[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 187 (Monday, September 28, 1998)]
[Notices]
[Pages 51628-51629]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-25833]


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NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION

[Docket Nos. 50-498 and 50-499]


Houston Lighting & Power Company, et al.; 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. NPF-76 and 
NPF-80, to the extent they are held by Central Power and Light Company 
(CPL) for the South Texas Project, Units 1 and 2 (STP), located in 
Matagorda County, Texas.

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 Central and South 
West Corporation (CSW) and American Electric Power Company, Inc. (AEP). 
CSW is the parent holding company of CPL, which holds licenses to 
possess interests in STP. Houston Lighting & Power Company, City Public 
Service Board of San Antonio, Central Power and Light Company, City of 
Austin, Texas, and STP Nuclear Operating Company are holders of 
Facility Operating Licenses Nos. NPF-76 and NPF-80, issued on March 22, 
1988, and March 28, 1989, respectively. Facility Operating Licenses 
Nos. NPF-76 and NPF-80 authorize the holders to possess STP, and 
authorize STP Nuclear Operating Company to use and operate STP in 
accordance with the procedures and limitations set forth in the 
operating licenses. By application dated June 16, 1998, submitted under 
cover of a letter dated June 19, 1998, as supplemented by letter dated 
June 23, 1998, and enclosures thereto, the Commission was informed that 
CSW and AEP have entered into a merger agreement under which CSW would 
become a wholly-owned subsidiary of AEP with CPL remaining a wholly-
owned subsidiary of CSW. The application seeks approval of the indirect 
transfer of the interests held by CPL under the STP operating licenses 
to AEP to the extent affected by the proposed merger.
    According to the application, the merger will have no adverse 
effect on either the technical management or operation of STP since STP 
Nuclear Operating Company, responsible for the operation and 
maintenance of STP, is not involved in the merger. Houston Lighting & 
Power Company, City Public Service Board of San Antonio, Central Power 
and Light Company, City of Austin, Texas, and STP Nuclear Operating 
Company will remain licensees responsible for their possessory 
interests and related obligations. No direct transfer of the licenses 
will result from the merger.
    The proposed action is in accordance with CPL's application dated 
June 16, 1998, submitted under cover of a letter dated June 19, 1998, 
as supplemented by letter dated June 23, 1998, and enclosures thereto.

The Need for the Proposed Action

    The proposed action is needed to allow the proposed merger to be 
consummated, to the extent such merger will result in the indirect 
transfer of the licenses discussed above.

Environmental Impacts of the Proposed Action

    The proposed action involves administrative activities regarding a 
corporate merger involving a non-licensee holding company and is 
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 public 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 South Texas Project, Units 1 and 2,'' dated August 
1986, in NUREG-1171.

Agencies and Persons Consulted

    In accordance with its stated policy, on August 12, 1998, the staff 
consulted with the Texas State official regarding the environmental 
impact of the proposed action. The State official had no comments.

[[Page 51629]]

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 from CPL dated June 16, 1998, submitted under cover of a 
letter dated June 19, 1998, from Shaw, Pittman, Potts, and Trowbridge, 
counsel for CPL, and supplemental letter dated June 23, 1998, and 
enclosures thereto. These documents are available for public inspection 
at the Commission's Public Document Room, The Gelman Building, 2120 L 
Street, NW., Washington, DC 20555, and at the local public document 
room located at the Wharton County Junior College, J.M. Hodges Learning 
Center, 911 Boling Highway, Wharton TX 77488.

    Dated at Rockville, Maryland, this 22nd day of September 1998.

    For the Nuclear Regulatory Commission.
John N. Hannon,
Director, Project Directorate IV-1, Division of Reactor Projects III/
IV, Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation.
[FR Doc. 98-25833 Filed 9-25-98; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 7590-01-P