[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 17 (Monday, January 27, 1997)]
[Notices]
[Page 3925]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-1858]


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NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION
[Docket No. STN 50-530]


Arizona Public Service Company; Palo Verde Nuclear Generating 
Station, Unit No. 3; Environmental Assessment and Finding of No 
Significant Impact

    The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (the Commission) is 
considering issuance of an exemption to Facility Operating License No. 
NPF-74, issued to Arizona Public Service Company (the licensee), for 
operation of the Palo Verde Nuclear Generating Station, Unit No. 3 
located in Maricopa County, Arizona.

Environmental Assessment

Identification of the Proposed Action

    The proposed action would allow a temporary exemption for Palo 
Verde Nuclear Generating Station (PVNGS), Unit 3, from the requirements 
of 10 CFR 50.44, 10 CFR 50.46, and 10 CFR Part 50, Appendix K. The 
proposed action would permit the use of up to three lead fuel 
assemblies containing fuel rods clad with advanced Zirconium-based 
alloys in PVNGS Unit 3 for Cycles 7, 8, and 9.
    The proposed action is in accordance with the licensee's 
application for exemption dated September 12, 1996.

The Need for the Proposed Action

    The proposed action is needed to allow testing of representative 
cladding material whose chemical composition falls outside the ASTM 
specifications for Zircaloy. The regulations currently specify the use 
of Zircaloy or ZIRLO cladding material. The proposed action would allow 
testing to collect data to support future regulation changes to allow 
full batch use of the new cladding material.

Environmental Impacts of the Proposed Action

    The Commission has completed its evaluation of the proposed action 
and concludes, pursuant to 10 CFR 50.12, that the exemption is 
authorized by law and will not endanger life or property and is 
otherwise in the public interest. The proposed material is very similar 
to current cladding materials used in the core and, core neutronics, 
mechanics, hydraulics and materials integrity will not be affected by 
the use of the test assemblies.
    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. 
Accordingly, 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 that 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 reduce operational flexibility and would not change current 
environmental impacts.

Alternative Use of Resources

    This action does not involve the use of any resources not 
previously considered in the Final Environmental Statement for the Palo 
Verde Nuclear Generating Station dated February 1982.

Agencies and Persons Consulted

    In accordance with its stated policy, on January 21, 1997, the 
staff consulted with the Arizona State official, Mr. William Wright of 
the Arizona Radiation Regulatory Agency, 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 September 12, 1996, which is 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 Phoenix Public Library, 1221 N. Central 
Avenue, Phoenix, Arizona 85004.

    Dated at Rockville, Maryland, this 21st day of January 1997.

    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. 97-1858 Filed 1-24-97; 8:45 am]
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