83 FR 44308 - Southern Nuclear Operating Company, Inc., Vogtle Electric Generating Plant, Units 3 and 4; ITAAC for Pneumatic Testing of VES Air Lines

NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION

Federal Register Volume 83, Issue 169 (August 30, 2018)

Page Range		44308-44309
FR Document		2018-18846

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 has issued License Amendment Nos. 130 and 129 to Combined Licenses (COLs), NPF-91 and NPF-92. 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 169 (Thursday, August 30, 2018)

[Federal Register Volume 83, Number 169 (Thursday, August 30, 2018)]
[Notices]
[Pages 44308-44309]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2018-18846]


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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; ITAAC for Pneumatic Testing of VES Air 
Lines

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 has issued 
License Amendment Nos. 130 and 129 to Combined Licenses (COLs), NPF-91 
and NPF-92. 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 July 10, 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 ``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 December 20, 2017 
and available in ADAMS under Accession No. ML17354A964
     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. 130 and 129 to COLs, NPF-
91 and NPF-92, 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 changes from the incorporated plant-specific Design Control 
Document (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. 
Specifically, the licensee requested to allow a pneumatic test to be 
used in lieu a hydrostatic test for the Main Control Room Emergency 
Habitability System consistent with American Society of Mechanical 
Engineers Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code, Section III. 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

[[Page 44309]]

exemption request and the license amendment. The exemption met all 
applicable regulatory criteria set forth in 10 CFR 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. ML18150A160.
    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. ML18156A143 and 
ML18156A144 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. ML18156A145 and ML18156A147 
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 an application dated December 20, 2017, 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 17-044, ``ITAAC 
[Inspections, Tests, Analysis, and Acceptance Criteria] for Pneumatic 
Testing of VES Air Lines''
    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.ML18150A160, 
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, SNC is granted an exemption from the certified DCD 
Tier 1 information, with corresponding information in COL Appendix C of 
the Facility Combined License as described in the licensee's request 
dated December 20, 2017. This exemption is related to, and necessary 
for the granting of License Amendment No. 130 for Unit 3 and 129 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 
(ADAMS Accession No.ML18150A160), 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 December 20, 2017 (ADAMS Accession No.ML17354A964), 
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 13, 2018 (83 FR10922). 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 December 20, 2017.
    The exemption and amendment were issued on July 10, 2018, as part 
of a combined package to the licensee (ADAMS Accession No. 
ML18156A141).

    Dated at Rockville, Maryland, this 27th day of August 2018.

    For the Nuclear Regulatory Commission.
Jennifer Dixon-Herrity,
Chief, Licensing Branch 4, Division of Licensing, Siting, and 
Environmental Analysis Office of New Reactors.
[FR Doc. 2018-18846 Filed 8-29-18; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 7590-01-P

Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 169 / Thursday, August 30, 2018 / Notices 44309

exemption request and the license 2. Accordingly, SNC is granted an amendment that the licensee requested
amendment. The exemption met all exemption from the certified DCD Tier on December 20, 2017.
applicable regulatory criteria set forth in 1 information, with corresponding The exemption and amendment were
10 CFR 50.12, 52.7, and section VIII.A.4 information in COL Appendix C of the issued on July 10, 2018, as part of a
of appendix D to 10 CFR part 52. The Facility Combined License as described combined package to the licensee
license amendment was found to be in the licensee’s request dated December (ADAMS Accession No. ML18156A141).
acceptable as well. The combined safety 20, 2017. This exemption is related to, Dated at Rockville, Maryland, this 27th day
evaluation is available in ADAMS under and necessary for the granting of of August 2018.
Accession No. ML18150A160. License Amendment No. 130 for Unit 3 For the Nuclear Regulatory Commission.
Identical exemption documents and 129 for Unit 4, which is being Jennifer Dixon-Herrity,
(except for referenced unit numbers and issued concurrently with this Chief, Licensing Branch 4, Division of
license numbers) were issued to the exemption. Licensing, Siting, and Environmental
licensee for VEGP Units 3 and 4 (COLs 3. As explained in Section 5.0 of the Analysis Office of New Reactors.
NPF–91 and NPF–92). The exemption NRC staff’s Safety Evaluation (ADAMS [FR Doc. 2018–18846 Filed 8–29–18; 8:45 am]
documents for VEGP Units 3 and 4 can Accession No.ML18150A160), this BILLING CODE 7590–01–P
be found in ADAMS under Accession exemption meets the eligibility criteria
Nos. ML18156A143 and ML18156A144 for categorical exclusion set forth in 10
respectively. The exemption is CFR 51.22(c)(9). Therefore, pursuant to
reproduced (with the exception of OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND
10 CFR 51.22(b), no environmental
abbreviated titles and additional HEALTH REVIEW COMMISSION
impact statement or environmental
citations) in Section II of this document. assessment needs to be prepared in Privacy Act of 1974; System of
The amendment documents for COLs connection with the issuance of the Records
NPF–91 and NPF–92 are available in exemption.
ADAMS under Accession Nos. 4. This exemption is effective as of the AGENCY: Occupational Safety and Health
ML18156A145 and ML18156A147 date of its issuance. Review Commission.
respectively. A summary of the ACTION: Notice of a modified system of
amendment documents is provided in III. License Amendment Request records.
Section III of this document. By letter dated December 20, 2017
(ADAMS Accession No.ML17354A964), SUMMARY: In accordance with the
II. Exemption Privacy Act of 1974, as amended, the
the licensee requested that the NRC
Reproduced below is the exemption amend the COLs for VEGP, Units 3 and Occupational Safety and Health Review
document issued to VEGP Units 3 and 4, COLs NPF–91 and NPF–92. The Commission (OSHRC) is revising the
Unit 4. It makes reference to the proposed amendment is described in notice for Privacy Act system-of-records
combined safety evaluation that Section I of this Federal Register notice. OSHRC–4.
provides the reasoning for the findings The Commission has determined for DATES: Comments must be received by
made by the NRC (and listed under Item these amendments that the application OSHRC on or before October 1, 2018.
1) in order to grant the exemption: complies with the standards and The revised system of records will
1. In an application dated December requirements of the Atomic Energy Act become effective on that date, without
20, 2017, SNC requested from the of 1954, as amended (the Act), and the any further notice in the Federal
Commission an exemption to allow Commission’s rules and regulations. Register, unless comments or
departures from Tier 1 information in The Commission has made appropriate government approval procedures
the certified DCD incorporated by findings as required by the Act and the necessitate otherwise.
reference in 10 CFR part 52, appendix Commission’s rules and regulations in ADDRESSES: You may submit comments
D, as part of license amendment request 10 CFR chapter I, which are set forth in by any of the following methods:
17–044, ‘‘ITAAC [Inspections, Tests, the license amendment. • Email: rbailey@oshrc.gov. Include
Analysis, and Acceptance Criteria] for ‘‘PRIVACY ACT SYSTEM OF
A notice of consideration of issuance
Pneumatic Testing of VES Air Lines’’ RECORDS’’ in the subject line of the
For the reasons set forth in Section 3.2 of amendment to facility operating
license or COL, as applicable, proposed message.
of the NRC staff’s Safety Evaluation,
no significant hazards consideration • Fax: (202) 606–5417.
which can be found in ADAMS under
determination, and opportunity for a • Mail: One Lafayette Centre, 1120
Accession No.ML18150A160, the 20th Street NW, Ninth Floor,
Commission finds that: hearing in connection with these
actions, was published in the Federal Washington, DC 20036–3457.
A. The exemption is authorized by
Register on March 13, 2018 (83 • Hand Delivery/Courier: Same as
law; mailing address.
B. the exemption presents no undue FR10922). No comments were received
Instructions: All submissions must
risk to public health and safety; during the 30-day comment period.
include your name, return address, and
C. the exemption is consistent with The Commission has determined that
email address, if applicable. Please
the common defense and security; these amendments satisfy the criteria for
clearly label submissions as ‘‘PRIVACY
D. special circumstances are present categorical exclusion in accordance
ACT SYSTEM OF RECORDS.’’
in that the application of the rule in this with 10 CFR 51.22. Therefore, pursuant
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ron
circumstance is not necessary to serve to 10 CFR 51.22(b), no environmental
impact statement or environmental Bailey, Attorney-Advisor, Office of the
the underlying purpose of the rule;
amozie on DSK3GDR082PROD with NOTICES1

E. the special circumstances outweigh assessment need be prepared for these General Counsel, via telephone at (202)
any decrease in safety that may result amendments. 606–5410, or via email at rbailey@
from the reduction in standardization oshrc.gov.
IV. Conclusion
caused by the exemption; and SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The
F. the exemption will not result in a Using the reasons set forth in the Privacy Act of 1974, 5 U.S.C. 552a(e)(4),
significant decrease in the level of safety combined safety evaluation, the staff requires federal agencies such as
otherwise provided by the design. granted the exemption and issued the OSHRC to publish in the Federal

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Document Created: 2018-08-30 01:21:17
Document Modified: 2018-08-30 01:21:17

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 July 10, 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 44308