[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 169 (Tuesday, September 2, 1997)]
[Notices]
[Pages 46381-46382]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-23204]


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NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION

[Docket Nos. 50-266 and 50-301]


Wisconsin Electric Power Company, (Point Beach Nuclear Plant, 
Units 1 and 2); Environmental Assessment and Finding of No Significant 
Impact

    The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (the Commission) is 
considering granting an exemption from the requirements of 10 CFR Part 
50, Appendix R, Section III.J, to Wisconsin Electric Power Company, 
(the licensee), in connection with the operation of the Point Beach 
Nuclear Plant, Units 1 and 2, located in Manitowoc County, Wisconsin, 
under Facility Operating Licenses Nos. DPR-24 and DPR-27.

Environmental Assessment

Identification of the Proposed Action

    By letter dated June 5, 1997, as supplemented on June 13, 1997, the 
licensee requested an exemption to Title 10, Code of Federal 
Regulations, Part 50, Appendix R, Section III.J. The proposed exemption 
would allow the use of hand-held, portable lighting units in lieu of 
emergency lighting units with at least an

[[Page 46382]]

8-hour battery power supply to traverse between the main plant and 
exterior support buildings (diesel generator building, 13.8 kV 
switchgear building, service water and fire pump house, fuel oil pump 
house, gas turbine building, and warehouse 3) to perform post-fire 
shutdown tasks.

The Need for the Proposed Action

    The proposed action is needed for the licensee to avoid the burden 
of constructing and maintaining outdoor battery-powered lighting units.

Environmental Impacts of the Proposed Action

    The Commission has completed its evaluation of the proposed 
exemption and concludes that allowing the use of hand-held portable 
lighting units in lieu of 8-hour, battery powered emergency lighting 
units will not increase the types or amounts of effluents that may be 
released offsite, nor increase individual or cumulative occupational 
radiation exposure. Accordingly, the Commission concludes that this 
proposed action would result in no significant radiological 
environmental impact.
    The proposed action 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, no changes are being made 
to the authorized power level, 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 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 proposed action. Denial of the request 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 
Point Beach Nuclear Plant, Units 1 and 2.

Agencies and Persons Consulted

    In accordance with its stated policy, on July 29, 1997, the staff 
consulted with the Wisconsin State official, Ms. Sarah Jenkins of the 
Wisconsin Public Service Commission, 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 the proposed action, see the 
licensee's letter dated June 5, 1997, as supplemented by letter dated 
June 13, 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 Lester Public Library, 1001 Adams Street, Two Rivers, WI 54241.

    Dated at Rockville, Maryland, this 15th day of August 1997.

    For the Nuclear Regulatory Commission.
Linda L. Gundrum,
Project Manager, Project Directorate III-1, Division of Reactor 
Projects--III/IV, Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation.
[FR Doc. 97-23204 Filed 8-29-97; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 7590-01-P