[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 147 (Thursday, July 31, 1997)] [Notices] [Pages 41102-41103] From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov] [FR Doc No: 97-20188] ----------------------------------------------------------------------- NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION [Docket Nos. 50-413 and 50-414] Duke Power Company, et al.; Catawba Nuclear 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 amendments to Facility Operating License Nos. NPF-35 and NPF-52, issued to Duke Power Company, et al. (the licensee), for operation of the Catawba Nuclear Station, Units 1 and 2, located in York County, South Carolina. Environmental Assessment Identification of Proposed Action The proposed action would amend the licenses to reflect the licensee's name change from ``Duke Power Company'' to ``Duke Energy Corporation.'' [[Page 41103]] The proposed action is in response to the licensee's application dated June 12, 1997. The Need for the Proposed Action Duke Power Company changed its name to ``Duke Energy Corporation.'' The facility operating licenses for Catawba were issued to indicate the name of the licensee as ``Duke Power Company,'' and therefore need to be amended to substitute the new name of the licensee. The proposed action is purely administrative. Environmental Impacts of the Proposed Action The Commission has completed its evaluation of the proposed action and concludes that there is no significant environmental impact if the amendments are granted. No changes will be made to the design and licensing bases, and procedures of the two units at Catawba Nuclear Station. Other than the name change, no other changes will be made to the facility operating licenses, including the Technical Specifications. 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 individual or cumulative occupational 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 not affect nonradiological plant effluents and has no other environmental impact. Accordingly, the Commission concludes that there are no significant nonradiological environmental impacts associated with the proposed action. Alternatives to the Proposed Action Since the Commission has concluded there is no measurable 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 did not involve the use of any resources not previously considered in the Final Environmental Statement related to the Catawba Nuclear Station. Agencies and Persons Contacted In accordance with its stated policy, on July 11, 1997, the staff consulted with the South Carolina State official, Virgil Autrey of the Bureau of Radiological Health, South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control, regarding the environmental impact of the proposed amendments. The State official had no comments. Finding of No Significant Impact Based upon the foregoing environmental assessment, the Commission concludes that the proposed amendments 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 amendments. For further details with respect to the proposed action, see the licensee's request for the amendments dated June 12, 1997, 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 York County Library, 138 East Black Street, Rock Hill, South Carolina. Dated at Rockville, Maryland, this 24th day of July 1997. For the Nuclear Regulatory Commission. Peter S. Tam, Acting Director, Project Directorate II-2, Division of Reactor Projects--I/II, Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation. [FR Doc. 97-20188 Filed 7-30-97; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 7590-01-P