ML20127K462

Provides Commission W/Perspective on Adjudicatory Caseload & Commission Role in Adjudicatory Matters During CY92

ML20127K462
Person / Time
Issue date:	01/22/1993
From:	Stephen Burns NRC OFFICE OF COMMISSION APPELLATE ADJUDICATION (OCAA)
To:
References
SECY-93-009, SECY-93-9, NUDOCS 9301260127
Download: ML20127K462 (13)

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ADJUDICATORY ISSUE January 22, 1993 (InfOrmation) SECY-93-009 For: The Commissioners From: Stephen G. Burns, Director Office of Commission Appellate Adjudication

Subject:

THE COMMISSION'S ROLE IN ADJUDICATORY MATTERS DU' RING 1992

Purpose:

To provide the Commission a perspective on the adjudicatory caseload and the Commission's role in adjudicatory matters during calendar year 1992.

Discussion: As part of OCAA's monitoring role over adjudicatory matters, I am providing the Commission this report on agency adjudications for calendar year 1992. This report updates information contained in the last report (SECY 246, July 15, 1992) and is based on the information compiled in the attached charts. The charts cover three aspects of the Commission's adjudicatory work: Chart 1 - Commission decisions or actions on motions, appeals, or other adjudicatory matters; Chart 2 - final decisions of the Atomic Safety and Licensing Board that were subject to Commission review; and Chart 3 - new cases referred to the Licensing Board in 1992.

The data generally indicate a steady adjudicatory caseload, although at a level below that experienced a few years ago when a number of operating reactor license applications remained in the adjudicatory pipeline. The present caseload consists primarily of enforcement actions, reactor 050013 operating 11 cense amendments, and decommissioning actions for reactor or materials facilities. Most cases are settled or dismissed (e.o., for failure of a potential party to establish standing) before a hearing is held. Nonetheless, a number of CONTACT: Stephen G. Burns, OCAA NOTE: TO BE MADE PUBLICLY AVAILABLS 504-2184 IN 10 WORKING DAYS FROM THE

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2 proceedings have required or are presently subject to substantial litigation.

Commission Actionsi As indicated in Chart 1, the Commission acted in 22 instances on motions, '

appeals1 , or in its EMA sponta capacity; 5 instances alone dealt with aspects of the'Shoreham decommissioning and transfer actions. Eight cases involved motions filed directly with the Commission to authorize or stay certain actions, reconsider prior actions, or for other relief.

Eleven of the 22 cases involved appeals from Licensing Board decisions; four of these appeals were dismissed prior to decision. The underlying Licensing Board decision was reversed in only one of the 11 appeals. Six of the 11 appeals were brought under 10 C.F.R. S 2.714a and thus related to a threshold denial of intervention or grant of a hearing. Only 3 of the 11 appeals involved decisions on the merits (i.e.,-partial or. final initial decisions), and the Commission dismissed one of these cases as moot prior to reaching the merits of the appeal. Two cases involved interlocutory review of Licensing Board orders prior to the disposition of the merits of a case.

The Commission took action gun sponte in four instances. Two instances involved the referral of certain safety or regulatory issues for further staff review and another involved instructing staff on its handling of certain procedural matters. The remaining case is pending.

In addition to the cases listed on Chart.1, the Commission took no action with respect to 14 other final Licensing Board orders reflected on Chart 2, most of which involved settlement or dismissal of proceedings prior to hearing.2 Licensina Board Decisions: Chart 2 lists final Licensing Board orders issued in 1992 in agency adjudications. Of the 21 listed orders, 11 1

For. purposes of this paper, I have counted as " appeals" both appeals as of right (e.c., 10 C.F.R. S 2.714a) and petitions for review (10 C.F.R. S 2.786) which the Commission may grant or deny in its discretion.

2 In Chart 2, " final" decisions of the Licensing Board include any decisions or orders deciding the merits of a case, terminating a proceeding, or denying party status to a person.

3 3

involved approval of settlement agreements ;- of-the remaining 10, 3 involved dismissal for i mootness or default, 4. orders involved denial of-intervention, and 3 orders constituted-an-initial decision on the~ merits of a case. All of1the proceedings concluded in 1992 were: conducted pursuant to the. formal hearing procedures under Subpart G of 10 C.F.R. Part 2. Petitions for review or appeals were filed with respect-to 6 of the 21 orders. One petition has been denied, but the remaining petitions or appeals are pending..

Focusing on proceedings initiated in-the past year, Chart 3 shows that the Licensing Board has concluded proceedings in 9 of the 18 new cases.-

Six of the concluded. cases were settled; one was decided the merits after a hearing; the remaining "

two were dismissed after denial of intervention (appeals are pending in both cases). The-remaining nine active cases are:at some prehearing phase. Only 2 of the-18-new cases involved a .i i

proceeding' subject to Subpart:L, and the commission authorized consolidation of one case with a-related Subpart G proceeding.

Tvoes of Proceedinast As could be expected under present conditions, the. commission's-adjudicatory caseload continued to shift.away from initial- ,

licensing of power reactors-to. enforcement and-decommissioning matters. _The Commission decided the last remaining' appeal in the Seabrook licensing proceeding and decided two motions'to reopen the Comanche' Peak operating license- J proceeding. Of the 21 final Licensing l Board .

1 orders.(Chart:2) issued in 1992, 10. involved-staff-enforcement orders or' civil penalties;;5 involved-amendments to reactor _ operating.. license or . .

j construction permits or license transfers; and'6 involved decommissioning or waste disposal-actions. Of the'18 cases referred to the:

Licensing. Board in 1992 (Chart 3), 6 involve-enforcement matters,;5 concern. amendments or-transfers of Part'50-reactor licenses or-permits, 5 involve-decommissioning-actions, and 2-involve:-

materials license applications.

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.With the_ exception of a civil! penalty case = brought.

against Alabama: Power Company for alleged-violations at its Farley plant, settlement was-reached prior to hearing-in all cases. _ A settlement was- reached in the Farley case; af ter- an - "

extensive hearing._ a

4 Eendino.Eatters: Appeals or petitions for review are pending before the Commission in the following cases:

Advanced Medical Systems (decontamination order)

• Advanced Medical Systems (civil penalty)

• Advanced Medical Systems (suspension order)

Cleveland Electric Illum. (Perry amendment)

Ohio Edison Co. (antitrust conditions)

Randall C. Orem (possible sua sponto action)

Sacramento Mun. Util. Dist. (decommissioning)

Texas Util. Elec. Co. (construction permit ext.)

• Univ, of Missouri (materials license amendment)

The asterisks indicate cases in which the Licensing Board decision being appealed was rendered prior to the reporting period covered by the attached charts. All of the listed appeals are under ac 'e review by OCAA, and recommended action cn a number of them should be provided to the Commission in-the very n'ir future. Several other matters are inactive or are being held in abeyance.

In addition to the cases listed on chart 3, other significant pending proceedings before the Licensing Board concern: Louisiana Enrichment Service's uranium enrichment plant; orders to Safety Light Corporation et alt to fund and undertake decontamination; and the Sequoyah Puels Corporation license renewal.

If thc Commissioners would like additional information concerning this memorandum or the accompanying charts, I would be pleased to-provide it. I will provide another report in July 1993.

// bh . r o ll 'I8 Step n G. Burns, Director Offibe of Commission Appellate Adjudication-

Enclosures:

DISTRIBUTION:

Charts 1-3 Commissioners OCA OGC OPP OCAA REG OFFICES OIG EDO OPA ASLBP IP SECY

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CHART 1 COMMISSION ADJUDICATORY DECISIONS, JANUARY - DECEMBER 2992 Type of Decision Relief Commission Decision Bought Action Case Name Proceeding Being Number /Date Challenged Motioi to reopen the Motion

1. CU-92-01, Texas Utilities Elec. Part 50 -

reconi (11/20/91) denied 35 NRC 1 Co. (Comanche Peak) Opesting License (1/17/92)

LBP-91-37 Commission Board decision not

2. 2/14/92 Wrangler Enfortement disturbed, but staff Laluatories Order 34 NRC 1% s a si m te review directed to address (9/26/91) certain issues raised by Board in SRM dated 2/12/92.

LBP-91-30 12.714a appeal from Appeal

3. CU-92-02, Sacramento Municipal Part 50 34 NRC 23 denial of intervent{on denied Util. Dist. Decommissioning 35 NRC 47 (Rancho Seco) (Possession Only (7/1/91)

(2/6/92)

License)

LBP-91-21 52.714 appeal frcm Appeal denied;

4. CU-92-03, Georgia Power Co. Part 50 33 NRC 419 denial of intervention certain technical 35 NRC 63 (Vogtle) Amend = nt issues referred to (5/15/91)

(2/12/92) staff for renew.

Motion to stay Stay denied; appe<ed

5. CU-92-04, Long Island Lighting Part 50 -

issuance of ownership immance of license 35 NRC 69 Co. (Shoreham) License Transfer transfer approval transfer.

(2126/92)

(12/17/91). Staff request to authorize transfer (SECY-92-41, 2/6/92)

2 Decision Type of Decision Relief Commission Number /Date Case Name Proceeding Being Sought Action Challenged

6. CLI-92-05, Fewell Geotechnical Enforcement Order LBP-91-29 Staff appeal from Motion to dismiss and 35 NRC 83 Engineering, Ltd. (Materials) 33 NRC 561 initial decision. Staff vacate as moot (3/5/92) (6/25/91) Motion to dismiss granted.

staff appeal and vacate decision as moot l (10/15/91).

l 7. CU-92-06, Ohio Edison Co., et Antitrust CL1-91-15, Ohio Edison's motion Motion denied 35 NRC 86 1. 34 NRC 269 for reconsideration of (3/5/92) (Perry / Davis-Besse) (11/20/91) the Commission's Suspension of any l further litigation on bias issue.

8. CLI-92-07, Imuisiana Energy Uranium Enrichment Commission Hearing Applicant's & Limited 35 NRC 93 Services Plant Order (5/21/91) Intervenors' motions reconsideration (3/5/92) for reconsideration granted

9. CLI-92-08 Public Serv. Co. of Part 50 LBP-91-24 Intervenors' appeal Appeal denied

, 35 NRC 145 New Hampshire Operating License 33 NRC 446 from final initial (4/3/92) (Seabrook) (5/30/91) decision

10. CLI-92-09, Safety Light Corp., Decommissioning Licensing Boan! Order Staff petition for Review denied i

35 NRC 156 etal. Order (Materials) (12/13/91) interkxmtory review (4/10/92)

11. 6/17/92 leng Island Lighting Part 50 LBP-91-26, 12.714a appeal from Dismissed on Co. (Shoreham) Decommissioning 33 NRC 537 denial of intervention settlement of parties (Possession Only (6/13/91) i License)

12. 6/17/92 Long Island Lighting Part 50 LBP-91-35, f2.714a appeal from Dismissed on Co. (Shoreham) Decommissioning 34 NRC 163 denial of intervention settlement of parties i (8/29/91) l

3 Decision Relief Commission Decision f Type of Action Case Name Proceeding Being Bought Number /Date Challenged LBP-91-39, 92.714a appeal from Dismissed on

13. 6/17/92 Long Island Lighting Part 50 denial of intervention settlement of parties Co. (Shoreham) Decommissioning 34 NRC 273 (Possession Only (11/15/91);

License) same proceeding as LBP-91-26 above.

Staff request to issue Staff action permitted

14. 6/17/92 Long Island Lighting Part 50 -

Decommissioning decommissioning in view of settlement Co. (Shoreham) order. (SECY-92-140, and withdrawal of 4/17/92) wposition.

Decommissioning LBP-92-11, Commission Board decision not

15. 6/22/92 Chemetron Corp. disturbed, but staff 35 NRC 193 sua sponte review Order (Site directed to publish Decommissioning (5/12/92) future orders in Management Plan)

Federal gerister Motion to Quash Motion denied

16. CLI-92-10 Houston Lighting & Investigatory -

Power Co. (South Subpoena (7/2/92)

Texas)

LBP-91-38, City of Cleveland Appeal & Motion

17. C1192-11 Ohio Edison Co. Antitrust 34 NRC 229 92.714a appeal to denied (8/12/92) (Perry / Davis-Besse)

(10/7/91) deny hearing to licensee and motion to revoke jurisdictkm of Licensing Board Motion for late Motion denied CLI-92-12 Texas Utilities Electne Part 50 Operating -

18. Intervention and Co. (Comanche Peak License &

(8/12/92) Reopen the Record I & 2) Construction Permit Amendment

4 Type of Decision Relief Commission Decision Being Bought Action Case Name Proceeding Number /Date Challenged LBP-92-13A Staff Petition for Petition granted;

19. CLI-92-13 Safety Light Corp. Materials License 35 NRC 205 Interlocutory review Board decision etal Denial (Subpart L)

(8/12/92) of Board's reversed but and Decommissioning (6/11/92) consolidation order Commission Order authorized consolidation Licensee Request for Referral to Ucensing

20. CLI-92-14 Geo-Tech Associates Materials Liceme -

hearing Board with (10/21/92) Revocation (Failure to instructions for Pay Fees) considering late filed hearing reqe4 Commission sg Commission inquires Randall C. Orem Materials License LBP-92-18

21. CLI-92-15 sponte action into basis for Revocation (8/6/92)

(11/2/92) settlement agreement LBP-92-25 Licensee Petition for Petition for Review

22. CLI-92-16 Piping Specialists, Inc. Materials License Resiew Denied Revocation (9/8/92)

(12/1/92) i

CHART 2 m

FINAL LICENSING BOARD DECISIONS, JANUARY - DECEMBER 1992 Type of Nature of Appeal Taken Commission Board Case Action Proceeding Decision Decision /

Date Dismissal on approval No No review

1. 1/21/92 'Tew York Power Enfmuant O*

of settlement (3/2032)

(LBP-9241. ,. :sthority (FitzPatrick) (Reactor) 35 NRC II)

Initial Decision No No review

2. 1/29/92 Certified Testing Civil Penalty unpoeng reduced civil ,(3/23/92)

(LBP-97-02. Laboratories (Materials) penalty 35 NRC 20)

Part 50 Aug,Lest Dismissal on defr2ft No No rniew

3. 3/4/92 Anzona Public and withdraw 2! of (4/13S2)

(LBP-92-03, Semce Co.

intervenors 35 NRC 107) (Palo Verde)

Denial ofintervention Yes Appeal pending

4. 3/18/92 Cleveland Electric Part 50 Amendment Illuminating Co. (Intervenor)

(LBP-9244, 35 NRC 114) (Peny)

Dismissal on apprmal No No review

5. 3/24/92 Jose A. Ruiz Carlo Enfmanist Order of settlement (5/452)

(LBP-92-05 (Alonzo & Carus Irm (Materials) 35 NRC 123) Works)

Disrissal for No No review

6. 3/31/92 David M. Manning Enforce nent Order mootness (5/1192)

(LBP-92-06 (FitzPatrick SRO) (Part 55 Reactor 35 NRC 130) Operator)

Denial of Intervention No No review

7. 4/30/92 Envirocare of Utah. Iow level waste dispsal facility (6/16/92)

(LBP-92-08 Inc. (11e(2) byproduct 35 NRC 167) material)

Dismissal on approval No No review 8- 5/6/92 Midwest Iusiwties Civil Penalty / Enforcement of settlement (6/1582)

(LBP-92-99 Semce. Ltd.

35 NRC 189) Order (Matenals) ._ _

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Type of Nature of Appeal Taken Commission Board Case Action Proceeding Decision Decision /

Date Dew-mdsg Dismissal on approval No No review (6122.92).

9. 5/12/92 Cbemetron but C w Corporation Order (Site of settlement (LBP-92-11, guidance ismed on Decommissioning 35 NRC 193) publi4ing Management Plan) enforceuxnt orders Dismissal on approval No No u h

10. 5/26/92 Patrick K.C. Chun. Enfmsact Order p/6/92)

M.D. (Marsials) of settlement (LBP-92-12.

35 NRC 195)

Dismissal m apprcval No No review

11. 5/27/92 Lafayette Clinic (Dr. Enfon:ement Order of settlement G/6/92)

(LBP-92-13, Sitaram) (Materials) 35 NRC 199)

Dismissal on approval No No revww

12. 6/17/92 Img Island Ughting Part 50 of setdement (7/27/92)

(LBP-92-14, Co. (Sheham) License Transfer 35 NRC 207)

Dcweg Plan Dismissal on Approval No No renew

13. 6/17/92 Emg Island Ughting of settlement G/27/92)

(LBP-92-15, Co. (Shoreham) l 35 NRC 209)

Disunssal on approval No; Commission s Possible s Srnnte

14. 8/6/92 Redall C. Orem Materials Revocaten revww pendmg of settlement sonete directal staff to l

(LBP-92-IS) supply info.

Dismissal on approval No No revrw 8/12/92 Alabama Power Co. Civil Penalty

15. (9/2162)

(Farley) of settlement reached (LBP 92-21) af.er hearing Demal of Intervention Yes Am 1 Pendmg Sacramento Man. Decommissioning Plan

16. 8/20/92 Util Dist. (Rancho (Ink. ms)

(LBP-92-23)

Seco)

3 4

Tvpe of Nature of Appeal Taken Comm"wsion Board Case Action Decision / Proceeding Decision Date Initial Decision Yes Petztion for Renew

17. 9/8/92 Piping Specialists, Inc. Materials Revocation sustaming revocation (Licenwe) Demed. CLI-92-16 (LBP-92-25) (12/1/92)

Deconmnsncmng Plan Dismissal on approval No No review

18. 10/16/92 GPU Nuclear (TMI-2) of settlement (II/25/92)

(LBP-92-30)

Initial Decision Yes Petiticas for Renew

19. 11/18/92 Ohio Edison Co., et al Antiinast deny ng amenderer to (Lacemees & perxting (LBP-92-32) (Perry / Davis-Bese) snW antitrust Ink. .u -

n s) j comhtions Dismzssal for Yes Petition for Review

20. 12/14/92 Advanced Medien! Decontammation mootness (Lacenwe) Pending (LBP-92-36) Sy A ,Inc. Order (Materials)

Demal of Intervention Yes Appeal Pendmg

21. 12/15/92 Texas Utilities Elec. Cmas Permit Extension (Interveners)

(LBP-92-37) Co. (CoM Peak 1)

CHART'3 CASES REFERRED TO THE LICENSING BOARD, JANUARY - DECEMBER 1992 Date of Type of Commission Referral Case Name Proceeding Status Action

1. January Jose A. Ruiz-Carlo (Alonzo & Enforcement Order Settled; LBP-92-05,35 NRC 123 No review (5/4S2) 1992 Carus Iron Works) (Materials) (3/24/92)

2. January Patrick K.C. Chun. M.D. Enforcement Order Settled: LBP-92-12,35 NRC 195 No review (7/6/92) 1992 (Materials) (5/26/92)

3. January Randall C. Orem Revocation Order Settled. LBP-92-18 (S/662) Possible gua =rionte 1992 (Materials) review pending: info.

sought gg settlement per CLI-92-15 (II/2/92)

4. February Long Island Lighting Co. Part 50 License Transfer Settled: LBP-92-14,35 NRC 207 No review of final action 1992 (Shoreham) (6/1762) (7/2762): See CLI l 04. 35 NRC 47 (2126/92) on threshold issues

)

5. March 1992 Safety Light Corp., g al. Matenals License Denial Pretrial motwns Commission authorized (Subpart L) consolidation with case below in CLI-92-13 (8/12/92) 6 March 1992 Safety Light Corp., g sj. Dmmommmuwg Order Conmlidated with case above See above (Materials - SDMP list) contmgent on sustammg i

!icense demals

7. april 1992 Img Island Lighting Co. Part 50 De ++ing Settled: LBP-92-15,35 NRC 209 No review (7/27/92)

(Shoreham) (6/17/92)

8. April 1992 Piping Specialists, Inc. Revocation Order Consolidated with related 11/91 Licemee petition for (Materials 1 case: hearmg held 4/92: LBP-92-25 review denied. CLI-92-16 (9/8/92) =ustaired revocation (12/1/92) l 9. April 1992 Chemetron Corp. Decommissierung Order Settled: LBP-92-11,35 NRC 193 No review (6/22/92);

(Materials - SDMP list) (5/12/92) Cummmms issued l directive on future publication of orders

\

l '10. April 1992 Sacramento Municipal Utility Part 50 Decommissioning Intervention denied. LBP-92-23 Intervenor's Appeal

, District (Rancho Seco) (8/20/92) Pending i

2 Type of Com:2ission Date of Action Case Name Proceeding Status Referral Northeast Nuclear Energy Co. Part 50 Anzndnxnt Pretrial discovery -

11. June 1992 (Millstone 2)

Umetco Minerals Corp. Materials License Informal Hearing; filing schedule -

12. July 1992 (Subpart L) through I/93 ,

Intervention denied, LBP-92-37 Intervenors' Appeal

13. Argust Texas Utilities (Comanche Constructim Permit Pending 1992 Peak 2) Extension (12/15N2)

Babcock & Wilcox (Apollo Mater als Licensing Pending licating Requests; stay of -

14. August action denied, LBP-92-35 Site Decommissioning 1992 (12/10!92)

Reactor twense Preheanng Cmference held (12/92) -

15. Sept.1992 Pacific Gas & Elec. (Diablo Canyon) An- !.. nt (extend operating licenx)

Consideration of late hearing request Refer ed to Board u%

16. Oct.1992 Geo-Tech, Inc. Materials License instructions, CLI-92-14 Revocation (Failure to pay license fees) (10/21/92)

Revocation Order Licensee request for relief fann -

17. Nov.1992 St. Joaerbs Radiology Assoc.

(Materials) immediate etfectiveness of order demed, LBP-92-34 (11/20!92) l Reactor License Preheanng Conference held 1/93 on -

18. Nov.1992 Georgia Power Co.

Aw. " &at pending beanng request

' (Management Organirmfion) l