[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 203 (Tuesday, October 21, 1997)]
[Notices]
[Page 54657]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-27875]


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NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION

[Docket No. 50-440]


The Cleveland Electric Illuminating Company, et al. Perry Nuclear 
Power Plant, Unit No. 1; 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 License No. NPF-58, to the 
extent it is held by the Duquesne Light Company (Duquesne Light) for 
the Perry Nuclear Power Plant, Unit No. 1 (PNPP), located in Lake 
County, Ohio.

Environmental Assessment

Identification of the Proposed

    The proposed action would consent to the indirect transfer of the 
license with respect to a proposed merger between DQE, Inc. and 
Allegheny Power System, Inc. DQE, Inc. is the parent holding company of 
Duquesne Light, which holds a license to possess an interest in PNPP. 
Duquesne Light, The Cleveland Electric Illuminating Company (CEI), 
Toledo Edison Company, Centerior Service Company (CSC), OES Nuclear, 
Inc., Ohio Edison Company, and Pennsylvania Power Company are holders 
of Facility Operating License No. NPF-58, dated November 13, 1986. 
Facility Operating License No. NPF-58 authorizes the holders to possess 
the PNPP, and authorizes CEI and CSC to use and operate PNPP in 
accordance with the conditions and requirements set forth in the 
operating license. By letter dated August 1, 1997, the Commission was 
informed that DQE, Inc. and Allegheny Power have entered into a merger 
agreement which will result in the indirect transfer of control of the 
interest held by Duquesne Light in the PNPP operating license to 
Allegheny Power, which will be renamed Allegheny Energy, Inc. 
(Allegheny Energy).
    According to the application, the merger will have no adverse 
effect on either the technical management or operation of PNPP since 
CEI and CSC, responsible for the operation and maintenance of PNPP, are 
not involved in the merger. The Toledo Edison Company, Ohio Edison 
Company, OES Nuclear, Inc., CEI, CSC, and Pennsylvania Power Company 
will remain licensees responsible for their possessory interests and 
related obligations. No direct transfer of the license will result from 
the merger.
    The proposed action is in accordance with Duquesne Light'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 license 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 Duquesne Light's 
financial resources to possess its interests in the PNPP.

Environmental Impacts of the Proposed Action

    The proposed action involves administrative activities unrelated to 
plant operation.
    The proposed action will not result in an increase in the 
probability or consequences of accidents or result in a change in 
occupational or offsite dose. Therefore, there are no radiological 
impacts associated with the proposed action.
    The proposed action will not result in a change in nonradiological 
plant effluents and will have no other nonradiological environmental 
impact.
    Accordingly, the Commission concludes that there are no 
environmental impacts associated with this 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 Operation of Perry Nuclear Power Plant, Units 1 and 2,'' dated 
August 1982, in NUREG-0884.

Agencies and Persons Consulted

    In accordance with its stated policy, on October 1, 1997, the staff 
consulted with the Ohio State official 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 
Duquesne Light'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 Perry Public Library, 3753 Main Street, 
Perry, Ohio 44081.

    Dated at Rockville, Maryland, this 15th day of October 1997.

    For the Nuclear Regulatory Commission.
Gail H. Marcus,
Director, Project Directorate III-3 Division of Reactor Projects III/IV 
Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation.
[FR Doc. 97-27875 Filed 10-20-97; 8:45 am]
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