ML20140A108
| ML20140A108 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Issue date: | 05/19/2020 |
| From: | Yen-Ju Chen Storage and Transportation Licensing Branch |
| To: | Christopher Regan Division of Fuel Management |
| JChen NMSS/DFM/STL 415.1018 | |
| Shared Package | |
| ML20140A107 | List: |
| References | |
| CAC A33009, EPID L-2020-LLE-0013 | |
| Download: ML20140A108 (3) | |
Text
May 19, 2020 MEMORANDUM TO: Christopher Regan, Deputy Director Division of Fuel Management Office of Nuclear Material Safety and Safeguards Digitally signed by Yen-Ju FROM: Yen-Ju Chen, Sr. Project Manager Yen-Ju Chen Chen Date: 2020.05.19 Storage and Transportation Licensing Branch 15:30:52 -04'00' Division of Fuel Management Office of Nuclear Material Safety and Safeguards
SUBJECT:
SUMMARY
OF MAY 8, 2020, PUBLIC MEETING WITH PUBLIC TO DISCUSS TEMPORARY REGULATORY RELIEF PATHWAYS FOR NRC INDEPENDENT SPENT FUEL STORAGE INSTALLATION LICENSEES DURING THE COVID-19 PUBLIC HEALTH EMERGENCY On May 8, 2020, staff from the Division of Fuel Management held a public meeting with representatives from the Decommissioning Plant Coalition and Nuclear Energy Institute. The purpose of this meeting was to discuss how the independent spent fuel storage installation licensees can request temporary regulatory relief during the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-
- 19) public health emergency (PHE) through submission of certain exemption requests. At the meeting, the staff also listened to the industry representatives on the types of regulatory relief that they anticipate they may need during the COVID-19 PHE and answered questions from the public on the relief request process.
The meeting was noticed on April 28, 2020 (Agencywide Document Access and Management System [ADAMS] Accession No. ML20126G248) and the presentation slides (ADAMS Accession No. ML20126G244) was provided online on May 6, 2020. Approximately 100 people participated in the meeting. A list of partial attendees from WebEx attendance is included in .
During the meeting, the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) stated that the staff is prepared to use its existing authority to consider granting relief from specific regulatory requirements when requested by a licensee. The NRC has been in close communications with its licensees to understand precautions being taken at facilities regarding COVID-19 PHE, the impact of COVID-19 on facility operational status, and any potential compliance issues that may result in specific needs for regulatory relief during the COVID-19 PHE.
CONTACT: Yen-Ju Chen, NMSS/DFM (301) 415-1018
C. Regan 2 The industry representatives stated that the industry group had weekly calls to identify potential issues and the time when the issues could happen, and shared best practices to mitigate these issues. It was noted that some licensees may need relief from annual security personnel training and physical examination requirements.
The staff discussed the methods for licensees to seek regulatory relief outlined in the April 7, 2020 (ADAMS Accession No. ML20094G166), letter issued by John Lubinski, Director, Office of Nuclear Material Safety and Safeguards. The staff also discussed the information to be included in the relief request to facilitate the staffs review to ensure the continued safe and secure operations of the facilities.
The staff answered the publics questions on the length of exemptions, NRCs communication with the licensees and monitoring of operations, and the protection of facilities safety. There were a few comments about the meeting starting time which is early for west coast participants.
The staff apologized and noted it will take this into consideration for the next meeting.
Enclosure:
Partial Attendee List CAC: A33009 EPID: L-2020-LLE-0013
ML20140A107 (Pkg) ML20104A108 (Memo)
ML20104A109 (Encl) *via email OFFICE NMSS/DFM NMSS/DFM NMSS/DFM NAME YChen WWheatley JBMcKirgan*
DATE 5/19/2020 5/18/2020 5/18/2020