ML20247N177
| ML20247N177 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Site: | Vermont Yankee File:NorthStar Vermont Yankee icon.png |
| Issue date: | 05/22/1989 |
| From: | Mcdonald D Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation |
| To: | |
| Shared Package | |
| ML20247N185 | List: |
| References | |
| NUDOCS 8906050260 | |
| Download: ML20247N177 (4) | |
Text
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7590-01 UNITED STATES NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION
. VERMONT YANKEE NUCLEAR POWER CORPORATION DOCKET NO. 50-271 ENVIRONMENTAL' ASSESSMENT AND FINDING OF NO SIGNIFICANT IMPACT The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (the Commission) is considering issuance of exemptions from certain requirements of 10 CFR Part 50, Appendix R,.to the Vermont Yankee Nuclear Power Corporation (VY/ licensee) for the-Vermont Yankee Nuclear Power Station located at the licensee's site near.
.Vernon, Vermont.
t ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT Identification of the Proposed Action The proposed action would grant exemptions from certain requirements of-
. Appendix R of 10 CFR Part 50. Specifically, exemptions were requested from Section III.J and Section III G.2.a. to the extent that it requires:
- a.Section III.J - Emergency lighting units having at least an 8-hour battery power supply in all areas needed for operation
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of and access to and from safe shutdown equipment.
- b.Section III G.2.a. - Separation of cables and equipment and I
associated non-safety circuits of redundant trains by a fire i
barrier having a three-hour rating.
Need for the Proposed Actions To meet the requirements of Subsection III.J of Appendix R, at least an 8-hour emergency battery power supply would be provided for the northeast section of the torus catwalk.
8906050260 890522 PDR ADOCK 05000271 F
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, :4 Theproposedaction(a)'isneededtoallowthelicenseetosupply emergency power from the ' emergency diesel generators rather than from an 8-hour battery. power supply. The diesel generator would be available i
.throughout the period emergency lighting is needed and greatly in excess of 8-hours should the need arise.
To meet the requirements of III.G.2.a of Appendix R,.the wall between the
- Reactor Building and the Turbine building, designated as a vital fire barrier wall would require a 3-hour fire rating, including penetrations in the wall.
The p'roposed action (b) is needed to permit qualification of a wall
. penetration so that the licensee can.be relieved of' maintaining a costly manned fire watch as required by the plant technical specifications.
The licensee demonstrated in'its February 2,'1989 submittal that the penetration in question provides the eouivalent of three-hour separation required by Appendix R.
Environmental Impacts of the Proposed Action The proposed exemptions would provide an eouivalent level of fire safety such that there is no increase in the risk of not achieving safe shutdown at the Vermont Yankee Station. Consequently, the probability of achieving safe shutdown has not been decreased and the post-accident radiological releases would not be greater than previously determined nor do the proposed exemptions otherwise affect radiological plant effluents. The proposed exemptions do not L
affect plant nonradiological effluents and will have no other environmental
. impact. Therefore, the Commission concludes that there are no significant radiological or nonradiological environmental impacts associated with the proposed exemptions.
> s Alternatives to the Proposed Action Since-the Commission has concluded there is no measurable environmental icpact associated with the proposed exemptions, other alternatives need not be evaluated. The principal alternative to the exemptions would be to require rigid compliance with the Appendix R requirements. Such action would not enhance the protection of the environment and would result in unjustified costs for the licensee.
Alternative Use of Resources This action does not involve the use of resources not conridered previously in the Final Environmental Statement related to the operation of the Vermont Yankee Nuclear Power Station.
Agencies'and Persons Consulted The NRC staff reviewed the licensee's requests and did not consult other agencies or persons.
FINDING OF NO SIGNIFICANT IMPACT J
The Commission has determined not to prepare an environmental impact I.
statement for the proposed exemptions.
Based upon the foregoing environmental 1
assessment, the NRC staff concludes that the proposed action will not have a significant effect on the quality of the human environment.
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t For further details with respect to this proposed action, see the-licensee's letters dated June 29, 1988 and February 2,1989. These letters are available for public inspection at the Commission's Public Document Room, 2120 L Street, N.W., Washington, D.C.-and at the Brooks Memorial Library, 224 Main Street, Brattleboro, Vermont 05301.
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Dated at Rockville, Maryland this %
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FOR THE NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION n.. :. {
Daniel G. Mcdonald, Acting Director Project Directorate I-3 Division of Reactor Regulations I/II L
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