Finding of No Significant Impact and Notice of Opportunity for a Hearing Renewal of Special Nuclear Material License SNM-1227 Siemens Power Corporation Richland Engineering and Manufacturing Facility Richland, Washington

NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION

[Docket 70-1257]

Finding of No Significant Impact and Notice of Opportunity for a

Hearing Renewal of Special Nuclear Material License SNM-1227 Siemens

Power Corporation Richland Engineering and Manufacturing Facility

Richland, Washington

The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission is considering the renewal

of Special Nuclear Material License SNM-1227 for the continued

operation of the Siemens Power Corporation's (SPC) Engineering and

Manufacturing Facility located in Richland, Washington. The facility

manufactures low-enriched uranium fuel for commercial nuclear power

reactors.

Summary of the Environmental Assessment

Identification of the Proposed Action

The proposed action is the renewal of SPC's special nuclear

material license for 10 years. With this renewal, SPC will continue to

operate the Richland Engineering and Manufacturing Facility to

fabricate fuel assemblies for commercial nuclear power reactors. SPC is

authorized to possess and use up to 25,000 kilograms of uranium-235 in

compounds enriched up to 5 weight percent in the U-235.

The facility converts low-enriched uranium hexafluoride (UF6)

to uranium dioxide (UO2) powder, presses the UO2 into

pellets, loads the pellets into rods, and assembles the rods into final

fuel assemblies. Most of the UF6-to-UO2 conversion is

performed using the ammonium diuranate (ADU) process; however, with

this license renewal, SPC will significantly expand its existing dry

conversion capacity and shut down most of the ADU process capacity. The

environmental assessment considers both the impacts of continued

operation of the ADU process and the impacts of the expanded dry

conversion capacity, which are expected to be significantly reduced.

The Need for the Proposed Action

SPC performs a necessary service for the commercial nuclear power

industry by fabricating fuel assemblies. Currently, the SPC facility is

one of four such producers of low-enriched uranium fuel that operates

within the United States. Denial of the license renewal application is

an alternative available to the NRC but would result in either the

expansion of production capacity or transfer of fuel production

activities at another facility.

Environmental Impacts of the Proposed Action

The continued operation of the SPC facility will result in the

continued release of low levels of hazardous and radioactive

constituents. Under accident conditions, the facility could release

higher concentrations over a short period of time. The facility uses a

number of controls to reduce the release of hazardous and radioactive

materials to the environment and performs monitoring of effluents and

the environment. These controls and the monitoring program are

described below.

The radiological environmental impacts of normal operations and

postulated accidents were evaluated for the SPC facility. These impacts

are summarized following the description of controls and monitoring.

Effluent Controls and Monitoring

The SPC facility produces gaseous, liquid, and solid effluent

streams. Gaseous effluents are controlled by minimizing the amount of

airborne radioactive materials within the plant and by the use of stack

scrubbers and High Efficiency Particulate Air (HEPA) filters. Liquid

effluents are controlled by the use of waste water retention lagoons

and treatment systems that reduce the concentration of radioactive

materials prior to discharge to the Richland city sewer system. Solid

effluents are controlled by segregation of radioactive wastes from

trash and hazardous wastes; containment of wastes in drums or boxes on

site; treatment by decontamination, compaction, or incineration, as

appropriate; and final disposal off site.

SPC monitors these effluents at or just prior to the points of

release. Gaseous stack effluents are sampled continuously at isokinetic

flow conditions, and the samples are analyzed for radioactivity. Liquid

effluents are sampled at the lift station at the point of discharge to

the sewer, and the samples are analyzed for uranium and other

constituents. Solid wastes are surveyed prior to treatment or off-site

disposal.

Action levels have been selected for each of these effluents, in

accordance [[Page 33244]] with applicable NRC, Environmental Protection

Agency (EPA), and State regulations, and are incorporated into the

renewed license. These action levels specify radionuclide

concentrations at which investigations would be initiated and

operations would be shut down.

The effluent monitoring program will cover the expanded dry

conversion process, including monitoring of new process off-gas and

building ventilation systems.

Environmental Monitoring

SPC also performs monitoring to detect accumulation of radioactive

materials in the environment. Off-site soils are sampled from two

stations quarterly and are analyzed for uranium. Off-site vegetation is

sampled from two stations monthly during the growing season and is

analyzed for fluoride as an indicator of plant emissions. Ambient air

is sampled continuously at two stations and analyzed for fluoride.

The lagoon liner systems are inspected monthly for the presence of

liquids. If liquids are present, a sample is taken and analyzed for

constituents present in the lagoon. If the liquids are identified as

lagoon contents, the lagoon would be emptied and the liner repaired.

Ground water near the lagoons is sampled on a quarterly basis, and

the samples analyzed for gross alpha and beta and for chlorides,

nitrate nitrogen, ammonia nitrogen, and pH. If the ground water data

indicate a lagoon leak, then the lagoon would be emptied and the liner

repaired.

Richland city sewage plant sludge is sampled monthly and analyzed

for uranium. If a running average of the analyses over a 6-month period

exceeds 25 pico-curies per gram, or any single confirmed result equals

or exceeds 30 pico-curies per gram discharges to the sewer will be

stopped and an investigation will be performed.

The environmental monitoring program will not change as a result of

the dry conversion process expansion.

Environmental Impacts From Normal Operations

The release of radioactive material to air and water represents a

potential negative impact on the health and safety of the surrounding

population. This impact results in a very small increase in the risk of

cancer due to low levels of radiation exposure. The risk has been

calculated and presented in terms of committed effective dose

equivalent and organ doses resulting from a single year of operation.

For doses resulting from inhalation or ingestion of uranium, this

quantity is the total effective dose equivalent or organ dose that will

accrue to an individual over a 50-year period beginning with the year

the intake occurs. Doses to a hypothetical maximally exposed individual

and collective dose to the population living within an 80 kilometer (50

mile) radius of the SPC facility were calculated and are summarized

below.

Based on effluent data for the past 5 years, the SPC facility is

expected to release approximately 15 microcuries per year (Ci/

yr) of alpha activity and 1.4 Ci/yr of beta activity via

gaseous emissions and less than 0.06 curies per year of uranium via

sewer discharges. The amount of gaseous alpha emissions is expected to

be reduced significantly when the change from ADU conversion to dry

conversion is completed.

Doses to the maximally exposed individual via the atmospheric and

aqueous release pathways were calculated using the Hanford

Environmental Dosimetry Software system (GENII code) and realistic and

conservative assumptions.

The total effective dose to a hypothetical resident at the site

boundary would be 0.024 millirems per year from atmospheric emissions.

The total effective dose to the nearest existing downwind residence,

3.4 kilometers (2.1 miles) southeast of the plant, is calculated at

0.0002 millirem per year from atmospheric emissions. These doses are

far below the 25 millirem per year standard in 40 CFR Part 190 for

organ doses from fuel cycle operations and the 10 millirem per year

standard in 40 CFR Part 61, Subpart I, for doses from atmospheric

releases.

The collective dose to the population from routine atmospheric

releases is estimated at 0.0035 person-rem per year, less than 0.00005

percent of the 85,000 person-rem per year that the same population is

exposed to from natural background sources.

Radioactive material released from the SPC facility to the Richland

sewer system, and ultimately to the Columbia River, may result in

radiation exposure to humans through a variety of pathways. The primary

pathways considered in the analysis were ingestion of drinking water

from the Columbia River, consumption of fish from the river and

terrestrial foodstuffs irrigated with river water, and exposure during

recreational activities such as swimming and boating. Doses to a

maximally exposed individual living near the site and to the population

within 80 kilometers (50 miles) downstream were calculated. The

radionuclide release rates used in the analysis are from measurements

of the effluent discharged to the sewer system. Because most of the

reported concentrations were at or below the lower limit of detection

for the analytical procedure, the aqueous release used in the dose

calculation conservatively overestimates the actual release. The total

effective dose from aqueous effluents to the Columbia River from the

ADU conversion process was calculated at 0.00056 millirem, which is

well below applicable regulatory standards in 40 CFR Part 190 and 10

CFR Part 20, Subpart D. Most of the dose is from U-234, and the bone

surface receives the highest dose. Liquid releases from the dry

conversion process, after the lagoon contents are processed, are

expected to average about 30 percent of the current levels.

The dose to the surrounding population from aqueous releases is

estimated at 0.074 person-rem per year. This dose is less than 0.004

percent of the 21,000 person-rem per year from natural background

radiation sources to the downstream population.

The treatment in the city sewage treatment plant of liquid releases

results in some reconcentration of uranium in sewage sludge. Sludge

from the sewage plant is shipped daily to the Richland city landfarm

where it is mixed with approximately equal amounts of petroleum-

contaminated soils and native soils. After 6 months, the mixture is

used as intermediate cover at the city landfill. SPC samples the sludge

on a monthly basis and analyzes it for uranium content. The

concentration of uranium in the sludge has been on the order of 10

picocuries per gram (pCi/g) of sludge (wet weight basis), and SPC has

committed to action levels of 25 pCi/g for any 6-month running average

or 30 pCi/g for a single sample. If these action levels are exceeded,

discharges to the sewer will be halted and an investigation performed.

Environmental Impacts From Accidental Releases

Release of radioactive or hazardous materials under off-normal or

accident conditions poses a potential risk to public health and safety

and the environment. The potential consequences of these accidents

include personal injury, health effects from acute exposures to toxic

materials, non-stochastic effects from acute radiation exposure, and

risk of latent cancer fatality from exposure to radioactive material.

A set of four accidents spanning the range of potential

consequences was selected and evaluated. Three of the four scenarios

evaluated the accidental release of radioactive materials. The intakes

and predicted doses for the three [[Page 33245]] radiological accident

scenarios were small, with negligible associated health effects, or

below the level normally assumed for the onset of clinically observed

effects. The fourth accident analyzed, the release of gaseous ammonia,

would be expected to produce noticeable, but not life-threatening

effects both on site and off site. Given the low likelihood of these

accidents, it is concluded that the license renewal will not have a

significant impact on the general population.

Socioeconomic Impacts

SPC employs 1,000 people at the Richland plant, which is

approximately 1.5 percent of the 68,000 people employed in the Tri-

Cities area. Renewal of the license will allow the continued operation

of the facility and continued employment of these 1,000 people.

Alternatives to the Proposed Action

If the license is not renewed, the facility would cease operation

and begin decontamination and decommissioning. SPC would perform a

survey of the site grounds and buildings and develop a detailed

decontamination and decommissioning plan. This plan would include the

decontamination of buildings, lagoons, and other outdoor areas;

generation and off-site disposal of significant quantities of low-level

radioactive waste; and excavation of contaminated soils.

Decontamination and decommissioning operations would result in the

release of small amounts of radioactivity to the atmosphere and to the

Columbia River. Specific estimates of the quantities that would be

released and associated doses are too speculative to predict, but the

expected range could be about the same as for continued operation to

one order of magnitude less. Consequently, the doses to the maximally

exposed individual and to the general population would be about the

same to an order of magnitude less.

The decontamination and decommissioning operations would require

fewer employees than plant operations, resulting in an immediate

negative socioeconomic impact. This negative socioeconomic impact would

increase when decontamination and decommissioning operations were

completed and the facility closed.

The cessation of operations would also result in there being one

less operating fuel fabrication facility in the U.S., with a potential

impact on the commercial nuclear power industry.

Agencies and Persons Consulted

To prepare the Environmental Assessment, the staff used the license

renewal application dated August 1992; Revision 4 to the Supplement to

Applicant's Environmental Report dated July 1994; additional

information dated September 12 and October 21, 1994, and March 31,

1995; and independent data and analyses. In addition, discussions were

held with the Washington Department of Health, Radiation Protection

Division; the Washington Department of Ecology Nuclear Waste Program

and Water Quality Section; the Benton County Clean Air Authority; the

United States Environmental Protection Agency, Region X; the City of

Richland Department of Water and Waste Utilities; the Washington State

Archeologist; the Bureau of Indian Affairs, Yakama Agency; and the

Yakama Indian Nation.

Conclusion

The NRC staff concludes that the environmental impacts associated

with the proposed license renewal for continued operation of SPC's

Richland facility are expected to be insignificant.

Finding of No Significant Impact

The Commission has prepared an Environmental Assessment related to

the renewal of Special Nuclear Material License SNM-1227. On the basis

of this assessment, NRC has concluded that environmental impacts that

would be created by the proposed licensing action would not be

significant and do not warrant the preparation of an Environmental

Impact Statement. Accordingly, it has been determined that a finding of

no significant impact is appropriate.

Opportunity for a Hearing

Any person whose interest may be affected by the issuance of this

license renewal may file a request for a hearing. Any request for

hearing must be filed with the Office of the Secretary, U.S. Nuclear

Regulatory Commission, Washington, DC 20555, within 30 days of the

publication of this notice in the Federal Register; must be served on

the NRC staff (Executive Director for Operations, One White Flint

North, 11555 Rockville Pike, Rockville, MD 20852), and on the licensee

(Siemens Power Corporation, 2101 Horn Rapids Road, Richland, WA 99352-

0130); and must comply with the requirements for requesting a hearing

set forth in the Commission's regulation 10 CFR Part 2, Subpart L,

``Informal Hearing Procedures for Adjudications in Materials Licensing

Proceedings.''

These requirements, which the requestor must address in detail,

are:

1. The interest of the requestor in the proceeding;

2. How that interest may be affected by the results of the

proceeding, including the reasons why the requestor should be permitted

a hearing;

3. The requestor's areas of concern about the licensing activity

that is the subject matter of the proceeding; and

4. The circumstances establishing that the request for hearing is

timely, that is, filed within 30 days of the date of this notice.

In addressing how the requestor's interest may be affected by the

proceeding, the request should describe the nature of the requestor's

right under the Atomic Energy Act of 1954, as amended, to be made a

party to the proceeding; the nature and extent of the requestor's

property, financial, or other (i.e., health, safety) interest in the

proceeding; and the possible effect of any order that may be entered in

the proceeding upon the requestor's interest.

Dated at Rockville, Maryland, this 20th day of June 1995.

For the Nuclear Regulatory Commission.

Robert C. Pierson,

Chief, Licensing Branch, Division of Fuel Cycle Safety and Safeguards,

NMSS.

[FR Doc. 95-15675 Filed 6-26-95; 8:45 am]

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