[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 174 (Tuesday, September 9, 1997)]
[Notices]
[Pages 47520-47521]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-23822]


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NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION


Northern States Power Company; Monticello Nuclear Generating 
Plant, Environmental Assessment and Finding of No Significant Impact

[Docket No. 50-263]
    The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (the Commission) is 
considering granting an exemption from the requirements of 10 CFR Part 
50, Appendix E, Section IV.F.2.c, to Northern States Power Company, 
(the licensee), in connection with the operation of the Monticello 
Nuclear Generating Plant, located in Wright County, Minnesota, under 
Facility Operating License No. DPR-22.

Environmental Assessment

Identification of the Proposed Action

    By letter dated August 18, 1997, the licensee requested an 
exemption to Title 10, Code of Federal Regulations, Part 50, Appendix 
E, Section IV.F.2.c. The proposed exemption would allow the licensee to 
exercise only the onsite portion of the Monticello Nuclear Generating 
Plant's emergency preparedness plans during the scheduled 1997 biennial 
exercise. The licensee requested the exemption

[[Page 47521]]

because the State and local counties within the emergency planning zone 
have requested relief from the Federal Emergency Management Agency 
(FEMA) from participation in the offsite portion of the scheduled 1997 
exercise due to hardships caused by recent natural disasters.

The Need for the Proposed Action

    The proposed action is deemed necessary since the requirement for 
the State and local counties to participate in the offsite portion of 
the exercise is beyond the licensee's control. The licensee requested 
this one-time exemption in support of the State of Minnesota's request 
for relief from FEMA requirements in 10 CFR Part 44 to biennially 
exercise offsite emergency plans. The State and local counties 
requested relief from FEMA requirements (in accordance with Section 
350.9.c of 10 CFR Part 44) due to the hardships caused by recent 
natural disasters. In a letter dated August 12, 1997, to FEMA Region V, 
the State of Minnesota provided the specific justifications for its 
relief request.
    Section 50.54(q) of 10 CFR Part 50 requires a licensee authorized 
to operate a nuclear power reactor to follow and maintain in effect 
emergency plans that meet the standards of 10 CFR 50.47(b) and the 
requirements of Appendix E to 10 CFR Part 50. Section IV.F.2.c of 
Appendix E requires that offsite plans for each site shall be exercised 
biennially with full participation by each offsite authority having a 
role under the plan. The NRC may, however, grant exemptions from the 
requirements of the regulations which, pursuant to 10 CFR 50.12(a), are 
(1) Authorized by law, will not present an undue risk to the public 
health and safety, and are consistent with the common defense and 
security, and (2) present special circumstances.

Environmental Impacts of the Proposed Action

    The proposed action involves administrative activities unrelated to 
plant operation. The proposed action will not increase the types or 
amounts of effluents that may be released offsite, nor increase 
occupational or offsite radiation exposure. The proposed action will 
not increase the probability or consequences of accidents. Therefore, 
the Commission concludes that there are no radiological environmental 
impacts associated with the proposed action. The proposed action will 
not result in a change in nonradiological plant effluents and will have 
no other nonradiological environmental impact. Accordingly, the 
Commission concludes that there are no nonradiological environmental 
impacts associated with the proposed action. The Commission concludes 
that granting this one-time exemption would not result in any 
significant environmental impact.

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 
Monticello Nuclear Generating Plant dated November 22, 1972.

Agencies and Persons Consulted

    In accordance with its stated policy, on September 3, 1997, the 
staff consulted with the Minnesota State official, Mr. Michael McCarthy 
of the Department of Public Services, 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 August 18, 1997, 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 Minneapolis Public Library, Technology and 
Science Department, 300 Nicollet Mall, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55401.

    Dated at Rockville, Maryland, this 3rd day of September 1997.

For The Nuclear Regulatory Commission.
Beth A. Wetzel,
Senior Project Manager, Project Directorate III-1, Division of Reactor 
Projects--III/IV, Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation.
[FR Doc. 97-23822 Filed 9-8-97; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 7590-01-P