[Federal Register Volume 59, Number 153 (Wednesday, August 10, 1994)]
[Unknown Section]
[Page 0]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 94-19494]


[[Page Unknown]]

[Federal Register: August 10, 1994]


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NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION
[Docket Nos. 50-280, 50-281, 50-338, and 50-339]

 

Virginia Electric and Power Co.; Environmental Assessment and 
Finding of No Significant Impact

    The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (the Commission) is 
considering issuance of an exemption from certain requirements of its 
regulations to Facility Operating License Nos. DPR-32, DPR-37, NPF-4, 
and NPF-7 issued to Virginia Electric and Power Company, (the 
licensee), for operation of the Surry Power Station Units 1 and 2, 
located in Surry County, Virginia, and North Anna Power Station Units 1 
and 2, located in Louisa County, Virginia.

Environmental Assessment

Identification of Proposed Action

    The proposed action is in accordance with the licensee's 
application dated May 27, 1994, for exemption from certain requirements 
of 10 CFR 73.55, ``Requirements for physical protection of licensed 
activities in nuclear power reactors against radiological sabotage.'' 
The exemption would allow implementation of a hand geometry biometric 
system for site access control such that picture badges and access 
control cards for certain non-employees can be taken offsite.

The Need for the Proposed Action

    Pursuant to 10 CFR 73.55, paragraph (a), the licensee shall 
establish and maintain an onsite physical protection system and 
security organization.
    10 CFR 73.55(d), ``Access Requirements,'' paragraph (1), specifies 
that ``licensee shall control all points of personnel and vehicle 
access into a protected area.'' 10 CFR 73.55(d)(5) specifies that ``A 
numbered picture badge identification system shall be used for all 
individuals who are authorized access to protected areas without 
escort.'' 10 CFR 73.55(d)(5) also states that an individual not 
employed by the licensee (i.e., contractors) may be authorized access 
to protected areas without escort provided the individual ``receives a 
picture badge upon entrance into the protected area which must be 
returned upon exit from the protected area * * *''.
    Currently, employee and contractor identification badges, coupled 
with their associated access control cards, are issued and retrieved on 
the occasion of each entry to and exit from the protected areas of the 
Surry and North Anna sites. Station security personnel are required to 
maintain control of the badges while the individuals are offsite. This 
practice has been in effect at the Surry and North Anna Power Stations 
since each operating license was issued. Security personnel retain each 
identification badge, as well as the associated access control card, 
when not in use by the authorized individual, within appropriately 
designed storage receptacles inside a bullet-resistant enclosure. An 
individual who meets the access authorization requirements is issued an 
individual picture identification card and an individual access control 
card which allows entry into preauthorized areas of the station. While 
entering the plant in the present configuration, an authorized 
individual is ``screened'' by the required detection equipment and by 
the issuing security officer. Having received the badge, the individual 
proceeds to the access portal, inserts the access control card into the 
card readers, enters a personal identification number (PIN), and passes 
through the turnstile which unlocks if the preset criteria are met. 
Once inside the station, the individual's PIN is not required in order 
to further utilize the access authorization card.
    This present procedure is labor intensive since security personnel 
are required to verify badge issuance, ensure badge retrieval, and 
maintain the badges in orderly storage until the next entry into the 
protected area. The regulations permit employees to remove their badges 
from the site, but an exemption from 10 CFR 73.55(d)(5) is required to 
permit contractors to take their badges offsite instead of returning 
them when exiting the site.

Environmental Impacts of the Proposed Action

    The Commission has completed its evaluation of the licensee's 
application. Under the proposed system, all individuals authorized to 
gain unescorted access will have the physical characteristics of their 
hand (hand geometry) recorded with their badge number. Since the hand 
geometry is unique to each individual and its application in the entry 
screening function would preclude unauthorized use of a badge, the 
requested exemption would allow employees and contractors to keep their 
badges at the time of exiting the protected area. The process of 
verifying badge issuance, ensuring badge retrieval, and maintaining 
badges could be eliminated while the balance of the access procedure 
would remain intact. Firearm, explosive, and metal detection equipment 
and provisions for conducting searches will remain as well. The 
security officer responsible for the last access control function 
(controlling admission to the protected area) will also remain isolated 
within a bullet-resistant structure in order to assure his or her 
ability to respond or to summon assistance.
    Use of a hand geometry biometrics system exceeds the present 
verification methodology's capability to discern an individual's 
identity. Unlike the photograph identification badge, hand geometry is 
nontransferable. During the initial access authorization or 
registration process, hand measurements are recorded and the template 
is stored for subsequent use in the identity verification process 
required for entry into the protected area. Authorized individuals 
insert their access authorization card into the card reader and the 
biometrics system records an image of the hand geometry. The unique 
features of the newly recorded image are then compared to the template 
previously stored in the database. Access is ultimately granted based 
on the degree to which the characteristics of the image match those of 
the ``signature'' template.
    Since both the badge and hand geometry would be necessary for 
access into the protected area, the proposed system would provide for a 
positive verification process. Potential loss of a badge by an 
individual, as a result of taking the badge offsite, would not enable 
an unauthorized entry into protected areas.
    The access process will continue to be under the observation of 
security personnel. The system of identification badges coupled with 
their associated access control cards will continue to be used for all 
individuals who are authorized access to protected areas without 
escorts. Badges will continue to be displayed by all individuals while 
inside the protected area. Addition of a hand geometry biometrics 
system will provide a significant contribution to effective 
implementation of the security plan at each site.
    Accordingly, the Commission concludes that this proposed action 
would result in no significant radiological environmental impact. With 
regard to potential non-radiological impacts, the proposed change does 
not affect non-radiological plant effluents and has no other 
environmental impact. Therefore, the Commission concludes that there 
are no significant non-radiological environmental impacts associated 
with the proposed action.

Alternative to the Proposed Action

    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 did not involve the use of any resources not previously 
considered in the Final Environmental Statements related to operation 
of Surry Units 1 and 2, and North Anna Units 1 and 2.

Agencies and Persons Consulted

    The NRC staff consulted with the State of Virginia 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, the Commission 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 action, see the request 
for exemption dated May 27, 1994, which is available for public 
inspection at the Commission's Public Document Room, 2120 L Street NW., 
Washington, DC, and at the local public document rooms located at the 
Swem Library, College of William and Mary, Williamsburg, Virginia 
23185, and the Alderman Library, Special Collections Department, 
University of Virginia, Charlottesville, Virginia 22903-2498.

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

For the Nuclear Regulatory Commission.
Victor M. McCree,
Acting Director, Project Directorate II-2, Division of Reactor 
Projects--I/II, Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulations.
[FR Doc. 94-19494 Filed 8-9-94; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 7590-01-M