ML20212A869
| ML20212A869 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Issue date: | 09/03/1997 |
| From: | Rathbun D NRC OFFICE OF CONGRESSIONAL AFFAIRS (OCA) |
| To: | Gingrich N, Gore A, Murphy R GENERAL ACCOUNTING OFFICE, HOUSE OF REP., SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE, SENATE, PRESIDENT OF THE SENATE |
| References | |
| RTR-REGGD-03.070, RTR-REGGD-3.070 CCS, NUDOCS 9710270049 | |
| Download: ML20212A869 (6) | |
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,' p*~ 'k UNITED STATES g ] NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMM188lON WASHINGTON, D.C. 30ee6 4001
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The Honorable Al Gore President of the United States Senate Washington, DC 20510
Dear Mr. President:
Pursuant to Subtitle E of the Small Business Hegulatory Enforcement Fairness Act of 1990, 5 U.S.C. 801, the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC)is submitting Regulatory Gulde 3.70, "Use of Fixed Neutron Absorbers at Fuels and Materials Facilities."
Regulatory Guide 3.70 provides guidance on procedures for preventino criticality accidents by using fixed neutron absorbers in operations involving handling, storing, and transporting special nuclear fuels at fuels and materials facilities.
We have determined that this regulatory guide is not a " major rule" as defined in 5 U.S.C.
804(2). We have confirmed this determination with the Office of Management and Budget.
Enclosed is a copy of Regulatory Guide 3.70, with its Regulatory Analysis, which will be distributed to affected licensees and other interested parties.
Sincerely, 3 Ltd Dennis K. Rathbun Director Office of Congressional Affairs
Enclosures:
Regulatory Guide 3.70 9710270049 970903
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J NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMIS810N WASHINGTON, D.C. asseHe01
.....* September 3, 1997 The Honorable Newt Gingrich Speaker of the United States House of Representatives Washington, DC 20515
Dear Mr. Speaker:
Pursuant to Subtitle E of the Small Business Regulatory Enforcement Fairness Act of 1996, 5 U.S.C. 801, the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) is submitting Regulatory Guide 3.70, "Use of Fixed Neutron Absorbers at Fuels and Materials Facilities."
Regulatory Guide 3.70 provides guidance on procedures for preventing criticality accidents by using fixed neutron absorbers in operations involving handling, storing, and transporting special nuclear fuels at fuels and matirlais facilities.
We have determined that this regulatory guide is not a " major rule" as defined in 5 U.S.C.
804(2). We have confirmed this determination with the Office of Management and Budget.
Enclosed is a copy of Regulatory Guide 3.70, with its Regulatory Analysis, which will be distributed t : . cted licensees and other interested parties.
Sincere'y, LAL e
Dennis K. Rathbun, Director Office of Congressional Affairs
Enclosures:
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'l NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION WASHINGTON. D.C. 20046 0001
%.....,! September 1, 1997 Mr. Robe:t P. Musphy General Counsel General Account *nr1 Of fice Room '/173 441 U Oticut, r4W Washington, DC '/0Mti
Dear Mr. Murphy:
Pursuant to Gobtitle si vf tho '; w 'I the.inu. tbyt hivry Ento <tenient fm.oues Act ut 1996.
5 U.S.C. 801, the Nut!.m R U"I'tta y Coi.oniwon (NIC h nulm'trir.g firgolatory Guide 3.70, "llso of Fier:e; f<!-ole e 4 b v . hec; ni roniq v ,,1 W ieriattcacwting."
Regulatory Guida 3./O pro <,cos uJid"ouu un Poen* hues for Pieveoling uiticality accidents by using fixed neutron absmbera in operatbins :nvoMnn hnnelling, struing, and transporting special nuc! car forts at for1 . .nd in at"riat< f ar:i'it.es.
We haso detonoi wd that tiu m italvo ud; is ooi a napr .uic" os donoud in s U.S.C.
804(2). We have uuri.n.al tt 19 d"tennination with th" Office of tiarognmont ind Budget.
Enclosed is a copy of 11e u t*4". / t bade 3. 70. mth d.. Heuchtery Audlysc. Which will be distributed to cffactiid licem.nos and other ntenWml p uties Gouialy.
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i ;G, s (J h h CpdC Oconis K. Ha hbun. Director Of fice of ('ongice.sion,1 Af f.iirs
Enclosures:
Regulatory Guide 3./0
U.S. NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION August 1997 m -
U @. / . mREGULATORY g %,$) GUIDE a...J OFFICE OF NUCLEAR REGULATORY RESEARCH REGULATORY GUIDE 3,70 (Draft issued as DG-30ti)
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USE OF FIXED NEUTRON ABSORBERS AT FUELS AND MATERIALS FACILITIES A. INTRODUCTION was prepared by Subcommittee ANS-8, Fissionable hinterials Outside Reactors, of the American Nuclear in 10 CFR Part 70," Domestic Licensing of Special Society Standards Committee. ANS!/ANS-8.21-1995 Nuclear hiaterial," Section 70.22 " Contents of Ap-was approved by the American National Standards plications," requires that applications for a specific Committee N16, Nuclear Criticality Safety, and by the license to own, acquire, deliver, receive, possess, use, or initially transfer special nuclear material contain American National Standards institute (ANSI) in 1995, proposed procedures to avoid criticality accidents. This ANSI /ANS-8.21-1995 provides guidance for l regulatory guide provides guidance for complying with uslag fixed neutron absorbers as an integral part of op-this portion of the Commission's regulations by de- erations to prevent eriticality accidents in operations in.
scribing procedures for preventing criticality accidents v lying handling, processing, storing, and transportmg C by using fixed neutron absorbers in operatiens involv- special nuclear matenals at fuels and materials facih-
! ing handling, processing, storing, and transporting spe- ties. The design, safety evaluations, and verification V and inspection requirements for the use of fixed neutron cial nuclear material at fuels and materials facilities.
absorbers for enticality safety control are specified in The information collections contained in this regu- the standard, i latery guide are covered by the requirements of 10 CFR Part 70, which were approved by the Office of hianage- The methods described in this guide were applied ment and Budget, approval number 3150-0009. The to a number of specific cases during reviews and NRC may not conduct or sponsor, and a person is not selected licensing actions. These methods reflect the required to respond te, a collection of information un- latest general NRC approach to criticality safety in op-less it displays a currently valid Oh!B control number. erations involving the use of fixed neutron absorbers at fuels and materials facilities.
B. DISCUSSION C. REGULATORY POSITION ANSI /ANS-8.21-1995, "Use of Fixed Neutron ANSI /ANS-8.21-1995, "Use of Fixed Neutron Absorbers in Nuclear Facilities Outside Reactors,"1 Absorbers in Nuclear Facilities Outside Reactors," pro-ICopes may t< otituned from the Amencan Nuclear Society. 555 N.
e e aWeMaNe deEMah de use Kenungton Annue, La Grange Park. Ilhnois 60525, of fixed neutron absorbers in handling, processing, USNRC RIGULATORY OUIDEs Th. gusc.s t/. esued en Fe tohowng 16 twood evitare as en.chods mE. t to e % sta for mp fi ts th. om- 1 Powo A.amrt 6 Products 0:::rJA".:"af!='.f@XCOn"Ta"J 'J * ! =;':'."l=l" i L":O.o
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l storing, and transporting special nuclear material at Section 6 of ANSI /ANS-8.21-19951ists addition- I fuels and materials facilities to avoid criticality acci- al documents referred to in the standard. The specific !
dents. Use of ANSI /ANS-8.21-1995, however,is not a applicability and acceptability of three of these listed 1 substitute for the licensee's preparation of and NRC's documents has been addressed in the latest version of l approval of detailed nuclear criticality safety analyses the regulatory guides identified below.
for specific operations.
l Standard Regulatory Guide ANSI /ANS-8.1-1983 3.4 Nuclear Criticality Safety in Operations with Fissionable hiaterials at Fuels and hiaterials Fau!ities ANSI /ANS-8,5-1986 3.1 Use of Borosilicate Glass Raschig Rings as a Neutron Absorber in Solutions of Fissile hiaterial ANSI /ANS-8.17-1984 3 58 Criticality Safety for llandling, Storing, and Transporting LWR Fuel at Fuels and hiaterials Facilities j D. Ih1Pl.Eh1ENTAT10N Except in those cases in which the applicant pro-poses an acceptable alternative method for comr,1ying with specified portions of the NRC's regulatioris, the The purpose of this section is 'o provide informa- methods in this guide will be used in the evaluation of tion to applicants and licensees regarding the NRC submittals in connection with license applications sub-staff's plans for using this regulatory guide. mitted under 10 CFR Part 70.
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REGULATORY ANALYSIS Th'is regulatory guide ANSI /
hVA', NS-6.21-1995,"Use of endorses Fixed Neutron fixed neutron absorbers, (2) more et.blished methods Absorbers in for specifying technical speci0 cations, (3) guidance on Nuclear Facilities Outside Reactors." Issuing this regu- design, evaluation, verification, and inspection of fixed latory guide is consistent with the NRC policy of evalu. neutron absorbers, and (4) less chance for unwarranted ating the latest national consensus standards in terms of criticality accidents.
their suitability for endorsement by regulatory guide. ANSl/ANS-8.21-1995, "Use of Fixed Neutron The methods described in this guide were applied to a Absorbers in Nuclear Facilities Outside Reactors," pro-number of specific cases during reviews and selected 11 vides more specific guidance on establishing and using censing actions. These methods reflect the latest gener-fixed neutron absorbers. It does not provide any new al NRC approach to criticality safety in operations in-methodology for establishing the use of fixed neutron volving the use of fixed neutron absorbers at fuels and absorbers than is presently required in 10 CFR Part 70.
materials facilities.
Thus, the incremental cost should be negligible (or at The value to NRC operations and industry is that most marginal)if an applicant or licensee follows the there would be (1) a systematic method for specifying guidance in ANSI /ANS-8.21-1995 as opposed to not and reviewing technical specifications on allowable following this standard.
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UNITED STATES FIRST CLASS Mall NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION POSTAGE AND FEES PAID WASHINGTON, D.C. 20555 0001 USNRL PERMIT NO. G 67 l
OFFICIAL BUSINESS PENALTY FOR PRIVATE USE. 4300 e
pruNTED ON NCYCLIO PAPER
CONGRESSIONAL CORRESPONDENCE SYSTEAf DOCUMENT PREPARATION CHECA72ST
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Ild.s check list is to be submitted with each document (or group of Qs/As) sentfor processing into the CCS.
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