[Federal Register Volume 60, Number 58 (Monday, March 27, 1995)]
[Notices]
[Page 15799]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 95-7435]



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NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION
[Docket Nos. 50-254 and 50-265]


Commonwealth Edison Co. and Iowa-Illinois Gas and Electric Co., 
Quad Cities Nuclear Power Station, 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 amendment to Facility Operating License Nos. 
DPR-29 and DPR-30, issued to Commonwealth Edison Company (ComEd, the 
licensee) for operation and Iowa-Illinois Gas and Electric Company 
(IIGEC) for possession of the Quad Cities Nuclear Power Station, Units 
1 and 2, located in Rock Island County, Illinois.

Environmental Assessment

Identification of the Proposed Action

    The proposed action would revise the operating license to reflect 
the transfer of IIGEC's 25 percent ownership in Quad Cities, Units 1 
and 2, through the merger of IIGEC, MidAmerican Energy Company 
(MidAmerican), Midwest Power Systems Inc. and Midwest Resources Inc., 
with MidAmerican as the surviving entity from the merger. Quad Cities 
is operated by ComEd on behalf of IIGEC. Commonwealth Edison Company, 
alone, is licensed to operate Quad Cities, Units 1 and 2. The proposed 
action is in accordance with ComEd's application dated February 23, 
1995.

The Need for the Proposed Action

    The proposed action is required to reflect the ownership change 
discussed above. The amendment reflecting the transfer of IIGEC's 
interest in the license will have minimal impact on the operation of 
the facility by ComEd. The transfer and amendment will not affect the 
facility's Technical Specifications, license conditions, or the 
organization and practices of ComEd.

Environmental Impacts of the Proposed Action

    The Commission has completed its evaluation of the proposed license 
amendment and concludes that there will be no changes to Quad Cities, 
Units 1 and 2, or the environment as a result of this action. The 
transfer of IIGEC's possession-only interest in the license and the 
associated license amendment will not affect the numbers, 
qualifications, or organizational affiliation of the personnel who 
operate the facility, as ComEd will remain the holder of the operating 
license and continue to be responsible for the operation of Quad 
Cities, Units 1 and 2.
    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 non-radiological 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 
Quad Cities Nuclear Power Station, Units 1 and 2, dated September 1972.

Agencies and Persons Consulted

    The NRC staff reviewed the licensee's request and consulted with 
the Illinois State official regarding the environmental impact of the 
proposed action. The State official had no comments.

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 licensee's 
submittal dated February 23, 1995, 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 Dixon Public Library, 221 Hennepin Avenue, 
Dixon, Illinois.

    Dated at Rockville, Md., this 21st day of March 1995.

    For the Nuclear Regulatory Commission.
Robert A. Capra,
Director, Project Directorate III-2, Division of Reactor Projects--III/
IV, Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation.
[FR Doc. 95-7435 Filed 3-24-95; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 7590-01-M