[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 146 (Monday, July 29, 1996)]
[Notices]
[Pages 39481-39482]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-19182]
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NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION
[Docket Nos. 50-254 and 50-265]
Commonwealth Edison Company and MidAmerican Energy Company Quad
Cities Nuclear Power Station, Units 1 and 2; Environmental Assessment
and Finding of No Significant Impact
The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (the Commission) is
considering approval under 10 CFR 50.80 of the transfer of control of
the licenses to the extent affected by the corporate restructuring of
MidAmerican Energy Company (MidAmerican, the licensee), a holder of
Facility Operating License Nos. DPR-29 and DPR-30, issued to
Commonwealth Edison Company (ComEd) for operation and MidAmerican for
possession of the Quad Cities Nuclear Power Station, Units 1 and 2,
located in Rock Island County, Illinois.
Environmental Assessment
Identification of the Proposed Action
The proposed action would consent to the transfer of control of the
licenses, with respect to MidAmerican's 25 percent ownership in Quad
Cities, Units 1 and 2, to the extent affected by a corporate
restructuring creating MidAmerican Energy Holdings Company (Holdings).
ComEd alone is licensed to operate Quad Cities, Units 1 and 2.
MidAmerican would continue to remain the minority owner and possession-
only licensee of the facility. The proposed action is in accordance
with the licensee's application dated April 4, 1996.
The Need for the Proposed Action
The proposed action is required to the extent transfer of control
of the licenses is affected by the corporate restructuring discussed
above. MidAmerican has stated in its application that restructuring
will provide flexibility afforded by the typical holding company
structure and better position the company to operate in the
increasingly competitive energy marketplace and take advantage of new
growth opportunities.
Environmental Impacts of the Proposed Action
The Commission has completed its evaluation of the proposed
restructuring and concludes that there will be no changes to Quad
Cities, Units 1 and 2, or the environment as a result of this action.
The transfer of control of the licenses to the extent affected by
MidAmerican's restructuring will not affect the numbers,
qualifications, or
[[Page 39482]]
organizational affiliation of the personnel who operate the facility,
in that ComEd will remain the holder of the operating licenses and
continue to be responsible for the operation of Quad Cities, Units 1
and 2.
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 proposed action, and that
post-accident radiological releases would not be greater than
previously determined. Further, the Commission has determined that the
proposed action 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 non-radiological impacts, the proposed
action 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 actions 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
Quad Cities Nuclear Power Station, Units 1 and 2, dated September 1972.
Agencies and Persons Consulted
In accordance with its stated policy, on July 3, 1996, the staff
consulted with the Illinois State official, Mr. Frank Niziolek, Head,
Reactor Safety Section, Division of Engineering, Illinois Department of
Nuclear Safety, regarding the environmental impact of the proposed
action. The State official had no comments.
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 action relating to MidAmerican's ownership of Quad Cities,
Units 1 and 2.
For further details with respect to this action, see the request
for approval dated April 4, 1996, 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 Dixon Public Library, 221 Hennepin Avenue,
Dixon, Illinois 61021.
Dated at Rockville, Maryland, this 23rd day of July 1996.
For the Nuclear Regulatory Commission.
Robert A. Capra,
Director, Project Directorate III-2, Division of Reactor Projects--III/
IV, Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation.
[FR Doc. 96-19182 Filed 7-26-96; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 7590-01-P
