80_FR_75239 80 FR 75009 - Uninterruptible Monitoring of Coolant and Fuel in Reactors and Spent Fuel Pools

80 FR 75009 - Uninterruptible Monitoring of Coolant and Fuel in Reactors and Spent Fuel Pools

NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION

Federal Register Volume 80, Issue 230 (December 1, 2015)

Page Range75009-75010
FR Document2015-30355

The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) has received a petition for rulemaking (PRM) requesting that the NRC amend its ``Domestic licensing of production and utilization facilities'' regulations to require ``installation of ex-vessel instrumentation for uninterruptible monitoring of coolant and fuel in reactors and spent- fuel pools.'' The petition, dated September 10, 2015, was submitted by Dr. Alexander DeVolpi (the petitioner). The petition was docketed by the NRC on September 21, 2015, and was assigned Docket Number PRM-50- 113. The NRC is examining the issues raised in this petition to determine whether they should be considered in rulemaking. The NRC is not requesting public comment on PRM-50-113 at this time.

Federal Register, Volume 80 Issue 230 (Tuesday, December 1, 2015) 
[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 230 (Tuesday, December 1, 2015)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 75009-75010]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2015-30355]


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Proposed Rules
                                                Federal Register
________________________________________________________________________

This section of the FEDERAL REGISTER contains notices to the public of 
the proposed issuance of rules and regulations. The purpose of these 
notices is to give interested persons an opportunity to participate in 
the rule making prior to the adoption of the final rules.

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Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 230 / Tuesday, December 1, 2015 / 
Proposed Rules

[[Page 75009]]



NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION

10 CFR Part 50

[Docket No. PRM-50-113; NRC-2015-0230]


Uninterruptible Monitoring of Coolant and Fuel in Reactors and 
Spent Fuel Pools

AGENCY: Nuclear Regulatory Commission.

ACTION: Petition for rulemaking; notice of docketing.

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SUMMARY: The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) has received a 
petition for rulemaking (PRM) requesting that the NRC amend its 
``Domestic licensing of production and utilization facilities'' 
regulations to require ``installation of ex-vessel instrumentation for 
uninterruptible monitoring of coolant and fuel in reactors and spent-
fuel pools.'' The petition, dated September 10, 2015, was submitted by 
Dr. Alexander DeVolpi (the petitioner). The petition was docketed by 
the NRC on September 21, 2015, and was assigned Docket Number PRM-50-
113. The NRC is examining the issues raised in this petition to 
determine whether they should be considered in rulemaking. The NRC is 
not requesting public comment on PRM-50-113 at this time.

DATES: The PRM is available on December 1, 2015.

ADDRESSES: Please refer to Docket ID NRC-2015-0230 when contacting the 
NRC about the availability of information for this petition. You may 
obtain publicly-available information related to this petition by any 
of the following methods:
     Federal Rulemaking Web site: Go to http://www.regulations.gov and search for Docket ID NRC-2015-0230. 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: For technical questions contact 
Jennifer Tobin, Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation, telephone: 301-
415-2328, email: [email protected]. For questions related to the 
petition for rulemaking process contact Anthony de Jes[uacute]s, Office 
of Administration, telephone: 301-415-1106, email: 
[email protected]. Both are staff of the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory 
Commission, Washington, DC 20555-0001.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. The Petitioner

    The petitioner, Dr. Alexander DeVolpi, states that he ``has had a 
substantial technical career starting in the late 1950s in reactor 
safety and engineering, having worked for and been funded by U.S. 
nuclear development and regulatory agencies.'' The petitioner notes 
that he has carried out relevant research and development and published 
supportive technical papers and filed patent applications.

II. The Petition

    The petitioner requests that the NRC amend part 50 of title 10 of 
the Code of Federal Regulations (10 CFR), ``Domestic licensing of 
production and utilization facilities,'' to require ``installation of 
ex-vessel instrumentation for uninterruptible monitoring of coolant and 
fuel in reactors and spent-fuel pools.'' The petition is available in 
ADAMS under Package Accession No. ML15264A857.

III. Discussion of the Petition

    The petitioner requests that the NRC amend its regulations in 10 
CFR part 50 to require ``installation of ex-vessel instrumentation for 
uninterruptible monitoring of coolant and fuel in reactors and spent-
fuel pools.'' The petitioner cites a 2014 National Research Council 
report titled, ``Lessons Learned from the Fukushima Nuclear Accident 
for Improving Safety of U.S. Nuclear Plants,'' that gave high priority 
to recommendation 5.1A, which stated that greater ``[a]ttention to 
availability, reliability, redundancy, and diversity of plant systems 
and equipment is specifically needed for . . . Instrumentation for 
monitoring critical thermodynamic parameters in reactors, containments, 
and spent fuel pools.'' \1\ In addition, the petitioner cites to 
section 5.1.1.4 of the report, ``Instrumentation for Monitoring 
Critical Thermodynamic Parameters,'' which states that ``robust and 
diverse monitoring instrumentation that can withstand severe accident 
conditions is essential for diagnosing problems, selecting and 
implementing accident mitigation strategies, and monitoring their 
effectiveness.''
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    \1\ The report can be accessed at http://www.nap.edu/catalog/18294/lessons-learned-from-the-fukushima-nuclear-accident-for-improving-safety-of-us-nuclear-plants.
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    The petitioner claims that requiring the ``installation of ex-
vessel instrumentation for uninterruptible monitoring of coolant and 
fuel in reactors and spent-fuel pools'' might prevent or mitigate 
potential accidents at reactors and spent fuel pools. The petitioner 
asserts that the Three Mile Island accident ``might have been prevented 
if realtime uninterruptible ex-vessel reactor water-level monitoring 
had been in place.'' Furthermore, the petitioner notes that one or both 
of the Fukushima meltdowns ``might have been delayed or averted if 
uninterruptible ex-vessel real-time reactor water-level monitoring had 
been in place and operating on self-contained low-current battery 
supplies.'' The petitioner states that ex-vessel instrumentation 
``would provide autonomous and redundant

[[Page 75010]]

measurements of reactor water level and density at all times, 
irrespective of power level.'' The petitioner asserts that amending the 
NRC's regulations to require ex-vessel instrumentation would be 
``[c]onsistent with a more anticipatory defense-in-depth strategy'' and 
would enhance strategies to mitigate beyond-design-basis accidents. In 
addition, the petitioner suggests that requiring ex-vessel 
instrumentation would ``reduce potential financial risk and public 
apprehension'' and that ex-vessel monitoring could ``supply routine 
operational nuclear-process information that might enhance fuel-
consumption efficiency.'' Finally, the petitioner notes that ex-vessel 
instrumentation could be ``designed to be functional and capable of 
providing data on fuel relocation'' after a reactor shutdown and could 
``monitor post-accident reactor fuel reconcentration over a period of 
many years.''

VI. Conclusion

    The NRC has determined that the petition meets the threshold 
sufficiency requirements for docketing a petition for rulemaking under 
10 CFR 2.802, ``Petition for rulemaking,'' and the petition has been 
docketed as PRM-50-113. The NRC will examine the issues raised in PRM-
50-113 to determine whether they should be considered in the rulemaking 
process.

    Dated at Rockville, Maryland, this 23rd day of November, 2015.

    For the Nuclear Regulatory Commission.
Annette L. Vietti-Cook,
Secretary of the Commission.
[FR Doc. 2015-30355 Filed 11-30-15; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 7590-01-P

75009 Proposed Rules Federal Register Vol. 80, No. 230 Tuesday, December 1, 2015 This section of the FEDERAL REGISTER INFORMATION CONTACT section of this monitoring of coolant and fuel in contains notices to the public of the proposed document. reactors and spent-fuel pools.’’ The issuance of rules and regulations. The • NRC’s Agencywide Documents petition is available in ADAMS under purpose of these notices is to give interested Access and Management System Package Accession No. ML15264A857. persons an opportunity to participate in the (ADAMS): You may obtain publicly- rule making prior to the adoption of the final III. Discussion of the Petition available documents online in the rules. The petitioner requests that the NRC ADAMS Public Documents collection at http://www.nrc.gov/reading-rm/ amend its regulations in 10 CFR part 50 adams.html. To begin the search, select to require ‘‘installation of ex-vessel NUCLEAR REGULATORY ‘‘ADAMS Public Documents’’ and then instrumentation for uninterruptible COMMISSION select ‘‘Begin Web-based ADAMS monitoring of coolant and fuel in 10 CFR Part 50 Search.’’ For problems with ADAMS, reactors and spent-fuel pools.’’ The please contact the NRC’s Public petitioner cites a 2014 National Document Room (PDR) reference staff at Research Council report titled, ‘‘Lessons [Docket No. PRM–50–113; NRC–2015–0230] 1–800–397–4209, 301–415–4737, or by Learned from the Fukushima Nuclear Uninterruptible Monitoring of Coolant email to pdr.resource@nrc.gov. The Accident for Improving Safety of U.S. and Fuel in Reactors and Spent Fuel ADAMS accession number for each Nuclear Plants,’’ that gave high priority Pools document referenced in this document to recommendation 5.1A, which stated (if that document is available in that greater ‘‘[a]ttention to availability, AGENCY: Nuclear Regulatory ADAMS) is provided the first time that reliability, redundancy, and diversity of Commission. a document is referenced. plant systems and equipment is ACTION: Petition for rulemaking; notice • NRC’s PDR: You may examine and specifically needed for . . . of docketing. purchase copies of public documents at Instrumentation for monitoring critical the NRC’s PDR, Room O1–F21, One thermodynamic parameters in reactors, SUMMARY: The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory White Flint North, 11555 Rockville containments, and spent fuel pools.’’ 1 Commission (NRC) has received a Pike, Rockville, Maryland 20852. In addition, the petitioner cites to petition for rulemaking (PRM) FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For section 5.1.1.4 of the report, requesting that the NRC amend its technical questions contact Jennifer ‘‘Instrumentation for Monitoring Critical ‘‘Domestic licensing of production and Tobin, Office of Nuclear Reactor Thermodynamic Parameters,’’ which utilization facilities’’ regulations to Regulation, telephone: 301–415–2328, states that ‘‘robust and diverse require ‘‘installation of ex-vessel email: Jennifer.Tobin@nrc.gov. For monitoring instrumentation that can instrumentation for uninterruptible questions related to the petition for withstand severe accident conditions is monitoring of coolant and fuel in rulemaking process contact Anthony de essential for diagnosing problems, reactors and spent-fuel pools.’’ The Jesús, Office of Administration, selecting and implementing accident petition, dated September 10, 2015, was telephone: 301–415–1106, email: mitigation strategies, and monitoring submitted by Dr. Alexander DeVolpi Anthony.deJesus@nrc.gov. Both are staff their effectiveness.’’ (the petitioner). The petition was of the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory The petitioner claims that requiring docketed by the NRC on September 21, Commission, Washington, DC 20555– the ‘‘installation of ex-vessel 2015, and was assigned Docket Number 0001. instrumentation for uninterruptible PRM–50–113. The NRC is examining monitoring of coolant and fuel in the issues raised in this petition to SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: reactors and spent-fuel pools’’ might determine whether they should be I. The Petitioner prevent or mitigate potential accidents considered in rulemaking. The NRC is at reactors and spent fuel pools. The not requesting public comment on The petitioner, Dr. Alexander petitioner asserts that the Three Mile PRM–50–113 at this time. DeVolpi, states that he ‘‘has had a Island accident ‘‘might have been substantial technical career starting in DATES: The PRM is available on prevented if realtime uninterruptible ex- the late 1950s in reactor safety and December 1, 2015. vessel reactor water-level monitoring engineering, having worked for and ADDRESSES: Please refer to Docket ID had been in place.’’ Furthermore, the been funded by U.S. nuclear NRC–2015–0230 when contacting the petitioner notes that one or both of the development and regulatory agencies.’’ NRC about the availability of Fukushima meltdowns ‘‘might have The petitioner notes that he has carried information for this petition. You may been delayed or averted if out relevant research and development obtain publicly-available information uninterruptible ex-vessel real-time and published supportive technical related to this petition by any of the reactor water-level monitoring had been papers and filed patent applications. following methods: in place and operating on self-contained • Federal Rulemaking Web site: Go to II. The Petition low-current battery supplies.’’ The tkelley on DSK3SPTVN1PROD with PROPOSALS http://www.regulations.gov and search The petitioner requests that the NRC petitioner states that ex-vessel for Docket ID NRC–2015–0230. Address amend part 50 of title 10 of the Code of instrumentation ‘‘would provide questions about NRC dockets to Carol Federal Regulations (10 CFR), autonomous and redundant Gallagher; telephone: 301–415–3463; ‘‘Domestic licensing of production and 1 The report can be accessed at http:// email: Carol.Gallagher@nrc.gov. For utilization facilities,’’ to require www.nap.edu/catalog/18294/lessons-learned-from- technical questions, contact the ‘‘installation of ex-vessel the-fukushima-nuclear-accident-for-improving- individual listed in the FOR FURTHER instrumentation for uninterruptible safety-of-us-nuclear-plants. VerDate Sep<11>2014 19:04 Nov 30, 2015 Jkt 238001 PO 00000 Frm 00001 Fmt 4702 Sfmt 4702 E:\FR\FM\01DEP1.SGM 01DEP1

75010 Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 230 / Tuesday, December 1, 2015 / Proposed Rules measurements of reactor water level and organizations and certain smaller, less Analyst, (202) 452–2543, Risk Policy, density at all times, irrespective of complex banking organizations. The Division of Banking Supervision and power level.’’ The petitioner asserts that proposed rule would apply to all Regulation; Dafina Stewart, Counsel, amending the NRC’s regulations to depository institution holding (202) 452–3876, or Adam Cohen, require ex-vessel instrumentation would companies and covered nonbank Counsel, (202) 912–4658, Legal be ‘‘[c]onsistent with a more companies that are required to calculate Division, Board of Governors of the anticipatory defense-in-depth strategy’’ the LCR (covered companies). A covered Federal Reserve System, 20th and C and would enhance strategies to company would be required to publicly Streets NW., Washington, DC 20551. For mitigate beyond-design-basis accidents. disclose on a quarterly basis the hearing impaired only, In addition, the petitioner suggests that quantitative information about its LCR Telecommunication Device for the Deaf requiring ex-vessel instrumentation calculation, as well as a discussion of (TDD), (202) 263–4869. would ‘‘reduce potential financial risk certain features of its LCR results. The SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: and public apprehension’’ and that ex- proposed rule also would amend the vessel monitoring could ‘‘supply routine LCR Rule to provide a full year for Table of Contents operational nuclear-process information certain companies to come into I. Overview of Proposed Rule that might enhance fuel-consumption compliance. A. LCR Rule efficiency.’’ Finally, the petitioner notes DATES: Comments on this notice of B. Proposed LCR Disclosure Requirements that ex-vessel instrumentation could be proposed rulemaking must be received II. Quantitative Disclosure Requirements ‘‘designed to be functional and capable by February 2, 2016. A. Disclosure of Eligible HQLA of providing data on fuel relocation’’ B. Disclosure of Cash Outflows ADDRESSES: When submitting after a reactor shutdown and could C. Disclosure of Cash Inflows comments, please consider submitting D. Disclosure of HQLA Amount, Total Net ‘‘monitor post-accident reactor fuel your comments by email or fax because Cash Outflow Amount, Maturity reconcentration over a period of many paper mail in the Washington, DC area Mismatch Add-on, and Liquidity years.’’ and at the Board may be subject to Coverage Ratio VI. Conclusion delay. You may submit comments, III. Qualitative Disclosure Requirements The NRC has determined that the identified by Docket No. R–1525, RIN IV. Frequency of Disclosure petition meets the threshold sufficiency 7100 AE 39, by any of the following V. Transition and Timing methods: VI. Amendment to the Modified LCR requirements for docketing a petition for rulemaking under 10 CFR 2.802, • Agency Web site: http:// VII. Plain Language www.federalreserve.gov. Follow the VIII. Regulatory Flexibility Act ‘‘Petition for rulemaking,’’ and the IX. Paperwork Reduction Act petition has been docketed as PRM–50– instructions for submitting comments at 113. The NRC will examine the issues http://www.federalreserve.gov/ I. Overview of Proposed Rule raised in PRM–50–113 to determine generalinfo/foia/ProposedRegs.cfm. • Federal eRulemaking Portal: http:// A. LCR Rule whether they should be considered in www.regulations.gov. Follow the the rulemaking process. On September 3, 2014, the Board of instructions for submitting comments. Dated at Rockville, Maryland, this 23rd day • Email: regs.comments@ Governors of the Federal Reserve of November, 2015. federalreserve.gov. Include docket System (Board), the Office of the For the Nuclear Regulatory Commission. number in the subject line of the Comptroller of the Currency, and the Annette L. Vietti-Cook, message. Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation Secretary of the Commission. • Fax: (202) 452–3819 or (202) 452– (collectively, the agencies) adopted a 3102. final rule (LCR Rule) to implement a [FR Doc. 2015–30355 Filed 11–30–15; 8:45 am] • Mail: Robert de V. Frierson, quantitative liquidity requirement, the BILLING CODE 7590–01–P Secretary, Board of Governors of the liquidity coverage ratio 1 (LCR), for Federal Reserve System, 20th Street and certain companies. The LCR is designed Constitution Avenue NW., Washington, to promote the short-term resilience of FEDERAL RESERVE SYSTEM the liquidity risk profile of large and DC 20551. All public comments are available internationally active banking 12 CFR Part 249 from the Board’s Web site at http:// organizations, thereby improving the [Regulation WW; Docket No. 1525] www.federalreserve.gov/generalinfo/ financial sector’s ability to absorb RIN 7100 AE–39 foia/ProposedRegs.cfm as submitted, shocks arising from financial and unless modified for technical reasons. economic stress, and to further improve Liquidity Coverage Ratio: Public Accordingly, your comments will not be the measurement and management of Disclosure Requirements; Extension of edited to remove any identifying or liquidity risk. The LCR Rule requires a Compliance Period for Certain contact information. Public comments company subject to the rule to maintain Companies To Meet the Liquidity may also be viewed electronically or in an amount of high-quality liquid assets Coverage Ratio Requirements paper form in Room 3515, 1801 K Street (HQLA) (the numerator of the ratio) 2 NW. (between 18th and 19th Street that is no less than 100 percent of its AGENCY: Board of Governors of the total net cash outflows over a Federal Reserve System (Board). NW.), Washington, DC 20006 between 9:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. on weekdays. ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking 1 79 FR 61440 (October 10, 2014). The LCR is tkelley on DSK3SPTVN1PROD with PROPOSALS with request for public comment. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: consistent with the liquidity coverage ratio standard Gwendolyn Collins, Assistant Director, established by the Basel Committee on Banking SUMMARY: The Board invites public (202) 912–4311, Peter Clifford, Manager, Supervision (Basel III Liquidity Framework). See comment on a proposed rule that would (202) 785–6057, Adam S. Trost, Senior Basel Committee on Banking Supervision, ‘‘Basel implement public disclosure Supervisory Financial Analyst, (202) III: The Liquidity Coverage Ratio and liquidity risk monitoring tools’’ (January 2013), available at requirements regarding the liquidity 452–3814, J. Kevin Littler, Senior http://www.bis.org/publ/bcbs238.htm. coverage ratio (LCR) of large, Supervisory Financial Analyst, (202) 2 A company’s HQLA amount is calculated internationally active banking 475–6677, SoRelle Peat, Financial according to 12 CFR 249.21. VerDate Sep<11>2014 19:04 Nov 30, 2015 Jkt 238001 PO 00000 Frm 00002 Fmt 4702 Sfmt 4702 E:\FR\FM\01DEP1.SGM 01DEP1


Document Created: 2018-03-02 09:11:12
Document Modified: 2018-03-02 09:11:12
CategoryRegulatory Information
CollectionFederal Register
sudoc ClassAE 2.7:
GS 4.107:
AE 2.106:
PublisherOffice of the Federal Register, National Archives and Records Administration
SectionProposed Rules
ActionPetition for rulemaking; notice of docketing.
DatesThe PRM is available on December 1, 2015.
ContactFor technical questions contact Jennifer Tobin, Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation, telephone: 301- 415-2328, email: [email protected] For questions related to the petition for rulemaking process contact Anthony de Jes[uacute]s, Office of Administration, telephone: 301-415-1106, email: [email protected] Both are staff of the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission, Washington, DC 20555-0001.
FR Citation80 FR 75009 
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