[Federal Register Volume 60, Number 164 (Thursday, August 24, 1995)]
[Notices]
[Pages 44088-44089]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 95-21030]



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NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION
[Docket No. 50-271]


Vermont Yankee Nuclear Power Corporation; Vermont Yankee Nuclear 
Power Station; Environmental Assessment and Finding of No Significant 
Impact

    The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (the Commission) is 
considering issuance of an exemption and revocation of an exemption 
from Facility Operating License No. DPR-28, issued to Vermont Yankee 
Nuclear Power Corporation (the licensee), for operation of the Vermont 
Yankee Nuclear Power Station (the facility) located in Windham County, 
Vermont.

Environmental Assessment

Identification of Proposed Actions

    The proposed exemption would grant relief in certain outdoor areas 
of the protected area of the facility to allow use of security lighting 
for outdoor access and egress and the performance of one specified task 
for compliance with Section III.J of Appendix R to 10 CFR Part 50. The 
exemption would include outdoor portions of the protected area for 
access and egress and for hookup of a portable fuel oil transfer pump.
    The proposed exemption is in accordance with the licensee's 
application for exemption dated June 29, 1995.
    The exemption proposed for revocation related to emergency lighting 
requirements in the Reactor Building. The exemption was issued June 26, 
1989, and is no longer needed by the licensee because conforming 
emergency lighting has been installed in the affected area.

The Need for the Proposed Actions

    The proposed exemption is needed because the features described in 
the licensee's request regarding existing security lighting at the 
facility are the most practical method for satisfying the underlying 
purpose of Appendix R and literal compliance with the regulation would 
not further enhance the fire protection capability significantly.
    Revocation of the 1989 exemption is needed to accurately reflect 
actual plant conditions, given conforming lighting has been installed 
in the affected areas.

Environmental Impacts of the Proposed Actions

    The Commission has completed its evaluation of the proposed 
exemption and revocation of exemption and concludes that the proposed 
exemption and revocation will provide a degree of fire protection such 
that there is no increase in the risk of fires at the facility. 
Consequently, the probability of fires has not been increased and the 
post-fire radiological releases will not be greater than previously 
determined, nor do the proposed exemption and revocation otherwise 
affect radiological plant effluents.
    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 

[[Page 44089]]
impacts associated with the proposed actions.
    With regard to potential nonradiological impacts, the proposed 
actions involve features located entirely within the restricted area as 
defined in 10 CFR Part 20. They do not affect nonradiological plant 
effluents and have no other environmental impact. Accordingly, the 
Commission concludes that there are no significant nonradiological 
environmental impacts associated with the proposed actions.

Alternatives to the Proposed Actions

    Since the Commission has concluded there is no measurable 
environmental impact associated with the proposed actions, any 
alternatives with equal or greater environmental impact need not be 
evaluated. As an alternative to the proposed actions, the staff 
considered denial of the proposed actions. Denial of the application 
would result in no change in current environmental impacts. The 
environmental impacts of the proposed actions and the alternative 
action are similar.

Alternative Use of Resources

    These actions do not involve use of resources not previously 
considered in the Final Environmental Statement for the Vermont Yankee 
Nuclear Power Station.

Agencies and Persons Consulted

    In accordance with its stated policy, on July 21, 1995, the staff 
consulted with the Vermont State official, Mr. William K. Sherman of 
the Vermont Department of Public Service, regarding the environmental 
impact of the proposed actions. The State official had no comments.

Finding of No Significant Impact

    Based upon the environmental assessment, the Commission concludes 
that the proposed actions 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 exemption and revocation of exemption.
    For further details with respect to the proposed actions, see the 
application dated June 29, 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 local public 
document room located at the Brooks Memorial Library, 224 Main Street, 
Brattleboro, VT 05301.

    Dated at Rockville, Maryland this 17th day of August 1995.

    For the Nuclear Regulatory Commission.
Ronald W. Hernan,
Acting Director, Project Directorate I-3, Division of Reactor 
Projects--I/II, Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation.
[FR Doc. 95-21030 Filed 8-23-95; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 7590-01-P