Duke Energy Florida, Inc.; Crystal River Unit 3 Nuclear Generating Plant

The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) is considering issuance of exemptions in response to a request from Duke Energy Florida, Inc. (DEF, the licensee) that would permit the licensee to reduce its emergency planning (EP) activities at the Crystal River Unit 3 Nuclear Generating Plant (CR-3). CR-3 has been shut down since September 26, 2009, and the final removal of fuel from the reactor vessel was completed on May 28, 2011. By letter dated February 20, 2013, DEF submitted a certification to the NRC of permanent cessation of power operations and the removal of fuel from the reactor vessel. The licensee is seeking exemptions that would eliminate the requirements to maintain offsite radiological emergency plans and reduce some of the onsite EP activities based on the reduced risks at the permanently shutdown and defueled reactor. Offsite EP provisions would still exist using a comprehensive emergency management plan process. The NRC staff is issuing a final environmental assessment (EA) and final finding of no significant impact (FONSI) associated with the proposed exemptions.