82 FR 58657 - Southern Nuclear Operating Company, Inc., Vogtle Electric Generating Plant, Units 3 and 4; Inspections, Tests, Analyses, and Acceptance Criteria Consolidation

NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION

Federal Register Volume 82, Issue 238 (December 13, 2017)

Page Range		58657-58658
FR Document		2017-26807

The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) is granting an exemption to allow a departure from elements of the certification information of Tier 1 of the generic AP1000 design control document (DCD) and is issuing License Amendment Nos. 85 and 84 to Combined Licenses (COL), NPF-91 and NPF-92, respectively. The COLs were issued to Southern Nuclear Operating Company, Inc. (SNC), 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 238 (Wednesday, December 13, 2017)

[Federal Register Volume 82, Number 238 (Wednesday, December 13, 2017)]
[Notices]
[Pages 58657-58658]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2017-26807]


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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; Inspections, Tests, Analyses, and 
Acceptance Criteria Consolidation

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 elements of the certification 
information of Tier 1 of the generic AP1000 design control document 
(DCD) and is issuing License Amendment Nos. 85 and 84 to Combined 
Licenses (COL), NPF-91 and NPF-92, respectively. The COLs were issued 
to Southern Nuclear Operating Company, Inc. (SNC), 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 August 24, 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 website: 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 March 2, 2017, and supplemented by letter dated July 28, 
2017, (ADAMS Accession Nos. ML17061A747 and ML17209A770, respectively) 
designated License Amendment Request (LAR) 17-006.
     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: William (Billy) Gleaves, Office of New 
Reactors, U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission, Washington, DC 20555-
0001; telephone: 301-415-5848; 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. 85 and 84 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,'' appendix D, to 10 CFR

[[Page 58658]]

part 52 to allow the licensee to depart from Tier 1 information. With 
the requested amendment, the licensee proposed changes to COL Appendix 
C and plant-specific DCD Tier 1 to consolidate a number of Inspections, 
Tests, Analyses, and Acceptance Criteria (ITAAC) to improve the 
efficiency of the ITAAC completion and closure process. SNC also 
requested related exemptions from the Commission's regulations.
    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. ML17216A065.
    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. ML17216A070 and 
ML17216A069, 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. ML17216A072 and 
ML17216A071, 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 March 2, 2017, as supplemented by letter dated 
July 28, 2017, Southern Nuclear Operating Company, Inc., (licensee) 
requested from the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC or Commission) an 
exemption to allow departures from Tier 1 information in the certified 
DCD incorporated by reference in 10 CFR part 52, appendix D, ``Design 
Certification Rule for the AP1000 Design,'' as part of license 
amendment request (LAR) 17-006, ``Inspections, Tests, Analyses, and 
Acceptance Criteria (ITAAC) Consolidation.''
    For the reasons set forth in Section 3.1 of the NRC staff's Safety 
Evaluation, which can be found at ADAMS Accession No. ML17216A065, 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 March 2, 2017, as supplemented by letter dated 
July 28, 2017. This exemption is related to, and necessary for, the 
granting of License Amendment No. 85 and 84, respectively, which is 
being issued concurrently with this exemption.
    3. As explained in Section 6.0 of the NRC staff's Safety Evaluation 
(ADAMS Accession No. ML17216A065, 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 March 2, 2017 (ADAMS Accession No. ML17061A747), as 
supplemented by letter dated July 28, 2017 (ADAMS Accession No. 
ML17209A770), 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 
March 28, 2017 (82 FR 15377). 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 March 2, 2017, as supplemented by letter dated July 28, 
2017.
    The exemption and amendment were issued on August 24, 2017, as part 
of a combined package to the licensee (ADAMS Accession No. 
ML17216A064).

    Dated at Rockville, Maryland, this 7th day of December, 2017.

    For the Nuclear Regulatory Commission.
Jennifer L. Dixon-Herrity,
Chief, Licensing Branch 4, Division of New Reactor Licensing, Office of 
New Reactors.
[FR Doc. 2017-26807 Filed 12-12-17; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 7590-01-P

58658 Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 238 / Wednesday, December 13, 2017 / Notices

part 52 to allow the licensee to depart Certification Rule for the AP1000 Commission’s rules and regulations.
from Tier 1 information. With the Design,’’ as part of license amendment The Commission has made appropriate
requested amendment, the licensee request (LAR) 17–006, ‘‘Inspections, findings as required by the Act and the
proposed changes to COL Appendix C Tests, Analyses, and Acceptance Commission’s rules and regulations in
and plant-specific DCD Tier 1 to Criteria (ITAAC) Consolidation.’’ 10 CFR Chapter I, which are set forth in
consolidate a number of Inspections, For the reasons set forth in Section 3.1 the license amendment.
Tests, Analyses, and Acceptance of the NRC staff’s Safety Evaluation, A notice of consideration of issuance
Criteria (ITAAC) to improve the which can be found at ADAMS of amendment to facility operating
efficiency of the ITAAC completion and Accession No. ML17216A065, the license or COL, as applicable, proposed
closure process. SNC also requested Commission finds that no significant hazards consideration
related exemptions from the A. the exemption is authorized by determination, and opportunity for a
Commission’s regulations. law; hearing in connection with these
Part of the justification for granting B. the exemption presents no undue actions, was published in the Federal
the exemption was provided by the risk to public health and safety; Register on March 28, 2017 (82 FR
review of the amendment. Because the C. the exemption is consistent with 15377). No comments were received
exemption is necessary in order to issue the common defense and security; during the 30-day comment period.
the requested license amendment, the D. special circumstances are present The Commission has determined that
NRC granted the exemption and issued in that the application of the rule in this these amendments satisfy the criteria for
the amendment concurrently, rather circumstance is not necessary to serve categorical exclusion in accordance
than in sequence. This included issuing the underlying purpose of the rule; with 10 CFR 51.22. Therefore, pursuant
a combined safety evaluation containing E. the special circumstances outweigh to 10 CFR 51.22(b), no environmental
the NRC staff’s review of both the any decrease in safety that may result impact statement or environmental
exemption request and the license from the reduction in standardization assessment need be prepared for these
amendment. The exemption met all caused by the exemption; and amendments.
applicable regulatory criteria set forth in F. the exemption will not result in a
§§ 50.12, 52.7, and section VIII.A.4 of significant decrease in the level of safety IV. Conclusion
appendix D to 10 CFR part 52. The otherwise provided by the design. Using the reasons set forth in the
license amendment was found to be 2. Accordingly, the licensee is granted combined safety evaluation, the staff
acceptable as well. The combined safety an exemption from the certified DCD granted the exemption and issued the
evaluation is available in ADAMS under Tier 1 information, with corresponding amendment that the licensee requested
Accession No. ML17216A065. changes to Appendix C of the Facility on March 2, 2017, as supplemented by
Identical exemption documents Combined License as described in the letter dated July 28, 2017.
(except for referenced unit numbers and licensee’s request dated March 2, 2017, The exemption and amendment were
license numbers) were issued to the as supplemented by letter dated July 28, issued on August 24, 2017, as part of a
licensee for VEGP Units 3 and 4 (COLs 2017. This exemption is related to, and combined package to the licensee
NPF–91 and NPF–92). The exemption necessary for, the granting of License (ADAMS Accession No. ML17216A064).
documents for VEGP Units 3 and 4 can Amendment No. 85 and 84, Dated at Rockville, Maryland, this 7th day
be found in ADAMS under Accession respectively, which is being issued of December, 2017.
Nos. ML17216A070 and ML17216A069, concurrently with this exemption. For the Nuclear Regulatory Commission.
respectively. The exemption is 3. As explained in Section 6.0 of the
Jennifer L. Dixon-Herrity,
reproduced (with the exception of NRC staff’s Safety Evaluation (ADAMS
abbreviated titles and additional Accession No. ML17216A065, this Chief, Licensing Branch 4, Division of New
Reactor Licensing, Office of New Reactors.
citations) in Section II of this document. exemption meets the eligibility criteria
The amendment documents for COLs for categorical exclusion set forth in 10 [FR Doc. 2017–26807 Filed 12–12–17; 8:45 am]
NPF–91 and NPF–92 are available in CFR 51.22(c)(9). Therefore, pursuant to BILLING CODE 7590–01–P

ADAMS under Accession Nos. 10 CFR 51.22(b), no environmental
ML17216A072 and ML17216A071, impact statement or environmental
respectively. A summary of the assessment needs to be prepared in POSTAL REGULATORY COMMISSION
amendment documents is provided in connection with the issuance of the [Docket No. CP2018–79]
Section III of this document. exemption.
4. This exemption is effective as of the New Postal Product
II. Exemption date of its issuance.
Reproduced below is the exemption AGENCY: Postal Regulatory Commission.
document issued to VEGP Units 3 and III. License Amendment Request ACTION: Notice.
Unit 4. It makes reference to the By letter dated March 2, 2017
combined safety evaluation that (ADAMS Accession No. ML17061A747), SUMMARY: The Commission is noticing a
provides the reasoning for the findings as supplemented by letter dated July 28, recent Postal Service filing for the
made by the NRC (and listed under Item 2017 (ADAMS Accession No. Commission’s consideration concerning
1) in order to grant the exemption: ML17209A770), the licensee requested a negotiated service agreement. This
1. In a letter dated March 2, 2017, as that the NRC amend the COLs for VEGP, notice informs the public of the filing,
supplemented by letter dated July 28, Units 3 and 4, COLs NPF–91 and NPF– invites public comment, and takes other
2017, Southern Nuclear Operating administrative steps.
sradovich on DSK3GMQ082PROD with NOTICES

92. The proposed amendment is
Company, Inc., (licensee) requested described in Section I of this Federal DATES: Comments are due: December
from the Nuclear Regulatory Register notice. 15, 2017.
Commission (NRC or Commission) an The Commission has determined for ADDRESSES: Submit comments
exemption to allow departures from Tier these amendments that the application electronically via the Commission’s
1 information in the certified DCD complies with the standards and Filing Online system at http://
incorporated by reference in 10 CFR requirements of the Atomic Energy Act www.prc.gov. Those who cannot submit
part 52, appendix D, ‘‘Design of 1954, as amended (the Act), and the comments electronically should contact

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Document Created: 2017-12-13 01:24:01
Document Modified: 2017-12-13 01:24:01

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 August 24, 2017.
Contact		William (Billy) Gleaves, Office of New Reactors, U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission, Washington, DC 20555- 0001; telephone: 301-415-5848; email: [email protected]
FR Citation		82 FR 58657