82 FR 9080 - South Carolina Electric & Gas Company Virgil C. Summer Nuclear Station, Units 2 and 3; Passive Core Cooling System (PXS) Design Changes To Address Potential Gas Intrusion

NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION

Federal Register Volume 82, Issue 21 (February 2, 2017)

Page Range		9080-9081
FR Document		2017-02211

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. 56 to Combined Licenses (COL), NPF-93 and NPF-94. The COLs were issued to South Carolina Electric & Gas Company (the licensee); for construction and operation of the Virgil C. Summer Nuclear Station (VCSNS) Units 2 and 3, located in Fairfield County, South Carolina. 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 21 (Thursday, February 2, 2017)

[Federal Register Volume 82, Number 21 (Thursday, February 2, 2017)]
[Notices]
[Pages 9080-9081]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2017-02211]


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NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION

[Docket Nos. 52-027 and 52-028; NRC-2008-0441]


South Carolina Electric & Gas Company Virgil C. Summer Nuclear 
Station, Units 2 and 3; Passive Core Cooling System (PXS) Design 
Changes To Address Potential Gas Intrusion

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. 56 to Combined Licenses (COL), NPF-93 and NPF-94. 
The COLs were issued to South Carolina Electric & Gas Company (the 
licensee); for construction and operation of the Virgil C. Summer 
Nuclear Station (VCSNS) Units 2 and 3, located in Fairfield County, 
South Carolina.
    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 November 25, 2016.

ADDRESSES: Please refer to Docket ID NRC-2008-0441 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-2008-0441. 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 June 2, 2016 (ADAMS Accession No. ML16154A226).
     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: Paul Kallan, Office of New Reactors, 
U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission, Washington, DC 20555-0001; 
telephone: 301-415-2809; 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. 56 to COLs, NPF-93 and NPF-
94, 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 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.
    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

[[Page 9081]]

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. ML16301A270.
    Identical exemption documents (except for referenced unit numbers 
and license numbers) were issued to the licensee for VCSNS Units 2 and 
3 (COLs NPF-93 and NPF-94). The exemption documents for VCSNS Units 2 
and 3 can be found in ADAMS under Accession Nos. ML16301A217 and 
ML16301A229, 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-93 and NPF-94 
are available in ADAMS under Accession Nos. ML16301A198 and 
ML16301A203, 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 VCSNS Units 2 
and Unit 3. 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 June 2, 2016, the licensee requested from the 
Commission an exemption from the provisions of 10 CFR part 52, appendix 
D, Section III.B, as part of license amendment request 16-02, ``Passive 
Core Cooling System (PXS) Design Changes to Address Potential Gas 
Intrusion (LAR-16-02).''
    For the reasons set forth in Section 3.1, ``Evaluation of 
Exemption,'' of the NRC staff's Safety Evaluation, which can be found 
in ADAMS under Accession No. ML16301A270, 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 June 2, 2016. This exemption is related to, 
and necessary for, the granting of License Amendment No. 56, which is 
being issued concurrently with this exemption.
    3. As explained in Section 5.0, ``Environmental Consideration,'' of 
the NRC staff's Safety Evaluation (ADAMS Accession No. ML16301A270), 
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 June 2, 2016, the licensee requested that the NRC 
amend the COLs for VCSNS, Units 2 and 3, COLs NPF-93 and NPF-94. 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 combined license, 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 September 13, 2016 (81 FR 62926). 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 June 2, 2016. The exemption and amendment were issued on 
November 25, 2016 as part of a combined package to the licensee (ADAMS 
Accession No. ML16301A175).

    Dated at Rockville, Maryland, this 25th day of January 2017.

    For the Nuclear Regulatory Commission.
Jennifer Dixon-Herrity,
Chief, Licensing Branch 4, Division of New Reactor Licensing, Office of 
New Reactors.
[FR Doc. 2017-02211 Filed 2-1-17; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 7590-01-P

Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 21 / Thursday, February 2, 2017 / Notices 9081

a combined safety evaluation containing F. the exemption will not result in a IV. Conclusion
the NRC staff’s review of both the significant decrease in the level of safety Using the reasons set forth in the
exemption request and the license otherwise provided by the design. combined safety evaluation, the staff
amendment. The exemption met all 2. Accordingly, the licensee is granted granted the exemption and issued the
applicable regulatory criteria set forth in an exemption from the certified DCD amendment that the licensee requested
10 CFR 50.12, 10 CFR 52.7, and Section Tier 1 information, with corresponding on June 2, 2016. The exemption and
VIII.A.4 of appendix D to 10 CFR part changes to Appendix C of the Facility amendment were issued on November
52. The license amendment was found Combined Licenses as described in the 25, 2016 as part of a combined package
to be acceptable as well. The combined licensee’s request dated June 2, 2016. to the licensee (ADAMS Accession No.
safety evaluation is available in ADAMS This exemption is related to, and ML16301A175).
under Accession No. ML16301A270. necessary for, the granting of License Dated at Rockville, Maryland, this 25th day
Identical exemption documents Amendment No. 56, which is being of January 2017.
(except for referenced unit numbers and issued concurrently with this For the Nuclear Regulatory Commission.
license numbers) were issued to the exemption. Jennifer Dixon-Herrity,
licensee for VCSNS Units 2 and 3 (COLs
3. As explained in Section 5.0, Chief, Licensing Branch 4, Division of New
NPF–93 and NPF–94). The exemption Reactor Licensing, Office of New Reactors.
‘‘Environmental Consideration,’’ of the
documents for VCSNS Units 2 and 3 can
NRC staff’s Safety Evaluation (ADAMS [FR Doc. 2017–02211 Filed 2–1–17; 8:45 am]
be found in ADAMS under Accession
Accession No. ML16301A270), this BILLING CODE 7590–01–P
Nos. ML16301A217 and ML16301A229,
exemption meets the eligibility criteria
respectively. The exemption is
for categorical exclusion set forth in 10
reproduced (with the exception of NUCLEAR REGULATORY
CFR 51.22(c)(9). Therefore, pursuant to
abbreviated titles and additional COMMISSION
10 CFR 51.22(b), no environmental
citations) in Section II of this document.
impact statement or environmental
The amendment documents for COLs Advisory Committee on Reactor
assessment needs to be prepared in
NPF–93 and NPF–94 are available in Safeguards (ACRS) Meeting of the
connection with the issuance of the
ADAMS under Accession Nos. ACRS Subcommittee on Future Plant
exemption.
ML16301A198 and ML16301A203, Designs; Notice of Meeting
respectively. A summary of the 4. This exemption is effective as of the
amendment documents is provided in date of its issuance. The ACRS Subcommittee on Future
Section III of this document. Plant Designs will hold a meeting on
III. License Amendment Request February 23, 2017, Room T–2B1, 11545
II. Exemption Rockville Pike, Rockville, Maryland.
By letter dated June 2, 2016, the The meeting will be open to public
Reproduced below is the exemption licensee requested that the NRC amend attendance.
document issued to VCSNS Units 2 and the COLs for VCSNS, Units 2 and 3, The agenda for the subject meeting
Unit 3. It makes reference to the COLs NPF–93 and NPF–94. The shall be as follows:
combined safety evaluation that proposed amendment is described in
provides the reasoning for the findings Section I of this Federal Register notice. Thursday, February 23, 2017—8:30
made by the NRC (and listed under Item a.m. Until 12:00 p.m.
The Commission has determined for
1) in order to grant the exemption: these amendments that the application The Subcommittee will review the
1. In a letter dated June 2, 2016, the complies with the standards and design acceptance criteria inspection
licensee requested from the Commission requirements of the Atomic Energy Act progress and results for piping and
an exemption from the provisions of 10 of 1954, as amended (the Act), and the human factors. The Subcommittee will
CFR part 52, appendix D, Section III.B, Commission’s rules and regulations. hear presentations by and hold
as part of license amendment request The Commission has made appropriate discussions with the NRC staff and
16–02, ‘‘Passive Core Cooling System findings as required by the Act and the other interested persons regarding this
(PXS) Design Changes to Address Commission’s rules and regulations in matter. The Subcommittee will gather
Potential Gas Intrusion (LAR–16–02).’’ 10 CFR Chapter I, which are set forth in information, analyze relevant issues and
For the reasons set forth in Section the license amendment. facts, and formulate proposed positions
3.1, ‘‘Evaluation of Exemption,’’ of the and actions, as appropriate, for
A notice of consideration of issuance deliberation by the Full Committee.
NRC staff’s Safety Evaluation, which of amendment to facility operating
can be found in ADAMS under Members of the public desiring to
license or combined license, as provide oral statements and/or written
Accession No. ML16301A270, the applicable, proposed no significant
Commission finds that: comments should notify the Designated
hazards consideration determination, Federal Official (DFO), Christina
A. The exemption is authorized by and opportunity for a hearing in
law; Antonescu (Telephone 301–415–6792 or
connection with these actions, was Email: Christina.Antonescu@nrc.gov)
B. the exemption presents no undue published in the Federal Register on five days prior to the meeting, if
risk to public health and safety; September 13, 2016 (81 FR 62926). No possible, so that appropriate
C. the exemption is consistent with comments were received during the 30- arrangements can be made. Thirty-five
the common defense and security; day comment period. hard copies of each presentation or
D. special circumstances are present The Commission has determined that handout should be provided to the DFO
mstockstill on DSK3G9T082PROD with NOTICES

in that the application of the rule in this these amendments satisfy the criteria for thirty minutes before the meeting. In
circumstance is not necessary to serve categorical exclusion in accordance addition, one electronic copy of each
the underlying purpose of the rule; with 10 CFR 51.22. Therefore, pursuant presentation should be emailed to the
E. the special circumstances outweigh to 10 CFR 51.22(b), no environmental DFO one day before the meeting. If an
any decrease in safety that may result impact statement or environmental electronic copy cannot be provided
from the reduction in standardization assessment need be prepared for these within this timeframe, presenters
caused by the exemption; and amendments. should provide the DFO with a CD

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Document Created: 2017-02-02 00:55:25
Document Modified: 2017-02-02 00:55:25

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 November 25, 2016.
Contact		Paul Kallan, Office of New Reactors, U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission, Washington, DC 20555-0001; telephone: 301-415-2809; email: [email protected]
FR Citation		82 FR 9080