[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 247 (Thursday, December 24, 1998)]
[Notices]
[Pages 71316-71317]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-34119]


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UNITED STATES NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION

[Docket No. 50-263]


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

    The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (the Commission) is 
considering issuance of an amendment to Facility Operating License No. 
DPR-22, issued to Northern States Power Company (NSP, or the licensee), 
for operation of the Monticello Nuclear Generating Plant, located in 
Wright County, Minnesota.

[[Page 71317]]

Environmental Assessment

Identification of the Proposed Action

    The proposed action would make a number of administrative 
clarifications and corrections, title changes, and typographical 
corrections to the Technical Specifications.
    The proposed action is in accordance with the licensee's 
application for amendment dated August 15, 1996, as supplemented March 
19 and October 12, 1998.

The Need for the Proposed Action

    The proposed action would provide clarity and administrative 
correctness to the Technical Specifications.

Environmental Impacts of the Proposed Action

    The Commission has completed its evaluation of the proposed action 
and concludes that the modifications to the Technical Specifications 
are administrative in nature.
    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 off site, and there is no 
significant increase in occupational or public radiation exposure. 
Therefore, there are no significant radiological environmental impacts 
associated with the proposed action.
    With regard to potential non-radiological impacts, the proposed 
action does not involve any historic sites. It does not affect non-
radiological plant effluents and has no other environmental impact. 
Therefore, there are no significant non-radiological environmental 
impacts associated with the proposed action.
    Accordingly, the Commission concludes that there are no significant 
environmental impacts associated with the proposed action.

Alternatives to the Proposed Action

    As an alternative to the proposed action, the staff considered 
denial of the proposed action (i.e., the ``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 Impact Statement for 
Monticello.

Agencies and Persons Consulted

    In accordance with its stated policy, on November 12, 1998, the 
staff consulted with the Minnesota State official, Mr. M. McCarthy of 
the Department of Public Service, regarding the environmental impact of 
the proposed action. The State official had no comments.

Finding of No Significant Impact

    On the basis of 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 15, 1996, as supplemented by letters 
dated March 19 and October 12, 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 Minneapolis Public Library, Technology and 
Science Department, 300 Nicollet Mall, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55401.

    Dated at Rockville, Maryland, this 17th day of December, 1998.

    For the Nuclear Regulatory Commission.
Carl F. Lyon,
Project Manager, Project Directorate III-1, Division of Reactor 
Projects III/IV, Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation.
[FR Doc. 98-34119 Filed 12-23-98; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 7590-01-P