[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 146 (Monday, July 29, 1996)]
[Notices]
[Pages 39481-39482]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-19182]


=======================================================================
-----------------------------------------------------------------------

NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION

[Docket Nos. 50-254 and 50-265]


Commonwealth Edison Company and MidAmerican Energy Company 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 approval under 10 CFR 50.80 of the transfer of control of 
the licenses to the extent affected by the corporate restructuring of 
MidAmerican Energy Company (MidAmerican, the licensee), a holder of 
Facility Operating License Nos. DPR-29 and DPR-30, issued to 
Commonwealth Edison Company (ComEd) for operation and MidAmerican 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 consent to the transfer of control of the 
licenses, with respect to MidAmerican's 25 percent ownership in Quad 
Cities, Units 1 and 2, to the extent affected by a corporate 
restructuring creating MidAmerican Energy Holdings Company (Holdings). 
ComEd alone is licensed to operate Quad Cities, Units 1 and 2. 
MidAmerican would continue to remain the minority owner and possession-
only licensee of the facility. The proposed action is in accordance 
with the licensee's application dated April 4, 1996.

The Need for the Proposed Action

    The proposed action is required to the extent transfer of control 
of the licenses is affected by the corporate restructuring discussed 
above. MidAmerican has stated in its application that restructuring 
will provide flexibility afforded by the typical holding company 
structure and better position the company to operate in the 
increasingly competitive energy marketplace and take advantage of new 
growth opportunities.

Environmental Impacts of the Proposed Action

    The Commission has completed its evaluation of the proposed 
restructuring 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 control of the licenses to the extent affected by 
MidAmerican's restructuring will not affect the numbers, 
qualifications, or

[[Page 39482]]

organizational affiliation of the personnel who operate the facility, 
in that ComEd will remain the holder of the operating licenses 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 proposed action, and that 
post-accident radiological releases would not be greater than 
previously determined. Further, the Commission has determined that the 
proposed action 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 proposed 
action 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 actions 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

    In accordance with its stated policy, on July 3, 1996, the staff 
consulted with the Illinois State official, Mr. Frank Niziolek, Head, 
Reactor Safety Section, Division of Engineering, 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 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 action relating to MidAmerican's ownership of Quad Cities, 
Units 1 and 2.
    For further details with respect to this action, see the request 
for approval dated April 4, 1996, 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 61021.

    Dated at Rockville, Maryland, this 23rd day of July 1996.

    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. 96-19182 Filed 7-26-96; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 7590-01-P