Environmental Assessment and Finding of No Significant Impact Related to Exemption From the Implementation Deadline for Certain New Emergency Preparedness Regulations for the Humboldt Bay Power Plant, Unit No. 3, License DPR-007, Eureka, CA, 71198-71199 [2012-28888]
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Federal Register / Vol. 77, No. 230 / Thursday, November 29, 2012 / Notices
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be noted that existing information
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Register on August 13, 2012 (77 FR
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VerDate Mar<15>2010
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Jkt 229001
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Michel Smyth,
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[FR Doc. 2012–28904 Filed 11–28–12; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4510–FW–P
NUCLEAR REGULATORY
COMMISSION
[Docket No. 50–133; NRC–2012–0288]
Environmental Assessment and
Finding of No Significant Impact
Related to Exemption From the
Implementation Deadline for Certain
New Emergency Preparedness
Regulations for the Humboldt Bay
Power Plant, Unit No. 3, License DPR–
007, Eureka, CA
Nuclear Regulatory
Commission.
ACTION: Environmental assessment and
finding of no significant impact;
issuance.
AGENCY:
John
Hickman, Division of Waste
Management and Environmental
Protection, Office of Federal and State
Materials and Environmental
Management Programs; U.S. Nuclear
Regulatory Commission, Mail Stop:
T8F5, Washington, DC 20555–00001;
telephone: 301–415–3017; email:
John.Hickman@nrc.gov.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
I. Introduction
The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory
Commission (NRC) is considering a
request dated June 19, 2012, by Pacific
Gas and Electric Company (PG&E, the
licensee) for a schedular exemption
which would extend the date for
implementing portions of the Final Rule
for Enhancements to Emergency
Preparedness Regulations (Final Rule)
from June 20, 2012 to September 20,
2012.
This Environmental Assessment (EA)
has been developed in accordance with
the requirements of section 51.21 of
Title 10 of the Code of Federal
Regulations (10 CFR).
PO 00000
Frm 00032
Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
II. Environmental Assessment
Identification of Proposed Action
On July 2, 1976, Humboldt Bay Power
Plant (HBPP) Unit 3 was shut down for
annual refueling and to conduct seismic
modifications. The unit was never
restarted. In 1983, updated economic
analyses indicated that restarting Unit 3
would probably not be cost-effective,
and in June 1983, PG&E announced its
intention to decommission the unit. On
July 16, 1985, the NRC issued
Amendment No. 19 to the HBPP Unit 3
Operating License to change the status
to possess-but-not-operate (Agencywide
Documents Access and Management
System (ADAMS) Accession No.
ML8507260045). In December of 2008,
the transfer of spent fuel from the fuel
storage pool to the dry-cask
Independent Spent Fuel Storage
Installation (ISFSI) was completed, and
the decontamination and dismantlement
phase of HBPP Unit 3 decommissioning
commenced. Active decommissioning is
currently underway.
The NRC issued the Final Rule in the
Federal Register on November 23, 2011
(76 FR 72560). The Final Rule amends
certain emergency preparedness (EP)
requirements in the regulations. The
amended requirements enhance the
ability of licensees in preparing to take
and taking certain EP and protective
measures in the event of a radiological
emergency; address, in part, security
issues identified after the terrorist
events of September 11, 2001; clarify
regulations to effect consistent
emergency plan implementation among
licensees; and modify certain EP
requirements to be more effective and
efficient. Certain portions of the Final
Rule are required to be implemented by
June 20, 2012, while other portions of
the Final Rule have later
implementation dates. The PG&E is
requesting the schedular exemption to
allow sufficient time to evaluate the
Final Rule and to implement provisions,
as necessary. The proposed exemption
would provide only temporary relief
from the applicable regulation.
Specifically, PG&E requests exemptions
from meeting the implementation
deadline for the following revised
requirements:
For Security-Related Emergency Plan
Issues:
Emergency Action Levels for Hostile
Action (10 CFR Part 50, App. E, IV.B.1.)
Emergency Response Organization
Augmentation at Alternate Facility—
capability for staging emergency
organization personnel at an alternate
facility and the capability for
communications with the control room
E:\FR\FM\29NON1.SGM
29NON1
Federal Register / Vol. 77, No. 230 / Thursday, November 29, 2012 / Notices
and plant security (10 CFR Part 50, App.
E, IV.E.8.d.)
Protection for Onsite Personnel (10
CFR Part 50, App. E, IV.I)
For Non-Security Related Issues:
Emergency Declaration Timeliness (10
CFR Part 50, App. E, IV.C.2.)
Emergency Operations Facility—
Performance Based Approach (10 CFR
Part 50, App. E, IV.E.8.a.–c.)
pmangrum on DSK3VPTVN1PROD with NOTICES
Need for Proposed Action
The PG&E asserts that the Final Rule
does not provide clear direction for
defueled, non-operating facilities such
as HBPP, and it does not include ISFSI
license emergency plans. Therefore,
PG&E is still evaluating the applicability
of the Final Rule to HBPP.
Environmental Impacts of the Proposed
Action
Due to HBPP being permanently shut
down (with spent fuel relocated to the
ISFSI) and the necessary 10 CFR Part 20
required radiological controls in place
to limit doses, there are no postulated
accidents for HBPP that are considered
credible that could result in the release
of radioactive materials to the
environment in quantities that would
require the implementation of protective
actions for the general public. There are
also no postulated accidents for the
ISFSI that could result in the release of
radioactive materials to the environment
in quantities that would require the
implementation of protective actions for
the general public. Therefore, because
the current Humboldt Bay site
emergency program provides adequate
radiological protection for the public,
the delayed implementation of the five
Final Rule requirements identified
above presents no potential increase in
release of radioactive materials to the
environment in quantities that would
require the implementation of protective
actions for the general public.
Because HBPP is permanently
defueled and the spent fuel is stored in
the onsite ISFSI, the NRC has
determined that the plant site poses a
significantly reduced risk to public
health and safety from design basis
accidents or credible beyond design
basis accidents. (‘‘Emergency Planning
Licensing Requirements for
Independent Spent Fuel Storage
Facilities (ISFSI) and Monitored
Retrievable Storage Facilities (MRS)’’
(60 FR 32430, 32431; June 22, 1995))
The PG&E has stated that accidents
cannot result in radioactive releases
which exceed the EPA’s protective
action guidelines at the site boundary.
Granting the proposed scheduler
exemption would not increase the
probability or consequences of
VerDate Mar<15>2010
15:12 Nov 28, 2012
Jkt 229001
71199
accidents, no changes are being made in
the types or quantities of effluents that
may be released offsite, and there would
be no increase in occupational or public
radiation exposure. Therefore, there are
no significant radiological
environmental impacts associated with
granting the exemption request.
Granting the proposed schedular
exemption would not affect nonradiological plant effluents and would
have no other environmental impact.
Therefore, there are no significant nonradiological impacts associated with the
proposed action.
Historic Preservation Act of 1966, as
amended (NHPA), 16 U.S.C. 470.
Environmental Impacts of the
Alternatives to the Proposed Action
As stated above there are no
significant environmental impacts from
the proposed action. Therefore, the only
alternative the NRC considered is the
no-action alternative, under which the
NRC would deny the exemption request.
This denial of the request would require
the licensee to implement the revised
emergency preparedness requirements
immediately. The facility currently
poses an insignificant environmental
impact risk due to the permanently
shutdown status with fuel in the ISFSI.
Therefore, imposing more emergency
preparedness requirements to further
limit environmental impact would not
result in a significant change in current
environmental impacts. The
environmental impacts of the proposed
action and the no-action alternative are
therefore similar and the no-action
alternative is accordingly not further
considered.
IV. Further Information
Conclusion
The NRC has concluded that the
proposed action will not significantly
impact the quality of the human
environment, and that the proposed
action is the preferred alternative.
Agencies and Persons Consulted
The NRC contacted the California
Radiologic Health Branch in the State
Department of Health Services
concerning this request. There were no
comments, concerns or objections from
the State official.
The NRC has determined that the
proposed action is of a procedural
nature, and will not affect listed species
or critical habitat. Therefore, no further
consultation is required under Section 7
of the Endangered Species Act of 1973,
as amended (ESA), 16 U.S.C. 1536. The
NRC has also determined that the
proposed action is not the type of
activity that has the potential to cause
effects on historic properties. Therefore,
no further consultation is required
under Section 106 of the National
PO 00000
Frm 00033
Fmt 4703
Sfmt 9990
III. Finding of No Significant Impact
The NRC has prepared this EA in
support of the proposed action. On the
basis of this EA, the NRC finds that
there are no significant environmental
impacts from the proposed action, and
that preparation of an environmental
impact statement is not warranted.
Accordingly, the NRC has determined
that a Finding of No Significant Impact
is appropriate.
Documents related to this action,
including the application and
supporting documentation, are available
electronically at the NRC’s Library at
https://www.nrc.gov/reading-rm/
adams.html. From this site, you can
access ADAMS, which provides text
and image files of NRC’s public
documents. The documents related to
this action are listed below, along with
their ADAMS accession numbers.
(1) Final rule, ‘‘Enhancements to
Emergency Preparedness Regulations,’’
November 23, 2011. [76 FR 72560]
(2) Letter dated June 19, 2012,
‘‘Humboldt Bay Power Plant Unit 3
Request for Schedular Exemption for
Implementation of Final Rule for
Enhancements to Emergency
Preparedness Regulations’’ [ADAMS
Accession Number ML12187A235].
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, 301–
415–4737, or by email to
pdr.resource@nrc.gov. These documents
may also be viewed electronically on
the public computers located at the
NRC’s PDR, O1–F21, One White Flint
North, 11555 Rockville Pike, Rockville,
MD 20852. The PDR reproduction
contractor will copy documents for a
fee.
Dated at Rockville, Maryland, this 20th day
of November, 2012.
For the Nuclear Regulatory Commission.
Larry W. Camper,
Director, Division of Waste Management and
Environmental Protection, Office of Federal
and State Materials and Environmental
Management Programs.
[FR Doc. 2012–28888 Filed 11–28–12; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 7590–01–P
E:\FR\FM\29NON1.SGM
29NON1
]]>Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 77, Number 230 (Thursday, November 29, 2012)]
[Notices]
[Pages 71198-71199]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2012-28888]
=======================================================================
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NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION
[Docket No. 50-133; NRC-2012-0288]
Environmental Assessment and Finding of No Significant Impact
Related to Exemption From the Implementation Deadline for Certain New
Emergency Preparedness Regulations for the Humboldt Bay Power Plant,
Unit No. 3, License DPR-007, Eureka, CA
AGENCY: Nuclear Regulatory Commission.
ACTION: Environmental assessment and finding of no significant impact;
issuance.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: John Hickman, Division of Waste
Management and Environmental Protection, Office of Federal and State
Materials and Environmental Management Programs; U.S. Nuclear
Regulatory Commission, Mail Stop: T8F5, Washington, DC 20555-00001;
telephone: 301-415-3017; email: John.Hickman@nrc.gov.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
I. Introduction
The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) is considering a
request dated June 19, 2012, by Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E,
the licensee) for a schedular exemption which would extend the date for
implementing portions of the Final Rule for Enhancements to Emergency
Preparedness Regulations (Final Rule) from June 20, 2012 to September
20, 2012.
This Environmental Assessment (EA) has been developed in accordance
with the requirements of section 51.21 of Title 10 of the Code of
Federal Regulations (10 CFR).
II. Environmental Assessment
Identification of Proposed Action
On July 2, 1976, Humboldt Bay Power Plant (HBPP) Unit 3 was shut
down for annual refueling and to conduct seismic modifications. The
unit was never restarted. In 1983, updated economic analyses indicated
that restarting Unit 3 would probably not be cost-effective, and in
June 1983, PG&E announced its intention to decommission the unit. On
July 16, 1985, the NRC issued Amendment No. 19 to the HBPP Unit 3
Operating License to change the status to possess-but-not-operate
(Agencywide Documents Access and Management System (ADAMS) Accession
No. ML8507260045). In December of 2008, the transfer of spent fuel from
the fuel storage pool to the dry-cask Independent Spent Fuel Storage
Installation (ISFSI) was completed, and the decontamination and
dismantlement phase of HBPP Unit 3 decommissioning commenced. Active
decommissioning is currently underway.
The NRC issued the Final Rule in the Federal Register on November
23, 2011 (76 FR 72560). The Final Rule amends certain emergency
preparedness (EP) requirements in the regulations. The amended
requirements enhance the ability of licensees in preparing to take and
taking certain EP and protective measures in the event of a
radiological emergency; address, in part, security issues identified
after the terrorist events of September 11, 2001; clarify regulations
to effect consistent emergency plan implementation among licensees; and
modify certain EP requirements to be more effective and efficient.
Certain portions of the Final Rule are required to be implemented by
June 20, 2012, while other portions of the Final Rule have later
implementation dates. The PG&E is requesting the schedular exemption to
allow sufficient time to evaluate the Final Rule and to implement
provisions, as necessary. The proposed exemption would provide only
temporary relief from the applicable regulation. Specifically, PG&E
requests exemptions from meeting the implementation deadline for the
following revised requirements:
For Security-Related Emergency Plan Issues:
Emergency Action Levels for Hostile Action (10 CFR Part 50, App. E,
IV.B.1.)
Emergency Response Organization Augmentation at Alternate
Facility--capability for staging emergency organization personnel at an
alternate facility and the capability for communications with the
control room
[[Page 71199]]
and plant security (10 CFR Part 50, App. E, IV.E.8.d.)
Protection for Onsite Personnel (10 CFR Part 50, App. E, IV.I)
For Non-Security Related Issues:
Emergency Declaration Timeliness (10 CFR Part 50, App. E, IV.C.2.)
Emergency Operations Facility--Performance Based Approach (10 CFR
Part 50, App. E, IV.E.8.a.-c.)
Need for Proposed Action
The PG&E asserts that the Final Rule does not provide clear
direction for defueled, non-operating facilities such as HBPP, and it
does not include ISFSI license emergency plans. Therefore, PG&E is
still evaluating the applicability of the Final Rule to HBPP.
Environmental Impacts of the Proposed Action
Due to HBPP being permanently shut down (with spent fuel relocated
to the ISFSI) and the necessary 10 CFR Part 20 required radiological
controls in place to limit doses, there are no postulated accidents for
HBPP that are considered credible that could result in the release of
radioactive materials to the environment in quantities that would
require the implementation of protective actions for the general
public. There are also no postulated accidents for the ISFSI that could
result in the release of radioactive materials to the environment in
quantities that would require the implementation of protective actions
for the general public. Therefore, because the current Humboldt Bay
site emergency program provides adequate radiological protection for
the public, the delayed implementation of the five Final Rule
requirements identified above presents no potential increase in release
of radioactive materials to the environment in quantities that would
require the implementation of protective actions for the general
public.
Because HBPP is permanently defueled and the spent fuel is stored
in the onsite ISFSI, the NRC has determined that the plant site poses a
significantly reduced risk to public health and safety from design
basis accidents or credible beyond design basis accidents. (``Emergency
Planning Licensing Requirements for Independent Spent Fuel Storage
Facilities (ISFSI) and Monitored Retrievable Storage Facilities (MRS)''
(60 FR 32430, 32431; June 22, 1995)) The PG&E has stated that accidents
cannot result in radioactive releases which exceed the EPA's protective
action guidelines at the site boundary. Granting the proposed scheduler
exemption would not increase the probability or consequences of
accidents, no changes are being made in the types or quantities of
effluents that may be released offsite, and there would be no increase
in occupational or public radiation exposure. Therefore, there are no
significant radiological environmental impacts associated with granting
the exemption request.
Granting the proposed schedular exemption would not affect non-
radiological plant effluents and would have no other environmental
impact. Therefore, there are no significant non-radiological impacts
associated with the proposed action.
Environmental Impacts of the Alternatives to the Proposed Action
As stated above there are no significant environmental impacts from
the proposed action. Therefore, the only alternative the NRC considered
is the no-action alternative, under which the NRC would deny the
exemption request. This denial of the request would require the
licensee to implement the revised emergency preparedness requirements
immediately. The facility currently poses an insignificant
environmental impact risk due to the permanently shutdown status with
fuel in the ISFSI. Therefore, imposing more emergency preparedness
requirements to further limit environmental impact would not result in
a significant change in current environmental impacts. The
environmental impacts of the proposed action and the no-action
alternative are therefore similar and the no-action alternative is
accordingly not further considered.
Conclusion
The NRC has concluded that the proposed action will not
significantly impact the quality of the human environment, and that the
proposed action is the preferred alternative.
Agencies and Persons Consulted
The NRC contacted the California Radiologic Health Branch in the
State Department of Health Services concerning this request. There were
no comments, concerns or objections from the State official.
The NRC has determined that the proposed action is of a procedural
nature, and will not affect listed species or critical habitat.
Therefore, no further consultation is required under Section 7 of the
Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (ESA), 16 U.S.C. 1536. The
NRC has also determined that the proposed action is not the type of
activity that has the potential to cause effects on historic
properties. Therefore, no further consultation is required under
Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966, as
amended (NHPA), 16 U.S.C. 470.
III. Finding of No Significant Impact
The NRC has prepared this EA in support of the proposed action. On
the basis of this EA, the NRC finds that there are no significant
environmental impacts from the proposed action, and that preparation of
an environmental impact statement is not warranted. Accordingly, the
NRC has determined that a Finding of No Significant Impact is
appropriate.
IV. Further Information
Documents related to this action, including the application and
supporting documentation, are available electronically at the NRC's
Library at https://www.nrc.gov/reading-rm/adams.html. From this site,
you can access ADAMS, which provides text and image files of NRC's
public documents. The documents related to this action are listed
below, along with their ADAMS accession numbers.
(1) Final rule, ``Enhancements to Emergency Preparedness
Regulations,'' November 23, 2011. [76 FR 72560]
(2) Letter dated June 19, 2012, ``Humboldt Bay Power Plant Unit 3
Request for Schedular Exemption for Implementation of Final Rule for
Enhancements to Emergency Preparedness Regulations'' [ADAMS Accession
Number ML12187A235].
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, 301-415-4737, or
by email to pdr.resource@nrc.gov. These documents may also be viewed
electronically on the public computers located at the NRC's PDR, O1-
F21, One White Flint North, 11555 Rockville Pike, Rockville, MD 20852.
The PDR reproduction contractor will copy documents for a fee.
Dated at Rockville, Maryland, this 20th day of November, 2012.
For the Nuclear Regulatory Commission.
Larry W. Camper,
Director, Division of Waste Management and Environmental Protection,
Office of Federal and State Materials and Environmental Management
Programs.
[FR Doc. 2012-28888 Filed 11-28-12; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 7590-01-P
