Docket Nos. 50-295 and 50-304 References (a): December 26, 1968 letter from P. A. Morris to W. B. Behnke transmitting Construction Permits CPPR-58 and 59.
(b): April 6, 1973 letter from K. R. Goeller to Byron Lee, Jr. transmitting Operating License DPR-39.
(c): November 14, 1973 letter from K. R. Goeller to Byron Lee, Jr. transmitting Operating License DPR-48.
(d): Final Environmental Statement for Zion Station - December, 1972.
(e): October 10, 1972 letter from R. C. DeYoung to Byron Lee, Jr. transmitting Zion's Safety. Evaluation Report.
Dear Mr. Denton:
Attachment I to this letter is a proposed amendment to Facility Operating Licenses DPR-39 and DPR-48.
This change will extend the duration of Zion's operating Licenses to allow for 40 years of operation. The current Zion Operating Licenses expire forty years from the issuance of reference (a) on December 26, 2008. This situation currently allows for an operating life of thirty-five years, eight months for Zion Unit I and thirty-five years, one month for Zion Unit 2.
Thus, an operating life extension of sspproximately four and one-half years for Zion Station will result from this Proposal to allow the Zion Operating Licenses to expire forty years from their issuance in references (b) and (c).
Reference (d) was the AEC's Final Environmental Statement related to the operation of Zion Station. Pages 1-iv contained the summary and conclusion of that document. Attachment 2 contains an update to the summary conclusions of reference (d) and concludes that there are no adverse environmental effects related to Zion's license extension.
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.Mr. H. R. Denton September 23, 1986 In addition, Attachment 3 provides the current population status and projections to the year 2015 along with a summary of environmental benefits and effects of this proposed license extension. provides a discussion of the effect of the license extension on Zion Station. The conclusion of Attachment 4 is that this proposed amendment is authorized by 10 CPR 50.51 and that the approximately four and one-half additional years of operation have been considered in Zion's initial design.
In addition, there are numerous pre-established programs and requireirents that will continue to assure the safe operation of Zion Station. to this letter is a demonstration that this issue involves no significant hazards consideration. The proposed amendment has received onsite and offsite review and approval.
A $150.00 fee remittance is enclosed in accordance with 10 CPR 170.
As provided by 10 CFR 50.91, the State of Illinois is being notified of this amendment request by transmittal of a copy of this letter and attachments.
If there are any further questions regarding this matter, please contact this office.
Three signed originals and thirty-seven copies of this transmittal and its attachments are being provided for your review.
Very truly yours, P. C. LeBlond Nuclear Licensing Administrator 1m Attachments i
cc:
J. A. Norris - NRR Region III Inspector - Zion M. C. Parker - State of IL f
SUBSCRIBED AND to before
_ $his,_
- day of (. fMt nt Lua, 1986 l
l Ohn Notary Public
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4 ATTAQWEENT 1 PROPOSED ZION COMPOSITE LICENSE CHANGES EXPIRATION DATE Pages Modified Composite License - DPR-39 Page 5 Composite License - DPR-48 Page 5 1
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DPR-39 (10) The Licensee shall implement a program which will ensure the capability to accurately determine the airborne iodine concentration in vital areas under accident conditions. This program shall include the following:
(added 4/20/81; Am. 63) 1.
Training of parsonnat, 2.
Procedures for monitoring,' and 3.
Provisions for maintenance of sampling and analysis equipment 3.
This amended license is issued without prejudice to subsequent licensing action which may be taken by the commission.
(revised 8/09/73; Am. 1) 4.
This amended license is effective as of the date of issuance and shall expire at midnight on April 6, 2013.
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-1 DPR-48 2.
Integrated leak test requirements for each system at a frequency not to exceed refueling cycle intervals.
(10) The Licensee shall implement a program which will ensure the capability to accurately determine the airborne iodine concentration in vital areas under accident conditions. This program shall include the following:
(added 4/20/81; Am. 60) 1.
Training of personnel, 2.
Procedures for monitoring, and 3.
Provisions for maintenance of sampling and analysis equipment 3.
This amended license is issued without prejudice to subsequent licensing action which may be taken by the commission.
(revised 8/02/74; Am. 1) 4.
This amended license is effective as of the date of issuance and shall expire at midnight on November 14, 2013.
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ATTACMENT 2 ENVIRONMENTAL STATEMENT REVIEW SUMEARY In support of the request to extend the duration of Zion's Operating License to forty years, the Final Environmental Statement (FES),
dated December, 1972, (reference (d))-has been reviewed for changes that may affect the findings summarized in the FES.
There have been no change to the zien Units 1 and 2 or ancillary station facilities that would cause any significant increase in environmental impacts from those discussed in the FES. Changes have been made which reduce or mitigate environmental impacts. One of the changes is in the treatment of the water from station floor drains (non-rad) and cribhouse sumps as well as
- the water from the station roof drains. This treatment reduces the quanti-ties of suspended solids and oil and grease discharged from the station property.
A summary of the current status of the conditions covered by the FES Conclusions (Item 3, page i of the FES) are discussed in the following items:
Original A Approximately 250 acres of beach and recreational dunes property bordering Lake Michigan and including about 2,000 feet of shoreline have been converted to industrial use. A large portion of the station site has been set aside as a natural habitat for small animals and plants native to the dune region.
Update The site size has remained unchanged. The portion of the station site that has been set aside as a natural habitat is west of the site and supports plants and animals native to dune regions.
Original B Access to the beach by the public at this site has been eliminated, and free passage along the beach from a public recreation area to the south of the site to private and public recreation areas to the north of the site has been restricted.
Update Free passage along the beach to the north and south of the site by the public is restricted. In addition, access to the beach by the public at this site remains restricted.
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J Original C Beach erosion has occurred in the Illinois Beach State Park immediately south of the site.
It is thought to have been caused by the temporary breakwater used during construction. The applicant has taken steps to retard the erosion and is committed to correct the condition after construction is completed.
Update Steps have besn taken to restore and retard beach erosion in the Illinois Beach State Park immediately south of the site. Efforts between Commonwealth Edison and the Illinois Department of Conservation in 1973 resulted in some beach restoration. Approximately 70,000 cubic yards of sand were transported to the beach site to correct this condition. In addition, sheet piling, shoreline riprap and placement of stone blocks were put in place to retain sand and to encourage sand deposition by wave action and literal drift. This activity was conducted to reestablish the 1972 beach line to a depth and equivalent volume to what was eroded.
In 1984, a monitoring program was established to document the success of the project.
In 1984, an additional 85,000 cubic yards of sand was added to the Illinois State Beach State Park shore line to supplement sand that had been lost from the shore line because of attrition and the all time high lake level that seems to accelerate attrition. Attrition of sand is occurring here as well as other similar areas. This will continue until there is a reversal and normalization of lake elevation. Monitoring for this effort is being continued.
Original D The station employs once through cooling of the condensers and will discharge the heated water directly to Lake Michigan. At full power the total station cooling water flow of 1,530,000 gpm (3,410 cfs) will be heated about 20*F.
The heated discharge will rise and form a surface plume. The area of lake surface enclosed by the 3*F excess (above ambient) isotherm is calculated to be as much as 920 acres.
1 Update There has been no change in the discharge from Zion Station as described in the FES. The heated discharge is in compliance with the conditions of the NPDES permit (Permit No. IL 0002763, issued November 29, 1974, renewed September 30, 1985) and all related water quality regulations as set forth in Title 35, subtitle C, Chapter 1.
Water Pollution Rules and Regulations of the Illinois Pollution Control Board.
. original E Juvenile'and adult fish entrained by the intake flow will probably be trapped in the forebay or killed by impingement on the bar racks or traveling screens. Although the 2,600 feet off shore intake location of the nets (which the applicant presently proposes to install surrounding the existing intake structure) will reduce such impingement, the intake flow velocity is very high in comparison with most other plants for which impingement data is available. At the existing intake structure the water flow velocity is calculated to be about 2.4 ft/sec maximum during normal, warm weather operation and 3.7 ft/sec maximum during winter operation with deicing of the intake structure. The station impingement kill will be
- seasonally variable and possibly high during time colder muutim.
Update Commonwealth Edison has installed a blocking net around the intake structure during periods of the year when fish activity is the greatest in the near shore waters where the intake structure is located. The net is placed around the intake structure in spring since our historic data regarding fish activity in the area has shown that this is the time of year when the greatest number of fish are in the in shore waters and are potentially available for impingement. The net remains in the water as a protective barrier around the intake structure until late September, when it is removed. Data collected in 1974 and 1975 prior to and after installation has demonstrated that a net around the intake structure was effective in reducing impingement (Commonwealth Edison Zion 316(b) Demonstration Report, page 13, April 1, 1976).
The blocking net is constructed of one inch bar mesh treated with asphalt to reduce the likelihood that fish will become gilled on the net as water enters the station. The net is located 50 feet from the edge of the intake structure intake parts, in all dimensions.
Monitoring has shown that fish assemblages in the in shore udters are lower in the colder months unlike what is stated in Item e of the FES.
Original F A fraction of the aquatic animal life which passes through the station's condenser cooling and service water systems will be killed. All aquatic life which passes through these systems will be subjected to mechanical and thermal (with intermittent chemical) stresses. Similarly, organisms entrained in, attracted to, or otherwise affected by the thermal discharge will be subjected to a complex set of direct and indirect influ-ences, some of which are judged locally adverse. The biological effects of l
condenser passage and the thermal discharge, however, are not expected to produce major local degradation, and no significant adverse impact on lake populations is anticipated.
Update This effect remains unchanged as discussed in the FES.
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. Original G The station employs a mechanical system for condenser cleaning and, as a result, only relatively small quantities of chemicals are required for operation of the service water and non-radioactive liquid waste systems.
The controlled, intermittent releases of these chemicals and their dilution with the condenser cooling water will result in concentrations sufficiently low that measurable adverse impact on aquatic life is not expected.
Update The intermittent releases of non-radiological chemicals required for station operation are in compliance with NPDES Permit No. IL 0002763.
Original H The transmission lines construction involves only about six miles of new right-of-way out of about 89 circuit miles being constructed. These lines do not appear to have produced significant adverse impacts on the environment. The applicant will be required to comply with the Bureau of Sport Fisheries and Wildlife Resource Publication 48, Chemical Vegetation Control Manual for Fish and Wildlife Management Programs, on the use of herbicides and pesticides.
In addition, the applicant will not be permitted to apply 2-4-ST herbicide near residences, food crops or water supplies.
Update The use of 2-4-ST herbicides was discontinued in 1979, otherwise there have been no other changes to what was described in the FES.
Original I The station will discharge to the environment approximately 10 curies per year of radioactive liquid waste, in addition to about 2,000 curies per year of tritium. Approximately 5,700 curies per year of gaseous wastes will also be discharged. These radioactive wastes will have a small impact on the environment and the general public compared to that experienced through natural background radiation.
Update The discharges have been lower than the FES estimates.
For example, in 1985 the station discharged 2.03 curies of radioactive liquid waste, 585 curies of tritium and 3,810 curies of gaseous wastes.
. Original J A very low probability of risk of accidental radiation exposure to the population will be created.
Update The probability of risk of accidental radiation exposure to the population remains at the very low-level shown in the FES.
Original K Some beneficial effects on the local economy will result from operation of the plant.
Update These remain unchanged from what was discussed in the FES. The changes that have taken place will be related to the escalating local economy, including taxes, not discussed in the FES.
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ATTACIGENT 3 SUIGUutY OF POPULATION DENSITY AND BENEFITS / EFFECTS POPULATION The changes in population density have been reviewed. The current 1980 population of the local area, 0-5 miles, is estimated to be 39,243.
The FES estimate for 1970 for the same area is 46,196. The nearest population center, the City of Zion, had a 1980 population of 17,783.
In 1970, the population was 17,126. The current 1980 population for the 0-50 mile area is estimated to be 7,370,532. There was no comparable estimate in the FES.
A population projection to the year 2015 for the 0-50 radius around Zion Station shows 8,104,300 people. There was no comparable population projection in the FES.
StaunarY of Benefits -
The primary benefit from continued operation of Zion Units 1 and 2 will be the continued operation of electricity which would have to be produced by other means if both units were to be retired. At present, this would.'ncrease production from' higher cost units.
The number of employees at the station has risen from 200 to the present 561 for maintenance and operation of the units. This does not include contract security force or other contractors. The employees and l
their families are integrated into the existing infra-structures of the area.
The estimated payroll for the station has risen from $2.6 million to approximately 23.3 million 1986 dollars.
In addition to the company employees, the contract security force and other contractors, provide employment opportunities for local residents.
The property taxes for the station have risen from $5.2 million annually to $11.7 million for 1984 taxes paid in 1985, all of which goes to local taxing bodies.
The 1986 budget for contract payments which include refueling, maintenance and waste disposal is estimated to be approximately $17.2 million. These contracts are based on competitive bids so that no local estimate can be made as to the monetary value of the local economy.
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. Summary of Effects Continued operation of Units 1 and 2 will extend the use of the 250 acres of land dedicated to the station and as a natural habitat for small animals and plants native to the dune operation.
Water use effects will be extended. However, no significant aquatic impacts have been detected during periods of station operation. A net has been installed around the intake structure from spring to September to lessen fish impingement during this time period. During the remainder of the time when the net is not installed, fish impingement is low.
Radiological Effects operation of Zion has not resulted in total effluent releases beyond allowable limits prescribed in Title 10, CFR parts 20, 50, and 40 CPR Part 190.
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ATTACISBNT 4 EFFECT OF LICENSE EXTENSION ON ZION STATION Zion Station was designed for forty years of operation as discussed in Section 4.1.6 of Zion's PSAR. This forty year design life included consideration of the cyclic application of pressure loadings and' thermal transients. The NRC's review of Zion's design was documented in reference (e). However, the Zion licenses, references (b) and (c), currently expire forty years from the issuance of Zion's Construction Permit on December 26, 1968 (reference (a)). This has resulted in a currently licensed operating life of thirty-five years, eight months for Unit 1 and thirty-five years, one month for Unit 2.
Thus, the current operating life of Zion Station is approximately four and one-half years less than the plant's design life.
10 CFR 50.51 provides the legal basis for the issuance of licenses that allow for a full forty years of operation by stating; Bach license will be issued for a fixed period of time to be specified in the license but in no case to exceed 40 years from the date of issuance. Where the operation of a facility is involved, the Commission will issue the license for the term requested by the applicant or for the estimated useful life of the facility if the Commission determines that the estimated useful life is less than the term requested.
This proposed change seeks to utilize this authority and alter the l
expiration date of the Zion licenses to April 6, 2013 for Unit 1 and November 14, 2013 for Unit 2.
This will provide a full forty year operating life for the Zion units.
As discussed above, the useful life of Zion Station was intended to be forty years. In addition, the thermal and loading cycles listed in Table 4.1.10 of Zion's original FSAR were considered during the design process.
Zion Station monitors a number of these cycles and has determined that in the most limiting case, only 18% of the design cycles have been actually experienced during the first 33% (approximately 13 years) of plant operating life. This indicates that Zion Station has not experienced any unanticipated duty. Thus, the useful life of Zion Station remains at the forty-year design life.
However, the fact that Zion's useful operating life was designed to be a full forty years does not imply that components will not wear out during this time frame. The surveillance and inspection programs that have been implemented in accordance with the CFR, ASME Standards, and the Technical Specifications ensure that Zion Station will continue to operate as 1
designed. In addition, these programs provide assurance that any unexpected degradation will be detected and corrected.
.. Examples of these requirements and programs include; (1) The reactor vessel surveillance program established in accordance with 10 CPR 50, Appendix H.
(2) The fracture toughness requirements delineated in 10 CFR 50, Appendix G.
(3) The fracture toughness requirements established in 10 CPR 50.61 for protection against postulated Pressurized Thermal Shock I
events.
(4) The requirement to consider the effects of aging during the environmental qualification of electrical equipment, as required by 10 CPR 50.49.
(5) The inspection and testing requirements of the ASME Standards, as required by 10 CFR 50.55a.
(6) The surveillance and operability requirements contained in the Zion Technical Specifications.
(7) The design control reviews required by 10 CFR 50.59, which ensure the preservation of the intended plant safety design functions.
The above are examples of programs and requirements that have been implemented by Commonwealth Edison Company at Zion Station. The applicable programs and requirements will remain in effect throughout the remainder of Zion's forty year life providing continued assurance that Zion Station will operate safely and within all design limits.
In summary, the extension of Zion's licensed operating life to forty years is authorized by 10 CFR 50.51.
The additional five years of operation will have no adverse effect on the actual operation of Zion Station due to the pre-established programs that will continue to ensure safe operation as Zion fulfills its original design lifetime.
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ATTACISBNT 5 l
-EVALUATION OF SIGNIFICANT HAZARDS CONSIDERATION PROPOSED CHANGES TO FACILITY OPERATING LICENSES. DPR-39 AND DPR-48 DESCRIPTION OF AMENDMENT REQUEST An amendment to the Zion Facility Operating License is proposed to extend the operating life of Zion to 40 years.
BACKGROUND 10 CFR 50.92 states that a proposed amendment will involve a no significant hazards consideration if the proposed amendment does not:
(1) Involve a significant increase in the probability or consequences of an accident previously evaluated; or (2) Create the possibility of a new or different kind of accident from any accident previously evaluated; or (3) Involve a significant reduction in a margin of safety.
The discussion below addresses each of these three criteria and demonstrates that the proposed amendment involves a no significant hazards consideration.
i BASIS FOR NO SIGNIFICANT HAZARDS CONSIDERATION DETERMINATION Does the proposed amendment:
(1) Involve a significant increase in the probability or consequences l
of an accident previously evaluated; or
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. d (2) Create the possibility of a new or different kind of accident from any accident previously evaluated; or (3) Involve a significant reduction in a margin of safety?
DISCUSSION - ITEM 1 4
Zion Station will continue to be operated within its design limits.
The programs and requirements discussed in Attachment 4 will ensure that that plant's systems and components will continue to perform their intended function. This results in the continued validity of the assumptions and results of the Zion safety analysis.
In addition, the proposed license extension will result in a forty year operating life for Zion Station. Attachment 4 demonstrated that Zion Station was originally designed for a forty year operating life and that plant thermal cycles are being experienced at a rate that is less than that considered during Zion's design. Thus, the Station has not been experiencing any unexpected duty that cculd result in accelerated aging.
The extension of Zion's operating life to forty years will also not affect any external phenomena such as the occurrence of an earthquake or a tornado. Thus, t!.e above discussion indicates that the probability of a previously analyzed accident will be unaltered due to the license extension because the overall plant performance is not expected to be altered. Zion Station will not be operated beyond its forty year life and all components i
will continue to function as intended. Thus, the probability of any accident occurring is unaltered.
The consequences of any previously evaluated accident will be likewise unaffected. Since the plant's system and component operability will be preserved, the applicable safety functions will always be available..Thus, the consequences of a postulated accident will not be altered from the previous evaluations.
i DISCUSSION - ITEM 2 As discussed above and in Attachment 4, there will be no change in the operating conditions for Zion Station as a result of the license extension. There are no new factors, parameters, or conditions that might affect Zion Station. Since the plant operating conditions will not be altered, then the possibility for a new or different kind of accident could not be created.
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.- DISCUSSION - ITEM 3 All plant systems and components will continue to function as intended. This will be ensured by the programs and requirements discussed above and in Attachment 4.
This would include the maintenance of all pertinent plant safety functions. Since all safety functions will continue to be available and since safety system performance will not degrade, then the = rgin of safety will not be altered.
Therefore, since the application for amendment satisfies the criteria specified in 10 CPR 50.92, Commonwealth Edison has made a determi-nation that the application involves no significant hazards consideration.
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