[Federal Register Volume 59, Number 47 (Thursday, March 10, 1994)]
[Unknown Section]
[Page 0]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 94-5543]
[[Page Unknown]]
[Federal Register: March 10, 1994]
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NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION
[Docket Nos. 50-498 AND 50-499]
Houston Lighting & Power Co.; South Texas Project, Unit Nos. 1
and 2; Environmental Assessment and Finding of No Significant Impact
The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (the Commission) is
considering issuance of an exemption from the requirements of 10 CFR
55.59(a)(1) and (c)(1) in response to a request filed by the Houston
Lighting & Power Company, et al. (the licensee), for the South Texas
Project, Units 1 and 2, located in Matagorda County, Texas.
Environmental Assessment
Identification of Proposed Action
The proposed exemption would allow the licensee to exceed the
allowable time limit of twenty-four continuous months for each operator
to successfully complete a requalification program as stated in 10 CFR
55.59(a)(1) and (c)(1). The proposed action is in accordance with the
licensee's request for exemption dated December 17, 1993, and
supplemented by letter dated January 14, 1994.
The Need for the Proposed Action
The exemption is requested on a one-time only basis to support the
current requalification cycle that started on April 13, 1992. In
January 1994, South Texas Project, Units 1 and 2 (STP) began a six-
operating crew, six-week requalification training plan. This change
will cause the current requalification cycle to continue until April
22, 1994, which exceeds the twenty-four month limit stated in 10 CFR
55.59.
Environmental Impacts of the Proposed Action
The Commission has completed its evaluation of the proposed
exemption. The proposed exemption would allow STP to complete the
current requalification cycle on April 22, 1994, an extension of ten
days. This is a result of STP changing from five to six crews, as an
enhancement to the operational staff. The increase was made to help
maintain individual workloads at a reasonable level, to reduce the need
for routine overtime, and to allow for continued, uninterrupted
training. There will be no changes to the facility or the environment
as a result of the exemption. Therefore, the Commission concludes that
there are no significant radiological environmental impacts associated
with the proposed exemption.
With regard to potential nonradiological impacts, the proposed
changes do not affect nonradiological effluents and have no other
environmental impact. Therefore, the Commission concludes that there
are no significant nonradiological environmental impacts associated
with the proposed exemption.
Alternative to the Proposed Action
Since the Commission concluded that there are no significant
environmental impacts that would result from the proposed action, any
alternative will have either no significantly different environmental
impact or will have greater environmental impact. The principal
alternative would be to deny the requested exemption. This would not
reduce environmental impacts as a result of plant operation.
Alternative Use of Resources
This action does not involve the use of resources not previously
considered in the Final Environmental Statement for the South Texas
Project, Units 1 and 2, dated August 1986.
Agencies and Persons Contacted
The NRC staff reviewed the licensee's request. The staff consulted
with the State of Texas regarding the environmental impact of the
proposed action.
Finding of No Significant Impact
The Commission has determined not to prepare an environmental
impact statement for the proposed exemption.
Based upon the foregoing environmental assessment, we conclude that
the proposed action will not have a significant effect on the quality
of the human environment.
For further details with respect to this action, see the request
for exemption dated December 17, 1993, as supplemented by letter dated
January 14, 1994, which are available for public inspection at the
Commission's Public Document Room, the Gelman Building, Lower Level,
2120 L Street, NW., Washington, DC 20555 and at the Wharton County
Junior College, J.M. Hodges Learning Center, 911 Boling Highway,
Wharton, Texas 77488.
Dated at Rockville, Maryland, this 3rd day of March 1994.
For the Nuclear Regulatory Commission.
William D. Reckley,
Acting Director, Project Directorate IV-2, Division of Reactor Projects
III/IV/V, Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation.
[FR Doc. 94-5543 Filed 3-9-94; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 7590-01-M
