[Federal Register Volume 59, Number 193 (Thursday, October 6, 1994)]
[Unknown Section]
[Page 0]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 94-24759]


[[Page Unknown]]

[Federal Register: October 6, 1994]


=======================================================================
-----------------------------------------------------------------------

NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION

[Docket No. 50-336]

 

Northeast Nuclear Energy Company, The Connecticut Light and Power 
Company; The Western Massachusetts Electric Company, Millstone Nuclear 
Power Station, Unit No. 2; Environmental Assessment and Finding of No 
Significant Impact

    The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (the Commission) is 
considering issuance of an exemption from Facility Operating License 
No. DPR-65, issued to Northeast Nuclear Energy Company, (NNECO or the 
licensee), for operation of the Millstone Nuclear Power Station, Unit 
No. 2, located in New London County, Connecticut.

Environmental Assessment

Identification of the Proposed Action

    The proposed action would provide a schedular exemption from the 
requirements of 10 CFR part 50, appendix J. Sections III.D.2.(a) and 
III.D.3 on behalf of Millstone Nuclear Power Station, Unit 2. On 
September 23, 1994, NNECO determined that the 24-month testing 
requirement had been exceeded for a number of Type B and C components 
by up to approximately four months. The exemption would provide 
temporary relief from the 2-year schedular requirement associated with 
Type B and C periodic Containment local leakage rate tests (LLRTs). The 
proposed exemption would extend the 2-year requirement through the end 
of the 12 refueling outage.
    The proposed action is in accordance with the licensee's 
application for exemption dated September 26, 1994.

The Need for the Proposed Action

    The proposed action would permit Millstone Unit 2 to proceed with 
the current schedule for the twelfth refueling outage which is when the 
plant begins a shut down currently scheduled for October 1, 1994. The 
proposed exemption would allow the licensee to take advantage of the 
preparations that have been made for the upcoming refueling outage, 
including initiatives which would reduce personnel radiation exposure, 
allow dynamic testing of motor-operated valves, permit testing of main 
steam safety valves, and allow the performance of work on the service 
water system to reduce shutdown risks.

Environmental Impacts of the Proposed Action

    The Commission has completed its evaluation of the proposed action 
and concludes that there are no significant radiological or 
nonradiological impacts associated with the proposed action and that 
the issuance of the proposed exemption will have no significant impact 
on the quality of the human environment. 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 their are no significant nonradiological 
environmental impacts associated with the proposed action.

Alternatives to the Proposed Action

    Since the Commission has concluded there is no measurable 
environmental impact associated with the proposed action, any 
alternatives with equal or greater environmental impact need not be 
evaluated. The principal alternative to the action would be to deny the 
request. Such action would not enhance the protection of the 
environment and would result in unjustified cost to the licensee.

Alternative Use of Resources

    This action does not involve the use of any resources not 
previously considered in the Final Environmental Statement for the 
Millstone Nuclear Power Station, Unit No. 2.

Agencies and Persons Consulted

    The NRC staff consulted with the Connecticut State Official 
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 the proposed action, see the 
licensee's letter dated September 26, 1994, which is available for 
public inspection at the Commission's Public Document Room, The Gelman 
Building, 2120 L Street, NW., Washington, DC 20555, and at the local 
public document room located at the Learning Resource Center, Three 
Rivers Community-Technical College, Thames Valley Campus, 474 New 
London Turnpike, Norwich, Connecticut 06360.

    Dated at Rockville, Maryland, this 30th day of September 1994.

For the Nuclear Regulatory Commission.
John F. Stolz,
Director, Project Directorate I-4, Division of Reactor Projects--I/II, 
Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation.
[FR Doc. 94-24759 Filed 10-5-94; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 7590-01-M