[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 56 (Wednesday, March 24, 1999)]
[Notices]
[Pages 14275-14276]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-7165]


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NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION

[Docket Nos. 50-317 and 50-318]


Baltimore Gas and Electric Company, Calvert Cliffs Nuclear Power 
Plant; Environmental Assessment and Finding of No Significant Impact

    The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (the Commission) is 
considering issuance of an exemption from the requirements of 10 CFR 
Part 50, Appendix R, Section III.J, Emergency lighting, to Baltimore 
Gas and Electric Company (the licensee) for operation of the Calvert 
Cliffs Nuclear Power Plant, Unit Nos. 1 and 2, located in Calvert 
County, Maryland.

Environmental Assessment

Identification of the Proposed Action

    The proposed exemption would grant relief from the requirements of 
10 CFR Part 50, Appendix R, Section III.J, Emergency lighting, as 
follows:

[[Page 14276]]

    (1) Security lighting, required by 10 CFR 73.55, powered by the 
diesel generator, would be used for exterior lighting in lieu of 8-hour 
battery powered emergency lighting units specified by Section III.J;
    (2) Portable lights powered by an 8-hour battery supply, for 
actions in high radiation areas would be used in lieu of 8-hour battery 
powered emergency lighting units; and
    (3) Helmet lanterns would be used inside of switchgear cabinets in 
lieu of 8-hour battery powered emergency lighting units.
    The proposed action is in accordance with the licensee's 
application for exemption dated October 6, 1997, as supplemented by 
letter dated July 22, 1998.

The Need for the Proposed Action

    The exemption is needed to reduce the hardships or costs associated 
with complying with Appendix R, Section III.J.

Environmental Impacts of the Proposed Action

    The Commission has completed its evaluation of the proposed action 
and concludes that the proposed action will not adversely affect 
safety.
    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 Statement for the 
Calvert Cliffs Nuclear Power Plant, Unit Nos. 1 and 2.

Agencies and Persons Consulted

    In accordance with its stated policy, on February 10, 1999, the 
staff consulted with the Maryland State official, Richard J. McLean of 
the Department of Natural Resources, 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 October 6, 1997, as supplemented by letter 
dated July 22, 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 Commission's Public Document Room, The Gelman Building, 2120 L 
Street, NW., Washington, DC, and at the local public document room 
located at the Calvert County Library, Prince Frederick, Maryland.

    Dated at Rockville, Maryland, this 18th day of March 1999.

    For the Nuclear Regulatory Commission.
S. Singh Bajwa,
Director, Project Directorate I-1, Division of Licensing Project 
Management, Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation.
[FR Doc. 99-7165 Filed 3-23-99; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 7590-01-P