[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 186 (Thursday, September 25, 1997)]
[Notices]
[Page 50411]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-25445]


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NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION

[Docket Nos. 50-334 and 50-412]


Duquesne Light Company, et al.; Beaver Valley Power Station, Unit 
Nos. 1 and 2; Environmental Assessment and Finding of No Significant 
Impact

    The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (the Commission) is 
considering approval, by issuance of an order under 10 CFR 50.80, of 
the indirect transfer of Facility Operating Licenses Nos. DPR-66 and 
NPF-73, to the extent they are held by the Duquesne Light Company (DLC) 
for Beaver Valley Power Station, Unit Nos. 1 and 2 (BVPS-1 and BVPS-2), 
located in Shippingport, Pennsylvania.

Environmental Assessment

Identification of the Proposed Action

    The proposed action would consent to the indirect transfer of the 
licenses with respect to a proposed merger between DQE, Inc., and 
Allegheny Power Systems, Inc. DQE, Inc. is the parent holding company 
of DLC, which holds licenses to possess interests in and operate BVPS-1 
and BVPS-2. The Cleveland Electric Illuminating Company, The Toledo 
Edison Company, and Ohio Edison Company, and its subsidiary 
Pennsylvania Power Company, also hold licenses to possess interests in 
BVPS-1 and BVPS-2, but are not involved in the proposed merger. In the 
proposed merger, DQE, Inc. will become a wholly owned subsidiary of 
Allegheny Power. Allegheny Power will be renamed Allegheny Energy, Inc.
    According to the application, the merger will have no effect on the 
operation of Beaver Valley Power Station or the provisions of its 
operating licenses. The Cleveland Electric Illuminating Company, The 
Toledo Edison Company, Ohio Edison Company, and Pennsylvania Power 
Company will remain licensees responsible for their possessory 
interests and related obligations. Duquesne Light Company will continue 
to operate the Beaver Valley Power Station after the merger, as 
required by the operating licenses. No direct transfer of the licenses 
will result from the merger.
    The proposed action is in accordance with DLC's request for 
approval dated August 1, 1997.

The Need for the Proposed Action

    The proposed action is required to obtain the necessary consent to 
the indirect transfer of the licenses discussed above. According to the 
application, the underlying transaction is needed to create a stronger, 
more competitive enterprise that is expected to save over $1 billion in 
net savings over the first 10 years, thereby enhancing DLC's financial 
resources to possess its interests in BVPS-1 and BVPS-2.

Environmental Impacts of the Proposed Action

    The Commission has reviewed the proposed action and concludes that 
there will be no changes to the facility or its operation as a result 
of the proposed action. Accordingly, the NRC staff 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 NRC staff concludes that there 
are no significant nonradiological environmental impacts associated 
with the proposed action.

Alternatives to the Proposed Action

    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 Related to 
the Beaver Valley Power Station, Unit 1,'' dated July 1973, and the 
``Final Environmental Statement Related to the Operation of Beaver 
Valley Power Station, Unit 2,'' dated September 1986 in NUREG-1094.

Agencies and Persons Consulted

    In accordance with its stated policy, on September 5, 1997, the 
staff consulted with the Pennsylvania State official, Mr. Michael P. 
Murphy of the Bureau of Radiation Protection, Department of 
Environmental Protection, 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 DLC's 
submittal dated August 1, 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 B. F. Jones Memorial Library, 663 Franklin 
Avenue, Aliquippa, PA 15001.

    Dated at Rockville, Maryland, this 19th day of September 1997.

    For The Nuclear Regulatory Commission.
John F. Stolz,
Director, Project Directorate I-2, Division of Reactor Projects--I/II, 
Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation.
[FR Doc. 97-25445 Filed 9-24-97; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 7590-01-P