[Federal Register Volume 60, Number 164 (Thursday, August 24, 1995)]
[Notices]
[Pages 44088-44089]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 95-21030]
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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 and revocation 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 Actions
The proposed exemption would grant relief in certain outdoor areas
of the protected area of the facility to allow use of security lighting
for outdoor access and egress and the performance of one specified task
for compliance with Section III.J of Appendix R to 10 CFR Part 50. The
exemption would include outdoor portions of the protected area for
access and egress and for hookup of a portable fuel oil transfer pump.
The proposed exemption is in accordance with the licensee's
application for exemption dated June 29, 1995.
The exemption proposed for revocation related to emergency lighting
requirements in the Reactor Building. The exemption was issued June 26,
1989, and is no longer needed by the licensee because conforming
emergency lighting has been installed in the affected area.
The Need for the Proposed Actions
The proposed exemption is needed because the features described in
the licensee's request regarding existing security lighting at the
facility are the most practical method for satisfying the underlying
purpose of Appendix R and literal compliance with the regulation would
not further enhance the fire protection capability significantly.
Revocation of the 1989 exemption is needed to accurately reflect
actual plant conditions, given conforming lighting has been installed
in the affected areas.
Environmental Impacts of the Proposed Actions
The Commission has completed its evaluation of the proposed
exemption and revocation of exemption and concludes that the proposed
exemption and revocation will provide a degree of fire protection such
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 do the proposed exemption and revocation 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
[[Page 44089]]
impacts associated with the proposed actions.
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 Actions
Since the Commission has concluded there is no measurable
environmental 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 July 21, 1995, 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 and revocation of exemption.
For further details with respect to the proposed actions, see the
application dated June 29, 1995, 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 Brooks Memorial Library, 224 Main Street,
Brattleboro, VT 05301.
Dated at Rockville, Maryland this 17th day of August 1995.
For the Nuclear Regulatory Commission.
Ronald W. Hernan,
Acting Director, Project Directorate I-3, Division of Reactor
Projects--I/II, Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation.
[FR Doc. 95-21030 Filed 8-23-95; 8:45 am]
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