[Federal Register Volume 60, Number 234 (Wednesday, December 6, 1995)]
[Notices]
[Pages 62483-62484]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 95-29658]



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NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION
[Docket No. 50-325/324]


Carolina Power and Light Company; Brunswick Nuclear Plant; 
Environmental Assessment and Finding of No Significant Impact

    The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (the Commission) is 
considering the issuance of an exemption pursuant to 10 CFR 55.11 from 
certain requirements of its regulations to an applicant for a Senior 
Reactor Operator License (applicant) at 

[[Page 62484]]
the Carolina Power & Light Company (CP&L), Brunswick Steam Electric 
Plant, located in Brunswick County, North Carolina.

Environmental Assessment

Identification of the Proposed Action

    The proposed action would allow the applicant to file a new 
application before the two-month waiting period required by 10 CFR 
55.35(a) expires and, thereafter, to be re-administered a written 
examination during the week of December 18, 1995. In their written 
request, CP&L indicated that the applicant has entered a remediation 
process, and will be ready for re-examination the week of December 18, 
1995.
    The proposed action is in accordance with CP&L's request on behalf 
of its employee, the above-referenced applicant for a Senior Reactor 
Operator License, dated November 8, 1995, for an exemption from the 
requirements of 10 CFR 55.35(a).

The Need for the Proposed Action

    The exemption requested would allow the applicant to be 
administered a written re-examination during the week of December 18, 
1995. This re-examination would be scheduled to coincide with a 
previously scheduled NRC initial examination visit, and would provide 
for re-examination prior to the expiration of a two-month time period 
required by 10 CFR 55.35(a) before an applicant can file a new 
application in order to retake an initial examination.

Environmental Impacts of the Proposed Action

    The Commission has completed its evaluation of the request. The 
proposed exemption does not change the knowledge and skills 
requirements for licensing operators, and because the applicant must 
pass a written examination to be licensed as a Senior Reactor Operator, 
this proposed exemption would not increase the risk of facility 
accidents. In addition, the formal action of licensing an operator does 
not authorize changes to the facility's existing safety limits, safety 
settings, power operations, or effluent limits.
    Because 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, 
the change will not increase the probability or consequences of 
accidents. Accordingly, the Commission concludes that there are no 
significant radiological environmental impacts associated with the 
proposed action.
    Regarding potential nonradiological impacts, the proposed action 
involves 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 exemption. Denial of the application 
would not reduce environmental impacts of plant operation. 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 
Brunswick Steam Electric Plant, Unit 1 and 2 dated January 1974.

Agencies and Persons Consulted

    In accordance with its stated policy, on November 27, 1995, the 
staff consulted with the North Carolina State official, Mr. Johnny 
James, of the Division of Radiation Protection, North Carolina 
Department of Environmental, Commerce, and Natural Resources, 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 on behalf of its employee for an exemption dated November 8, 
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 
University of North Carolina at Wilmington, William Madison Randall 
Library, 601 S. College Road, Wilmington, North Carolina 28403-3297.

    Dated at Rockville, Maryland, this 30th day of November, 1995.

    For the Nuclear Regulatory Commission.
Stuart A. Richards,
Chief, Operator Licensing Branch, Division of Reactor Controls and 
Human Factors, Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation.
[FR Doc. 95-29658 Filed 12-5-95; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 7590-01-P