[Federal Register Volume 59, Number 3 (Wednesday, January 5, 1994)]
[Notices]
[Pages 605-606]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 94-127]


[[Page Unknown]]

[Federal Register: January 5, 1994]


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NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION

[Docket No. 50-443]

 

North Atlantic Energy Service Corp. et al., Seabrook Station, 
Unit No. 1; Environmental Assessment and Finding of No Significant 
Impact

    The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (the Commission) is 
considering issuance of an order authorizing a transfer of ownership 
and an amendment to the Facility Operating License No. NPF-86 issued to 
North Atlantic Energy Service Corporation (North Atlantic/the licensee) 
for operation of the Seabrook Station, Unit No. 1, located in 
Rockingham County, New Hampshire.

Environmental Assessment

Identification of the Proposed Action

    The proposed action would approve the transfer of ownership of 
Vermont Electric Generation and Transmission Cooperative, Inc's. 
(Vermont) 0.41259 percent share of Seabrook 1 to North Atlantic Energy 
Company (NAEC). A license amendment would be issued to change the 
footnote on page 1 of Facility Operating License No. NPF-86 by deleting 
Vermont, as one of the entities for which North Atlantic is authorized 
to act.

The Need for the Proposed Action

    In 1990, Vermont filed a claim against Public Service Company of 
New Hampshire (PSNH) with the United States Bankruptcy Court which was 
then hearing a petition from PSNH for reorganization under Chapter 11 
of the United States Bankruptcy Code. Vermont's claim sought redress 
for damages which were alleged to have been incurred while PSNH had 
been the managing agent for Seabrook 1. In November 1990, the two 
parties arrived at a settlement which included an agreement by PSNH or 
its designee to purchase Vermont's share of Seabrook 1 subject to 
obtaining the necessary approvals from all regulatory agencies. 
Subsequently, the Bankruptcy Court issued an order approving the 
stipulation that PSNH and Vermont had filed describing the settlement.
    In June 1992, in accordance with the Plan of Reorganization for 
PSNH that was confirmed by the Bankruptcy Court, Northeast Utilities 
(NU) acquired PSNH in merger transactions and, after receipt of NRC 
approval, NAEC (a newly-formed and wholly-owned subsidiary of NU) 
acquired PSNH's interest in the Seabrook 1. As the successor to PSNH's 
interest in Seabrook 1, NAEC is obligated to purchase Vermont's 
interest in Seabrook Station. The transfer of Vermont's ownership share 
in Seabrook 1 to NAEC will consummate the settlement entered into by 
Vermont and PSNH.

Environmental Impacts of the Proposed Action

    The proposed action would approve the transfer of ownership of 
0.41259 percent of Seabrook 1 from Vermont to NAEC. The transfer will 
not involve any changes to the Seabrook 1 staff, to the facility 
itself, or in the manner by which Seabrook 1 is operated.
    The Commission has evaluated the environmental impact of the 
proposed action and has determined that the probability or consequences 
of accidents would not be increased by the transfer of ownership, and 
that post-accident radiological releases would not be greater than 
previously determined. Further, the Commission has determined that the 
transfer of ownership would not affect routine radiological plant 
effluents and would not increase occupational radiological 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 transfer of 
ownership would not affect nonradiological plant effluents and would 
have no other environmental impact. Therefore, the Commission concludes 
that there are no significant nonradiological environmental impacts 
associated with the proposed action.

Alternative to the Proposed Action

    Since the Commission has concluded that the environmental effects 
of the proposed action are not significant, any alternative with equal 
or greater environmental impact need not be evaluated.
    The principal alternative would be to deny the requested approval. 
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 identical.

Alternative Use of Resources

    This action does not involve the use of resources not previously 
considered in the Final Environmental Statement Related to Operation of 
Seabrook Station, Units 1 and 2, dated December 1982.

Agencies and Persons Consulted

    The NRC staff consulted with the State of New Hampshire and the 
Commonwealth of Massachusetts regarding the environmental impact of the 
proposed action. The State of New Hampshire and the Commonwealth of 
Massachusetts had no comments on the proposed action.

Finding of No Significant Impact

    Based upon the foregoing 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 license amendment.
    For further details with respect to this action, see the request 
for approval dated August 27, 1993, which is available for public 
inspection at the Commission's Public Document Room, the Gelman 
Building, 2120 L Street, NW; Washington, DC 20555, and at the local 
public document room located at the Exeter Public Library, 47 Front 
Street, Exeter, New Hampshire 03833.

    Dated at Rockville, Maryland, this 29th day of December 1993.

    For the Nuclear Regulatory Commission.
Albert W. De Agazio,
Acting Director, Project Directorate I-4, Division of Reactor 
Projects--I/II, Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation.
[FR Doc. 94-127 Filed 1-4-94; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 7590-01-M