82 FR 27088 - The American Centrifuge Lead Cascade Facility in Piketon, Ohio
NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION Federal Register Volume 82, Issue 112 (June 13, 2017)
Federal Register Volume 82, Issue 112 (June 13, 2017)
| Page Range | 27088-27089 | |
| FR Document | 2017-12139 |
[Federal Register Volume 82, Number 112 (Tuesday, June 13, 2017)] [Notices] [Pages 27088-27089] From the Federal Register Online [www.thefederalregister.org] [FR Doc No: 2017-12139] ----------------------------------------------------------------------- NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION [Docket No. 70-7003; NRC-2017-0137] The American Centrifuge Lead Cascade Facility in Piketon, Ohio AGENCY: Nuclear Regulatory Commission. ACTION: Environmental assessment and finding of no significant impact; issuance. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- SUMMARY: The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) is issuing an environmental assessment (EA) and a finding of no significant impact regarding a request from American Centrifuge Operating, LLC (ACO or the licensee). ACO is authorized to possess and use special nuclear material (SNM), source material, and byproduct material at its Lead Cascade Facility (LCF) in Ohio under NRC License SNM-7003, issued in 2004. ACO requested the NRC's approval to ship radioactively contaminated and non-contaminated classified matter and waste from the LCF to the Nevada National Security Site (NNSS) operated by the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE). The classified matter and waste would be permanently buried at the NNSS. ACO operated the LCF on DOE's site in Piketon, Ohio, where a gaseous diffusion uranium enrichment plant had previously operated. The LCF was operated as a test facility using centrifuges to enrich uranium, and provided reliability, performance, cost and other data for use in deciding whether to construct and operate a commercial uranium enrichment plant at DOE's Piketon, Ohio, site. DATES: The EA and FONSI referenced in this document are available on June 13, 2017. ADDRESSES: Please refer to Docket ID NRC-2017-0137 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-2017-0137. 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. 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: Jean Trefethen, Office of Nuclear Material Safety and Safeguards, U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission, Washington, DC 20555-0001; telephone: 301-415-0867, email: [email protected]. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: I. Introduction By letter dated February 24, 2017 and supplemented on March 10, 2017 (ADAMS Accession Nos. ML17073A109 and ML17087A285, respectively), the licensee requested NRC approval of ACO's plan to ship off site for disposal radioactively contaminated and non-contaminated classified matter and waste generated at the American Centrifuge LCF. The LCF is located on an approximately 3,700 acre (1,500 hectare) site in Pike County, Ohio, that is owned by the DOE. The DOE leases portions of this site, including the LCF buildings, to the licensee. The LCF classified matter and waste would be sent to the DOE's NNSS for permanent disposal there. The NRC staff has prepared an EA (ML17153A093) as part of its review of this proposed action in accordance with the requirements in part 51 of title 10 of the Code of Federal Regulations (10 CFR), ``Environmental Protection Regulations for Domestic Licensing and Related Regulatory Functions'' and associated staff guidance. The NRC has concluded that the proposed action will not have a significant effect on the quality of the human environment. [[Page 27089]] II. Summary of Environmental Assessment The licensee has identified three types of waste to be shipped: Solid radioactive, liquid radioactive, and solid low level mixed waste (LLMW). The licensee states that approximately 315 waste shipments to NNSS will be necessary, and anticipates that these shipments will be completed in calendar year 2018. The ACO estimates that approximately 180,000 cubic feet (5,097 cubic meters) of Class A solid radioactive waste would need to be shipped to NNSS. This waste would be packaged in Intermodal Freight Transport and B-25 box containers for shipment. The B-25 box containers are nominally 4 x 4 x 6 feet steel containers with a bolted lid. The licensee also plans to ship liquid radioactive waste consisting of oils removed from LCF process equipment during disassembly. Solid LLMW, consisting of various electronic components from the LCF, would be packaged into B-25 box containers for disposal. This solid LLMW would first be further processed at the EnergySolutions facility in Oak Ridge, Tennessee, to substantially reduce surface exposure to leaching media, before being shipped to NNSS for disposal. ACO also would transfer unclassified, low-level contaminated liquid waste to a facility on DOE's Piketon, Ohio, site for further processing. This unclassified waste would not be shipped to NNSS. The Need for the Proposed Action By letter dated March 2, 2016, the licensee notified the NRC of its decision to permanently cease LCF operations (ADAMS Accession No. ML16074A405). In preparation for future decommissioning of the LCF, ACO is packaging its classified matter and waste for transport to the NNSS for permanent burial. Environmental Impacts of the Proposed Action The NRC staff evaluated the potential environmental impacts associated with the proposed action, and has performed its environmental review in accordance with the requirements in 10 CFR part 51 and associated staff guidance. As detailed in the EA, the staff in preparing the EA reviewed relevant information submitted by the licensee, consulted with the Ohio State Historic Preservation Office (Ohio SHPO), and received input from the Ohio Department of Health. Packaging and preparation of classified matter and waste for shipping occurs inside the LCF buildings, and no activities involving land disturbance are planned. Therefore, the NRC staff finds that there would be no impacts to the following resources areas: Land use, geology and soils, water resources, ecology, meteorology, climate, air quality, noise, visual and scenic resources, and socioeconomic resources. The NRC staff evaluated the radiological impacts to workers and the public. The staff found that the projected radiological doses to workers would be below the dose limits specified in 10 CFR 20.1201, ``Occupational dose limits to adults,'' and that radiological doses to the public would be indistinguishable when compared to background radiation. The proposed shipments would be made using authorized commercial carriers that would travel primarily on state highways using well- established routes to the final burial site at NNSS. The NRC determined that the relatively small total number of shipments spread over an extended period of time, along with the limited duration of the shipping process, would not significantly affect traffic flow. The NRC staff also evaluated the cumulative impacts by identifying past, present, and reasonably foreseeable future actions at DOE's Piketon, Ohio, site, and the incremental impacts of ACO's proposed action. The staff determined that the proposed action would not significantly contribute to cumulative impacts. The staff also determined that the proposed action would not affect federally-listed endangered or threatened species or their critical habitats. Environmental Impacts of the No-Action Alternative As an alternative to the proposed action, the staff considered denial of the proposed action (i.e., the ``no-action'' alternative). Under the no-action alternative, all waste generated by LCF operations to date would remain onsite. The no-action alternative does not comply with commitments made during licensing or the decommissioning requirements of 10 CFR 70.38. Therefore, the NRC staff concludes that leaving all of the LCF the waste onsite is not a reasonable alternative to approving the proposed action. Agencies and Persons Consulted On May 24, 2017 (ADAMS Accession No. ML17111A766), the NRC consulted with Ohio Department of Health regarding the environmental impacts of the proposed action. The state official concurred with the environmental assessment and finding of no significant impact (ADAMS Accession No. ML17153A269). The NRC also spoke with the Ohio SHPO and consulted by letter dated April 13, 2017 (ADAMS Accession No. ML17102B319). The Ohio SHPO responded by letter dated May 8, 2017, stating that a finding of No Adverse Effect for the proposed action is appropriate (ADAMS Accession No. ML17144A176). III. Finding of No Significant Impact In accordance with the requirements in 10 CFR part 51, the NRC staff has concluded that the proposed action will not significantly affect the quality of the human environment. Therefore, the staff has determined, pursuant to 10 CFR 51.31, that preparation of an environmental impact statement is not required for the proposed action, and that a finding of no significant impact is appropriate. Dated at Rockville, Maryland, this 5th day of June 2017. For the Nuclear Regulatory Commission. Craig G. Erlanger, Director, Division of Fuel Cycle Safety, Safeguards, and Environmental Review, Office of Nuclear Material Safety and Safeguards. [FR Doc. 2017-12139 Filed 6-12-17; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 7590-01-P
![27088 Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 112 / Tuesday, June 13, 2017 / Notices
and evaluation of the amendment For the Nuclear Regulatory Commission. email: Carol.Gallagher@nrc.gov. For
request. As further explained in the John McKirgan, technical questions, contact the
SER, the NRC has also determined that Chief, Spent Fuel Licensing Branch, Division individual listed in the FOR FURTHER
the license amendment is administrative of Spent Fuel Management, Office of Nuclear INFORMATION CONTACT section of this
in nature, and therefore satisfies the 10 Material Safety and Safeguards. document.
CFR 51.22(c)(11) criteria for a [FR Doc. 2017–12137 Filed 6–12–17; 8:45 am] • NRC’s Agencywide Documents
categorical exclusion from the BILLING CODE 7590–01–P Access and Management System
requirement to prepare an (ADAMS): You may obtain publicly-
environmental impact statement. Under available documents online in the
10 CFR 51.22(c)(11), this action is NUCLEAR REGULATORY ADAMS Public Documents collection at
COMMISSION http://www.nrc.gov/reading-rm/
eligible for categorical exclusion,
because it is an amendment to a [Docket No. 70–7003; NRC–2017–0137] adams.html. To begin the search, select
materials licenses which is ‘‘ADAMS Public Documents’’ and then
administrative, organizational, or The American Centrifuge Lead select ‘‘Begin Web-based ADAMS
procedural in nature, or which results in Cascade Facility in Piketon, Ohio Search.’’ For problems with ADAMS,
a change in process operations or please contact the NRC’s Public
AGENCY: Nuclear Regulatory Document Room (PDR) reference staff at
equipment, provided that (i) there is no Commission. 1–800–397–4209, 301–415–4737, or by
significant change in the types or ACTION: Environmental assessment and email to pdr.resource@nrc.gov. The
significant increase in the amounts of finding of no significant impact; ADAMS accession number for each
any effluents that may be released issuance. document referenced (if it is available in
offsite, (ii) there is no significant ADAMS) is provided the first time that
increase in individual or cumulative SUMMARY: The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory it is mentioned in this document.
occupational radiation exposure, (iii) Commission (NRC) is issuing an
environmental assessment (EA) and a • NRC’s PDR: You may examine and
there is no significant construction purchase copies of public documents at
impact, and (iv) there is no significant finding of no significant impact
regarding a request from American the NRC’s PDR, Room O1–F21, One
increase in the potential for or White Flint North, 11555 Rockville
consequences from radiological Centrifuge Operating, LLC (ACO or the
licensee). ACO is authorized to possess Pike, Rockville, Maryland 20852.
accidents. Consequently, an
environmental assessment and finding and use special nuclear material (SNM), FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Jean
of no significant impact are not source material, and byproduct material Trefethen, Office of Nuclear Material
at its Lead Cascade Facility (LCF) in Safety and Safeguards, U.S. Nuclear
required.
Ohio under NRC License SNM–7003, Regulatory Commission, Washington,
Upon completing its review, the NRC issued in 2004. ACO requested the DC 20555–0001; telephone: 301–415–
staff determined the request complies NRC’s approval to ship radioactively 0867, email: Jean.Trefethen@nrc.gov.
with the standards and requirements of contaminated and non-contaminated SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
the Atomic Energy Act of 1954, as classified matter and waste from the
amended (the Act), as well as the NRC’s LCF to the Nevada National Security I. Introduction
rules and regulations. The Commission Site (NNSS) operated by the U.S. By letter dated February 24, 2017 and
has made appropriate findings as Department of Energy (DOE). The supplemented on March 10, 2017
required by the Act and the classified matter and waste would be (ADAMS Accession Nos. ML17073A109
Commission’s rules and regulations in permanently buried at the NNSS. ACO and ML17087A285, respectively), the
10 CFR Chapter I, which are set forth in operated the LCF on DOE’s site in licensee requested NRC approval of
the license amendment. The NRC Piketon, Ohio, where a gaseous ACO’s plan to ship off site for disposal
approved and issued Amendment No. 5 diffusion uranium enrichment plant had radioactively contaminated and non-
to Special Nuclear Materials License No. previously operated. The LCF was contaminated classified matter and
SNM–2508, held by DOE for the receipt, operated as a test facility using waste generated at the American
possession, transfer, and storage of centrifuges to enrich uranium, and Centrifuge LCF. The LCF is located on
spent fuel and associated radioactive provided reliability, performance, cost an approximately 3,700 acre (1,500
materials at the TMI–2 ISFSI. and other data for use in deciding hectare) site in Pike County, Ohio, that
Amendment No. 5 was effective as of whether to construct and operate a is owned by the DOE. The DOE leases
the date of issuance. commercial uranium enrichment plant portions of this site, including the LCF
at DOE’s Piketon, Ohio, site. buildings, to the licensee. The LCF
In accordance with 10 CFR
DATES: The EA and FONSI referenced in classified matter and waste would be
72.46(b)(2), the NRC has determined
this document are available on June 13, sent to the DOE’s NNSS for permanent
that Amendment No. 5 does not present 2017.
a genuine issue as to whether the health disposal there. The NRC staff has
and safety of the public will be ADDRESSES: Please refer to Docket ID prepared an EA (ML17153A093) as part
significantly affected. Therefore, the NRC–2017–0137 when contacting the of its review of this proposed action in
NRC about the availability of accordance with the requirements in
publication of a notice of proposed
information regarding this document. part 51 of title 10 of the Code of Federal
action and an opportunity for hearing or
You may obtain publicly-available Regulations (10 CFR), ‘‘Environmental
nlaroche on DSK30NT082PROD with NOTICES
a notice of hearing is not warranted.
information related to this document Protection Regulations for Domestic
Notice is hereby given of the right of using any of the following methods: Licensing and Related Regulatory
interested persons to request a hearing • Federal Rulemaking Web Site: go to Functions’’ and associated staff
on whether the action should be http://www.regulations.gov and search guidance. The NRC has concluded that
rescinded or modified. for Docket ID NRC–2017–0137. Address the proposed action will not have a
Dated at Rockville, Maryland, this 25 day questions about NRC dockets to Carol significant effect on the quality of the
of May 2017. Gallagher; telephone: 301–415–3463; human environment.
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![Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 112 / Tuesday, June 13, 2017 / Notices 27089
II. Summary of Environmental occurs inside the LCF buildings, and no impact (ADAMS Accession No.
Assessment activities involving land disturbance are ML17153A269). The NRC also spoke
The licensee has identified three planned. Therefore, the NRC staff finds with the Ohio SHPO and consulted by
types of waste to be shipped: Solid that there would be no impacts to the letter dated April 13, 2017 (ADAMS
radioactive, liquid radioactive, and solid following resources areas: Land use, Accession No. ML17102B319). The
geology and soils, water resources, Ohio SHPO responded by letter dated
low level mixed waste (LLMW). The
ecology, meteorology, climate, air May 8, 2017, stating that a finding of No
licensee states that approximately 315
quality, noise, visual and scenic Adverse Effect for the proposed action
waste shipments to NNSS will be
resources, and socioeconomic resources. is appropriate (ADAMS Accession No.
necessary, and anticipates that these The NRC staff evaluated the
shipments will be completed in ML17144A176).
radiological impacts to workers and the
calendar year 2018. public. The staff found that the III. Finding of No Significant Impact
The ACO estimates that projected radiological doses to workers In accordance with the requirements
approximately 180,000 cubic feet (5,097 would be below the dose limits in 10 CFR part 51, the NRC staff has
cubic meters) of Class A solid specified in 10 CFR 20.1201, concluded that the proposed action will
radioactive waste would need to be ‘‘Occupational dose limits to adults,’’ not significantly affect the quality of the
shipped to NNSS. This waste would be and that radiological doses to the public human environment. Therefore, the staff
packaged in Intermodal Freight would be indistinguishable when has determined, pursuant to 10 CFR
Transport and B–25 box containers for compared to background radiation. 51.31, that preparation of an
shipment. The B–25 box containers are The proposed shipments would be environmental impact statement is not
nominally 4 x 4 x 6 feet steel containers made using authorized commercial required for the proposed action, and
with a bolted lid. The licensee also carriers that would travel primarily on that a finding of no significant impact is
plans to ship liquid radioactive waste state highways using well-established appropriate.
consisting of oils removed from LCF routes to the final burial site at NNSS.
process equipment during disassembly. Dated at Rockville, Maryland, this 5th day
The NRC determined that the relatively of June 2017.
Solid LLMW, consisting of various small total number of shipments spread
electronic components from the LCF, For the Nuclear Regulatory Commission.
over an extended period of time, along
would be packaged into B–25 box with the limited duration of the Craig G. Erlanger,
containers for disposal. This solid shipping process, would not Director, Division of Fuel Cycle Safety,
LLMW would first be further processed significantly affect traffic flow. Safeguards, and Environmental Review,
at the EnergySolutions facility in Oak The NRC staff also evaluated the Office of Nuclear Material Safety and
Ridge, Tennessee, to substantially Safeguards.
cumulative impacts by identifying past,
reduce surface exposure to leaching [FR Doc. 2017–12139 Filed 6–12–17; 8:45 am]
present, and reasonably foreseeable
media, before being shipped to NNSS future actions at DOE’s Piketon, Ohio, BILLING CODE 7590–01–P
for disposal. site, and the incremental impacts of
ACO also would transfer unclassified, ACO’s proposed action. The staff
low-level contaminated liquid waste to determined that the proposed action PENSION BENEFIT GUARANTY
a facility on DOE’s Piketon, Ohio, site would not significantly contribute to CORPORATION
for further processing. This unclassified cumulative impacts. The staff also
waste would not be shipped to NNSS. determined that the proposed action Notice of the American Arbitration
The Need for the Proposed Action would not affect federally-listed Association’s Response to Public
endangered or threatened species or Comments Related to the Pending
By letter dated March 2, 2016, the their critical habitats. Request for Approval of an Alternative
licensee notified the NRC of its decision Arbitration Procedure
to permanently cease LCF operations Environmental Impacts of the No-Action
(ADAMS Accession No. ML16074A405). Alternative AGENCY: Pension Benefit Guaranty
In preparation for future As an alternative to the proposed Corporation.
decommissioning of the LCF, ACO is action, the staff considered denial of the ACTION: Notice of the American
packaging its classified matter and proposed action (i.e., the ‘‘no-action’’ Arbitration Association’s response to
waste for transport to the NNSS for alternative). Under the no-action public comments.
permanent burial. alternative, all waste generated by LCF
operations to date would remain onsite. SUMMARY: The Pension Benefit Guaranty
Environmental Impacts of the Proposed Corporation invited the American
Action The no-action alternative does not
comply with commitments made during Arbitration Association to respond to
The NRC staff evaluated the potential licensing or the decommissioning the public comments submitted in
environmental impacts associated with requirements of 10 CFR 70.38. response to its request for approval of an
the proposed action, and has performed Therefore, the NRC staff concludes that Alternative Arbitration Procedure under
its environmental review in accordance leaving all of the LCF the waste onsite section 4221 of the Employee
with the requirements in 10 CFR part 51 is not a reasonable alternative to Retirement Income Security Act of 1974
and associated staff guidance. As approving the proposed action. and PBGC’s default arbitration
detailed in the EA, the staff in preparing procedures. On March 23, 2016, PBGC
the EA reviewed relevant information Agencies and Persons Consulted published notice of the American
nlaroche on DSK30NT082PROD with NOTICES
submitted by the licensee, consulted On May 24, 2017 (ADAMS Accession Arbitration Association’s request in the
with the Ohio State Historic No. ML17111A766), the NRC consulted Federal Register to advise interested
Preservation Office (Ohio SHPO), and with Ohio Department of Health persons of the request and solicit their
received input from the Ohio regarding the environmental impacts of views on it. This notice provides the
Department of Health. the proposed action. The state official public with the American Arbitration
Packaging and preparation of concurred with the environmental Association’s letter response and solicits
classified matter and waste for shipping assessment and finding of no significant public comment on the response.
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Document Created: 2017-06-13 00:22:09
Document Modified: 2017-06-13 00:22:09
| 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 | Environmental assessment and finding of no significant impact; issuance. | |
| Dates | The EA and FONSI referenced in this document are available on June 13, 2017. | |
| Contact | Jean Trefethen, Office of Nuclear Material Safety and Safeguards, U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission, Washington, DC 20555-0001; telephone: 301-415-0867, email: [email protected] | |
| FR Citation | 82 FR 27088 |
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