[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 13 (Thursday, January 21, 1999)]
[Notices]
[Pages 3321-3322]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-1360]


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NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION

[Docket No. 50-155]


Consumers Energy Company (Big Rock Point Nuclear Plant); 
Environmental Assessment and Finding of No Significant Impact

    The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (the Commission) is 
considering issuance of an exemption from certain requirements of its 
regulations to Facility Operating License No. DPR-6, issued to 
Consumers Energy Company (Consumers or the licensee) for the possession 
of the Big Rock Point Nuclear Plant (BRP) located in Charlevoix County, 
Michigan.

Environmental Assessment

Identification of the Proposed Action

    The proposed exemption would reduce or remove selected physical 
security requirements of 10 CFR part 73.
    The proposed action is in accordance with the licensee's 
application dated November 12, 1998.

Need for the Proposed Action

    On June 26, 1997, Consumers certified that it would permanently 
cease reactor power operations at its BRP facility. On August 30, 1997, 
the reactor was shut down. By letter dated September 23, 1997, the 
licensee certified the permanent removal of all fuel from the reactor 
vessel. In accordance with 10 CFR 50.82(a)(2), upon docketing of the 
certifications, Facility Operating License No. DPR-6 no longer 
authorizes operation of the reactor or emplacement or retention of the 
fuel in the reactor vessel. In this permanently shutdown and defueled 
condition, the facility poses a reduced risk to public health and 
safety.
    The proposed action is required to allow the licensee to implement 
physical security plans appropriate to the permanently shutdown and 
defueled condition of the BRP facility.

Environmental Impacts of the Proposed Action

    The Commission has completed its evaluation of the proposed action 
and concludes that the granting of the exemption from selected portions 
of 10 CFR part 73 is acceptable, as described in the safety evaluation 
accompanying issuance of the exemption.
    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 historical 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. Further, the ``no-action'' alternative would 
require Consumers to maintain and implement physical security plans 
required of an operating reactor plant. Such a plan would represent a 
burden on the licensee and not enhance the protection of the 
environment. 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.

[[Page 3322]]

Alternative Use of Resources

    This action does not involve the use of resources not previously 
considered in BRP's Environmental Report for Decommissioning, dated 
February 27, 1995.

Agencies and Persons Consulted

    In accordance with its stated policy, on December 29, 1998, the 
staff consulted with the Michigan State official, Robert D. Skowronek, 
Acting Chief Radiological Protection Section, Drinking Water and 
Radiological Protection Division, Michigan Department of Environmental 
Quality, 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 exemption, see the 
licensee's letter dated November 12, 1998, which is available for 
public inspection at the Commission's Public Document Room, The Gelman 
Building, 2120 L Street, NW., Washington, DC 20555 and at the Local 
Public Document Room, North Central Michigan College Library, 1515 
Howard Street, Petoskey, MI 49770.

    Dated at Rockville, Maryland, this 13th day of January 1999.

    For the Nuclear Regulatory Commission.
Seymour H. Weiss,
Director, Non-Power Reactors and Decommissioning Project Directorate, 
Division of Reactor Program Management, Office of Nuclear Reactor 
Regulation.
[FR Doc. 99-1360 Filed 1-20-99; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 7590-01-P