[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 55 (Friday, March 21, 1997)]
[Notices]
[Page 13726]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-7318]
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NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION
[50-282 AND 50-306]
Northern States Power Company; Prairie Island Nuclear Generating
Plant, Units 1 and 2 Environmental Assessment and Finding of No
Significant Impact
The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (the Commission) is
considering issuance of an amendment to the Facility Operating License
Nos. DPR-42 and DPR-60, issued to Northern States Power Company, (the
licensee), for operation of the Prairie Island Nuclear Generating
Plants, Unit 1 and 2, respectively, located in Goodhue County,
Minnesota.
Environmental Assessment
Identification of the Proposed Action
The proposed action would allow license amendments for Prairie
Island Nuclear Generating Plant, Units 1 and 2, that resolve unreviewed
safety questions associated with post-seismic cooling water source
operations.
The proposed action is in accordance with the licensee's
application for amendments dated January 29, 1997, as supplemented
February 11, 12, March 7, 10, and 11, 1997.
The Need for the Proposed Action
The proposed action would revise the cooling water system emergency
intake design bases. The proposed amendments contain license conditions
that provide interim measures to resolve unreviewed safety questions
relating to the cooling water system emergency intake line. The interim
measures include the use of a dedicated operator to identify a seismic
event so that nonessential cooling water loads can be stripped and the
cooling water load demand can be reduced to within the capacity of the
seismically qualified emergency intake pipe following a design-basis
earthquake. The use of the dedicated operator will be eliminated when
the licensee is able to provide a seismically qualified cooling water
source either through analyses or modifications.
Environmental Impacts of the Proposed Action
The Commission has completed its evaluation of the proposed action
and concludes that pursuant to 10 CFR 50.90, the proposed amendments
would not significantly increase the probability or consequences of
accidents previously analyzed and the proposed amendments would not
affect facility radiation levels or facility radiological effluents.
The changes will not significantly 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 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.
Alternative Use of Resources
This action does not involve the use of any resources not
previously considered in the Final Environmental Statement for the
Prairie Island Nuclear Generating Plants, Units 1 and 2.
Agencies and Persons Consulted
In accordance with its stated policy, on March 18, 1997, the staff
consulted with the Minnesota State official, Mr. Michael McCarthy of
the Department of Public Services, 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 January 29, 1997, as supplemented by letters
dated February 11, 12, March 7, 10, and 11, 1997, 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 Minneapolis Public Library,
Technology and Science Department, 300 Nicollet Mall, Minneapolis,
Minnesota 55401.
Dated at Rockville, Maryland, this 18th day of March 1997.
For the Nuclear Regulatory Commission.
Beth Wetzel,
Project Manager, Project Directorate III-1, Division of Reactor
Projects--III/IV, Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation.
[FR Doc. 97-7318 Filed 3-20-97; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 7590-01-P
