[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 175 (Thursday, September 10, 1998)]
[Notices]
[Pages 48531-48532]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-24302]
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NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION
[Docket No. 50-440]
The Cleveland Electric Illuminating Company, et al. (Perry
Nuclear Power Plant, 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 approving, under 10 CFR 50.80, the
transfer of Facility Operating License No. NPF-58 issued to The
Cleveland Electric Illuminating Company, Centerior Service Company,
Toledo Edison Company, Ohio Edison Company, Pennsylvania Power Company,
OES Nuclear, Inc., and Duquesne Light Company (the licensees) with
respect to operating authority under the license, for the Perry Nuclear
Power Plant, Unit No.1, located in Lake County, Ohio, and considering
issuance of a conforming amendment under 10 CFR 50.90.
Environmental Assessment
Identification of the Proposed Action
The proposed action would approve the transfer of operating
authority under the license to a new operating company, called the
FirstEnergy Nuclear Operating Company, to use and operate the Perry
Nuclear Power Plant and to possess and use related licensed nuclear
materials in accordance with the same conditions and authorizations
included in the current operating license. The proposed action would
also approve issuance of a license amendment reflecting the transfer of
operating authority. The FirstEnergy Nuclear Operating Company would be
formed by the FirstEnergy Corporation to become the licensed operator
for the Perry Nuclear Power Plant and would have exclusive control over
the operation and maintenance of the facility. After issuance of the
transfer order and conforming license amendment, the owners will be
authorized only to possess the facility and Centerior Service Company
will be removed entirely from the license.
Under the proposed arrangement, ownership of the Perry Nuclear
Power Plant will remain unchanged with each owner retaining its current
ownership interest. The FirstEnergy Nuclear Operating Company will not
own any portion of the Perry Nuclear Power Plant. Likewise, the owners'
entitlement to capacity and energy from the Perry Nuclear Power Plant
will not be affected by the proposed change in operating
[[Page 48532]]
responsibility for the Perry Nuclear Power Plant. The owners will
continue to provide all funds for the operation, maintenance, and
decommissioning of the Perry Nuclear Power Plant. The responsibility of
the owners will include funding for any emergency situations that might
arise at the Perry Nuclear Power Plant.
The proposed action is in accordance with the licensees'
application dated June 30, 1998, for approval of the transfer of the
license and issuance of a conforming amendment.
Need for the Proposed Action
The proposed action is needed to enable the licensees to transfer
operating authority to the FirstEnergy Nuclear Operating Company as
discussed above. The licensees have submitted that this will enable
them to enhance the already high level of public safety, operational
efficiency, and cost-effective operations at the Perry Nuclear Power
Plant.
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 to
the Perry Nuclear Power Plant. The technical qualifications of the
FirstEnergy Nuclear Operating Company to carry out its responsibilities
under the operating license for the Perry Nuclear Power Plant will be
equivalent to the present technical qualifications of the current
operators. The FirstEnergy Nuclear Operating Company will assume
responsibility for, and control over, operation and maintenance of the
facility. The present plant organization, the oversight organizations,
and the engineering and support organizations will be transferred
essentially intact to the FirstEnergy Nuclear Operating Company. The
technical qualifications of the FirstEnergy Nuclear Operating Company,
therefore, will be at least equivalent to those of the existing
organization.
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 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 nonradiological 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 concluded that there is no measurable
environmental impact associated with the proposed action, any
alternative with equal or greater environmental impacts need not be
evaluated. As an alternative to the proposed action, the staff
considered denial of the requested 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 identical.
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 the Perry Nuclear Power Plant, Units 1 and 2,'' dated
August 1982.
Agencies and Persons Contacted
In accordance with its stated policy, on July 21, 1998, the staff
consulted with the State official of the Ohio Emergency Management
Agency, 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 the
licensees' application dated June 30, 1998, 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 Perry Public Library, 3753 Main Street,
Perry, OH 44081.
Dated at Rockville, Maryland, this 2nd day of September 1998.
For the Nuclear Regulatory Commission.
Elinor G. Adensam,
Acting Director, Division of Reactor Projects--III/IV, Office of
Nuclear Reactor Regulation.
[FR Doc. 98-24302 Filed 9-9-98; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 7590-01-P
