[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 228 (Friday, November 27, 1998)]
[Notices]
[Pages 65619-65620]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-31641]


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NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION


Florida Power and Light Company, Turkey Point Units 3 and 4; 
Environmental Assessment and Finding of No Significant Impact

[Docket Nos. 50-250 and 50-251]
    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 July 31, 1997, as supplemented by submittals dated 
July 2, and October 27, 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 the 
Open Turbine Building.

The Need for the Proposed Action

    The Thermo-Lag fire barriers installed at Turkey Point Units 3 and 
4 have a rating that does not meet the requirements specified in 
Subsection III.G.2.a. The proposed exemption is 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

[[Page 65620]]

concludes that the underlying purpose of the regulation, to provide 
reasonable assurance that at least one means of achieving and 
maintaining safe shutdown conditions will remain available during and 
after any postulated fire in the plant, will be met. Accordingly, the 
proposed action will not result in an increase in the probability or 
consequences of accidents previously analyzed or result in a change in 
occupational or public dose. Therefore, there are no significant 
radiological impacts associated with the proposed action.
    In addition, 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 significant 
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 does 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 November 4, 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 request dated July 31, 1997, as supplemented by submittals 
dated July 2, and October 27, 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 20th day of November 1998.

    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. 98-31641 Filed 11-25-98; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 7590-01-P