ML20015A035
| ML20015A035 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Site: | 07000113 |
| Issue date: | 01/22/2020 |
| From: | Ty Naquin NRC/NMSS/DFM/FFLB |
| To: | |
| Naquin T | |
| Shared Package | |
| ML20015A027 | List: |
| References | |
| CAC 000222, EPID L-2019-PMP-0202 | |
| Download: ML20015A035 (2) | |
Text
OFFICIAL USE ONLY SECURITY RELATED - INFORMATION DOCKET NO.: 70-0113 LICENSE NO.: SNM-95 LICENSEE: The Pennsylvania State University
SUBJECT:
APPROVAL OF PENNSYLVANIA STATE UNIVERSITY REQUEST TO CHANGE PRINCIPAL OFFICER RESPONSIBLE FOR SPECIAL NUCLEAR MATERIAL LICENSE SNM-95; DOCKET NUMBER 070-0113 (CAC/EPID 000222/07000113/L-2019-PMP-0202)
BACKGROUND By letter dated October 25, 2019 (Agencywide Documents Access and Management System (ADAMS) Accession No. ML19317D849), the Office of the Vice President for Research for Pennsylvania State University (PSU) submitted a letter notify the US Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) of a change in the senior university official responsible for the safe use of radioactive material at PSU, excluding the Hershey Medical Center and the Pennsylvania College of Technology. Dr. Lora Weiss was named to the position, replacing Dr. Neil Sharkey, who was approved as the senior university official for the Special Nuclear Material (SNM)
License (SNM-95) on November 4, 2013 (ADAMS Accession No. ML13298A713).
REGULATORY REQUIREMENTS Title 10 of the Code of Federal Regulations (10 CFR) Paragraph 70.22(a)(1) states, in part, that the contents of a license application must include the names, addresses, and citizenship of its principal officers.
DISCUSSION The October 25, 2019 letter was supplemented on December 11, 2019 (ADAMS Accession No. ML19350A000), with further correspondence including the curriculum vitae for Dr. Weiss, as well as an organizational chart showing the position of Dr. Weiss, as Vice President for Research (senior university official for the license) relative to the university organization.
Dr. Weiss came to the university after spending 13 years in progressively more responsible positions at the Georgia Technology Research Institute (GTRI). Prior to her appointment at PSU, she served as the Senior Vice President of the GTRI. Other assignments at the GTRI include Chief Technology Officer, the Deputy Director of Research, GTRI Fellow, Principal Research Engineer, GTRI Chief Scientist, and Faculty Leader.
FINDINGS Dr. Weiss has the requisite knowledge and experience to perform the responsibilities of senior university official responsible for the safe use of radioactive material at PSU. Though she does not appear to have demonstrated experience with SNM, the position calls for management to demonstrate commitment to provide adequate resources (including space, equipment, personnel, time, and, if needed, contractors) to the radiation protection program to ensure the public, employees, and the environment are protected from radiation hazards. The position Enclosure 1 OFFICIAL USE ONLY SECURITY RELATED - INFORMATION
OFFICIAL USE ONLY SECURITY RELATED - INFORMATION requires leadership to ensure compliance with regulation is maintained. Dr. Weisss experience demonstrates the qualities needed to ensure proper support to the program. The information supplied in the supplemental letter supply the necessary information to meet the requirements of 10 CFR 70.22(a)(1).
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW The staff has determined that the change related to the assignment of the senior university official responsible for the radiation safety program for SNM-95 is categorically excluded from the requirements to prepare a site-specific environmental assessment. Therefore, in accordance with 10 CFR 51.22(c)(12), neither an environmental assessment nor an environmental impact statement is warranted for this action.
Regarding this administrative amendment to the PSU license, SNM-95, submitted on October 25, 2019, according to 10 CFR 51.22(c)(11), is eligible for categorical exclusion provided that:
- i. There is no significant change in the types or significant increase in the amounts of any effluents that may be released offsite.
ii. There is no significant increase in individual or cumulative occupational radiation exposure.
iii. There is no significant construction impact.
iv. There is no significant increase in the potential for or consequences from radiological accidents.
The change in this amendment does not affect the scope or nature of the licensed activity and will not result in a significant change in the types or amounts of effluents released offsite. There will not be any significant increase in individual or cumulative occupational radiation exposure, and there will not be any significant increase in the potential or consequences from radiological accidents. There is no construction associated with these changes, so there will not be any impact from construction.
CONCLUSION The NRC staff finds that Dr. Weiss is qualified to assume responsibility for the safe use of SNM under the SNM-95 license. Dr. Weiss has the requisite knowledge and experience to be ultimately responsible for radiation safety matters at PSU. In the position of Vice President of Research, Dr. Weiss has sufficient authority to ensure that SNM is used in accordance with applicable regulatory requirements of 10 CFR Part 70.
RECOMMENDATION With the submittal dated October 25, 2019, and supplemented by the letter dated December 11, 2019, the NRC staff finds that the licensee meets the requirements of 10 CFR 70.22(a)(1), and that Dr. Weiss be approved as the person ultimately responsible for SNM-95.
Principal Contributor:
Tyrone D. Naquin 2
OFFICIAL USE ONLY SECURITY RELATED - INFORMATION