[Federal Register Volume 59, Number 30 (Monday, February 14, 1994)]
[Unknown Section]
[Page 0]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 94-3377]


[[Page Unknown]]

[Federal Register: February 14, 1994]


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NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION
[Docket Nos. 50-315 and 50-316]

 

Indiana Michigan Power Co.; Donald C. Cook Nuclear Plant, Units 1 
and 2; Environmental Assessment and Finding of No Significant Impact

    The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (the Commission) is 
considering issuance of an exemption from the requirement of 10 CFR 
55.59(a)(1) to Indiana Michigan Power Company (the licensee), for 
operation of the Donald C. Cook Nuclear Plant, Units 1 and 2, located 
in Berrien County, Michigan.

Environmental Assessment

Identification of Proposed Action

    The proposed action would grant an exemption from the requirement 
of 10 CFR 55.59)a)(1), which requires that a requalification program 
for operator licensees and senior operator licensees be conducted for a 
continuous period not to exceed 24 months in duration. The licensee has 
requested an exemption which would allow it to administer the operating 
portion of the annual operator requalification examination in the May-
June, 1994 timeframe rather than at the end of the 24-month 
requalification cycle in February 1994. The licensee's request for 
exemption and the bases are contained in its letter dated October 4, 
1993.

The Need for the Proposed Action

    The proposed exemption is from 10 CFR 55.59(a)(1), which requires 
that a requalification program for operator licensees and senior 
operator licensees be conducted for a continuous period not to exceed 
24 months in duration. In addition, an annual requalification 
examination must be passed. The licensee requested an exemption in 
order to administer the operating portion of the requalification 
examination from the current 24-month cycle approximately 4 months into 
the next cycle due to installation of control room modifications. This 
would be a one-time exemption and the next examination would be 
administered on schedule in January 1995, which is consistent with the 
annual examination requirement cited in 10 CFR 55.59(a)(2).

Environmental Impacts of the Proposed Action

    The proposed action would allow rescheduling of a portion of the 
operator license requalification examinations from the current 24-month 
requalification cycle into the next cycle. This exemption would not 
increase the risk of facility accidents. Thus, post-accident 
radiological releases will not be greater than previously determined, 
nor does the proposed exemption otherwise affect the quantity of 
radiological plant effluents, nor result in any significant increase in 
occupational exposure. Likewise, the exemption does not affect non-
radiological plant effluents and has no other environmental impact. 
Therefore, the Commission concludes that there are no significant 
radiological or non-radiological environmental impacts associated with 
the proposed exemption.

Alternatives to the Proposed Action

    Since the Commission concluded that there are no significant 
environmental effects that would result from the proposed action, any 
alternatives with equal or greater environmental impacts need not be 
evaluated.
    The principal alternative would be to deny the requested exemption. 
This would not reduce environmental impacts of plant operation and 
would result in reduced operational flexibility.

Alternative Use of Resources

    This action does not involve the use of resources not previously 
considered in the Commission's Final Environmental Statement related to 
operation of D.C. Cook, Units 1 and 2, dated August 1973.

Agencies and Persons Consulted

    The staff consulted with the State of Michigan regarding the 
environmental impact of the proposed action. The State had no comments.

Finding of No Significant Impact

    The Commission has determined not to prepare an environmental 
impact statement for the proposed exemption. Based upon the foregoing 
environmental assessment, the staff concludes that the proposed action 
will not have a significant effect on the quality of the human 
environment.
    For further details with respect to this proposed action, see the 
licensee's letter dated October 4, 1993. This letter is available for 
public inspection at the Commission's Public Document Room, 2120 L 
Street, NW. Washington, DC 20555 and at the local public document room 
located at the Maud Preston Palenske Memorial Library, 500 Market 
Street, St. Joseph, Michigan 49085.


    Dated at Rockville, Maryland, this 8th day of February 1994.

    For the Nuclear Regulatory Commission.
A. Randolph Blough,
Acting Director, Project Directorate III-1, Division of Reactor 
Projects--III/IV/V, Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation.
[FR Doc. 94-3377 Filed 2-11-94; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 7590-01-M