[Federal Register Volume 59, Number 104 (Wednesday, June 1, 1994)]
[Unknown Section]
[Page 0]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 94-13249]


[[Page Unknown]]

[Federal Register: June 1, 1994]


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NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION

[Docket No. 50-397]

 

Washington Public Power Supply System WPPSS Nuclear Project No. 
2; Environmental Assessment and Finding of No Significant Impact

    The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (the Commission) is 
considering issuing a license amendment in response to a Washington 
Public Power Supply System (the licensee) request for the WNP-2 nuclear 
plant, located in Benton County, Washington.

Environmental Assessment

Identification of Proposed Action

    The proposed action would change the license to permit upgrading 
the analog main steam line (MSL) radiation monitors to digital 
monitors. The proposed action is in accordance with the licensee's 
November 30, 1993, amendment request.

The Need for the Proposed Action

    The utility needs the MSL analog to digital radiation monitor 
upgrade because General Electric no longer manufactures the analog 
monitor currently installed at the plant. Thus, the utility is not sure 
replacement parts will be available in the future. The monitors are 
also becoming obsolete. The proposed change represents an unreviewed 
safety question, as defined in 10 CFR part 59. The digital monitors use 
a microcomputer, and have electronic circuits that could be susceptible 
to common-mode failures. Failure mechanisms include software, 
electrostatic discharge, and electromagnetic and radio frequency 
interference. Thus, the licensee needs prior NRC approval and a license 
amendment to make the change.

Environmental Impacts of the Proposed Action

    The proposed exemption would not adversely affect radiation monitor 
functions since the licensee determined the replacement monitor is an 
exact replacement for the analog monitors. The MSL radiation monitors 
detect fuel element failures, and trip the main condenser mechanical 
vacuum pump and associated discharge valve. The new digital monitors 
will continue to do these functions. The digital monitor has present 
day state of the art technology and features, including improved drift 
rate, instrument accuracy and resolution, and reliability. The existing 
analog monitors have problems with signal drift, spiking, inaccuracy, 
and channel drawer failures. The new installation will use the existing 
ion chamber detectors and associated inplant cabling.
    Issuing this exemption will not increase accident probability or 
result in any environmental impacts beyond those evaluated in the WNP-2 
Final Environmental Statement. 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 nonradiological impacts, the proposed 
exemption does not affect nonradiological plant effluents and has no 
other environmental impact. Therefore, the Commission concludes that 
there are no significant nonradiological environmental impacts 
associated with the proposed exemption.
    The Notice of Consideration of Issuance of Amendment to Facility 
Operating License and Opportunity for a Hearing in connection with this 
action was published in the Federal Register on March 10, 1994 (59 FR 
11334). No request for hearing or petition for leave to intervene was 
filed following this notice.

Alternative to the Proposed Action

    Any alternative with equal or greater environmental impact does not 
need to be evaluated since the Commission has concluded that the 
environmental effects of the proposed action are not significant.
    The principal alternative would be to deny the license amendment 
request. This would not reduce the facility's environmental impact, and 
would result in a larger expenditure of licensee resources to maintain, 
calibrate, and test the MSL radiation monitors.

Alternative Use of Resources

    This action does not use resources not previously considered in the 
Final Environmental Statement related to operation of the Washington 
Nuclear Project, Unit No. 2 dated December 1981.

Agencies and Persons Consulted

    The Commission's staff reviewed the licensee's request and 
consulted the Washington State official. The state official had no 
comments.

Finding of No Significant Impact

    Based upon the foregoing environmental assessment, the Commission 
concludes that the proposed action will not have a significant effect 
on the quality of the human environment. Accordingly, the Commission 
has determined not to prepare an environmentall impact statement for 
the proposed exemption.
    For further details with respect to this action, see the November 
30, 1994, request for license amendment which is available for public 
inspection at the Commission's Public Document Room, 2120 L Street, 
NW., Washington, DC 20555.

    Dated: Dated at Rockville, Maryland, this 25th day of May 1994.

    For The Nuclear Regulatory Commission
Theodore R. Quay,
Director, Project Directorate IV-3, Division of Reactor Projects--III/
IV, Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation.
[FR Doc. 94-13249 Filed 5-31-94; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 7590-01-M