[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]
BILLING CODE 7590-01-P