[Federal Register: February 26, 1999 (Volume 64, Number 38)]
[Notices]               
[Page 9549-9550]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr26fe99-107]

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NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION

[Docket Nos. STN 50-454, STN 50-455]

 
Commonwealth Edison Company; Byron Station, Units 1 and 2; 
Environmental Assessment and Finding of No Significant Impact

    The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (the Commission) is 
considering issuance of exemptions to Facility Operating License Nos. 
NPF-37 and NPF-66, issued to Commonwealth Edison Company (ComEd, the 
licensee) for operation of Byron Station, Units 1 and 2, located in 
Ogle County, Illinois.

Environmental Assessment

Identification of the Proposed Action

    The proposed action would exempt Byron Station, Units 1 and 2, from 
the requirements of 10 CFR 50.44, 10 CFR 50.46 and 10 CFR Part 50, 
Appendix K, to allow the use of two Lead Test Assemblies (LTA).
    The proposed action is in accordance with the licensee's 
application of October 22, 1998.

The Need for the Proposed Action

    As the nuclear industry pursues longer operating cycles with 
increased fuel discharge burnups and more aggressive fuel management, 
the corrosion performance requirements for the nuclear fuel cladding 
becomes more demanding. Industry data indicates that corrosion 
resistance improves for cladding with a lower tin content. In addition, 
fuel rod internal pressures resulting from the increased fuel duty, use 
of Integral Fuel Burnable Absorbers and corrosion/temperature feedback 
effects have become more limiting with respect to fuel rod design 
criteria. By reducing the associated corrosion buildup and, thus, 
minimizing temperature feedback effects, additional margin to fuel rod 
internal pressure design criteria is obtained. As part of a program to 
address these issues, Westinghouse Electric Company has developed an 
LTA program which includes a ZIRLO fuel cladding with a tin content 
lower than the currently licensed range for ZIRLO. 10 CFR 50.44, 10 CFR 
50.46 and 10 CFR Part 50, Appendix K, make no provisions for use of 
fuel rods clad in a material other than Zircaloy or ZIRLO. The licensee 
has requested the use of an LTA with a tin composition that is less 
than the licensing basis for ZIRLO, as defined in Westinghouse design 
specifications. Therefore, use of the LTA requires exemptions from 10 
CFR 50.44, 10 CFR 50.46 and 10 CFR Part 50. As part of this program, 
ComEd and Westinghouse propose to include two LTAs in the Byron 
Station, Unit 1, Cycle 10, core in non-limiting core locations during 
the refueling outage currently scheduled to begin March 27, 1999.

Environmental Impacts of the Proposed Action

    The Commission has completed its environmental evaluation of the

[[Page 9550]]

proposed action and concludes that the proposed exemptions would not 
increase the probability or consequences of accidents previously 
analyzed and would not affect facility radiation levels or facility 
radiological effluents.
    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 off site, 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 non-radiological impacts, the proposed 
action does not involve any historic sites. It does not affect non-
radiological plant effluents and has no other environmental impact. 
Therefore, there are no significant non-radiological environmental 
impacts associated with the proposed action.
    Accordingly, the Commission concludes that there are no significant 
environmental impacts associated with the proposed action.

Alternatives 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.

Alternative Use of Resources

    This action does not involve the use of any resources not 
previously considered in the Final Environmental Statement for Byron 
Station, Units 1 and 2.

Agencies and Persons Consulted

    In accordance with its stated policy, on February 4, 1999, the 
staff consulted with the Illinois State official, Mr. Frank Niziolek, 
of the Illinois Department of Nuclear Safety, 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 letter dated October 22, 1998, 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 Byron Public Library District, 109 N. 
Franklin, P.O. Box 434, Byron, Illinois 61010.

    Dated at Rockville, Maryland, this 22nd day of February 1999.

    For the Nuclear Regulatory Commission.
Stuart A. Richards,
Director, Project Directorate III-2, Division of Reactor Projects--III/
IV, Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation.
[FR Doc. 99-4815 Filed 2-25-99; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 7590-01-P