82 FR 10607 - Southern Nuclear Operating Company, Inc., Vogtle Electric Generating Plant, Units 3 and 4; Relocation of Air Cooled Chiller Pump 3, VWS-MP-03

NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION

Federal Register Volume 82, Issue 29 (February 14, 2017)

Page Range		10607-10608
FR Document		2017-02958

The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) is granting an exemption to allow a departure from the certification information of Tier 1 of the generic design control document (DCD) and is issuing License Amendment No. 64 to Combined Licenses (COL), NPF-91 and NPF-92. The COLs were issued to Southern Nuclear Operating Company, Inc., and Georgia Power Company, Oglethorpe Power Corporation, MEAG Power SPVM, LLC, MEAG Power SPVJ, LLC, MEAG Power SPVP, LLC, Authority of Georgia, and the City of Dalton, Georgia (the licensee); for construction and operation of the Vogtle Electric Generating Plant (VEGP) Units 3 and 4, located in Burke County, Georgia. The granting of the exemption allows the changes to Tier 1 information asked for in the amendment. Because the acceptability of the exemption was determined in part by the acceptability of the amendment, the exemption and amendment are being issued concurrently.

Federal Register, Volume 82 Issue 29 (Tuesday, February 14, 2017)

[Federal Register Volume 82, Number 29 (Tuesday, February 14, 2017)]
[Notices]
[Pages 10607-10608]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2017-02958]


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NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION

[Docket Nos. 52-025 and 52-026; NRC-2008-0252]


Southern Nuclear Operating Company, Inc., Vogtle Electric 
Generating Plant, Units 3 and 4; Relocation of Air Cooled Chiller Pump 
3, VWS-MP-03

AGENCY: Nuclear Regulatory Commission.

ACTION: Exemption and combined license amendment; issuance.

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SUMMARY: The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) is granting an 
exemption to allow a departure from the certification information of 
Tier 1 of the generic design control document (DCD) and is issuing 
License Amendment No. 64 to Combined Licenses (COL), NPF-91 and NPF-92. 
The COLs were issued to Southern Nuclear Operating Company, Inc., and 
Georgia Power Company, Oglethorpe Power Corporation, MEAG Power SPVM, 
LLC, MEAG Power SPVJ, LLC, MEAG Power SPVP, LLC, Authority of Georgia, 
and the City of Dalton, Georgia (the licensee); for construction and 
operation of the Vogtle Electric Generating Plant (VEGP) Units 3 and 4, 
located in Burke County, Georgia.
    The granting of the exemption allows the changes to Tier 1 
information asked for in the amendment. Because the acceptability of 
the exemption was determined in part by the acceptability of the 
amendment, the exemption and amendment are being issued concurrently.

DATES: The exemption and amendment were issued on January 13, 2017.

ADDRESSES: Please refer to Docket ID NRC-2008-0252 when contacting the 
NRC about the availability of information regarding this document. You 
may obtain publicly-available information related to this document 
using any of the following methods:
     Federal Rulemaking Web site: Go to http://www.regulations.gov and search for Docket ID NRC-2008-0252. Address 
questions about NRC dockets to Carol Gallagher; telephone: 301-415-
3463; email: [email protected]. For technical questions, contact 
the individual listed in the FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT section of 
this document.
     NRC's Agencywide Documents Access and Management System 
(ADAMS): You may obtain publicly-available documents online in the 
ADAMS Public Documents collection at http://www.nrc.gov/reading-rm/adams.html. To begin the search, select ``ADAMS Public Documents'' and 
then select ``Begin Web-based ADAMS Search.'' For problems with ADAMS, 
please contact the NRC's Public Document Room (PDR) reference staff at 
1-800-397-4209, 301-415-4737, or by email to [email protected]. The 
ADAMS accession number for each document referenced (if it is available 
in ADAMS) is provided the first time that it is mentioned in this 
document. The request for the amendment and exemption was submitted by 
letter dated April 26, 2016 (ADAMS Accession No. ML16117A531), and 
supplemented by letter dated August 28, 2016 (ADAMS Accession No. 
ML16239A422).
     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: Chandu Patel, Office of New Reactors, 
U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission, Washington, DC 20555-0001; 
telephone: 301-415-3025; email: [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

I. Introduction

    The NRC is granting an exemption from paragraph B of section III, 
``Scope and Contents,'' of appendix D, ``Design Certification Rule for 
the AP1000,'' to part 52 of title 10 of the Code of Federal Regulations 
(10 CFR), and issuing License Amendment No. 64 to COLs, NPF-91 and NPF-
92, to the licensee. The exemption is required by Paragraph A.4 of 
Section VIII, ``Processes for Changes and Departures,'' of appendix D, 
to 10 CFR part 52 to allow the licensee to depart from Tier 1 
information. With the requested amendment, the licensee sought proposed 
changes to the Updated Final Safety Analysis Report Tier 2 and Tier 2* 
information to modify the overall design of the Central Chilled Water 
subsystem to relocate the Air Cooled Chiller Pump 3 (VWS-MP-03) and 
associated equipment from the auxiliary building to the annex building, 
for each unit. The amendment also involves changes to plant-specific 
Tier 1 information, with corresponding changes to Appendix C of the 
COLs, to relocate the air cooled chiller pump from the auxiliary 
building to the annex building, for each unit.
    Part of the justification for granting the exemption was provided 
by the review of the amendment. Because the exemption is necessary in 
order to issue the requested license amendment, the NRC granted the 
exemption and issued

[[Page 10608]]

the amendment concurrently, rather than in sequence. This included 
issuing a combined safety evaluation containing the NRC staff's review 
of both the exemption request and the license amendment. The exemption 
met all applicable regulatory criteria set forth in Sec. Sec.  50.12, 
52.7, and Section VIII.A.4 of appendix D to 10 CFR part 52. The license 
amendment was found to be acceptable as well. The combined safety 
evaluation is available in ADAMS under Accession No. ML16266A352.
    Identical exemption documents (except for referenced unit numbers 
and license numbers) were issued to the licensee for VEGP Units 3 and 4 
(COLs NPF-91 and NPF-92). The exemption documents for VEGP Units 3 and 
4 can be found in ADAMS under Accession Nos. ML16266A340 and 
ML16266A350, respectively. The exemption is reproduced (with the 
exception of abbreviated titles and additional citations) in Section II 
of this document. The amendment documents for COLs NPF-91 and NPF-92 
are available in ADAMS under Accession Nos. ML16266A326 and 
ML16266A334, respectively. A summary of the amendment documents is 
provided in Section III of this document.

II. Exemption

    Reproduced below is the exemption document issued to VEGP Units 3 
and Unit 4. It makes reference to the combined safety evaluation that 
provides the reasoning for the findings made by the NRC (and listed 
under Item 1) in order to grant the exemption:
    1. In a letter dated April 26, 2016, as supplemented August 28, 
2016, the licensee requested from the Commission an exemption to allow 
departures from Tier 1 information in the certified DCD incorporated by 
reference in 10 CFR part 52, appendix D, as part of License Amendment 
Request 15-018, ``Relocation of Air Cooled Chiller Pump 3, VWS-MP-03.''
    For the reasons set forth in Section 3.1 of the NRC staff's Safety 
Evaluation, which can be found in ADAMS under Accession No. 
ML16266A352, the Commission finds that:
    A. The exemption is authorized by law;
    B. the exemption presents no undue risk to public health and 
safety;
    C. the exemption is consistent with the common defense and 
security;
    D. special circumstances are present in that the application of the 
rule in this circumstance is not necessary to serve the underlying 
purpose of the rule;
    E. the special circumstances outweigh any decrease in safety that 
may result from the reduction in standardization caused by the 
exemption; and
    F. the exemption will not result in a significant decrease in the 
level of safety otherwise provided by the design.
    2. Accordingly, the licensee is granted an exemption from the 
certified DCD Tier 1 information, with corresponding changes to 
Appendix C of the Facility Combined License as described in the 
licensee's request dated April 26, 2016, as supplemented August 28, 
2016. This exemption is related to, and necessary for the granting of 
License Amendment No. 64, which is being issued concurrently with this 
exemption.
    3. As explained in Section 5.0 of the NRC staff's Safety Evaluation 
(ADAMS Accession No. ML16266A352), this exemption meets the eligibility 
criteria for categorical exclusion set forth in 10 CFR 51.22(c)(9). 
Therefore, pursuant to 10 CFR 51.22(b), no environmental impact 
statement or environmental assessment needs to be prepared in 
connection with the issuance of the exemption.
    4. This exemption is effective as of the date of its issuance.

III. License Amendment Request

    By letter dated April 26, 2016 (ADAMS Accession No. ML16117A531), 
and supplemented by letter dated August 28, 2016 (ADAMS Accession No. 
ML16239A422), the licensee requested that the NRC amend the COLs for 
VEGP, Units 3 and 4, COLs NPF-91 and NPF-92. The proposed amendment is 
described in Section I of this Federal Register notice.
    The Commission has determined for these amendments that the 
application complies with the standards and requirements of the Atomic 
Energy Act of 1954, as amended (the Act), and the Commission's rules 
and regulations. The Commission has made appropriate findings as 
required by the Act and the Commission's rules and regulations in 10 
CFR chapter I, which are set forth in the license amendment.
    A notice of consideration of issuance of amendment to facility 
operating license or COL, as applicable, proposed no significant 
hazards consideration determination, and opportunity for a hearing in 
connection with these actions, was published in the Federal Register on 
August 2, 2016 (81 FR 50736). No comments were received during the 30-
day comment period.
    The Commission has determined that these amendments satisfy the 
criteria for categorical exclusion in accordance with 10 CFR 51.22. 
Therefore, pursuant to 10 CFR 51.22(b), no environmental impact 
statement or environmental assessment need be prepared for these 
amendments.

IV. Conclusion

    Using the reasons set forth in the combined safety evaluation, the 
staff granted the exemption and issued the amendment that the licensee 
requested on April 26, 2016, as supplemented August 28, 2016. The 
exemption and amendment were issued on January 13, 2017, as part of a 
combined package to the licensee (ADAMS Accession No. ML16265A618).

    Dated at Rockville, Maryland, this 6th day of February 2017.

    For the Nuclear Regulatory Commission.
Jennifer Dixon-Herrity,
Chief, Licensing Branch 4, Division of New Reactor Licensing, Office of 
New Reactors.
[FR Doc. 2017-02958 Filed 2-13-17; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 7590-01-P

10608 Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 29 / Tuesday, February 14, 2017 / Notices

the amendment concurrently, rather from the reduction in standardization assessment need be prepared for these
than in sequence. This included issuing caused by the exemption; and amendments.
a combined safety evaluation containing F. the exemption will not result in a
IV. Conclusion
the NRC staff’s review of both the significant decrease in the level of safety
exemption request and the license otherwise provided by the design. Using the reasons set forth in the
amendment. The exemption met all 2. Accordingly, the licensee is granted combined safety evaluation, the staff
applicable regulatory criteria set forth in an exemption from the certified DCD granted the exemption and issued the
§§ 50.12, 52.7, and Section VIII.A.4 of Tier 1 information, with corresponding amendment that the licensee requested
appendix D to 10 CFR part 52. The changes to Appendix C of the Facility on April 26, 2016, as supplemented
license amendment was found to be Combined License as described in the August 28, 2016. The exemption and
acceptable as well. The combined safety licensee’s request dated April 26, 2016, amendment were issued on January 13,
evaluation is available in ADAMS under as supplemented August 28, 2016. This 2017, as part of a combined package to
Accession No. ML16266A352. exemption is related to, and necessary the licensee (ADAMS Accession No.
Identical exemption documents for the granting of License Amendment ML16265A618).
(except for referenced unit numbers and No. 64, which is being issued Dated at Rockville, Maryland, this 6th day
license numbers) were issued to the concurrently with this exemption. of February 2017.
licensee for VEGP Units 3 and 4 (COLs 3. As explained in Section 5.0 of the For the Nuclear Regulatory Commission.
NPF–91 and NPF–92). The exemption NRC staff’s Safety Evaluation (ADAMS Jennifer Dixon-Herrity,
documents for VEGP Units 3 and 4 can Accession No. ML16266A352), this Chief, Licensing Branch 4, Division of New
be found in ADAMS under Accession exemption meets the eligibility criteria Reactor Licensing, Office of New Reactors.
Nos. ML16266A340 and ML16266A350, for categorical exclusion set forth in 10 [FR Doc. 2017–02958 Filed 2–13–17; 8:45 am]
respectively. The exemption is CFR 51.22(c)(9). Therefore, pursuant to
BILLING CODE 7590–01–P
reproduced (with the exception of 10 CFR 51.22(b), no environmental
abbreviated titles and additional impact statement or environmental
citations) in Section II of this document. assessment needs to be prepared in NUCLEAR REGULATORY
The amendment documents for COLs connection with the issuance of the COMMISSION
NPF–91 and NPF–92 are available in exemption.
ADAMS under Accession Nos. 4. This exemption is effective as of the
ML16266A326 and ML16266A334, [Docket Nos. 52–025 and 52–026; NRC–
date of its issuance. 2008–0252]
respectively. A summary of the
amendment documents is provided in III. License Amendment Request
Southern Nuclear Operating Company,
Section III of this document. By letter dated April 26, 2016 Inc., Vogtle Electric Generating Plant,
II. Exemption (ADAMS Accession No. ML16117A531), Units 3 and 4; Radiologically
and supplemented by letter dated Controlled Area Ventilation System
Reproduced below is the exemption August 28, 2016 (ADAMS Accession Design Changes
document issued to VEGP Units 3 and No. ML16239A422), the licensee
Unit 4. It makes reference to the requested that the NRC amend the COLs AGENCY: Nuclear Regulatory
combined safety evaluation that for VEGP, Units 3 and 4, COLs NPF–91 Commission.
provides the reasoning for the findings and NPF–92. The proposed amendment ACTION: Exemption and combined
made by the NRC (and listed under Item is described in Section I of this Federal license amendment; issuance.
1) in order to grant the exemption: Register notice.
1. In a letter dated April 26, 2016, as The Commission has determined for SUMMARY: The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory
supplemented August 28, 2016, the these amendments that the application Commission (NRC) is granting an
licensee requested from the Commission complies with the standards and exemption to allow a departure from the
an exemption to allow departures from requirements of the Atomic Energy Act certification information of Tier 1 of the
Tier 1 information in the certified DCD of 1954, as amended (the Act), and the generic design control document (DCD)
incorporated by reference in 10 CFR Commission’s rules and regulations. and is issuing License Amendment No.
part 52, appendix D, as part of License The Commission has made appropriate 57 to Combined Licenses (COLs), NPF–
Amendment Request 15–018, findings as required by the Act and the 91 and NPF–92. The COLs were issued
‘‘Relocation of Air Cooled Chiller Pump Commission’s rules and regulations in to Southern Nuclear Operating
3, VWS–MP–03.’’ 10 CFR chapter I, which are set forth in Company, Inc., and Georgia Power
For the reasons set forth in Section 3.1 the license amendment. Company, Oglethorpe Power
of the NRC staff’s Safety Evaluation, A notice of consideration of issuance Corporation, MEAG Power SPVM, LLC,
which can be found in ADAMS under of amendment to facility operating MEAG Power SPVJ, LLC, MEAG Power
Accession No. ML16266A352, the license or COL, as applicable, proposed SPVP, LLC, Authority of Georgia, and
Commission finds that: no significant hazards consideration the City of Dalton, Georgia (the
A. The exemption is authorized by determination, and opportunity for a licensee); for construction and operation
law; hearing in connection with these of the Vogtle Electric Generating Plant
B. the exemption presents no undue actions, was published in the Federal (VEGP) Units 3 and 4, located in Burke
risk to public health and safety; Register on August 2, 2016 (81 FR County, Georgia.
C. the exemption is consistent with 50736). No comments were received The granting of the exemption allows
sradovich on DSK3GMQ082PROD with NOTICES

the common defense and security; during the 30-day comment period. the changes to Tier 1 information asked
D. special circumstances are present The Commission has determined that for in the amendment. Because the
in that the application of the rule in this these amendments satisfy the criteria for acceptability of the exemption was
circumstance is not necessary to serve categorical exclusion in accordance determined in part by the acceptability
the underlying purpose of the rule; with 10 CFR 51.22. Therefore, pursuant of the amendment, the exemption and
E. the special circumstances outweigh to 10 CFR 51.22(b), no environmental amendment are being issued
any decrease in safety that may result impact statement or environmental concurrently.

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Document Created: 2017-02-13 23:40:26
Document Modified: 2017-02-13 23:40:26

Category		Regulatory Information
Collection		Federal Register
sudoc Class		AE 2.7: GS 4.107: AE 2.106:
Publisher		Office of the Federal Register, National Archives and Records Administration
Section		Notices
Action		Exemption and combined license amendment; issuance.
Dates		The exemption and amendment were issued on January 13, 2017.
Contact		Chandu Patel, Office of New Reactors, U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission, Washington, DC 20555-0001; telephone: 301-415-3025; email: [email protected]
FR Citation		82 FR 10607