ML20247F679
| ML20247F679 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Site: | South Texas  |
| Issue date: | 09/07/1989 |
| From: | Hebdon F Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation |
| To: | |
| Shared Package | |
| ML20247F684 | List: |
| References | |
| NUDOCS 8909180240 | |
| Download: ML20247F679 (4) | |
Text
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7590-01.
UNITED STATES NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION HOUSTON LIGHTING & P0'ER COMPANY W
CITY PUBLIC SERVICE BOARD OF SAN ANTONIO CENTRAL POWER AND LIGHT COMPANY CITY OF AUSTIN. TEXAS SOUTH TEXAS PROJECT, UNITS 1 AND 2 DOCKET N05. 50-498 AND 50-499 ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT AND FINDING OF NO SIGNIFICANT IMPACT The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (Consnission) is considering the issuance of amendments to Facility Operating License Nos. NPF-76 and NPF-80, issued to Houston Lighting & Power Company, et al., (the licensee) for the South Texas Project, Units 1 and 2, located at the licensee's site in Matagorda County, Texas.
ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT Identification of Proposed Action:
By letter dated April 18, 1989 (ST-HL-AE-3040) the licensee submitted proposed changes to the Final Safety Analysis Report (FSAR) documenting the results of safety evaluations that account for the effects of the reactor coolant system (RCS) flow anomaly. The flow anomaly, believed to be multiple
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rotationsi flows in the lower reactor vessel plenum, causes coolant flow j
maldistributions in the core. The flow maldistribution results in increased coolant temperatures, local reductions in power, and a reduction in the margin to Departure from Nucleate Boiling (DNB). The core DNB criterion were reevaluated L
using-the WRB-1 critical heat flux correlation which resulted in a recalculated q
generic margin of 7.8% to accommodate DNBR penalties.
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~Need for Proposed Action:
The proposed changes are needed to support the minimum RCS flow rate specifiedintheplantTechnicalSpecifications(TS).
Environmental Impacts of the Proposed Action:
The Comission has completed its evaluation of the proposed changes to the FSAR.
It has concluded that the use of the WRB-1 correlation is acceptable and that there is sufficient margin to offset the DNBR penalty due to the RCS flow anomaly. Therefore, the proposed changes do not increase the probability or consequences of accidents, no changes are being made in the types of any effluents that may be released offsite, and there is no significant increase in the allowable individual or cumulative occupational radiation exposure.
Accordingly, the Commission concludes that this proposed action would result in no significant radiological environmental impact.
With regard to potential non-radiological impacts, the proposed changes involve systems located within the restricted area as defined in 10 CFR Part 20.
It does not affect non-radiological plant effluents and has no other environmental impact. Therefore, the Commission concludes that there are no significant non-radiological environmental impacts associated with the proposed amendments.
The Notice of Consideration of Issuance of Amendments and Opportunity for Hearing in connection with this action was published in the FEDERAL REGISTER on June 15, 1989 (54 FR 25512).
No request for hearing or petition for leave to intervene was filed following this notice.
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Alternative to the Proposed Action:
Since the Commission concluded that there are no significant environmental effects that would result from the proposed action, any alternatives with equal or preater environmental impacts need not be evaluated.
The principal alternative would be to deny the requested amendments. This would not reduce environmental 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 Statements for the South Texas Project, Units 1 and 2, dated August 1986 (NUREG-1171).
Agencies and Persons Consulted:
The NRC staff reviewed the licensee's request and did not consult other agencies or persons.
FINDING OF NO SIGNIFICANT IMPACT The Commission has determined not to prepare an environmental impact statement for the proposed license amendments.
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 license amendments dated April 18, 1989.
Copies are available for public inspection at the Commission's Public Document Room 2120 L Street, N.W.,
Washington, D.C.
20555, and at the local public document rooms located at the
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- a Wharton County' Junior College, J. M. Hodges Learning Center 911 Boling Highway, Wharton. Texas 77488 and Austin Public Library, 810 Guadalupe Street, Austin, Texas. 78701.
Dated at Rockville, Maryland, this 7th day of September 1989.
FOR THE NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION
\\YiSbv..t.Ubg.lhll-Frederick J. Hebdon, Director Project Directorate-IV Division of Reactor Projects - III, IV, V and Special Projects Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation W+