ML19077A320
| ML19077A320 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Issue date: | 03/18/2019 |
| From: | Jack Cushing NRC/NRO/DLSE/RENVB |
| To: | |
| Cushing J | |
| References | |
| Download: ML19077A320 (11) | |
Text
New Reactor Guidance Updates and EIS Lessons Learned Jennifer Davis, Senior Project Manager, Division of Licensing, Siting, and Environmental Analysis, NRC 1
Agenda
- Purpose of Guidance Updates
- Approach to Revising Regulatory Guide (RG 4.2) and Environmental Standard Review Plans (NUREG-1555)
- Format and Status of RG 4.2 and ESRP
- Changes to Guidance
- Lessons Learned 2
Purpose of RG 4.2 and ESRP Update Improve the environmental review process by clarifying guidance for applicants and NRC staff.
Goal: High quality applications and more effective and efficient environmental reviews.
- Lessons-learned from recent experience and process improvements from review of new reactor applications
- Changes in regulations and including interim staff guidance documents
- Supplemental guidance for future advanced reactors 3
Updated RG 4.2 and ESRP
- Updated guidance to align with current NRC regulations, interim staff guidance, and other environmental statutes and regulations
- Environmental impacts should be assessed in proportion to their significance as described in 10 CFR 51.45(b)(1), which is based on Council on Environmental Quality Guidance regulations for implementing NEPA
- Implement best practices and process improvements to streamline reviews
- Reorganized ESRPs by review topic (resource)
- Reduces number of ESRP Sections from 143 to 25 4
Updated RG 4.2 and ESRP
- Written for large light-water reactor combined license (COL) applications that do not reference an ESP with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers as a Cooperating Agency
- Appendices provide supplemental technical and regulatory guidance
- Other Part 50 and 52 Licenses and Authorizations
- Consultations
- Small Modular Reactors and Non-Light Water Reactors 5
Examples of Revisions to Guidance
- Construction and preconstruction impacts
- Mitigation
- Greenhouse gases and climate change
- Socioeconomics and environmental justice
- Need for power
- Historic and cultural resources
- Cumulative impacts
- Alternatives 6
Examples of Technical Revisions
- Definition of construction resulting from LWA rule (10 CFR 51.4(1))
- New regulations or guidance issued by other Federal agencies
- Environmental Protection Agency regulations for cooling water intake structures (316(b) regulations)
- Cumulative impacts for alternative sites (CEQ guidance) 7
Examples of Technical Revisions (cont.)
- Recent Experience
- Historic and Cultural Resources - updated guidance to address NHPA Section 106 consultation through process for complying with NEPA
- Changes in the U.S. electric power industry
- Deregulation (merchant plants, Regional Transmission Authorities)
- Changes in generating technologies 8
Status of RG 4.2 and ESRP
- Final RG 4.2, Revision 3 was issued September 2018
- Goal is to issue the Draft ESRP in 2019
- Will implement a streamlined approach consistent with other SRP revisions and FAST 41/E.O. - 13807
- Draft ESRP will be issued for public comment
- Similar to RG 4.2, NRC will request feedback from the public regarding improving the clarity, transparency, and effectiveness of environmental documents.
9
EIS Lessons Learned
- Importance of Pre-Application Reviews
- Improvements to Site Audit Process
- Experience with USACE as a Cooperating Agency
- Knowledge Management - identification and resolution of technical issues
- Internal Process Improvements
- Engaging stakeholders
- Development of NEI 10-07
- Ongoing continuous improvement effort 10
Questions or Suggestions?
Jennifer Davis, NRO/DLSE Ph: (301) 415-3835 Email: Jennifer.Davis@nrc.gov 11