ML20137V259
| ML20137V259 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Issue date: | 03/13/1997 |
| From: | Mcgaffigan E NRC COMMISSION (OCM) |
| To: | Hoyle J NRC OFFICE OF THE SECRETARY (SECY) |
| Shared Package | |
| ML20137V163 | List: |
| References | |
| SECY-97-047-C, SECY-97-47-C, NUDOCS 9704170250 | |
| Download: ML20137V259 (2) | |
Text
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- . NOTATION VOTE RESPONSE SHEET b
TO: John C. Hoyle, Secretary FROM: COMMISSIONER MCGAFFIGAN l
1
SUBJECT:
SECY-97-047 - CHANGES TO 10 CFR 71.63, REQUIREMENTS FOR SHIPPING PACKAGES USED TO TRANSPORT VITRIFIED HIGH-LEVEL WASTE l Approved ! Disapproved Abstain Not Participating Request Discussion COMMENTS:
I Note attached edit.
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SIGNNTURE';
Release Vote / </ / I DATE 1
Withhold Vote / /
Entered on "AS" Yes .x No a
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9704170250 970404 PDR COMMS NRCC l CORRESPONDENCE PDR
,[ UNITED STATES i j j t
NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION WASHINGTON, D.C. 20tW64001
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l The Honorable James M. Inhofe, Chairman Subcommittee on Clean Air, Wetlands, Private Property and Nuclear Safety l j
Committee on Environment and Public Works United States Senate Washingt n, DC 20510
Dear Mr. Chairman:
The NRC has sent to the Office of the Federal Register for publication and comment the enclosed proposed amendments to the Commission's rules in 10 CFR Part 71. The amendments, if adopted, would remove canisters containing ,
vitrified high-level waste, which contain plutonium, from the packaging requirement fer double containment. This amendment is being proposed in response to a petition for rulemakino submitted by the Department of Energy.
The primary purpose for double containment is to ensure that any respirable plutonium will not be leaked into the atmosphere. The NRC agrees with the petitioner that vitrified high-level wastes are essentially nonrespirable, and therefore the packaging requirement for double containment is unnecessary. os This proposed rule change would allow a more cost effective means of 'N
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transporting this waste with no significant impact to public health and }
safety. This proposed rule would also make a minor correction to the usage of metric and English units to be consistent with existing NRC policy.
Sincerely, Dennis K. Rathbun, Director Office of Congressional Affairs
/
Enclosure:
/
Federal Register Notice cc: Senator Bob Graham Ths s e.pr o xcA is c m it b 4 w 4 (A s c+nerH ueA fn,4 %e d.g,c e d d nud, o neu+v b\ e\erocris.
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4 UNITEt STATES 8 -1 NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION wASHWGTON, D A 20555-0001 g a h
%*****4 April 4, 1997.
SECRETARY MEMORANDUM TO: L. Joseph Callan Exec iv Oir '
ctor for Operations y . Hoyle,/ dh -
FROM: Johd Secretary
SUBJECT:
STAFF REQUIREMENTS - SECY-97-047 - CHANGES TO 10 CFR 71.63, REQUIREMENTS FOR SHIPPING PACKAGES USED TO TRANSPORT VITRIFIED HIGH-LEVEL WASTE The Commission has approved publication of the proposed amendments to 10 CFR Part 71 in the Federal Recister to allow fc:c a 75 day public comment period, subject to the comments and editorial changes below.
(EDO) (SECY Suspense: 5/2/97)
The staff shoulo~ conduct a review of DOE's information in their
" Technical Justification to Support the PRM by the DOE to Exempt HLW Canisters from 10 CFR 71.63(b)":in enough detail to provide the staff confidence that DOE's conc'.usions appear to be substantiated. The FRN should include a discussion of the NRC J analysis and, that based on this information, the NRC essentially agrees 'ith DOE's conclusions.
If the reduced Pu concentration in the vitrified high-level waste is part of the justification for exemption of this form of waste from the double containment requirements, then that fact should ;
be a part of the regulatory requirements for this form of waste. l If not, the staff should so state, s
The values and impacts section of the Regulatory Analysis should be expanded to explain the basis for the statements that loading l and unloading time as well as occupational exposures will be j reduced as a result of this action. l I
SECY NOTE: THIS SRM, SECY-97-047, AND THE COMMISSION VOTING '
i RECORD CONTAINING THE VOTE SHEETS OF ALL 4 COMMISSIONERS WILL BE MADE PUBLICLY AVAILABLE 5 l
WORKING DAYS FROM THE DATE OF THIS SPM. 1 2>?Io
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The proposed letters-to the Congressional subcommittee chairs should be modified by inserting the following new sentence after
- the word ' unnecessary' in line 10
- 'This approach is consistent with that currently used for the shipment of nuclear reactor fuel elements.
cc: Chairman Jackson Commissioner Rogers Commissioner Dicus Commissioner Dia:
Commissioner McGaffigan OGC CIO CFO OCA OIG Office Directors, Regions, ACRS, ACNW, ASLBP (via E-Mail)