83 FR 13531 - Southern Nuclear Operating Company, Inc.; Vogtle Electric Generating Plant, Units 3 and 4; PXS/ADS Line Resistance Changes

NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION

Federal Register Volume 83, Issue 61 (March 29, 2018)

Page Range		13531-13532
FR Document		2018-06383

The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) has issued an exemption to allow a departure from the certification information of Tier 1 of the generic design control document (DCD) and has issued License Amendment Nos. 111 and 110 to Combined License (COL) Nos. NPF- 91 and NPF-92, 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; 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 83 Issue 61 (Thursday, March 29, 2018)

[Federal Register Volume 83, Number 61 (Thursday, March 29, 2018)]
[Notices]
[Pages 13531-13532]
From the Federal Register Online [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2018-06383]

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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; PXS/ADS Line Resistance Changes

AGENCY: Nuclear Regulatory Commission.

ACTION: Exemption and combined license amendment; issuance.

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SUMMARY: The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) has issued an
exemption to allow a departure from the certification information of
Tier 1 of the generic design control document (DCD) and has issued
License Amendment Nos. 111 and 110 to Combined License (COL) Nos. NPF-
91 and NPF-92, 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; 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 February 28, 2018.

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 Jennifer Borges telephone: 301-287-9127;
email: Jennifer.Borges@nrc.gov. 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 pdr.resource@nrc.gov. 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 31, 2017 (ADAMS Accession No. ML17090A209).
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: Chandu.Patel@nrc.gov.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Background

The NRC has granted 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 issued License Amendment Nos. 111 and 110 to COL Nos.
NPF-91 and NPF-92,

[[Page 13532]]

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 part 52 to allow the licensee to depart from Tier 1
information. With the requested amendment, the licensee sought proposed
changes to Updated Final Safety Analysis Report (UFSAR) Tier 2
information and plant-specific Tier 1 information, with corresponding
changes to COL Appendix C. Specifically, the changes relate to the
passive core cooling system (PXS) low pressure injection and fourth-
stage automatic depressurization system (ADS) flow resistances. This
includes proposed changes to inspections, tests, and acceptance
criteria and UFSAR information in various locations.
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 and the license amendment
request. The exemption met all applicable regulatory criteria set forth
in Sec. Sec. 50.12 and 52.7 of 10 CFR, 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. ML18026A571.
Identical exemption documents (except for referenced unit numbers
and license numbers) were issued to the licensee for VEGP, Units 3 and
4 (COL Nos. NPF-91 and NPF-92). The exemption documents for VEGP, Units
3 and 4, can be found in ADAMS under Accession Nos. ML18026A568 and
ML18026A567, respectively. The exemption is reproduced (with the
exception of abbreviated titles and additional citations) in Section II
of this notice. The amendment documents for COL Nos. NPF-91 and NPF-92
are available in ADAMS under Accession Nos. ML18026A570 and
ML18026A569, respectively. A summary of the amendment documents is
provided in Section III of this notice.

II. Exemption

Reproduced below is the exemption document issued to VEGP, Units 3
and 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 31, 2017, Southern Nuclear Operating
Company 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 the license amendment request
(LAR-17-009) regarding PXS/ADS line resistance changes.''
For the reasons set forth in Section 3.1 of the NRC staff's safety
evaluation, 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.
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 COL
Appendix C, as described in the request dated March 31, 2017. This
exemption is related to, and necessary for, the granting of License
Amendment No. 111 [for Unit 3, 110 for Unit 4], which is being issued
concurrently with this exemption.
3. As explained in Section 5.0 of the NRC staff's safety
evaluation, 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 31, 2017, the licensee requested that the NRC
amend the COL Nos. NPF-91 and NPF-92 for VEGP, Units 3 and 4. The
proposed amendment is described in Section I of this notice.
The Commission has determined that the application for amendment
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
June 6, 2017 (82 FR 26128). 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 exemptions and issued these amendments on March 31,
2017, as part of a combined package to the licensee (ADAMS Accession
No. ML18026A565).

Dated at Rockville, Maryland, this 26th day of March 2018.

For the Nuclear Regulatory Commission.
Jennifer L. Dixon-Herrity,
Chief, Licensing Branch 4, Division of New Reactor Licensing, Office of
New Reactors.
[FR Doc. 2018-06383 Filed 3-28-18; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 7590-01-P

13532 Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 61 / Thursday, March 29, 2018 / Notices

respectively, to the licensee. The requested from the Commission an 10 CFR chapter I, which are set forth in
exemption is required by paragraph A.4 exemption to allow departures from Tier the license amendment.
of section VIII, ‘‘Processes for Changes 1 information in the certified DCD A notice of consideration of issuance
and Departures,’’ appendix D, to 10 CFR incorporated by reference in 10 CFR of amendment to facility operating
part 52 to allow the licensee to depart part 52, appendix D, as part of the license or COL, as applicable, proposed
from Tier 1 information. With the license amendment request (LAR–17– no significant hazards consideration
requested amendment, the licensee 009) regarding PXS/ADS line resistance determination, and opportunity for a
sought proposed changes to Updated changes.’’ hearing in connection with these
Final Safety Analysis Report (UFSAR) For the reasons set forth in Section 3.1 actions, was published in the Federal
Tier 2 information and plant-specific of the NRC staff’s safety evaluation, the Register on June 6, 2017 (82 FR 26128).
Tier 1 information, with corresponding Commission finds that: No comments were received during the
changes to COL Appendix C. A. The exemption is authorized by 30-day comment period.
Specifically, the changes relate to the law. The Commission has determined that
passive core cooling system (PXS) low B. The exemption presents no undue these amendments satisfy the criteria for
pressure injection and fourth-stage risk to public health and safety. categorical exclusion in accordance
automatic depressurization system C. The exemption is consistent with with 10 CFR 51.22. Therefore, pursuant
(ADS) flow resistances. This includes the common defense and security. to 10 CFR 51.22(b), no environmental
proposed changes to inspections, tests, D. Special circumstances are present impact statement or environmental
and acceptance criteria and UFSAR in that the application of the rule in this assessment need be prepared for these
information in various locations. circumstance is not necessary to serve amendments.
Part of the justification for granting the underlying purpose of the rule.
the exemption was provided by the IV. Conclusion
E. The special circumstances
review of the amendment. Because the Using the reasons set forth in the
outweigh any decrease in safety that
exemption is necessary in order to issue combined safety evaluation, the staff
may result from the reduction in
the requested license amendment, the granted the exemptions and issued these
standardization caused by the
NRC granted the exemption and issued amendments on March 31, 2017, as part
exemption.
the amendment concurrently, rather of a combined package to the licensee
F. The exemption will not result in a
than in sequence. This included issuing (ADAMS Accession No. ML18026A565).
significant decrease in the level of safety
a combined safety evaluation containing
the NRC staff’s review of both the otherwise provided by the design. Dated at Rockville, Maryland, this 26th day
2. Accordingly, the licensee is granted of March 2018.
exemption and the license amendment
request. The exemption met all an exemption from the certified DCD For the Nuclear Regulatory Commission.
applicable regulatory criteria set forth in Tier 1 information, with corresponding Jennifer L. Dixon-Herrity,
§§ 50.12 and 52.7 of 10 CFR, and section changes to COL Appendix C, as Chief, Licensing Branch 4, Division of New
VIII.A.4 of appendix D to 10 CFR part described in the request dated March Reactor Licensing, Office of New Reactors.
52. The license amendment was found 31, 2017. This exemption is related to, [FR Doc. 2018–06383 Filed 3–28–18; 8:45 am]
to be acceptable as well. The combined and necessary for, the granting of BILLING CODE 7590–01–P
safety evaluation is available in ADAMS License Amendment No. 111 [for Unit 3,
under Accession No. ML18026A571. 110 for Unit 4], which is being issued
Identical exemption documents concurrently with this exemption. POSTAL REGULATORY COMMISSION
(except for referenced unit numbers and 3. As explained in Section 5.0 of the
NRC staff’s safety evaluation, this [Docket Nos. MC2018–133 and CP2018–189]
license numbers) were issued to the
licensee for VEGP, Units 3 and 4 (COL exemption meets the eligibility criteria
New Postal Products
Nos. NPF–91 and NPF–92). The for categorical exclusion set forth in 10
exemption documents for VEGP, Units 3 CFR 51.22(c)(9). Therefore, pursuant to AGENCY: Postal Regulatory Commission.
and 4, can be found in ADAMS under 10 CFR 51.22(b), no environmental ACTION: Notice.
Accession Nos. ML18026A568 and impact statement or environmental
ML18026A567, respectively. The assessment needs to be prepared in SUMMARY: The Commission is noticing a
exemption is reproduced (with the connection with the issuance of the recent Postal Service filing for the
exception of abbreviated titles and exemption. Commission’s consideration concerning
additional citations) in Section II of this 4. This exemption is effective as of the negotiated service agreements. This
notice. The amendment documents for date of its issuance. notice informs the public of the filing,
COL Nos. NPF–91 and NPF–92 are invites public comment, and takes other
III. License Amendment Request
available in ADAMS under Accession administrative steps.
Nos. ML18026A570 and ML18026A569, By letter dated March 31, 2017, the DATES: Comments are due: March 30,
respectively. A summary of the licensee requested that the NRC amend 2018.
amendment documents is provided in the COL Nos. NPF–91 and NPF–92 for
VEGP, Units 3 and 4. The proposed ADDRESSES: Submit comments
Section III of this notice. electronically via the Commission’s
amendment is described in Section I of
II. Exemption this notice. Filing Online system at http://
The Commission has determined that www.prc.gov. Those who cannot submit
Reproduced below is the exemption
the application for amendment complies comments electronically should contact
sradovich on DSK3GMQ082PROD with NOTICES

document issued to VEGP, Units 3 and
with the standards and requirements of the person identified in the FOR FURTHER
4. It makes reference to the combined
INFORMATION CONTACT section by
safety evaluation that provides the the Atomic Energy Act of 1954, as
amended (the Act), and the telephone for advice on filing
reasoning for the findings made by the
Commission’s rules and regulations. alternatives.
NRC (and listed under Item 1) in order
to grant the exemption: The Commission has made appropriate FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
1. In a letter dated March 31, 2017, findings as required by the Act and the David A. Trissell, General Counsel, at
Southern Nuclear Operating Company Commission’s rules and regulations in 202–789–6820.

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Document Created: 2018-03-29 00:25:31
Document Modified: 2018-03-29 00:25:31

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 28, 2018.
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		83 FR 13531