ML20237C501
| ML20237C501 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Site: | Surry  |
| Issue date: | 08/18/1998 |
| From: | Edison G NRC (Affiliation Not Assigned) |
| To: | |
| Shared Package | |
| ML20237C502 | List: |
| References | |
| NUDOCS 9808210222 | |
| Download: ML20237C501 (5) | |
Text
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4 7590-01-P UNITED STATES NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION i
VIRGINIA ELECTRIC AND POWER COMPANY l
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SURRY POWER STATION. UNITS 1 AND 2 J
DOCKET NOS. 50-280 AND 50-281 ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT AND FINDING OF NO SIGNIFICANT IMPACT The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (the Commission)is considering issuance of an exemption from certain requirements of its regulations with respect to Facility Operating License No. DPR 32 and Facility Operating License No. DPR 37, issued to Virginia Electric and Power Company (VEPCO, the licensee) for operation of the Surry Power Station (SPS), Units 1 and 2 i
l located in Surry County, Virginia.
ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT Identification of Proposed Action:
The proposed action is in accordance with the licensee's application dated March 3,1998, as supplemented May 5,1998, conceming the use of respiratory protection equipment which has not been tested by the NationalInstitute for Occupational Safety and Health /Mine Safety and Health Administration (NIOSH/MSHA). Pursuant to 10 CFR 20.2301, the licensee has requested exemptions from the following:
1.
10 CFR 20.1703(a)(1) which requires that "..... the licensee shall use only respiratory protection equipment that is :ested and cenified or had certification extended by NIOSH/MSHA;"
2.
10 CFR 20.1703(c) which requires that "the licensee shall use as emergency devices only respiratory protection equipment that has been specifically certified or had certification extended for emergency use by NIOSH/MSHA;" and 3.
10 CFR Part 20 Appendix A, Protection Factors for Respirators, Footnote d.2.(d), which states, in part, that "..... the protection factors apply for atmosphere-supplying respirators only when supplied with adequste respirable air. Respirable air shall be provided of the quality and quantity required in accordance with NIOSH/MSHA certification (described in 30 CFR Par 111). Oxygen and air shall not be used in the same apparatus."
9808210222 980818 PDR ADOCK 05000280 P
2 The Need for the Prooosed Action:
Subpart H to 10 CFR Part 20,
- Respiratory Protection and Controls to Restrict Intemal Exposure in Restricted Areas" states in 10 CFR 20.1702, "When it is not practical... to control the concentrations of radioactive material in air to values below those that define an airbome radioactivity area, the licensee shall, consistent with maintaining the total effective dose equivalent ALARA, increase monitoring and limit intakes by.... (c) Use of respiratory protection equipment....."
It is necessary for station personnel to periodically enter containments while the units are operating in order to perform inspection or maintenance. The SPS1&2 containments are designed to be maintained at subatmospheric pressure during power operations. The containment pressure can range from 9.0 to 11.0 pounds per square inch, absolute (psia). This containment environment could potentially impact the safety of personnel donning respiratory protection equipment, due to reduced pressure and resulting oxygen deficiency. Under these circumstances, the use of a self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA) with enriched oxygen breathing gas is required. The licensee initially purchased Mine Safety Appliances, Inc. (MSA)
Model 401 open-circuit, dual-purpose, pressure-demand SCBAs constructed of brass components which were originally intended for use with compressed air. The licensee qualified the Model 401 cylinders for use with 35% oxygen /65% nitrogen following the recommendations of the Compressed Gas Association's Pamphlet C-10," Recommended Procedures for Changes of Gas Service for Compressed Gas Cylinders," established procedures to utilize these' devices with an enriched oxygen mixture, and is currently using these SCBAs with a 35%
oxygen /65% nitrogen mixture instead of compressed air. The MSA Model 401 SCBA has received the NIOSH/MSHA certification for use with compressed air, but has not been tested for 35% enriched oxygen applications. Using these SCBAs without the NIOSH/MSHA certification requires an exemption from 10 CFR 20.1703(a)(1),10 CFR 20.1703(c), and 10 CFR Par 120 Appendix A, Protection Factors for Respirators, Footnote d.2.(d).
L
t Environmentalimoacts of the Pronosed Action:
The proposed action will not alter plant operations, result in an increase in the probability or consequences of accidents, or result in a change in occupational or offsite dose. Therefore, there are no significant radiologicalimpacts associated with the proposed action.
With regard to potential nonradiological impacts, the proposed action will not result in a change in nonradiological plant effluents and will have no other nonradiological environmental impact.
Accordingly, the Commission concludes that there are no significant environmental impacts associated with the proposed action.
Altematives to the Procosed Action:
Because the Commission's staff has concluded that there is no significant environmental impact associated with the proposed exemption, any altemative to the proposed exemption will have either no significantly different environmental impact or greater environmental impact.
The principal attemative would be to deny the requested exemption. Denial would result in no change in current environmental impact.
Altemative Use of Resources:
This action does not involve the use of resources not previously considered in the Final Environmental Statement for the Surry Power Station.
Aaencies and Persons Consulted:
In accordance with its stated policy, the NRC staff consulted with Mr. Foldesi of the Virginia Department of Health on July 27,1998, regarding the environmentalimpact of the proposed action. Mr. Foldesi had no comments on behalf of the Commonwealth of Virginia.
FINDING OF NO SIGNIFICANT IMPACT Based upon the foregoing environmental assessment, the Commission concludes that the proposed action will not have a significant effect on the quality of the human environment.
l Accordingly, the Commission has determined not to prepare an environmental impact I
l statement for the proposed exemption.
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l For further details with respect to the proposed action, see the licensee's letter dated March 3,1998, as supplemented May 5,1998, which is available for public inspection at the Commission's Public Document Room,2120 L Street, NW., Washington, DC 20555 and at the focal public document room located at the Swem Library, College of William and Mary,
%HT:amsburg. Virginia 23185.
Dated at Rockville, Maryland this 18th day of August 1998.
FOR THE NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION j
G. E. Edison, Sr. Project Manager Project Directorate 11-1 3
Division of Reactor Projects - 1/II Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation l
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a+ gh;s,qJen E. /Dunnm Amud se,1996 DGe MEMORANDUM 'l 0:
Rules Review and Directives Branch Division of Freedom of information and Publications Services Office of Administration FROM:
Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation l'"$'lf*M^$ Owed d 5"$'Ml loA "Y' #"
Ag' ~ny" ! A, PRsfeg' icn,ppc/stzS p>t<D /o eM 20.17 SUBJECT *'
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One signed original of th ede alR gYter No d'e fie 18w s acke or ykbbrh tb bD to the Office of the Federal Register for publication. Additional conformed copies ( $ ) of the Notice are enclosed for your use.
Notice of Receipt of Application for Construction Permit (s) and Operating License (s).
Notice of Receipt of Partial Application for Construction Permit (s) and Facility License (s):
Time for submission of Views on Antitrust matters.
Notice of Consideration of issuance of Amendment to Facility Operating License. (Call with 30 day insert date).
Notice of Receipt of Application for Facility License (s); Notice of Availability of Applicant's Environmental Report; and Notice of Consideration of Issuance of Facility License (s) and Notice of Opportunity for Hearing.
Notice of A'<ailability of NRC Draft / Final Environmental Statement.
Notice of Limited Work Authorization.
Notice of Availability of Safety Evaluation Report.
Notice of Issuance of C :..rtrur : ion Permit (s).
Notice of issuance of... f Operating License (s) or Amendment (s).
Order.
S Exemption.
Notice of Granting Exemption.
Environmental Assessment.
Notice of Preparation of Environmental Assessment.
Receipt of Petition for Director's Decision Under 10 CFR 2.206.
issuance of Final Director's Decision Under 10 CFR 2.206.
Other:
DOCKET N0. 50 -260 OM 6
l Attachment (s): N9stal8 I
Contact:
Telephone:
DOCUMENT NAME:
T: receive a copy of thle document,jndicate in the box: *C" = Copy wtthout attechment/ enclosure "E" = Copy with attachment / enclosure
- N' = No copy OFFICE IA'.Pb2-f/ Ph l
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DATE y/ l G 9fA k
OFFICIAL RECORD COPY
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