[Federal Register: July 13, 1999 (Volume 64, Number 133)]
[Notices]               
[Page 37819]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr13jy99-125]                         

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NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION

[Docket No. 50-397]

 
Washington Public Power Supply System, Washington Public Power 
Supply System, Nuclear Project No. 2; Environmental Assessment and 
Finding of No Significant Impact

    The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (the Commission) is 
considering issuance of an amendment to Facility Operating License No. 
NPF-21, issued to the Washington Public Power Supply System (the 
licensee), for operation of the WPPSS Nuclear Project No.2 (WNP-2), 
located in Benton County, Washington.

Environmental Assessment

Identification of the Proposed Action

    The proposed action would revise Facility Operating License No. 
NPF-21 to reflect the change in the licensee's name from the Washington 
Public Power Supply System to Energy Northwest. In addition, the 
facility, WPPSS Nuclear Project No. 2, will now be referred to as WNP-
2.
    The proposed action is in accordance with the licensee's 
application for amendment dated June 3, 1999.

The Need for the Proposed Action

    The proposed action is required to change the operating license to 
accurately reflect the new name of the licensee.

Environmental Impacts of the Proposed Action

    The Commission has completed its evaluation of the proposed action 
and concludes, that the name change is administrative in nature and 
will not affect the operation of WNP-2.
    The proposed amendment 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 non-radiological impacts, the proposed 
action does not involve any historic sites. It does not affect non-
radiological plant effluents and has no other environmental impact. 
Therefore, there are no significant non-radiological 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 for the 
Washington Public Power System Nuclear Project No.2 dated December 
1981.

Agencies and Persons Consulted

    In accordance with its stated policy, on June 16, 1999, the staff 
consulted with the Washington State official, Mr. Crowley of the 
Department of Health, State of Washington Energy Facility Site 
Evaluation Council, 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 June 3, 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 Richland Public Library, 955 Northgate 
Street, Richland, Washington 99352.

    Dated at Rockville, Maryland, this 6th day of July 1999.

    For the Nuclear Regulatory Commission.
Jack Cushing,
Project Manager, Section 2, Project Directorate IV & Decommissioning, 
Division of Licensing Project Management, Office of Nuclear Reactor 
Regulation.
[FR Doc. 99-17746 Filed 7-12-99; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 7590-01-P