[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 162 (Monday, August 23, 1999)]
[Notices]
[Pages 45984-45985]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-21731]


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NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION

[Docket Nos. 50-277 and 50-278]


PECO Energy Co.; Peach Bottom Atomic Power Station, Units 2 and 
3; 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 Nos. 
DRP-44 and DRP-56, issued to PECO Energy Company (the licensee), for 
operation of the Peach Bottom Atomic Power Station (PBAPS), Units 2 and 
3, located in York County, Pennsylvania.

Environmental Assessment

Identification of the Proposed Action

    The proposed action would correct existing editorial and 
typographical errors in the Technical Specification (TSs). Each 
proposed change has been verified to meet the intent of what was 
originally proposed by PECO Energy and approved by the NRC in 
previously processed amendments to the TSs. These changes are purely 
administrative and do not impact the operation of the facility. The 
proposed changes are summarized below.
    1. Correct the labels for the Site Boundary and Exclusion Area 
Boundary on the Unit 2 and Unit 3 TS Figures 4.1-1 by reversing the 
labels.
    2. Correct the note by replacing the word ``on'' with the word 
``or'' in the Unit 3 TS Surveillance Requirement (SR) 3.3.1.2.5.
    3. Correct the note above TS SR 3.8.4.1 by replacing ``SR 3.8.1.9'' 
with ``SR 3.8.4.9'' in the Unit 3 TS Section 3.8.4.
    The proposed action is in accordance with the licensee's 
application for amendment dated February 12, 1999, as supplemented by 
letter dated July 8, 1999.

The Need for the Proposed Action

    When PBAPS Units 2 and 3, were converted to the Standard TSs under 
Amendments 210 and 214 respectively, Figure 4.1-1 of the TSs 
incorrectly reversed the depiction of the Site Boundary and the 
Exclusion Area Boundary. This mistake occurred during the licensee's 
conversion of the old TS Figure 3.8.1, ``Gaseous and Liquid Effluent 
Release Points,'' to the new TS Figure 4.1-1, ``Site and Exclusion Area 
Boundaries.'' To correct this error, the proposed TS Amendment is 
required to reflect that there is no change in the Exclusion Area or 
Site Boundaries and to correctly show that the Site Boundary resides 
outside of the Exclusion Area and outlines the area owned by the 
licensee related to PBABS Units 2 and 3.
    In PBAPS Unit 3 TS Surveillance Requirement SR 3.3.1.2.5, there is 
a note that reads, ``Not required to be performed until 12 hours after 
WRNMs indicate 125E-5% power on below.'' There is a typographical error 
in the note in that the note should read ``* * * power or below.''
    In TS SR 3.8.4.1, there is a note that reads, ``SR through SR 
3.8.4.8 are applicable only to the Unit 3 DC electrical power 
subsystems. SR 3.8.1.9 is applicable only to the Unit 2 DC electrical 
power subsystems.'' There is a typographical error in that SR 3.8.1.9 
should read SR 3.8.4.9 which is being corrected by the licensee's 
amendment application.

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

[[Page 45985]]

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 
Peach Bottom Atomic Power Station, Units 2 and 3.

Agencies and Persons Consulted

    In accordance with its stated policy, on May 14, 1999, the staff 
consulted with the Pennsylvania State official, Mr. David Ney of the 
Department of Environmental Protection, 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 February 12, 1999, as supplemented by letter 
dated July 8, 1999, 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 Government Publications Section, State Library of Pennsylvania, 
(Regional Depository) Education Building, Walnut Street and 
Commonwealth Avenue, Box 1601, Harrisburg, PA 17150.

    Dated at Rockville, MD, this 12th day of August 1999.

    For the Nuclear Regulatory Commission.
Bartholomew C. Buckley, Sr.,
Project Manager, Section 2, Project Directorate I, Division of 
Licensing Project Management, Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation.
[FR Doc. 99-21731 Filed 8-20-99; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 7590-01-P