[Federal Register Volume 60, Number 59 (Tuesday, March 28, 1995)]
[Notices]
[Pages 15944-15945]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 95-7696]
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NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION
[Docket No. 50-286]
Power Authority of the State of New York; 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
Part 50, Appendix R, ``Fire Protection Program for Nuclear Power
Facilities Operating Prior To January 1, 1979,'' Section III.J, to the
Power Authority of the State of New York (the licensee) for the Indian
Point Nuclear Generating Unit No. 3 (IP3), located at the licensee's
site in Westchester County, New York. This exemption would be a
modification of an exemption which has been previously issued on
January 7, 1987.
Environmental Assessment
Identification of Proposed Action
Section III.J of 10 CFR Part 50, Appendix R, requires that
emergency lighting units with at least an 8-hour battery power supply
shall be provided in all areas needed for operation of safe shutdown
equipment and in access and egress routes thereto.
During a programmatic review of Appendix R compliance strategy at
Indian Point Nuclear Generating Unit No. 3 (IP3), the licensee
identified that certain additional operator actions, which had not been
included in the previous Appendix R compliance strategy, are needed.
These additional operator actions are needed in the outside yard area
at the condensate storage tank (RWST), and backup service water pump
platform.
By letter dated January 7, 1987, the NRC previously approved an
exemption from the emergency lighting requirements of Appendix R,
Section III.J to allow the use of security lighting for access and
egress to the Appendix R diesel generator which is also located in the
outside yard. The license has, therefore, requested a modification to
the exemption which was previously issued by the NRC on January 7,
1987, to extend the use of security lighting in the outside yard to
include the CST, [[Page 15945]] RWST, and backup service water
platform.
Need for the Proposed Action
The proposed exemption is needed to permit the licensee to restart
and operate the plant without being in violation of the Commission's
regulations and to obviate the need for extensive modifications.
Physical modification of the plant to achieve literal compliance with
10 CFR Part 50, Appendix R, Section III.J, would require installation
of emergency lighting in an exposed outdoor environment which would
require special protective enclosures and extensive maintenance to
maintain operability. Since security lighting which meets the
requirements of 10 CFR 73.55(c)(5) is already installed in these areas
and since this security lighting has already been acceptable to justify
a similar exemption which was issued on January 7, 1987, application of
the regulation in this particular circumstance would not be necessary
to achieve the underlying purpose of the rule. The security lighting
system achieves the underlying purpose of the rule in that it provides
adequate illumination to perform the above-mentioned activities in the
outside yard for a period of at least 8 hours, has its own independent
emergency generator power source, and is not impacted by fires in other
areas of the plant for which Appendix R fires need to be considered.
Environmental Impacts of the Proposed Action
The proposed action is to modify the exemption which was previously
issued by the NRC on January 7, 1987, to extend the use of security
lighting in the outside yard to include the CST, RWST, and backup
service water platform. The Commission has completed its evaluation of
the proposed action and concludes that the probability or consequences
of accidents will not increase, 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 there 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. 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 does not involve the use of any resources not
previously considered in the ``Final Environmental Statement for the
Indian Point Nuclear Generating Station Unit No. 3,'' dated February
1975.
Agencies and Persons Consulted
In accordance with its stated policy, the staff consulted with the
State of New York 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 March 15, 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 White Plains
Public Library, 100 Martine Avenue, White Plains, New York.
Dated at Rockville, Maryland, this 23rd day of March 1995.
For the Nuclear Regulatory Commission.
Daniel G. McDonald,
Acting Director Project Directorate I-1 Division of Reactor Projects--
I/II Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation.
[FR Doc. 95-7696 Filed 3-27-95; 8:45 am]
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