[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 187 (Monday, September 28, 1998)]
[Notices]
[Pages 51628-51629]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-25833]
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NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION
[Docket Nos. 50-498 and 50-499]
Houston Lighting & Power Company, et al.; 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 Facility Operating Licenses Nos. NPF-76 and
NPF-80, to the extent they are held by Central Power and Light Company
(CPL) for the South Texas Project, Units 1 and 2 (STP), located in
Matagorda County, Texas.
Environmental Assessment
Identification of the Proposed Action
The proposed action would consent to the indirect transfer of the
licenses with respect to a proposed merger between Central and South
West Corporation (CSW) and American Electric Power Company, Inc. (AEP).
CSW is the parent holding company of CPL, which holds licenses to
possess interests in STP. Houston Lighting & Power Company, City Public
Service Board of San Antonio, Central Power and Light Company, City of
Austin, Texas, and STP Nuclear Operating Company are holders of
Facility Operating Licenses Nos. NPF-76 and NPF-80, issued on March 22,
1988, and March 28, 1989, respectively. Facility Operating Licenses
Nos. NPF-76 and NPF-80 authorize the holders to possess STP, and
authorize STP Nuclear Operating Company to use and operate STP in
accordance with the procedures and limitations set forth in the
operating licenses. By application dated June 16, 1998, submitted under
cover of a letter dated June 19, 1998, as supplemented by letter dated
June 23, 1998, and enclosures thereto, the Commission was informed that
CSW and AEP have entered into a merger agreement under which CSW would
become a wholly-owned subsidiary of AEP with CPL remaining a wholly-
owned subsidiary of CSW. The application seeks approval of the indirect
transfer of the interests held by CPL under the STP operating licenses
to AEP to the extent affected by the proposed merger.
According to the application, the merger will have no adverse
effect on either the technical management or operation of STP since STP
Nuclear Operating Company, responsible for the operation and
maintenance of STP, is not involved in the merger. Houston Lighting &
Power Company, City Public Service Board of San Antonio, Central Power
and Light Company, City of Austin, Texas, and STP Nuclear Operating
Company will remain licensees responsible for their possessory
interests and related obligations. No direct transfer of the licenses
will result from the merger.
The proposed action is in accordance with CPL's application dated
June 16, 1998, submitted under cover of a letter dated June 19, 1998,
as supplemented by letter dated June 23, 1998, and enclosures thereto.
The Need for the Proposed Action
The proposed action is needed to allow the proposed merger to be
consummated, to the extent such merger will result in the indirect
transfer of the licenses discussed above.
Environmental Impacts of the Proposed Action
The proposed action involves administrative activities regarding a
corporate merger involving a non-licensee holding company and is
unrelated to plant operation.
The proposed action will not result in an increase in the
probability or consequences of accidents or result in a change in
occupational or public dose. Therefore, there are no radiological
impacts associated with the proposed action.
The proposed action will not result in a change in nonradiological
plant effluents and will have no other nonradiological environmental
impact.
Accordingly, the Commission concludes that there are no
environmental impacts associated with this action.
Alternatives to the Proposed Action
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 Related to
the Operation of South Texas Project, Units 1 and 2,'' dated August
1986, in NUREG-1171.
Agencies and Persons Consulted
In accordance with its stated policy, on August 12, 1998, the staff
consulted with the Texas State official regarding the environmental
impact of the proposed action. The State official had no comments.
[[Page 51629]]
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 from CPL dated June 16, 1998, submitted under cover of a
letter dated June 19, 1998, from Shaw, Pittman, Potts, and Trowbridge,
counsel for CPL, and supplemental letter dated June 23, 1998, and
enclosures thereto. These documents are 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 Wharton County Junior College, J.M. Hodges Learning
Center, 911 Boling Highway, Wharton TX 77488.
Dated at Rockville, Maryland, this 22nd day of September 1998.
For the Nuclear Regulatory Commission.
John N. Hannon,
Director, Project Directorate IV-1, Division of Reactor Projects III/
IV, Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation.
[FR Doc. 98-25833 Filed 9-25-98; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 7590-01-P
