ML081220870

Entergy'S Request for Guidance on the First Circuit'S Administrative Stay

ML081220870
Person / Time
Site:	Pilgrim
Issue date:	04/17/2008
From:	Doris Lewis Entergy Nuclear Generation Co, Entergy Nuclear Operations, Pillsbury, Winthrop, Shaw, Pittman, LLP
To:	NRC/OCM
SECY/RAS
References
50-293-LR, ASLBP 06-848-02-LR, RAS J-104
Download: ML081220870 (8)

Text

Ms April 17, 2008 UNITED STATES OF AMERICA NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION DOCKETED Before-the Commission USNRC April 18, 2008 (8:00am)

In the Matter of ) OFFICE OF SECRETARY RULEMAKINGS AND Entergy Nuclear Generation Company and ) Docket No. 50-293-LR ADJUDICATIONS STAFF Entergy Nuclear Operations, Inc. ) ASLBP No. 06-848-02-LR

)

(Pilgnrrim Nuiclear Power Station),)

ENTERGY'S REQUEST POR GUIDANCE ON THEFIRST CIRCUIT'S ADMINISTRATIVE STAY Entergy Nuclear Generation Conipany and Entergy Nuclear Operations, Inc.

(collectively,-"Entergy") hereby request that the Cnommssion provide guidance to the Atomic Safety and Licensing Board ("Licensing Board" or, "Bo d") on the application of the administrative stay imposed iilthe Apil .8, 2008' dcisio'no fthe United States Courtof Appeals,....

for the First Circuit.' In particular, Entergy requests that the Commission interpret the Court's administrative stay as not preventing the Licensing Board from proceeding with the schedule. for the parties to submit proposed findings of fact onPilgri Watch Cotntention 1. Entergy maes this request to ensure a p p s lutibn to the aiidjudicatirypo'rtion of thisproc'eding in accordance with Well egsablished Commission-*olicy.2 On April 8, 2008, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the First Circuit issued its decision denying the Coimnonwealth of,Massachusetts' petitionrs.for review of the dismissal of its

-

• 1482.07--1483-(1 Gir:Apr:; 2008).-.,

Massachuitts v. NRC. Nos.

Pursuant to 10C...F.R. § 2.323(b), counsel for.Entergy has contacted the other parties, as well as the:"

.C6-mdhealth.`*1ou~hS'elfor theNRC, Staff supports the reque(.§o~s1fri~Cm~n~at a niae that it .wilinot take'a position. Pilgrim Watch opposes the request and willfilea resonsIeinoppositinon H~'ýe-,iiiýOý6tul submits Pilgrim Watch has no standito object to this requesta it -etains so1ely to'the pje-' sthay an admi.ni~stra tiveWf

-~pictohf is uinrelated to PilgrimiiWat~>

... .. iv- 56eI/.47)

contention in the Pilgrim and Vermont Yankee license renewal proceedings. Massachusetts v.

NRC, supra, note 1. However, the Court "stay[ed] the close of hearings in both plant license renewal proceedings for fourteen days from the date of issuance of mandate in this case." Id.,

slip op. at 31-32 (footnote omitted). The Court issued this stay, which it described as "very brief' (id., slip op. at 4), "in order to afford the Commonwealth an opportunity to request participant status under 10 C.F.R. § 2.315(c), should it desire to do so." Id.,, slip op. at 32. The purpose of affording the Commonwealth an opportunity to participate as an Interested State under section 2.315(c) isin turnto allow the Commonwealth the opportunity to file a future motion Under 10 C.F.R. § 2.802(d) if it appears that the Commission is preparing to issue the renewed licenses in the Pilgrim or Vermont Yankee proceedings prior to a decision on the Commonwealth's rulemaking petition. See id. slip op. at 26-31. The Commonwealth has"stated that it has no desire to participate otherwise in the license proceedings (i.e., has no intent to,.

participate in the litigation of the admitted cdontentions of other parties). _SeReply Bief fr '..

Petitioner Commonwealth of Massachusetts, Case Nos. 07-1482; 07-1483, ( 1 *stCir. Nov. 8,'2007) atp. 13.

On April 10, 2008, the Board conducted the evidentiary phase of the Pilgrim license renewal hearing.on0 the sole contentionxremaining in this matter, Pilgrim Watch Contention 1.

The Board receivedinto evidence the parties' pre-filed testiimony, admitted the parties'exhibits, and heard the testimon of, the paties' wit.esses. Seed Transcript of Hearing (CTr.")(April 10, 2008).

h towloset thee d-orf the didutift... thamt ta" wfoase hesitant to close the evidenrtiary, recoid or.proceed with the~sched~ile for submnittal of proposed

'2

findings 3 because of uncertainty concerning the meaning and effect of the First Circuit's administrative stay. Tr. at 868-72. The Board suggested that the parties could seek instructions from the Commission. Id. at 872.

Entergy therefore files this motion with the Commission. Entergy believes that the First Circuit did not intend its ruling to foreclose the parties from filing proposed findings with respect

.to Pilgrim Watch Contention 1 in accordance with the schedule previously established by the Board, but rather merely intended to ensure that the Commonwealth has an opportunity to file its request to be treated as an Interested State prior to termination of the adjudicatory proceeding.

Therefore, it is reasonable to interprefthe "close of :the hearing". as referring to the termination of the adjudicatory proceeding, which will occur only after the Licensing Board issues a finals*

decision'resolving the admitted contentions.: Cf. Private Fuel Storage, L.L.C. (IndependenFtSpent

.FuelStorageInstallation), CLi-06-0I3,63 N.R.C. 19, 24(2006)I in this light, Entergy -

respectfully requests that the Commission interpret the Court's order as staying only the termination of the adjudication, and not the closing of the evidentiary record and receipt of proposed, ,findings..

Allowing the'Board to proceed with the receipt of proposed findings will not affect or prejudice the Commonwealth's abiiity to move for lIit*resied State status pursuant to 10 C.F.R: § 2.315(c). The Board's initialschedtuling order contemplated a 45-day period in which the parties would submit proposed findingsa*nd.a 90-dayiperiod from te ckise of the.;yidentiai;y tecord in 3 -The Board's initialiofder estabiisifor-this-pre e theirpariesfile C4119 f6orte proposed fihdings of fact andicl-usionis A the 6ie of the evidentif rec6rd, and 'tofle repiy f law;3' dayis aftr findings 14 days &hereaftfi..Order.6(Etablisg~hiSch'edIle for Profe641eýind Adtressin:gi 6od;andMtofsl(

20, 2006), at60 n ddesn dMtes Dc 3

which the Board would issue its decision on the admitted contention. Thus, there are several*

months before the adjudicatory proceeding will terminate.

In contrast, interpreting the First Circuit's stay more, broadly to.preclude the closing of the evidentiary record and the filing of findings of fact and conclusions of law on Pilgrim Watch Contention 1 would significantly delay the proceeding. While the Court intended a "very brief' stay, such a stay will infactextend a lengthy'two-months ýbecause it runs from the filing of the mandate in the First Circuit proceeding. Under the Federal Rules of Appellate Procedure, the-mandate issues 7 calendar days after the period in which a request for rehearing may be filed,-,

which in cases where aFederal agency is apaity is 45 days. Fed. R. App. P. 40 & 41. Since the stay runs for 14 days after themanidate, it willremain in effect until approximately June 13.: If this stay is interpreted as onlyprecluding the te ation ofthe adjudicatory proceeding, itiwill proiectithe Commonwealtihs ishterestwithout irrpactfiig the ultimate schedule,-because the-Licensing-Board's decision would not be expected until July (90 days after the evidentiary 4.

hearing). On the other hand, if the Court's stay were interpreted.'as paralyzing all further proceedings on the admitted contention,. it would cause an unriecessary tw6ot dlyi submittal of proposed findings' and a c-orrespondinfg delay in the issuance of the Board's'decision.

Such undue delay in,the resolution of PilgrimI Watch's contention. would be contrary to well 4

established Commission policy.

Accordingly, in accordance withiii well, eablisheld Cohimi ,isios, policy, 1 Entergy respectfuly requests that tiioh-ih-si diiiii'et the Aprnil 8, 2008 decisin by the'First Circuit

-a. h n6-

,o--JL , othe closure of the e'viden'tiary record.or schedule for he'.partis. -.filing See 10 C.F.R. Part-2 Appendix -B, Model Milestones for Subpart L Hearii gs (.pro6vidiingthat the initil *decision shouldlissiie'withii 90 da's of the close of then.i he evidehti~r h 9iian&dIýlg

' - qr their.findings on Pilgrim Watch Contention 1, and direct the Board to order that the parties make' such filings promptly in accordance-with the provisions of the schedule previously established by the Board.

Respectfully Submitted, D~avidl i Paul :A.:Gaukler PILLSBURY%WINTHROP SHAW PITTMAN LLP

.2300NStreet,.NW Washingtn, DC-20037-1128 Tel. (202) 663-80001 Counsel for Efitergy Dated: April 17, 2008

ý5"

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION

.Before the Atomic Safety and Licensing Board In the Matter-of )

Entergy Nuclear Generation Company and ) Docket No. 50-293-LR Entergy Nuclear Operations, Inc. ) ASLBP No. 06-848-02-LR

))

(Pilgrim Nuclear Power Station)

CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE I hereby certify that copies of "IEntergy's Request for.Guidance on the First Circuit's Administrative Stay" dated April 117, 2008, were served on the persons listed below by deposit in the U.S. Mail, first class, postage prepaid; and where indicated by an asterisk, by electroni&,mail, this 1 7 th day of April, 2008.

• Hon. Dale E. Kline *Hon. Gregory B. Jaczko Chainrman Commissioner U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission Washington,- D.C., 20555 Washington, D.C 20555 CHAIRMAN(rrc. gov . mnailto :CMRJACZKO@trc_. goV

• Hon. Peter B. Lyons *H0on. Kristine L. Svinicki Commissioner. Commissioner U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission U.S. Nuclea fRegulatory Commission Washington, D.C..-20555 Washingtoni;C ;:20555 CMRLYONS@iirc.gov CMRSV-NICK` (,nrc. gov

• Administrative Judge,,, - *Admsinitative. Judge Ann Manshall'Young, *sq., Chair charid.F. :.Cole Atom'cSafety and.Licensing Board Atonic,$ 6Safe 'nýdLicensingpBoard Mail Stop T-3 F23 Mi1jý,S6p-T-3t13 U.S:. Nuclear Regu:lator domnmission0. l U.,&,Nu61eaf Regulatory.- Commission a~s.ffign,ý-o- D-1C-: 2055"-O00V W-a-'hif-tiorobD.C.--20555-000L, Ann.Yong(~nr.40o Richa1 rd.Cole(ir1 goy-

• Administrative Judge *Secretary Paul B. Abramson Att'n: Rulemakings and Adjudications Staff Atomic Safety and Licensing Board Mail Stop 0-16 C1 Mail Stop T-3 F23 U.S.Nuclear Regulatory Commission U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission Washingon, D.C. 20555-0001 Washington, D.C. 20555-0001 secy@mr-c. pov, hearingdocket(nrc. gov Paul.Abrams'on(&innr6.gov Officeo6f Commission Appellate Adjudication Atomic Safety and Licensing Board M~ail Stop 0-16 C1- Mail, St6p T-3. F23 U.S. Nucledr Regulatory Comissdion U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission Washington, D.C. 20555-0001 Washington, D.C. 20555-0001

• • SusanIL.Uttal,.Esq. *Mr. Mark D. Sylvia

• Kimberly.Sexton, Esq. Town M anager

• Jame's E *iAdler, Esq. Towiiof Plymouth Office of the, General Counsel 11 Lincoln' St.

Mail StopO-15D21-'  : Plyfouth MA, 02360 U.S. Nuclear-Regulatory Commission msylviai@townhall-plymouth.ma.us Washington, D.C. 20555-0001 Susain.Uttal@rnrc.gov;

-Kimberil.Sexton(onrc.gov;,

James.Adler@nrc6g6oI,

'*Ms.,Mar'y Lampert *Ctief Kevin M.Nord .-

.148 WAshinhgtn Street, Fire Chief and Director, Duxbur Imergppny,.,,-

Duxbury, MA'0233,2 Management Agency marn',lanpert_(comcast.net 688eTremioit Street P.O. Box 2824 D1A buy' y A'J02331:

nord~twn~uxburv.ma,.us'

• Sheilaý SlocumrnIHollis,: Esq. *MichardR. MacDonald Duane Morims LLP Town Managef 878 T*.{remont Strefe~t; 505 9th Street, N.W.

Suite 1000. DuxburydU, MA 023u32 washingtonr, D.C. 20006: iacdona"ýld(&.toý"wni.duxburiv.ma.us sslhoilis(&dudnemo0ris. c'm Matthew Brock, Esq. Diane Curran, Esq..

AssistantAoey General. Hannon, Curran, Spie r& isenberg, LL.P

.Officbbte'Attornoy naid '1726M-Street CI N.W. SuitS6 0.:

Ofgthe t y!GeneralEnviromentailt Proted'ion-fDi visi5 - -- iiii- C.-

Onrw AshburtoriPla.ce - dcur~anýharmo'n-cu-r'rýa-ný. com0. b.

Boston, MA 02108 .

Matthew.Brock@state.ma.us 2:

John F. Cordes, Jr., Esq. Steven C. Hamrick, Esq.

Solicitor Office of the General Counsel Office of General Counsel U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission U.S. NRC Mail Stop 0-15D21 U.S. NRC Mail Stop 0-15D21 Washington, DC 20555 Washington, D.C. 20555-0001 Johanna Thibault, Esq,,'

Law Cle*k, Atomic and. Safety Licensing Board Mail StopT-3TF23.,,

U.S..Nuclear Regulatory Cormission Washington, D.C. 20555-0001 Joham-a.Thibault@,nrc. gov Paul A. Gaukler 3