[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 235 (Monday, December 8, 1997)]
[Notices]
[Page 64603]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-32023]


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NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION

[Docket No. 50-354]


Public Service Electric and Gas Company and Atlantic City 
Electric Company; Hope Creek Generating Station, 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 control of Atlantic City Electric Company's 
(ACE) interests in the Hope Creek Generating Station (HCGS) license to 
the extent effected by a proposed merger of Atlantic Energy, Inc. (the 
parent holding company of ACE) and Delmarva Power & Light Company 
(DP&L), resulting in the formation of a new holding company, Conectiv, 
Inc. ACE is co-holder of Facility Operating License No. NPF-57, along 
with Public Service Electric and Gas Company (PSE&G), issued for 
operation of the HCGS, located in Lower Alloways Creek Township, Salem 
County, New Jersey.

Environmental Assessment

Identification of the Proposed Action

    The proposed action would consent to the indirect transfer of the 
interest in HCGS to the extent effected by the proposed merger of 
Atlantic Energy, Inc. and DP&L, resulting in the formation of a new 
holding company, Conectiv, Inc., under which ACE and DP&L would become 
wholly owned subsidiaries. ACE would continue to be a co-licensee of 
HCGS, and no direct transfer of the license would occur. PSE&G is not 
involved in the proposed merger.
    The proposed action is in accordance with an application filed by 
ACE under cover of a letter dated April 30, 1997, from John H. O'Neill, 
Jr., of Shaw, Pittman, Potts & Trowbridge, Counsel for ACE and DP&L.

The Need for the Proposed Action

    The proposed action is required to enable the proposed merger and 
restructuring of Atlantic Energy, Inc., ACE, and DP&L to occur to the 
extent an indirect transfer of the license will be effected by the 
merger and restructuring.

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 as 
a result of the proposed action. The corporate merger and restructuring 
will not affect the qualifications or organizational affiliation of the 
personnel who operate the facilities, as PSE&G, not involved in the 
merger, will continue to be responsible for the operation of HCGS.
    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 proposed 
action will not affect nonradiological plant effluents and will 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 is no measurable 
environmental impact associated with 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 Statement Related to 
the Operation of the Hope Creek Generating Station,'' NUREG-1074, 
December 1984.

Agencies and Persons Consulted

    In accordance with its stated policy, on October 21, 1997, the 
staff consulted with the New Jersey State official, Mr. R. Pinney of 
the State of New Jersey, Department of Environmental Protection, 
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 
application filed by ACE under cover of a letter dated April 30, 1997, 
as supplemented November 7, 1997, from John H. O'Neill, Jr., of Shaw, 
Pittman, Potts & Trowbridge (Counsel for ACE and DP&L), 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 Pennsville Public 
Library, 190 S. Broadway, Pennsville, New Jersey.

    Dated at Rockville, Maryland, this 2nd day of December 1997.

    For the Nuclear Regulatory Commission.
John F. Stolz,
Director, Project Directorate I-2, Division of Reactor Projects--I/II 
Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation.
[FR Doc. 97-32023 Filed 12-5-97; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 7590-01-P