[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 106 (Tuesday, June 3, 1997)]
[Notices]
[Pages 30356-30357]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-14399]
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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 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.
Environmemtal Assessment
Identification of Proposed Action
The proposed exemption would grant relief from the technical
requirements of Section III.G and III.L of Appendix R to Title 10 of
the Code of Federal Regulations, Part 50 (1) to use the automatic
depressurization system (ADS) in conjunction with low pressure
injection systems as an alternative post-fire safe shutdown capability
for certain fire zones and (2) to use the Vernon tie-line as an
alternative to the on-site emergency diesel generator for certain fire
events.
The proposed exemption is in accordance with the licensee's
application for exemption dated April 4, 1996, as supplemented by
letters dated May 21, 1996, November 4, 1996, December 13, 1996, and
January 8, 1996 (sic [1997]).
The Need for the Proposed Action
The need for this action arises because the licensee requested the
use of the ADS in conjunction with low pressure injection systems as an
alternative post-fire safe shutdown capability for certain fire zones
and (2) to use the Vernon tie-line as an alternative to the on-site
emergency diesel generator for certain fire events. This proposal
required exemptions from the following sections of Appendix R: Section
III.L.2.(b) (maintain the reactor coolant level above the top of the
core), and Section III.G.3 (fire detection and fire suppression
installed in the area, room or zone under consideration). Section
III.L.3 (accommodation of post-fire conditions where offsite power is
not available for 72 hours).
Environmental Impacts of the Proposed Action
The Commission has completed its evaluation of the proposed
exemption
[[Page 30357]]
and concludes that the proposed exemption will provide sufficient fire
protection 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 does the proposed exemption 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 impacts associated with the proposed action.
With regard to potential nonradiological impacts, the proposed
actions 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 April 3, 1997, 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.
For further details with respect to the proposed action, see the
application dated April 4, 1996, as supplemented May 21, 1996, and
supporting information dated November 4, 1996, December 13, 1996,
January 8, 1996 (sic [1997]), January 15, 1997, and February 19, 1997,
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 local public document room located at the Brooks Memorial
Library, 224 Main Street, Brattleboro, VT 05301.
Dated at Rockville, Maryland, this 27th day of May 1997.
For the Nuclear Regulatory Commission.
Patrick A. Milano,
Acting Director, Project Directorate I-3, Division of Reactor
Projects--I/II, Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation.
[FR Doc. 97-14399 Filed 6-2-97; 8:45 am]
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