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| | number = ML082540472 | | | number = ML082540472 |
| | issue date = 09/26/2008 | | | issue date = 09/26/2008 |
| | title = Palo Verde Nuclear Generating Station, Unit 1 - Environmental Assessment and Finding of No Significant Impact, Request for Temporary Exemption from 10 CFR 50.46 and Part 50 Appendix K for Lead Fuel Assemblies (TAC No. MD8330) | | | title = Environmental Assessment and Finding of No Significant Impact, Request for Temporary Exemption from 10 CFR 50.46 and Part 50 Appendix K for Lead Fuel Assemblies |
| | author name = Singal B K | | | author name = Singal B |
| | author affiliation = NRC/NRR/DORL/LPLIV | | | author affiliation = NRC/NRR/DORL/LPLIV |
| | addressee name = | | | addressee name = |
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| | page count = 4 | | | page count = 4 |
| | project = TAC:MD8330 | | | project = TAC:MD8330 |
| | stage = Request | | | stage = Approval |
| }} | | }} |
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| =Text= | | =Text= |
| {{#Wiki_filter:7590-01-P UNITED STATES NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION ARIZONA PUBLIC SERVICE COMPANY, ET AL. | | {{#Wiki_filter:7590-01-P UNITED STATES NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION ARIZONA PUBLIC SERVICE COMPANY, ET AL. |
| DOCKET NO. STN 50-528 PALO VERDE NUCLEAR GENERATING STATION, UNIT 1 ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT AND FINDING OF NO SIGNIFICANT IMPACT The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) is considering issuance of an temporary exemption from Title 10 of the Code of Federal Regulations (10 CFR) Part 50, Section 50.46 and 10 CFR 50, Appendix K, for Facility Operating License No. NPF-41, issued to Arizona Public Service Company (APS, the licensee), for operation of the Palo Verde Nuclear Generating Station (PVNGS), Unit 1, located in Maricopa County, Arizona | | DOCKET NO. STN 50-528 PALO VERDE NUCLEAR GENERATING STATION, UNIT 1 ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT AND FINDING OF NO SIGNIFICANT IMPACT The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) is considering issuance of an temporary exemption from Title 10 of the Code of Federal Regulations (10 CFR) Part 50, Section 50.46 and 10 CFR 50, Appendix K, for Facility Operating License No. NPF-41, issued to Arizona Public Service Company (APS, the licensee), for operation of the Palo Verde Nuclear Generating Station (PVNGS), Unit 1, located in Maricopa County, Arizona. Therefore, as required by 10 CFR 51.21, the NRC is issuing this environmental assessment and finding of no significant impact. |
| . Therefore, as required by 10 CFR 51.21, the NRC is issuing this environmental assessment and finding of no significant impact. | | ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT Identification of the Proposed Action: |
| ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT Identification of the Proposed Action | | The proposed action would allow the use of up to eight lead fuel assemblies (LFAs) manufactured by AREVA NP with fuel rods clad with M5 to be inserted into the PVNGS, Unit 1 reactor core during operating Cycles 15, 16, and 17. |
| : The proposed action would allow the use of up to eight lead fuel assemblies (LFAs) manufactured by AREVA NP with fuel rods clad with M5 to be inserted into the PVNGS, Unit 1 reactor core during operating Cycles 15, 16, and 17. The proposed action is in accordance with the licensee
| | The proposed action is in accordance with the licensee=s request for exemption dated March 8, 2008, as supplemented by letter dated September 10, 2008. |
| =s request for exemption dated March 8, 2008, as supplemented by letter dated September 10, 2008. | | The Need for the Proposed Action: |
| The Need for the Proposed Action | | The proposed temporary exemption is needed to allow the use of M5 LFAs by APS to evaluate cladding for future fuel assemblies that may need to be of a more robust design than |
| : The proposed temporary exemption is needed to allow the use of M5 LFAs by APS to evaluate cladding for future fuel assemblies that may need to be of a more robust design than current fuel assemblies to allow for possibly higher duty or extended burnup. The regulations specify standards and acceptance criteria only for fuel rods clad with Zircaloy or ZIRLO. Consistent with 10 CFR 50.46, a temporary exemption is required to use fuel rods clad with an advanced alloy that is not Zircaloy or ZIRLO. Therefore, the licensee needs a temporary exemption to insert up to eight LFAs containing new cladding material into the PVNGS, Unit 1 reactor core for test during operation.
| | |
| Environmental Impacts of the Proposed Action | | current fuel assemblies to allow for possibly higher duty or extended burnup. The regulations specify standards and acceptance criteria only for fuel rods clad with Zircaloy or ZIRLO. |
| : The NRC has completed its safety evaluation of the proposed action and concludes that the proposed exemption will not present any undue risk to the public health and safety. The safety evaluation performed by Framatome ANP, Inc., "BAW-10227P-A, Evaluation of Advanced Cladding and Structural Material (M5) in PWR Reactor Fuel, Framatome Cogema Fuels, February 2000," demonstrates that the predicted chemical, mechanical, and material performance characteristics of the M5 cladding are within those approved for Zircaloy under anticipated operational occurrences and postulated accidents. Furthermore, the LFAs will be placed in non-limiting locations. In the unlikely event that cladding failures occur in the LFAs, the environmental impact would be minimal and is bounded by previous accident analyses. The details of the staff
| | Consistent with 10 CFR 50.46, a temporary exemption is required to use fuel rods clad with an advanced alloy that is not Zircaloy or ZIRLO. Therefore, the licensee needs a temporary exemption to insert up to eight LFAs containing new cladding material into the PVNGS, Unit 1 reactor core for test during operation. |
| =s safety evaluation will be provided in the exemption that will be issued as part of the letter to the licensee approving the exemption to the regulation. The proposed action will not significantly increase the probability or consequences of accidents. No changes are being made in the types of effluents that may be released offsite. There is no significant increase in the amount of any effluent released offsite. There is no significant increase in occupational or public radiation exposure. Therefore, there are no significant radiological environmental impacts associated with the proposed action. | | Environmental Impacts of the Proposed Action: |
| With regard to potential non-radiological impacts, the proposed action does not have a potential to affect any historic sites. It does not affect non-radiological plant effluents and has no other environmental impact. Therefore, there are no significant non-radiological environmental impacts associated with the proposed action. Accordingly, the NRC concludes that there are no significant environmental impacts associated with the proposed action. | | The NRC has completed its safety evaluation of the proposed action and concludes that the proposed exemption will not present any undue risk to the public health and safety. The safety evaluation performed by Framatome ANP, Inc., BAW-10227P-A, Evaluation of Advanced Cladding and Structural Material (M5) in PWR Reactor Fuel, Framatome Cogema Fuels, February 2000, demonstrates that the predicted chemical, mechanical, and material performance characteristics of the M5 cladding are within those approved for Zircaloy under anticipated operational occurrences and postulated accidents. Furthermore, the LFAs will be placed in non-limiting locations. In the unlikely event that cladding failures occur in the LFAs, the environmental impact would be minimal and is bounded by previous accident analyses. |
| Environmental Impacts of the Alternatives to the Proposed Action | | The details of the staff=s safety evaluation will be provided in the exemption that will be issued as part of the letter to the licensee approving the exemption to the regulation. |
| : As an alternative to the proposed action, the staff considered denial of the proposed action (i.e., the Ano-action@ alternative). Denial of the application would result in no change in current environmental impacts. The environmental impacts of the proposed action and the alternative action are similar.
| | The proposed action will not significantly increase the probability or consequences of accidents. No changes are being made in the types of effluents that may be released offsite. |
| Alternative Use of Resources | | There is no significant increase in the amount of any effluent released offsite. There is no significant increase in occupational or public radiation exposure. Therefore, there are no significant radiological environmental impacts associated with the proposed action. |
| : The action does not involve the use of any different resources than those previously considered in the Final Environmental Statement for the PVNGS, Unit 1, NUREG-0841, dated February 1982. Agencies and Persons Consulted
| | |
| : In accordance with its stated policy, on September 9, 2008, the staff consulted with the Arizona State official, Aubrey Godwin of the Arizona Radiation Regulatory Agency, regarding the environmental impact of the proposed action. The State official had no comments.
| | With regard to potential non-radiological impacts, the proposed action does not have a potential to affect any historic sites. It does not affect non-radiological plant effluents and has no other environmental impact. Therefore, there are no significant non-radiological environmental impacts associated with the proposed action. |
| | Accordingly, the NRC concludes that there are no significant environmental impacts associated with the proposed action. |
| | Environmental Impacts of the Alternatives to the Proposed Action: |
| | As an alternative to the proposed action, the staff considered denial of the proposed action (i.e., the Ano-action@ alternative). Denial of the application would result in no change in current environmental impacts. The environmental impacts of the proposed action and the alternative action are similar. |
| | Alternative Use of Resources: |
| | The action does not involve the use of any different resources than those previously considered in the Final Environmental Statement for the PVNGS, Unit 1, NUREG-0841, dated February 1982. |
| | Agencies and Persons Consulted: |
| | In accordance with its stated policy, on September 9, 2008, the staff consulted with the Arizona State official, Aubrey Godwin of the Arizona Radiation Regulatory Agency, regarding the environmental impact of the proposed action. The State official had no comments. |
| FINDING OF NO SIGNIFICANT IMPACT On the basis of the environmental assessment, the NRC concludes that the proposed action will not have a significant effect on the quality of the human environment. Accordingly, the NRC has determined not to prepare an environmental impact statement for the proposed action. | | FINDING OF NO SIGNIFICANT IMPACT On the basis of the environmental assessment, the NRC concludes that the proposed action will not have a significant effect on the quality of the human environment. Accordingly, the NRC has determined not to prepare an environmental impact statement for the proposed action. |
| For further details with respect to the proposed action, see the licensee
| |
| =s letter dated March 8, 2008, as supplemented by letter dated September 10, 2008 (Agencywide Documents Access and Management System (ADAMS) Accession Nos. ML080790524 and ML082620212, respectively). Documents may be examined, and/or copied for a fee, at the NRC
| |
| =s Public Document Room (PDR), located at One White Flint North, Public File Area O1 F21, 11555 Rockville Pike (first floor), Rockville, Maryland. Publicly available records will be accessible electronically from the ADAMS Public Electronic Reading Room on the Internet at the NRC Web site, http://www.nrc.gov/reading-rm/adams.html. Persons who do not have access to ADAMS or who encounter problems in accessing the documents located in ADAMS should contact the NRC PDR Reference staff by telephone at 1-800-397-4209 or 301-415-4737, or send an e-mail to pdr.resource@nrc.gov. Dated at Rockville, Maryland, this 26 th day of September 2008.
| |
| FOR THE NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION
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| /RA/ Balwant K. Singal, Senior Project Manager Plant Licensing Branch IV Division of Operating Reactor Licensing Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation}}
| | For further details with respect to the proposed action, see the licensee=s letter dated March 8, 2008, as supplemented by letter dated September 10, 2008 (Agencywide Documents Access and Management System (ADAMS) Accession Nos. ML080790524 and ML082620212, respectively). Documents may be examined, and/or copied for a fee, at the NRC=s Public Document Room (PDR), located at One White Flint North, Public File Area O1 F21, 11555 Rockville Pike (first floor), Rockville, Maryland. Publicly available records will be accessible electronically from the ADAMS Public Electronic Reading Room on the Internet at the NRC Web site, http://www.nrc.gov/reading-rm/adams.html. Persons who do not have access to ADAMS or who encounter problems in accessing the documents located in ADAMS should contact the NRC PDR Reference staff by telephone at 1-800-397-4209 or 301-415-4737, or send an e-mail to pdr.resource@nrc.gov. |
| | Dated at Rockville, Maryland, this 26th day of September 2008. |
| | FOR THE NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION |
| | /RA/ |
| | Balwant K. Singal, Senior Project Manager Plant Licensing Branch IV Division of Operating Reactor Licensing Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation}} |
Letter Sequence Approval |
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MONTHYEARML0807905242008-03-0808 March 2008 Request for Temporary Exemption from the Provisions of 10 CFR 50.46 and 10 CFR 50, Appendix K for Lead Fuel Assemblies Project stage: Request ML0826202122008-09-10010 September 2008 Response to the NRC Request for Additional Information Related to the Request for Temporary Exemption from the Provisions of 10 CFR 50.46 and 10 CFR 50, Appendix K for Lead Fuel Assemblies Project stage: Request ML0825500042008-09-26026 September 2008 Transmittal Letter, Environmental Assessment & Finding of No Significant Impact Request for Temporary Exemption from 10 CFR 50.46 and Appendix K to 10 CFR Part 50 for Lead Fuel Assemblies Project stage: Approval ML0825404722008-09-26026 September 2008 Environmental Assessment and Finding of No Significant Impact, Request for Temporary Exemption from 10 CFR 50.46 and Part 50 Appendix K for Lead Fuel Assemblies Project stage: Approval ML0827300032008-10-14014 October 2008 Transmittal Letter, Temporary Exemption from the Requirements of 10 CFR Part 50, Section 50.46 and Appendix K for Lead Fuel Assemblies Project stage: Approval ML0827300062008-10-14014 October 2008 Temporary Exemption from the Requirements of 10 CFR Part 50, Section 50.46 and Appendix K for Lead Fuel Assemblies Project stage: Approval 2008-03-08
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Category:Environmental Assessment
MONTHYEARML19205A2732019-08-19019 August 2019 Environmental Assessment for the Exemption Request for Arizona Public Service Company'S Palo Verde Nuclear Generating Installation in Wintersburg, Arizona ML19120A1982019-04-26026 April 2019 Enclosufinal Environmental Assessment (Memo to File Environmental Assessment and Finding of No Significant Impact for Arizona Public Service Company'S Decommissioning Funding Plan Submitted in Accordance with 10 CFR 73.30(b) ...) ML1019002802010-08-17017 August 2010 Cover Letter, Environmental Assessment and Finding of No Significant Impact Exemption from the Provisions of 10 CFR 50.46 and 10 CFR 50, Appendix K for Lead Fuel Assemblies ML1019002872010-08-17017 August 2010 Environmental Assessment and Finding of No Significant Impact Exemption from the Provisions of 10 CFR 50.46 and 10 CFR 50, Appendix K for Lead Fuel Assemblies ML0825404722008-09-26026 September 2008 Environmental Assessment and Finding of No Significant Impact, Request for Temporary Exemption from 10 CFR 50.46 and Part 50 Appendix K for Lead Fuel Assemblies 2019-08-19
[Table view] Category:Federal Register Notice
MONTHYEARML24130A0012024-05-16016 May 2024 April 2024, Issuance of Multiple Exemptions Regarding Security Notifications, Reports, and Recording Keeping ML24114A3102024-05-0303 May 2024 Monthly (28-Day) Federal Register Notice - Applications and Amendments to Facility Operating Licenses and Combined Licenses Involving No Significant Hazards Considerations - Publication Date: May 14, 2024 ML23166B0852023-07-0606 July 2023 FRN: for Issuance of Exemption ML23045A3112023-03-15015 March 2023 Order Extending the Effectiveness of the Approval of the Indirect Transfer of the Co-Owner Licenses from Public Service Company of New Mexico to Avangrid, Inc. (EPID L-2022-LLO-0000) (FRN) ML22146A1872022-06-0101 June 2022 FRN for Issuance of Exemption ML22101A2572022-05-11011 May 2022 Order Extending the Effectiveness of the Approval of the Indirect Transfer of the Co-Owner Licenses from Public Service Company of New Mexico to Avangrid, Inc. (EPID L-2022-LLO-0000) (FRN) ML22054A0072022-03-24024 March 2022 Exemption from the Requirements of 10 CFR 50.62 to Delete Diverse Auxiliary Feedwater Actuation System Using Risk-Informed Process for Evaluations (EPID L 2022 Lle 0004) FRN ML22034A9832022-02-15015 February 2022 FRN - Notice of Issuance of COVID-19 Exemptions Issued in January 2022 ML22003A1042022-01-26026 January 2022 the Independent Spent Fuel Storage Installation - Order Approving Indirect Transfer of Control of Licenses (EPID L 2021 LLM 0002) (FRN) ML21307A1332021-11-17017 November 2021 the Independent Spent Fuel Storage Installation - Order Approving Transfers of Control of Licenses for Minority Interests Subject to Expiring Leases (Superseding Order of October 21, 2021) (FRN) ML21307A1312021-11-17017 November 2021 the Independent Spent Fuel Storage Installation - Order Approving Transfers of Control of Licenses for Minority Interests Subject to Expiring Leases (EPID L-2021-LLM-0003) (Letter) ML21245A0662021-10-21021 October 2021 the Independent Spent Fuel Storage Installation - Order Approving Transfers of Control of Licenses for Minority Interests Subject to Expiring Leases (EPID L-2021-LLM-0003) (FRN) ML21245A0642021-10-21021 October 2021 the Independent Spent Fuel Storage Installation - Order Approving Transfers of Control of Licenses for Minority Interests Subject to Expiring Leases (EPID L-2021-LLM-0003) (Letter) ML21245A0652021-10-21021 October 2021 the Independent Spent Fuel Storage Installation - Order Approving Transfers of Control of Licenses for Minority Interests Subject to Expiring Leases (EPID L-2021-LLM-0003) (Order) ML21165A0542021-06-23023 June 2021 Letter, Notice of Consideration of Approval of Application Proposed Transfer of Control of Licenses and Opportunity to Request a Hearing ML21165A0562021-06-23023 June 2021 FRN - Notice of Consideration of Approval of Application Proposed Transfer of Control of Licenses and Opportunity to Request a Hearing ML21118B0292021-05-25025 May 2021 Order Approving Indirect Transfer of Licenses for Units 1, 2, and 3, and the Independent Spent Fuel Storage Installation (EPID L-2020-LLM-0002) (Order) ML21118B0312021-05-25025 May 2021 FRN - Order Approving Indirect Transfer of Licenses for Units 1, 2, and 3, and the Independent Spent Fuel Storage Installation ML21106A1502021-04-28028 April 2021 ISFSI - FRN - Notice of Consideration of Approval of Application Regarding Proposed Indirect License Transfer and Opportunity to Request a Hearing ML21106A1482021-04-28028 April 2021 ISFSI - Letter - Notice of Consideration of Approval of Application Regarding Proposed Indirect License Transfer and Opportunity to Request a Hearing ML21028A0122021-02-18018 February 2021 FRN - Notice of Issuance of Multiple Exemptions Regarding Various Parts of 10 CFR Due to COVID-19 Impacts for January 2021 ML21011A2492021-01-21021 January 2021 ISFSI, Letter - Notice of Consideration of Approval of Application Regarding Proposed Indirect License Transfer and Opportunity for a Hearing ML21011A2592021-01-21021 January 2021 ISFSI, FRN - Notice of Consideration of Approval of Application Regarding Proposed Indirect License Transfer and Opportunity for a Hearing ML20335A0902020-12-21021 December 2020 Federal Register Notice - November 2020 COVID-19 Exemptions ML20119A5242020-05-0707 May 2020 FRN: Notice of Issuance of Multiple Exemptions Regarding 10 CFR Part 26 (COVID-19) ML20035C4082020-02-18018 February 2020 Biweekly Federal Register Notice - Applications and Amendments to Facility Operating Licenses and Combined Licenses Involving No Significant Hazards Considerations - Publication Date: 02/25/2020 ML19213A0342019-08-23023 August 2019 Federal Register Notice: Palo Verde Nuclear Generating Station Independent Spent Fuel Storage Installation - Issuance of Exemption ML19205A2742019-08-19019 August 2019 Federal Register Notice: Palo Verde Nuclear Generating Station ISFSI - Environmental Assessment and Finding of No Significant Impact; Issuance ML19122A2102019-05-15015 May 2019 Federal Register Notice: Palo Verde Independent Spent Fuel Storage Installation - Environmental Assessment and Finding of No Significant Impact; Issuance NRC-2018-0277, Applications and Amendments to Facility Operating Licenses and Combined Licenses Involving Proposed No Significant Hazards Consideration and Containing SUNSI and Order Imposing Procedures for Access to SUNSI - Publication Date: January2018-12-13013 December 2018 Applications and Amendments to Facility Operating Licenses and Combined Licenses Involving Proposed No Significant Hazards Consideration and Containing SUNSI and Order Imposing Procedures for Access to SUNSI - Publication Date: January 8, 2 ML18334A2202018-12-13013 December 2018 Applications and Amendments to Facility Operating Licenses and Combined Licenses Involving Proposed No Significant Hazards Consideration and Containing SUNSI and Order Imposing Procedures for Access to SUNSI - Publication Date: January 8, 2 ML18295A7442018-10-25025 October 2018 Biweekly Federal Register Notice - Applications and Amendments to Facility Operating Licenses and Combined Licenses Involving No Significant Hazards Considerations - Publication Date: 11/06/18 NRC-2017-0175, Biweekly Sholly Report - Federal Register Notice Fr Publication Date: August 15, 20172017-08-0404 August 2017 Biweekly Sholly Report - Federal Register Notice Fr Publication Date: August 15, 2017 ML17213A1842017-08-0404 August 2017 Biweekly Sholly Report - Federal Register Notice Fr Publication Date: August 15, 2017 NRC-2016-0202, Biweekly FRN - Applications and Amendments to Facility Operating Licenses and Combined Licenses Involving No Significant Hazards Considerations - Publication Date: September 27, 20162016-09-19019 September 2016 Biweekly FRN - Applications and Amendments to Facility Operating Licenses and Combined Licenses Involving No Significant Hazards Considerations - Publication Date: September 27, 2016 ML16257A5172016-09-19019 September 2016 Biweekly FRN - Applications and Amendments to Facility Operating Licenses and Combined Licenses Involving No Significant Hazards Considerations - Publication Date: September 27, 2016 NRC-2016-0161, Biweekly Federal Register Notice - Applications and Amendments to Facility Operating Licenses and Combined Licenses Involving No Significant Hazards Considerations - Publication Date: August 16, 20162016-08-0303 August 2016 Biweekly Federal Register Notice - Applications and Amendments to Facility Operating Licenses and Combined Licenses Involving No Significant Hazards Considerations - Publication Date: August 16, 2016 ML16215A2272016-08-0303 August 2016 Biweekly Federal Register Notice - Applications and Amendments to Facility Operating Licenses and Combined Licenses Involving No Significant Hazards Considerations - Publication Date: August 16, 2016 NRC-2016-0100, Biweekly Federal Register Notice - Applications and Amendments to Facility Operating Licenses and Combined Licenses Involving No Significant Hazards Considerations - Publication Date: May 24, 20162016-05-13013 May 2016 Biweekly Federal Register Notice - Applications and Amendments to Facility Operating Licenses and Combined Licenses Involving No Significant Hazards Considerations - Publication Date: May 24, 2016 ML16131A7952016-05-13013 May 2016 Biweekly Federal Register Notice - Applications and Amendments to Facility Operating Licenses and Combined Licenses Involving No Significant Hazards Considerations - Publication Date: May 24, 2016 ML16061A3012016-03-0202 March 2016 Biweekly Federal Register Notice - Applications and Amendments to Facility Operating Licenses and Combined Licenses Involving No Significant Hazards Considerations - Publication Date: March 15, 2016 NRC-2015-0269, Biweekly FRN - Applications and Amendments to Facility Operating Licenses and Combined Licenses Involving No Significant Hazards Considerations - Publication Date: December 8, 20152015-11-27027 November 2015 Biweekly FRN - Applications and Amendments to Facility Operating Licenses and Combined Licenses Involving No Significant Hazards Considerations - Publication Date: December 8, 2015 ML15328A5502015-11-27027 November 2015 Biweekly FRN - Applications and Amendments to Facility Operating Licenses and Combined Licenses Involving No Significant Hazards Considerations - Publication Date: December 8, 2015 ML15252A1102015-09-11011 September 2015 Letter, Newspaper Notice, Exigent License Amendment Request to Amend Technical Specification Surveillance Requirement 3.1.5.3 for Control Element Assembly 88 for the Remainder of Cycle 19 ML13018A2392015-04-0808 April 2015 G20110171 - Letter to Petitioner Saporito on Proposed Director'S Decision Regarding 2.206 Petition Dated: March 12, 2011 ML14177A6452014-06-27027 June 2014 Applications and Amendments to Facility Operating Licenses and Combined Licenses Involving No Significant Hazards Considerations ML14059A1812014-03-0707 March 2014 FRN - Withdrawal of License Amendment Request to Revise Technical Specifications; Eliminate Use of the Term Core Alteration Consistent w/TSTF-471 and NUREG-1432, Rev 3 ML13225A5572013-08-12012 August 2013 Rescission of Certain Security Orders Concerning Spent Nuclear Fuel in Transit ML13228A3992013-08-12012 August 2013 Letter to Holders of Independent Spent Fuel Storage Installation (ISFSI) Licenses Re Rescission of Certain Security Orders Concerning Spent Nuclear Fuel in Transit - Rin 3150-AI64 (NRC-2009-0163) EA-02-109 NRC-2012-0067, Order Modifying Licenses with Regard to Reliable Spent Fuel Pool Instrumentation (Effective Immediately) - to All Power Reactor Licensees and Holders of Construction Permits in Active or Deferred Status2012-03-12012 March 2012 Order Modifying Licenses with Regard to Reliable Spent Fuel Pool Instrumentation (Effective Immediately) - to All Power Reactor Licensees and Holders of Construction Permits in Active or Deferred Status 2024-05-03
[Table view] |
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7590-01-P UNITED STATES NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION ARIZONA PUBLIC SERVICE COMPANY, ET AL.
DOCKET NO. STN 50-528 PALO VERDE NUCLEAR GENERATING STATION, UNIT 1 ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT AND FINDING OF NO SIGNIFICANT IMPACT The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) is considering issuance of an temporary exemption from Title 10 of the Code of Federal Regulations (10 CFR) Part 50, Section 50.46 and 10 CFR 50, Appendix K, for Facility Operating License No. NPF-41, issued to Arizona Public Service Company (APS, the licensee), for operation of the Palo Verde Nuclear Generating Station (PVNGS), Unit 1, located in Maricopa County, Arizona. Therefore, as required by 10 CFR 51.21, the NRC is issuing this environmental assessment and finding of no significant impact.
ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT Identification of the Proposed Action:
The proposed action would allow the use of up to eight lead fuel assemblies (LFAs) manufactured by AREVA NP with fuel rods clad with M5 to be inserted into the PVNGS, Unit 1 reactor core during operating Cycles 15, 16, and 17.
The proposed action is in accordance with the licensee=s request for exemption dated March 8, 2008, as supplemented by letter dated September 10, 2008.
The Need for the Proposed Action:
The proposed temporary exemption is needed to allow the use of M5 LFAs by APS to evaluate cladding for future fuel assemblies that may need to be of a more robust design than
current fuel assemblies to allow for possibly higher duty or extended burnup. The regulations specify standards and acceptance criteria only for fuel rods clad with Zircaloy or ZIRLO.
Consistent with 10 CFR 50.46, a temporary exemption is required to use fuel rods clad with an advanced alloy that is not Zircaloy or ZIRLO. Therefore, the licensee needs a temporary exemption to insert up to eight LFAs containing new cladding material into the PVNGS, Unit 1 reactor core for test during operation.
Environmental Impacts of the Proposed Action:
The NRC has completed its safety evaluation of the proposed action and concludes that the proposed exemption will not present any undue risk to the public health and safety. The safety evaluation performed by Framatome ANP, Inc., BAW-10227P-A, Evaluation of Advanced Cladding and Structural Material (M5) in PWR Reactor Fuel, Framatome Cogema Fuels, February 2000, demonstrates that the predicted chemical, mechanical, and material performance characteristics of the M5 cladding are within those approved for Zircaloy under anticipated operational occurrences and postulated accidents. Furthermore, the LFAs will be placed in non-limiting locations. In the unlikely event that cladding failures occur in the LFAs, the environmental impact would be minimal and is bounded by previous accident analyses.
The details of the staff=s safety evaluation will be provided in the exemption that will be issued as part of the letter to the licensee approving the exemption to the regulation.
The proposed action will not significantly increase the probability or consequences of accidents. No changes are being made in the types of effluents that may be released offsite.
There is no significant increase in the amount of any effluent released offsite. There is no significant increase in occupational or public radiation exposure. Therefore, there are no significant radiological environmental impacts associated with the proposed action.
With regard to potential non-radiological impacts, the proposed action does not have a potential to affect any historic sites. It does not affect non-radiological plant effluents and has no other environmental impact. Therefore, there are no significant non-radiological environmental impacts associated with the proposed action.
Accordingly, the NRC concludes that there are no significant environmental impacts associated with the proposed action.
Environmental Impacts of the Alternatives to the Proposed Action:
As an alternative to the proposed action, the staff considered denial of the proposed action (i.e., the Ano-action@ alternative). Denial of the application would result in no change in current environmental impacts. The environmental impacts of the proposed action and the alternative action are similar.
Alternative Use of Resources:
The action does not involve the use of any different resources than those previously considered in the Final Environmental Statement for the PVNGS, Unit 1, NUREG-0841, dated February 1982.
Agencies and Persons Consulted:
In accordance with its stated policy, on September 9, 2008, the staff consulted with the Arizona State official, Aubrey Godwin of the Arizona Radiation Regulatory Agency, regarding the environmental impact of the proposed action. The State official had no comments.
FINDING OF NO SIGNIFICANT IMPACT On the basis of the environmental assessment, the NRC concludes that the proposed action will not have a significant effect on the quality of the human environment. Accordingly, the NRC has determined not to prepare an environmental impact statement for the proposed action.
For further details with respect to the proposed action, see the licensee=s letter dated March 8, 2008, as supplemented by letter dated September 10, 2008 (Agencywide Documents Access and Management System (ADAMS) Accession Nos. ML080790524 and ML082620212, respectively). Documents may be examined, and/or copied for a fee, at the NRC=s Public Document Room (PDR), located at One White Flint North, Public File Area O1 F21, 11555 Rockville Pike (first floor), Rockville, Maryland. Publicly available records will be accessible electronically from the ADAMS Public Electronic Reading Room on the Internet at the NRC Web site, http://www.nrc.gov/reading-rm/adams.html. Persons who do not have access to ADAMS or who encounter problems in accessing the documents located in ADAMS should contact the NRC PDR Reference staff by telephone at 1-800-397-4209 or 301-415-4737, or send an e-mail to pdr.resource@nrc.gov.
Dated at Rockville, Maryland, this 26th day of September 2008.
FOR THE NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION
/RA/
Balwant K. Singal, Senior Project Manager Plant Licensing Branch IV Division of Operating Reactor Licensing Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation