[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 76 (Tuesday, April 21, 1998)]
[Notices]
[Pages 19759-19760]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-10544]
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NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION
[Docket No. 50-255]
Consumers Power Company, Palisades Plant; 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.
DPR-20, issued to Consumers Energy Company, (the licensee), for
operation of the Palisades Plant located in Van Buren County, Michigan.
Environmental Assessment
Identification of the Proposed Action
The proposed amendment would revise the limitations on
concentrations of radioactive material released in liquid effluents and
reflects the relocation of the prior 10 CFR 20.106 requirements to the
revised 10 CFR 20.1302.
The proposed action is in accordance with the licensee's
application for
[[Page 19760]]
amendment dated December 11, 1995, as supplemented January 18,
September 3, October 2, October 18, and October 25, 1996, and March 28,
1997.
The Need for the Proposed Action
The proposed action is needed to update the Technical
Specifications (TS) to incorporate the revised requirements of 10 CFR
part 20 (i.e., the need for the proposed action was created by a change
in the regulatory requirements).
Environmental Impacts of the Proposed Action
The proposed revision, in regard to the actual release rates as
referenced in the TS as a limitation on the concentration of
radioactive material released in liquid effluents, will not increase
the types or amounts of effluents that may be released offsite, nor
increase individual or cumulative occupational radiation exposures.
Therefore, the Commission concludes that there are no significant
radiological environmental impacts associated with the proposed
amendment.
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 amendment.
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 NRC 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
Palisades dated June 1972.
Agencies and Persons Consulted
In accordance with its stated policy, on February 12, 1998, the NRC
staff consulted with the Michigan State official, Dennis Hahn, of the
Michigan Department of Environmental Quality, Drinking Water and
Radiological Protection Division, 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 letters dated December 11, 1995, January 18, September 3,
October 2, October 18, and October 25, 1996, and March 28, 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 Van Wylen Library, Hope
College, Holland, Michigan 49423.
Dated at Rockville, Maryland, this 15th day of April 1998.
For the Nuclear Regulatory Commission.
Robert G. Schaaf,
Project Manager, Project Directorate III-1, Division of Reactor
Projects--III/IV, Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation.
[FR Doc. 98-10544 Filed 4-20-98; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 7590-01-P
