82 FR 14766 - Southern Nuclear Operating Company, Inc.; Vogtle Electric Generating Plant, Units 3 and 4; Design Reliability Assurance Program (D-RAP) Changes

NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION

Federal Register Volume 82, Issue 54 (March 22, 2017)

Page Range		14766-14767
FR Document		2017-05685

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. 67 to Combined Licenses (COLs), NPF-91 and NPF- 92. The COLs were issued to Southern Nuclear Operating Company, Inc., and Georgia Power Company, Oglethorpe Power Corporation, 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 54 (Wednesday, March 22, 2017)

[Federal Register Volume 82, Number 54 (Wednesday, March 22, 2017)]
[Notices]
[Pages 14766-14767]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2017-05685]


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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; Design Reliability Assurance Program 
(D-RAP) Changes

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. 67 to Combined Licenses (COLs), NPF-91 and NPF-
92. The COLs were issued to Southern Nuclear Operating Company, Inc., 
and Georgia Power Company, Oglethorpe Power Corporation, 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 30, 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 August 23, 2016 (ADAMS Accession No. ML16236A266), as 
supplemented by letter dated December 7, 2016 (ADAMS Accession No. 
ML16342C564).
     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. 67 to COLs, NPF-91 and NPF-
92, to the licensee. The exemption is required by Paragraph A.4 of 
Section VIII, ``Processes for Changes and Departures,'' appendix D, to 
10 CFR part 52 to allow the licensee to depart from Tier 1 information. 
With the requested amendment, the licensee sought proposed changes that 
would revise the updated final safety analysis report (UFSAR) in the 
form of departures from the incorporated plant-specific DCD Tier 2 
information. The proposed amendment also involves related changes to 
plant-specific Tier 1 information, with corresponding changes to the 
associated COL Appendix C information. Specifically, the license 
amendment revises the Design Reliability Assurance Program (D-RAP) to 
identify the covers for the in-containment refueling water storage tank 
(IRWST) vents and overflow weirs as the risk-significant components 
included in the D-RAP and to identify that the field control relays of 
each rod drive motor-generator sets are a part of the rod drive power 
supply control cabinets in which the relays are located.
    Part of the justification for granting the exemption was provided 
by the review of the amendment. Because the exemption is necessary in 
order to issue the requested license amendment, the NRC granted the 
exemption and issued the amendment concurrently, rather than in 
sequence. This included issuing a combined safety evaluation containing 
the NRC staff's review of both the exemption request and the license 
amendment. The exemption met all applicable regulatory criteria set 
forth in 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. ML16343A760.
    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. ML16343A775 and 
ML16343A789, 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. ML16343A773 and 
ML16343A786, 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 August 23, 2016, as supplemented by letter 
dated December 7, 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

[[Page 14767]]

amendment request 16-017, ``Design Reliability Assurance Program (D-
RAP) Changes.''
    For the reasons set forth in Section 3.1 of the NRC staff's Safety 
Evaluation, which can be found in ADAMS under Accession No. 
ML16343A760, 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 related to the in-containment 
refueling water storage tank vents and overflow weirs, the rod drive 
motor-generator sets field control relays, and the rod drive power 
supply control cabinets, as described in the licensee's request dated 
August 23, 2016, as supplemented by letter dated December 7, 2016. This 
exemption is related to, and necessary for the granting of License 
Amendment No. 67, 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. ML16343A760), 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 August 23, 2016 (ADAMS Accession No. ML16236A266), 
as supplemented by letter dated December 7, 2016 (ADAMS Accession No. 
ML16342C564), 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 document.
    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 COL, 
proposed no significant hazards consideration determination, and 
opportunity for a hearing in connection with these actions, was 
published in the Federal Register on October 25, 2016 (81 FR 73439). 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 August 23, 2016, as supplemented by letter dated December 
7, 2016. The exemption and amendment were issued on January 30, 2017, 
as part of a combined package to the licensee (ADAMS Accession No. 
ML16343A657).

    Dated at Rockville, Maryland, this 13th day of March 2017.

    For the Nuclear Regulatory Commission.
Jennifer Dixon-Herrity,
Chief, Licensing Branch 4, Division of New Reactor Licensing, Office of 
New Reactors.
[FR Doc. 2017-05685 Filed 3-21-17; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 7590-01-P

Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 54 / Wednesday, March 22, 2017 / Notices 14767

amendment request 16–017, ‘‘Design of 1954, as amended (the Act), and the comments electronically should contact
Reliability Assurance Program (D–RAP) Commission’s rules and regulations. the person identified in the FOR FURTHER
Changes.’’ The Commission has made appropriate INFORMATION CONTACT section by
For the reasons set forth in Section 3.1 findings as required by the Act and the telephone for advice on filing
of the NRC staff’s Safety Evaluation, Commission’s rules and regulations in alternatives.
which can be found in ADAMS under 10 CFR chapter I, which are set forth in
Accession No. ML16343A760, the the license amendment. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Commission finds that: A notice of consideration of issuance David A. Trissell, General Counsel, at
A. The exemption is authorized by of amendment to facility COL, proposed 202–789–6820.
law; no significant hazards consideration SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
B. the exemption presents no undue determination, and opportunity for a
risk to public health and safety; hearing in connection with these Table of Contents
C. the exemption is consistent with actions, was published in the Federal I. Introduction
the common defense and security; Register on October 25, 2016 (81 FR II. Docketed Proceeding(s)
D. special circumstances are present 73439). No comments were received
in that the application of the rule in this during the 30-day comment period. I. Introduction
circumstance is not necessary to serve The Commission has determined that
the underlying purpose of the rule; The Commission gives notice that the
these amendments satisfy the criteria for Postal Service filed request(s) for the
E. the special circumstances outweigh categorical exclusion in accordance
any decrease in safety that may result Commission to consider matters related
with 10 CFR 51.22. Therefore, pursuant to negotiated service agreement(s). The
from the reduction in standardization to 10 CFR 51.22(b), no environmental
caused by the exemption; and request(s) may propose the addition or
impact statement or environmental removal of a negotiated service
F. the exemption will not result in a assessment need be prepared for these
significant decrease in the level of safety agreement from the market dominant or
amendments. the competitive product list, or the
otherwise provided by the design.
2. Accordingly, the licensee is granted IV. Conclusion modification of an existing product
an exemption from the certified DCD Using the reasons set forth in the currently appearing on the market
Tier 1 information related to the in- combined safety evaluation, the staff dominant or the competitive product
containment refueling water storage granted the exemption and issued the list.
tank vents and overflow weirs, the rod amendment that the licensee requested Section II identifies the docket
drive motor-generator sets field control on August 23, 2016, as supplemented by number(s) associated with each Postal
relays, and the rod drive power supply letter dated December 7, 2016. The Service request, the title of each Postal
control cabinets, as described in the exemption and amendment were issued Service request, the request’s acceptance
licensee’s request dated August 23, on January 30, 2017, as part of a date, and the authority cited by the
2016, as supplemented by letter dated combined package to the licensee Postal Service for each request. For each
December 7, 2016. This exemption is (ADAMS Accession No. ML16343A657). request, the Commission appoints an
related to, and necessary for the granting Dated at Rockville, Maryland, this 13th day officer of the Commission to represent
of License Amendment No. 67, which is of March 2017. the interests of the general public in the
being issued concurrently with this For the Nuclear Regulatory Commission. proceeding, pursuant to 39 U.S.C. 505
exemption. (Public Representative). Section II also
Jennifer Dixon-Herrity,
3. As explained in Section 5.0 of the establishes comment deadline(s)
NRC staff’s Safety Evaluation (ADAMS Chief, Licensing Branch 4, Division of New
pertaining to each request.
Reactor Licensing, Office of New Reactors.
Accession No. ML16343A760), this The public portions of the Postal
exemption meets the eligibility criteria [FR Doc. 2017–05685 Filed 3–21–17; 8:45 am]
Service’s request(s) can be accessed via
for categorical exclusion set forth in 10 BILLING CODE 7590–01–P
the Commission’s Web site (http://
CFR 51.22(c)(9). Therefore, pursuant to www.prc.gov). Non-public portions of
10 CFR 51.22(b), no environmental the Postal Service’s request(s), if any,
impact statement or environmental POSTAL REGULATORY COMMISSION
can be accessed through compliance
assessment needs to be prepared in [Docket Nos. CP2017–141; CP2017–142; with the requirements of 39 CFR
connection with the issuance of the CP2017–143] 3007.40.
exemption.
4. This exemption is effective as of the New Postal Products The Commission invites comments on
date of its issuance. whether the Postal Service’s request(s)
AGENCY: Postal Regulatory Commission. in the captioned docket(s) are consistent
III. License Amendment Request ACTION: Notice. with the policies of title 39. For
By letter dated August 23, 2016 request(s) that the Postal Service states
SUMMARY: The Commission is noticing concern market dominant product(s),
(ADAMS Accession No. ML16236A266),
recent Postal Service filings for the applicable statutory and regulatory
as supplemented by letter dated
Commission’s consideration concerning requirements include 39 U.S.C. 3622, 39
December 7, 2016 (ADAMS Accession
negotiated service agreements. This U.S.C. 3642, 39 CFR part 3010, and 39
No. ML16342C564), the licensee
notice informs the public of the filing, CFR part 3020, subpart B. For request(s)
requested that the NRC amend the COLs
asabaliauskas on DSK3SPTVN1PROD with NOTICES

invites public comment, and takes other that the Postal Service states concern
for VEGP, Units 3 and 4, COLs NPF–91
administrative steps. competitive product(s), applicable
and NPF–92. The proposed amendment
is described in Section I of this DATES: Comments are due: March 24, statutory and regulatory requirements
document. 2017. include 39 U.S.C. 3632, 39 U.S.C. 3633,
The Commission has determined for ADDRESSES: Submit comments 39 U.S.C. 3642, 39 CFR part 3015, and
these amendments that the application electronically via the Commission’s 39 CFR part 3020, subpart B. Comment
complies with the standards and Filing Online system at http:// deadline(s) for each request appear in
requirements of the Atomic Energy Act www.prc.gov. Those who cannot submit section II.

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Document Created: 2017-03-22 03:58:42
Document Modified: 2017-03-22 03:58:42

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 30, 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 14766