[Federal Register Volume 60, Number 69 (Tuesday, April 11, 1995)]
[Notices]
[Pages 18429-18430]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 95-8872]
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NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION
[Docket Nos. 50-275 and 50-323]
Pacific Gas and Electric Company, Diablo Canyon Nuclear Power
Plant, 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 Facility Operating License
Nos. DPR-80 and DPR-82, issued to Pacific Gas and Electric Company (the
licensee), for operation of Diablo Canyon Nuclear Power Plant, Unit
Nos. 1 and 2, located in San Luis Obispo, California.
Environmental Assessment
Identification of the Proposed Action
The proposed action would grant schedular relief from the Section
IV.F.3 of 10 CFR Part 50, Appendix E requirement for a biennial, full-
scale emergency preparedness exercise. The action would allow the
licensee to postpone its 1995 full-scale exercise until 1996 and
subsequently conduct these exercises in even-numbered years.
The proposed action is in accordance with the licensee's
application for exemption dated October 17, 1994.
The Need for the Proposed Action
The proposed action is needed to support the State of California's
request to reschedule the Diablo Canyon Nuclear Power Plant (DCPP)
offsite biennial exercise because currently both nuclear utilities
(Pacific Gas and Electric Company and Southern California Edison)
conduct their biennial, full-scale exercises in odd-numbered years,
which creates a hardship for the State in terms of manpower and
finances. The change would allow the State to participate in one
exercise each year instead of two exercises every other
year. [[Page 18430]]
Environmental Impacts of the Proposed Action
The proposed exemption would not adversely affect the response
capabilities of the licensee and governmental agencies. The most recent
DCPP offsite exercise was conducted in 1993, and there were no issues
identified which required immediate corrective actions. The Federal
Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), by letter dated March 2, 1995,
informed the NRC that such a schedule change would have no adverse
implications on public health and safety. The Commission has completed
its evaluation of the proposed action and concludes that the intent of
Appendix E, Section IV.F.3 to ensure site emergency preparedness is
maintained is met. Therefore, the change will not increase the
probability or consequences of accidents, no changes are being made in
the types or amounts 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 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 and would
result in a hardship to the State of California. 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 Diablo
Canyon Nuclear Power Plant, Units Nos. 1 and 2.
Agencies and Persons Consulted
In accordance with its stated policy, on March 27, 1995, the staff
consulted with the California State official, Mr. Steve Hsu of the
Department of Health 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 October 16, 1994, which is 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 California Polytechnic State University,
Robert E. Kennedy Library, Government Documents and Maps Department,
San Luis Obispo, California 93407.
Dated at Rockville, Maryland, this 4th day of April 1995.
For the Nuclear Regulatory Commission.
William H. Bateman,
Director, Project Directorate IV-2, Division of Reactor Projects III/
IV, Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation.
[FR Doc. 95-8872 Filed 4-10-95; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 7590-01-M
