ML20210S632

Request for OMB Review & Supporting Statement Re 10CFR50, Domestic Licensing of Production & Utilization Facilities. Estimated Respondent Burden to Be 5,573,397 H

ML20210S632
Person / Time
Issue date:	09/04/1997
From:	Levin A NRC OFFICE OF INFORMATION RESOURCES MANAGEMENT (IRM)
To:
Shared Package
ML20210S630	List: ML20210S623 ML20210S632
References
OMB-3150-0011, OMB-3150-11, NUDOCS 9709110241
Download: ML20210S632 (6)

Text

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PAPERWORK REDUCTION ACT SUBMISSION Please read the instructions before completing this form. For additional forms or assistance in completing this form, contact your agency's Paperwork Clearance Officer. Send two copies of this form, the collection instrument to be r viewed, the Supporting Statement, and any additional documentation to: Office of information and Regulatory Affairs.

Office of "." _._.a and Budget, Docket Litwory, Room 10'02,72517th Street NW, Weehington DC 20603 1, Agency / Subagency originating request

2. OMB control number U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission X

a.

3150 0011 b.None

3. Type of information collection (check onel J Type of review requested (check one/

c. New collection X

a. Regular submission

c. Delegated t

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X

b. Revision of a currently approved collection

b. Emergency - Approval requested by (date):

c. Extension of a currently approved collection 5, will this information collection have a o, y..

significant economic impact on a

d. Reinstatement, without change, of a previously approved substantial number of small entities?

X b.No collection for which approval has expred

e. Reinstatement, with change, of a previously approved

s. Three years from approval date j

collection for which approval has expired Requested

f. Existing collection in use without an OMB control number 6* expiration date X b. Other (Specity): 08/31/2000

. 7. Title 10 CFR Part 50, Domestic Ucensing of Production and Utilization Facilities

8. Agoncy form number (s) (if applicable /

Not applicable

9. K ywords Nuclear power plants and reactors, Reporting and recordkeeping requirements 4

1o. Abstract The rule would require power reactor licensees to report annually on the status of their commissioning funds and on the changes in their external trust agreements.

4 J

^

2 Affected pubhc pa t ponery w#A ariamt er eraws ther apr w#m x*J

12. Obhgation to respond maara p*ney w#4 'r'amt as erAers ther evWr wirA K'J a

e P

b. Ibeiness or other for-profit

d. Forme

e. Voluntary

c. Individuals or houesholds

c. Nwt for-prorit institut6ons

o. Federal Government

b. Required to obtain or retain benefits

f. State. Local, or Tnbal Government X

c. Mandaterv

13. Annual reporting and recordkeeping hour burden

14. Annual reporting and recordkeeping cost burden sa thousemss erdomarsi

s. Number of respondents 178

e. Total annualized capital /startup costs o

b. Total annual responses 7,985

b. Total annual costs (o&M) 0

1. Percentage of these responses

c. Total annuahsed cost requested o

collected electronically 0

d. Current OMB inventory o

c. Total annual hours requested 5,573.397

e. oifference o

d. Current oMe inventory 5,573,397

f. Explanation of difference

e. oefference o

1. Program change j

f. Explanation of difference

2. Adsustment

1. Program change

2. Adsustment

15. Purpose of information collection 3 Frequency of recordkeeping or reportin rCheck s# that opplyl (Mort pr*nery with *P* and e# others ther appN with *X*/

X

a. Recordkeeping

b. Third-party disclosure

a. App 0 cation for benefits

e. Program planning or management

c. Reportmg

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2. Weekty X

3. Monthly

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b. Program evaluation

f. Research X

t. On occasion

c. General purpose statistics p

g. R*gulatory or comphance

4. ouarterly X

5. Semi annuelty X

6. Annually l

d. Audit

7. Diennially

8. Other (describel

17. Statistical methods g g' Agency enmact Ipemn W can best anmr pstbns repa@p me content of this submisskn) ooes thes information collection employ statistical enethodst Name:

Brian Richter O vos e No Phone:

301 415-6221 9709110241 970904 omas s3 i PDR ORG EUSOMB 10/95 PDR

19. Certification for Paperwork Reduction Act Submissions On behalf of this Federal agency,I certify that the collection of information encompassed by this request complies with 5 CFR 1320.9, NOTE:

The text of 5 CFR 1320,9, and the related provisions of 5 CFR 1320.8(b)(3), appear at the end of the instructions. The certification is to be made with reference to those regulatory provistom as setforth in the imtructions.

The followingis a summary of the topics, regarding the proposed collection of information, that the certification covers:

(a)

It is necessary for the proper performance of agency functions; (b). It avoids van===7 duplication; (c)

It reduces burden on small entitles; (d)

It uses plain, coherent, and unambiguous terminology that is understandable to respondents; (c)

Its implementation willbe consistent and compatible with current reporting and recordkeeping practices; (f)

It !ndicates the retention periods for recordkeeping requirements; (g)

It informs respondents of the information called for under 5 CFR 1320.8(b)(3):

(i) Why the information is being collected; (ii)

Use of information; (ill)

Burden estimate; (iv)

Nature of response (voluntary, required for a benefit, or mandatory);

(v)

Nature and extent of confidentiality; and (vi)

Need to display currently valid OMB control number; It was developed by an office that has planned and allocated resources for the efficient and effective (h) management and use of the information to be collected (see note in item 19 of the instructions),

(1)

It uses effective and efficient statistical survey methodology; and (j)

It makes appropriate use ofinformation technology, if you are unable to certify compliance with any of thes: provisions, identify the item below and item 18 of the Supporting Statement.

Date Sigature of Senior Official or designee h

AAE 10/95 F'

OMB 831 ' '

I OMB SUPPORTING STATEMENT FOR Proposed Rule, 10 CFR Part 50, Financia' Assurance Requirements for Decommissioning Nuclear Power Reactors (3150-0011)

Descr10 tion of the Information Collection 10 CFR Part 50 provides certain requirements exclusive to domestic licensing of production and utilization facilities.

This proposed rulemaking would amend regulations relating to financial assurance requirements for the decmmissioning of nuclear power plants.

Potential deregulation of the power generating industry has created uncertainty with respect to whether current NRC regulations concerning decommissioning funds and the financial mechanisms will require a modification to account for utility reorganizations not contemplated when current financial assurance requirements were promulgated.

Therefore, the NRC is proposing to require power reactor licensees to periodically report on the status of their decmmissioning funds and changes in their external trust agreements.

The NRC is planning to issue a Regulatory Guide relating to this proposed rule in which the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) draft standard No.

158-B, " Accounting for Certain Liabilities Related to Llosure or Removal of Long-Lived Assets," is referenced.

In the interest of efficiency and utility, the NRC is proposing to endorse this draft FASB standard to facilitate licensees

• plans for decommissioning by allowing its use as being compliant with the reporting requirements of the proposed rule, where the information contained is substantially the same.

Previously, licensees were required to provide decommissioning information to their rate regulators (i.e., Public Utility Cmmissions (PUCs) and the Federal Energy Regulatory Cmmission (FERC)) and to allow such information to be available to the NRC through the inspection process.

Because of deregulation, licensees could be in the position of no longer being regulated by the PUCs and FERC.

Further, the NRC believes that obtaining the financial assurance information through the inspection process would likely be more burdensome for the NRC and for those licensees being inspected than the required reports.

A.

JUSTIFICATION 1.

Need and Practical Utility for the Collection of Information The information collection requirements of the amended 10 CFR Part 50 are identified below.

50.75 Reoortino and recordkeeoina for decommissionina and clannina.

Paragraph (f)(1) requires licensees to submit a preliminary deconmissioning cost estimate about 5 years prior to the projected end of operation, including an assessment of the major factors

I that could affect the cost of deconmissioning, and plans for adjusting levels of funds assured for decommissioning to demonstrate that a reasonable level of assurance will be provided that funds will be available when needed to cover the cost of deconmissioning.

The Conmission is proposing to additionally require that every licensee submit its initial report on the status of deconmissioning funds to the MRC within 9 months after the effective date of this rule, and at least once every 2 years thereafter, and annually when a licensee is within 5 years of its projected end of plant operation.

The licensee is to include in its report: the amount of decommissioning funds estimated to be required pursuant to 10 CFR 50.75(c); the amount accumulated to the date of the re) ort: a schedule of the annual amounts remaining to be collected: tie assumptions used regarding rates of escalation in decommissioning costs, rates of earnings in decommissioning trust funds, and rates of other factors (e.g.,

discount rates) used in funding projections: and any modifications occurring in a licensee's current trust agreement since the last submitted report.

2.

Acency Use of Information The NRC would review the submitted information in light of potential changes in the electric utility industry's regulatory environment and potential impact on the adequate assurance of deconmissioning funds.

3.

Reduction of Burden throuch Information Technoloav NRC encourages the use of information technology.

However, no responses are expected to be filed electronically because licensees must submit signed copies.

4.

Effort to Identify Doolication and Use Similar Information The Information Requirements Control Automated System (IRCAS) was searched and no du)lication was found.

There is no similar information availa)le to the NRC.

5.

Effort to Reduce Small Business Burden This rulemaking does r:t affect small businesses.

6.

Consecuences to Federal Proaram or Policy Activities if the Collection is not Conducted or is Conducted Less Freaue d y Should the NRC not receive information on the status of a licensee's accumulation of the funds necessary for deconmissioning or the collections were conducted less frequently, NRC might be unaware Aether sufficient funds were being accumulated to adequately deconmission the site.

7.

LCircumstances Which Justify Variation from OMB Guidelines None.

8.

Consultations Outside the NRC An advance notice of proposed rulemaking was published in the Federal Reaister on April 8, 1996.

Also, the proposed rule will be published in the Federal Reaister for conment.

9.

Pavmnt or Gift to Resoondents Not applicable.

10.

Confidentiality of the Information None.

11.

Justification for Sensitive Questions There are no questions regarding sensitive issues.

12.

Estimated Burden and Burden Hour Cost It is-estimated that there will be about 100 responses within 9 months of the rule taking effect and about 100 responses every 2 years pursuant to 50.75(f)(1), or an average of 50 per year, In some cases, a report will cover more than one power reactor owned by the same licensee; In other cases, co owners will submit separate responses for their proportionate shares of the same reactor.

It is estimated that each licensee would need approximately 8 staff-hours to copy and transmit the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) required information.

Therefore, the first year would result in about 800 burden hours.

Every year following would result in approximately 50 annual r

responses or 400 burden hours annually. At an average hourly rate of $128, the total annual cost is estimated to be $102,400 for the first year and 551.200 for every year thereafter.

13.

Estimate of Other Additional Costs None.

i 14.

Estimated Annualized Cost to the Federal Government i

It is-estimated that 2 hours2.314815e-5 days <br />5.555556e-4 hours <br />3.306878e-6 weeks <br />7.61e-7 months <br /> of NRC staff time would be required to review and analyze each report.

NRC will pre)are-an annual-sunmary report based on-the submission updates w1ich is estimated to require approximately 8 NRC staff hours--to prepare and disseminate.

No contractor support should be needed. Thus total NRC staff effort is estimated to-be about 208 staff hours for=the first year-(i.e.,100 reports at'2 NRC staff. hours each and 8 NRC,

y y

g; staff hours for the annual-summary) and 108 staff hours for every year thereafter_(1 e,-, 50 reports at 2 NRC staff hours each and 8 NRC staff hours for the annual summary).

At an hourly rate of-

$128, this results'in a burden to the NRC of $26,624 for the first year and an annual NRC burden of $13,824 for each subsequent year.

=This cost is fully recovered through license fees charged to NRC licensees pursuant to-10 CFR Parts 170 and/or-171, 15.

Reasons for Chances in Burden or Cost The NRC is proposing a requirement for licensees to submit reports-on the status of their decommissioning funds, as the NRC needs

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assurance that licensees are collecting their required decomissioning funds, 16.

Publication for Statistical Use None.

17.

Reason for not Disolavina the Exoiration Date The requirement will be contained in a regulation.

Amending the Code of Federal Regulations to display information that, in an annual publication, could become out of date would confuse the public.

18.

Exceotions to the Certification Statement

None, B.

COLLECTIONS OF Ii4 FORMATION EMPLOYING STATISTICAL METHODS Statistical methods are not employed-in the collection of information.

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