[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