[Federal Register Volume 60, Number 26 (Wednesday, February 8, 1995)]
[Notices]
[Pages 7588-7589]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 95-3086]



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NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION

[Docket No. 50-213]


Connecticut Yankee Atomic Power Company; Haddam Neck Plant; 
Environmental Assessment and Finding of No Significant Impact

    The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (the Commission) is 
considering issuance of an amendment to Facility Operating License No. 
DPR-61, issued to Connecticut Yankee Atomic Power Company (CYAPCO, the 
licensee), for operation of the Haddam Neck Plant, located in Middlesex 
County, Connecticut.

Environmental Assessment

Identificatjon of the Proposed Action

    CYAPCO has proposed to revise Technical Specification (TS) 3/4.4.9, 
``Pressure Temperature Limits, Reactor Coolant System,'' Figures 3.4-3, 
4, and 5, and the associated Bases section. The proposed action is in 
accordance with the licensee's amendment request dated April 7, 1994, 
as supplemented November 4, 1994.

The Need for the Proposed Action

    NRC Information Notice 93-58, ``Nonconservatism in Low-Temperature 
Overpressure Protection for Pressurized-Water Reactors,'' alerted 
licensees of potential nonconservatisms associated with the Low 
Temperature Overpressurization Protection (LTOP) system resulting from 
pressure drop across the core. Upon review of this information, the 
Haddam Neck Plant adopted a conservative set of curves until new curves 
could be developed for the plant. These TS changes reflect the analysis 
performed to evaluate the brittle fracture requirements of 10 CFR Part 
50, Appendix G and the ASME XI Code.
    These changes will ensure that the desired margins of safety 
against nonductile failure of the reactor vessel are maintained through 
all modes of operation, especially when the reactor coolant system 
(RCS) is at low temperatures.

Environmental Impacts of the Proposed Action

    The Commission has completed its evaluation of the proposed 
revision to the TS. The staff has concluded that the proposed TS 
changes involving the changes in TS 3/4.4.9, ``Pressure/Temperature 
Limits, Reactor Coolant System,'' Figures 3.4-3, 4, and 5, and the 
associated Bases Section adequately address the non-conservatisms 
identified in NRC Information Notice 93-58 and will ensure compliance 
with the 10 CFR Part 50, Appendix G requirements during normal modes of 
operation. The staff made this determination by reviewing the plant 
specific analysis to assure that the proposed heatup, cooldown, and 
hydrostatic test, pressure/temperature limit curves have been chosen to 
ensure the plant is operated safely. In addition, the new P/T curves 
are more restrictive and conservative than the current curves.
    The proposed TS change will 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 there are no significant radiological environmental impacts 
associated with this proposed TS amendment.
    With regard to potential nonradiological impacts, the proposed 
amendment does involve features located entirely within the restricted 
area as defined in 10 CFR Part 20. It does not affect nonradiological 
plant effluents and has no other environmental impact. Accordingly, the 
Commission concludes that there are no significant nonradiological 
environmental impacts associated with the proposed amendment.
    Accordingly, the Commission concludes that there are no significant 
radiological or nonradiological environmental impacts associated with 
the proposed amendment.

Alternatives to the Proposed Action

    Since the Commission has concluded there is no measurable 
environmental impact associated with the proposed amendment, any 
alternatives with equal or greater environmental impact need not be 
evaluated. As an alternative to the proposed action, the staff 
considered denial of the proposed action. 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

    This action does not involve the use of resources not considered 
previously in the Final Environmental Statement for the Haddam Neck 
Plant.

Agencies and Persons Consulted

    In accordance with its stated policy, the staff consulted with the 
Connecticut State official regarding the [[Page 7589]] environmental 
impact of the proposed action. The State official had no comments.

Finding of No Significant Impact

    Based upon the 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 amendment.
    For further details with respect to this proposed action, see the 
licensee's letter dated April 7, 1994, as supplemented November 4, 
1994, which are available for public inspection at the Commission's 
Public Document Room, the Gelman Building, 2120 L Street, NW., 
Washington, DC, and at the local public document room located at the 
Russell Library, 123 Broad Street, Middletown, Connecticut 06547.

    Dated at Rockville, Maryland, this 1st day of February 1995.

    For the Nuclear Regulatory Commission.
Phillip F. McKee,
Director, Project Directorate I-4, Division of Reactor Projects--I/II, 
Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation.
[FR Doc. 95-3086 Filed 2-7-95; 8:45 am]
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