[Federal Register Volume 66, Number 38 (Monday, February 26, 2001)]
[Notices]
[Pages 11609-11610]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 01-4625]


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NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION

[Docket No. 50-286]


Entergy Nuclear Operations, Inc.; Indian Point Nuclear Generating 
Unit No. 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 License No. DPR-64, 
issued to Entergy Nuclear Operations, Inc. (the licensee), for 
operation of the Indian Point Nuclear Generating Unit No. 3 (IP3) 
located in Westchester County, New York.

Environmental Assessment

Identification of the Proposed Action

    The proposed action would modify the Technical Specifications (TSs) 
by replacing them with Improved Standard Technical Specifications 
(ISTS). The amendment would also change requirements regarding 
setpoints or allowable values associated with power range flux, 
pressurizer pressure, overtemperature delta T, overpower deltaT, low 
reactor coolant loop flow, high pressurizer water level, steam 
generator water level, containment pressure, auto stop oil pressure, 
high steam line differential pressure and high steam flow; it would 
extend the allowable time to restore an inoperable power operated 
relief valve to service; it would extend the frequency for the pressure 
isolation valve leakage testing surveillance from 18 to 24 months; it 
would change current TS requirements by focusing on ensuring 
containment integrity at individual component level rather than at a 
zone level; and it would add main steam check valve operability 
conditions.
    The proposed action is in accordance with the licensee's 
application for amendment dated December 11, 1998, as supplemented by 
letters dated December 15, 1998, May 17, 1999, August 16, 2000, 
September 8, 2000, September 14, 2000, September 27, 2000, November 30, 
2000, January 8, 2001, and January 11, 2001.

The Need for the Proposed Action

    The proposed action is necessary to allow the licensee to implement 
the ISTS. The ISTS are based on standard Westinghouse Technical 
Specifications and have been implemented by several utilities. They are 
widely considered an improvement over current TSs.

Environmental Impacts of the Proposed Action

    The NRC has completed its evaluation of the proposed action and 
concludes that the proposed amendment will have no significant 
environmental impact. The ISTS are based on the standard Westinghouse 
TSs and are widely used throughout the industry.
    The proposed action will not significantly 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 nonradiological impacts, the proposed 
action does not involve any historic sites. It does not affect 
nonradiological plant effluents and has no other environmental impact. 
Therefore, there are no significant nonradiological environmental 
impacts associated with the proposed action.
    Accordingly, the NRC 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 IP3.

Agencies and Persons Consulted

    In accordance with its stated policy, on January 24, 2001, the 
staff consulted with the New York State official, Jay Dunkelberger of 
the New York Department of Radiation Health, 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 concludes 
that the proposed action will not have a significant effect on the 
quality of the human environment. Accordingly, the NRC 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 December 11, 1998, as supplemented by letters 
dated December 15, 1998, May 17, 1999, August 16, 2000, September 8, 
2000, September 14, 2000, September 27, 2000, November 30, 2000, 
January 8, 2001, and January 11, 2001. Documents may be examined, and/
or copied for a fee, at the NRC's Public Document Room, located at One 
White Flint North, 11555 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).


[[Page 11610]]


    Dated at Rockville, Maryland, this 16th day of February 2001.

    For the Nuclear Regulatory Commission.
George F. Wunder,
Project Manager, Section 1, Project Directorate I, Division of 
Licensing Project Management, Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation.
[FR Doc. 01-4625 Filed 2-23-01; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 7590-01-P