ML20247R599
| ML20247R599 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Site: | Prairie Island  |
| Issue date: | 08/16/1989 |
| From: | Diianni D Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation |
| To: | |
| Shared Package | |
| ML20247R605 | List: |
| References | |
| NUDOCS 8910020016 | |
| Download: ML20247R599 (3) | |
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L!v 7590-01 UNITED STATES NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION NORTHERN-STATES POWER COMPANY -
-PRAIRIE ISLAND NUCLEAR GENERATING PLANT, UNIT NOS. 1 AND 2 DOCKET NOS. 50-282 AND 50-306 ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT AND FINDING OF NO SIGNIFICANT IMPACT The U. S. Nuclear. Regulatory Commission (the Commission) is considering issuance ~of amendments.to Facility Operating Licenses Nos. DPR-42 and DPR-60, issued to Northern States Power Company'(licensee), for operation of the Prairie Island Nuclear Generating Plant, Units Nos. I and 2, located in Goodhue County, Minnesota.
ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT Identification of th'e Proposed Action:
The proposed amendments would revise the provisions in the Technical Specifications. relating to fuel enrichment.
The proposed action is in accordance with the licensee's application for amendment dated April 6, 1989.
The Need for the Proposed Action:
The proposed changes'to the Technical Specifications are required so that the licensee can use higher enrichment fuel, and provide the flexibility of extending the fuel irradiation and permitting operation of longer fuel cycles.
Environmental Impacts of the Proposed Action:
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-The Commission has completed its evaluation of the proposed revisions to the Technical Specifications.
The proposeo revisions would permit use of fuel enriched to 4.25 weight percent Uranium-235.
The safety considerations associated 8910020016 890816 PDR ADOCK 05000282 P
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staff.
The staff has concluded'that such a change would not adversely affect plant safety.
The proposed changes have no adverse effect on the probability of any accident.
The increased enrichment may slightly change the mix of fission products that might be released in the event of serious accident but-such small' changes would not significantly affect the consequences of serious.
accidents.
No changes are being make in the types or amounts of any radiological effluents that may be released offsite during normal operation.
There is also no significant increase in the allowable individual of cumulative occupational radiation exposure.
With regard to potential nonradiological impacts of reactor operation with higher enrichment, the proposed changes to the Technical Specifications involve systems located within the restricted area as defined in 10 CFR Part 20.
They do not affect nonradiological plant effluents and have no other environmental impact.
The environmental impacts of transportation resulting from the use of higher enrichment fuel have been discussed in the staff assessment entitled, "NRC Assessment of the Environmental Effects of Transportation Resulting from Extended Full Enrichment and Irradiation," dated July 7, 1988 (53 FR 30355).
As indicated therein, the environmental cost contribution of the proposed increase in the fuel enrichment is either unchanged or may in fact be reduced from those summarized in Table S-4 asset forth in 10 CFR 51.52(c).
Therefore, the staff concludes that there are no significant radiological or nonradiological environmental impacts associated with the proposed amendment.
Alternative to the Proposed Action:
Since the staff concluded that there are no significant environmental effects that woulo result form the proposed action, any alternative with equal or greater environmental impacts need not be evaluated.
The principal alternative would be.to deny the requested amendment.
This would not reduce environmental impacts of plant operation and would result in reduced operational flexibility, i
Alternative Use of Resources:
l This action does not involve the use of any resources not previously considered in the Final Environmental Statements related to the Prairie Island Nuclear Generating Plant, Unit Nos. I and 2, dated May 1973.
Agencies and Persons Contacted:
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 pinposed 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 amendments dated April 6, 1989, which is available for public inspection at the Commission's Public Document Room, 2120 L Street, N.W., Washington, D.C.,
and the Technology and Science Department, Minneapolis Public Library, 300 Nicollet Mall, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55401.
Dated at Rockville, Maryland this 16th day of August.
FOR THE NUCLEAR REGULAT RY COMMISSION O
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Dominic C. Dilanni, Acting Director Project Directorate III-1 Division of Reactor Projects - III, IV, V & Special Projects Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation
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