STP Nuclear Operating Co., South Texas Project, Units 1 and 2; Environmental Assessment and Finding of No Significant Impact

[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 84 (Monday, May 3, 1999)]
[Notices]
[Pages 23689-23690]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-11025]


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NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION

[Docket Nos. 50-498 and 50-499]


STP Nuclear Operating Co., South Texas Project, Units 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 
No. NPF-76 and Facility Operating License No. NPF-80, issued to STP 
Nuclear Operating Company (the licensee), for operation of the South 
Texas Project (STP), Units 1 and 2, located in Matagorda County, Texas.

Environmental Assessment

Identification of the Proposed Action

    The proposed action would exempt STP Nuclear Operating Company from 
the requirements of Title 10 of the Code of Federal Regulations (10 
CFR) Sec. 50.60, which requires all power reactors to meet the fracture 
toughness and material surveillance program requirements for the 
reactor coolant pressure boundary set forth in appendices G and H to 10 
CFR part 50. The proposed exemption would allow STP Nuclear Operating 
Company to apply American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME) Code 
Case N-514 for determining STP's cold overpressurization mitigation 
system (COMS) pressure setpoint.
    The proposed action is in accordance with the licensee's 
application for exemption dated March 18, 1999.

The Need for the Proposed Action

    The proposed exemption is needed to support an amendment to the STP 
Technical Specifications which will revise the heatup, cooldown, and 
COMS curves. The use of ASME Code Case N-514 would allow an increased 
operating band for system makeup and pressure control.

Environmental Impacts of the Proposed Action

    The Commission has completed its evaluation of the proposed action 
and concludes that 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 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 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 Related to 
the Operation of South Texas Project, Units 1 and 2,'' dated August 
1996, in NUREG-1171.

[[Page 23690]]

Agencies and Persons Consulted

    In accordance with its stated policy, on March 30, 1999, the staff 
consulted with Texas State Official, Mr. Arthur C. Tate of the Texas 
Department of 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 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 March 18, 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 Wharton County Junior College, J.M. Hodges 
Learning Center, 911 Boling Highway, Wharton, Texas.

    Dated at Rockville, Md., this 27th day of April 1999.

    For the Nuclear Regulatory Commission.
Robert A. Gramm,
Chief, Section 1, Project Directorate IV & Decommissioning, Division of 
Licensing Project Management, Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation.
[FR Doc. 99-11025 Filed 4-30-99; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 7590-01-P