ML20206L364
| ML20206L364 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Issue date: | 07/24/2020 |
| From: | Patricia Holahan Office of Nuclear Material Safety and Safeguards |
| To: | |
| Betancourt L, NRR, 415-6146 | |
| Shared Package | |
| ML20206L360 | List: |
| References | |
| Download: ML20206L364 (15) | |
Text
2018 International Congress on Advances in Nuclear Power Plants Regulatory Perspectives and Updates on Commercial Decommissioning Processes Patricia Holahan, Ph.D.
Director, Division of Decommissioning, Uranium Recovery, and Waste Programs U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission
Topics
- GTCC, TRU, and Part 61 Rulemakings Next Steps
- Alternative Disposal Requests Guidance
- Proposed interpretation of Authorized Recipient under 10 CFR 20.2001
- Decommissioning Program Updates
- NEIMA Section 108 Report on Community Advisory Board Best Practices
- Reactor Decommissioning Financial Assurance Working Group
GTCC, TRU, and 10 CFR Part 61 Rulemakings Next Steps
- The NRC's generic analyses supporting the Draft Regulatory Basis found the majority of GTCC and TRU waste potentially suitable for near-surface disposal and most of potentially suitable waste could be regulated by an Agreement State. However, site-specific analyses would be used to determine the acceptability of any of the waste streams for near-surface disposal.
- Based on comments received on the Draft Regulatory Basis, staff is considering options for proceeding with a GTCC/TRU rulemaking
- Staff is also considering planned path forward for the Part 61 rulemaking
- As part of that, consideration will be given to potentially combining GTCC and the Part 61 rulemaking for efficiency
Alternative Disposal Requests Guidance
- Each Alternative Disposal Request contains two approvals for offsite disposals
- Generator of waste requests approval of alternate disposal procedures NRC receives 10 CFR 20.2002 request from its licensee
- Recipient of waste receives approval to receive and dispose Agreement State, if applicable, approves disposal in a non-licensed facility
- An updated revision to guidance for Alternative Disposal Requests addresses both approvals
- Guidance was issued in March 2020 (ML19295F109)
Proposed interpretation of Authorized Recipient
- Proposed interpretation of authorized recipient under 10 CFR 20.2001(a)(1)
- Interpretation expands authorized recipient to entities specifically exempted, in addition to the current interpretation of licensed persons or facilities
- Licensees could transfer licensed material to a non-10 CFR Part 61 disposal facility that holds an appropriate authorization
- NRC solicited public comments on proposed interpretation
- NRC performed initial outreach to Agreement States
- Federal Register notice was issued on March 6 (85 FR 13076) and the public comment period has been extended to October 21, 2020
- Two public meetings held via webinar in March and July 2020
Decommissioning Rulemaking
- Proposed rule submitted to Commission May 7, 2018 (SECY-18-0055)
- Goals: provide for an efficient decommissioning process; reduce the need for exemptions from existing regulations; and support the principles of good regulation, including openness, clarity, and reliability
- Fourteen technical topical areas
- Four draft guidance documents
- Next steps:
- Upon Commission vote, staff will publish proposed rule for 75-day public comment period
- Public meeting during comment period
- Public meeting to discuss implementation of rule prior to delivering the draft final rule to the Commission
- Submit the draft final rule to the Commission
Diverse Decommissioning World
- 24 Power Reactors
- 13 in DECON (active decommissioning); 11 in SAFSTOR
- 4 Research and Test Reactors
- 10 Complex Materials Facilities
- 5 UMTRCA Title II uranium recovery facilities
- Radium sites
- 5 non-military sites; 17 Department of Defense sites; 2 National Park Service sites
- DOE Naval Reactors decommissioning oversight/inspection of the Surface Ship Support Barge
NEIMA Section 108 Report
- Report to Congress on Best Practices for Community Advisory Boards signed by the Chairman on July 1, 2020 (ML20113E857)
- Identified best practices for CAB formation include:
- Early formation;
- Development of a charter or guiding document;
- Consideration of local preferences for engagement with public meetings
- Diversity in CAB membership;
- CAB meeting frequency and topics for discussion based on the site status, ongoing activities, and level of stakeholder interest;
- Specifically assigned funding sources to support operations and activities;
- Access to technical experts or specific training for CAB members.
Reactor Decommissioning Financial Assurance
- Reactor Decommissioning Financial Assurance Working Group (WG) formed in September 2019 to:
- Review and document current processes
- Identify potential regulatory gaps/policy issues
- Identify program enhancements
- Develop recommendations for any identified gaps/enhancements
- Public meetings were held via webinar in February and April to solicit comments
- The WGs Final Report was issued in May 2020 (ML20120A550)
Reactor Decommissioning Financial Assurance
- No regulatory gaps or policy issues were identified.
- The report recommended the following changes:
- Clarify Oversight of DTF Expenditures as Part of Reviews of Annual Decommissioning Funding Status Reports
- Develop 30-Day Notification Guidance
- Revise Inspection Procedures
- Develop Spot Check Program
- Conduct Training Workshops
- Timing of comparison between DTF formula and SSCE
- Provide Irradiated Nuclear Fuel Funding Guidance for use of Provisional Trust Funds
Continuous Process Improvements
- Guidance improvements to further risk-inform
- NUREG-1757, Vol. 2 revision to be published by the end of 2020
- NUREG-1507 to be published by the end of 2020
- NUREG-1757, Vol. 1 revision to be published in early 2021
- Adapting to COVID-19 Public Health Emergency
- Streamlining processes for materials licensees to submit and for staff to promptly review requests for necessary relief
- Increased outreach and communication with internal and external stakeholders
- Virtual public meetings
Humboldt Bay Zion Units 1 & 2 La Crosse Questions?