82 FR 14917 - Southern Nuclear Operating Company, Inc., Vogtle Electric Generating Plant, Units 3 and 4 Containment Hydrogen Igniter Changes
NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION Federal Register Volume 82, Issue 55 (March 23, 2017)
Federal Register Volume 82, Issue 55 (March 23, 2017)
| Page Range | 14917-14919 | |
| FR Document | 2017-05786 |
[Federal Register Volume 82, Number 55 (Thursday, March 23, 2017)] [Notices] [Pages 14917-14919] From the Federal Register Online [www.thefederalregister.org] [FR Doc No: 2017-05786] ----------------------------------------------------------------------- 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 Containment Hydrogen Igniter Changes AGENCY: Nuclear Regulatory Commission. ACTION: Exemption and combined license amendment; issuance. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- 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. 61 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 December 22, 2016. 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 [[Page 14918]] 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 February 6, 2015 (ADAMS Accession No. ML15037A715), as supplemented by letter dated September 15, 2015 (ADAMS Accession No. ML15258A555). 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. 61 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 to the VEGP Units 3 and 4 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. The amendment authorizes changes to the VEGP Units 3 and 4 UFSAR: (1) To add two additional hydrogen igniters to the in-containment refueling water storage tank roof vents; (2) to remove control of the hydrogen igniters from the protection and safety monitoring system; (3) to clarify the controls available for the hydrogen igniters at the remote shutdown workstation; and (4) to make changes to the design aspects of the hydrogen igniters to maintain consistency within various licensing documents. 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 10 CFR 50.12, 10 CFR 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. ML16096A449. 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. ML16096A431 and ML16096A433, 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. ML16096A424 and ML16096A427, 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 February 6, 2015, and supplemented by letter dated September 15, 2015, 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 15-003, ``Containment Hydrogen Igniter 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. ML16096A449, 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 hydrogen igniter, as described in the licensee's request dated February 6, 2015, and supplemented by letter dated September 15, 2015. This exemption is related to, and necessary for the granting of License Amendment No. 61, 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. ML16096A449), 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 February 6, 2015 (ADAMS Accession No. ML15037A715), as supplemented by letter dated September 15, 2015 (ADAMS Accession No. ML15258A555), 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. [[Page 14919]] 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 March 2, 2016 (81 FR 10920). Comments were received during the 30-day comment period. IV. Public Comments A request for a hearing was filed on May 2, 2016, by the Blue Ridge Environmental Defense League (``BREDL'') and its chapter, Concerned Citizens of Shell Bluff (ADAMS Accession No. ML16124B062). The Atomic Safety and Licensing Board (ASLB) denied BREDL's request for hearing in an order dated September 16, 2016 (ADAMS Accession No. ML16259A157). Subsequently, on October 11, 2016, BREDL appealed the ASLB decision (ADAMS Accession No. ML16285A548). On February 16, 2017, the Commission affirmed the ASLB's decision (ADAMS Accession No. ML17047A149). Under its regulations, the Commission may issue and make an amendment immediately effective, notwithstanding the pendency before it of a request for a hearing from any person, in advance of the holding and completion of any required hearing, where it has made a final determination that no significant hazards consideration is involved. 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. V. 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 February 6, 2015, and supplemented by letter dated September 15, 2015. The exemption and amendment were issued on December 22, 2016, as part of a combined package to the licensee (ADAMS Accession No. ML16096A345). 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. 2017-05786 Filed 3-22-17; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 7590-01-P
![Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 55 / Thursday, March 23, 2017 / Notices 14917
amendment. The exemption met all Tier 1 information, with corresponding February 9, 2017, as part of a combined
applicable regulatory criteria set forth in changes to Appendix C of the Facility package to the licensee (ADAMS
10 CFR 50.12, 10 CFR 52.7, and Section Combined Licenses as described in the Accession No. ML17027A223).
VIII.A.4 of appendix D to 10 CFR part licensee’s request dated October 24, Dated at Rockville, Maryland, this 13th day
52. The license amendment was found 2016. This exemption is related to, and of March 2017.
to be acceptable as well. The combined necessary for, the granting of License For the Nuclear Regulatory Commission.
safety evaluation is available in ADAMS Amendment No. 60, which is being Jennifer Dixon-Herrity,
under Accession No. ML17027A292. issued concurrently with this
Chief, Licensing Branch 4, Division of New
Identical exemption documents exemption. Reactor Licensing, Office of New Reactors.
(except for referenced unit numbers and 3. As explained in Section 5.0,
[FR Doc. 2017–05779 Filed 3–22–17; 8:45 am]
license numbers) were issued to the ‘‘Environmental Consideration,’’ of the
BILLING CODE 7590–01–P
licensee for VCSNS Units 2 and 3 (COLs NRC staff’s Safety Evaluation (ADAMS
NPF–93 and NPF–94). The exemption Accession No. ML17027A292), this
documents for VCSNS Units 2 and 3 can exemption meets the eligibility criteria
NUCLEAR REGULATORY
be found in ADAMS under Accession for categorical exclusion set forth in 10
COMMISSION
Nos. ML17027A255 and ML17027A266, CFR 51.22(c)(9). Therefore, pursuant to
respectively. The exemption is 10 CFR 51.22(b), no environmental [Docket Nos. 52–025 and 52–026; NRC–
reproduced (with the exception of impact statement or environmental 2008–0252]
abbreviated titles and additional assessment needs to be prepared in
citations) in Section II of this document. connection with the issuance of the Southern Nuclear Operating Company,
The amendment documents for COLs exemption. Inc., Vogtle Electric Generating Plant,
NPF–93 and NPF–94 are available in 4. This exemption is effective as of the Units 3 and 4 Containment Hydrogen
ADAMS under Accession Nos. date of its issuance. Igniter Changes
ML17027A245 and ML17027A252, III. License Amendment Request AGENCY: Nuclear Regulatory
respectively. A summary of the Commission.
amendment documents is provided in By letter dated October 24, 2016, the
ACTION: Exemption and combined
Section III of this document. licensee requested that the NRC amend
the COLs for VCSNS, Units 2 and 3, license amendment; issuance.
II. Exemption COLs NPF–93 and NPF–94. The SUMMARY: The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory
Reproduced below is the exemption proposed amendment is described in Commission (NRC) is granting an
document issued to VCSNS Units 2 and Section I of this Federal Register notice. exemption to allow a departure from the
Unit 3. It makes reference to the The Commission has determined for certification information of Tier 1 of the
combined safety evaluation that these amendments that the application generic design control document (DCD)
provides the reasoning for the findings complies with the standards and and is issuing License Amendment No.
made by the NRC (and listed under Item requirements of the Atomic Energy Act 61 to Combined Licenses (COLs), NPF–
1) in order to grant the exemption: of 1954, as amended (the Act), and the 91 and NPF–92. The COLs were issued
1. In a letter dated October 24, 2016, Commission’s rules and regulations. to Southern Nuclear Operating
the licensee requested from the The Commission has made appropriate Company, Inc., and Georgia Power
Commission an exemption from the findings as required by the Act and the Company, Oglethorpe Power
provisions of 10 CFR part 52, appendix Commission’s rules and regulations in Corporation, MEAG Power SPVM, LLC,
D, Section III.B, as part of license 10 CFR chapter I, which are set forth in MEAG Power SPVJ, LLC, MEAG Power
amendment request 16–17, ‘‘Qualified the license amendment. SPVP, LLC, Authority of Georgia, and
Data Processing System and Safety A notice of consideration of issuance the City of Dalton, Georgia (the
Display Description (LAR 16–17).’’ of amendment to facility operating licensee); for construction and operation
For the reasons set forth in Section license or combined license, as of the Vogtle Electric Generating Plant
3.1, ‘‘Evaluation of Exemption,’’ of the applicable, proposed no significant (VEGP) Units 3 and 4, located in Burke
NRC staff’s Safety Evaluation, which hazards consideration determination, County, Georgia.
can be found in ADAMS under and opportunity for a hearing in The granting of the exemption allows
Accession No. ML17027A292, the connection with these actions, was the changes to Tier 1 information asked
Commission finds that: published in the Federal Register on for in the amendment. Because the
A. The exemption is authorized by November 22, 2016 (81 FR 83871). No acceptability of the exemption was
law; comments were received during the 30- determined in part by the acceptability
B. the exemption presents no undue day comment period. of the amendment, the exemption and
risk to public health and safety; The Commission has determined that amendment are being issued
C. the exemption is consistent with these amendments satisfy the criteria for concurrently.
the common defense and security; categorical exclusion in accordance
D. special circumstances are present with 10 CFR 51.22. Therefore, pursuant DATES: The exemption and amendment
in that the application of the rule in this to 10 CFR 51.22(b), no environmental were issued on December 22, 2016.
circumstance is not necessary to serve impact statement or environmental ADDRESSES: Please refer to Docket ID
the underlying purpose of the rule; assessment need be prepared for these NRC–2008–0252 when contacting the
E. the special circumstances outweigh amendments. NRC about the availability of
sradovich on DSK3GMQ082PROD with NOTICES
any decrease in safety that may result information regarding this document.
from the reduction in standardization IV. Conclusion You may obtain publicly-available
caused by the exemption; and Using the reasons set forth in the information related to this document
F. the exemption will not result in a combined safety evaluation, the staff using any of the following methods:
significant decrease in the level of safety granted the exemption and issued the • Federal Rulemaking Web site: Go to
otherwise provided by the design. amendment that the licensee requested http://www.regulations.gov and search
2. Accordingly, the licensee is granted on October 24, 2016. The exemption for Docket ID NRC–2008–0252. Address
an exemption from the certified DCD and amendment were issued on questions about NRC dockets to Carol
VerDate Sep<11>2014 17:13 Mar 22, 2017 Jkt 241001 PO 00000 Frm 00053 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 E:\FR\FM\23MRN1.SGM 23MRN1](https://thefederalregister.org/doc/82_FR_14972/page/1.svg)
![Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 55 / Thursday, March 23, 2017 / Notices 14919
The Commission has made appropriate For the Nuclear Regulatory Commission. I. Obtaining Information and
findings as required by the Act and the Jennifer Dixon-Herrity, Submitting Comments
Commission’s rules and regulations in Chief, Licensing Branch 4, Division of New A. Obtaining Information
10 CFR chapter I, which are set forth in Reactor Licensing, Office of New Reactors.
the license amendment. [FR Doc. 2017–05786 Filed 3–22–17; 8:45 am] Please refer to Docket ID NRC–2016–
0183 when contacting the NRC about
A notice of consideration of issuance BILLING CODE 7590–01–P
the availability of information for this
of amendment to facility operating
action. You may obtain publicly-
license or COL, as applicable, proposed
NUCLEAR REGULATORY available information related to this
no significant hazards consideration action by any of the following methods:
COMMISSION
determination, and opportunity for a
• Federal Rulemaking Web site: Go to
hearing in connection with these http://www.regulations.gov and search
actions, was published in the Federal [NRC–2016–0183]
for Docket ID NRC–2016–0183. A copy
Register on March 2, 2016 (81 FR Information Collection: NRC Form 749, of the collection of Information and
10920). Comments were received during ‘‘Manual License Verification Report’’ related instructions may be obtained
the 30-day comment period. without charge by accessing Docket ID
AGENCY:Nuclear Regulatory NRC–2016–0183.
IV. Public Comments
Commission. • NRC’s Agencywide Documents
A request for a hearing was filed on ACTION: Renewal of existing information Access and Management System
May 2, 2016, by the Blue Ridge collection; request for comment. (ADAMS): You may obtain publicly-
Environmental Defense League available documents online in the
(‘‘BREDL’’) and its chapter, Concerned SUMMARY: The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory ADAMS Public Documents collection at
Citizens of Shell Bluff (ADAMS Commission (NRC) invites public http://www.nrc.gov/reading-rm/
Accession No. ML16124B062). The comment on the renewal of Office of adams.html. To begin the search, select
Atomic Safety and Licensing Board Management and Budget (OMB) ‘‘ADAMS Public Documents’’ and then
(ASLB) denied BREDL’s request for approval for an existing collection of select‘‘Begin Web-based ADAMS
hearing in an order dated September 16, information. The information collection Search.’’ For problems with ADAMS,
2016 (ADAMS Accession No. is entitled, NRC Form 749, ‘‘Manual please contact the NRC’s Public
ML16259A157). Subsequently, on License Verification Report.’’ Document Room (PDR) reference staff at
October 11, 2016, BREDL appealed the DATES: Submit comments by May 22, 1–800–397–4209, 301–415–4737, or by
ASLB decision (ADAMS Accession No. 2017. Comments received after this date email to pdr.resource@nrc.gov. The
ML16285A548). On February 16, 2017, will be considered if it is practical to do Supporting Statement and NRC Form
the Commission affirmed the ASLB’s so, but the Commission is able to ensure 749 ‘‘Manual License Verification
decision (ADAMS Accession No. consideration only for comments Report’’ are available in ADAMS under
ML17047A149). received on or before this date. Accession Nos. ML16294A577 and
ML16335A194.
Under its regulations, the Commission ADDRESSES: You may submit comments • NRC’s PDR: You may examine and
may issue and make an amendment by any of the following methods: purchase copies of public documents at
immediately effective, notwithstanding • Federal Rulemaking Web site: Go to the NRC’s PDR, Room O1–F21, One
the pendency before it of a request for http://www.regulations.gov and search White Flint North, 11555 Rockville
a hearing from any person, in advance for Docket ID NRC–2016–0183. Address Pike, Rockville, Maryland 20852.
of the holding and completion of any questions about NRC dockets to Carol • NRC’s Clearance Officer: A copy of
required hearing, where it has made a Gallagher; telephone: 301–415–3463; the collection of information and related
final determination that no significant email: Carol.Gallagher@nrc.gov. For instructions may be obtained without
hazards consideration is involved. technical questions, contact the charge by contacting NRC’s Clearance
The Commission has determined that individual listed in the FOR FURTHER Officer, David Cullison, Office of the
these amendments satisfy the criteria for INFORMATION CONTACT section of this Chief Information Officer, U.S. Nuclear
categorical exclusion in accordance document. Regulatory Commission, Washington,
with 10 CFR 51.22. Therefore, pursuant • Mail comments to: David Cullison, DC 20555–0001; telephone: 301–415–
to 10 CFR 51.22(b), no environmental Office of the Chief Information Officer, 2084; email:
impact statement or environmental Mail Stop: T–5 F53, U.S. Nuclear Infocollects.Resource@nrc.gov.
assessment need be prepared for these Regulatory Commission, Washington,
DC 20555–0001. B. Submitting Comments
amendments.
For additional direction on obtaining Please include Docket ID NRC–2016–
V. Conclusion information and submitting comments, 0183 in the subject line of your
see ‘‘Obtaining Information and comment submission, in order to ensure
Using the reasons set forth in the
Submitting Comments’’ in the that the NRC is able to make your
combined safety evaluation, the staff
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION section of comment submission available to the
granted the exemption and issued the
this document. public in this docket.
amendment that the licensee requested
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
The NRC cautions you not to include
on February 6, 2015, and supplemented
identifying or contact information in
sradovich on DSK3GMQ082PROD with NOTICES
by letter dated September 15, 2015. The David Cullison, Office of the Chief
Information Officer, U.S. Nuclear comment submissions that you do not
exemption and amendment were issued want to be publicly disclosed in your
on December 22, 2016, as part of a Regulatory Commission, Washington,
DC 20555–0001; telephone: 301–415– comment submission. The NRC will
combined package to the licensee post all comment submissions at http://
(ADAMS Accession No. ML16096A345). 2084; email:
Infocollects.Resource@nrc.gov. www.regulations.gov as well as enter the
Dated at Rockville, Maryland, this 13th day comment submissions into ADAMS,
of March 2017. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: and the NRC does not routinely edit
VerDate Sep<11>2014 17:13 Mar 22, 2017 Jkt 241001 PO 00000 Frm 00055 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 E:\FR\FM\23MRN1.SGM 23MRN1](https://thefederalregister.org/doc/82_FR_14972/page/3.svg)
Document Created: 2017-03-23 02:45:51
Document Modified: 2017-03-23 02:45:51
| 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 December 22, 2016. | |
| 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 14917 |
2025 Federal Register | Disclaimer | Privacy Policy
USC | CFR | eCFR