ML082800120

PINGP Lr - Piic'S Comments on Draft Memorandum of Understanding (MOU)

ML082800120
Person / Time
Site:	Prairie Island
Issue date:	05/20/2008
From:	Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation
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Download: ML082800120 (2)

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PrairieIslandNPEm Resource From: Rani Franovich Sent: Tuesday, May 20, 2008 11:00 AM To: hwestra@PIIC.org

Subject:

PIIC's Comments on Draft Memorandum of Understanding (MOU)

Hi Heather, Thanks for the returned call yesterday to talk about the PIIC's comments on the Draft MOU. It was very helpful for me to understand the PIIC's concerns and desires the insight helps us to be responsive to them.

As we discussed yesterday, the NRC staff is considering the comments. With respect to item IV.A.5, you indicated to me that the PIIC wants to have the MOU in effect at the time of acceptance to ensure that it will be involved as early as possible in the review. I explained that, as the Draft MOU cover letter states, the NRC will consider the PIIC's status as a cooperating agency to be effective at the time the MOU is signed by both the NRC and the PIIC. I also indicated that the NRC's acceptance review is independent of the MOU and that we may accept the application some time next week. The timing of the official acceptance and signing of the MOU may be coincidental, but they are not linked. Since cooperating agency status hinges on the signing of the MOU, and not on the NRC's acceptance of the application, we agreed that item IV.A.5 may not be needed.

You indicated that you wanted to discuss this further with Phil and get back to me later this week.

We also discussed the proposed changes involving PIIC's access to entire working copies (vice sections related to areas of special expertise) of the draft and final SEIS. I indicated that we are considering this request and that the timeframes for the PIIC's review might not change. You indicated to me that the PIIC wanted to make sure that it is not limited to commenting on areas beyond those defined in the MOU. As I indicated yesterday, the PIIC, like any other stakeholder, will have the opportunity to comment broadly on the scope of our review and on our draft SEIS. The purpose of the MOU is to define the areas for its participation as a cooperating agency and does not preclude the ability to submit comments at these established opportunities for public involvement. You seemed to be satisfied with this distinction and encouraged to know that the MOU did not limit the PIIC's ability to comment more broadly. You wanted to talk with Phil about this as well.

We discussed another proposed change that would allow the PIIC 60 days (rather than 25 days) from the signing of the MOU to provide data and information on topics related to areas of expertise to the NRC. I indicated that this seemed reasonable and that I would discuss it further with our folks.

I look forward to talking with you again about these items once you have had a chance to discuss them with Phil.

Take care, Rani 1

Hearing Identifier: Prairie_Island_NonPublic Email Number: 30 Mail Envelope Properties (Rani.Franovich@nrc.gov20080520110000)

Subject:

PIIC's Comments on Draft Memorandum of Understanding (MOU)

Sent Date: 5/20/2008 11:00:14 AM Received Date: 5/20/2008 11:00:00 AM From: Rani Franovich Created By: Rani.Franovich@nrc.gov Recipients:

"hwestra@PIIC.org" <hwestra@PIIC.org>

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