[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 92 (Wednesday, May 13, 1998)]
[Notices]
[Page 26653]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-12672]
[[Page 26653]]
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NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION
[Docket No. 50-285]
Omaha Public Power District, Fort Calhoun Station, Unit No. 1;
Environmental Assessment and Finding of No Significant Impact
The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (the Commission) is
considering issuance of an exemption from certain requirements of its
regulations to Omaha Public Power District, holder of Facility
Operating License No. DPR-40 for operation of the Fort Calhoun Station,
Unit No. 1 located in Washington County, Nebraska.
Environmental Assessment Action
Identification of Proposed Action
The proposed action would exempt Omaha Public Power District from
the requirements of 10 CFR part 50, appendix R, Section III.O, with
respect to certain unpressurized components. Section III.0 requires
reactor coolant pumps be equipped with an oil collection system if the
containment is not inerted during normal operation. The collection
systems shall be capable of collecting lube oil from all potential
pressurized and unpressurized leakage sites in the reactor coolant pump
lube oil systems. Leakage shall be collected and drained to a vented
closed container that can hold the entire lube oil system inventory.
The proposed action is in accordance with the licensee's
application for exemption dated September 30, 1997, as supplemented by
letter dated January 29, 1998.
The Need for the Proposed Action
The proposed action is needed because it would be extremely
difficult for the licensee to design, install, and maintain the
specified portions of the collection system due to location,
arrangement, equipment interferences, and radiation dose as low as
reasonably achievable (ALARA) considerations.
Environmental Impacts of the Proposed Action
The Commission has completed its evaluation of the proposed action
and concludes that there is no significant environmental impact
associated with the proposed exemption. The unpressurized components at
issue do not present a significant risk of oil leakage that could lead
to fire in containment during normal or design basis accident
conditions. The proposed action, therefore, 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.
Alternative Use of Resources
This action does not involve the use of any resources not
previously considered in the Final Environmental Statement (FES) for
the Fort Calhoun Station, Unit No. 1, dated August 1972.
Agencies and Persons Consulted
In accordance with its stated policy, on April 27, 1998, the staff
consulted with the Nebraska State official, Ms. Cheryl Rodgers of the
Department of Health, 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 September 30, 1997, and supplemental letter
dated January 29, 1998, which are available for public inspection at
the Commission's Public Document Room, which is located at The Gelman
Building, 2120 L Street, NW., Washington, DC, and at the local public
document room located at the W. Dale Clark Library, 215 South 15th
Street, Omaha, Nebraska 68102.
Dated at Rockville, Maryland, this 7th day of May 1998.
For the Nuclear Regulatory Commission.
Raynard Wharton,
Project Manager Project Directorate IV-2, Division of Reactor Projects
III/IV Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation.
[FR Doc. 98-12672 Filed 5-12-98; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 7590-01-P
