[Federal Register Volume 60, Number 40 (Wednesday, March 1, 1995)]
[Notices]
[Pages 11124-11125]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 95-4975]



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NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION

[Docket No. 50-213


Connecticut Yankee Atomic Power Company; Haddam Neck Plant; 
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-61, issued to Connecticut Yankee Atomic Power Company (CYAPCO, the 
licensee), for operation of the Haddam Neck Plant, located in Middlesex 
County, Connecticut.

Environmental Assessment

Identification of the Proposed Action

    By amendment request dated December 22, 1993, CYAPCO has proposed 
to revise Technical Specification (TS) 3/4.4.10, ``Structural 
Integrity,'' Surveillance Requirement 4.4.10. The licensee has proposed 
an alternate Reactor Coolant Pump (RCP) flywheel inspection frequency 
and examination methods. The staff has extended the RCP flywheel 
inspection frequency for RCPs 1 and 2 for one refueling outage until 
the staff can complete the review for a permanent change.

The Need for the Proposed Action

    CYAPCO has determined that the existing RCP flywheel inspection 
program as discussed in Regulatory Guide (RG) 1.14, ``Reactor Coolant 
Pump Flywheel Integrity,'' can be optimized by revising the RCP 
flywheel inspection frequency and examination methods. By optimizing 
the RCP flywheel inspection program, the licensee will alleviate 
current testing requirements that are overly restrictive for predicting 
RCP flywheel integrity and gain increased flexibility in utilizing 
personnel during subsequent RCP flywheel examinations. This TS change 
reflects the licensee's proposed alternate RCP flywheel inspection 
frequency and examination methods. The staff has determined additional 
information is needed to complete this review, however, the staff has 
concluded that the request has sufficient merit to extend the TS 
required inspections for RCPs 1 and 2 for one Cycle.

Environmental Impacts of the Proposed Action

    The Commission has reviewed the proposed revision to the TS. The 
staff has concluded that additional information regarding the proposed 
inservice examination methods, flaw acceptance criteria, and the 
supporting fracture mechanics analysis are needed to complete the 
review. However, the staff has concluded that the proposed TS change 
involving the changes in TS 3/4.4.10, ``Structural Integrity,'' 
Surveillance Requirement 4.4.10, can be implemented for Cycle 18 
refueling outage as the change would only affect one of the five 
inspection criteria and two of the four RCPs. In particular, the 
ultrasonic volumetric inspection frequency for the areas of higher 
stress concentration for RCPs 1 and 2 be extended for one cycle until 
the staff can complete the review of the licensee's proposed increased 
inspection frequency and alternative examination methods for the RCP 
flywheels. These changes will not affect the desired margins of safety 
for the two affected accidents: (1) RCP locked rotor event, and (2) 
adequacy of missile protection inside containment and, therefore, the 
extension of the inspection interval by one refueling cycle is 
acceptable. This conclusion is based on the flaw history of the RCP 
flywheels and the likelihood that the most recent inspections would 
have detected any flaws of structural significance.
    The proposed TS 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 
this proposed TS amendment.
    With regard to potential nonradiological impacts, the proposed 
amendment 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 amendment.
    Accordingly, the Commission concludes that there are no significant 
radiological or nonradiological environmental impacts associated with 
the proposed amendment.

Alternatives to the Proposed Action

    Since the Commission has concluded there is no measurable 
environmental impact associated with the proposed amendment, 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 resources not considered 
previously in the Final Environmental Statement for the Haddam Neck 
Plant.

Agencies and Persons Consulted

    In accordance with its stated policy, the staff consulted with the 
Connecticut State official 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 amendment.
    For further details with respect to this proposed action, see the 
licensee's letter dated December 22, 1993, 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 Russell Library, 123 Broad Street, 
Middletown, Connecticut 06547.

    [[Page 11125]] Dated at Rockville, Maryland, this 22nd day of 
February 1995.

    For the Nuclear Regulatory Commission.
Ronald W. Hernan,
Acting Director, Project Directorate I-4, Division of Reactor 
Projects--I/II, Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation.
[FR Doc. 95-4975 Filed 2-28-95; 8:45 am]
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