Environmental statements; availability, etc.: New York State Electric & Gas Corp.,

[Federal Register: January 16, 1998 (Volume 63, Number 11)]

[Notices]

[Page 2701-2702]

From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

[DOCID:fr16ja98-86]

NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION

[Docket No. 50-410]

New York State Electric & Gas 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 proposed indirect transfer of control of ownership and possessory rights held by New York State Electric & Gas Corporation (NYSEG) under the operating license for Nine Mile Point Nuclear Station, Unit No. 2 (NMP2). The indirect transfer would be to a holding company, not yet named, to be created over NYSEG in accordance with an executed ``Agreement Concerning the Competitive Rate and Restructuring Plan of New York State Electric & Gas Corporation.'' NYSEG is licensed by the Commission to own and possess an 18-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 indirect transfer of control of the license to the extent effected by NYSEG becoming a subsidiary of the holding company in connection with a proposed plan of restructuring. Under the restructuring plan, the outstanding shares of NYSEG's common stock (other than shares for which appraisal rights are properly exercised) are to be exchanged for common stock of the holding company on a share-for-share basis, such that the holding company will own all of the outstanding common stock of NYSEG. NYSEG would divest its interest in coal-fired power plants, but would continue to be an ``electric utility'' as defined in 10 CFR 50.2, engaged in the transmission, distribution and, in the case of NMP2 and hydroelectric facilities, the generation of electricity. NYSEG 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 would result from the proposed restructuring. The restructuring of NYSEG would not involve any change to either the management organization or technical personnel of Niagara Mohawk Power Corporation (NMPC), which is responsible for operating and maintaining NMP2 and is not involved in the restructuring of NYSEG. The proposed action is in accordance with NYSEG's application dated September 18, 1997, as supplemented October 20 and 27, 1997.

The Need for the Proposed Action

The proposed action is required to enable NYSEG 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 there will be no physical or operational changes to NMP2 as a result. The corporate restructuring will not affect the qualifications or organizational affiliation of the personnel who operate

[[Page 2702]]

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 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 restructuring would not affect nonradiological plant effluents and would 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 are no significant environmental effects 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 January 12, 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 NYSEG's application dated September 18, as supplemented by letters dated October 20 and 27, 1997, and January 6, 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 12th day of January 1998.

For the Nuclear Regulatory Commission. S. Singh Bajwa, Director Project Directorate I-1, Division of Reactor Projects--I/II, Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation.

[FR Doc. 98-1108Filed1-15-98; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 7590-01-P

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