[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 189 (Wednesday, September 30, 1998)] [Notices] [Pages 52310-52311] From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov] [FR Doc No: 98-26206] ----------------------------------------------------------------------- NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION [Docket Nos. 50-250 and 50-251] Florida Power and Light Company, Turkey Point Unit 3 and Unit 4; Environmental Assessment and Finding of No Significant Impact The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (the Commission or NRC) is considering issuance of an exemption from certain requirements of its regulations to Florida Power and Light Company (the licensee), holder of Facility Operating Licenses Nos. DPR-31 and DPR-41 for operation of Turkey Point Units 3 and 4, respectively. Environmental Assessment Identification of Proposed Action The proposed action is in accordance with the licensee's application dated December 12, 1996, as supplemented July 31, October 31, and December 17, 1997, and June 2 and August 4, 1998, for exemption from certain requirements of Appendix R, ``Fire Protection Program for Nuclear Power Facilities Operating Prior to January 1, 1979,'' for Turkey Point Units 3 and 4. Specifically, the licensee requested an exemption from the requirements of Appendix R, Subsection III.G.2.a, for raceway fire barriers in outdoor fire zones, excluding the Open Turbine Building. On February 24, 1998, the staff issued a partial exemption for fire zones 47, 54,113, 114, 115, 116 ,118, 119, 120, and 143, and denied the exemption request for fire zone 106R. The current exemption request covers fire zones 79--partial, 81, 84--partial, 86, 88--partial, and 89-partial. Fire zone 131 will be addressed separately. The Need for the Proposed Action The Thermo-Lag fire barriers installed at Turkey Point Units 3 and 4 were found to have a rating of 25-minutes, which does not meet the requirements specified in Subsection III.G.2.a. The proposed exemptions are needed because compliance with the regulation would result in significant additional costs. Environmental Impacts of the Proposed Action The Commission has completed its evaluation of the proposed action and concludes that the proposed action involves features located entirely within the restricted area as defined in 10 CFR Part 20. The proposed action will not result in an increase in the probability or consequences of accidents or result in a change in occupational or offsite dose. Therefore, there are no radiological 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 environmental impacts associated with this action. Alternative to the Proposed Action As an alternative to the proposed action, the staff considered denial of the proposed action (no-action alternative). Denial of the application 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 did not involve the use of any resources not previously considered in the Final Environmental Statements related to operation of Turkey Point Units 3 and 4, dated July 1972. Agencies and Persons Consulted In accordance with its stated policy, on September 17, 1998, the NRC staff consulted with the Florida State official, Mr. William Passetti of the Bureau of Radiation Control, 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 December 12, 1996, as supplemented on July 31, October 31, and December 17, 1997, and June 2 and August 4, 1998, 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 Florida International University, University Park, Miami, Florida. Dated at Rockville, Maryland, this 24th day of September 1998. [[Page 52311]] For the Nuclear Regulatory Commission. Frederick J. Hebdon, Director, Project Directorate II-3, Division of Reactor Projects--I/II, Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation. [FR Doc. 98-26206 Filed 9-29-98; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 7590-01-P