82 FR 21432 - Southern Nuclear Operating Company, Inc.,Vogtle Electric Generating Plant, Units 3 and 4; Passive Core Cooling System (PXS) Condensate Return

NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION

Federal Register Volume 82, Issue 87 (May 8, 2017)

Page Range		21432-21433
FR Document		2017-09203

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 Nos. 72 and 71 to Combined Licenses (COLs), NPF-91 and NPF-92, for the Vogtle Electric Generating Plant (VEGP) Units 3 and 4, respectively. 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 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 87 (Monday, May 8, 2017)

[Federal Register Volume 82, Number 87 (Monday, May 8, 2017)]
[Notices]
[Pages 21432-21433]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2017-09203]


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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; Passive Core Cooling System (PXS) 
Condensate Return

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 Nos. 72 and 71 to Combined Licenses (COLs), NPF-91 
and NPF-92, for the Vogtle Electric Generating Plant (VEGP) Units 3 and 
4, respectively. 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 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 February 27, 2017.

ADDRESSES: Please refer to Docket ID NRC-2008-0252 when contacting the 
NRC about the availability of information regarding this document. You 
may access information related to this document, which the NRC 
possesses and is publicly-available, 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 November 4, 2016, as supplemented November 16, 2016 (ADAMS 
Accession Nos. ML16319A120 and ML16321A416, respectively).
     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: Ruth C. Reyes, Office of New Reactors, 
U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission, Washington, DC 20555-0001; 
telephone: 301-415-3249; 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 Nos. 72 and 71 to COLs, NPF-91 
and NPF-92, respectively, 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. The amendment authorizes changes to the 
VEGP Units 3 and 4 Updated Final Safety Analysis Report in the form of 
departures from the incorporated plant specific Design Control Document 
Tier 2 information, proposes to depart from involved plant-specific 
Tier 1 information (and associated COL Appendix C information) and from 
involved plant-specific Technical Specifications as incorporated in 
Appendix A of the COL. With the requested amendment, the licensee 
proposed changes to reflect an increase in the efficiency of the return 
of condensate utilized by the passive core cooling system to the in-
containment refueling water storage tank to support the capability for 
long-term cooling.
    Part of the justification for granting the exemption was provided 
by the

[[Page 21433]]

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. 
ML17024A307.
    Identical exemption documents (except for referenced unit numbers, 
license numbers and amendment 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. 
ML17024A254 and ML17024A271, 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. ML17024A237 and 
ML17024A245, 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 November 4, 2016, as supplemented November 16, 
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 16-026, ``Passive Core Cooling System (PXS) Condensate 
Return.''
    For the reasons set forth in Section 3.0 of the NRC staff's Safety 
Evaluation, which can be found at ADAMS Accession No. ML17024A307, 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 Licenses as described in the 
licensee's request dated November 4, 2016, as supplemented November 16, 
2016. This exemption is related to, and necessary for the granting of 
License Amendment [Nos. 72 and 71 for Units 3 and 4, respectively], 
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. ML17024A307), 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 November 4, 2016, as supplemented November 16, 2016 
(ADAMS Accession Nos. ML16319A120 and ML16321A416), 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 
December 12, 2016 (81 FR 89516). 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 letter dated November 4, 2016, as supplemented November 
16, 2016. The exemption and amendment were issued on February 27, 2017, 
as part of a combined package to the licensee (ADAMS Accession No. 
ML17024A317).

    Dated at Rockville, Maryland, this 2nd day of May 2017.

    For the Nuclear Regulatory Commission.
Jennifer Dixon-Herrity,
Chief, Licensing Branch 4, Division of New Reactor Licensing, Office of 
New Reactors.
[FR Doc. 2017-09203 Filed 5-5-17; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 7590-01-P

Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 87 / Monday, May 8, 2017 / Notices 21433

review of the amendment. Because the circumstance is not necessary to serve categorical exclusion in accordance
exemption is necessary in order to issue the underlying purpose of the rule; with 10 CFR 51.22. Therefore, pursuant
the requested license amendment, the E. the special circumstances outweigh to 10 CFR 51.22(b), no environmental
NRC granted the exemption and issued any decrease in safety that may result impact statement or environmental
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
significant decrease in the level of safety IV. Conclusion
the NRC staff’s review of both the
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 letter dated November 4, 2016, as
license amendment was found to be Combined Licenses as described in the supplemented November 16, 2016. The
acceptable as well. The combined safety licensee’s request dated November 4, exemption and amendment were issued
evaluation is available in ADAMS under 2016, as supplemented November 16, on February 27, 2017, as part of a
Accession No. ML17024A307. 2016. This exemption is related to, and combined package to the licensee
Identical exemption documents necessary for the granting of License (ADAMS Accession No. ML17024A317).
(except for referenced unit numbers, Amendment [Nos. 72 and 71 for Units Dated at Rockville, Maryland, this 2nd day
license numbers and amendment 3 and 4, respectively], which is being of May 2017.
numbers) were issued to the licensee for issued concurrently with this For the Nuclear Regulatory Commission.
VEGP Units 3 and 4 (COLs NPF–91 and exemption.
Jennifer Dixon-Herrity,
NPF–92). The exemption documents for 3. As explained in Section 5.0 of the
NRC staff’s Safety Evaluation (ADAMS Chief, Licensing Branch 4, Division of New
VEGP Units 3 and 4 can be found in Reactor Licensing, Office of New Reactors.
ADAMS under Accession Nos. Accession No. ML17024A307), this
exemption meets the eligibility criteria [FR Doc. 2017–09203 Filed 5–5–17; 8:45 am]
ML17024A254 and ML17024A271,
respectively. The exemption is for categorical exclusion set forth in 10 BILLING CODE 7590–01–P

reproduced (with the exception of CFR 51.22(c)(9). Therefore, pursuant to
abbreviated titles and additional 10 CFR 51.22(b), no environmental
citations) in Section II of this document. impact statement or environmental OFFICE OF PERSONNEL
The amendment documents for COLs assessment needs to be prepared in MANAGEMENT
NPF–91 and NPF–92 are available in connection with the issuance of the
exemption. Submission for Review: Survivor
ADAMS under Accession Nos.
4. This exemption is effective as of the Annuity Election for a Spouse, RI 20–
ML17024A237 and ML17024A245,
date of its issuance. 63; Cover Letter Giving Information
respectively. A summary of the
About The Cost To Elect Less Than the
amendment documents is provided in III. License Amendment Request Maximum Survivor Annuity, RI 20–116;
Section III of this document.
By letter dated November 4, 2016, as Cover Letter Giving Information About
II. Exemption supplemented November 16, 2016 the Cost To Elect the Maximum
Reproduced below is the exemption (ADAMS Accession Nos. ML16319A120 Survivor Annuity, RI 20–117
document issued to VEGP Units 3 and and ML16321A416), the licensee
AGENCY: Office of Personnel
Unit 4. It makes reference to the requested that the NRC amend the COLs
Management.
combined safety evaluation that for VEGP, Units 3 and 4, COLs NPF–91
ACTION: 60-Day Notice and request for
provides the reasoning for the findings and NPF–92. The proposed amendment
is described in Section I of this Federal comments.
made by the NRC (and listed under Item
1) in order to grant the exemption: Register notice. SUMMARY: The Retirement Services,
1. In a letter dated November 4, 2016, The Commission has determined for Office of Personnel Management (OPM)
as supplemented November 16, 2016, these amendments that the application offers the general public and other
the licensee requested from the complies with the standards and Federal agencies the opportunity to
Commission an exemption to allow requirements of the Atomic Energy Act comment on an extension without
departures from Tier 1 information in of 1954, as amended (the Act), and the change, of a currently approved
the certified DCD incorporated by Commission’s rules and regulations. information collection request (ICR),
reference in 10 CFR part 52, Appendix The Commission has made appropriate Survivor Annuity Election for a Spouse
D, as part of license amendment request findings as required by the Act and the (RI 20–63), Cover Letter Giving
16–026, ‘‘Passive Core Cooling System Commission’s rules and regulations in Information about the Cost to Elect Less
(PXS) Condensate Return.’’ 10 CFR Chapter I, which are set forth in Than the Maximum Survivor Annuity
For the reasons set forth in Section 3.0 the license amendment. (RI 20–116) and Cover Letter Giving
of the NRC staff’s Safety Evaluation, A notice of consideration of issuance Information About the Cost to Elect the
which can be found at ADAMS of amendment to facility operating Maximum Survivor Annuity (RI 20–
Accession No. ML17024A307, the license or COL, as applicable, proposed 117).
no significant hazards consideration
asabaliauskas on DSK3SPTVN1PROD with NOTICES

Commission finds that:
A. The exemption is authorized by determination, and opportunity for a DATES: Comments are encouraged and
law; hearing in connection with these will be accepted until July 7, 2017.
B. the exemption presents no undue actions, was published in the Federal ADDRESSES: Interested persons are
risk to public health and safety; Register on December 12, 2016 (81 FR invited to submit written comments on
C. the exemption is consistent with 89516). No comments were received the proposed information collection to
the common defense and security; during the 30-day comment period. Retirement Services, U.S. Office of
D. special circumstances are present The Commission has determined that Personnel Management, 1900 E Street
in that the application of the rule in this these amendments satisfy the criteria for NW., Washington, DC 20415, Attention:

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Document Created: 2017-05-06 02:21:27
Document Modified: 2017-05-06 02:21:27

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 February 27, 2017.
Contact		Ruth C. Reyes, Office of New Reactors, U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission, Washington, DC 20555-0001; telephone: 301-415-3249; email: [email protected]
FR Citation		82 FR 21432