80 FR 42129 - ZionSolutions, LLC; Zion Nuclear Power Station, Units 1 and 2
NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION Federal Register Volume 80, Issue 136 (July 16, 2015)
Federal Register Volume 80, Issue 136 (July 16, 2015)
| Page Range | 42129-42130 | |
| FR Document | 2015-17436 |
[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 136 (Thursday, July 16, 2015)] [Notices] [Pages 42129-42130] From the Federal Register Online [www.thefederalregister.org] [FR Doc No: 2015-17436] ======================================================================= ----------------------------------------------------------------------- NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION [Docket Nos. 50-295 and 50-304; NRC-2015-0168] ZionSolutions, LLC; Zion Nuclear Power Station, Units 1 and 2 AGENCY: Nuclear Regulatory Commission. ACTION: Environmental assessment and finding of no significant impact; issuance. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- 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 (ZNPS), Units 1 and 2. DATES: The environmental assessment and finding of no significant impact referenced in this document is available on July 16, 2015. ADDRESSES: Please refer to Docket ID NRC-2015-0168 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-2015-0168. 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 (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, 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 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 [[Page 42130]] the exemptions, and is issuing a finding of no significant impact. Section 50.47, ``Emergency plans,'' in 10 CFR part 50 provides in part, ``. . . no initial operating license for a nuclear power reactor will be issued unless a finding is made by the NRC that there is reasonable assurance that adequate protective measures can and will be taken in the event of a radiological emergency.'' Appendix E to 10 CFR part 50, ``Emergency Planning and Preparedness for Production and Utilization Facilities,'' provides in part, ``This appendix establishes minimum requirements for emergency plans for use in attaining an acceptable state of emergency preparedness.'' II. Environmental Assessment Description of Proposed Action The proposed action would exempt ZS, a 10 CFR part 50 licensee, from certain 10 CFR 50.47, and 10 CFR part 50, appendix E, EP requirements because ZNPS is a permanently shut-down nuclear facility with all spent fuel stored in an independent spent fuel storage installation (ISFSI). The proposed action is in accordance with the licensee's application dated May 27, 2014, (ADAMS Accession No. ML14148A295). Need for Proposed Action The 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 the 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. As of January 12, 2015, all of the spent fuel at the ZNPS had been transferred to the Zion ISFSI. The licensee claims that the proposed action is needed because the EP regulations impose requirements on the 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 and with the removal of all spent fuel from the Spent Fuel Pool and transfer to dry cask storage at the ISFSI. Additionally, the license was amended on January 14, 2015, (ADAMS Accession No. ML14295A716) to remove from the Technical Specifications functional, operational and staffing requirements associated with the storage of spent fuel in the spent fuel pool. Environmental Impacts of the Proposed Action The NRC staff evaluated the environmental impacts of the proposed action and concludes that exempting the licensee 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 the 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 would 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 was 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 via email on February 3, 2015, concerning this request. The State official replied via email on February 5, 2015, stating that they had no questions or concerns and they did not object to the action (ADAMS Accession No. ML15168A221). 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 8th day of July 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. 2015-17436 Filed 7-15-15; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 7590-01-P
![Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 136 / Thursday, July 16, 2015 / Notices 42129
To ensure transparency associated agency’s estimate of the burden of the DATES: The environmental assessment
with meetings pursuant to E.O. 12866, collection of information; (c) ways to and finding of no significant impact
OIRA is proposing to collect—and then enhance the quality, utility, and clarity referenced in this document is available
post publicly—the following of the information to be collected; (d) on July 16, 2015.
information from outside parties that ways to minimize the burden of the ADDRESSES: Please refer to Docket ID
request a meeting with OIRA to present collection of information on NRC–2015–0168 when contacting the
their views on a regulatory action respondents, including through the use NRC about the availability of
currently under review: of automated collection techniques or information regarding this document.
1. Names of all attendees who will be other forms of information technology; You may obtain publicly-available
present at the meeting from the outside and (e) estimates of capital or start-up information related to this document
party or parties. Each attendee’s costs and costs of operation, using any of the following methods:
organization or affiliation. If an attendee maintenance, and purchase of services • Federal Rulemaking Web site: Go to
is representing another organization, to provide information. Burden means http://www.regulations.gov and search
please provide the name of the the total time, effort, or financial for Docket ID NRC–2015–0168. Address
organization the attendee is resources expended by persons to questions about NRC dockets to Carol
representing. generate, maintain, retain, disclose or Gallagher; telephone: 301–415–3463;
2. The name of the regulatory action provide information to or for a Federal email: Carol.Gallagher@nrc.gov. For
under review on which the party would agency. This includes the time needed technical questions, contact the
like to present its views. to review instructions; to develop,
3. Electronic copies of all of briefing individual listed in the FOR FURTHER
acquire, install, and utilize technology INFORMATION CONTACT section of this
materials that will be used during the and systems for the purpose of
presentation. document.
collecting, validating, and verifying
4. An acknowledgment by the • NRC’s Agencywide Documents
information, processing and
requesting party that all information Access and Management System
maintaining information, and disclosing
submitted to OIRA pursuant to this (ADAMS): You may obtain publicly
and providing information; to train
collection and meeting request will be available documents online in the
personnel and to be able to respond to
made publically available at ADAMS Public Documents collection at
a collection of information, to search
Reginfo.gov. http://www.nrc.gov/reading-rm/
data sources, to complete and review
This effort will streamline the current adams.html. To begin the search, select
the collection of information; and to
process for outside parties when ‘‘ADAMS Public Documents’’ and then
transmit or otherwise disclose the
requesting a meeting and will ensure select ‘‘Begin Web-based ADAMS
information.
transparency and accuracy of the docket Search.’’ For problems with ADAMS,
An agency may not conduct or
that OIRA keeps in accordance with the please contact the NRC’s Public
sponsor, and a person is not required to
disclosure provisions of E.O. 12866. Document Room (PDR) reference staff at
respond to, a collection of information
OIRA welcomes any and all public 1–800–397–4209, 301–415–4737, or by
unless it displays a currently valid OMB
comments on the proposed collection of email to pdr.resource@nrc.gov. The
control number.
information such as the accuracy of ADAMS accession number for each
OIRA’s burden estimate, the practical Dominic J. Mancini, document referenced (if that document
utility of collecting this information, Deputy Administrator, Office of Information is available in ADAMS) is provided the
and whether there are additional pieces and Regulatory Affairs. first time that a document is referenced.
of information that should be collected [FR Doc. 2015–17391 Filed 7–15–15; 8:45 am] • NRC’s PDR: You may examine and
from meeting requestors to further the BILLING CODE P purchase copies of public documents at
disclosure provisions of E.O. 12866. the NRC’s PDR, Room O1–F21, One
Current actions: Proposal for new White Flint North, 11555 Rockville
information collection requirement. Pike, Rockville, Maryland 20852.
Type of review: New. NUCLEAR REGULATORY
COMMISSION FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: John
Affected public: Individuals and Hickman, Office of Nuclear Material
Households, Businesses and Safety and Safeguards, U.S. Nuclear
[Docket Nos. 50–295 and 50–304; NRC–
Organizations, State, Local or Tribal 2015–0168] Regulatory Commission, Washington,
Governments. DC 20555–00001; telephone: 301–415–
Expected average annual number of ZionSolutions, LLC; Zion Nuclear 3017; email: John.Hickman@nrc.gov.
respondents: 200. Power Station, Units 1 and 2
Average annual number of responses SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
per respondent: 2. AGENCY: Nuclear Regulatory I. Introduction
Total number of responses annually: Commission.
400. ACTION: Environmental assessment and The NRC is considering issuance of
Burden per response: 30 minutes. finding of no significant impact; exemptions from specific emergency
Total average annual burden: 200 issuance. planning (EP) requirements of part 50 of
hours. Title 10 of the Code of Federal
Request for comments: Comments SUMMARY: The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Regulations (10 CFR), for License Nos.
submitted in response to this notice will Commission (NRC) is issuing an DPR–39 and DPR–48, issued to
be summarized and/or included in the environmental assessment and finding ZionSolutions, LLC (ZS, the licensee),
tkelley on DSK3SPTVN1PROD with NOTICES
request for OMB approval. Comments of no significant impact regarding for the ZNPS, Units 1 and 2. Therefore,
are invited on: (a) Whether the exemptions from specific emergency as required by 10 CFR 51.21, the NRC
collection of information is necessary planning requirements for License Nos. performed an environmental
for the proper performance of the DPR–39 and DPR–48, issued to assessment. Based on the results of the
functions of the agency, including ZionSolutions, LLC, for the Zion environmental assessment that follows,
whether the information shall have Nuclear Power Station (ZNPS), Units 1 the NRC has determined not to prepare
practical utility; (b) the accuracy of the and 2. an environmental impact statement for
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![42130 Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 136 / Thursday, July 16, 2015 / Notices
the exemptions, and is issuing a finding Environmental Impacts of the Proposed impacts because there would be no
of no significant impact. Action construction or major renovation of any
Section 50.47, ‘‘Emergency plans,’’ in The NRC staff evaluated the buildings or structures, nor any
10 CFR part 50 provides in part, ‘‘. . . environmental impacts of the proposed associated ground disturbing activities.
no initial operating license for a nuclear action and concludes that exempting the Thus, the environmental impacts of the
power reactor will be issued unless a licensee from the emergency planning proposed action and no-action
finding is made by the NRC that there requirements will not have any adverse alternative are similar. Therefore, the
is reasonable assurance that adequate environmental impacts. With respect to no-action alternative was not further
protective measures can and will be radiological impacts, the NRC has considered.
taken in the event of a radiological determined that no credible events at Conclusion
emergency.’’ Appendix E to 10 CFR part the ZNPS would result in doses to the
50, ‘‘Emergency Planning and The NRC staff has concluded that the
public beyond the owner controlled area proposed action will not significantly
Preparedness for Production and boundary that would exceed the U.S.
Utilization Facilities,’’ provides in part, impact the quality of the human
Environmental Protection Agency environment, and that the proposed
‘‘This appendix establishes minimum Protective Actions Guides at the site
requirements for emergency plans for action is the preferred alternative.
boundary. The proposed action is
use in attaining an acceptable state of wholly procedural and administrative in Agencies and Persons Consulted
emergency preparedness.’’ nature. As such, the proposed action The NRC contacted the Illinois
II. Environmental Assessment will not: Significantly increase the Emergency Management Agency via
probability or consequences of email on February 3, 2015, concerning
Description of Proposed Action radiological accidents, result in any this request. The State official replied
The proposed action would exempt changes to the types of effluents that via email on February 5, 2015, stating
ZS, a 10 CFR part 50 licensee, from may be released offsite, and result in that they had no questions or concerns
certain 10 CFR 50.47, and 10 CFR part any significant increase in occupational and they did not object to the action
50, appendix E, EP requirements or public radiation exposure. Therefore, (ADAMS Accession No. ML15168A221).
because ZNPS is a permanently shut- there are no significant radiological
down nuclear facility with all spent fuel environmental impacts associated with III. Finding of No Significant Impact
stored in an independent spent fuel the proposed action. The NRC staff has prepared this EA as
storage installation (ISFSI). With regard to potential non- part of its review of the proposed action.
The proposed action is in accordance radiological impacts, the proposed On the basis of this EA, the NRC finds
with the licensee’s application dated action does not involve any that there are no significant
May 27, 2014, (ADAMS Accession No. construction activities, renovation of environmental impacts from the
ML14148A295). buildings or structures, ground proposed action, and that preparation of
disturbing activities or other alteration an environmental impact statement is
Need for Proposed Action
to land. The proposed action will not not warranted. Accordingly, the NRC
The ZNPS was shut down on change the site activities and therefore has determined that a Finding of No
February 21, 1997, and is currently in a will not result in any changes to the Significant Impact (FONSI) is
permanently shut-down and defueled workforce or vehicular traffic. appropriate. In accordance with 10 CFR
condition. In a letter dated May 4, 1998, Furthermore, the proposed action is not 51.32(a)(4), this FONSI incorporates the
the NRC acknowledged that pursuant to a type of activity that has the potential EA set forth in this notice by reference.
10 CFR 50.82(a)(2), the 10 CFR part 50 to cause effects on historic properties or Dated at Rockville, Maryland, this 8th day
licenses for the ZNPS, Units 1 and 2 no cultural resources, including traditional of July 2015.
longer authorize operation of the cultural properties. In addition the For the Nuclear Regulatory Commission.
reactors, or emplacement or retention of proposed action will not result in any
fuel in the reactor vessels. Active change to non-radiological plant Larry W. Camper,
decommissioning is currently effluents and thus, will have no impact Director, Division of Decommissioning,
underway. As of January 12, 2015, all of on either air or water quality. As the Uranium Recovery, and Waste Programs,
the spent fuel at the ZNPS had been Office of Nuclear Material Safety and
proposed action is wholly procedural Safeguards.
transferred to the Zion ISFSI. and administrative in nature, the NRC
The licensee claims that the proposed [FR Doc. 2015–17436 Filed 7–15–15; 8:45 am]
staff has determined that the proposed
action is needed because the EP action will have no effect on listed BILLING CODE 7590–01–P
regulations impose requirements on the species or critical habitat. Therefore,
ZNPS that are not necessary to meet the there are no significant non-radiological
underlying purpose of the regulations in NUCLEAR REGULATORY
environmental impacts associated with
view of the greatly reduced offsite COMMISSION
the proposed action.
radiological consequences associated Accordingly, the NRC staff concludes [Docket Nos. 50–295 and 50–304; NRC–
with the current plant status as that there are no significant 2015–0082]
permanently shut down and with the environmental impacts associated with
removal of all spent fuel from the Spent the proposed action. Zion Solutions, LLC, Zion Nuclear
Fuel Pool and transfer to dry cask Power Station, Units 1 and 2, License
storage at the ISFSI. Additionally, the Environmental Impacts of the Termination Plan
Alternatives to the Proposed Action
tkelley on DSK3SPTVN1PROD with NOTICES
license was amended on January 14, AGENCY: Nuclear Regulatory
2015, (ADAMS Accession No. As an alternative to the proposed Commission.
ML14295A716) to remove from the action, the NRC staff considered denial ACTION: Request for comment; reopening
Technical Specifications functional, of the proposed action (i.e., the ‘‘no- of comment period.
operational and staffing requirements action’’ alternative). Denial of the
associated with the storage of spent fuel exemption request would result in no SUMMARY: On April 6, 2015, the U.S.
in the spent fuel pool. change in current environmental Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC)
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Document Created: 2015-12-15 13:13:22
Document Modified: 2015-12-15 13:13:22
| 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 July 16, 2015. | |
| Contact | John Hickman, Office of Nuclear Material Safety and Safeguards, U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission, Washington, DC 20555-00001; telephone: 301-415-3017; email: [email protected] | |
| FR Citation | 80 FR 42129 |
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