[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 119 (Tuesday, June 22, 1999)] [Notices] [Pages 33326-33327] From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov] [FR Doc No: 99-15658] ======================================================================= ----------------------------------------------------------------------- NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION [50-387 and 50-388] PP&L, Inc.; Susquehanna Steam Electric Station, Unit Nos. 1 and 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 Nos. NPF-14 and NPF-22, respectively, issued to PP&L, Inc., (the licensee), for operation of the Susquehanna Steam Electric Station, Unit Nos. 1 and 2, located in Luzerne County, Pennsylvania. Environmental Assessment Identification of the Proposed Action The proposed action would exempt the licensee from the requirements of 10 CFR Part 50, Appendix E, Items IV.F.2.b and c regarding conduct of a full participation exercise of the onsite and offsite emergency plans every 2 years. Under the proposed exemption, the licensee would reschedule the federally observed full participation emergency exercise from November 1999, to October 2000. The proposed action is in accordance with the licensee's application for an exemption dated January 29, 1999. The Need for the Proposed Action Title 10 of the Code of Federal Regulation, (10 CFR) Part 50, Appendix E, Items IV.F.2.b and c requires each licensee at each site to conduct an exercise of its onsite and offsite emergency plan every 2 years. Federal agencies (the Nuclear Regulatory Commission for the onsite exercise portion and the Federal Emergency Management Agency for the offsite exercise portion) observe these exercises and evaluate the performance of the licensee, state and local authorities having a role under the emergency plan. The licensee had initially planned to conduct an exercise of its onsite and [[Page 33327]] offsite emergency plan in November 1999, which is at the end of the 2- year required interval. Due to Federal agencies scheduling conflicts, the licensee found that its planned November 1999, exercise must now be shifted to October 2000, which is beyond the required 2-year interval. Environmental Impacts of the Proposed Action The Commission has completed its evaluation of the proposed action and concludes that the proposed action involves an administrative activity (a schedular change in conducting an exercise) unrelated to plant operations. 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 Susquehanna Steam Electric Station, Unit Nos. 1 and 2. Agencies and Persons Consulted In accordance with its stated policy, on May 6, 1999, the staff consulted with the Pennsylvania State official, Mr. Stan Maingi of the Department of Environmental Protection, regarding the environmental impact of the proposed action. The State official had no comments. In addition, by letter dated March 11, 1999, from Ms. Vanessa Quinn, the Federal Emergency Management Agency indicated support for rescheduling the exercise. 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 January 29, 1999, which is 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 Osterhout Free Library, Reference Department, 71 South Franklin Street, Wilkes-Barre, PA 18701. Dated at Rockville, Maryland, this 14th day of June 1999. For the Nuclear Regulatory Commission. Victor Nerses, Senior Project Manager, Secton I, Project Directorate I, Division of Licensing Project Management, Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation. [FR Doc. 99-15658 Filed 6-21-99; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 7590-01-P