80 FR 20018 - Vogtle Electric Generating Station, Units 3 and 4; Southern Nuclear Operating Company; Tier 1 Editorial and Consistency Changes
NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION Federal Register Volume 80, Issue 71 (April 14, 2015)
Federal Register Volume 80, Issue 71 (April 14, 2015)
| Page Range | 20018-20020 | |
| FR Document | 2015-08566 |
[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 71 (Tuesday, April 14, 2015)] [Notices] [Pages 20018-20020] From the Federal Register Online [www.thefederalregister.org] [FR Doc No: 2015-08566] ----------------------------------------------------------------------- NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION [Docket Nos. 52-025 and 52-026; NRC-2008-0252] Vogtle Electric Generating Station, Units 3 and 4; Southern Nuclear Operating Company; Tier 1 Editorial and Consistency Changes AGENCY: Nuclear Regulatory Commission. ACTION: Exemption and combined license amendment issuance. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- SUMMARY: The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) is granting an exemption to allow a departure from the certification information of Tier 1 of the generic design control document (DCD) and is issuing License Amendment No. 30 to Combined Licenses (COLs), NPF-91 and NPF- 92. The COLs were issued to Southern Nuclear Operating Company, Inc., and Georgia Power Company, Oglethorpe Power Corporation, Municipal Electric Authority of Georgia, and the City of Dalton, Georgia (the licensee); for construction and operation of the Vogtle Electric Generating Plant (VEGP) Units 3 and 4, located in Burke County, Georgia. The granting of the exemption allows the changes to Tier 1 information requested in the amendment. Because the acceptability of the exemption was determined in part by the acceptability of the amendment, the exemption and amendment are being issued concurrently. ADDRESSES: Please refer to Docket ID NRC-2008-0252 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-2008-0252. 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. [[Page 20019]] 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 (if it is available in ADAMS) is provided the first time that a document is referenced. The request for the amendment and exemption was submitted by letter dated July 29, 2014 (ADAMS Accession No. ML14210A646) and supplemented by letter dated November 5, 2014 (ADAMS Accession No. ML14309A586). 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: Ruth Reyes, Office of New Reactors, U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission, Washington, DC 20555-0001; telephone: 301-415-3249; email: [email protected]. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: I. Introduction The NRC is granting an exemption from Paragraph B of Section III, ``Scope and Contents,'' of appendix D, ``Design Certification Rule for the AP1000,'' to part 52 of Title 10 of the Code of Federal Regulations (10 CFR) and issuing License Amendment No. 30 to COLs, NPF-91 and NPF- 92, to the licensee. The exemption is required by Paragraph A.4 of Section VIII, ``Processes for Changes and Departures,'' appendix D to 10 CFR part 52 to allow the licensee to depart from Tier 1 information. With the requested amendment, the licensee sought changes to COL Appendix C and corresponding plant-specific Tier 1 information to correct editorial errors and/or consistency errors (e.g., inconsistencies between Updated Final Safety Analysis Report (UFSAR) (Tier 2) and Tier 1 information, and inconsistencies between information from different locations within Tier 1). Part of the justification for granting the exemption was provided by the review of the amendment. Because the exemption is necessary in order to issue the requested license amendment, the NRC granted the exemption and issued the amendment concurrently, rather than in sequence. This included issuing a combined safety evaluation containing the NRC staff's review of both the exemption request and the license amendment. The exemption met all applicable regulatory criteria set forth in 10 CFR 50.12, 10 CFR 52.7, and Section VIII.A.4 of appendix D to 10 CFR part 52. The license amendment was found to be acceptable as well. The combined safety evaluation is available in ADAMS under Accession No. ML14350B104. Identical exemption documents (except for referenced unit numbers and license numbers) were issued to the licensee for VEGP Units 3 and 4 (COLs NPF-91 and NPF-92). The exemption documents for VEGP Units 3 and 4 can be found in ADAMS under Accession Nos. ML14351A256 and ML14351A271, respectively. The exemption is reproduced (with the exception of abbreviated titles and additional citations) in Section II of this document. The amendment documents for COLs NPF-91 and NPF-92 are available in ADAMS under Accession Nos. ML14351A250 and ML14351A252, respectively. A summary of the amendment documents is provided in Section III of this document. II. Exemption Reproduced below is the exemption document issued to Vogtle Units 3 and 4. It makes reference to the combined safety evaluation that provides the reasoning for the findings made by the NRC (and listed under Item 1) in order to grant the exemption: 1. In a letter dated July 29, 2014, and as supplemented by the letter dated November 5, 2014, the licensee requested from the Commission an exemption to allow departures from Tier 1 information in the certified DCD incorporated by reference in 10 CFR part 52, appendix D as part of license amendment request 14-002, ``Tier 1 Editorial and Consistency Changes.'' For the reasons set forth in Section 3.1 of the NRC staff's Safety Evaluation, which can be found in ADAMS under Accession No. ML14350B104, the Commission finds that: A. The exemption is authorized by law; B. the exemption presents no undue risk to public health and safety; C. the exemption is consistent with the common defense and security; D. special circumstances are present in that the application of the rule in this circumstance is not necessary to serve the underlying purpose of the rule; E. the special circumstances outweigh any decrease in safety that may result from the reduction in standardization caused by the exemption; and F. the exemption will not result in a significant decrease in the level of safety otherwise provided by the design. 2. Accordingly, the licensee is granted an exemption from the certified DCD Tier 1 Figures 2.2.4-1, 3.3-1 through 10, 3.3-11A, 3.3- 11B, and 3.3-12 through 14; Tables: 2.2.2-3, 2.2.3-4, 2.2.3-6, 2.2.4-1, 2.2.4-4, 2.2.5-5, 2.3.2-1, 2.3.2-2, 2.3.6-1, 2.3.6-4, 2.3.10-1, 2.3.10- 4, 2.3.14-2, 2.6.3-3, 2.6.3-4, 3.3-1, 3.3-6, 2.1.3-4, 2.5.1-2 and 3.7- 2; and Sections 2.6.3 and 3.3, as described in the licensee's request dated July 29, 2014, and supplemented on November 5, 2014. This exemption is related to, and necessary for the granting of License Amendment No. 30, which is being issued concurrently with this exemption. 3. As explained in Section 5.0 of the NRC staff's Safety Evaluation (ADAMS Accession Number ML14350B104), this exemption meets the eligibility criteria for categorical exclusion set forth in 10 CFR 51.22(c)(9). Therefore, pursuant to 10 CFR 51.22(b), no environmental impact statement or environmental assessment needs to be prepared in connection with the issuance of the exemption. 4. This exemption is effective as of the date of its issuance. III. License Amendment Request By letter dated July 29, 2014, and supplemented by letter dated November 5, 2014, the licensee requested that the NRC amend the COLs for VEGP, Units 3 and 4, COLs NPF-91 and NPF-92. The proposed amendment is described in Section I, above. The Commission has determined for these amendments that the application complies with the standards and requirements of the Atomic Energy Act of 1954, as amended (the Act), and the Commission's rules and regulations. The Commission has made appropriate findings as required by the Act and the Commission's rules and regulations in 10 CFR Chapter I, which are set forth in the license amendment. A notice of consideration of issuance of amendment to facility operating license or combined license, as applicable, proposed no significant hazards consideration determination, and opportunity for a hearing in connection with these actions, was published in the Federal Register on September 30, 2014 (79 FR 58812). The November 5, 2014, supplement had no effect on the no significant hazards consideration determination, and no comments were received during the 60-day comment period. The Commission has determined that these amendments satisfy the criteria for [[Page 20020]] categorical exclusion in accordance with 10 CFR 51.22. Therefore, pursuant to 10 CFR 51.22(b), no environmental impact statement or environmental assessment need be prepared for these amendments. IV. Conclusion Using the reasons set forth in the combined safety evaluation, the staff granted the exemption and issued the amendment that the licensee requested on July 29, 2014, as supplemented by letter dated November 5, 2014. The exemption and amendment were issued on February 13, 2015 as part of a combined package to the licensee (ADAMS Accession No. ML14350B012). Dated at Rockville, Maryland, this 7th day of April 2015. For the Nuclear Regulatory Commission. Chandu P. Patel, Acting Chief, Licensing Branch 4, Division of New Reactor Licensing, Office of New Reactors. [FR Doc. 2015-08566 Filed 4-13-15; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 7590-01-P
![20018 Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 71 / Tuesday, April 14, 2015 / Notices
areas in a letter dated July 11, 2013 acquisition of split samples. As a result For the Nuclear Regulatory Commission.
(ADAMS Package ML13205A152), of this inspection, a Notice of Violation Andrew Persinko,
followed by a corrected background was issued to the UM for failing to Deputy Director, Division of
count rate for the FSSR on August 19, independently monitor or audit either Decommissioning, Uranium Recovery, and
2013 (ADAMS Accession No. decommissioning operations or the Waste Programs, Office of Nuclear Material
ML13235A009). quality assurance program annually as Safety and Safeguards.
In a letter dated February 26, 2014 required (ADAMS Accession No. [FR Doc. 2015–08576 Filed 4–13–15; 8:45 am]
(ADAMS Accession No. ML14063A207), ML11299A076). This violation has been BILLING CODE 7590–01–P
the UM confirmed that FNR systems resolved by the UM reinitiating audits
and components had been transferred to and quality assurance reviews as part of
the UM Broad Scope license No. 21– semi-annual Decommissioning Review NUCLEAR REGULATORY
00215–04 by Amendment No. 102, in Committee meetings, as documented in COMMISSION
accordance with the approved DP, and an October 10, 2012 NRC inspection
requested termination of the FNR [Docket Nos. 52–025 and 52–026; NRC–
report. (ADAMS Accession No.
license. The Amendment No. 102 2008–0252]
ML12284A282). The final report from
transfer was approved by the NRC, with ORAU of the results of the soil sample Vogtle Electric Generating Station,
a correction, on February 19, 2014 analysis was provided to the NRC on Units 3 and 4; Southern Nuclear
(ADAMS Accession No. ML14055A189). August 23, 2011 (ADAMS Accession Operating Company; Tier 1 Editorial
On June 23, 2014, NRC inspectors No. ML112420852). One of the soil and Consistency Changes
confirmed that site conditions were samples exceeded the FNR DP’s soil
acceptable for license termination derived concentration guideline level AGENCY: Nuclear Regulatory
(ADAMS Accession No. ML14197A232). for Cobalt-60, which was addressed by Commission.
Additionally, NRC staff has reviewed the UM subsequently remediating all ACTION: Exemption and combined
the FNR FSSR. The FNR FSSR states the soil from the cavity area, and license amendment issuance.
that the criteria for termination set forth resampling as part of the final status
in FNR’s license (R–28), and as survey. SUMMARY: The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory
established in its DP and FSSP have At the request of NRC staff, on Commission (NRC) is granting an
been satisfied. January 16, 2015 (ADAMS Accession exemption to allow a departure from the
The FSSR indicates that all but one of No. ML15020A725), UM provided the certification information of Tier 1 of the
the individual radiological results of eight additional soil samples, generic design control document (DCD)
measurement determinations made taken to a depth of thirteen feet, in the and is issuing License Amendment No.
throughout the facility for surface area where stockpiled soils were reused 30 to Combined Licenses (COLs), NPF–
contamination (both total and 91 and NPF–92. The COLs were issued
to refill the excavation in the former
removable) were found to be less than to Southern Nuclear Operating
storage ports area of the FNR. All
the criteria established in the DP, which Company, Inc., and Georgia Power
samples were below minimum
is acceptable in accordance with the Company, Oglethorpe Power
detectable activity and well below the
MARSSIM statistical methodology. Corporation, Municipal Electric
soil derived concentration guideline
Similarly, sample results from soil, and Authority of Georgia, and the City of
levels, which demonstrates that the
sediments were found to be less than Dalton, Georgia (the licensee); for
reused stockpiled soils are acceptable
the volumetric radionuclide construction and operation of the Vogtle
for unrestricted release. Additionally,
concentration criteria established in the Electric Generating Plant (VEGP) Units
three split samples were sent to ORAU
DP. Additionally, all the radioactive 3 and 4, located in Burke County,
wastes have been removed from the for laboratory analysis (ADAMS
Accession No. ML15030A311). The Georgia.
facility. For these reasons, the NRC staff The granting of the exemption allows
has determined that the survey results results contained in the analytical report
are consistent with UM’s report. the changes to Tier 1 information
in the report comply with the criteria in requested in the amendment. Because
the NRC approved DP and the release Pursuant to 10 CFR 50.82(b)(6), the
NRC staff has concluded that the UM the acceptability of the exemption was
criteria in subpart E of part 20 of Title determined in part by the acceptability
10 of the Code of Federal Regulations FNR in Ann Arbor, Michigan, has been
decommissioned in accordance with the of the amendment, the exemption and
(10 CFR). amendment are being issued
On August 9 through 11, 2011 the approved DP and that the FSSR and
associated documentation demonstrates concurrently.
NRC conducted an on-site inspection of
the decommissioning activities at the that the facilities and site may be ADDRESSES: Please refer to Docket ID
FNR. The NRC inspector evaluated released in accordance with the criteria NRC–2008–0252 when contacting the
decommissioning performance and for license termination in 10 CFR part NRC about the availability of
conducted independent radiation 20, subpart E. Further, on the basis of information regarding this document.
surveys and soil sampling, with soil the decommissioning activities carried You may obtain publicly-available
sample evaluation of the NRC samples out by the UM, the NRC’s review of the information related to this document
by the Oak Ridge Associated licensee’s FSSR, the results of the NRC using any of the following methods:
Universities (ORAU). The inspection inspections conducted at the reactor • Federal Rulemaking Web site: Go to
was an examination of UM’s licensed facility, and the results of confirmatory http://www.regulations.gov and search
asabaliauskas on DSK5VPTVN1PROD with NOTICES
activities as they relate to radiation lab analyses, the NRC has concluded for Docket ID NRC–2008–0252. Address
safety and to compliance with the that the decommissioning process is questions about NRC dockets to Carol
Commission’s regulations and the complete and the facilities and sites Gallagher; telephone: 301–415–3463;
license conditions, including the DP may be released for unrestricted use. email: Carol.Gallagher@nrc.gov. For
and FSSP. The inspection consisted of Therefore, Facility Operating License technical questions, contact the
observations by the inspectors, No. R–28 is terminated. individual listed in the FOR FURTHER
interviews with personnel, and a review Dated at Rockville, Maryland, this 2nd day INFORMATION CONTACT section of this
of procedures and records and of April 2015. document.
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![20020 Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 71 / Tuesday, April 14, 2015 / Notices
categorical exclusion in accordance DATES: Comments must be filed by May White Flint North, 11555 Rockville
with 10 CFR 51.22. Therefore, pursuant 14, 2015. A request for a hearing must Pike, Rockville, Maryland 20852.
to 10 CFR 51.22(b), no environmental be filed by June 15, 2015.
B. Submitting Comments
impact statement or environmental ADDRESSES: You may submit comments
assessment need be prepared for these by any of the following methods (unless Please include Docket ID NRC–2015–
amendments. this document describes a different 0088, facility name, unit number(s),
application date, and subject in your
IV. Conclusion method for submitting comments on a
comment submission.
specific subject):
Using the reasons set forth in the The NRC cautions you not to include
• Federal Rulemaking Web site: Go to identifying or contact information that
combined safety evaluation, the staff http://www.regulations.gov and search
granted the exemption and issued the you do not want to be publicly
for Docket ID NRC–2015–0088. Address disclosed in your comment submission.
amendment that the licensee requested questions about NRC dockets to Carol
on July 29, 2014, as supplemented by The NRC will post all comment
Gallagher; telephone: 301–415–3463; submissions at http://
letter dated November 5, 2014. The email: Carol.Gallagher@nrc.gov.
exemption and amendment were issued www.regulations.gov as well as enter the
• Mail comments to: Cindy Bladey, comment submissions into ADAMS.
on February 13, 2015 as part of a Office of Administration, Mail Stop:
combined package to the licensee The NRC does not routinely edit
OWFN–12–H08, U.S. Nuclear comment submissions to remove
(ADAMS Accession No. ML14350B012). Regulatory Commission, Washington, identifying or contact information.
Dated at Rockville, Maryland, this 7th day DC 20555–0001. If you are requesting or aggregating
of April 2015. For additional direction on obtaining comments from other persons for
For the Nuclear Regulatory Commission. information and submitting comments, submission to the NRC, then you should
Chandu P. Patel, see ‘‘Obtaining Information and inform those persons not to include
Acting Chief, Licensing Branch 4, Division Submitting Comments’’ in the identifying or contact information that
of New Reactor Licensing, Office of New SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION section of they do not want to be publicly
Reactors. this document. disclosed in their comment submission.
[FR Doc. 2015–08566 Filed 4–13–15; 8:45 am] FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Your request should state that the NRC
BILLING CODE 7590–01–P Angela Baxter, Office of Nuclear Reactor does not routinely edit comment
Regulation, U.S. Nuclear Regulatory submissions to remove such information
Commission, Washington DC 20555– before making the comment
NUCLEAR REGULATORY 0001; telephone: 301–415–2976, email: submissions available to the public or
COMMISSION Angela.Baxter@nrc.gov. entering the comment into ADAMS.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: II. Notice of Consideration of Issuance
[NRC–2015–0088] of Amendments to Facility Operating
I. Obtaining Information and
Submitting Comments Licenses and Combined Licenses and
Biweekly Notice; Applications and
Proposed No Significant Hazards
Amendments to Facility Operating A. Obtaining Information Consideration Determination
Licenses and Combined Licenses
Involving No Significant Hazards Please refer to Docket ID NRC–2015– The Commission has made a
Considerations 0088 when contacting the NRC about proposed determination that the
the availability of information for this following amendment requests involve
AGENCY: Nuclear Regulatory action. You may obtain publicly- no significant hazards consideration.
Commission. available information related to this Under the Commission’s regulations in
ACTION: Biweekly notice. action by any of the following methods: § 50.92 of Title 10 of the Code of Federal
• Federal rulemaking Web site: Go to Regulations (10 CFR), this means that
SUMMARY: Pursuant to Section 189a. (2) http://www.regulations.gov and search operation of the facility in accordance
of the Atomic Energy Act of 1954, as for Docket ID NRC–2015–0088. with the proposed amendment would
amended (the Act), the U.S. Nuclear • NRC’s Agencywide Documents not (1) involve a significant increase in
Regulatory Commission (NRC) is Access and Management System the probability or consequences of an
publishing this regular biweekly notice. (ADAMS): You may obtain publicly- accident previously evaluated, or (2)
The Act requires the Commission to available documents online in the create the possibility of a new or
publish notice of any amendments ADAMS Public Documents collection at different kind of accident from any
issued, or proposed to be issued and http://www.nrc.gov/reading-rm/ accident previously evaluated; or (3)
grants the Commission the authority to adams.html. To begin the search, select involve a significant reduction in a
issue and make immediately effective ‘‘ADAMS Public Documents’’ and then margin of safety. The basis for this
any amendment to an operating license select ‘‘Begin Web-based ADAMS proposed determination for each
or combined license, as applicable, Search.’’ For problems with ADAMS, amendment request is shown below.
upon a determination by the please contact the NRC’s Public The Commission is seeking public
Commission that such amendment Document Room (PDR) reference staff at comments on this proposed
involves no significant hazards 1–800–397–4209, 301–415–4737, or by determination. Any comments received
consideration, notwithstanding the email to pdr.resource@nrc.gov. The within 30 days after the date of
asabaliauskas on DSK5VPTVN1PROD with NOTICES
pendency before the Commission of a ADAMS accession number for each publication of this notice will be
request for a hearing from any person. document referenced (if it is available in considered in making any final
This biweekly notice includes all ADAMS) is provided the first time that determination.
notices of amendments issued, or it is mentioned in the SUPPLEMENTARY Normally, the Commission will not
proposed to be issued from March 19, INFORMATION section. issue the amendment until the
2015 to April 1, 2015. The last biweekly • NRC’s PDR: You may examine and expiration of 60 days after the date of
notice was published on March 31, purchase copies of public documents at publication of this notice. The
2015. the NRC’s PDR, Room O1–F21, One Commission may issue the license
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Document Created: 2015-12-18 11:09:55
Document Modified: 2015-12-18 11:09:55
| 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 | Exemption and combined license amendment issuance. | |
| Contact | Ruth Reyes, Office of New Reactors, U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission, Washington, DC 20555-0001; telephone: 301-415-3249; email: [email protected] | |
| FR Citation | 80 FR 20018 |
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