[Federal Register Volume 59, Number 193 (Thursday, October 6, 1994)] [Unknown Section] [Page 0] From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov] [FR Doc No: 94-24759] [[Page Unknown]] [Federal Register: October 6, 1994] ======================================================================= ----------------------------------------------------------------------- NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION [Docket No. 50-336] Northeast Nuclear Energy Company, The Connecticut Light and Power Company; The Western Massachusetts Electric Company, Millstone Nuclear Power Station, Unit No. 2; Environmental Assessment and Finding of No Significant Impact The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (the Commission) is considering issuance of an exemption from Facility Operating License No. DPR-65, issued to Northeast Nuclear Energy Company, (NNECO or the licensee), for operation of the Millstone Nuclear Power Station, Unit No. 2, located in New London County, Connecticut. Environmental Assessment Identification of the Proposed Action The proposed action would provide a schedular exemption from the requirements of 10 CFR part 50, appendix J. Sections III.D.2.(a) and III.D.3 on behalf of Millstone Nuclear Power Station, Unit 2. On September 23, 1994, NNECO determined that the 24-month testing requirement had been exceeded for a number of Type B and C components by up to approximately four months. The exemption would provide temporary relief from the 2-year schedular requirement associated with Type B and C periodic Containment local leakage rate tests (LLRTs). The proposed exemption would extend the 2-year requirement through the end of the 12 refueling outage. The proposed action is in accordance with the licensee's application for exemption dated September 26, 1994. The Need for the Proposed Action The proposed action would permit Millstone Unit 2 to proceed with the current schedule for the twelfth refueling outage which is when the plant begins a shut down currently scheduled for October 1, 1994. The proposed exemption would allow the licensee to take advantage of the preparations that have been made for the upcoming refueling outage, including initiatives which would reduce personnel radiation exposure, allow dynamic testing of motor-operated valves, permit testing of main steam safety valves, and allow the performance of work on the service water system to reduce shutdown risks. Environmental Impacts of the Proposed Action The Commission has completed its evaluation of the proposed action and concludes that there are no significant radiological or nonradiological impacts associated with the proposed action and that the issuance of the proposed exemption will have no significant impact on the quality of the human environment. The change will not increase the probability or consequences of accidents, no changes are being made in the types of any effluents that may be released offsite, and there is no significant increase in the allowable individual or cumulative occupational radiation exposure. Accordingly, the Commission concludes that there are no significant radiological environmental impacts associated with the proposed action. With regard to potential nonradiological impacts, the proposed action does involve features located entirely within the restricted area as defined in 10 CFR part 20. It does not affect nonradiological plant effluents and has no other environmental impact. Accordingly, the Commission concludes that their are no significant nonradiological environmental impacts associated with the proposed action. Alternatives to the Proposed Action Since the Commission has concluded there is no measurable environmental impact associated with the proposed action, any alternatives with equal or greater environmental impact need not be evaluated. The principal alternative to the action would be to deny the request. Such action would not enhance the protection of the environment and would result in unjustified cost to the licensee. Alternative Use of Resources This action does not involve the use of any resources not previously considered in the Final Environmental Statement for the Millstone Nuclear Power Station, Unit No. 2. Agencies and Persons Consulted The NRC staff consulted with the Connecticut State Official regarding the environmental impact of the proposed action. The State official had no comments. Finding of no Significant Impact Based upon 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 September 26, 1994, 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 located at the Learning Resource Center, Three Rivers Community-Technical College, Thames Valley Campus, 474 New London Turnpike, Norwich, Connecticut 06360. Dated at Rockville, Maryland, this 30th day of September 1994. For the Nuclear Regulatory Commission. John F. Stolz, Director, Project Directorate I-4, Division of Reactor Projects--I/II, Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation. [FR Doc. 94-24759 Filed 10-5-94; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 7590-01-M