[Federal Register Volume 60, Number 240 (Thursday, December 14, 1995)]
[Notices]
[Pages 64182-64183]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 95-30457]
=======================================================================
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
[[Page 64183]]
NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION
[Docket No. 50-302]
Florida Power Company, Crystal River Nuclear Generating Plant,
Unit 3; 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.
DPR-72 issued to Florida Power Compant (the licensee) for operation of
Crystal River Nuclear Generating Plant, Unit 3, located in Citrus
County, Florida.
Environmental Assessment
Identification of Proposed Action
The proposed amendment would include provisions in Technical
Specifications (TS) Section 3.7 which allow for the storage of fuel
with an enrichment not to exceed 5.0 w/o U-235 in the new and spent
fuel storage racks. The proposed action is in accordance with the
licensee's application for amendment dated January 26, 1995, as
supplemented March 9, 1995, and May 24, 1995.
The Need for Proposed Action
The proposed changes are needed so that the licensee can use higher
fuel enrichment to provide the flexibility of extending the fuel
irradiation and to permit operation for longer fuel cycles.
Environmental Impacts of the Proposed Action
The Commission has completed its evaluation of the proposed
revisions to the TS. The proposed revisions would permit use of fuel
enriched to a nominal 5.0 weight percent Uranium 235. The safety
considerations associated with reactor operation with higher enrichment
and extended irradiation have been evaluated by the NRC staff. The
staff has concluded that such changes would not adversely affect plant
safety. The proposed changes have no adverse effect on the probability
of any accident. The higher enrichment, with fuel burnup to 60,000
megawatt days per metric ton uranium, may slightly change the mix of
fission products that might be released in the event of a serious
accident, but such small changes would not significantly affect the
consequences of serious accidents. No changes are being made in the
types or amounts of any radiological effluents that may be released
offsite. There is no significant increase in the allowable individual
or cumulative occupational radiation exposure.
With regard to potential nonradiological impacts of reactor
operation with higher enrichment and extended irradiation, the proposed
changes to the TS involve systems located within the restricted area,
as defined in 10 CFR Part 20. They do not affect nonradiological plant
effluents and have no other environmental impact.
The environmental impacts of transportation resulting from the use
of higher enrichment fuel and extended irradiation were published and
discussed in the staff assessment entitled, ``NRC Assessment of the
Environmental Effects of Transportation Resulting from Extended Fuel
Enrichment and Irradiation,'' dated July 7, 1988, and published in the
Federal Register (53 FR 30355) on August 11, 1988. As indicated
therein, the environmental cost contribution of the proposed increase
in the fuel enrichment and irradiation limits are either unchanged or
may, in fact, be reduced from those summarized in Table S-4 as set
forth in 10 CFR 51.52(c). Accordingly, the Commission concludes that
there are no significant radiological environmental impacts associated
with the proposed amendment.
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. It does not affect 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.
Alternative to the Proposed Action
Since the Commission concluded that there are no significant
environmental effects that would result from the proposed action, any
other alternative would have equal or greater environmental impacts and
need not be evaluated.
The principal alternative would be to deny the requested
amendments. This would not reduce the environmental impact of plant
operations and would result in reduced operational flexibility.
Alternative Use of Resources
This action does not involve the use of any resources not
previously considered in the Final Environmental Statement related to
operation of the Crystal River Nuclear Generating Plant, Unit 3.
Agencies and Persons Consulted
In accordance with its stated policy, on November 16, 1995, the NRC
staff consulted with the Florida State official, Dr. Lyle Jerrett of
the State Office of Radiation Control, regarding the environmental
impact of the proposed action. The State official had no comments.
Finding of No Significant Impact
The Commission has determined not to prepare an environmental
impact statement for the proposed license amendments.
Based upon the foregoing environmental assessment, we conclude that
the proposed action will not have a significant effect on the quality
of the human environment.
For further details with respect to this action, see the
application for amendment dated January 26, 1995, and supplements to
the application dated March 9, 1995, and May 24, 1995. These documents
are 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 for the Crystal River Nuclear
Generating Station, Unit 3, located at the Coastal Region Library, 8619
W. Crystal Street, Crystal River, Florida 32629.
Dated at Rockville, Maryland, this 5th day of December 1995.
For the Nuclear Regulatory Commission.
David B. Matthews,
Director, Project Directorate II-1, Division of Reactor Projects I/II,
Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation.
[FR Doc. 95-30457 Filed 12-13-95; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 7590-01-P