83_FR_32289 83 FR 32156 - Southern Nuclear Operating Company, Inc.; Vogtle Electric Generating Plant, Units 3 and 4; Changes to the Building Gap Between the Nuclear Island and Adjacent Buildings

83 FR 32156 - Southern Nuclear Operating Company, Inc.; Vogtle Electric Generating Plant, Units 3 and 4; Changes to the Building Gap Between the Nuclear Island and Adjacent Buildings

NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION

Federal Register Volume 83, Issue 133 (July 11, 2018)

Page Range32156-32157
FR Document2018-14746

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. 127 and 126 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 133 (Wednesday, July 11, 2018) 
[Federal Register Volume 83, Number 133 (Wednesday, July 11, 2018)]
[Notices]
[Pages 32156-32157]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2018-14746]


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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; Changes to the Building Gap Between 
the Nuclear Island and Adjacent Buildings

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. 127 and 126 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 June 15, 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: [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 February 1, 2018, and is available in ADAMS under 
Accession No. ML18032A359.
     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: [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. 127 and 126 to COL Nos. 
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 part 52 to allow the licensee to 
depart from Tier 1 information. With the requested amendment, the 
licensee sought proposed changes to plant-specific DCD Tier 2 and Tier 
2* information and related changes to plant-specific Tier 1 
information, with corresponding changes to Inspections, Tests, 
Analyses, and Acceptance Criteria (ITAAC) in COL appendix C. 
Specifically, the proposed changes relax the minimum gap requirement 
above grade between the nuclear island and the annex building/turbine 
building and remove the minimum gap requirement between the nuclear 
island and the radwaste building from the ITAAC and corresponding Tier 
1 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 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 sections 50.12 and 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. ML18120A345.
    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. ML18120A339 and 
ML18120A340, 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. ML18120A341 and 
ML18120A343, respectively. A summary of the amendment documents is 
provided in section III of this document.

II. Exemption

    Reproduced in this notice is the exemption document issued to VEGP 
Unit Nos. 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 February 1, 2018, the Southern Nuclear 
Operating Company (SNC) 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 18-002, ``Changes to the Building Gap

[[Page 32157]]

between the Nuclear Island and Adjacent Buildings.''
    For the reasons set forth in section 3.2 of the NRC staff's Safety 
Evaluation, which can be found in ADAMS under Accession No. 
ML18120A345, 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 February 1, 2018. This exemption is related 
to, and necessary for the granting of License Amendment No. 127 (Unit 
3) and 126 (Unit 4), 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. ML18120A345), 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 February 1, 2018 (ADAMS Accession No. ML18032A359), 
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 
February 27, 2018 (83 FR 8519). 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 the amendments that the 
licensee requested on February 1, 2018.
    The exemptions and amendments were issued on June 15, 2018, as part 
of a combined package to the licensee (ADAMS Accession No. 
ML18120A348).

    Dated at Rockville, Maryland, this 5th day of July 2018.

    For the Nuclear Regulatory Commission.
Jennifer L. Dixon-Herrity,
Chief, Licensing Branch 4, Division of Licensing, Siting, and 
Environmental Analysis, Office of New Reactors.
[FR Doc. 2018-14746 Filed 7-10-18; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 7590-01-P

32156 Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 133 / Wednesday, July 11, 2018 / Notices Correction NRC about the availability of information and related changes to In the Federal Register published July information regarding this document. plant-specific Tier 1 information, with 5, 2018, in FR Doc. 2018–14388 (Filed You may obtain publicly-available corresponding changes to Inspections, 7–3–18), on page 31424, fourth column, information related to this document Tests, Analyses, and Acceptance Summary Section, first paragraph, using any of the following methods: Criteria (ITAAC) in COL appendix C. please add the following web link after • Federal Rulemaking Website: Go to Specifically, the proposed changes relax the text ‘‘Principles for Conducting http://www.regulations.gov and search the minimum gap requirement above Research in the Arctic’’: https:// for Docket ID NRC–2008–0252. Address grade between the nuclear island and www.iarpccollaborations.org/ questions about NRC dockets to Jennifer the annex building/turbine building and principles.html. Borges telephone: 301–287–9127; email: remove the minimum gap requirement For Further information, please Jennifer.Borges@nrc.gov. For technical between the nuclear island and the contact Renee Crain rcrain@nsf.gov or questions, contact the individual listed radwaste building from the ITAAC and 703–292–4482. in the FOR FURTHER INFORMATION corresponding Tier 1 information. CONTACT section of this document. Part of the justification for granting Dated: July 6, 2018. • NRC’s Agencywide Documents the exemption was provided by the Suzanne H. Plimpton, review of the amendment. Because the Access and Management System Reports Clearance Officer, National Science (ADAMS): You may obtain publicly- exemption is necessary in order to issue Foundation. the requested license amendment, the available documents online in the [FR Doc. 2018–14802 Filed 7–10–18; 8:45 am] ADAMS Public Documents collection at NRC granted the exemption and issued BILLING CODE 7555–01–P http://www.nrc.gov/reading-rm/ the amendment concurrently, rather adams.html. To begin the search, select than in sequence. This included issuing ‘‘ADAMS Public Documents’’ and then a combined safety evaluation containing NUCLEAR REGULATORY select ‘‘Begin Web-based ADAMS the NRC staff’s review of both the COMMISSION Search.’’ For problems with ADAMS, exemption request and the license please contact the NRC’s Public amendment. The exemption met all [Docket Nos. 52–025 and 52–026; NRC– 2008–0252] Document Room (PDR) reference staff at applicable regulatory criteria set forth in 1–800–397–4209, 301–415–4737, or by sections 50.12 and 52.7, and section Southern Nuclear Operating Company, email to pdr.resource@nrc.gov. The VIII.A.4 of appendix D to 10 CFR part Inc.; Vogtle Electric Generating Plant, ADAMS accession number for each 52. The license amendment was found Units 3 and 4; Changes to the Building document referenced (if it is available in to be acceptable as well. The combined Gap Between the Nuclear Island and ADAMS) is provided the first time that safety evaluation is available in ADAMS Adjacent Buildings it is mentioned in this document. The under Accession No. ML18120A345. request for the amendment and Identical exemption documents AGENCY: Nuclear Regulatory (except for referenced unit numbers and Commission. exemption was submitted by letter dated February 1, 2018, and is available license numbers) were issued to the ACTION: Exemption and combined licensee for VEGP Units 3 and 4 (COLs in ADAMS under Accession No. license amendment; issuance. NPF–91 and NPF–92). The exemption ML18032A359. • NRC’s PDR: You may examine and documents for VEGP Units 3 and 4 can SUMMARY: The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory purchase copies of public documents at be found in ADAMS under Accession Commission (NRC) is granting an the NRC’s PDR, Room O1–F21, One Nos. ML18120A339 and ML18120A340, exemption to allow a departure from the White Flint North, 11555 Rockville respectively. The exemption is certification information of Tier 1 of the Pike, Rockville, Maryland 20852. reproduced (with the exception of generic design control document (DCD) abbreviated titles and additional and is issuing License Amendment Nos. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: citations) in section II of this document. 127 and 126 to Combined License (COL) Chandu Patel, Office of New Reactors, The amendment documents for COLs Nos. NPF–91 and NPF–92, respectively. U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission, NPF–91 and NPF–92 are available in The COLs were issued to Southern Washington, DC 20555–0001; telephone: ADAMS under Accession Nos. Nuclear Operating Company, Inc., and 301–415–3025; email: Chandu.Patel@ Georgia Power Company, Oglethorpe ML18120A341 and ML18120A343, nrc.gov. Power Corporation, MEAG Power respectively. A summary of the SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: amendment documents is provided in SPVM, LLC, MEAG Power SPVJ, LLC, MEAG Power SPVP, LLC, and the City I. Introduction section III of this document. of Dalton, Georgia (the licensee); for The NRC is granting an exemption II. Exemption construction and operation of the Vogtle from paragraph B of section III, ‘‘Scope Reproduced in this notice is the Electric Generating Plant (VEGP) Units and Contents,’’ of appendix D, ‘‘Design exemption document issued to VEGP 3 and 4, located in Burke County, Certification Rule for the AP1000,’’ to Unit Nos. 3 and 4. It makes reference to Georgia. part 52 of title 10 of the Code of Federal the combined safety evaluation that The granting of the exemption allows Regulations (10 CFR), and issuing provides the reasoning for the findings the changes to Tier 1 information asked License Amendment Nos. 127 and 126 made by the NRC (and listed under Item for in the amendment. Because the to COL Nos. NPF–91 and NPF–92, 1) in order to grant the exemption: acceptability of the exemption was respectively, to the licensee. The 1. In a letter dated February 1, 2018, determined in part by the acceptability exemption is required by paragraph A.4 the Southern Nuclear Operating daltland on DSKBBV9HB2PROD with NOTICES of the amendment, the exemption and of section VIII, ‘‘Processes for Changes Company (SNC) requested from the amendment are being issued and Departures,’’ appendix D, to 10 CFR Commission an exemption to allow concurrently. part 52 to allow the licensee to depart departures from Tier 1 information in DATES: The exemption and amendment from Tier 1 information. With the the certified DCD incorporated by were issued on June 15, 2018. requested amendment, the licensee reference in 10 CFR part 52, appendix ADDRESSES: Please refer to Docket ID sought proposed changes to plant- D, as part of license amendment request NRC–2008–0252 when contacting the specific DCD Tier 2 and Tier 2* 18–002, ‘‘Changes to the Building Gap VerDate Sep<11>2014 16:26 Jul 10, 2018 Jkt 244001 PO 00000 Frm 00085 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 E:\FR\FM\11JYN1.SGM 11JYN1

Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 133 / Wednesday, July 11, 2018 / Notices 32157 between the Nuclear Island and A notice of consideration of issuance information; the accuracy of OPIC’s Adjacent Buildings.’’ of amendment to facility operating burden estimate; the quality, practical For the reasons set forth in section 3.2 license or COL, as applicable, proposed utility, and clarity of the information to of the NRC staff’s Safety Evaluation, no significant hazards consideration be collected; and ways to minimize which can be found in ADAMS under determination, and opportunity for a reporting the burden, including Accession No. ML18120A345, the hearing in connection with these automated collected techniques and Commission finds that: actions, was published in the Federal uses of other forms of technology. A. the exemption is authorized by Register on February 27, 2018 (83 FR DATES: Comments must be received law; 8519). No comments were received within thirty (30) calendar days of B. the exemption presents no undue during the 30-day comment period. publication of this Notice. risk to public health and safety; The Commission has determined that ADDRESSES: Mail all comments and C. the exemption is consistent with these amendments satisfy the criteria for requests for copies of the subject form the common defense and security; categorical exclusion in accordance to OPIC’s Agency Submitting Officer: D. special circumstances are present with 10 CFR 51.22. Therefore, pursuant James Bobbitt, Overseas Private in that the application of the rule in this to 10 CFR 51.22(b), no environmental Investment Corporation, 1100 New York circumstance is not necessary to serve impact statement or environmental Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20527. the underlying purpose of the rule; assessment need be prepared for these See SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION for E. the special circumstances outweigh amendments. other information about filing. any decrease in safety that may result IV. Conclusion FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: from the reduction in standardization OPIC Agency Submitting Officer: James Using the reasons set forth in the caused by the exemption; and Bobbitt, (202) 336–8558. combined safety evaluation, the staff F. the exemption will not result in a granted the exemptions and issued the SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: All mailed significant decrease in the level of safety amendments that the licensee requested comments and requests for copies of the otherwise provided by the design. on February 1, 2018. subject form should include form 2. Accordingly, the licensee is granted The exemptions and amendments number OPIC–129 on both the envelope an exemption from the certified DCD were issued on June 15, 2018, as part of and in the subject line of the letter. Tier 1 information, with corresponding a combined package to the licensee Electronic comments and requests for changes to appendix C of the Facility (ADAMS Accession No. ML18120A348). copies of the subject form may be sent Combined License, as described in the to James.Bobbitt@opic.gov, subject line licensee’s request dated February 1, Dated at Rockville, Maryland, this 5th day of July 2018. OPIC–129. 2018. This exemption is related to, and necessary for the granting of License For the Nuclear Regulatory Commission. Summary Form Under Review Amendment No. 127 (Unit 3) and 126 Jennifer L. Dixon-Herrity, Type of Request: Revision of currently (Unit 4), which is being issued Chief, Licensing Branch 4, Division of Licensing, Siting, and Environmental approved information collection. concurrently with this exemption. Title: Sponsor Disclosure Report. 3. As explained in section 5.0 of the Analysis, Office of New Reactors. Form Number: OPIC–129. NRC staff’s Safety Evaluation (ADAMS [FR Doc. 2018–14746 Filed 7–10–18; 8:45 am] Frequency of Use: One per investor Accession No. ML18120A345), this BILLING CODE 7590–01–P per project. exemption meets the eligibility criteria Type of Respondents: Business or for categorical exclusion set forth in 10 other institution (except farms); CFR 51.22(c)(9). Therefore, pursuant to OVERSEAS PRIVATE INVESTMENT individuals. 10 CFR 51.22(b), no environmental CORPORATION Standard Industrial Classification impact statement or environmental Codes: All. assessment needs to be prepared in Submission for OMB Review; Description of Affected Public: U.S. connection with the issuance of the Comments Request companies or citizens investing exemption. AGENCY: Overseas Private Investment overseas. 4. This exemption is effective as of the Corporation (OPIC). Reporting Hours: 500 (1 hours per date of its issuance. ACTION: Notice and request for form). comments. Number of Responses: 500 per year. III. License Amendment Request Federal Cost: $27,455 ($54.91 × 500 By letter dated February 1, 2018 SUMMARY: Under the provisions of the × 1). (ADAMS Accession No. ML18032A359), Paperwork Reduction Act, agencies are Authority for Information Collection: the licensee requested that the NRC required to publish a Notice in the Sections 231, 234(a), 239(d), and 240A amend the COLs for VEGP, Units 3 and Federal Register notifying the public of the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961, 4, COLs NPF–91 and NPF–92. The that the agency is modifying an existing as amended. proposed amendment is described in previously approved information Abstract (Needs and Uses): The section I of this Federal Register notice. collection for OMB review and approval information provided in the OPIC–129 The Commission has determined for and requests public review and is used by OPIC as a part of the these amendments that the application comment on the submission. OPIC Character Risk Due Diligence/ complies with the standards and received comments in response to the background check procedure (similar to requirements of the Atomic Energy Act sixty (60) day notice, and pursuant to a commercial bank’s Know Your daltland on DSKBBV9HB2PROD with NOTICES of 1954, as amended (the Act), and the those comments, made no changes. The Customer procedure) that it performs on Commission’s rules and regulations. 60 Day Notice was published in Federal each party that has a significant The Commission has made appropriate Register on May 3, 2018. The purpose relationship (10% or more beneficial findings as required by the Act and the of this notice is to allow an additional ownership, provision of significant Commission’s rules and regulations in thirty (30) days for public comments to credit support, significant managerial 10 CFR chapter I, which are set forth in be submitted. Comments are being relationship) to the projects that OPIC the license amendment. solicited on the need for the finances or insures. OPIC has a robust VerDate Sep<11>2014 16:26 Jul 10, 2018 Jkt 244001 PO 00000 Frm 00086 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 E:\FR\FM\11JYN1.SGM 11JYN1


Document Created: 2018-07-10 23:53:44
Document Modified: 2018-07-10 23:53:44
CategoryRegulatory Information
CollectionFederal Register
sudoc ClassAE 2.7:
GS 4.107:
AE 2.106:
PublisherOffice of the Federal Register, National Archives and Records Administration
SectionNotices
ActionExemption and combined license amendment; issuance.
DatesThe exemption and amendment were issued on June 15, 2018.
ContactChandu Patel, Office of New Reactors, U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission, Washington, DC 20555-0001; telephone: 301-415-3025; email: [email protected]
FR Citation83 FR 32156 
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