[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] ----------------------------------------------------------------------- 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