32964 Federal Register / Vol. 66, No. 118 / Tuesday, June 19, 2001 / Notices

in the proceeding on the petitioner’s

interest. The petition must also identify

the specific aspect(s) of the subject

matter of the proceeding as to which

petitioner wishes to intervene. Any

person who has filed a petition for leave

to intervene or who has been admitted

as a party may amend the petition

without requesting leave of the Board

up to 15 days prior to the first

prehearing conference scheduled in the

proceeding, but such an amended

petition must satisfy the specificity

requirements described above.

Not later than 15 days prior to the first

prehearing conference scheduled in the

proceeding, a petitioner shall file a

supplement to the petition to intervene

that must include a list of the

contentions that the petitioner seeks to

have litigated in the hearing. Each

contention must consist of a specific

statement of the issue of law or fact to

be raised or controverted. In addition,

the petitioner shall provide a brief

explanation of the bases of the

contention and a concise statement of

the alleged facts or expert opinion that

support the contention and on which

the petitioner intends to rely in proving

the contention at the hearing. The

petitioner must also provide references

to those specific sources and documents

of which the petitioner is aware and on

which the petitioner intends to rely to

establish those facts or expert opinion.

The petitioner must provide sufficient

information to show that a genuine

dispute exists with the applicant on a

material issue of law or fact.

Contentions shall be limited to matters

within the scope of the amendments

under consideration. The contention

must be one that, if proven, would

entitle the petitioner to relief. A

petitioner who fails to file such a

supplement that satisfies these

requirements with respect to at least one

contention will not be permitted to

participate as a party.

Those permitted to intervene become

parties to the proceeding, subject to any

limitations in the order granting leave to

intervene, and have the opportunity to

participate fully in the conduct of the

hearing, including the opportunity to

present evidence and cross-examine

witnesses.

Requests for a hearing and petitions

for leave to intervene must be filed with

the Secretary of the Commission, U.S.

Nuclear Regulatory Commission,

Washington, DC 20555–0001, Attention:

Rulemakings and Adjudications Staff, or

may be delivered to the Commission’s

Public Document Room, located at One

White Flint North, 11555 Rockville Pike

(first floor), Rockville, Maryland, by the

above date. A copy of the petition

should also be sent to the Office of the

General Counsel, U.S. Nuclear

Regulatory Commission, Washington,

DC 20555–0001, and to Mary O’Reilly,

Attorney, FirstEnergy Legal Department,

FirstEnergy Corporation, 76 S. Main

Street, Akron, OH 44308, attorney for

the licensee.

Nontimely filings of petitions for

leave to intervene, amended petitions,

supplemental petitions and/or requests

for a hearing will not be entertained

absent a determination by the

Commission, the presiding officer, or

the presiding Atomic Safety and

Licensing Board that the petition and/or

request should be granted based upon a

balancing of the factors specified in 10

CFR 2.714(a)(1)(i)–(v) and 2.714(d).

If a request for a hearing is received,

the Commission’s staff may issue the

amendments after it completes its

technical review and prior to the

completion of any required hearing if it

publishes a further notice for public

comment of its proposed finding of no

significant hazards consideration in

accordance with 10 CFR 50.91 and

50.92.

For further details with respect to this

action, see the application for

amendments dated January 18, 2001

(ADAMS Accession No. ML010230096),

as supplemented by letters dated

February 20 (ADAMS Accession No.

ML010540305) and April 12, 2001

(ADAMS Accession No. ML011130105),

which are available for public

inspection at the Commission’s Public

Document Room, located at One White

Flint North, 11555 Rockville Pike (first

floor), Rockville, Maryland, and

accessible electronically through the

ADAMS Public Electronic Reading

Room link at the NRC Web site

(http://www.nrc.gov). If there are

problems accessing the document

located in ADAMS, contact the PDB

Reference staff at 1–800–397–4209 or

301–415–4737, or send an e-mail to

pdr@nrc.gov.

Dated at Rockville, Maryland, this 31st day

of May 2001.

For the Nuclear Regulatory Commission.

Lawrence J. Burkhart,

Project Manager, Section 1, Project

Directorate I, Division of Licensing Project

Management, Office of Nuclear Reactor

Regulation.

[FR Doc. 01–15371 Filed 6–18–01; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 7590–01–P

NUCLEAR REGULATORY

COMMISSION

[Docket Nos. 50–361 and 50–362]

Southern California Edison; San

Onofre Nuclear Generating Station,

Unit Nos. 2 and 3; Environmental

Assessment and Finding of No

Significant Impact

The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory

Commission (NRC) is considering

issuance of an amendment to Facility

Operating Licenses Nos. NPF–10 and

NPF–15, issued to Southern California

Edison Company (SCE or the licensee),

for operation of the San Onofre Nuclear

Generating Station (SONGS), Units Nos.

2 and 3, located in San Diego County,

California.

Environmental Assessment

Identification of Proposed Action

The proposed action would amend

the facility license and the technical

specifications for SONGS Units 2 and 3,

to allow SCE to increase the maximum

reactor core power level for each unit

from 3390 megawatts thermal (MWt) to

3448 MWt, which is an increase of 1.42

percent of rated core thermal power for

SONGS Units 2 and 3.

The proposed action is in accordance

with the licensee’s application for

amendment dated April 3, 2001, and

supplemented April 23, May 11, May

25, and May 31, 2001.

The Need for the Proposed Action

The proposed action would permit an

increase in the licensed core thermal

power from 3390 MWt to 3448 MWt and

is needed to allow an increase in the net

electrical output of SONGS Units 2 and

3 and, thus, provide additional

electrical power to service domestic and

commercial areas of the licensee’s grid.

Environmental Impacts of the Proposed

Action

In support of its request for the

proposed power uprate, SCE evaluated

the radiological effects of the proposed

action, and specifically evaluated its

radioactive waste management systems

including system/component activity

inventories and activity releases

associated with the liquid, gaseous, and

solid waste management systems, as

well as the process and effluent

radiological monitoring and sampling

systems. In addition, SCE evaluated the

non-radiological effects of the proposed

action. Based on its review of the

licensee’s evaluation of the

environmental impacts, the NRC staff

concludes that the proposed increase in

power would not result in a significant

Federal Register / Vol. 66, No. 118 / Tuesday, June 19, 2001 / Notices 32965

environmental impact as discussed

below.

Radiological Environmental Assessment

Radioactive Waste (Radwaste)

Management

SCE has evaluated the system/

component activity inventories and

activity releases associated with the

liquid, gaseous, and solid waste

management systems, as well as the

process and effluent radiological

monitoring and sampling systems.

SONGS radwaste management and

radiation protection analyses are based

on the Units 2 and 3 Cycle 1 core

activity inventory profile with one

percent fuel cladding defects. The

licensee has determined that the activity

inventories of Cycle 1 core isotopes

(primarily some iodine and noble gas

isotopes) are greater than the core

activity inventories associated with 102

percent of current licensed power, i.e.,

3458 MWt. The licensee has also

evaluated the dose contributions of

iodine, noble gas, and particulate core

isotopes for the power uprate

conditions. Based on its evaluation, the

licensee determined that the core and

system activity profiles of record bound

(i.e., are equal to, or more severe than)

the core and system activity source

terms at the proposed uprated power

level. Therefore, the licensee has

concluded that its operation of the

radwaste systems at SONGS Units 2 and

3 will not be impacted by operation at

uprated power conditions and the

effluents discharged would continue to

meet the requirements of 10 CFR part 20

and 10 CFR part 50, Appendix I. Based

on the above, the staff has determined

that the proposed power uprate will not

appreciably affect the ability to process

liquid or gaseous radioactive effluents

and there are no significant

environmental effects from radiological

releases.

Dose Consideration

SCE evaluated the effects of power

uprate on the radiation sources within

the plant and radiation levels during

normal and post-accident conditions.

Based on its evaluation, the licensee

determined that SONGS Units 2 and 3

dose contributions and the activity

inventories of Cycle 1 core isotopes

(primarily some iodine and noble gas

isotopes) are greater than the dose

consequences and core activity

inventories associated with the 102

percent of the current licensed power,

i.e., 3458 MWt, and therefore bound the

proposed uprated power level. Further

occupational doses for normal

operations will be maintained within

acceptable limits by the site’s as-low-asreasonably-achievable program, which

is required by 10 CFR 20.1101(b).

Therefore, the NRC staff concludes

that the radiological doses would

remain below the 10 CFR part 100

guidelines and all radiological safety

margins are maintained.

Summary

The proposed power uprate will not

significantly increase the probability or

consequences of accidents, will not

involve any new radiological release

pathways, will not result in a significant

increase in occupational or public

radiation exposure, and will not result

in significant additional fuel cycle

environmental impacts. Accordingly,

the NRC staff concludes that there are

no significant radiological

environmental impacts associated with

the proposed action.

Non-Radiological Environmental

Assessment

The licensee reviewed the nonradiological environmental impacts of

the requested power uprate based on

information submitted in the

Environmental Report, Operating

License Stage, the NRC Final

Environmental Statement (FES) related

to the operation of San Onofre Nuclear

Station, Units 2 and 3, (NUREG–0490,

dated April 1981), and the requirements

of the Environmental Protection Plan.

Based on this review, the licensee

concluded that the proposed power

uprate would have no significant effect

on the non-radiological elements of

concern and the plant will be operated

in an environmentally acceptable

manner as established by the FES. In

addition, the licensee states that existing

Federal, State, and local regulatory

permits presently in effect accommodate

the power uprate without modification.

The SONGS units are cooled by oncethrough cooling water systems,

withdrawing cooling water from the

Pacific Ocean and discharging it to the

ocean through separate underwater

diffusers on the ocean bottom. The

licensee determined that the differential

temperature developed by the cooling

system will increase by approximately

0.3°F, increasing the calculated

differential to approximately 19.2 °F.

The limit on differential temperature

allowed by the California Regional

Water Quality Control Board, San Diego

Region, is 25 °F and includes an

allowance of 0.4 °F for increases in

thermal power level. The licensee also

evaluated other environmental

discharges and determined that the

small increase in reactor power will not

have significant impact on the

environment.

SONGS operates in compliance with

a National Pollution Discharge

Elimination System (NPDES) Permit,

which requires all effluents to be closely

monitored to assure compliance with

the permit levels. Effluent increases due

to the power uprate of SONGS Units 2

and 3 are not expected. With regard to

potential non-radiological impacts, the

proposed action would not change the

method of operation at SONGS or the

methods of handling effluents. No

changes to land use would result and

the proposed action does not involve

any historic sites. Therefore, no new or

different types of non-radiological

environmental impacts are expected.

Accordingly, the NRC staff concludes

that there are no significant nonradiological environmental impacts

associated with the proposed action.

Alternatives to the Proposed Action

As an alternative to the proposed

action, the NRC staff considered denial

of the proposed action (i.e., the ‘‘noaction’’ 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 FES for SONGS Units

2 and 3 dated March 1973.

Agencies and Persons Consulted

In accordance with its stated policy,

on June 7, 2001, the NRC staff consulted

with the California State official, Mr.

Steve Hsu, of the Radiologic Health

Branch of the State Department of

Health Services, 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 NRC staff 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 April 3, 2001, and the

supplements dated April 23, May 11,

May 25, and May 31, 2001, which may

be examined, and/or copied for a fee, at

the NRC’s Public Document Room,

located at One White Flint North, 11555

32966 Federal Register / Vol. 66, No. 118 / Tuesday, June 19, 2001 / Notices

Rockville Pike (first floor), Rockville,

Maryland. Publicly available records

will be accessible electronically from

the ADAMS Public Library component

on the NRC Web site, http://

www.nrc.gov, (the Electronic Reading

Room). If you do not have access to

ADAMS or if there are problems in

accessing the documents located in

ADAMS, contact the NRC Public

Document Room (PDR) Reference staff

at 1–800–397–4209, or 301–415–4737,

or by e-mail to pdr@nrc.gov.

Dated at Rockville, Maryland this 13th day

of June 2001.

For the Nuclear Regulatory Commission.

Joseph E. Donoghue,

Senior Project Manager, Project Directorate

IV, Section 2, Division of Licensing Project

Management, Office of Nuclear Reactor

Regulation.

[FR Doc. 01–15370 Filed 6–18–01; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 7590–01–P

NUCLEAR REGULATORY

COMMISSION

Discrimination Task Group; Notice of

Meetings

In August 2000, the NRC announced

the formation of a Discrimination Task

Group, which is evaluating the NRC

processes used in the handling of

discrimination allegations and

violations of employee protection

standards (Applicable regulations

include 10 CFR 30.7, 10 CFR 40.7. 10

CFR 50.7, 10 CFR 60.9, 10 CFR 61.9, 10

CFR 70.7, 10 CFR 76.7, 10 CFR 72.10,

10 CFR 150.20). The group is a

management-level review group which

is evaluating the Commission’s handling

of discrimination cases.

The group has developed draft

recommendations for changes to the

regulatory requirements, the

enforcement policy or other agency

guidelines as appropriate. The draft

recommendations have been released

for public comment and can be obtained

via the Office of Enforcement web site

at http://www.nrc.gov/OE/. Following a

pubic comment period on the draft that

expires on August 17, 2001, the Task

Group will develop a Commission Paper

outlining the final recommendations for

NRC offices to consider in making

changes to their processes.

The Task Group is holding several

public stakeholder meetings in various

areas of the country to solicit comment

on the draft recommendations for

changes in the Agency’s handling of

discrimination issues.

—A public meeting will be held in

Chattanooga, TN, on June 25, 2001, at

the USNRC Technical Training

Center, Osborne Office Center, 5746

Marlin Road, Chattanooga TN 37411

This will be an evening meeting from

7 p.m. to 9 p.m.

—A public meeting will be held, on July

11, 2001, at the USNRC Region III

offices located 801 Warrenville Road,

Lisle, IL 60532. This will be an

evening meeting from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m.

—A public meeting will be held, on July

12, 2001, in Paducah, KY, at the

Paducah Community College

Engineering Building, Crounse Hall

Main Lecture Hall, 4810 Alben

Barkely Drive, Paducah, KY. This will

be an evening meeting from 7 p.m. to

9 p.m.

—A public meeting will be held on

August 9, 2001, at the San Luis

Obispo Public Library, Library

Conference Room, 995 Palm Street,

San Luis Obispo CA. This will be an

evening meeting from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m.

—A public meeting will be held on

August 14, 2001, at the Waterford

Town Hall, 15 Rope Ferry Road,

Waterford, CT This will be an evening

meeting from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m.

—A public meeting will be held on

August 16, 2001, at the USNRC offices

in the TWFN Auditorium, located at

11555 Rockville Pike, Rockville,

Maryland. The meeting will start at

9:30 a.m.

These meetings are open to the

members of the public. Oral or written

views regarding the NRC’s draft

recommendations for improving

processes for handling employee

protection issues may be presented by

the members of the public, including

members of the nuclear industry.

Persons desiring to make prepared oral

presentations or statements should

notify Mr. Barry Westreich (Telephone

301/415–3456, e-mail BCW@nrc.gov)

five days prior to the meeting date, if

possible, so that appropriate

arrangements can be made to allow

necessary time during the meeting for

such a presentation or statements. Use

of still, motion picture, and television

cameras as well as audio recording

devices will be permitted during these

meetings.

Further information regarding topics

of discussion, whether the meeting has

been canceled, rescheduled, or

relocated; may be obtained via the

Office of Enforcement web site at

http://www.nrc.gov/OE or by contacting

Mr. Barry Westreich between 8 a.m. and

4:30 p.m. EDT.

For those unable to attend one of the

public meetings on this issue, comments

on the draft report can be submitted via

the Office of Enforcement web site at

http://www.nrc.gov/OE. and may also be

submitted in writing addressed to Barry

Westreich, Office of Enforcement, U.S.

Nuclear Regulatory Commission 11555

Rockville Pike, Rockville, MD, 20852.

This meeting will not be transcribed

but, if needed, a meeting report will be

available electronically for public

inspection on the Office of Enforcement

web site at http://www.nrc.gov/OE and

in the NRC Public Document Room or

from the Publicly Available Records

(PARS) component of NRC’s document

system (ADAMS). ADAMS is accessible

from the NRC web site at http://

www.nrc.gov/NRC/ADAMS/index.html

(the Public Electronic Reading Room).

The Task Group Charter and other

pertinent documents related to Task

Group Activities will also be

periodically posted and updated on the

Office of Enforcement web site.

Dated at Rockville, Maryland this 11th Day

of June 2001.

For the Nuclear Regulatory Commission.

Frank Congel,

Director, Office of Enforcement.

[FR Doc. 01–15372 Filed 6–18–01; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 7590–01–P

NUCLEAR REGULATORY

COMMISSION

Public Workshop on Future Licensing

Activities

AGENCY: Nuclear Regulatory

Commission.

ACTION: Notice of public workshop.

SUMMARY: The Nuclear Regulatory

Commission (NRC) has scheduled a

public workshop to inform the public of

the current and proposed activities of

the NRC staff regarding future

applications and to solicit public

concerns and feedback on identified

issues and challenges.

DATES: July 25, 2001, from 9 a.m.–8

p.m.; July 26, 2001, from 9 a.m.–1 p.m.

ADDRESSES: The workshop will be held

in the NRC’s Auditorium at Two White

Flint North, 11545 Rockville Pike,

Rockville, Maryland 20852–2738.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Contact Eric Benner, Mail Stop O–12D1,

U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission,

Washington, DC 20555–0001. Members

of the public may pre-register for this

meeting by contacting Eric Benner at

(800) 368–5642, ext. 1171, or by Internet

at ejb1@nrc.gov by July 20, 2001.

The NRC maintains an Agencywide

Documents Access and Management

System (ADAMS) which provides text

and image files of NRC’s public

documents. These documents may be

accessed through the NRC’s Public