[Federal Register Volume 60, Number 27 (Thursday, February 9, 1995)]
[Notices]
[Pages 7800-7801]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 95-3233]
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NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION
Northeast Nuclear Energy Company; Millstone Nuclear Power
Station, Unit No. 3; 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-49, issued to Northeast Nuclear Energy Company (the licensee), for
operation of the Millstone Nuclear Power Station, Unit No. 3, located
in New London County, Connecticut.
Environmental Assessment
Identification of the Proposed Action
The proposed action would revise Technical Specification (TS)
3.5.2.a by granting a one-time extension of the allowable Residual Heat
Removal (RHR) pump outage time for mechanical seal replacement and
related modifications from 72 hours to 120 hours. This exception would
only be used one time per pump and expire on April 30, 1995. The
amendment would clearly define the times in which each RHR pump and
associated RHR heat exchanger must be restored to an operable state.
The proposed action is in accordance with the licensee's
application for amendment dated August 16, 1994, as supplemented by
letter dated January 10, 1995.
The Need for the Proposed Action
The proposed action would reduce the potential for an unnecessary
plant shutdown, thus, eliminating a source of unnecessary challenges to
the plant's safety systems.
Environmental Impacts of the Proposed Action
The Commission has completed its evaluation of the proposed action
and concludes that one-time extension of the RHR pump outage time from
72 hours to 120 hours to acceptable.
The 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 the proposed action.
With regard to potential nonradiological impacts, the proposed
action 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 action.
Alternatives to the Proposed Action
Since the Commission has concluded there is no measurable
environmental impact associated with the proposed action, 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. [[Page 7801]]
Alternative Use of Resources
This action does not involve the use of any resources not
previously considered in the Final Environmental Statement for the
Millstone Nuclear Power Station, Unit No. 3.
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 action.
For further details with respect to the proposed action, see the
licensee's letter dated August 16, 1994, as supplemented by letter
dated January 10, 1995, 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 Learning Resource Center, Three Rivers Community-
Technical College, Thames Valley Campus, 574 New London Turnpike,
Norwich, CT 06360.
Dated at Rockville, Maryland, this 3rd day of February 1995.
For the Nuclear Regulatory Commission
Phillip F. McKee,
Director, Project Directorate I-4, Division of Reactor Projects--I/II,
Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation.
[FR Doc. 95-3233 Filed 2-8-95; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 7590-01-M
