Press Release-11-144, Licensing Board to Conduct Hearing Aug. 17 in Austin, Texas, on South Texas Project New Nuclear Reactor Application
| ML11214A049 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Site: | 05200012, 05200013 |
| Issue date: | 08/02/2011 |
| From: | Office of Public Affairs |
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| References | |
| +reviewedgfw Press Release-11-144 | |
| Download: ML11214A049 (2) | |
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NRC NEWS U.S. NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION Office of Public Affairs Telephone: 301/415-8200 Washington, D.C. 20555-0001 E-mail: opa.resource@nrc.gov Site: www.nrc.gov Blog: http://public-blog.nrc-gateway.gov No.11-144 August 2, 2011
- CORRECTED**
LICENSING BOARD TO CONDUCT HEARING AUG. 17 IN AUSTIN, TEXAS, ON SOUTH TEXAS PROJECT NEW NUCLEAR REACTOR APPLICATION An Atomic Safety and Licensing Board (ASLB) panel will hear oral argument and conduct an evidentiary hearing, beginning Aug. 17 in Austin, Texas, in the South Texas Project Combined License (COL) proceeding. The ASLB is the independent body within the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) that presides over proceedings involving the licensing of civilian nuclear facilities, such as nuclear power plants.
Oral argument will begin at 9:30 a.m. CDT on Wednesday, Aug. 17, in Room 2210, Building F of the Campus of the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality, 12100 Park 35 Circle in Austin. The session is open for public observation, but participation will be limited to the parties admitted to the proceeding (several public interest groups, the applicant - Nuclear Innovation North America (NINA) - and NRC staff). Early arrival each day is suggested to allow for security screening for all members of the public interested in attending. NRC policy prohibits signs, banners, posters or displays in the hearing room at any time during the proceeding.
The South Texas Project COL application was submitted Sept. 20, 2007, seeking permission to construct and operate two new nuclear reactors at the site near Bay City, Texas. The ASLB granted intervenor status and an opportunity for a hearing to the Sustainable Energy and Economic Development Coalition, the South Texas Association for Responsible Energy, and Public Citizen.
The groups have submitted objections, or contentions, challenging the COL application, most recently regarding the question of whether NINA meets NRC requirements prohibiting foreign ownership, control or domination of a nuclear power plant license. The ASLB panel will hear oral argument regarding this latest contention on Aug. 17; the panels decision on whether to admit the contention will come later this year.
The evidentiary hearing will begin at 9:30 a.m. CDT on Thursday, Aug. 18 in TCEQ Building E, Room 201S. This session is also open for public observation and participation remains limited to the parties admitted to the proceeding. The hearing will cover two existing contentions: 1) the estimation of replacement power costs when evaluating severe accident management guidelines, and 2) accounting for energy-efficient building code rules in assessing the need for power.
Individuals or groups not admitted to the proceeding can submit written limited appearance statements to the ASLB. Anyone wishing to submit a written statement may do so by email to hearingdocket@nrc.gov, by fax to (301) 415-1101, or by mail to: Office of the Secretary, Attn.
Rulemaking and Adjudications Staff, U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission, Washington, DC 20555-0001. In addition, copies of written statements should be sent to the Chairman of the Licensing Board by e-mail to Michael.Gibson@nrc.gov and Jonathan.Eser@nrc.gov; by fax to (301-415-5599), or by mail to: Administrative Judge Michael M.
Gibson, Atomic Safety and Licensing Board Panel, Mail Stop: T-3F23, U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission, Washington, DC 20555-0001.
Documents related to the South Texas Project COL application are available on the NRC website. Documents pertaining to the ASLB proceeding are available in the agencys electronic hearing docket. More information about the ASLB can be found at the NRC website.
NOTE: Anyone wishing to take photos or use a camera to record any portion of a NRC meeting should contact the Office of Public Affairs beforehand.
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http://www.nrc.gov/public-involve/listserver.html. The NRC homepage at www.nrc.gov also offers a SUBSCRIBE link. E-mail notifications are sent to subscribers when news releases are posted to NRCs website.