Wolf Creek Nuclear Operating Corporation (Wolf Creek Generating Station); Environmental Assessment and Finding of No Significant Impact

[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 55 (Tuesday, March 23, 1999)]
[Notices]
[Pages 14018-14019]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-7031]


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NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION

[Docket No. 50-482]


Wolf Creek Nuclear Operating Corporation (Wolf Creek Generating 
Station); 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-42, issued to Wolf Creek Nuclear Operating Corporation (the 
licensee), for operation of the Wolf Creek Generating Station located 
in Coffey County, Kansas.

Environmental Assessment

Identification of the Proposed Action

    The amendment would revise Technical Specification (TS) 4.7.3b, 
``Plant Systems--Component Cooling Water System--Surveillance 
Requirements,'' by deleting the requirement to perform the specified 
surveillances during shutdown. A change to the applicable Bases would 
also be included.
    The proposed action is in accordance with the licensee's 
application for amendment dated May 15, 1997, as supplemented by 
letters dated June 30, August 5, August 28, September 24, October 16, 
October 23, November 24, December 2, December 17, and December 21, 
1998, and January 15, 1999.

Need for the Proposed Action

    By letter dated May 15, 1997, Wolf Creek Nuclear Operating 
Corporation (the licensee) proposed a conversion of the current TSs for 
Wolf Creek to the Improved Technical Specifications (ITSs). When the 
TS-required 18-month testing (during shutdown) of the component cooling 
water system (CCWS) was last conducted, a portion of the required 
testing was not completed for one pump in each train of the CCWS. The 
proposed action, an amendment to modify the TSs to allow testing during 
power operations, would avert a plant shutdown to complete this 
testing.

Environmental Impacts of the Proposed Action

    With regard to potential radiological impacts to the general 
public, the amendment under consideration involves features located 
entirely within the restricted area as defined in 10 CFR part 20. It 
does not affect the potential for radiological accidents and does not 
affect radiological plant effluents. No safety limits will be changed 
or setpoints altered as a result of the TS revision. The proposed 
action 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 occupational 
or public radiation exposure. Therefore, there are no significant 
radiological environmental impacts associated with the proposed action.
    With regard to potential nonradiological impacts, the proposed 
action does not involve any historic sites. It does not affect 
nonradiological plant effluents and would have no other environmental 
impact. Therefore, there are no significant nonradiological 
environmental impacts associated with the proposed action.
    Accordingly, the Commission concludes that there are no significant 
environmental impacts associated with the proposed action.

Alternative to the Proposed Action

    As an alternative to the proposed action, the staff considered 
denial of the proposed action (i.e., the ``no-action'' alternative). 
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.

[[Page 14019]]

Alternative Use of Resources

    This action does not involve the use of any resources not 
previously considered in the ``Final Environmental Statement Related to 
the Operation of Wolf Creek Generating Station, Unit No. 1'' dated June 
1982.

Agencies and Persons Contacted

    In accordance with its stated policy, on March 8, 1999, the staff 
consulted with the Kansas State official, Mr. Vick Cooper, of the 
Kansas Department of Health and Environment, regarding the 
environmental impact of the proposed action. The State official had no 
comments.

Finding of No Significant Impact

    On the basis of 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 application for amendment dated May 15, 1997, as 
supplemented by letters dated June 30, August 5, August 28, September 
24, October 16, October 23, November 24, December 2, December 17, and 
December 21, 1998, and January 15, 1999, 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 rooms located at Emporia State University, William Allen White 
Library, 1200 Commercial Street, Emporia, Kansas 66801, and Washburn 
University School of Law Library, Topeka, Kansas 66621.

    Dated at Rockville, Maryland, this 17th day of March 1999.

    For the Nuclear Regulatory Commission.
Kristine M. Thomas,
Project Management, Project Directorate IV-2, Division of Licensing 
Project Management, Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation.
[FR Doc. 99-7031 Filed 3-22-99; 8:45 am]
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