[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 92 (Wednesday, May 13, 1998)]
[Notices]
[Page 26653]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-12672]



[[Page 26653]]

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NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION

[Docket No. 50-285]


Omaha Public Power District, Fort Calhoun Station, Unit No. 1; 
Environmental Assessment and Finding of No Significant Impact

    The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (the Commission) is 
considering issuance of an exemption from certain requirements of its 
regulations to Omaha Public Power District, holder of Facility 
Operating License No. DPR-40 for operation of the Fort Calhoun Station, 
Unit No. 1 located in Washington County, Nebraska.

Environmental Assessment Action

Identification of Proposed Action

    The proposed action would exempt Omaha Public Power District from 
the requirements of 10 CFR part 50, appendix R, Section III.O, with 
respect to certain unpressurized components. Section III.0 requires 
reactor coolant pumps be equipped with an oil collection system if the 
containment is not inerted during normal operation. The collection 
systems shall be capable of collecting lube oil from all potential 
pressurized and unpressurized leakage sites in the reactor coolant pump 
lube oil systems. Leakage shall be collected and drained to a vented 
closed container that can hold the entire lube oil system inventory.
    The proposed action is in accordance with the licensee's 
application for exemption dated September 30, 1997, as supplemented by 
letter dated January 29, 1998.

The Need for the Proposed Action

    The proposed action is needed because it would be extremely 
difficult for the licensee to design, install, and maintain the 
specified portions of the collection system due to location, 
arrangement, equipment interferences, and radiation dose as low as 
reasonably achievable (ALARA) considerations.

Environmental Impacts of the Proposed Action

    The Commission has completed its evaluation of the proposed action 
and concludes that there is no significant environmental impact 
associated with the proposed exemption. The unpressurized components at 
issue do not present a significant risk of oil leakage that could lead 
to fire in containment during normal or design basis accident 
conditions. The proposed action, therefore, 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.

Alternative Use of Resources

    This action does not involve the use of any resources not 
previously considered in the Final Environmental Statement (FES) for 
the Fort Calhoun Station, Unit No. 1, dated August 1972.

Agencies and Persons Consulted

    In accordance with its stated policy, on April 27, 1998, the staff 
consulted with the Nebraska State official, Ms. Cheryl Rodgers of the 
Department of Health, 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 30, 1997, and supplemental letter 
dated January 29, 1998, which are available for public inspection at 
the Commission's Public Document Room, which is located at The Gelman 
Building, 2120 L Street, NW., Washington, DC, and at the local public 
document room located at the W. Dale Clark Library, 215 South 15th 
Street, Omaha, Nebraska 68102.

    Dated at Rockville, Maryland, this 7th day of May 1998.

    For the Nuclear Regulatory Commission.
Raynard Wharton,
Project Manager Project Directorate IV-2, Division of Reactor Projects 
III/IV Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation.
[FR Doc. 98-12672 Filed 5-12-98; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 7590-01-P