[Federal Register Volume 60, Number 27 (Thursday, February 9, 1995)] [Notices] [Pages 7800-7801] From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov] [FR Doc No: 95-3233] ----------------------------------------------------------------------- NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION Northeast Nuclear Energy Company; Millstone Nuclear Power Station, Unit No. 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 No. NPF-49, issued to Northeast Nuclear Energy Company (the licensee), for operation of the Millstone Nuclear Power Station, Unit No. 3, located in New London County, Connecticut. Environmental Assessment Identification of the Proposed Action The proposed action would revise Technical Specification (TS) 3.5.2.a by granting a one-time extension of the allowable Residual Heat Removal (RHR) pump outage time for mechanical seal replacement and related modifications from 72 hours to 120 hours. This exception would only be used one time per pump and expire on April 30, 1995. The amendment would clearly define the times in which each RHR pump and associated RHR heat exchanger must be restored to an operable state. The proposed action is in accordance with the licensee's application for amendment dated August 16, 1994, as supplemented by letter dated January 10, 1995. The Need for the Proposed Action The proposed action would reduce the potential for an unnecessary plant shutdown, thus, eliminating a source of unnecessary challenges to the plant's safety systems. Environmental Impacts of the Proposed Action The Commission has completed its evaluation of the proposed action and concludes that one-time extension of the RHR pump outage time from 72 hours to 120 hours to acceptable. 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 there 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. As an alternative to the proposed action, the staff considered denial of the proposed action. 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 7801]] 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. 3. Agencies and Persons Consulted In accordance with its stated policy, the 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 August 16, 1994, as supplemented by letter dated January 10, 1995, 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 Learning Resource Center, Three Rivers Community- Technical College, Thames Valley Campus, 574 New London Turnpike, Norwich, CT 06360. Dated at Rockville, Maryland, this 3rd day of February 1995. For the Nuclear Regulatory Commission Phillip F. McKee, Director, Project Directorate I-4, Division of Reactor Projects--I/II, Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation. [FR Doc. 95-3233 Filed 2-8-95; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 7590-01-M