[Federal Register Volume 60, Number 156 (Monday, August 14, 1995)]
[Notices]
[Pages 41906-41907]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 95-20026]



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DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE
[Docket No. 50-298]


Nebraska Public Power District; Cooper Nuclear Station; 
Environmental Assessment and Finding of No Significant Impact

    The U. S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (the Commission) is 
considering the revocation of an 

[[Page 41907]]
exemption from the requirements of Appendix R to 10 CFR Part 50 
previously issued to the Nebraska Public Power District (NPPD or the 
licensee) for the Cooper Nuclear Station (CNS), located in Nemaha 
County, Nebraska.

Environmental Assessment

Identification of the Proposed Action

    The proposed action would revoke an exemption from the requirements 
of Section III.G of Appendix R to 10 CFR Part 50, previously issued to 
the licensee on September 21, 1983.
    The proposed action is in accordance with the licensee's request 
for withdrawal of the exemption dated December 16, 1994.

The Need for the Proposed Action

    The proposed action is needed to eliminate unnecessary commitment 
by the licensee to upgrade certain fire barriers, which was made in 
connection with the exemption in question regarding the Critical 
Switchgear Rooms 1F and 1G on the 932 foot elevation of the reactor 
building.

Environmental Impacts of the Proposed Action

    The Commission has completed its evaluation of the proposed action 
and concludes that the proposed revocation of exemption is appropriate. 
The revocation of the exemption would allow the licensee to change a 
previous commitment to upgrade the fire barriers for the electrical bus 
duct penetrations in Critical Switchgear Rooms 1F and 1G. This 
commitment formed part of the basis upon which the staff granted the 
previous exemption.
    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 there are no significant nonradiological 
environmental impacts associated with the proposed action.

Alternatives to the Proposed Action

    Since the Commission has concluded that 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 requested withdrawal of the exemption. Denial 
of the requested action 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 
Cooper Nuclear Station, dated February 1973.

Agencies and Persons Consulted

    In accordance with its stated policy, on July 21, 1995, the staff 
consulted with the Nebraska State official, Ms. Julia Schmidt, Division 
of Radiological Health, Nebraska Department of Health, 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 this action, see the licensee's 
request for withdrawal of exemption dated December 16, 1994, and the 
exemption dated September 21, 1983, which are available for public 
inspection at the Commission's Public Document Room, The Gelman 
Building, 2120 L Street, NW., Washington, DC, and at the Commission's 
Local Public Document Room at the Auburn Public Library, 118 15th 
Street, Auburn, Nebraska 68305.

    Dated at Rockville, Maryland, this 7th day of August 1995.

    For the Nuclear Regulatory Commission.
James R. Hall,
Senior Project Manager, Project Directorate IV-1, Division of Reactor 
Projects III/IV, Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation.
[FR Doc. 95-20026 Filed 8-11-95; 8:45 am]
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