[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 63 (Monday, April 1, 1996)]
[Notices]
[Pages 14337-14338]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-7836]



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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 issuance of an amendment to the technical specifications 
(TSs) for Facility Operating License No. NPF-21, issued to Washington 
Public Power Supply System (the Supply System, or the licensee) for 
operation of the WPPSS Nuclear Project No. 2, located in Benton County, 
Washington.

Environmental Assessment

Identification of the Proposed Action

    The proposed change would modify the TSs to reflect replacement of 
the existing reactor recirculation (RRC) flow control system with an 
adjustable speed drive (ASD) system. The current system relies on 
operation of the RRC pumps at two discrete speeds, using flow control 
valves to vary the flow in the RRC system. Following the design change, 
the flow control valves and the existing pump controllers would be 
deactivated in place. The existing analog-hydraulic flow control system 
will be replaced with dual channel, variable frequency ASDs and a 
digital recirculation flow control system that would vary RRC flow by 
varying RRC pump speed. The proposed TS changes would reflect the new 
RRC flow control system.

The Need for the Proposed Action

    The licensee proposed the action to improve the reliability of flow 
control in the RRC system, and to provide increased operational 
flexibility during plant startup to avoid RRC pump cavitation and core 
instability restriction zones.

Environmental Impacts of the Proposed Action

    The Commission has completed its evaluation of the proposed action. 
The proposed change would not affect the probability of loss of the RRC 
pumps. Blocking open the RRC flow control valves would remove the 
potential failure of these valves from affecting operation of the RRC 
system, thereby reducing the probability of loss of RRC flow from this 
failure. The proposed change would allow removal of the hydraulic 
components for the RRC flow control valves and allow the licensee to 
cap eight containment penetrations. This in turn would allow removal of 
the 16 associated containment isolation valves. This reduces the number 
of potential leakage paths from the containment, and removes these 
potential leakage paths from affecting the consequences of postulated 
accidents. The proposed change also does not affect the types of any 
effluents that may be released offsite, and there is no increase in the 
allowable individual or cumulative occupational radiation exposure. 
Accordingly, the Commission concludes that there are no significant 
radiological environmental impacts associated with the proposed action.
    With regard to potential non-radiological impacts, the proposed 
action does involve features located entirely within the restricted 
area as defined in 10 CFR Part 20. The proposed action does not affect 
systems that generate or process non-radiological plant effluents, and 
has no other environmental impact. Accordingly, the Commission 
concludes that there are no significant non-radiological environmental 
impacts associated with the proposed action.

Alternatives to the Proposed Action

    Since the Commission has concluded that there is no measurable 
environmental impact associated with the proposed action, any 
alternatives with equal or greated impact need not be evaluated. As an 
alternative to the proposed action, the Commission 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

    The proposed action does not involve the use of any resources not 
previously considered in the Final Environnmental Statement for WNP-2.

Agencies and Persons Consulted

    In accordance with its stated policy, on February 27, 1996, the 
Commission consulted with the Washington State official, Mr. R.R. 
Cowley of the Department of Health, State of

[[Page 14338]]
Washington Energy Facility Site Evaluation Council, 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 letter dated October 26, 1995, which is available for public 
inspection at the Commission's Public Document Room, The Gelman 
Building, 2120 L Street, NW., Washington, DC 20555, and at the local 
public document room located at the Richland Public Library, 955 
Northgate Street, Richland, Washington 99352.

    Dated at Rockville, Maryland, this 26th day of March 1996.

    For the Nuclear Regulatory Commission.
James W. Clifford,
Senior Project Manager, Project Directorate IV-2, Division of Reactor 
Projects III/IV, Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation.
[FR Doc. 96-7836 Filed 3-29-96; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 7590-01-P