ML20219A382

LTR-20-0269-1DFM, and Correspondence: NRC-2016-0231-Letter to T. Lodge-Response to July 8, 2020, Request for Extension of Public Comment Period and Additional Public Meetings on Draft Environmental Impact Statement of Interim Storage Partne

ML20219A382
Person / Time
Site:	Consolidated Interim Storage Facility
Issue date:	08/06/2020
From:	Andrea Kock Division of Fuel Management
To:	Lodge T Don't Waste Michigan
Park J
Shared Package
ML20219A381	List: ML20219A382
References
LTR-20-0269-1DFM, and Correspondence, NRC-2016-0231
Download: ML20219A382 (3)

Text

August 6, 2020 Mr. Terry J. Lodge, Esq.

316 N. Michigan St., Ste. 520 Toledo, OH 43604-5627

SUBJECT:

RESPONSE TO JULY 8, 2020, REQUEST FOR EXTENSION OF PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD AND ADDITIONAL PUBLIC MEETINGS ON DRAFT ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT STATEMENT OF INTERIM STORAGE PARTNERS LICENSE APPLICATION FOR A CONSOLIDATED INTERIM STORAGE FACILITY IN ANDREWS COUNTY, TEXAS (DOCKET NUMBER: 72-1050)

Dear Mr. Lodge:

I am writing in response to your July 8, 2020, request regarding the public comment period for the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) staffs draft Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for Interim Storage Partners license application to construct and operate a consolidated interim storage facility (CISF) for spent nuclear fuel in Andrews County, Texas. Specifically, on behalf of 60 organizations, you requested that the NRC indefinitely extend the public comment period on the draft EIS for the duration of the COVID-19 public health emergency and for an additional 180 days after the public health emergency is terminated. You also requested that the NRC staff hold more than 18 public meetings nationwide, including six in Texas, to accept verbal comments on the draft EIS.

The 120-day comment period on the draft EIS was scheduled to close on September 4, 2020.

Given the continuing COVID-19 public health emergency, as well as requests from multiple stakeholders, the NRC staff has extended the public comment period for an additional 60 days until November 3, 2020. A notice of this extension was published in the Federal Register on July 22, 2020 (85 FR 44330).

The NRC staff plans to hold a nationwide webinar and in-person public meetings in the vicinity of the proposed site during the public comment period to present the staff's preliminary findings and receive public comments. As the COVID-19 public health emergency evolves, the NRC staff will continue to evaluate these plans for engaging the public.

T. Lodge 2 In addition to providing verbal comments at a public meeting, you and other stakeholders may provide comments on the draft EIS through the following methods:

1. E-mail to the NRC: WCS_CISF_EIS@nrc.gov,

2. Online at https://www.regulations.gov/ (search for Docket ID NRC-2016-0231),

and

3. U.S. Mail to: Office of Administration, Mail Stop: TWFN-7-A60M, ATTN: Program Management, Announcements and Editing Staff, U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission, Washington, DC 20555-0001.

Your letter also provided additional information on other matters related to the draft EIS. The additional information you provided related to the EIS will be treated as public comments on the draft EIS and, therefore, will be considered and responded to as part of the NRCs process to finalize the EIS. Also, the NRCs website offers information related to some of the transportation topics mentioned in your letter and can be accessed at: https://www.nrc.gov/waste/spent-fuel-transp-faq.html.

Please contact Mr. James Park at 301-415-6954 or via e-mail at James.Park@nrc.gov should you have any questions concerning the NRC staffs environmental review of ISPs license application for the proposed CISF.

Sincerely, Digitally signed by Andrea L.

Andrea L. Kock Kock Date: 2020.08.06 16:54:31

-04'00' Andrea Kock, Director Division of Fuel Management Office of Nuclear Material Safety and Safeguards Docket No. 72-1050 cc: J. Isakson, ISP

[59 other organizations identified in the letter]

T. Lodge 3

SUBJECT:

RESPONSE TO JULY 8, 2020, REQUEST FOR EXTENSION OF PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD AND ADDITIONAL PUBLIC MEETINGS ON DRAFT ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT STATEMENT OF INTERIM STORAGE PARTNERS LICENSE APPLICATION FOR A CONSOLIDATED INTERIM STORAGE FACILITY IN ANDREWS COUNTY, TEXAS (DOCKET NUMBER: 72-1050)

DATED: August 6, 2020 DISTRIBUTION: Ticket No. LTR-20-0269-1DFM, and Correspondence: NRC-2016-0231 EDO r/f RidsEDOMailCenter RidsOGCMailCenter RidsOCAMailCenter RidsOPAMailCenter RidsSECYMailCenter RidsNMSSMailCenter ADAMS Package Number: ML20219A381 *via e-mail OFFICE NMSS/REFS NMSS/REFS NMSS/REFS NMSS/DFM NAME JPark *AWalker-Smith JQuintero JMcKirgan DATE 7/21/20 7/21/20 7/23/20 7/21/20 OFFICE OGC NMSS/REFS NMSS/DFM NAME RSusko JTappert AKock DATE 7/22/20 7/23/20 8/06/20 OFFICIAL RECORD COPY