[Federal Register Volume 59, Number 3 (Wednesday, January 5, 1994)]
[Notices]
[Pages 605-606]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 94-127]
[[Page Unknown]]
[Federal Register: January 5, 1994]
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NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION
[Docket No. 50-443]
North Atlantic Energy Service Corp. et al., Seabrook Station,
Unit No. 1; Environmental Assessment and Finding of No Significant
Impact
The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (the Commission) is
considering issuance of an order authorizing a transfer of ownership
and an amendment to the Facility Operating License No. NPF-86 issued to
North Atlantic Energy Service Corporation (North Atlantic/the licensee)
for operation of the Seabrook Station, Unit No. 1, located in
Rockingham County, New Hampshire.
Environmental Assessment
Identification of the Proposed Action
The proposed action would approve the transfer of ownership of
Vermont Electric Generation and Transmission Cooperative, Inc's.
(Vermont) 0.41259 percent share of Seabrook 1 to North Atlantic Energy
Company (NAEC). A license amendment would be issued to change the
footnote on page 1 of Facility Operating License No. NPF-86 by deleting
Vermont, as one of the entities for which North Atlantic is authorized
to act.
The Need for the Proposed Action
In 1990, Vermont filed a claim against Public Service Company of
New Hampshire (PSNH) with the United States Bankruptcy Court which was
then hearing a petition from PSNH for reorganization under Chapter 11
of the United States Bankruptcy Code. Vermont's claim sought redress
for damages which were alleged to have been incurred while PSNH had
been the managing agent for Seabrook 1. In November 1990, the two
parties arrived at a settlement which included an agreement by PSNH or
its designee to purchase Vermont's share of Seabrook 1 subject to
obtaining the necessary approvals from all regulatory agencies.
Subsequently, the Bankruptcy Court issued an order approving the
stipulation that PSNH and Vermont had filed describing the settlement.
In June 1992, in accordance with the Plan of Reorganization for
PSNH that was confirmed by the Bankruptcy Court, Northeast Utilities
(NU) acquired PSNH in merger transactions and, after receipt of NRC
approval, NAEC (a newly-formed and wholly-owned subsidiary of NU)
acquired PSNH's interest in the Seabrook 1. As the successor to PSNH's
interest in Seabrook 1, NAEC is obligated to purchase Vermont's
interest in Seabrook Station. The transfer of Vermont's ownership share
in Seabrook 1 to NAEC will consummate the settlement entered into by
Vermont and PSNH.
Environmental Impacts of the Proposed Action
The proposed action would approve the transfer of ownership of
0.41259 percent of Seabrook 1 from Vermont to NAEC. The transfer will
not involve any changes to the Seabrook 1 staff, to the facility
itself, or in the manner by which Seabrook 1 is operated.
The Commission has evaluated the environmental impact of the
proposed action and has determined that the probability or consequences
of accidents would not be increased by the transfer of ownership, and
that post-accident radiological releases would not be greater than
previously determined. Further, the Commission has determined that the
transfer of ownership would not affect routine radiological plant
effluents and would not increase occupational radiological 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 transfer of
ownership would not affect nonradiological plant effluents and would
have no other environmental impact. Therefore, the Commission concludes
that there are no significant nonradiological environmental impacts
associated with the proposed action.
Alternative to the Proposed Action
Since the Commission has concluded that the environmental effects
of the proposed action are not significant, any alternative with equal
or greater environmental impact need not be evaluated.
The principal alternative would be to deny the requested approval.
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 identical.
Alternative Use of Resources
This action does not involve the use of resources not previously
considered in the Final Environmental Statement Related to Operation of
Seabrook Station, Units 1 and 2, dated December 1982.
Agencies and Persons Consulted
The NRC staff consulted with the State of New Hampshire and the
Commonwealth of Massachusetts regarding the environmental impact of the
proposed action. The State of New Hampshire and the Commonwealth of
Massachusetts had no comments on the proposed action.
Finding of No Significant Impact
Based upon the foregoing 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 license amendment.
For further details with respect to this action, see the request
for approval dated August 27, 1993, which is 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 Exeter Public Library, 47 Front
Street, Exeter, New Hampshire 03833.
Dated at Rockville, Maryland, this 29th day of December 1993.
For the Nuclear Regulatory Commission.
Albert W. De Agazio,
Acting Director, Project Directorate I-4, Division of Reactor
Projects--I/II, Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation.
[FR Doc. 94-127 Filed 1-4-94; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 7590-01-M
