ML20330A287
| ML20330A287 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Site: | 99902088 |
| Issue date: | 12/03/2020 |
| From: | Edward Helvenston NRC/NRR/DANU/UNPL |
| To: | |
| Helvenston E | |
| References | |
| EPID L-2020-LRM-0081, EPID L-2020-NFN-0000 | |
| Download: ML20330A287 (5) | |
Text
December 3, 2020 APPLICANT: Abilene Christian University
SUBJECT:
SUMMARY
OF NOVEMBER 10, 2020, MEETING WITH ABILENE CHRISTIAN UNIVERSITY (EPID NOS. L-2020-LRM-0081 AND L-2020-NFN-0000)
On November 10, 2020, a Category 1 public meeting was held between the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) staff and representatives of Abilene Christian University (ACU) via teleconference. The purpose of this meeting was to discuss licensing topics regarding ACUs proposed molten salt research reactor (MSRR) project. This was the second public meeting related to the proposed ACU MSRR. The meeting notice and agenda, dated October 26, 2020, are available in the Agencywide Documents Access and Management System (ADAMS) at Accession No. ML20300A399. ACUs presentation used in the meeting is also available in ADAMS at Accession No. ML20317A120. A list of meeting attendees is provided as an enclosure to this summary.
During the previous public meeting held on September 29, 2020 (ADAMS Accession No. ML20281A446), ACU stated that it had not yet selected a site for its MSRR, but that it is considering multiple sites on or near the ACU campus in Abilene, Texas, including in a Science and Engineering Research Center (SERC) that is planned for construction at ACU. ACU stated that it may plan to begin construction of a multi-purpose building that would later house the MSRR, before the NRC issues a construction permit (CP) for the MSRR, pursuant to Title 10 of the Code of Federal Regulations (10 CFR) 50.10, License required; limited work authorization.
ACU requested this follow-up meeting to discuss the designs and planned construction of its SERC and the regulatory intent of 10 CFR 50.10.
ACU began the meeting by discussing its understanding of the regulation in 10 CFR 50.10(a)(2)(x), and how it believed the regulation would apply to its SERC. ACU then described its plans for construction of its SERC. ACU stated that its plans to build the SERC are independent from its MSRR construction plans, and that it planned to break ground on the SERC in approximately February 2021, before a CP would be issued (or a CP application submitted) for the MSRR. ACU stated that it expected the SERC design would be completed in approximately January 2021. ACU described its current design plans, which included a research bay that could potentially house the MSRR, in addition to other laboratory and office space.
ACU asked the NRC staff whether building any part of the SERC, including such specific features as ventilation, cable conduits, concrete structures, and fire protection features which could potentially later have a nexus to MSRR safety or security, could constitute construction that would require a CP in accordance with 10 CFR 50.10. ACU also asked the NRC staff how and when the NRC would determine if SERC construction were exempt from a CP pursuant to 10 CFR 50.10(a)(2)(x); what ACU could do to assist with determination of whether SERC construction required a CP; and, if the NRC made a determination on this question, how it would document its decision.
The NRC staff stated that, although not required, ACU could choose to submit a letter to the NRC requesting an interpretation of the regulations in 10 CFR 50.10 and how they would apply for ACUs construction of its SERC, and the NRC would provide a formal written response. The NRC staff stated that such a request from ACU should include information describing the SERC and its plans for the MSRR, justifying why ACU believes construction of the SERC, which may later house the MSRR, would not require a CP in accordance with 10 CFR 50.10. The NRC staff recommended that, in its request, ACU also explain its understanding of the intent of the regulations in 10 CFR 50.10 and how they would apply for ACUs situation.
ACU and the NRC staff discussed the possibility of ACU applying for a limited work authorization (LWA) for its proposed MSRR pursuant to 10 CFR 50.10. The NRC staff noted that, because the MSRR would be a non-commercial research reactor licensed under Section 104.c of the Atomic Energy Act of 1954, as amended, ACU would likely need to apply for an exemption to the regulations in 10 CFR Part 50, Domestic Licensing of Production and Utilization Facilities, to obtain an LWA.
Although, in accordance with 10 CFR 50.10(a)(2)(x), ACU could potentially construct a multi-purpose building that may house a research reactor without a CP, the NRC staff noted that its review of a research reactor CP application would consider the suitability of the space housing the reactor, as appropriate, regardless of whether the reactor would be located in a new or existing building.
The NRC staff encouraged ACU to keep it informed of its plans and schedule to submit a request for interpretation of regulations, or any other submittals. ACU and the NRC staff agreed that a follow-up meeting to further discuss a potential request for interpretation, prior to the submittal of such a request, would be beneficial for both ACU and the NRC staff.
Please direct any inquiries to me at 301-415-4067, or by electronic mail at Edward.Helvenston@nrc.gov.
/RA/
Edward Helvenston, Project Manager Non-Power Production and Utilization Facility Licensing Branch Division of Advanced Reactors and Non-Power Production and Utilization Facilities Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation Project/Docket No. 99902088
Enclosure:
As stated cc: See next page
Abilene Christian University Docket No. 99902088 cc:
Dr. Rusty Towell Director of NEXT Lab Abilene Christian University ACU Box 27963 Abilene, TX 79699 Phil Schubert, Ed.D.
President Abilene Christian University Office of the President 206 Hardin Administration Building ACU Box 29100 Abilene, TX 79699-9100 Test, Research and Training Reactor Newsletter Attention: Ms. Amber Johnson Dept. of Materials Science and Engineering University of Maryland 4418 Stadium Drive College Park, MD 20742-2115
ML20300A399 Mtg. Notice ML20317A120 Mtg. Slides ML20330A287 Mtg. Summary NRC-001 OFFICE NRR/DANU/PM NRR/DANU/LA NRR/DANU/BC NRR/DANU/PM NAME EHelvenston NParker GCasto EHelvenston DATE 12/2/2020 12/2/2020 12/3/2020 12/3/2020 Enclosure LIST OF ATTENDEES NOVEMBER 10, 2020, MEETING WITH ABILENE CHRISTIAN UNIVERSITY 1:00 P.M. - 2:30 P.M.
Name Organization Michael Balazik U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission Benjamin Beasley U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission Patrick Boyle U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission Greg Casto U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission Molly-Kate Gavello U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission Duane Hardesty U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission Edward Helvenston U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission Steve Lynch U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission Elizabeth Reed U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission Mohamed Shams U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission Brian Smith U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission Robert Taylor U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission Paulette Torres U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission Susan Vrahoretis U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission Geoffrey Wertz U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission Carolyn Wolf U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission Mitzi Young U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission Alexander Adams Abilene Christian University Warren Busch Abilene Christian University David Halbert Abilene Christian University Andrew Harmon Abilene Christian University Tony Hill Abilene Christian University Jonathan Scherr Abilene Christian University Rusty Towell Abilene Christian University Steve Vanderslice Abilene Christian University Steve Biegalski Georgia Institute of Technology Doug Robison Natura Resources Anne Whitick Pillsbury Winthrop Shaw Pittman LLP Derek Haas University of Texas at Austin Ralph Butler Member of the Public