80 FR 14416 - URENCO USA, Uranium Enrichment Facility

NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION

Federal Register Volume 80, Issue 53 (March 19, 2015)

Page Range		14416-14417
FR Document		2015-06334

The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) is considering approval of the URENCO USA (UUSA) license amendment request 12-10 (LAR- 12-10) that would authorize capacity expansion of the UUSA enrichment facility near Eunice, New Mexico. In addition the NRC is considering approval of related UUSA license amendment requests that would authorize increases in the mass possession limits for natural, depleted, and enriched uranium; and would authorize use of a modified enrichment process to utilize depleted uranium as the feed material.

Federal Register, Volume 80 Issue 53 (Thursday, March 19, 2015)

[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 53 (Thursday, March 19, 2015)]
[Notices]
[Pages 14416-14417]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2015-06334]


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NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION

[Docket No. 070-3103; NRC-2013-0044]


URENCO USA, Uranium Enrichment Facility

AGENCY: U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission.

ACTION: Environmental assessment and finding of no significant impact; 
issuance.

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SUMMARY: The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) is considering 
approval of the URENCO USA (UUSA) license amendment request 12-10 (LAR-
12-10) that would authorize capacity expansion of the UUSA enrichment 
facility near Eunice, New Mexico. In addition the NRC is considering 
approval of related UUSA license amendment requests that would 
authorize increases in the mass possession limits for natural, 
depleted, and enriched uranium; and would authorize use of a modified 
enrichment process to utilize depleted uranium as the feed material.

DATES: The environmental assessment and finding of no significant 
impact referenced in this document is available on March 19, 2015.

ADDRESSES: Please refer to Docket ID NRC-2013-0044 when contacting the 
NRC about the availability of information regarding this document. You 
may obtain publicly-available information related to this document 
using any of the following methods:
     Federal Rulemaking Web site: Go to http://www.regulations.gov and search for Docket ID NRC-2013-0044. Address 
questions about NRC dockets to Ms. Carol Gallagher; telephone: 301-415-
3463; email: Carol.Gallagher@nrc.gov. For technical questions, contact 
the individual listed in the FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT section of 
this document.
     NRC's Agencywide Documents Access and Management System 
(ADAMS): You may obtain publicly-available documents online in the 
ADAMS Public Documents collection at http://www.nrc.gov/reading-rm/adams.html. To begin the search, select ``ADAMS Public Documents'' and 
then select ``Begin Web-based ADAMS Search.'' For problems with ADAMS, 
please contact the NRC's Public Document Room (PDR) reference staff at 
1-800-397-4209, 301-415-4737, or by email to pdr.resource@nrc.gov. The 
ADAMS accession number for each document referenced in this document 
(if that document is available in ADAMS) is provided the first time 
that a document is referenced.
     NRC's PDR: You may examine and purchase copies of public 
documents at the NRC's PDR, Room O1-F21, One White Flint North, 11555 
Rockville Pike, Rockville, Maryland 20852.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Asimios Malliakos, Office of Nuclear 
Material Safety and Safeguards, U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission, 
Washington, DC 20555-0001; telephone: 301-415-6458; email: 
Asimios.Malliakos@nrc.gov.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

I. Introduction

    The NRC is considering approval of the UUSA LAR-12-10 (a publicly-
available version is available in ADAMS under Accession No. 
ML12319A591), and UUSA's supplemental license amendment request (ADAMS 
Accession No. ML14171A092). The NRC's approval would authorize capacity 
expansion of the UUSA enrichment facility that operates near Eunice, 
New Mexico. LAR-12-10 and the supplemental request were submitted by 
URENCO USA (formerly Louisiana Energy Services, LLC), requesting 
amendment of its special nuclear material (SNM) License SNM-2010, under 
which UUSA operates its gas centrifuge uranium enrichment facility. The 
NRC's approval would increase the authorized mass possession limits for 
natural, depleted, and enriched uranium, and would authorize use of a 
modified enrichment process to utilize depleted uranium as the feed 
material. The NRC staff has prepared an Environmental Assessment (EA) 
(ADAMS Accession No. ML15072A016) of the proposed actions, in 
accordance with the requirements in Part 51 of Title 10 of the Code of 
Federal Regulations (10 CFR). Both LAR-12-10 and UUSA's June 2014, 
supplemental license amendment request were considered in the EA 
prepared by the NRC staff.
    The NRC staff's safety evaluation of the proposed actions will be 
documented in a separate Safety Evaluation Report (SER). If the 
proposed actions are approved, the NRC will issue to UUSA an amended 
SNM-2010 license following the publication of this notice, and the 
amended license will be made publicly available.

II. Environmental Assessment

    On September 10, 2012, UUSA submitted an Environmental Report (ER) 
(ADAMS Accession Nos. ML12262A539 and ML12262A540) that forms a basis 
for the NRC's EA of the proposed actions. On November 9, 2012, UUSA 
submitted the associated LAR-12-10 to expand the production capacity of 
the UUSA facility. Subsequent to LAR-12-10, UUSA submitted a 
supplemental license amendment request on June 17, 2014. The June 2014 
submittal requested an increase in the authorized mass possession 
limits for natural, depleted, and enriched uranium. In addition, the 
June 2014 submittal requested authorization to use a modified 
enrichment process that would utilize depleted uranium instead of 
natural uranium as the feed material.
    The NRC staff has assessed the potential environmental impacts 
associated with the 2012 and 2014 license amendment requests, as well 
as the no action alternative, and has documented the results in the EA. 
The NRC staff performed its environmental review in accordance with the 
requirements in 10 CFR part 51. In addition to the ER, the NRC staff 
also considered information received from a request for additional 
information (RAI); communications with the New Mexico State Historic 
Preservation Office (SHPO); the New Mexico Department of Game and Fish; 
information gathered from an NRC site visit; consultation with Native 
American Tribes, local governments and agencies officials; as well as 
information from independent analysis.
    In the EA, the NRC staff evaluated the potential environmental 
impacts of the proposed action and the no action alternative on the 
affected environment. The resource areas evaluated include: land use; 
historical and cultural resources; visual and scenic resources; 
climatology, meteorology, and air quality; geology, minerals, and 
soils; water resources; ecological resources; socioeconomics; 
environmental justice; noise; transportation; public and occupational 
health and safety; and waste management.
    Additionally, the NRC staff analyzed the potential cumulative 
impacts from past, present, and reasonably foreseeable future actions 
when combined with the environmental

[[Page 14417]]

impacts from the proposed action. The NRC staff concluded that there 
would not be significant adverse cumulative impacts to any resource 
area.
    Based on its review of the proposed action relative to the 
requirements set forth in 10 CFR part 51, the NRC staff has determined 
that the amendment to NRC License SNM-2010, authorizing capacity 
expansion of UUSA's uranium enrichment facility near Eunice, New 
Mexico, would not significantly affect the quality of the human 
environment.

III. Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI)

    Based on its review of the proposed action, in accordance with the 
requirements in 10 CFR part 51, the NRC staff has concluded that the 
proposed action will not have a significant effect on the quality of 
the human environment. Accordingly, the NRC has determined not to 
prepare an environmental impact statement for the proposed action.

    Dated at Rockville, Maryland, this 13th day of March, 2015.

    For the Nuclear Regulatory Commission.
Marissa G. Bailey,
Director, Division of Fuel Cycle Safety, Safeguards, and Environmental 
Review, Office of Nuclear Material Safety, and Safeguards.
[FR Doc. 2015-06334 Filed 3-18-15; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 7590-01-P

Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 53 / Thursday, March 19, 2015 / Notices 14417

impacts from the proposed action. The Note: A portion of this meeting may be of proposed ACRS reports on matters
NRC staff concluded that there would closed in order to discuss and protect discussed during this meeting.
not be significant adverse cumulative information designated as proprietary,
pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 552b(c)(4). Note: A portion of this meeting may be
impacts to any resource area. closed in order to discuss and protect
Based on its review of the proposed 10:45 a.m.–12:15 p.m.: Draft Proposed information designated as proprietary,
action relative to the requirements set Rulemaking for Mitigation of Beyond- pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 552b(c)(4).
forth in 10 CFR part 51, the NRC staff Design-Basis Events (Open)—The
has determined that the amendment to Committee will hear presentations by Saturday, April 11, 2015, Conference
NRC License SNM–2010, authorizing and hold discussions with Room T2–B1, 11545 Rockville Pike,
capacity expansion of UUSA’s uranium representatives of the staff regarding the Rockville, Maryland
enrichment facility near Eunice, New draft proposed rulemaking package in 8:30 a.m.–11:30 a.m.: Preparation of
Mexico, would not significantly affect support of mitigation of beyond-design- ACRS Reports (Open/Closed)—The
the quality of the human environment. basis events that would, among other Committee will continue its discussion
things, make generically applicable of proposed ACRS reports. Note: A
III. Finding of No Significant Impact Order EA–12–049.
(FONSI) portion of this meeting may be closed in
2:00 p.m.–6:00 p.m.: Preparation of order to discuss and protect information
Based on its review of the proposed ACRS Reports (Open/Closed)—The designated as proprietary, pursuant to 5
action, in accordance with the Committee will discuss proposed ACRS U.S.C. 552b(c)(4).
requirements in 10 CFR part 51, the reports on matters discussed during this 11:30 a.m.–12:00 p.m.: Miscellaneous
NRC staff has concluded that the meeting. (Open)—The Committee will continue
proposed action will not have a Note: A portion of this meeting may be its discussion related to the conduct of
significant effect on the quality of the closed in order to discuss and protect Committee activities and specific issues
human environment. Accordingly, the information designated as proprietary, that were not completed during
NRC has determined not to prepare an pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 552b(c)(4). previous meetings.
environmental impact statement for the Procedures for the conduct of and
proposed action. Friday, April 10, 2015, Conference participation in ACRS meetings were
Room T2–B1, 11545 Rockville Pike, published in the Federal Register on
Dated at Rockville, Maryland, this 13th day Rockville, Maryland
of March, 2015. October 13, 2014 (79 FR 59307–59308).
For the Nuclear Regulatory Commission. 8:30 a.m.–10:00 a.m.: Future ACRS In accordance with those procedures,
Marissa G. Bailey, Activities/Report of the Planning and oral or written views may be presented
Procedures Subcommittee (Open/ by members of the public, including
Director, Division of Fuel Cycle Safety,
Safeguards, and Environmental Review, Closed)—The Committee will discuss representatives of the nuclear industry.
Office of Nuclear Material Safety, and the recommendations of the Planning Persons desiring to make oral statements
Safeguards. and Procedures Subcommittee regarding should notify Quynh Nguyen, Cognizant
[FR Doc. 2015–06334 Filed 3–18–15; 8:45 am] items proposed for consideration by the ACRS Staff (Telephone: 301–415–5844,
BILLING CODE 7590–01–P
Full Committee during future ACRS Email: Quynh.Nguyen@nrc.gov), five
Meetings, and matters related to the days before the meeting, if possible, so
conduct of ACRS business, including that appropriate arrangements can be
NUCLEAR REGULATORY anticipated workload and member made to allow necessary time during the
COMMISSION assignments. [Note: A portion of this meeting for such statements. In view of
meeting may be closed pursuant to 5 the possibility that the schedule for
Advisory Committee on Reactor U.S.C. 552b(c)(2) and (6) to discuss ACRS meetings may be adjusted by the
Safeguards; Notice of Meeting organizational and personnel matters Chairman as necessary to facilitate the
that relate solely to internal personnel conduct of the meeting, persons
In accordance with the purposes of rules and practices of ACRS, and planning to attend should check with
Sections 29 and 182b of the Atomic information the release of which would the Cognizant ACRS staff if such
Energy Act (42 U.S.C. 2039, 2232b), the constitute a clearly unwarranted rescheduling would result in major
Advisory Committee on Reactor invasion of personal privacy.] inconvenience.
Safeguards (ACRS) will hold a meeting 10:00 a.m.–10:15 a.m.: Reconciliation Thirty-five hard copies of each
on April 9–11, 2015, 11545 Rockville of ACRS Comments and presentation or handout should be
Pike, Rockville, Maryland. Recommendations (Open)—The provided 30 minutes before the meeting.
Thursday, April 9, 2015, Conference Committee will discuss the responses In addition, one electronic copy of each
Room T2–B1, 11545 Rockville Pike, from the NRC Executive Director for presentation should be emailed to the
Rockville, Maryland Operations to comments and Cognizant ACRS Staff one day before
recommendations included in recent meeting. If an electronic copy cannot be
8:30 a.m.–8:35 a.m.: Opening ACRS reports and letters. provided within this timeframe,
Remarks by the ACRS Chairman 10:30 a.m.–12:00 p.m.: Development presenters should provide the Cognizant
(Open)—The ACRS Chairman will make of Interim Staff Guidance (ISG) in ACRS Staff with a CD containing each
opening remarks regarding the conduct Support of Order EA–13–109 (Reliable presentation at least 30 minutes before
of the meeting. Hardened Vents) (Open)—The the meeting.
8:35 a.m.–10:30 a.m.: Topical Report Committee will hear presentations by In accordance with Subsection 10(d)
Rmajette on DSK2VPTVN1PROD with NOTICES

NEDE–33766P, ‘‘GEH Simplified and hold discussions with of Public Law 92–463 and 5 U.S.C.
Stability Solution (GS3)’’ (Open/ representatives of the staff regarding 552b(c), certain portions of the April 9–
Closed)—The Committee will hear development of ISG in Support of Order 11th meeting may be closed, as
presentations by and hold discussions EA–13–109. specifically noted above. Use of still,
with representatives of the staff and GE- 2:00 p.m.–6:00 p.m.: Preparation of motion picture, and television cameras
Hitachi regarding the review of the GS3 ACRS Reports (Open/Closed)—The during the meeting may be limited to
topical report. Committee will continue its discussion selected portions of the meeting as

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Category		Regulatory Information
Collection		Federal Register
sudoc Class		AE 2.7: GS 4.107: AE 2.106:
Publisher		Office of the Federal Register, National Archives and Records Administration
Section		Notices
Action		Environmental assessment and finding of no significant impact; issuance.
Dates		The environmental assessment and finding of no significant impact referenced in this document is available on March 19, 2015.
Contact		Asimios Malliakos, Office of Nuclear Material Safety and Safeguards, U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission, Washington, DC 20555-0001; telephone: 301-415-6458; email: [email protected]
FR Citation		80 FR 14416