97-14400. Vermont Yankee Nuclear Power Corporation; Vermont Yankee Nuclear Power Station; Environmental Assessment and Finding of No Significant Impact  

  • [Federal Register Volume 62, Number 106 (Tuesday, June 3, 1997)]
    [Notices]
    [Pages 30357-30358]
    From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
    [FR Doc No: 97-14400]
    
    
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    NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION
    
    [Docket No. 50-271]
    
    
    Vermont Yankee Nuclear Power Corporation; Vermont Yankee Nuclear 
    Power Station; 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 
    No. DPR-28, issued to Vermont Yankee Nuclear Power Corporation (the 
    licensee), for operation of the Vermont Yankee Nuclear Power Station 
    (the facility) located in Windham County, Vermont.
    
    Environmental Assessment
    
    Identification of Proposed Action
    
        The proposed exemption would grant relief from the technical 
    requirements of Section III.G of Appendix R to Title 10 of the Code of 
    Federal Regulations, Part 50, to the extent that it specifies the 
    separation of certain redundant safe shutdown circuits with fire-rated 
    barriers. Alternatively, the licensee proposes to use fire resistant 
    cables in plant areas on the 280 foot elevation of the Reactor 
    Building.
        The proposed exemption is in accordance with the licensee's 
    application dated May 28, 1996, as supplemented by letters dated July 
    26, 1996, and November 15, 1996.
    
    The Need for the Proposed Action
    
        The need for this action arises because Paragraph III.G.2.c of 
    Section III.G, ``Fire protection of safe shutdown capability,'' of 
    Appendix R to 10 CFR Part 50, requires:
        Enclosure of cable and equipment and associated non-safety circuits 
    of one redundant train in a fire barrier having a 1-hour fire rating. 
    In addition, fire detectors and an automatic fire suppression system 
    shall be installed in the fire area.
        The licensee requested an exemption from these requirements to 
    allow the use of fire resistant cables instead of enclosing the cables 
    in fire barriers having a 1-hour fire resistance rating. The licensee 
    proposed to use Rockbestos Firezone R Appendix R fireproof cable to 
    control equipment necessary to ensure Reactor Building corner room 
    cooling in the event of a fire in the Cable Vault. An exemption is 
    needed because the Firezone R cables do not meet the literal 
    requirements of the regulation.
    
    Environmental Impacts of the Proposed Action
    
        The Commission has completed its evaluation of the proposed 
    exemption and concludes that the proposed exemption will provide 
    sufficient fire protection and that there is no increase in the risk of 
    fires at the facility. Consequently, the probability of fires has not 
    been increased and the post-fire radiological releases will not be 
    greater than previously determined, nor does the proposed exemption 
    otherwise affect radiological plant effluents.
        The change 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 
    actions involve features located entirely within the restricted area as 
    defined in
        10 CFR Part 20. They do not affect nonradiological plant effluents 
    and have no other environmental impact. Accordingly, the Commission 
    concludes that there are no significant nonradiological environmental 
    impacts associated with the proposed actions.
    
    Alternatives to the Proposed Action
    
        Since the Commission has concluded there is no measurable 
    environmental
    
    [[Page 30358]]
    
    impact associated with the proposed actions, any alternatives with 
    equal or greater environmental impact need not be evaluated. As an 
    alternative to the proposed actions, the staff considered denial of the 
    proposed actions. Denial of the application would result in no change 
    in current environmental impacts. The environmental impacts of the 
    proposed actions and the alternative action are similar.
    
    Alternative Use of Resources
    
        These actions do not involve use of resources not previously 
    considered in the Final Environmental Statement for the Vermont Yankee 
    Nuclear Power Station.
    
    Agencies and Persons Consulted
    
        In accordance with its stated policy, on April 3, 1997, the staff 
    consulted with the Vermont State official, Mr. William K. Sherman of 
    the Vermont Department of Public Service, regarding the environmental 
    impact of the proposed actions. The State official had no comments.
    
    Finding of No Significant Impact
    
        Based upon the environmental assessment, the Commission concludes 
    that the proposed actions 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 exemption.
        For further details with respect to the proposed actions, see the 
    application dated May 28, 1996, as supplemented by letters dated July 
    26, 1996, and November 15, 1996, 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 Brooks Memorial Library, 224 Main Street, 
    Brattleboro, VT 05301.
    
        Dated at Rockville, Maryland this 28th day of May 1997.
    
        For the Nuclear Regulatory Commission.
    Vernon L. Rooney,
    Senior Project Manager, Project Directorate I-3, Division of Reactor 
    Projects--I/II, Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation.
    [FR Doc. 97-14400 Filed 6-2-97; 8:45 am]
    BILLING CODE 7590-01-P
    
    
    

Document Information

Published:
06/03/1997
Department:
Nuclear Regulatory Commission
Entry Type:
Notice
Document Number:
97-14400
Pages:
30357-30358 (2 pages)
Docket Numbers:
Docket No. 50-271
PDF File:
97-14400.pdf