[Federal Register Volume 60, Number 156 (Monday, August 14, 1995)]
[Notices]
[Pages 41906-41907]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 95-20026]
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DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE
[Docket No. 50-298]
Nebraska Public Power District; Cooper Nuclear Station;
Environmental Assessment and Finding of No Significant Impact
The U. S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (the Commission) is
considering the revocation of an
[[Page 41907]]
exemption from the requirements of Appendix R to 10 CFR Part 50
previously issued to the Nebraska Public Power District (NPPD or the
licensee) for the Cooper Nuclear Station (CNS), located in Nemaha
County, Nebraska.
Environmental Assessment
Identification of the Proposed Action
The proposed action would revoke an exemption from the requirements
of Section III.G of Appendix R to 10 CFR Part 50, previously issued to
the licensee on September 21, 1983.
The proposed action is in accordance with the licensee's request
for withdrawal of the exemption dated December 16, 1994.
The Need for the Proposed Action
The proposed action is needed to eliminate unnecessary commitment
by the licensee to upgrade certain fire barriers, which was made in
connection with the exemption in question regarding the Critical
Switchgear Rooms 1F and 1G on the 932 foot elevation of the reactor
building.
Environmental Impacts of the Proposed Action
The Commission has completed its evaluation of the proposed action
and concludes that the proposed revocation of exemption is appropriate.
The revocation of the exemption would allow the licensee to change a
previous commitment to upgrade the fire barriers for the electrical bus
duct penetrations in Critical Switchgear Rooms 1F and 1G. This
commitment formed part of the basis upon which the staff granted the
previous exemption.
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
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 that 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 requested withdrawal of the exemption. Denial
of the requested action 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
Cooper Nuclear Station, dated February 1973.
Agencies and Persons Consulted
In accordance with its stated policy, on July 21, 1995, the staff
consulted with the Nebraska State official, Ms. Julia Schmidt, Division
of Radiological Health, Nebraska 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 this action, see the licensee's
request for withdrawal of exemption dated December 16, 1994, and the
exemption dated September 21, 1983, 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 Commission's
Local Public Document Room at the Auburn Public Library, 118 15th
Street, Auburn, Nebraska 68305.
Dated at Rockville, Maryland, this 7th day of August 1995.
For the Nuclear Regulatory Commission.
James R. Hall,
Senior Project Manager, Project Directorate IV-1, Division of Reactor
Projects III/IV, Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation.
[FR Doc. 95-20026 Filed 8-11-95; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 7590-01-P
