97-32019. Public Service Electric and Gas Company; Atlantic City Electric Company; Philadelphia Electric Company; Delmarva Power and Light Company; Salem Nuclear Generating Station, Units 1 and 2 Environmental Assessment and Finding of No ...  

  • [Federal Register Volume 62, Number 235 (Monday, December 8, 1997)]
    [Notices]
    [Pages 64602-64603]
    From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
    [FR Doc No: 97-32019]
    
    
    -----------------------------------------------------------------------
    
    NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION
    
    [Docket Nos. 50-272 and 50-311]
    
    
    Public Service Electric and Gas Company; Atlantic City Electric 
    Company; Philadelphia Electric Company; Delmarva Power and Light 
    Company; Salem Nuclear Generating Station, Units 1 and 2 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 Salem Nuclear 
    Generating Station (SNGS), Units 1 and 2, 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-70 and DPR-75, along with Public Service Electric and 
    Gas Company (PSE&G), Philadelphia Electric Company (PECo), and DP&L 
    issued for operation of the SNGS, Units 1 and 2, located in Lower 
    Alloways Creek Township, Salem County, New Jersey.
    
    Environmental Assessment
    
    Identification of the Proposed Action
    
        The proposed action would consent to the transfer of the interests 
    in SNGS 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. PSE&G, the licensed operator of the facilities, 
    and PECo 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 PSE&G, not involved in the 
    merger, will continue to be responsible for the operation of SNGS, 
    Units 1 and 2.
        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'' for 
    Salem Nuclear Generating Station, Units 1 and 2, April 1973.
    
    Agencies and Persons Consulted
    
        In accordance with its stated policy, on October 21, 1997, the 
    staff consulted with the New Jersey State official, Mr. R. Pinney of 
    the State of New Jersey, Department of Environmental Protection, 
    regarding the environmental impact of the proposed action. The State 
    official had no comments.
    
    [[Page 64603]]
    
    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 Salem Free Public 
    Library, 112 West Broadway, Salem, New Jersey.
    
        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. 97-32019 Filed 12-5-97; 8:45 am]
    BILLING CODE 7590-01-P
    
    
    

Document Information

Published:
12/08/1997
Department:
Nuclear Regulatory Commission
Entry Type:
Notice
Document Number:
97-32019
Pages:
64602-64603 (2 pages)
Docket Numbers:
Docket Nos. 50-272 and 50-311
PDF File:
97-32019.pdf