ML19274C664
| ML19274C664 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Issue date: | 10/01/2019 |
| From: | Bruce Watson NRC/NRR/DRA/APOB |
| To: | |
| RAKOVAN L/NMSS/MSST | |
| Shared Package | |
| ML19274C654 | List: |
| References | |
| Download: ML19274C664 (15) | |
Text
Reactor Decommissioning Current Issues Bruce A. Watson, CHP, Branch Chief Reactor Decommissioning Branch Division of Decommissioning, Uranium Recovery, and Waste Programs Office of Nuclear Material Safety and Safeguards National State Liaison Officer Conference September 4, 2019
Agenda
- Decommissioning Experience
- License Transfer Review Process
- Partial Site Release Process
Section 108
- Reactor Decommissioning Program Summary
NRCs Decommissioning Mission
- The NRCs mission during decommissioning is to ensure safety until the plant has been radiologically decommissioned and the license is terminated
- NRC safety oversight continues with licensing and inspections until the license is terminated
Decommissioning Experience
- The NRCs current decommissioning regulations are performance-based and risk-informed
- Extensive decommissioning experience
- A total of 10 power reactor sites have completed decommissioning and had the reactor licenses terminated for unrestricted use Cumulative Completion of Decommissioning Sites 1998-2018 Materials Sites Research Reactors Power Reactors 80 70 60 50 40 30 20 10 0
Radiological Decommissioning Post Decommissioning The process of safely removing a nuclear facility from the operating mode, transitioning it to a permanently shutdown condition, and reducing the residual radioactivity to a level that permits the release of the property for unrestricted use and termination of the operating license.
Reactor Decommissioning Humboldt Bay Post Decommissioning
NRCs License Transfer Review Process
- NRR Procedure LIC-107, Revision 2 (ML17031A006) is titled Procedures for Handling License Transfers
- Areas that NRC reviews for license transfers:
- Financial Qualifications
- Decommissioning Funding Assurance
- Foreign Ownership, Control, or Domination
- Technical Qualifications
- Insurance and Indemnity
- If approved, an Order and Conforming Amendment are issued
Power Reactor Partial Site Releases Under 10 CFR 50.83
- Used frequently for unrestricted release of areas before license termination Recent Partial Site Releases Crystal River*
- Prior written approval from NRC Fort Calhoun required GE Vallecitos (2)*
- Typically applied to outlying unused Humboldt Bay areas La Crosse
- Different requirements for impacted vs Zion non-impacted areas*
- Non-impacted areas - areas with no reasonable potential for residual radioactivity in excess of natural background or fallout levels
§ 50.83 Requirements for Partial Site Release for Non-impacted Areas
- There is no reduction in the effectiveness of emergency planning or physical security
- Effluent releases remain within license conditions
- Environmental monitoring program and offsite dose calculations are revised to account for the changes
- All other applicable statutory and regulatory requirements continue to be met
NRC Partial Site Release Actions
- Notice receipt of the release approval request and make the request available for public comment
- Conduct a public meeting in the vicinity of the licensee's facility for the purpose of obtaining public comments
- Determine whether the licensee has adequately evaluated the effect of releasing the property relative to dose, emergency planning, security, environmental, and regulatory requirements
- Determine whether the licensee's classification of any release areas as non-impacted is adequately justified and perform (optional) confirmatory surveys
- Upon determining that the licensee's submittal is adequate, inform the licensee in writing that the release is approved
Nuclear Energy Innovation and Modernization Act (NEIMA) Section 108
- January 14, 2019 - Legislation issued. Section 108 requires a report to Congress by July 14, 2020 identifying best practices for establishment and operation of local community advisory boards (CABs) for decommissioning nuclear power reactors, including lessons learned from such organizations.
- OMB clearance for a questionnaire associated with CAB best practices and lessons learned obtained in August 2019
- Nationwide Webinar held August 8, 2019
- Public Meetings Held: Palisades, Humboldt Bay, Diablo Canyon and San Onofre
- Public Meetings to be Held: Vermont Yankee, Pilgrim, Indian Point, Oyster Creek, Kewaunee, Crystal River and Zion
Reactor Decommissioning Program
- 22 Power Reactors Currently Undergoing Decommissioning:
- 11 in Active Decommissioning*
- 11 in SAFSTOR Maine Yankee
- 11 Announced Shutdowns Through 2025
- License termination is expected at Humboldt Bay, La Crosse, and Zion Units 1 & 2 by 2020
Questions?
Zion Units 1 & 2 2010 April 2019
Optional slides NRCs License Transfer Review Process
- License Transfer Applications are noticed in the Federal Register and the public can request:
- A hearing within 20 days of the Federal Register Notice (FRN), and/or
- Provide comments within 30 days of the FRN.
- License transfer applications will contain non-proprietary information that can be viewed in ADAMS
- License transfer applications may contain proprietary information; the FRN provides instructions for how the public can request access to this proprietary information