ML20365A024
| ML20365A024 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Site: | 99902088 |
| Issue date: | 04/26/2021 |
| From: | Mohamed Shams Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation |
| To: | Towell R Abilene Christian University |
| Shared Package | |
| ML20365A022 | List: |
| References | |
| Download: ML20365A024 (3) | |
Text
UNITED STATES NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION WASHINGTON, D.C. 20555-0001 April 26, 2021 Dr. Rusty Towell Director of NEXT Lab Abilene Christian University ACU Box 28208 Abilene, TX 79699
SUBJECT:
ABILENE CHRISTIAN UNIVERSITY - U.S. NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION STAFF RESPONSE TO REGULATORY INTERPRETATION REQUEST (EPID NO. L-2020-NFN-0000)
Dear Dr. Towell:
By letter dated November 30, 2020 (Agencywide Documents Access and Management System (ADAMS) Accession No. ML20366A053), Abilene Christian University (ACU) submitted questions in a regulatory interpretation request to the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC). ACUs request was regarding the regulatory process for and applicability of Title 10 of the Code of Federal Regulations (10 CFR) 50.10, License required; limited work authorization, paragraph (a)(2)(x), to the erection of the Science and Engineering Research Center (SERC), a building that ACU plans to construct. The planned SERC would include space for a potential Molten Salt Research Reactor (MSRR).
The NRC staffs evaluation of ACUs request, and its responses to ACUs questions, are provided in the enclosure to this letter. Based on the information provided in ACUs November 30, 2020, letter, the NRC staff determined that erection of the SERC could meet the 10 CFR 50.10(a)(2)(x) exclusion from the definition of construction. The NRC staff also determined, based on the information in the letter, that whether as-built MSRR structures, systems, and components (SSCs) would be approved by issuance of a construction permit (CP), and whether they can remain without modification or removal after a CP is issued, would depend upon the information in ACUs potential CP and operating license applications for the MSRR, but in general, SSCs in place before CP issuance could be eligible to remain in place, as erected, following CP issuance, as detailed in the enclosure.
Because the information provided in ACUs November 30, 2020, letter is preliminary and does not constitute a license application, the NRC staff responses in the enclosure do not constitute either a review or approval of the design of the planned SERC or MSRR or a verification that the SERC or MSRR will be constructed or perform as described. In addition, if the actual SERC and/or MSRR differ from the descriptions and information in ACUs November 30, 2020, letter, the NRC staffs responses could vary.
R. Towell If you have any questions, please contact Edward Helvenston at (301) 415-4067, or by electronic mail at Edward.Helvenston@nrc.gov.
Sincerely, Mohamed Shams, Director Division of Advanced Reactors and Non-Power Production and Utilization Facilities Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation Project No. 99902088
Enclosure:
As stated cc:
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 Signed by Shams, Mohamed on 04/26/21
Pkg ML20365A022 NRR-106 OFFICE NRR/DANU/PM NRR/DANU/LA OGC NRR/DANU/BC NRR/DANU/D NAME EHelvenston NParker MYoung GCasto MShams DATE 12/30/2020 1/6/2021 4/23/2021 1/8/2021 4/26/2021