83_FR_55163 83 FR 54951 - Southern Nuclear Operating Company, Inc.; Vogtle Electric Generating Plant, Units 3 and 4, Equipment Survivability Assessment

83 FR 54951 - Southern Nuclear Operating Company, Inc.; Vogtle Electric Generating Plant, Units 3 and 4, Equipment Survivability Assessment

NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION

Federal Register Volume 83, Issue 212 (November 1, 2018)

Page Range54951-54952
FR Document2018-23869

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. 139 and 138 to Combined Licenses (COLs), NPF-91 and NPF-92. The COLs were issued to Southern Nuclear Operating Company, Inc., Georgia Power Company, Oglethorpe Power Corporation, MEAG Power SPVM, LLC, MEAG Power SPVJ, LLC, MEAG Power SPVP, LLC, and the City of Dalton, Georgia (collectively SNC); 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 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 212 (Thursday, November 1, 2018) 
[Federal Register Volume 83, Number 212 (Thursday, November 1, 2018)]
[Notices]
[Pages 54951-54952]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2018-23869]


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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, Equipment Survivability Assessment

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. 139 and 138 to Combined Licenses (COLs), NPF-91 
and NPF-92. The COLs were issued to Southern Nuclear Operating Company, 
Inc., Georgia Power Company, Oglethorpe Power Corporation, MEAG Power 
SPVM, LLC, MEAG Power SPVJ, LLC, MEAG Power SPVP, LLC, and the City of 
Dalton, Georgia (collectively SNC); 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 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, 2018.

ADDRESSES: Please refer to Docket ID NRC-2008-0252 when contacting the 
NRC about the availability of information regarding this document. You 
may access information related to this document, which the NRC 
possesses and is publicly available, 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 Regulations.gov Docket IDs 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 access publicly available documents online in the NRC 
Library 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 
pdr.resource@nrc.gov. The ADAMS accession number for each document 
referenced (if that document is available in ADAMS) is provided the 
first time that a document is referenced. The request for the amendment 
and exemption was submitted by letter dated April 6, 2018 (ADAMS 
Accession No. ML18096B463).
     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: Paul.Kallan@nrc.gov.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

I. Introduction

    The NRC is granting exemptions from paragraph B of section III, 
``Scope and Contents,'' of appendix D, ``Design

[[Page 54952]]

Certification Rule for the AP1000,'' to part 52 of title 10 of the Code 
of Federal Regulations (10 CFR), and issuing License Amendment Nos. 139 
and 138 to COLs, NPF-91 and NPF-92, to SNC. The exemptions are required 
by paragraph A.4 of section VIII, ``Processes for Changes and 
Departures,'' appendix D, to 10 CFR part 52 to allow SNC to depart from 
Tier 1 information. With the requested amendment, SNC proposes changes 
to the Updated Final Safety Analysis Report (UFSAR) in the form of 
departures from the incorporated plant-specific Design Control Document 
(DCD) Tier 2 information and related changes to the VEGP Units 3 and 4 
COL and COL Appendix C (and corresponding plant-specific DCD Tier 1) 
information. Specifically, the requested amendment includes changes to 
the equipment survivability assessment requirements associated with 
hydrogen burns during beyond design basis accidents as described in the 
licensing basis documents, including COL Condition 2.D(12)(g)9 and 
plant-specific Tier 1 Sections 2.2.3 and 2.3.9.
    Part of the justification for granting the exemptions was provided 
by the review of the amendments. Because the exemption is necessary in 
order to issue the requested license amendment, the NRC granted the 
exemptions and issued the amendments 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 exemptions met all applicable regulatory criteria set 
forth in sections 50.12, 10 CFR 52.7, and Section VIII.A.4 of appendix 
D to 10 CFR part 52. The license amendments were found to be acceptable 
as well. The combined safety evaluation is available in ADAMS under 
Accession No. ML18207A482.
    Identical exemption documents (except for referenced unit numbers 
and license numbers) were issued to SNC 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. ML18207A476 and ML18207A477, 
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. ML18207A478 and ML18207A480, 
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 April 6, 2018, SNC 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 (LAR) 18-001, 
``Equipment Survivability Assessment.''
    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. ML18207A482, 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 changes to appendix C of the 
Facility Combined License as described in the licensee's request dated 
April 6, 2018. This exemption is related to, and necessary for, the 
granting of License Amendment Nos. 139 (Unit 3) and 138 (Unit 4), 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. ML18207A482), 
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 April 6, 2018, SNC requested that the NRC amend the 
COLs for VEGP, Units 3 and 4, COL Nos. 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 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 May 22, 2018 (83 FR 23738). 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 SNC requested 
on April 6, 2018. The exemptions and amendments were issued on August 
24, 2018, as part of a combined package to SNC (ADAMS Accession No. 
ML18207A488).

    Dated at Rockville, Maryland, this 29th day of October, 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. 2018-23869 Filed 10-31-18; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 7590-01-P

Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 212 / Thursday, November 1, 2018 / Notices 54951 does not exceed or alter a design basis proposed exemption involves a Electric Generating Plant (VEGP) Units or safety limit. Therefore, granting this reporting requirement. 3 and 4, located in Burke County, exemption does not involve a significant Based on the evaluation above, the Georgia. reduction in a margin of safety. NRC staff concludes that the exemption The granting of the exemption allows As all of the responses to the above meets the criteria of 10 CFR 51.22(c). the changes to Tier 1 information asked questions are in the negative, under 10 Therefore, in accordance with 10 CFR for the amendment. Because the CFR 51.22(c)(25)(i), the NRC staff has 51.22(b), an environmental impact acceptability of the exemption was concluded that the requested exemption statement or environmental assessment determined in part by the acceptability involves no significant hazards is not required for the NRC staff’s of the amendment, the exemption and consideration. consideration of this exemption request. amendment are being issued The requested exemption does not concurrently. alter the design, function, or operation IV. Conclusions DATES: The exemption and amendment of any plant equipment. There are no Accordingly, the Commission has were issued on August 24, 2018. changes to effluent types, plant determined that, pursuant to 10 CFR ADDRESSES: Please refer to Docket ID radiological or non-radiological effluent 50.12, the exemption is authorized by law, will not present an undue risk to NRC–2008–0252 when contacting the release quantities, any effluent release the public health and safety, and is NRC about the availability of path, or the functionality of any design consistent with the common defense information regarding this document. or operational features credited with and security. Also, special You may access information related to controlling the release of effluents circumstances are present. Therefore, this document, which the NRC during plant operation or construction. the Commission hereby grants SNC an possesses and is publicly available, Therefore, under 10 CFR 51.22(c)(25)(ii), the NRC staff concludes that the exemption from 10 CFR 50.71(h)(1) to using any of the following methods: • Federal Rulemaking Website: Go to proposed exemption does not involve a modify the requirement for the level 1 http://www.regulations.gov and search significant change in the types or and level 2 PRA for VEGP Units 3 and for Docket ID NRC–2008–0252. Address significant increase in the amounts of 4 to cover those initiating events and questions about Regulations.gov Docket any effluents that may be released modes for which RG 1.200, Rev. 2, IDs to Jennifer Borges; telephone: 301– offsite. endorses standards. There are no changes to plant 287–9127; email: Jennifer.Borges@ Dated at Rockville, Maryland, this 26th day nrc.gov. For technical questions, contact radiation zones and no changes to of October 2018. controls required under 10 CFR part 20, the individual listed in the FOR FURTHER For the Nuclear Regulatory Commission. INFORMATION CONTACT section of this which preclude a significant increase in Michael D. McCoppin, occupational radiation exposure. document. Deputy Director (Acting), Division of • NRC’s Agencywide Documents Therefore, under 10 CFR 51.22(c)(iii), Licensing, Siting, and Environmental Access and Management System the NRC staff concludes that the Analysis, Office of New Reactors. (ADAMS): You may access publicly proposed exemption does not involve a [FR Doc. 2018–23840 Filed 10–31–18; 8:45 am] available documents online in the NRC significant increase in individual or BILLING CODE 7590–01–P Library at http://www.nrc.gov/reading- cumulative public or occupational rm/adams.html. To begin the search, radiation exposure. The requested exemption does not select ‘‘Begin Web-based ADAMS NUCLEAR REGULATORY Search.’’ For problems with ADAMS, alter the design, function, or operation COMMISSION of any plant equipment. No change to please contact the NRC’s Public the facility is being made as a result of [Docket Nos. 52–025 and 52–026; NRC– Document Room (PDR) reference staff at this exemption. Therefore, under 10 2008–0252] 1–800–397–4209, 301–415–4737, or by CFR 51.22(c)(iv), the NRC staff email to pdr.resource@nrc.gov. The Southern Nuclear Operating Company, ADAMS accession number for each concludes that the proposed exemption Inc.; Vogtle Electric Generating Plant, document referenced (if that document does not involve a significant Units 3 and 4, Equipment Survivability is available in ADAMS) is provided the construction impact. The requested exemption does not Assessment first time that a document is referenced. alter the design, function, or operation AGENCY: Nuclear Regulatory The request for the amendment and of any plant equipment. There are no Commission. exemption was submitted by letter changes to plant radiation zones and no dated April 6, 2018 (ADAMS Accession ACTION: Exemption and combined changes to controls required under 10 No. ML18096B463). license amendment; issuance. • NRC’s PDR: You may examine and CFR part 20, which preclude a significant increase in occupational SUMMARY: The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory purchase copies of public documents at radiation exposure. Commission (NRC) is granting an the NRC’s PDR, Room O1–F21, One Therefore, under 10 CFR 51.22(c)(v), exemption to allow a departure from the White Flint North, 11555 Rockville the NRC staff concludes that the certification information of Tier 1 of the Pike, Rockville, Maryland 20852. proposed exemption does not involve a generic design control document (DCD) FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Paul significant increase in the potential for and is issuing License Amendment Nos. Kallan, Office of New Reactors, U.S. or consequences from radiological 139 and 138 to Combined Licenses Nuclear Regulatory Commission, accidents. (COLs), NPF–91 and NPF–92. The COLs Washington, DC 20555–0001; telephone: The requested exemption involves were issued to Southern Nuclear 301–415–2809; email: Paul.Kallan@ daltland on DSKBBV9HB2PROD with NOTICES reporting requirements related to the Operating Company, Inc., Georgia nrc.gov. timing of using NRC-endorsed Power Company, Oglethorpe Power SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: consensus standards on PRA which Corporation, MEAG Power SPVM, LLC, detail the initiating events and modes MEAG Power SPVJ, LLC, MEAG Power I. Introduction that must be covered in the PRA. SPVP, LLC, and the City of Dalton, The NRC is granting exemptions from Therefore, under 10 CFR 51.22(c)(vi)(B), Georgia (collectively SNC); for paragraph B of section III, ‘‘Scope and the NRC staff concludes that the construction and operation of the Vogtle Contents,’’ of appendix D, ‘‘Design VerDate Sep<11>2014 20:30 Oct 31, 2018 Jkt 247001 PO 00000 Frm 00042 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 E:\FR\FM\01NON1.SGM 01NON1

54952 Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 212 / Thursday, November 1, 2018 / Notices Certification Rule for the AP1000,’’ to II. Exemption for VEGP, Units 3 and 4, COL Nos. part 52 of title 10 of the Code of Federal Reproduced below is the exemption NPF–91 and NPF–92. The proposed Regulations (10 CFR), and issuing document issued to VEGP Units 3 and amendment is described in Section I of License Amendment Nos. 139 and 138 Unit 4. It makes reference to the this Federal Register notice. to COLs, NPF–91 and NPF–92, to SNC. combined safety evaluation that The Commission has determined for The exemptions are required by provides the reasoning for the findings these amendments that the application paragraph A.4 of section VIII, made by the NRC (and listed under Item complies with the standards and ‘‘Processes for Changes and 1) in order to grant the exemption: requirements of the Atomic Energy Act Departures,’’ appendix D, to 10 CFR part 1. In a letter dated April 6, 2018, SNC 52 to allow SNC to depart from Tier 1 of 1954, as amended (the Act), and the requested from the Commission an Commission’s rules and regulations. information. With the requested exemption from the provisions of 10 amendment, SNC proposes changes to The Commission has made appropriate CFR part 52, appendix D, section III.B, findings as required by the Act and the the Updated Final Safety Analysis as part of license amendment request Report (UFSAR) in the form of Commission’s rules and regulations in (LAR) 18–001, ‘‘Equipment 10 CFR chapter I, which are set forth in departures from the incorporated plant- Survivability Assessment.’’ specific Design Control Document the license amendment. For the reasons set forth in Section (DCD) Tier 2 information and related 3.1, ‘‘Evaluation of Exemption,’’ of the A notice of consideration of issuance changes to the VEGP Units 3 and 4 COL NRC staff’s safety evaluation, which can of amendment to facility operating and COL Appendix C (and be found in ADAMS under Accession license or combined license, as corresponding plant-specific DCD Tier No. ML18207A482, the Commission applicable, proposed no significant 1) information. Specifically, the finds that: hazards consideration determination, requested amendment includes changes A. The exemption is authorized by and opportunity for a hearing in to the equipment survivability law; connection with these actions, was assessment requirements associated B. The exemption presents no undue published in the Federal Register on with hydrogen burns during beyond risk to public health and safety; May 22, 2018 (83 FR 23738). No design basis accidents as described in C. The exemption is consistent with comments were received during the 30- the licensing basis documents, the common defense and security; including COL Condition 2.D(12)(g)9 day comment period. D. Special circumstances are present and plant-specific Tier 1 Sections 2.2.3 The Commission has determined that in that the application of the rule in this and 2.3.9. circumstance is not necessary to serve these amendments satisfy the criteria for Part of the justification for granting the underlying purpose of the rule; categorical exclusion in accordance the exemptions was provided by the E. The special circumstances with 10 CFR 51.22. Therefore, pursuant review of the amendments. Because the outweigh any decrease in safety that to 10 CFR 51.22(b), no environmental exemption is necessary in order to issue may result from the reduction in impact statement or environmental the requested license amendment, the standardization caused by the assessment need be prepared for these NRC granted the exemptions and issued exemption; and amendments. the amendments concurrently, rather F. The exemption will not result in a than in sequence. This included issuing IV. Conclusion significant decrease in the level of safety a combined safety evaluation containing otherwise provided by the design. Using the reasons set forth in the the NRC staff’s review of both the 2. Accordingly, SNC is granted an combined safety evaluation, the staff exemption request and the license exemption from the certified DCD Tier granted the exemption and issued the amendment. The exemptions met all 1 information, with corresponding amendment that SNC requested on applicable regulatory criteria set forth in changes to appendix C of the Facility April 6, 2018. The exemptions and sections 50.12, 10 CFR 52.7, and Section Combined License as described in the VIII.A.4 of appendix D to 10 CFR part amendments were issued on August 24, licensee’s request dated April 6, 2018. 2018, as part of a combined package to 52. The license amendments were found This exemption is related to, and to be acceptable as well. The combined SNC (ADAMS Accession No. necessary for, the granting of License safety evaluation is available in ADAMS ML18207A488). Amendment Nos. 139 (Unit 3) and 138 under Accession No. ML18207A482. (Unit 4), which is being issued Dated at Rockville, Maryland, this 29th day Identical exemption documents concurrently with this exemption. of October, 2018. (except for referenced unit numbers and 3. As explained in Section 5.0, For the Nuclear Regulatory Commission. license numbers) were issued to SNC for ‘‘Environmental Consideration,’’ of the Jennifer L. Dixon-Herrity, VEGP Units 3 and 4 (COLs NPF–91 and NRC staff’s safety evaluation (ADAMS Chief, Licensing Branch 4, Division of NPF–92). The exemption documents for Accession No. ML18207A482), this Licensing, Siting, and Environmental VEGP Units 3 and 4 can be found in exemption meets the eligibility criteria Analysis, Office of New Reactors. ADAMS under Accession Nos. for categorical exclusion set forth in 10 [FR Doc. 2018–23869 Filed 10–31–18; 8:45 am] ML18207A476 and ML18207A477, CFR 51.22(c)(9). Therefore, pursuant to BILLING CODE 7590–01–P respectively. The exemption is 10 CFR 51.22(b), no environmental reproduced (with the exception of impact statement or environmental abbreviated titles and additional assessment needs to be prepared in citations) in Section II of this document. connection with the issuance of the daltland on DSKBBV9HB2PROD with NOTICES The amendment documents for COLs exemption. NPF–91 and NPF–92 are available in 4. This exemption is effective as of the ADAMS under Accession Nos. date of its issuance. ML18207A478 and ML18207A480, respectively. A summary of the III. License Amendment Request amendment documents is provided in By letter dated April 6, 2018, SNC Section III of this document. requested that the NRC amend the COLs VerDate Sep<11>2014 20:30 Oct 31, 2018 Jkt 247001 PO 00000 Frm 00043 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 9990 E:\FR\FM\01NON1.SGM 01NON1


Document Created: 2018-11-01 01:05:07
Document Modified: 2018-11-01 01:05:07
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 August 24, 2018.
ContactPaul Kallan, Office of New Reactors, U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission, Washington, DC 20555-0001; telephone: 301-415-2809; email: [email protected]
FR Citation83 FR 54951 
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