[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 235 (Monday, December 8, 1997)]
[Notices]
[Page 64601]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-32020]
[[Page 64601]]
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NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION
[Docket Nos. 50-277 and 50-278]
PECO Energy Company, Public Service Electric and Gas Company,
Delmarva Power and Light Company, Atlantic City Electric Company, Peach
Bottom Atomic Power Station, Units 2 and 3; 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 control of the interests in the Peach Bottom
Atomic Power Station (PBAPS), Units 2 and 3, licenses to the extent
effected by a proposed merger of Atlantic Energy, Inc. (the parent
holding company of Atlantic City Electric Company (ACE)) and Delmarva
Power & Light Company (DP&L), resulting in the formation of a new
holding company, Conectiv, Inc. ACE is co-holder of Facility Operating
Licenses Nos. DPR-44 and DPR-56, along with Public Service Electric and
Gas Company (PSE&G), PECO Energy Company (PECO), and DP&L, issued for
operation of the PBAPS, Units 2 and 3, located in Peach Bottom
Township, York County, Pennsylvania.
Environmental Assessment
Identification of the Proposed Action
The proposed action would consent to the indirect transfer of the
interests in PBAPS to the extent effected by the proposed merger of
Atlantic Energy, Inc. and DP&L, resulting in the formation of a new
holding company, Conectiv, Inc., under which ACE and DP&L would become
wholly owned subsidiaries. No direct transfer of the licenses as held
by ACE and DP&L would occur. PECO, the licensed operator of the
facilities, and PSE&G are not involved in the merger and restructuring.
The proposed action is in accordance with an application filed by
ACE and DP&L under cover of a letter dated April 30, 1997, from John H.
O'Neill, Jr., of Shaw, Pittman, Potts & Trowbridge, Counsel for ACE and
DP&L.
The Need for the Proposed Action
The proposed action is required to enable the proposed merger and
restructuring of Atlantic Energy, Inc., ACE and DP&L to occur to the
extent indirect transfers of control of the licenses will be effected
by the merger and restructuring.
Environmental Impacts of the Proposed Action
The Commission has completed its evaluation of the proposed action
and concludes that there will be no physical or operational changes as
a result of the proposed action. The corporate merger and restructuring
will not affect the qualifications or organizational affiliation of the
personnel who operate the facilities, as PECO, not involved in the
merger, will continue to be responsible for the operation of PBAPS,
Units 2 and 3.
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 will not affect nonradiological plant effluents and will have 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 not involve the use of any resources not
previously considered in the ``Final Environmental Statement Related to
the Operation of Peach Bottom Atomic Power Station, Units 2 and 3,''
April 1973.
Agencies and Persons Consulted
In accordance with its stated policy, on September 15, 1997, the
staff consulted with the Pennsylvania State official, Mr. S. Maingi of
the State of Pennsylvania, Bureau of Radiation 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 the
application filed by ACE and DP&L under cover of a letter dated April
30, 1997, as supplemented November 7, 1997, from John H. O'Neill, Jr.,
of Shaw, Pittman, Potts & Trowbridge (Counsel for ACE and DP&L), 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 Government Publications
Section, State Library of Pennsylvania, (REGIONAL DEPOSITORY) Education
Building, Walnut Street and Commonwealth Avenue, Box 1061, Harrisburg,
Pennsylvania.
Dated at Rockville, Maryland, this 2nd day of December 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. 97-32020 Filed 12-5-97; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 7590-01-M