81_FR_11644 81 FR 11601 - Duke Energy Progress; Combined License Applications for Shearon Harris Nuclear Plant Units 2 and 3

81 FR 11601 - Duke Energy Progress; Combined License Applications for Shearon Harris Nuclear Plant Units 2 and 3

NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION

Federal Register Volume 81, Issue 43 (March 4, 2016)

Page Range11601-11603
FR Document2016-04850

The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) is issuing an exemption in response to an August 12, 2015, letter from Duke Energy Progress (DEP). On May 2, 2013, DEP requested that the NRC suspend review of its combined license (COL) application until further notice. On August 12, 2015, DEP requested an exemption from certain regulatory requirements which, if granted, would allow them to revise their COL application in order to address enhancements to the Emergency Preparedness (EP) rules by December 31, 2016, rather than by December 31, 2013, as the regulations currently require. The NRC staff reviewed this request and determined that it is appropriate to grant the exemption to the EP update requirements until December 31, 2016, but stipulated that the updates to the Final Safety Analysis Report (FSAR) must be submitted prior to requesting the NRC resume its review of the COL application, or by December 31, 2016, whichever comes first.

Federal Register, Volume 81 Issue 43 (Friday, March 4, 2016)
[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 43 (Friday, March 4, 2016)]
[Notices]
[Pages 11601-11603]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2016-04850]


-----------------------------------------------------------------------

NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION

[Docket Nos. 52-022 and 52-023; NRC-2013-0261]


Duke Energy Progress; Combined License Applications for Shearon 
Harris Nuclear Plant Units 2 and 3

AGENCY: Nuclear Regulatory Commission.

ACTION: Exemption; issuance.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) is issuing an 
exemption in response to an August 12, 2015, letter from Duke Energy 
Progress (DEP). On May 2, 2013, DEP requested that the NRC suspend 
review of its combined license (COL) application until further notice. 
On August 12, 2015, DEP requested an exemption from certain regulatory 
requirements which, if granted, would allow them to revise their COL 
application in order to address enhancements to the Emergency 
Preparedness (EP) rules by December 31, 2016, rather than by December 
31, 2013, as the regulations currently require. The NRC staff reviewed 
this request and determined that it is appropriate to grant the 
exemption to the EP update requirements until December 31, 2016, but 
stipulated that the updates to the Final Safety Analysis Report (FSAR) 
must be submitted prior to requesting the NRC resume its review of the 
COL application, or by December 31, 2016, whichever comes first.

DATES: The exemption is effective on March 4, 2016.

ADDRESSES: Please refer to Docket ID NRC-2013-0261 when contacting the 
NRC about the availability of information regarding this document. You 
may obtain publicly-available information related to this document 
using any of the following methods:
     Federal Rulemaking Web site: Go to http://www.regulations.gov and search for Docket ID NRC-2013-0261. Address 
questions about NRC dockets to Carol Gallagher; telephone: 301-415-
3463; email: [email protected]. For technical questions, contact 
the individuals 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 it 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: Brian Hughes, Office of New Reactors, 
U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission, Washington, DC 20555-0001; 
telephone: 301-415-6582; email: [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Background

    On February 18, 2008, (ADAMS Accession No. ML080580078) DEP 
submitted to the NRC a COL application for two units of Westinghouse 
Electric Company's AP1000 advanced pressurized water reactors to be 
constructed and operated at the existing Shearon Harris Nuclear Plant 
(Harris) site (Docket Numbers 052000-22 and 052000-23). The NRC 
docketed the Harris Units 2 and 3 COL application on April 23, 2008. On 
May 2, 2013 (ADAMS Accession No. ML13123A344),

[[Page 11602]]

DEP requested that the NRC suspend review of the Harris Units 2 and 3 
COL application. The NRC granted DEP's request for suspension and all 
review activities related to the Harris Units 2 and 3 COL application 
were suspended while the application remained docketed. On July 29, 
2013 (ADAMS Accession No. ML13212A361), DEP requested an exemption from 
the requirements in part 50, appendix E, section I.5 of title 10 of the 
Code of Federal Regulations (10 CFR), as referenced by 10 CFR 
52.79(a)(21), to submit an update to the COL application, addressing 
the enhancements to the EP rules by December 31, 2013, which the NRC 
granted through December 31, 2014. On August 1, 2014 (ADAMS Accession 
No. ML14216A432), DEP requested another exemption from the requirements 
of 10 CFR part 50, appendix E, section I.5, as referenced by 10 CFR 
52.79(a)(21), to submit an update to the COL application, addressing 
the enhancements to the EP rules by December 31, 2014, which the NRC 
granted through December 31, 2015. On August 12, 2015 (ADAMS Accession 
No. ML15226A352), DEP requested another exemption from the requirements 
of 10 CFR part 50, appendix E, section I.5, as referenced by 10 CFR 
52.79(a)(21), to submit an update to the COL application, addressing 
the enhancements to the EP rules by December 31, 2016

II. Request/Action

    Part 50, appendix E, section 1.5, requires that an applicant for a 
COL under Subpart C of 10 CFR part 52 whose application was docketed 
prior to December 23, 2011, must revise their COL application to comply 
with the EP rules published in the Federal Register (76 FR 72560) on 
November 23, 2011. An applicant that does not receive a COL before 
December 31, 2013, shall revise its COL application to comply with 
these changes no later than December 31, 2013.
    Since DEP will not hold a COL prior to December 31, 2013, it is 
therefore required to revise its application to be compliant with the 
new EP rules. Similar to an earlier exemption request it submitted, as 
described above, by letter dated August 12, 2015, (ADAMS Accession No. 
ML15226A352), DEP requested another exemption from the requirements of 
10 CFR part 50, appendix E, section I.5, to submit the required COL 
application revision to comply with the new EP rules. The requested 
exemption would allow DEP to revise its COL application, and comply 
with the new EP rules on or before December 31, 2016, rather than the 
initial December 31, 2013, date required by 10 CFR part 50, appendix E, 
section I.5. The current requirement to comply with the new EP rule 
could not be changed, absent the exemption.

III. Discussion

    Pursuant to 10 CFR 50.12(a), the Commission may, upon application 
by any interested person or upon its own initiative, grant exemptions 
from the requirements of 10 CFR part 50, including 10 CFR part 50, 
appendix E, section I.5, when: (1) The exemption(s) are authorized by 
law, will not present an undue risk to public health or safety, and are 
consistent with the common defense and security; and (2) special 
circumstances are present. As relevant to the requested exemption, 
special circumstances exist if: ``Application of the regulation in the 
particular circumstances would not serve the underlying purpose of the 
rule or is not necessary to achieve the underlying purpose of the 
rule'' (10 CFR 50.12(a)(2)(ii)).

Authorized by Law

    The exemption is a one-time schedule exemption from the 
requirements of 10 CFR part 50, appendix E, section I.5. The exemption 
would allow DEP to revise its COL application, and comply with the new 
EP rules on or before December 31, 2016, in lieu of the initial 
December 31, 2013, the date required by 10 CFR part 50, appendix E, 
section I.5. As stated above, 10 CFR 50.12 allows the NRC to grant 
exemptions from the requirements of 10 CFR part 50 . The NRC staff has 
determined that granting DEP the requested one-time exemption from the 
requirements of 10 CFR part 50, appendix E, section I.5 will not result 
in a violation of the Atomic Energy Act of 1954, as amended, or NRC 
regulations. Therefore, the exemption is authorized by law.

No Undue Risk to Public Health and Safety

    The underlying purpose of the enhancements to EP found in 10 CFR 
part 50, appendix E, is to amend certain EP requirements to enhance 
protective measures in the event of a radiological emergency; address, 
in part, enhancements identified after the terrorist events of 
September 11, 2001; clarify regulations to effect consistent Emergency 
Plan implementation among licensees; and modify certain requirements to 
be more effective and efficient. Since plant construction cannot 
proceed until the NRC review of the application is completed, a 
mandatory hearing is completed and a license is issued, the exemption 
does not increase the probability of postulated accidents. 
Additionally, based on the nature of the requested exemption as 
described above, no new accident precursors are created by the 
exemption; thus neither the probability, nor the consequences of 
postulated accidents are increased. Therefore, there is no undue risk 
to public health and safety.

Consistent With Common Defense and Security

    The requested exemption would allow DEP to submit the revised COL 
application prior to requesting the NRC to resume the review and, in 
any event, on or before December 31, 2016. This schedule change has no 
relation to security issues. Therefore, the common defense and security 
is not impacted.

Special Circumstances

    Special Circumstances, in accordance with 10 CFR 50.12(a)(2(ii) are 
present whenever:
    (1) Application of the regulation in the particular circumstances 
would not serve the underlying purpose of the rule or is not necessary 
to achieve the underlying purpose of the rule (10 CFR 50.12(a)(ii); or 
(2) The exemption would only provide temporary relief from the 
applicable regulation or the applicant has made good faith efforts to 
comply with the regulation (10 CFR 50.12(a)(2)(v)).
    The purpose of 10 CFR part 50, appendix E, section I.5 is to ensure 
that applicants and new COL holders updated their COL applications or 
COLs to allow the NRC to review them efficiently and effectively, and 
to bring the applicants or licensees into compliance prior to receiving 
a license, or, for licensees, prior to operating the plant. The targets 
of Section I.5 of the rule were those applications that were being 
actively reviewed by the NRC staff when the rule went into effect on 
November 23, 2011. Since the Harris Units 2 and 3 COL application is 
now suspended compelling DEP to revise its COL application in order to 
meet the compliance deadline would result in unnecessary burden and 
hardship for the applicant to meet the compliance date. If the NRC were 
to grant this exemption, and DEP were then required to update its 
application to comply with the EP rule enhancements by December 31, 
2016, or prior to any request to restart their review, the purpose of 
the rule would still be achieved. For this reason, the application of 
10 CFR part 50, appendix E, section I.5, for the suspended Harris 2 and 
3 COL application is deemed unnecessary and,

[[Page 11603]]

therefore, special circumstances are present.

Eligibility for Categorical Exclusion From Environmental Review

    With respect to the exemption's impact on the quality of the human 
environment, the NRC has determined that this specific exemption 
request is eligible for categorical exclusion as identified in 10 CFR 
51.22(c)(25) and justified by the NRC staff as follows:
    (c) The following categories of actions are categorical exclusions 
provided that:
    (i) There is no significant hazards consideration;
    The criteria for determining whether there is no significant 
hazards consideration are found in 10 CFR 50.92. The proposed action 
involves only a schedule change regarding the submission of an update 
to the application for which the licensing review has been suspended. 
Therefore, there are no significant hazards considerations because 
granting the proposed exemption would not:
    (1) Involve a significant increase in the probability or 
consequences of an accident previously evaluated; or
    (2) Create the possibility of a new or different kind of accident 
from any accident previously evaluated; or
    (3) Involve a significant reduction in a margin of safety.
    (ii) There is no significant change in the types or significant 
increase in the amounts of any effluents that may be released offsite;
    The proposed action involves only a schedule change which is 
administrative in nature, and does not involve any changes to be made 
in the types or significant increase in the amounts of effluents that 
may be released offsite.
    (iii) There is no significant increase in individual or cumulative 
public or occupational radiation exposure;
    Since the proposed action involves only a schedule change which is 
administrative in nature, it does not contribute to any significant 
increase in occupational or public radiation exposure.
    (iv) There is no significant construction impact;
    The proposed action involves only a schedule change which is 
administrative in nature; the application review is suspended until 
further notice, and there is no consideration of any construction at 
this time, and hence the proposed action does not involve any 
construction impact.
    (v) There is no significant increase in the potential for or 
consequences from radiological accidents; and
    The proposed action involves only a schedule change which is 
administrative in nature, and does not impact the probability or 
consequences of accidents.
    (vi) The requirements from which an exemption is sought involve:
    (B) Reporting requirements;
    The exemption request involves submitting an updated COL 
application by DEP and
    (G) Scheduling requirements;
    The proposed exemption relates to the schedule for submitting a COL 
application update to the NRC.

IV. Conclusion

    Accordingly, the Commission has determined that, pursuant to 10 CFR 
50.12(a), the exemption is authorized by law, will not present an undue 
risk to the public health and safety, and is consistent with the common 
defense and security. Also special circumstances are present. 
Therefore, the Commission hereby grants DEP a one-time exemption from 
the requirements of 10 CFR part 50 Appendix E, Section I.5 pertaining 
to the Harris Units 2 and 3 COL application to allow submittal of the 
revised COL application that complies with the enhancements to the EP 
rules prior to any request to the NRC to resume the review, and in any 
event, no later than December 31, 2016.
    Pursuant to 10 CFR 51.22, the Commission has determined that the 
exemption request meets the applicable categorical exclusion criteria 
set forth in 10 CFR 51.22(c)(25), and the granting of this exemption 
will not have a significant effect on the quality of the human 
environment.
    This exemption is effective upon issuance.

    Dated at Rockville, Maryland, this 26th day of February 2016.

    For the Nuclear Regulatory Commission.
Francis M. Akstulewicz,
Director, Division of New Reactor Licensing, Office of New Reactors.
[FR Doc. 2016-04850 Filed 3-3-16; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 7590-01-P



                                                                                           Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 43 / Friday, March 4, 2016 / Notices                                                                              11601

                                                  inimical to the common defense and                                   documenting its final decision on the                                 in the construction permit package, as
                                                  security or to the health and safety of                              mandatory hearing held on December                                    well as the Commission’s hearing
                                                  the public. Finally, the NRC finds that                              15, 2015, which serves as the ROD in                                  decision and ROD, are available online
                                                  the findings required by Subpart A of 10                             this proceeding. The NRC also prepared                                in the ADAMS Public Documents
                                                  CFR part 51 have been made.                                          a document summarizing the ROD to                                     collection at http://www.nrc.gov/
                                                     Accordingly, the immediately                                      accompany its action on the                                           reading-rm/adams.html. From this site,
                                                  effective construction permit was issued                             construction permit application that                                  persons can access the NRC’s ADAMS,
                                                  on February 29, 2016.                                                incorporates by reference materials                                   which provides text and image files of
                                                  II. Further Information                                              contained in the FEIS. In accordance                                  NRC’s public documents.
                                                     The NRC prepared a Safety Evaluation                              with 10 CFR 2.390 of the NRC’s
                                                                                                                                                                                             III. Availability of Documents
                                                  Report (SER) and Final Environmental                                 ‘‘Agency Rules of Practice and
                                                  Impact Statement (FEIS) that document                                Procedure,’’ details with respect to this                               The documents identified in the
                                                  the information reviewed and the NRC’s                               action, including the SER, FEIS,                                      following table are available to
                                                  conclusion. The Commission also                                      summary of the ROD, and                                               interested persons through one or more
                                                  issued its Memorandum and Order                                      accompanying documentation included                                   of the following methods, as indicated.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          ADAMS
                                                                                                                                   Document                                                                                            Accession No.

                                                  Construction Permit No. CPMIF–001 ...............................................................................................................................................    ML16041A471
                                                  Commission’s Memorandum and Order on the mandatory hearing (ROD) ....................................................................................                                ML16056A094
                                                  Summary of the Record of Decision ................................................................................................................................................   ML16041A470
                                                  Safety Evaluation Report Related to the SHINE Medical Technologies, Inc. Construction Permit Application for a Medical Ra-                                                           ML15342A396
                                                    dioisotope Production Facility.
                                                  NUREG–2183, Final Environmental Impact Statement for the Construction Permit for the SHINE Medical Radioisotope Pro-                                                                 ML15288A046
                                                    duction Facility.
                                                  SHINE Construction Permit Application ...........................................................................................................................................    ML13088A192
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       ML15259A272
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       ML15258A431



                                                    Dated at Rockville, Maryland, this 29 day                          2013, as the regulations currently                                    select ‘‘Begin Web-based ADAMS
                                                  of February 2016.                                                    require. The NRC staff reviewed this                                  Search.’’ For problems with ADAMS,
                                                    For the Nuclear Regulatory Commission.                             request and determined that it is                                     please contact the NRC’s Public
                                                  Lawrence E. Kokajko,                                                 appropriate to grant the exemption to                                 Document Room (PDR) reference staff at
                                                  Director, Division of Policy and Rulemaking,                         the EP update requirements until                                      1–800–397–4209, 301–415–4737, or by
                                                  Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation.                                December 31, 2016, but stipulated that                                email to pdr.resource@nrc.gov. The
                                                  [FR Doc. 2016–04864 Filed 3–3–16; 8:45 am]                           the updates to the Final Safety Analysis                              ADAMS accession number for each
                                                  BILLING CODE 7590–01–P                                               Report (FSAR) must be submitted prior                                 document referenced (if it available in
                                                                                                                       to requesting the NRC resume its review                               ADAMS) is provided the first time that
                                                                                                                       of the COL application, or by December                                a document is referenced.
                                                  NUCLEAR REGULATORY                                                   31, 2016, whichever comes first.                                        • NRC’s PDR: You may examine and
                                                  COMMISSION                                                           DATES: The exemption is effective on                                  purchase copies of public documents at
                                                                                                                       March 4, 2016.                                                        the NRC’s PDR, Room O1–F21, One
                                                  [Docket Nos. 52–022 and 52–023; NRC–
                                                  2013–0261]                                                           ADDRESSES: Please refer to Docket ID                                  White Flint North, 11555 Rockville
                                                                                                                       NRC–2013–0261 when contacting the                                     Pike, Rockville, Maryland 20852.
                                                  Duke Energy Progress; Combined                                       NRC about the availability of                                         FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
                                                  License Applications for Shearon                                     information regarding this document.                                  Brian Hughes, Office of New Reactors,
                                                  Harris Nuclear Plant Units 2 and 3                                   You may obtain publicly-available                                     U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission,
                                                                                                                       information related to this document                                  Washington, DC 20555–0001; telephone:
                                                  AGENCY:  Nuclear Regulatory                                          using any of the following methods:                                   301–415–6582; email: Brian.Hughes@
                                                  Commission.                                                             • Federal Rulemaking Web site: Go to                               nrc.gov.
                                                  ACTION: Exemption; issuance.                                         http://www.regulations.gov and search
                                                                                                                       for Docket ID NRC–2013–0261. Address                                  SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
                                                  SUMMARY:   The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory                               questions about NRC dockets to Carol                                  I. Background
                                                  Commission (NRC) is issuing an                                       Gallagher; telephone: 301–415–3463;
                                                  exemption in response to an August 12,                               email: Carol.Gallagher@nrc.gov. For                                      On February 18, 2008, (ADAMS
                                                  2015, letter from Duke Energy Progress                               technical questions, contact the                                      Accession No. ML080580078) DEP
                                                  (DEP). On May 2, 2013, DEP requested                                 individuals listed in the FOR FURTHER                                 submitted to the NRC a COL application
                                                  that the NRC suspend review of its                                   INFORMATION CONTACT section of this                                   for two units of Westinghouse Electric
                                                  combined license (COL) application                                   document.                                                             Company’s AP1000 advanced
                                                  until further notice. On August 12,                                     • NRC’s Agencywide Documents                                       pressurized water reactors to be
jstallworth on DSK7TPTVN1PROD with NOTICES




                                                  2015, DEP requested an exemption from                                Access and Management System                                          constructed and operated at the existing
                                                  certain regulatory requirements which,                               (ADAMS): You may obtain publicly-                                     Shearon Harris Nuclear Plant (Harris)
                                                  if granted, would allow them to revise                               available documents online in the                                     site (Docket Numbers 052000–22 and
                                                  their COL application in order to                                    ADAMS Public Documents collection at                                  052000–23). The NRC docketed the
                                                  address enhancements to the Emergency                                http://www.nrc.gov/reading-rm/                                        Harris Units 2 and 3 COL application on
                                                  Preparedness (EP) rules by December                                  adams.html. To begin the search, select                               April 23, 2008. On May 2, 2013
                                                  31, 2016, rather than by December 31,                                ‘‘ADAMS Public Documents’’ and then                                   (ADAMS Accession No. ML13123A344),


                                             VerDate Sep<11>2014       15:22 Mar 03, 2016       Jkt 238001     PO 00000       Frm 00094      Fmt 4703     Sfmt 4703      E:\FR\FM\04MRN1.SGM            04MRN1


                                                  11602                           Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 43 / Friday, March 4, 2016 / Notices

                                                  DEP requested that the NRC suspend                      before December 31, 2016, rather than                 license is issued, the exemption does
                                                  review of the Harris Units 2 and 3 COL                  the initial December 31, 2013, date                   not increase the probability of
                                                  application. The NRC granted DEP’s                      required by 10 CFR part 50, appendix E,               postulated accidents. Additionally,
                                                  request for suspension and all review                   section I.5. The current requirement to               based on the nature of the requested
                                                  activities related to the Harris Units 2                comply with the new EP rule could not                 exemption as described above, no new
                                                  and 3 COL application were suspended                    be changed, absent the exemption.                     accident precursors are created by the
                                                  while the application remained                                                                                exemption; thus neither the probability,
                                                                                                          III. Discussion
                                                  docketed. On July 29, 2013 (ADAMS                                                                             nor the consequences of postulated
                                                  Accession No. ML13212A361), DEP                            Pursuant to 10 CFR 50.12(a), the                   accidents are increased. Therefore, there
                                                  requested an exemption from the                         Commission may, upon application by                   is no undue risk to public health and
                                                  requirements in part 50, appendix E,                    any interested person or upon its own                 safety.
                                                  section I.5 of title 10 of the Code of                  initiative, grant exemptions from the
                                                                                                          requirements of 10 CFR part 50,                       Consistent With Common Defense and
                                                  Federal Regulations (10 CFR), as
                                                                                                          including 10 CFR part 50, appendix E,                 Security
                                                  referenced by 10 CFR 52.79(a)(21), to
                                                  submit an update to the COL                             section I.5, when: (1) The exemption(s)                  The requested exemption would
                                                  application, addressing the                             are authorized by law, will not present               allow DEP to submit the revised COL
                                                  enhancements to the EP rules by                         an undue risk to public health or safety,             application prior to requesting the NRC
                                                  December 31, 2013, which the NRC                        and are consistent with the common                    to resume the review and, in any event,
                                                  granted through December 31, 2014. On                   defense and security; and (2) special                 on or before December 31, 2016. This
                                                  August 1, 2014 (ADAMS Accession No.                     circumstances are present. As relevant                schedule change has no relation to
                                                  ML14216A432), DEP requested another                     to the requested exemption, special                   security issues. Therefore, the common
                                                  exemption from the requirements of 10                   circumstances exist if: ‘‘Application of              defense and security is not impacted.
                                                  CFR part 50, appendix E, section I.5, as                the regulation in the particular
                                                                                                                                                                Special Circumstances
                                                  referenced by 10 CFR 52.79(a)(21), to                   circumstances would not serve the
                                                  submit an update to the COL                             underlying purpose of the rule or is not                 Special Circumstances, in accordance
                                                  application, addressing the                             necessary to achieve the underlying                   with 10 CFR 50.12(a)(2(ii) are present
                                                  enhancements to the EP rules by                         purpose of the rule’’ (10 CFR                         whenever:
                                                  December 31, 2014, which the NRC                        50.12(a)(2)(ii)).                                        (1) Application of the regulation in
                                                  granted through December 31, 2015. On                                                                         the particular circumstances would not
                                                                                                          Authorized by Law                                     serve the underlying purpose of the rule
                                                  August 12, 2015 (ADAMS Accession
                                                  No. ML15226A352), DEP requested                           The exemption is a one-time schedule                or is not necessary to achieve the
                                                  another exemption from the                              exemption from the requirements of 10                 underlying purpose of the rule (10 CFR
                                                  requirements of 10 CFR part 50,                         CFR part 50, appendix E, section I.5.                 50.12(a)(ii); or (2) The exemption would
                                                  appendix E, section I.5, as referenced by               The exemption would allow DEP to                      only provide temporary relief from the
                                                  10 CFR 52.79(a)(21), to submit an                       revise its COL application, and comply                applicable regulation or the applicant
                                                  update to the COL application,                          with the new EP rules on or before                    has made good faith efforts to comply
                                                  addressing the enhancements to the EP                   December 31, 2016, in lieu of the initial             with the regulation (10 CFR
                                                  rules by December 31, 2016                              December 31, 2013, the date required by               50.12(a)(2)(v)).
                                                                                                          10 CFR part 50, appendix E, section I.5.                 The purpose of 10 CFR part 50,
                                                  II. Request/Action                                      As stated above, 10 CFR 50.12 allows                  appendix E, section I.5 is to ensure that
                                                     Part 50, appendix E, section 1.5,                    the NRC to grant exemptions from the                  applicants and new COL holders
                                                  requires that an applicant for a COL                    requirements of 10 CFR part 50 . The                  updated their COL applications or COLs
                                                  under Subpart C of 10 CFR part 52                       NRC staff has determined that granting                to allow the NRC to review them
                                                  whose application was docketed prior to                 DEP the requested one-time exemption                  efficiently and effectively, and to bring
                                                  December 23, 2011, must revise their                    from the requirements of 10 CFR part                  the applicants or licensees into
                                                  COL application to comply with the EP                   50, appendix E, section I.5 will not                  compliance prior to receiving a license,
                                                  rules published in the Federal Register                 result in a violation of the Atomic                   or, for licensees, prior to operating the
                                                  (76 FR 72560) on November 23, 2011.                     Energy Act of 1954, as amended, or NRC                plant. The targets of Section I.5 of the
                                                  An applicant that does not receive a                    regulations. Therefore, the exemption is              rule were those applications that were
                                                  COL before December 31, 2013, shall                     authorized by law.                                    being actively reviewed by the NRC staff
                                                  revise its COL application to comply                                                                          when the rule went into effect on
                                                  with these changes no later than                        No Undue Risk to Public Health and                    November 23, 2011. Since the Harris
                                                  December 31, 2013.                                      Safety                                                Units 2 and 3 COL application is now
                                                     Since DEP will not hold a COL prior                     The underlying purpose of the                      suspended compelling DEP to revise its
                                                  to December 31, 2013, it is therefore                   enhancements to EP found in 10 CFR                    COL application in order to meet the
                                                  required to revise its application to be                part 50, appendix E, is to amend certain              compliance deadline would result in
                                                  compliant with the new EP rules.                        EP requirements to enhance protective                 unnecessary burden and hardship for
                                                  Similar to an earlier exemption request                 measures in the event of a radiological               the applicant to meet the compliance
                                                  it submitted, as described above, by                    emergency; address, in part,                          date. If the NRC were to grant this
                                                  letter dated August 12, 2015, (ADAMS                    enhancements identified after the                     exemption, and DEP were then required
                                                  Accession No. ML15226A352), DEP                         terrorist events of September 11, 2001;               to update its application to comply with
                                                  requested another exemption from the                    clarify regulations to effect consistent              the EP rule enhancements by December
jstallworth on DSK7TPTVN1PROD with NOTICES




                                                  requirements of 10 CFR part 50,                         Emergency Plan implementation among                   31, 2016, or prior to any request to
                                                  appendix E, section I.5, to submit the                  licensees; and modify certain                         restart their review, the purpose of the
                                                  required COL application revision to                    requirements to be more effective and                 rule would still be achieved. For this
                                                  comply with the new EP rules. The                       efficient. Since plant construction                   reason, the application of 10 CFR part
                                                  requested exemption would allow DEP                     cannot proceed until the NRC review of                50, appendix E, section I.5, for the
                                                  to revise its COL application, and                      the application is completed, a                       suspended Harris 2 and 3 COL
                                                  comply with the new EP rules on or                      mandatory hearing is completed and a                  application is deemed unnecessary and,


                                             VerDate Sep<11>2014   15:22 Mar 03, 2016   Jkt 238001   PO 00000   Frm 00095   Fmt 4703   Sfmt 4703   E:\FR\FM\04MRN1.SGM   04MRN1


                                                                                  Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 43 / Friday, March 4, 2016 / Notices                                                      11603

                                                  therefore, special circumstances are                    administrative in nature, and does not                SUMMARY:   The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory
                                                  present.                                                impact the probability or consequences                Commission (NRC) is considering
                                                                                                          of accidents.                                         issuance of an exemption to Exelon
                                                  Eligibility for Categorical Exclusion
                                                                                                            (vi) The requirements from which an                 Generation Company, LLC (hereafter,
                                                  From Environmental Review
                                                                                                          exemption is sought involve:                          EGC or the applicant). EGC is the
                                                     With respect to the exemption’s                        (B) Reporting requirements;                         general licensee operating the Dresden
                                                  impact on the quality of the human                        The exemption request involves                      Nuclear Power Station (DNPS)
                                                  environment, the NRC has determined                     submitting an updated COL application                 Independent Spent Fuel Storage
                                                  that this specific exemption request is                 by DEP and                                            Installation (ISFSI) located in Morris,
                                                  eligible for categorical exclusion as                     (G) Scheduling requirements;                        Illinois. Specifically, EGC seeks
                                                  identified in 10 CFR 51.22(c)(25) and                     The proposed exemption relates to the               authorization to load and store one
                                                  justified by the NRC staff as follows:                  schedule for submitting a COL                         DNPS Unit 1 thoria rod canister
                                                     (c) The following categories of actions              application update to the NRC.                        containing 18 DNPS Unit 1 thoria rods
                                                  are categorical exclusions provided that:                                                                     in a Holtec International, Inc., multi-
                                                     (i) There is no significant hazards                  IV. Conclusion
                                                                                                                                                                purpose canister (MPC)–68M. Thoria
                                                  consideration;                                             Accordingly, the Commission has                    rods are not approved for storage in the
                                                     The criteria for determining whether                 determined that, pursuant to 10 CFR                   MPC–68M per Certificate of Compliance
                                                  there is no significant hazards                         50.12(a), the exemption is authorized by              (CoC) No. 1014, Amendment 8, Rev. 1 1
                                                  consideration are found in 10 CFR                       law, will not present an undue risk to                Appendix B, ‘‘Approved Contents and
                                                  50.92. The proposed action involves                     the public health and safety, and is                  Design Features.’’ EGC plans to load and
                                                  only a schedule change regarding the                    consistent with the common defense                    store Holtec HI–STORM 100 spent fuel
                                                  submission of an update to the                          and security. Also special circumstances              casks utilizing Amendment 8, Rev. 1 to
                                                  application for which the licensing                     are present. Therefore, the Commission                CoC No. 1014 in the 2016 DNPS spent
                                                  review has been suspended. Therefore,                   hereby grants DEP a one-time exemption                fuel loading campaign (SFLC).
                                                  there are no significant hazards                        from the requirements of 10 CFR part 50
                                                  considerations because granting the                                                                           ADDRESSES: Please refer to Docket ID
                                                                                                          Appendix E, Section I.5 pertaining to
                                                  proposed exemption would not:                                                                                 NRC–2016–0047 when contacting the
                                                                                                          the Harris Units 2 and 3 COL
                                                     (1) Involve a significant increase in                                                                      NRC about the availability of
                                                                                                          application to allow submittal of the
                                                  the probability or consequences of an                                                                         information regarding this document.
                                                                                                          revised COL application that complies
                                                  accident previously evaluated; or                                                                             You may obtain publicly-available
                                                                                                          with the enhancements to the EP rules
                                                     (2) Create the possibility of a new or                                                                     information related to this document
                                                                                                          prior to any request to the NRC to
                                                  different kind of accident from any                                                                           using any of the following methods:
                                                                                                          resume the review, and in any event, no                  • Federal Rulemaking Web site: Go to
                                                  accident previously evaluated; or                       later than December 31, 2016.
                                                     (3) Involve a significant reduction in                                                                     http://www.regulations.gov and search
                                                                                                             Pursuant to 10 CFR 51.22, the
                                                  a margin of safety.                                                                                           for Docket ID NRC–2016–0047. Address
                                                                                                          Commission has determined that the
                                                     (ii) There is no significant change in                                                                     questions about NRC dockets to Carol
                                                                                                          exemption request meets the applicable
                                                  the types or significant increase in the                                                                      Gallagher; telephone: 301–415–3463;
                                                                                                          categorical exclusion criteria set forth in
                                                  amounts of any effluents that may be                                                                          email: Carol.Gallagher@nrc.gov. For
                                                                                                          10 CFR 51.22(c)(25), and the granting of
                                                  released offsite;                                                                                             technical questions, contact the
                                                     The proposed action involves only a                  this exemption will not have a
                                                                                                                                                                individual listed in the FOR FURTHER
                                                  schedule change which is                                significant effect on the quality of the
                                                                                                                                                                INFORMATION CONTACT section of this
                                                  administrative in nature, and does not                  human environment.
                                                                                                                                                                document.
                                                  involve any changes to be made in the                      This exemption is effective upon                      • NRC’s Agencywide Documents
                                                  types or significant increase in the                    issuance.                                             Access and Management System
                                                  amounts of effluents that may be                          Dated at Rockville, Maryland, this 26th day         (ADAMS): You may obtain publicly-
                                                  released offsite.                                       of February 2016.                                     available documents online in the
                                                     (iii) There is no significant increase in              For the Nuclear Regulatory Commission.              ADAMS Public Documents collection at
                                                  individual or cumulative public or                      Francis M. Akstulewicz,                               http://www.nrc.gov/reading-rm/
                                                  occupational radiation exposure;                        Director, Division of New Reactor Licensing,          adams.html. To begin the search, select
                                                     Since the proposed action involves                   Office of New Reactors.                               ‘‘ADAMS Public Documents’’ and then
                                                  only a schedule change which is                         [FR Doc. 2016–04850 Filed 3–3–16; 8:45 am]            select ‘‘Begin Web-based ADAMS
                                                  administrative in nature, it does not                   BILLING CODE 7590–01–P                                Search.’’ For problems with ADAMS,
                                                  contribute to any significant increase in                                                                     please contact the NRC’s Public
                                                  occupational or public radiation                                                                              Document Room (PDR) reference staff at
                                                  exposure.                                               NUCLEAR REGULATORY                                    1–800–397–4209, 301–415–4737, or by
                                                     (iv) There is no significant                         COMMISSION                                            email to pdr.resource@nrc.gov. For the
                                                  construction impact;                                                                                          convenience of the reader, the ADAMS
                                                     The proposed action involves only a                  [Docket No. 50–010, 50–237, 50–249 and 72–
                                                                                                          37; NRC–2016–0047]                                    accession numbers are provided in a
                                                  schedule change which is                                                                                      table in the ‘‘Availability of
                                                  administrative in nature; the application
                                                                                                          Exelon Generation Company, LLC;                       Documents,’’ Section IV of this
                                                  review is suspended until further
                                                                                                          Dresden Nuclear Power Station, Units                  document.
                                                  notice, and there is no consideration of
                                                                                                          1, 2 and 3; Independent Spent Fuel
jstallworth on DSK7TPTVN1PROD with NOTICES




                                                  any construction at this time, and hence                                                                         1 The licensee’s application referred to
                                                  the proposed action does not involve                    Storage Installation
                                                                                                                                                                Amendment 8; since that time, Amendment 8 has
                                                  any construction impact.                                AGENCY:  Nuclear Regulatory                           been revised. (On February 16, 2016, Amendment
                                                     (v) There is no significant increase in              Commission.                                           8, Rev. 1 to CoC 1014 became effective.) This
                                                  the potential for or consequences from                                                                        revision does not impact the exemption request that
                                                                                                          ACTION: Environmental assessment and                  is the subject of this environmental assessment
                                                  radiological accidents; and                             finding of no significant impact;                     because none of the changes in the revision revised
                                                     The proposed action involves only a                                                                        the thoria contents or the physical characteristics of
                                                                                                          issuance.
                                                  schedule change which is                                                                                      the storage cask.



                                             VerDate Sep<11>2014   15:22 Mar 03, 2016   Jkt 238001   PO 00000   Frm 00096   Fmt 4703   Sfmt 4703   E:\FR\FM\04MRN1.SGM   04MRN1



Document Created: 2018-02-02 15:05:21
Document Modified: 2018-02-02 15:05:21
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
ActionExemption; issuance.
DatesThe exemption is effective on March 4, 2016.
ContactBrian Hughes, Office of New Reactors, U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission, Washington, DC 20555-0001; telephone: 301-415-6582; email: [email protected]
FR Citation81 FR 11601 

2025 Federal Register | Disclaimer | Privacy Policy
USC | CFR | eCFR