[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 122 (Thursday, June 25, 1998)]
[Notices]
[Pages 34667-34668]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-16909]
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NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION
[Docket No. 50-410]
Central Hudson Gas & Electric Corporation (Nine Mile Point
Nuclear Station, Unit 2); Environmental Assessment and Finding of No
Significant Impact
The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (the Commission) is
considering the issuance of an Order approving, under 10 CFR 50.80, an
application regarding a transfer of control of possessory rights held
by Central Hudson Gas & Electric Corporation (Applicant) under the
operating license for Nine Mile Point Nuclear Station, Unit No. 2
(NMP2). The transfer would be to a holding company, not yet named, to
be created over Applicant in accordance with a New York State Public
Service Commission order, issued and effective February 19, 1998 (Case
96-E-0909), and related documents entitled ``Amended and Restated
Settlement Agreement'' dated January 2, 1998, and ``Modifications to
Amended and Restated Settlement Agreement'' dated February 26, 1998
(see Exhibits G-G2 in the application). Applicant is licensed by the
Commission to own and possess a 9 percent interest in NMP2, located in
the town of Scriba, Oswego County, New York.
Environmental Assessment
Identification of the Proposed Action
The proposed action would consent to the transfer of control of the
license to the extent effected by Applicant becoming a subsidiary of
the newly formed holding company in connection with a proposed plan of
restructuring. Under the restructuring plan, the outstanding shares of
Applicant's common stock are to be exchanged on a share-for-share basis
for common stock of the holding company, such that the holding company
will own all of the outstanding common stock of Applicant. In addition,
the holding
[[Page 34668]]
company will own, directly or indirectly, the stock of any current non-
utility subsidiaries of applicant except that Applicant will continue
to own one unregulated subsidiary. Under this restructuring, Applicant
will sell at auction its fossil-fueled electric generation facilities
at its Danskammer Steam Generating Plant and its partial interest in
the Roseton Electric Generation Plant (hereafter, collectively referred
to as ``Generation Assets''). However, Applicant will continue to be an
``electric utility'' as defined in 10 CFR 50.2 engaged in the
transmission, distribution, and generation of electricity at NMP2,
combustion turbine facilities, hydroelectric facilities, and (until
structurally separated or divested), the Generation Assets. Applicant
would retain its ownership interest in NMP2 and continue to be a
licensee of NMP2. No direct transfer of the operating license or
ownership interests in the station will result from the proposed
restructuring. The transaction would not involve any change to either
the management organization or technical personnel of Niagara Mohawk
Power Corporation, which is responsible for operating and maintaining
NMP2 and is not involved in the restructuring of Applicant. The
proposed action is in accordance with Applicant's application dated
April 8, 1998, as supplemented April 22, 1998.
The Need for the Proposed Action
The proposed action is required to enable Applicant to restructure
as described above.
Environmental Impacts of the Proposed Action
The Commission has completed its evaluation of the proposed
corporate restructuring and concludes that it is an administrative
action unrelated to plant operation; therefore, there will be no
resulting physical or operational changes to NMP2. The corporate
restructuring will not affect the qualifications or organizational
affiliation of the personnel who operate and maintain the facility, as
NMPC will continue to be responsible for the maintenance and operation
of NMP2 and is not involved in the restructuring of NYSEG.
The proposed action 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 occupational or offsite 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 restructuring
would not affect nonradiological plant effluents and would have no
other nonradiological environmental impact.
Accordingly, the Commission concludes that there are no significant
environmental impacts associated with the proposed action.
Alternatives to the Proposed Action
Since the Commission has concluded there are no significant
environmental impacts that would result from 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 Statements Related to
the Operation of Nine Mile Point Nuclear Station, Unit No. 2, (NUREG-
1085) dated May 1985.
Agencies and Persons Contacted
In accordance with its stated policy, on June 19, 1998, the staff
consulted with the New York State official, Mr. Jack Spath, 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
Applicant's application dated April 8, as supplemented by letter dated
April 22, 1998, which are 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 Reference and Documents Department, Penfield Library, State
University of New York, Oswego, New York 13126.
Dated at Rockville, Maryland, this 19th day of June 1998.
For the Nuclear Regulatory Commission.
Guy S. Vissing,
Acting Director, Project Directorate I-1, Division of Reactor
Projects--I/II, Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation.
[FR Doc. 98-16909 Filed 6-24-98; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 7590-01-P
