80_FR_19161 80 FR 19093 - Zion Solutions, LLC; Zion Nuclear Power Station, Unit Nos. 1 and 2

80 FR 19093 - Zion Solutions, LLC; Zion Nuclear Power Station, Unit Nos. 1 and 2

NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION

Federal Register Volume 80, Issue 68 (April 9, 2015)

Page Range19093-19094
FR Document2015-08169

The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) is issuing an environmental assessment and finding of no significant impact regarding exemptions from specific emergency planning requirements for license nos. DPR-39 and DPR-48, issued to ZionSolutions, LLC, for the Zion Nuclear Power Station, Units 1 and 2.

Federal Register, Volume 80 Issue 68 (Thursday, April 9, 2015) 
[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 68 (Thursday, April 9, 2015)]
[Notices]
[Pages 19093-19094]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2015-08169]


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NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION

[Docket Nos. 50-295 and 50-304; NRC-2015-0087]


Zion Solutions, LLC; Zion Nuclear Power Station, Unit Nos. 1 and 
2

AGENCY: 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 issuing an 
environmental assessment and finding of no significant impact regarding 
exemptions from specific emergency planning requirements for license 
nos. DPR-39 and DPR-48, issued to ZionSolutions, LLC, for the Zion 
Nuclear Power Station, Units 1 and 2.

DATES: The environmental assessment and finding of no significant 
impact referenced in this document is available on April 9, 2015.

ADDRESSES: Please refer to Docket ID NRC-2015-0087 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-2015-0087. Address 
questions about NRC dockets to Carol Gallagher; telephone: 301-415-
3463; email: [email protected]. 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 [email protected]. 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: John Hickman, Division of 
Decommissioning, Uranium Recovery, and Waste Programs, Office of 
Nuclear Material Safety and Safeguards, U.S. Nuclear Regulatory 
Commission, Washington, DC 20555-00001. Telephone: 301-415-3017; email: 
[email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

I. Introduction

    The NRC is considering issuance of exemptions from specific 
emergency planning (EP) requirements of part 50 of Title 10 of the Code 
of Federal Regulations (10 CFR) for license nos. DPR-39 and DPR-48, 
issued to ZionSolutions, LLC (ZS, the licensee), for the Zion Nuclear 
Power Station (ZNPS), Units 1 and 2. Therefore, as required by 10 CFR 
51.21, the NRC performed an environmental assessment. Based on the 
results of the environmental assessment that follows, the NRC has 
determined not to prepare an environmental impact statement for the 
exemptions, and is issuing a finding of no significant impact.
    On November 23, 2011, the NRC issued a Final Rule modifying or 
adding EP requirements in Sec.  50.47, Sec.  50.54, and appendix E of 
10 CFR part 50 (76 Federal Register (FR) 72560). The EP Final Rule was 
effective on December 23, 2011, with specific implementation dates for 
each of the rule changes, varying from the effective date of the Final 
Rule through December 31, 2015. The EP Final Rule codified certain 
voluntary protective measures contained in NRC Bulletin 2005-02, 
``Emergency Preparedness and Response Actions for Security-Based 
Events,'' and generically applicable requirements similar to those 
previously imposed by NRC Order EA-02-026, ``Order for Interim 
Safeguards and Security Compensatory Measures,'' dated February 25, 
2002. In addition, the EP Final Rule amended other licensee emergency 
plan requirements to: (1) Enhance the ability of licensees in

[[Page 19094]]

preparing and in taking certain protective actions in the event of a 
radiological emergency; (2) address, in part, security issues 
identified after the terrorist events of September 11, 2001; (3) 
clarify regulations to effect consistent emergency plan implementation 
among licensees; and (4) modify certain EP requirements to be more 
effective and efficient. However, the EP Final Rule was only an 
enhancement to the NRC's regulations and was not necessary for adequate 
protection. On page 72563 of the Federal Register notice for the EP 
Final Rule, the Commission ``determined that the existing regulatory 
structure ensures adequate protection of public health and safety and 
common defense and security.''

II. Environmental Assessment

Description of Proposed Action
    The proposed action would exempt ZNPS, a 10 CFR part 50 licensee, 
from certain 10 CFR part 50 EP requirements because ZNPS is a 
permanently shut-down nuclear facility.
    The proposed action is in accordance with the licensee's 
application dated June 20, 2012, (ADAMS Accession No. ML12173A316).
Need for Proposed Action
    ZNPS was shut down on February 21, 1997, and is currently in a 
permanently shut-down and defueled condition. In a letter dated May 4, 
1998, the NRC acknowledged that pursuant to 10 CFR 50.82(a)(2), the 10 
CFR part 50 licenses for ZNPS, Units 1 and 2 no longer authorize 
operation of the reactors, or emplacement or retention of fuel in the 
reactor vessels. Active decommissioning is currently underway.
    The licensee claims that the proposed action is needed because the 
Final Rule imposed requirements on ZNPS that are not necessary to meet 
the underlying purpose of the regulations in view of the greatly 
reduced offsite radiological consequences associated with the current 
plant status as permanently shut down. The EP program at this facility 
met the EP requirements in 10 CFR part 50 that were in effect before 
December 23, 2011, subject to any license amendments or exemptions 
modifying the EP requirements for the licensee. Thus, compliance with 
the EP requirements in effect before the effective date of the EP Final 
Rule demonstrated reasonable assurance that adequate protective 
measures could be taken in the event of a radiological emergency.
Environmental Impacts of the Proposed Action
    The NRC staff evaluated the environmental impacts of the proposed 
action and concludes that exempting the facility from the emergency 
planning requirements will not have any adverse environmental impacts. 
With respect to radiological impacts, the NRC has determined that no 
credible events at ZNPS would result in doses to the public beyond the 
owner controlled area boundary that would exceed the U.S. Environmental 
Protection Agency Protective Actions Guides at the site boundary. The 
proposed action is wholly procedural and administrative in nature. As 
such, the proposed action will not: Significantly increase the 
probability or consequences of radiological accidents, result in any 
changes to the types of effluents that may be released offsite, and 
result in any significant increase in occupational or public radiation 
exposure. Therefore, there are no significant radiological 
environmental impacts associated with the proposed action.
    With regard to potential non-radiological impacts, the proposed 
action does not involve any construction activities, renovation of 
buildings or structures, ground disturbing activities or other 
alteration to land. The proposed action will not change the site 
activities and therefore will not result in any changes to the 
workforce or vehicular traffic. Furthermore, the proposed action is not 
a type of activity that has the potential to cause effects on historic 
properties or cultural resources, including traditional cultural 
properties. In addition the proposed action will not result in any 
change to non-radiological plant effluents and thus, will have no 
impact on either air or water quality. As the proposed action is wholly 
procedural and administrative in nature, the NRC staff has determined 
that the proposed action will have no effect on listed species or 
critical habitat. Therefore, there are no significant non-radiological 
environmental impacts associated with the proposed action.
    Accordingly, the NRC staff concludes that there are no significant 
environmental impacts associated with the proposed action.
Environmental Impacts of the Alternatives to the Proposed Action
    As an alternative to the proposed action, the NRC staff considered 
denial of the proposed action (i.e., the ``no-action'' alternative). 
Denial of the exemption request would result in no change in current 
environmental impacts because there will be no construction or major 
renovation of any buildings or structures, nor any associated ground 
disturbing activities. Thus the environmental impacts of the proposed 
action and no-action alternative are similar. Therefore, the no-action 
alternative is not further considered.
Conclusion
    The NRC staff has concluded that the proposed action will not 
significantly impact the quality of the human environment, and that the 
proposed action is the preferred alternative.
Agencies and Persons Consulted
    The NRC contacted the Illinois Emergency Management Agency 
concerning this request. There were no comments, concerns or objections 
from the State official.

III. Finding of No Significant Impact

    The NRC staff has prepared this EA as part of its review of the 
proposed action. On the basis of this EA, the NRC finds that there are 
no significant environmental impacts from the proposed action, and that 
preparation of an environmental impact statement is not warranted. 
Accordingly, the NRC has determined that a Finding of No Significant 
Impact (FONSI) is appropriate. In accordance with 10 CFR 51.32(a)(4), 
this FONSI incorporates the EA set forth in this notice by reference.

    Dated at Rockville, Maryland, this 30th day of March 2015.

    For the Nuclear Regulatory Commission.
Larry W. Camper,
Director, Division of Decommissioning, Uranium Recovery, and Waste 
Programs, Office of Nuclear Material Safety and Safeguards.
[FR Doc. 2015-08169 Filed 4-8-15; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 7590-01-P

Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 68 / Thursday, April 9, 2015 / Notices 19093 DATES: Comments on this information instructions for application to NEH select ‘‘Begin Web-based ADAMS collection must be submitted on or grant programs, reporting forms for NEH Search.’’ For problems with ADAMS, before May 11, 2015. grantees, panelists and reviewers and please contact the NRC’s Public ADDRESSES: Mail comments to the Office for program evaluation purposes. Document Room (PDR) reference staff at of Information and Regulatory Affairs, Copies of this ICR, with applicable 1–800–397–4209, 301–415–4737, or by Attn: OMB Desk Officer for the National supporting documentation, may be email to pdr.resource@nrc.gov. The Endowment for the Humanities, Office obtained by calling Joel Schwartz at ADAMS accession number for each of Management and Budget, Room (202–606–8473) or may be requested by document referenced in this document 10235, Washington, DC 20503; (202) email to jschwartz@neh.gov. (if that document is available in 395–7316. Dated: April 3, 2015. ADAMS) is provided the first time that FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. Margaret F. Plympton, a document is referenced. Joel Schwartz, Chief Guidelines Officer, Deputy Chairman. • NRC’s PDR: You may examine and 400 7th Street SW., Washington, DC purchase copies of public documents at [FR Doc. 2015–08105 Filed 4–8–15; 8:45 am] 20506; (202) 606–8473; jschwartz@ the NRC’s PDR, Room O1–F21, One BILLING CODE 7536–01–P neh.gov. White Flint North, 11555 Rockville Pike, Rockville, Maryland 20852. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Office FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: John of Management and Budget (OMB) is NUCLEAR REGULATORY Hickman, Division of Decommissioning, particularly interested in comments COMMISSION Uranium Recovery, and Waste which: (1) Evaluate whether the [Docket Nos. 50–295 and 50–304; NRC– Programs, Office of Nuclear Material proposed collection of information is 2015–0087] Safety and Safeguards, U.S. Nuclear necessary for the proper performance of Regulatory Commission, Washington, the functions of the agency, including Zion Solutions, LLC; Zion Nuclear DC 20555–00001. Telephone: 301–415– whether the information will have Power Station, Unit Nos. 1 and 2 3017; email: John.Hickman@nrc.gov. practical utility; (2) Evaluate the accuracy of the agency’s estimate of the AGENCY: Nuclear Regulatory SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: burden of the proposed collection of Commission. I. Introduction information, including the validity of ACTION: Environmental assessment and the methodology and assumptions used; finding of no significant impact; The NRC is considering issuance of (3) Enhance the quality, utility, and issuance. exemptions from specific emergency clarity of the information to be planning (EP) requirements of part 50 of SUMMARY: The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Title 10 of the Code of Federal collected; and (4) Minimize the burden Commission (NRC) is issuing an Regulations (10 CFR) for license nos. of the collection of information on those environmental assessment and finding DPR–39 and DPR–48, issued to who are to respond, including through of no significant impact regarding ZionSolutions, LLC (ZS, the licensee), the use of appropriate automated, exemptions from specific emergency for the Zion Nuclear Power Station electronic, mechanical, or other planning requirements for license nos. (ZNPS), Units 1 and 2. Therefore, as technological collection techniques or DPR–39 and DPR–48, issued to required by 10 CFR 51.21, the NRC other forms of information technology, ZionSolutions, LLC, for the Zion performed an environmental e.g., permitting electronic submissions Nuclear Power Station, Units 1 and 2. assessment. Based on the results of the of responses. Agency: National Endowment for the DATES: The environmental assessment environmental assessment that follows, Humanities. and finding of no significant impact the NRC has determined not to prepare Title of Proposal: Generic Clearance referenced in this document is available an environmental impact statement for Authority for the National Endowment on April 9, 2015. the exemptions, and is issuing a finding for the Humanities. ADDRESSES: Please refer to Docket ID of no significant impact. OMB Number: 3136–0134. NRC–2015–0087 when contacting the On November 23, 2011, the NRC Frequency of Collection: On occasion. NRC about the availability of issued a Final Rule modifying or adding Affected Public: Applicants to NEH information regarding this document. EP requirements in § 50.47, § 50.54, and grant programs, reviewers of NEH grant You may obtain publicly-available appendix E of 10 CFR part 50 (76 applications, and NEH grantees. information related to this document Federal Register (FR) 72560). The EP Total Respondents: 7,074 using any of the following methods: Final Rule was effective on December Average Time per Response: varied • Federal Rulemaking Web site: Go to 23, 2011, with specific implementation according to type of information http://www.regulations.gov and search dates for each of the rule changes, collection. for Docket ID NRC–2015–0087. Address varying from the effective date of the Estimated Total Burden Hours: 67,105 questions about NRC dockets to Carol Final Rule through December 31, 2015. hours. Gallagher; telephone: 301–415–3463; The EP Final Rule codified certain Total Annualized capital/startup email: Carol.Gallagher@nrc.gov. For voluntary protective measures costs: 0. technical questions, contact the contained in NRC Bulletin 2005–02, Total annual costs (operating/ individual listed in the FOR FURTHER ‘‘Emergency Preparedness and Response maintaining systems or purchasing INFORMATION CONTACT section of this Actions for Security-Based Events,’’ and services): 0. document. generically applicable requirements Description: This submission requests • NRC’s Agencywide Documents similar to those previously imposed by Rmajette on DSK2VPTVN1PROD with NOTICES approval from OMB for a three year Access and Management System NRC Order EA–02–026, ‘‘Order for extension of NEH’s currently approved (ADAMS): You may obtain publicly Interim Safeguards and Security generic clearance authority for all NEH available documents online in the Compensatory Measures,’’ dated information collections other than one- ADAMS Public Documents collection at February 25, 2002. In addition, the EP time evaluations, questionnaires and http://www.nrc.gov/reading-rm/ Final Rule amended other licensee surveys. Generic clearance authority adams.html. To begin the search, select emergency plan requirements to: (1) would include approval of forms and ‘‘ADAMS Public Documents’’ and then Enhance the ability of licensees in VerDate Sep<11>2014 15:13 Apr 08, 2015 Jkt 235001 PO 00000 Frm 00035 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 E:\FR\FM\09APN1.SGM 09APN1

19094 Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 68 / Thursday, April 9, 2015 / Notices preparing and in taking certain Environmental Impacts of the Proposed impacts because there will be no protective actions in the event of a Action construction or major renovation of any radiological emergency; (2) address, in The NRC staff evaluated the buildings or structures, nor any part, security issues identified after the environmental impacts of the proposed associated ground disturbing activities. terrorist events of September 11, 2001; action and concludes that exempting the Thus the environmental impacts of the (3) clarify regulations to effect facility from the emergency planning proposed action and no-action consistent emergency plan requirements will not have any adverse alternative are similar. Therefore, the implementation among licensees; and environmental impacts. With respect to no-action alternative is not further (4) modify certain EP requirements to be radiological impacts, the NRC has considered. more effective and efficient. However, determined that no credible events at Conclusion the EP Final Rule was only an ZNPS would result in doses to the enhancement to the NRC’s regulations The NRC staff has concluded that the public beyond the owner controlled area and was not necessary for adequate proposed action will not significantly boundary that would exceed the U.S. protection. On page 72563 of the impact the quality of the human Environmental Protection Agency Federal Register notice for the EP Final environment, and that the proposed Protective Actions Guides at the site Rule, the Commission ‘‘determined that action is the preferred alternative. boundary. The proposed action is the existing regulatory structure ensures wholly procedural and administrative in Agencies and Persons Consulted adequate protection of public health and nature. As such, the proposed action The NRC contacted the Illinois safety and common defense and will not: Significantly increase the Emergency Management Agency security.’’ probability or consequences of concerning this request. There were no II. Environmental Assessment radiological accidents, result in any comments, concerns or objections from changes to the types of effluents that the State official. Description of Proposed Action may be released offsite, and result in any significant increase in occupational III. Finding of No Significant Impact The proposed action would exempt or public radiation exposure. Therefore, The NRC staff has prepared this EA as ZNPS, a 10 CFR part 50 licensee, from there are no significant radiological part of its review of the proposed action. certain 10 CFR part 50 EP requirements environmental impacts associated with On the basis of this EA, the NRC finds because ZNPS is a permanently shut- the proposed action. that there are no significant down nuclear facility. With regard to potential non- environmental impacts from the The proposed action is in accordance radiological impacts, the proposed proposed action, and that preparation of with the licensee’s application dated action does not involve any an environmental impact statement is June 20, 2012, (ADAMS Accession No. construction activities, renovation of not warranted. Accordingly, the NRC ML12173A316). buildings or structures, ground has determined that a Finding of No disturbing activities or other alteration Significant Impact (FONSI) is Need for Proposed Action to land. The proposed action will not appropriate. In accordance with 10 CFR ZNPS was shut down on February 21, change the site activities and therefore 51.32(a)(4), this FONSI incorporates the 1997, and is currently in a permanently will not result in any changes to the EA set forth in this notice by reference. shut-down and defueled condition. In a workforce or vehicular traffic. Dated at Rockville, Maryland, this 30th day Furthermore, the proposed action is not letter dated May 4, 1998, the NRC of March 2015. a type of activity that has the potential acknowledged that pursuant to 10 CFR For the Nuclear Regulatory Commission. to cause effects on historic properties or 50.82(a)(2), the 10 CFR part 50 licenses Larry W. Camper, cultural resources, including traditional for ZNPS, Units 1 and 2 no longer Director, Division of Decommissioning, cultural properties. In addition the authorize operation of the reactors, or Uranium Recovery, and Waste Programs, proposed action will not result in any emplacement or retention of fuel in the Office of Nuclear Material Safety and change to non-radiological plant Safeguards. reactor vessels. Active decommissioning effluents and thus, will have no impact is currently underway. [FR Doc. 2015–08169 Filed 4–8–15; 8:45 am] on either air or water quality. As the The licensee claims that the proposed BILLING CODE 7590–01–P proposed action is wholly procedural action is needed because the Final Rule and administrative in nature, the NRC imposed requirements on ZNPS that are staff has determined that the proposed not necessary to meet the underlying action will have no effect on listed OFFICE OF PERSONNEL purpose of the regulations in view of the species or critical habitat. Therefore, MANAGEMENT greatly reduced offsite radiological there are no significant non-radiological consequences associated with the Privacy Act of 1974; Computer environmental impacts associated with current plant status as permanently shut Matching Program the proposed action. down. The EP program at this facility Accordingly, the NRC staff concludes AGENCY: Office of Personnel met the EP requirements in 10 CFR part that there are no significant Management. 50 that were in effect before December environmental impacts associated with ACTION: Notice—computer matching 23, 2011, subject to any license the proposed action. between the Office of Personnel amendments or exemptions modifying Management and the Social Security the EP requirements for the licensee. Environmental Impacts of the Rmajette on DSK2VPTVN1PROD with NOTICES Alternatives to the Proposed Action Administration (Computer Matching Thus, compliance with the EP Agreement 1018). requirements in effect before the As an alternative to the proposed effective date of the EP Final Rule action, the NRC staff considered denial SUMMARY: In accordance with the demonstrated reasonable assurance that of the proposed action (i.e., the ‘‘no- Privacy Act of 1974 (5 U.S.C. 552a), as adequate protective measures could be action’’ alternative). Denial of the amended by the Computer Matching taken in the event of a radiological exemption request would result in no and Privacy Protection Act of 1988 (Pub. emergency. change in current environmental L. 100–503), Office of Management and VerDate Sep<11>2014 15:13 Apr 08, 2015 Jkt 235001 PO 00000 Frm 00036 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 E:\FR\FM\09APN1.SGM 09APN1


Document Created: 2015-12-18 11:23:46
Document Modified: 2015-12-18 11:23:46
CategoryRegulatory Information
CollectionFederal Register
sudoc ClassAE 2.7:
GS 4.107:
AE 2.106:
PublisherOffice of the Federal Register, National Archives and Records Administration
SectionNotices
ActionEnvironmental assessment and finding of no significant impact; issuance.
DatesThe environmental assessment and finding of no significant impact referenced in this document is available on April 9, 2015.
ContactJohn Hickman, Division of Decommissioning, Uranium Recovery, and Waste Programs, Office of Nuclear Material Safety and Safeguards, U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission, Washington, DC 20555-00001. Telephone: 301-415-3017; email: [email protected]
FR Citation80 FR 19093 
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