[Federal Register Volume 59, Number 208 (Friday, October 28, 1994)]
[Unknown Section]
[Page ]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 94-26649]


[Federal Register: October 28, 1994]


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NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION

[Docket No. 50-346]


Cleveland Electric Illuminating Company, Et Al. (Davis-Besse 
Nuclear Power Plant, Unit No. 1); Environmental Assessment and Finding 
of No Significant Impact

    The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (the Commission) is 
considering issuance of a partial exemption from the requirements of 10 
CFR part 50, appendix J, for Facility Operating License No. NPF-3 
issued to the Toledo Edison Company, Centerior Service Company, and the 
Cleveland Electric Illuminating Company (the licensees), for operation 
of the Davis-Besse Nuclear Power Station, Unit No. 1, located in Ottawa 
County, Ohio.

Environmental Assessment

Identification of Proposed Action

    The proposed exemption would relieve the licensee from the 
requirement of conducting a full pressure airlock leakage test, 
pursuant to section III.D.2(b)(ii) of appendix J to 10 CFR part 50, 
whenever airlocks are opened during periods when containment integrity 
is not required and no maintenance has been performed on the airlock 
that affects its sealing capabilities. The licensee would rely instead, 
on the seal leakage test described in section III.D.2(b)(iii), when the 
reactor is in cold shutdown (MODE 5) or refueling (MODE 6) and when no 
maintenance has been performed on the airlock.
    The licensee's request for exemption and the bases therefor are 
contained in a letter dated October 21, 1994.

The Need for the Proposed Action

    The proposed exemption is from performance of the leakage rate test 
required by paragraph III.D.2(b)(ii) of 10 CFR part 50, appendix J, 
which requires at least 12 hours per airlock to perform. Exemption from 
full pressure leakage tests on airlocks opened during a period when 
containment integrity is not required would provide the licensee with 
greater plant availability over the lifetime of the plant.

Environmental Impact of Proposed Action

    The proposed exemption would permit the substitution of an airlock 
seal leakage test (section III.D.2(b)(iii) of appendix J of 10 CFR part 
50) for the full pressure airlock test, otherwise required by section 
III.D.2(b)(ii) when the airlock is opened, while the reactor is in cold 
shutdown or refueling mode. If the tests required by section III.D.2(b) 
(i) and (iii) are current, and no maintenance performed on the airlock, 
then there will be adequate assurance of continued leak tight integrity 
of the airlock, and this exemption will not affect containment 
integrity, and does not affect the risk of facility accidents. Thus, 
post-accident radiological releases will not be greater than previously 
determined, nor does the proposed exemption otherwise affect 
radiological plant effluents, nor result in any significant 
occupational exposure. Likewise, the exemption does not affect non-
radiological plant effluents and has no other environmental impact. 
Therefore, the Commission concludes that there are no significant 
radiological or non-radiological environmental impacts associated with 
the proposed exemption.

Alternative to the Proposed Action

    Because it has been concluded that there is no significant impact 
associated with the proposed exemption, any alternative to the 
exemption will have either no environmental impact or greater 
environmental impact.
    The principal alternative would be to deny the requested exemption. 
Such action would not reduce environmental impacts of Davis-Besse, Unit 
No. 1 operations and would result in reduced operational flexibility or 
unwarranted delays in power ascension.

Alternative Use of Resources

    This action does not involve the use of resources not previously 
considered in connection with the ``Final Environmental Statement 
Related to Operation of Davis-Besse, Unit No. 1,'' dated October 1975.

Agencies and Persons Consulted

    The NRC staff consulted with the Ohio State official regarding the 
environmental impact of the proposed action. 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 environmental impact statement for the 
proposed exemption.
    For further details with respect to the proposed action, see the 
licensee's request for exemption dated October 21, 1994, which is 
available for public inspection at the Commission's Public Document 
Room, 1717 H Street NW., Washington, DC, and the University of Toledo 
Library, Documents Department, 2801 Bancroft Avenue, Toledo, Ohio 
03606.

    Dated at Rockville, Maryland, this 21st day of October 1994.

    For the Nuclear Regulatory Commission.
Linda L. Gundrum,
Project Manager, Project Directorate III-3, Division of Reactor 
Projects--III/IV, Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation.
[FR Doc. 94-26649 Filed 10-27-94; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 7590-01-M