[Federal Register Volume 60, Number 119 (Wednesday, June 21, 1995)]
[Notices]
[Page 32356]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 95-15141]



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NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION
[Docket No. 50-445]


Texas Utilities Electric Company; Comanche Peak Steam Electric 
Station, Unit 1; Environmental Assessment and Finding of No Significant 
Impact

    The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (the Commission) is 
considering issuance of an exemption from certain requirements of its 
regulations for Facility Operating License No. NPF-87, issued to Texas 
Utilities Electric Company (TU Electric, the licensee), for the 
Comanche Peak Steam Electric Station (CPSES), Unit 1, located in 
Somervell County, Texas.

Environmental Assessment

Identification of Proposed Action

    The proposed exemption would extend the first inservice test (IST) 
program interval for Unit 1 from 120 months to approximately 156 
months.
    The proposed action is in accordance with the licensee's 
application for exemption dated March 1, 1994, as supplemented by 
letter dated August 12, 1994.

The Need for the Proposed Action

    The proposed action is to extend the CPSES Unit 1 IST program 
interval beyond the 120 months specified in 10 CFR 50.55a(f)(4)(ii) 
which began on the Unit 1 commercial operation date (August 13, 1990) 
to 120 months from the Unit 2 commercial operation date (August 3, 
1993). This extension from 120 months to 156 months for the Unit 1 IST 
interval is being requested in order to maintain the consistency of the 
IST program between CPSES Units 1 and 2.
    The licensee intends to perform all future IST program updates for 
both units at 120-month intervals based on the Unit 2 commercial 
operation date.

Environmental Impacts of the Proposed Action

    The Commission has completed its evaluation of the proposed action 
and concludes that it is advantageous for a facility with two similar 
units to implement an IST program which is consistent between units by 
testing each unit to the same Code edition and by scheduling 120-month 
program updates on each unit to coincide. CPSES Units 1 and 2 are 
similar units and the licensee has therefore attempted to capture these 
advantages through the use of one IST program which specifies the same 
test requirements for both units based on the same ASME Code Edition.
    The advantages include a significant reduction in the 
administrative effort required in preparing periodic program updates, a 
corresponding reduction in the program review effort by the NRC staff 
and a reduction in the potential for personnel errors in the 
performance of testing requirements. Further, a significant unit 
difference is eliminated by applying the same Code requirements to the 
testing of both units. In addition, this exemption increases plant 
safety through simplification and standardization of plant testing 
procedures, does not present an undue risk to the public health and 
safety, and is consistent with the common defense and security.
    The 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. 
According, the Commission concludes that there are no significant 
radiological environmental impacts associated with the proposed action.
    With regard to potential nonradiological impacts, the proposed 
action 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 action.

Alternatives to the Proposed Action

    Since the Commission has concluded there is no measurable 
environmental impact associated with the proposed action, 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 any resources not 
previously considered in the Final Environmental Statement for the 
CPSES, Units 1 and 2, dated October 1989.

Agencies and Persons Consulted

    In accordance with its stated policy, on May 31, 1995, the staff 
consulted with the Texas State official, Mr. Arthur Tate of the Texas 
Department of Health, Bureau of Radiation Control, regarding the 
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 action.
    For further details with respect to the proposed action, see the 
licensee's exemption request letter dated March 1, 1994, as 
supplemented by letter dated August 12, 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 University of Texas at Arlington Library, 
Government Publications/Maps, 702 College, P.O. Box 19497, Arlington, 
Texas 76019.


    Dated at Rockville, Maryland, this 12th day of June 1995.

    For the Nuclear Regulatory Commission.
Timothy J. Polich, Project Manager,
Project Directorate IV-1 Division of Reactor Projects III/IV, Office of 
Nuclear Reactor Regulation.
[FR Doc. 95-15141 Filed 6-20-95; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 7590-01-M