[Federal Register Volume 59, Number 47 (Thursday, March 10, 1994)]
[Unknown Section]
[Page 0]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 94-5543]


[[Page Unknown]]

[Federal Register: March 10, 1994]


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NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION
[Docket Nos. 50-498 AND 50-499]

 

Houston Lighting & Power Co.; South Texas Project, Unit Nos. 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 requirements of 10 CFR 
55.59(a)(1) and (c)(1) in response to a request filed by the Houston 
Lighting & Power Company, et al. (the licensee), for the South Texas 
Project, Units 1 and 2, located in Matagorda County, Texas.

Environmental Assessment

Identification of Proposed Action

    The proposed exemption would allow the licensee to exceed the 
allowable time limit of twenty-four continuous months for each operator 
to successfully complete a requalification program as stated in 10 CFR 
55.59(a)(1) and (c)(1). The proposed action is in accordance with the 
licensee's request for exemption dated December 17, 1993, and 
supplemented by letter dated January 14, 1994.

The Need for the Proposed Action

    The exemption is requested on a one-time only basis to support the 
current requalification cycle that started on April 13, 1992. In 
January 1994, South Texas Project, Units 1 and 2 (STP) began a six-
operating crew, six-week requalification training plan. This change 
will cause the current requalification cycle to continue until April 
22, 1994, which exceeds the twenty-four month limit stated in 10 CFR 
55.59.

Environmental Impacts of the Proposed Action

    The Commission has completed its evaluation of the proposed 
exemption. The proposed exemption would allow STP to complete the 
current requalification cycle on April 22, 1994, an extension of ten 
days. This is a result of STP changing from five to six crews, as an 
enhancement to the operational staff. The increase was made to help 
maintain individual workloads at a reasonable level, to reduce the need 
for routine overtime, and to allow for continued, uninterrupted 
training. There will be no changes to the facility or the environment 
as a result of the exemption. Therefore, the Commission concludes that 
there are no significant radiological environmental impacts associated 
with the proposed exemption.
    With regard to potential nonradiological impacts, the proposed 
changes do not affect nonradiological effluents and have no other 
environmental impact. Therefore, the Commission concludes that there 
are no significant nonradiological environmental impacts associated 
with the proposed exemption.

Alternative to the Proposed Action

    Since the Commission concluded that there are no significant 
environmental impacts that would result from the proposed action, any 
alternative will have either no significantly different environmental 
impact or will have greater environmental impact. The principal 
alternative would be to deny the requested exemption. This would not 
reduce environmental impacts as a result of plant operation.

Alternative Use of Resources

    This action does not involve the use of resources not previously 
considered in the Final Environmental Statement for the South Texas 
Project, Units 1 and 2, dated August 1986.

Agencies and Persons Contacted

    The NRC staff reviewed the licensee's request. The staff consulted 
with the State of Texas regarding the environmental impact of the 
proposed action.

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, we conclude that 
the proposed action will not have a significant effect on the quality 
of the human environment.
    For further details with respect to this action, see the request 
for exemption dated December 17, 1993, as supplemented by letter dated 
January 14, 1994, which are available for public inspection at the 
Commission's Public Document Room, the Gelman Building, Lower Level, 
2120 L Street, NW., Washington, DC 20555 and at the Wharton County 
Junior College, J.M. Hodges Learning Center, 911 Boling Highway, 
Wharton, Texas 77488.

    Dated at Rockville, Maryland, this 3rd day of March 1994.

    For the Nuclear Regulatory Commission.
William D. Reckley,
Acting Director, Project Directorate IV-2, Division of Reactor Projects 
III/IV/V, Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation.
[FR Doc. 94-5543 Filed 3-9-94; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 7590-01-M