[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 156 (Thursday, August 13, 1998)]
[Notices]
[Page 43435]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-21758]
[[Page 43435]]
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NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION
[Docket No. 50-461]
Illinois Power; Clinton Power Station, 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.
NPF-62, issued to Illinois Power (the licensee), for operation of the
Clinton Power Station located in DeWitt County, Illinois.
Environmental Assessment
Identification of the Proposed Action
The proposed action is in accordance with the licensee's
application for amendment dated May 4, 1998, and would incorporate
Technical Specifications requirements for the protection systems for
the new static VAR compensators being installed onsite to address
degraded electrical grid voltage.
The Need for the Proposed Action
The proposed action is needed as part of the solution to address
degraded electrical grid voltage at Clinton Power Station.
Environmental Impacts of the Proposed Action
The Commission has completed its evaluation of the proposed action
and concludes that the change will improve the plant's capability to
handle degraded grid voltage. 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 occupational or public
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 nonradiological environmental impact.
Accordingly, the Commission concludes that there are no significant
environmental impacts associated with the proposed action.
Alternatives to the Proposed Action
Since the Commission has concluded there is no significant
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
Clinton Power Station (NUREG-0854, May 1982).
Agencies and Persons Consulted:
In accordance with its stated policy, on June 11, 1998, the staff
consulted with the Illinois State official, F. Nizidlek of the Illinois
Department of Nuclear Safety, 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 May 4, 1998, 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 Vespasian Warner Public Library, 310 N.
Quincy Street, Clinton, IL 61727.
Dated at Rockville, Maryland, this 7th day of August 1998.
For the Nuclear Regulatory Commission.
Jon B. Hopkins,
Senior Project Manager, Project Directorate III-3, Division of Reactor
Projects--III/IV, Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation.
[FR Doc. 98-21758 Filed 8-12-98; 8:45 am]
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