[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 89 (Friday, May 8, 1998)]
[Notices]
[Pages 25526-25527]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-12280]


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NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION

[Docket No. 50-352]


Philadelphia Electric Company; Limerick Generating Station, Unit 
1 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. 
NPF-39, issued to Philadelphia Electric Company (the licensee), for 
operation of the Limerick Generating Station (LGS), Unit 1, located in 
Montgomery and Chester Counties, Pennsylvania.

Environmental Assessment

Identification of the Proposed Action

    The proposed action would approve the implementation of a plant 
modification to support the installation of replacement suction 
strainers for the emergency core cooling systems (residual heat removal 
and core spray) pumps at LGS, Unit 1.
    The proposed action is in accordance with the licensee's 
application for amendment dated October 6, 1997, as supplemented by 
letter dated February 2, 1998.

The Need for the Proposed Action

    On May 6, 1996, the NRC issued NRC Bulletin 96-03, ``Potential 
Plugging of Emergency Core Cooling Suction Strainers by Debris in 
Boiling Water Reactors'', that requested addressees to implement 
appropriate procedural measures and plant modifications to minimize the 
potential for clogging of emergency core cooling system (ECCS) 
suppression pool suction strainers by debris generated during a loss-
of-coolant accident (LOCA) and requested that addressees report to the 
NRC whether they intend to implement the requested actions.
    In response to the above cited bulletin, the licensee proposed a 
plant modification to install replacement suction strainers in the 
emergency core cooling (ECCS) pumps. The replacement strainer surface 
areas, which are substantially larger than the currently installed 
strainers, are required to reduce potential strainer clogging due to 
debris in the suppression pool following a postulated loss-of-coolant 
accident.

Environmental Impacts of the Proposed Action

    The Commission has completed its evaluation of the proposed action 
and concludes that the installation of the replacement strainers in the 
ECCS pumps reduces potential strainer clogging due to debris in the 
suppression pool following a loss-of-coolant accident and does not 
change the manner in which the plant is being operated or the 
environmental impacts of operation. The proposed action involves 
features entirely within the protected area as defined in 10 CFR Part 
20.
    The change will not increase the probability or consequences of

[[Page 25527]]

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 collective 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 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 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 
Limerick Generating Station, Unit 1.

Agencies and Persons Consulted

    In accordance with its stated policy, on April 10, 1998, the staff 
consulted with the Pennsylvania State official, Mr. David Ney of the 
Bureau of Radiation Protection, 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 6, 1997, as supplemented by letter 
dated February 2, 1998, 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 Pottstown Public Library, 500 High Street, Pottstown, 
Pennsylvania.

    Dated at Rockville, Maryland, this 4th day of May 1998.

    For the Nuclear Regulatory Commission.
Robert A. Capra,
Director, Project Directorate 1-2, Division of Reactor Projects--I/II, 
Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation.
[FR Doc. 98-12280 Filed 5-7-98; 8:45 am]
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