[Federal Register: August 13, 1998 (Volume 63, Number 156)]
[Notices]               
[Page 43435]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr13au98-120]


[[Page 43435]]

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NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION

[Docket No. 50-461]

 
Illinois Power; Clinton Power Station, 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-62, issued to Illinois Power (the licensee), for operation of the 
Clinton Power Station located in DeWitt County, Illinois.

Environmental Assessment

Identification of the Proposed Action

    The proposed action is in accordance with the licensee's 
application for amendment dated May 4, 1998, and would incorporate 
Technical Specifications requirements for the protection systems for 
the new static VAR compensators being installed onsite to address 
degraded electrical grid voltage.

The Need for the Proposed Action

    The proposed action is needed as part of the solution to address 
degraded electrical grid voltage at Clinton Power Station.

Environmental Impacts of the Proposed Action

    The Commission has completed its evaluation of the proposed action 
and concludes that the change will improve the plant's capability to 
handle degraded grid voltage. The change will not increase the 
probability or consequences of accidents, no changes are being made in 
the types of any effluents that may be released offsite, and there is 
no significant increase in the allowable occupational or public 
radiation exposure. Accordingly, the Commission concludes that there 
are no significant radiological environmental impacts associated with 
the proposed action.
    With regard to potential nonradiological impacts, the proposed 
action does involve features located entirely within the restricted 
area as defined in 10 CFR Part 20. It does not affect nonradiological 
plant effluents and has no other nonradiological environmental impact.
    Accordingly, the Commission concludes that there are no significant 
environmental impacts associated with the proposed action.

Alternatives to the Proposed Action

    Since the Commission has concluded there is no significant 
environmental impact associated with the proposed action, any 
alternatives with equal or greater environmental impact need not be 
evaluated. As an alternative to the proposed action, the staff 
considered denial of the proposed action. 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 
Clinton Power Station (NUREG-0854, May 1982).

Agencies and Persons Consulted:

    In accordance with its stated policy, on June 11, 1998, the staff 
consulted with the Illinois State official, F. Nizidlek of the Illinois 
Department of Nuclear Safety, regarding the environmental impact of the 
proposed action. The State official had no comments.

Finding of No Significant Impact

    Based upon 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 May 4, 1998, 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 Vespasian Warner Public Library, 310 N. 
Quincy Street, Clinton, IL 61727.

    Dated at Rockville, Maryland, this 7th day of August 1998.

    For the Nuclear Regulatory Commission.
Jon B. Hopkins,
Senior Project Manager, Project Directorate III-3, Division of Reactor 
Projects--III/IV, Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation.
[FR Doc. 98-21758 Filed 8-12-98; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 7590-01-P