[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 228 (Friday, November 27, 1998)]
[Notices]
[Pages 65619-65620]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-31641]
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NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION
Florida Power and Light Company, Turkey Point Units 3 and 4;
Environmental Assessment and Finding of No Significant Impact
[Docket Nos. 50-250 and 50-251]
The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (the Commission or NRC) is
considering issuance of an exemption from certain requirements of its
regulations to Florida Power and Light Company (the licensee), holder
of Facility Operating Licenses Nos. DPR-31 and DPR-41 for operation of
Turkey Point Units 3 and 4, respectively.
Environmental Assessment
Identification of Proposed Action
The proposed action is in accordance with the licensee's
application dated July 31, 1997, as supplemented by submittals dated
July 2, and October 27, 1998, for exemption from certain requirements
of Appendix R, ``Fire Protection Program for Nuclear Power Facilities
Operating Prior to January 1, 1979,'' for Turkey Point Units 3 and 4.
Specifically, the licensee requested an exemption from the requirements
of Appendix R, Subsection III.G.2.a, for raceway fire barriers in the
Open Turbine Building.
The Need for the Proposed Action
The Thermo-Lag fire barriers installed at Turkey Point Units 3 and
4 have a rating that does not meet the requirements specified in
Subsection III.G.2.a. The proposed exemption is needed because
compliance with the regulation would result in significant additional
costs.
Environmental Impacts of the Proposed Action
The Commission has completed its evaluation of the proposed action
and
[[Page 65620]]
concludes that the underlying purpose of the regulation, to provide
reasonable assurance that at least one means of achieving and
maintaining safe shutdown conditions will remain available during and
after any postulated fire in the plant, will be met. Accordingly, the
proposed action will not result in an increase in the probability or
consequences of accidents previously analyzed or result in a change in
occupational or public dose. Therefore, there are no significant
radiological impacts associated with the proposed action.
In addition, the proposed action will not result in a change in
nonradiological plant effluents and will have no other nonradiological
environmental impact.
Accordingly, the Commission concludes that there are no significant
environmental impacts associated with this action.
Alternative to the Proposed Action
As an alternative to the proposed action, the staff considered
denial of the proposed action (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 Statements related to
operation of Turkey Point Units 3 and 4, dated July 1972.
Agencies and Persons Consulted
In accordance with its stated policy, on November 4, 1998, the NRC
staff consulted with the Florida State official, Mr. William Passetti
of the Bureau of Radiation Control, 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 action.
For further details with respect to the proposed action, see the
licensee's request dated July 31, 1997, as supplemented by submittals
dated July 2, and October 27, 1998, 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 room located at the Florida International University,
University Park, Miami, Florida.
Dated at Rockville, Maryland, this 20th day of November 1998.
For the Nuclear Regulatory Commission.
Frederick J. Hebdon,
Director, Project Directorate II-3, Division of Reactor Projects--I/II,
Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation.
[FR Doc. 98-31641 Filed 11-25-98; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 7590-01-P
