[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 159 (Thursday, August 15, 1996)]
[Notices]
[Pages 42447-42448]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-20827]


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NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION
[Docket No. 50-305]


Wisconsin Public Service Corporation; Wisconsin Power and Light 
Company; Madison Gas and Electric Company; Kewaunee Nuclear Power 
Plant; Environmental Assessment and Finding of No Significant Impact

    The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (the Commission) is 
considering issuance of an exemption from the requirements of 10 CFR 
Part 50, Appendix K, Sections I.D.3 and I.D.5, to Wisconsin Public 
Service Corporation, Wisconsin Power and Light Company, and Madison Gas 
and Electric Company (the licensee), for the Kewaunee Nuclear Power 
Plant located in Kewaunee County, Wisconsin.

Environmental Assessment

Identification of the Proposed Action

    The proposed exemption would grant relief from the requirements of 
10 CFR Part 50, Appendix K, Sections I.D.3 and I.D.5, as these 
requirements relate to the calculational method for determining the 
core exit flow based on carryover fraction and the heat transfer 
analysis during the refill and reflood phase of a loss of coolant 
accident (LOCA). These calculations are part of a thermal/hydraulic 
analysis that demonstrates the existing emergency core cooling system 
(ECCS) will provide adequate protection of the reactor fuel during a 
LOCA.
    The proposed exemption is in accordance with the licensee's request 
for exemption dated July 23, 1996.

The Need for the Proposed Action

    The proposed exemption is required because the features described 
in the licensee's request indicate that the method assumed for 
injection cooling water in the reactor in thermal/hydraulic analysis is 
different than the actual method used at the plant. The evaluation 
model for analyzing potential accidents assumed cooling water would 
enter the reactor via the lower plenum, while the pipe configuration of 
the plant injects cooling water in the upper plenum of the reactor.

Environmental Impacts of the Proposed Action

    The Commission has completed its evaluation of the proposed 
exemption and concludes that the exemption deals with the calculational 
method in the analysis of a potential accident. The exemption does not 
affect in any way the plant operating characteristics or procedures, 
components or systems. Further, the proposed exemption 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 the proposed exemption.
    With regard to potential nonradiological impacts, the proposed 
exemption involves 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 exemption.

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 
Kewaunee Nuclear Power Plant.

Agencies and Persons Consulted

    In accordance with its stated policy, on August 1, 1996, the staff 
consulted with the Wisconsin State official, Lanny L. Smith, Director-
Technical Unit, Electric Division, of the Public Service Commission of 
Wisconsin, 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 July 23, 1996, which is available for public 
inspection at the Commission's Public Document Room,

[[Page 42448]]

The Gelman Building, 2120 L Street, NW., Washington, DC, and at the 
local public document room located at the University of Wisconsin, 
Cofrin Library, 2420 Nicolet Drive, Green Bay, Wisconsin 54311-7001.

    Dated at Rockville, Maryland, this 9th day of August 1996.

    For the Nuclear Regulatory Commission.
Richard J. Laufer,
Project Manager, Project Directorate III-3, Division of Reactor 
Projects--III/IV, Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation.
[FR Doc. 96-20827 Filed 8-14-96; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 7590-01-P