ML063130491

Energy Facility Site Evaluation Council - Columbia Generating Station Exemption Request - Review of NRC Environmental Assessment and Finding of No Significant Impact

ML063130491
Person / Time
Site:	Columbia
Issue date:	10/27/2006
From:	Mills M State of WA, Energy Facility Site Evaluation Council
To:	Christopher Regan Office of Nuclear Material Safety and Safeguards
References
TAC L24030
Download: ML063130491 (2)

Text

.V STATE OF WASHINGTON ENERGY FACILITY SITE EVALUATION COUNCIL PO Box 43172 e Olympia, Washington 98504-3172 October 27, 2006 Mr. Christopher Regan Senior Project Manager Divisionof Spent Fuel Storage and Transportation Office of Nuclear Material Safety and Safeguards United States Nuclear Regulatory Commission Washington, District of Columbia 20555-0001

Subject:

Columbia Generating Station - Facility operating License NPF-21 Request for an Exemption from the Requirements of Appendix B, Section 3.4.3a of the Holtec International HI-STORM 100 Cask System COC1014 (Amendment 1),

Site Specific Parameters and Analyses, Docket No. 72-35 (TAC No. L24030)

Dear Mr. Regan:

'

The Washington State Energy Facility Site Evaluation Council has completed its review of the subject request from Energy Northwest to be exempt from the monitoring requirements of 10 CFR 72.212(a); 72.212(b)(2)(i); 72.212(b)(7); and 72.214 as they relate to the Holtec International HI-STORM interface coefficient of friction during environmental conditions that may degrade the pad/cask interface, such as due to icing. Based on a review of the exemption request by the State Department of Health - Environmental Radiation Section, the Council concurs with the Nuclear Regulatory Commission's (NRC) Environmental Assessment and Finding of No Significant Impact regarding the proposed action.

It is our understanding that regulations provide Energy Northwest two options to address cold weather (icy) conditions at their Independent Spent Fuel Storage Installation (ISFSI) site. One method requires that plant personnel perform compensatory measures manually within the ISFSI site. These measures are covered in the provisions of the regulations cited above.

The other way for Energy Northwest to demonstrate the safe condition of the storage casks at the Columbia ISFSI during cold weather environs is by performing analyses consistent with the methods approved in Amendment 2 to COC1014. Energy Northwest is proposing to perform the analysis consistent with Amendment 2, and through its review, the NRC has concluded that even (360) 956-2121 Telefax (360) 956-2158 Of

Mr. Regan October 27, 2006 Page two if there is some build-up of ice at the cask/pad interface, the result will not cause the cask to shift, fall off the pad, or knock over another cask. Also, by allowing the analysis option and eliminating the manual de-icing, worker radiation dose is reduced.

We appreciate the opportunity to review Energy Northwest's exemption request and, as noted above, support the findings of your review.

If you have any questions, please call me at (360) 956-2151.

Sincerely, Mike Mills Compliance Manager cc: Doug Coleman, Energy Northwest Lynn Albin & Dick Cowley, Department of Health