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EPID:L-2021-LLE-0031, Units 1 and 2 and Vogtle Electric Generating Plant - Units 1 and 2, Request for Exemption from 10 CFR 50.71(e)(4) Final Safety Analysis Report Update Schedule (Approved, Closed) |
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Category:Exemption from NRC Requirements
MONTHYEARML24010A0712024-01-31031 January 2024 Exemption from Select Requirements of 10 CFR Part 73 (Security Notifications, Reports and Recordkeeping and Suspicious Activity Reporting) ML24010A0032024-01-30030 January 2024 Exemption from Select Requirements of 10 CFR Part 73 - Security Notifications, Reports, and Recordkeeping and Suspicious Activity Reporting NL-23-0877, Request for Exemption from Security Event Notification Implementation2023-11-29029 November 2023 Request for Exemption from Security Event Notification Implementation NL-23-0878, Request for Exemption from Security Event Notification Implementation2023-11-29029 November 2023 Request for Exemption from Security Event Notification Implementation ML23093A1012023-08-0101 August 2023 Exemption from the Requirements of 10 CFR Part 50, Section 46, Acceptance Criteria for Emergency Core Cooling Systems for Light-Water Nuclear Power Reactors (EPID L-2022-LLE-0020) - Letter ML23093A1032023-08-0101 August 2023 Exemption from the Requirements of 10 CFR Part 50, Section 46, Acceptance Criteria for Emergency Core Cooling Systems for Light-Water Nuclear Power Reactors (EPID L-2022-LLE-0020) - Exemption ML23094A1142023-08-0101 August 2023 Exemption from the Requirements of 10 CFR Part 50, Section 68, Criticality Accident Requirements (EPID L-2022-LLE-0022)- Exemption ML23094A1192023-08-0101 August 2023 Exemption from the Requirements of 10 CFR Part 50, Section 68, Criticality Accident Requirements (EPID L-2022-LLE-0022)- Letter ML23096A1902023-08-0101 August 2023 Exemption from the Requirements of 10 CFR 50, Appendix K, ECCS (Emergency Core Cooling Systems) Evaluation Models (EPID L-2022-LLE-0021) - Cover Letter ML23096A1952023-08-0101 August 2023 Exemption from the Requirements of 10 CFR 50, Appendix K, ECCS (Emergency Core Cooling Systems) Evaluation Models (EPID L-2022-LLE-0021) - Exemption ML22284A1322022-11-22022 November 2022 Exemption - Vogtle LAR-22-003 U4 Electrical ITAAC Consolidation Amendment NL-22-0583, Request for Fee Exemption for NRC Review Fees for the Licensing Amendment and 10 CFR 50.68 Exemption Submitted for Lead Test Assemblies with Increased Enrichment2022-08-12012 August 2022 Request for Fee Exemption for NRC Review Fees for the Licensing Amendment and 10 CFR 50.68 Exemption Submitted for Lead Test Assemblies with Increased Enrichment ML21320A0442021-11-23023 November 2021 FRN Exemption from the Requirements of 73.55(a)(4) and 73.56(a)(3) (EPID L-2021-LLE-0049)_Rev.1 ML21279A1922021-11-23023 November 2021 Draft Federal Register Notice Regarding Exemption from Operator Written Examination and Operating Test for Unit 4 Licenses ML21306A0022021-11-0404 November 2021 Request for Exemption: Applicability of 10 CFR 26.3, Scope, Until Initial Fuel Load - Draft ML21299A0272021-10-31031 October 2021 Southern Nuclear Operating Company (SNC) Vogtle Electric Generating Plant (VEGP) Units 3 and 4 Draft Request for Exemption: Protected Area Declaration ML21237A2392021-10-15015 October 2021 Exemption Unit 4 - Vogtle Electric Generating Plant LAR-21-001: Clarification of ITAAC Regarding Invessel Components ML21237A2382021-10-15015 October 2021 Exemption Unit 3 - Vogtle Electric Generating Plant LAR-21-001: Clarification of ITAAC Regarding Invessel Components ML21179A1762021-08-0505 August 2021 FRN for Issuance of Exemption - Farley and Vogtle FSAR Update Exemption - Rev 1 ML21179A1852021-08-0404 August 2021 Exemption - Farley and Vogtle - FSAR Update Exemption - Rev 1 ML21179A2042021-08-0404 August 2021 LTR - Farley and Vogtle - Exemption Transmittal Letter - FSAR Update Exemption - Rev 1. Exemptions from the Requirements of 10 CFR Part 50, Section 50.71(e)(4), Final Safety Analysis Report Update Schedule ML21071A0532021-07-30030 July 2021 Exemption from the Requirements of 10 CFR Part 50, Section 50.46, Acceptance Criteria for Emergency Core Cooling Systems for Light-Water Nuclear Power Reactors (Exemption) ML21189A1552021-07-0808 July 2021 Enclosure 1: Request for Exemption from Operator Written Examination and Operating Test for Unit 4 Licenses ML21189A1562021-07-0808 July 2021 Enclosure 2: Unit 4 Operator Candidates Requesting Credit for Unit 3 Written Examination and Operating Test NL-21-0543, Units 1 and 2 and Vogtle Electric Generating Plant - Units 1 and 2, Request for Exemption from 10 CFR 50.71(e)(4) Final Safety Analysis Report Update Schedule2021-06-0909 June 2021 Units 1 and 2 and Vogtle Electric Generating Plant - Units 1 and 2, Request for Exemption from 10 CFR 50.71(e)(4) Final Safety Analysis Report Update Schedule ML20335A0902020-12-21021 December 2020 Federal Register Notice - November 2020 COVID-19 Exemptions ML20329A3922020-12-0404 December 2020 Exemption from Annual Force-On-Force Exercise Requirement of 10 Cfr Part 73, Appendix B, General Criteria for Security Personnel Subsection VI C.3(I)(1) (EPID L 2020 Lle 0216 (Covid 19)) ML20315A3742020-12-0404 December 2020 Exemption from Certain Requirements of 10 CFR Part 73, Appendix B, General Criteria for Security Personnel Subsection VI C.3(I)(1) (EPID L-2020-LLE-0183 (COVID-19)) ML20295A5022020-11-10010 November 2020 Temporary Exemption from Requirements of 10 CFR Part 50, Appendix E, Sections IV.F.2.B and IV.F.2.C (EPID L-2020-LLE-0148 (COVID-19)) NL-20-1254, Request for One-Time Exemptions from 10 CFR 73, Appendix B, Section VI, Subsection C.3.(I)(1) Regarding Annual Force-on-Force (FOF) Exercises, Due to COVID-19 Pandemic2020-11-0606 November 2020 Request for One-Time Exemptions from 10 CFR 73, Appendix B, Section VI, Subsection C.3.(I)(1) Regarding Annual Force-on-Force (FOF) Exercises, Due to COVID-19 Pandemic ML20243A0002020-09-23023 September 2020 FRN - Notice of Issuance of Multiple Exemptions Regarding Various Parts of 10 CFR Due to COVID-19 Impacts for August 2020 ML20220A6732020-08-18018 August 2020 Exemption Request from Certain Requirements of 10 CFR Part 73,Appendix B, General Criteria for Security Personnel, Section VI (EPIDs L-2020-LLE-0131/0132) ML20132A0772020-08-0303 August 2020 Exemption - Vogtle Electric Generating Plant Unit 3 (LAR 20-001) ML20177A6452020-07-15015 July 2020 FRN - Notice of Issuance of Multiple Exemptions Regarding Various Parts of 10 CFR Due to COVID-19 Impacts for June 2020 ML20147A1712020-06-0202 June 2020 Exemption Request from Requirements of NFPA-805 Section 3.4.3(c)(1), Related to Quarterly Fire Brigade Drills NL-20-0620, SNC Requests a Temporary Exemption from the Quarterly Fire Brigade Drills and Annual Live Fire Fighting Training Requirements of the Regulation2020-05-22022 May 2020 SNC Requests a Temporary Exemption from the Quarterly Fire Brigade Drills and Annual Live Fire Fighting Training Requirements of the Regulation ML20126G2662020-05-14014 May 2020 Exemption Request from Certain Requirements of 10 CFR Part 73, Appendix B, General Criteria for Security Personnel, Section VI ML20059N7902020-05-12012 May 2020 Exemption - LAR-19-010: Auxiliary Building Room Heatup ML20059N7872020-05-12012 May 2020 Exemption - LAR-19-010: Auxiliary Building Room Heatup ND-20-0204, Enclosure 1 - Vogtle Electric Generating Plant (VEGP) Unit 4, Exemption Request 10 CFR Part 50, Appendix E Exercise Requirements2020-03-0606 March 2020 Enclosure 1 - Vogtle Electric Generating Plant (VEGP) Unit 4, Exemption Request 10 CFR Part 50, Appendix E Exercise Requirements ML20066G9042020-03-0606 March 2020 Request for Exemption from 10 CFR Part 50, Appendix E Exercise Requirements ML19350C6612020-01-28028 January 2020 Exemption - Vogtle Electric Generating Plant Unit 4 (LAR 19-015) ML19350C6272020-01-28028 January 2020 Exemption - Vogtle Electric Generating Plant Unit 3 (LAR 19-015) ML19361A1192020-01-13013 January 2020 Exemption - Vogtle Electric Generating Plant Unit 3 (LAR 19-003) ML19361A1092020-01-13013 January 2020 Exemption - Vogtle Electric Generating Plant Unit 4 (LAR 19-003) ML19337A7412019-12-27027 December 2019 Exemption - Vogtle Electric Generating Plant, Unit 3 (LAR 19-002) Exemption from Regulations Set Forth in Appendix D of 10CFR52 ML19337B1392019-12-27027 December 2019 Exemption - Vogtle Electric Generating Plant Unit 4 (LAR 19-002) Exemption from Regulations Set Forth in Appendix D of 10CFR52 ML19164A2652019-11-15015 November 2019 Exemption - Vogtle Electric Generating Plant, Unit 3 (LAR 19-005) ML19164A2662019-11-15015 November 2019 Exemption - Vogtle Electric Generating Plant, Unit 4 (LAR 19-005) NL-19-0801, Quality Assurance Topical Report Submittal, Request for Schedular Exemption - 10 CFR 50.54(a)(3)2019-10-31031 October 2019 Quality Assurance Topical Report Submittal, Request for Schedular Exemption - 10 CFR 50.54(a)(3) 2024-01-31
[Table view] Category:Letter
MONTHYEARML24032A0252024-02-0505 February 2024 NRC Initial Test Program and Operational Programs Integrated Inspection Report 05200026-2023009 ML24010A0712024-01-31031 January 2024 Exemption from Select Requirements of 10 CFR Part 73 (Security Notifications, Reports and Recordkeeping and Suspicious Activity Reporting) ML24031A6102024-01-31031 January 2024 Cyber Security Inspection Report 05200026/2024401 - Public ML24029A0592024-01-30030 January 2024 Request for Withholding Information from Public Disclosure Responses to NRC Request for Additional Information for Refueling Outage 1R24 Steam Generator Tube Inspection Report Enclosure 2, GAE-NRCD-RF-LR-000002 P-Attachment, Rev. 0 ML24016A1132024-01-30030 January 2024 Correction of Unit 1 Amendment Nos. 96 and 190 and Unit 2 Amendment Nos. 74 and 173 Adoption of Standard Technical Specifications Westinghouse Plants ML24010A0032024-01-30030 January 2024 Exemption from Select Requirements of 10 CFR Part 73 - Security Notifications, Reports, and Recordkeeping and Suspicious Activity Reporting ML24026A0532024-01-30030 January 2024 Notification of an NRC Fire Protection Team Inspection- (Report 05000348/2024011, 05000364/2024011) and Request for Information NL-24-0031, Inservice Inspection Program Owner'S Activity Report (OAR-1) for Outage 2R232024-01-29029 January 2024 Inservice Inspection Program Owner'S Activity Report (OAR-1) for Outage 2R23 IR 05000424/20244032024-01-26026 January 2024 Information Request for the Cyber-Security Baseline Inspection, Notification to Perform Inspection 05000424/2024403; 05000425/2024403 IR 05000348/20230402024-01-24024 January 2024 95001 Supplemental Inspection Report 05000348/2023040 and Follow-Up Assessment Letter NL-24-0020, Plan, Unit 1 Responses to NRC Request for Additional Information for Refueling Outage 1R24 Steam Generator Tube Inspection Report2024-01-22022 January 2024 Plan, Unit 1 Responses to NRC Request for Additional Information for Refueling Outage 1R24 Steam Generator Tube Inspection Report ML23279A0042024-01-17017 January 2024 Amendment No. 194 to Remove Combined License Appendix C ML23347A2092024-01-17017 January 2024 Voluntary Requests for Data, Information, And/Or Observation ML23341A2042024-01-12012 January 2024 Request for Additional Information Exemption Requests for Physical Barriers (EPID L-2023-LLE-0018 & L-2023-LLE-0021) NL-23-0926, Correction of Technical Specification Typographical Error2024-01-12012 January 2024 Correction of Technical Specification Typographical Error NL-24-0011, Report of Changes to Emergency Plan and Summary of 50.54(q) Analysis2024-01-11011 January 2024 Report of Changes to Emergency Plan and Summary of 50.54(q) Analysis ML23345A1312024-01-0303 January 2024 Withholding Letter - SNC Fleet - Physical Barriers Exemption (L-2023-LLE-0018 and L-2023-LLE-0021) ML23317A2072023-12-22022 December 2023 Issuance of Amendments 223 and 206 Regarding Revision to Technical Specifications to Adopt TSTF-339-A, Relocate Technical Specification Parameters to the COLR Consistent with WCAP-1448 ML23346A2222023-12-22022 December 2023 Transmittal of Dam Inspection Report - Public ML23335A1222023-12-19019 December 2023 Safety Evaluation Regarding Implementation of Mitigating Strategies Related to Order EA-12-049 (EPID L-2023-LRQ-0002) - Letter ML23353A1702023-12-19019 December 2023 LAR-22-002, TS 3.8.3 Inverters Operating Completion Time Extension Letter NL-23-0901, 30-Day 10 CFR 21 Notification - Framatome Supplied Siemens Medium Voltage (Mv) Circuit Breakers2023-12-15015 December 2023 30-Day 10 CFR 21 Notification - Framatome Supplied Siemens Medium Voltage (Mv) Circuit Breakers NL-23-0908, Cycle 30 Core Operating Limits Report2023-12-13013 December 2023 Cycle 30 Core Operating Limits Report ML23339A1812023-12-0707 December 2023 Correction Letter Regarding License Amendment Request: More Restrictive Action for Technical Specification 3.1.9 ML23310A2922023-12-0707 December 2023 Issuance of Amendment for Exception to Regulatory Guide 1.163, LAR 23 007 ML23338A2182023-12-0606 December 2023 Project Manager Reassignment NL-23-0878, Request for Exemption from Security Event Notification Implementation2023-11-29029 November 2023 Request for Exemption from Security Event Notification Implementation NL-23-0877, Request for Exemption from Security Event Notification Implementation2023-11-29029 November 2023 Request for Exemption from Security Event Notification Implementation ML23289A1632023-11-28028 November 2023 Letter and Amendment 195 and 192 LAR-23-006R1 TS 3.1.9 More Restrictive Action ML23228A1432023-11-22022 November 2023 Issuance of Amendment Nos. 249 and 246 to Revise TS 3.6.3, Surveillance Requirement 3.6.3.5 to Eliminate Event-Based Testing of Containment Purge Valves with Resilient Seals NL-23-0827, Response to Requests for Additional Information for a License Amendment Request and a Proposed Alternative Related to TS 3.4.142023-11-17017 November 2023 Response to Requests for Additional Information for a License Amendment Request and a Proposed Alternative Related to TS 3.4.14 ML23318A4582023-11-14014 November 2023 Integrated Inspection Report 05200025/2023003 ML23312A3502023-11-14014 November 2023 Integrated Inspection Report 05200026/2023003 NL-23-0825, Reply to Notice of Violation EA-23-080 and Readiness for 95001 Inspection2023-11-14014 November 2023 Reply to Notice of Violation EA-23-080 and Readiness for 95001 Inspection ML23306A3552023-11-0808 November 2023 NRC Initial Test Program and Operational Programs Integrated Inspection Report 052000/262023008 ML23268A0572023-11-0707 November 2023 Issuance of Amendments 194 & 191 Request for License Amendment Relocation of Technical Specification 3.7.9, Spent Fuel Pool Makeup Water Sources (LAR-23-003) IR 05000424/20234022023-11-0606 November 2023 Security Baseline Inspection Report 05000424/2023402 and 05000425/2023402 ML23318A0672023-10-31031 October 2023 1 to Updated Final Safety Analysis Report, Updated NFPA 805 Fire Protection Program Design Basis Document, Technical Specification Bases Changes, Technical Requirements Manual Changes, IR 05000424/20230032023-10-27027 October 2023 Integrated Inspection Report 05000424/2023003 and 05000425/2023003 IR 05000348/20230032023-10-24024 October 2023 Integrated Inspection Report 05000348/2023003 and 05000364/2023003 IR 05000348/20230912023-10-19019 October 2023 Final Significance Determination of a White Finding and Notice of Violation and Assessment Followup Letter NRC Inspection Report 05000348/2023091 IR 05000348/20234022023-10-18018 October 2023 Security Baseline Inspection Report 05000348/2023402 and 05000364/2023402 ML23291A1512023-10-18018 October 2023 Information Request for the Cyber Security Baseline Inspection, Notification to Perform Inspection 0520026/2024401 ML23263A9852023-10-12012 October 2023 Issuance of Amendments Nos. 221 and 204, Regarding Technical Specification 5.5.11.C, Acceptance Criteria for Charcoal Filter Testing 2024-02-05
[Table view] |
Text
August 4, 2021 Ms. Cheryl A. Gayheart Regulatory Affairs Director Southern Nuclear Operating Co., Inc.
3535 Colonnade Parkway Birmingham, AL 35243
SUBJECT:
JOSEPH M. FARLEY NUCLEAR PLANT, UNITS 1 AND 2; AND VOGTLE ELECTRIC GENERATING PLANT, UNITS 1 AND 2 - EXEMPTIONS FROM THE REQUIREMENTS OF 10 CFR PART 50, SECTION 50.71(e)(4), FINAL SAFETY ANALYSIS REPORT UPDATE SCHEDULE (EPID L-2021-LLE-0031)
Dear Ms. Gayheart:
The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission has approved the enclosed exemptions from specific requirements of Title 10 of the Code of Federal Regulations (10 CFR), Part 50, Section 50.71(e)(4), for the Joseph M. Farley Nuclear Plant (Farley), Units 1 and 2; and Vogtle Electric Generating Plant (Vogtle), Units 1 and 2. This action is in response to your application dated June 9, 2021, that requested exemptions to allow periodic updates of the Farley Updated Final Safety Analysis Reports (UFSAR) by October 31 of every odd-numbered year and not to exceed 24-months between successive updates, and to allow periodic updates of the Vogtle UFSAR by October 31 of every even-numbered year and not to exceed 24-months between successive updates.
A copy of the exemptions is enclosed. The exemptions have been forwarded to the Office of the Federal Register for publication.
Sincerely,
/RA John G. Lamb, Senior Project Manager Plant Licensing Branch II-1 Division of Operating Reactor Licensing Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation Docket Nos. 50-348, 50-364, 50-424, and 50-425
Enclosure:
Exemption cc: Listserv
LTR ML21179A204; FRN ML21179A185; Exemption ML21179A176 OFFICE NRR/DORL/LPL2-1/PM NRR/DORL/LPL2-1/LA OGC - NLO NAME JLamb KGoldstein STurk DATE 6/26/2021 06/28/2021 7/19/2021 OFFICE NRR/DORL/LPL2-1/BC NRR/DORL/DD NRR/DORL/LPL2-1/PM NAME MMarkley CCarusone JLamb DATE 7/29/2021 8/4/2021 8/4/2021 ENCLOSURE EXEMPTION
[7590-01-P]
NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION
[Docket Nos. 50-348, 50-364; and 50-424, 50-425; NRC-2021-0139]
Southern Nuclear Operating Company Joseph M. Farley Nuclear Plant, Units 1 and 2 Vogtle Electric Generating Plant, Units 1 and 2 I. Background Southern Nuclear Operating Company (SNC, the licensee) is the holder of Facility Operating License Nos. NPF-2, NPF-8, NPF-68, and NPF-81, for the Joseph M.
Farley Nuclear Plant (Farley), Units 1 and 2; and the Vogtle Electric Generating Plant (Vogtle), Units 1 and 2, respectively. The licenses provide, among other things, that the licensee is subject to all rules, regulations, and orders of the Commission now or hereafter in effect. The Farley, Units 1 and 2; and Vogtle, Units 1 and 2, facilities consist of two pressurized-water reactors located at each of the licensees sites in Houston County, Alabama, and Burke County, Georgia, respectively.
II. Request/Action In accordance with Section 50.71 of title 10 of the Code of Federal Regulations (10 CFR) , Maintenance of records, making of reports, paragraph (e)(4) states, in part, that Subsequent revisions [to the Updated Final Safety Analysis Report (UFSAR) submitted as part of the original license application] must be filed annually or 6 months after each refueling outage provided the interval between successive updates [to the UFSAR] does not exceed 24 months. By letter dated June 9, 2021 ADAMS Accession No. ML21160A156), SNC requested that the due date for submittal of the Farley, Units 1
and 2, UFSAR be by October 31 of every odd-numbered year, provided the interval between successive updates does not exceed 24 months, and that the due date for submittal of the Vogtle, Units 1 and 2, UFSAR be by October 31 of every even-numbered year, provided the interval between successive updates does not exceed 24 months.
Pursuant to 10 CFR 50.12, the NRC may, upon application by any interested person or upon its own initiative, grant exemptions from the requirements of 10 CFR Part 50, including 10 CFR 50.71(e)(4) when: (1) the exemptions are authorized by law, will not present an undue risk to the public health and safety, and are consistent with the common defense and security; and (2) special circumstances are present. Under 10 CFR 50.12(a)(2), special circumstances include, among other things, whenever application of the regulation in the particular circumstances would not serve, or is not necessary to achieve, the underlying purpose of the rule.
III. Discussion The Exemption is Authorized by Law The regulation at 10 CFR 50.71(e)(4) requires revisions to UFSARs to be filed annually or six months after each refueling outage, provided the interval between successive updates does not exceed 24 months. The underlying purpose of the regulation is to ensure that the licensee periodically updates its UFSAR so that the UFSAR remains up-to-date and accurately reflects the plant design and operation. The proposed exemptions would change the current UFSAR submittal schedule for Farley, Units 1 and 2, and Vogtle, Units 1 and 2, to a calendar-based schedule that would not exceed the maximum 24 months between successive updates as required by 10 CFR 50.71(e)(4). Submitting the UFSAR updates for Farley, Units 1 and 2; and Vogtle, Units 1 and 2, as proposed by October 31 of the odd year and by October 31 of the even year, respectively, continues to meet the intent of the regulation and
maintaining UFSAR information up-to-date. The NRC staff has determined that granting the licensees proposed exemptions will not result in a violation of the Atomic Energy Act of 1954, as amended, or the Commissions regulations. Therefore, the exemptions are authorized by law.
The Exemption Presents No Undue Risk to Public Health and Safety The underlying purpose of 10 CFR 50.71(e)(4) is to ensure that licensees periodically update their UFSARs so that the UFSARs remain up-to-date and accurately reflect the plant design and operation. The NRC has determined by rule that an update frequency not exceeding 24 months between successive updates is acceptable for maintaining up to date UFSAR content. Farley, Units 1 and 2, were granted an exemption dated July 7, 1998 (ADAMS Accession No. ML013130216), that allowed the licensee to submit a unified UFSAR update for both units every 18 months, not to exceed 24 months from the last submittal. Vogtle, Units 1 and 2, were granted an exemption dated March 5, 1998 (ADAMS Accession No. ML012410088), that allowed the licensee to submit a unified UFSAR update for both units every 18 months, not to exceed 24 months from the last submittal. While the regulation requires, in part, that UFSAR updates be submitted annually or 6 months after each refueling outage, it allows the submission of such updates on a different schedule, provided the interval between successive updates does not exceed 24 months. The requested exemptions also meet the intent of the rule for regulatory burden reduction. Additionally, based on the nature of the requested exemptions and the requirement that updates will not exceed 24 months from the last submittal as described above, no new accident precursors are created by the exemptions; therefore, neither the probability nor the consequences of postulated accidents are increased. In conclusion, the requested exemptions do not result in any undue risk to the public health and safety.
The Exemption is Consistent with the Common Defense and Security
The requested exemptions from 10 CFR 50.71(e)(4) would allow SNC to submit its periodic updates to the Farley, Units 1 and 2, UFSAR by October 31 of odd-numbered years, not to exceed 24 months from the last submittal, and periodic updates to the Vogtle, Units 1 and 2, UFSAR by October 31 of even-numbered years, not to exceed 24 months from the last submittal. Neither the regulation nor the proposed exemptions have any relation to security issues. Therefore, the common defense and security is not impacted by the exemptions.
Special Circumstances Special circumstances, in accordance with 10 CFR 50.12(a)(2)(ii), are present whenever application of the regulation in the particular circumstances would not serve the underlying purpose of the rule or is not necessary to achieve the underlying purpose of the rule. The rule change promulgated in August 1992 (57 FR 39358; August 31, 1992) was intended to provide a reduction in regulatory burden by providing licensees with the option to submit UFSAR updates once per refueling outage, not to exceed 24 months between successive updates, instead of annually. Currently, Farley, Units 1 and 2, and Vogtle, Units 1 and 2, submit a combined UFSAR for each site every 18 months, not to exceed 24 months from the last submittal. The processing and submittal of the UFSAR every 18 months is not necessary to achieve the underlying purpose of the rule in that the licensee continues to meet the maximum 24-month interval between submittals as required by the regulation. Therefore, special circumstances exist under 10 CFR 50.12(a)(2)(ii) in that application of the requirements in these particular circumstances would not serve the underlying purpose of the rule and are not necessary to achieve the underlying purpose of the rule.
Environmental Considerations With respect to the impact of the exemptions on the quality of the human environment, the NRC has determined that the issuance of the exemptions discussed
herein meets the eligibility criteria for categorical exclusion from the requirement to prepare an environmental assessment or environmental impact statement, set forth in 10 CFR 51.22(c)(25).
Under 10 CFR 51.22(c)(25), the granting of an exemption from the requirements of any regulation of 10 CFR chapter I (which includes 10 CFR 50.71(e)(4)) is an action that is a categorical exclusion, provided that certain specified criteria are met. The basis for NRCs determination is provided in the following evaluation of the requirements in 10 CFR 51.22(c)(25)(i)-(vi).
Requirements in 10 CFR 51.22(c)(25)(i):
To qualify for a categorical exclusion under 10 CFR 51.22(c)(25)(i), the exemption must involve no significant hazards consideration. The criteria for determining whether an action involves a significant hazards consideration are found in 10 CFR 50.92. The proposed action involves only a schedule change regarding the submission of an update to the UFSAR. As set forth in that regulation, there are no significant hazard considerations because granting the exemptions would not: (1) involve a significant increase in the probability or consequences of an accident previously evaluated; or (2) create the possibility of a new or different kind of accident from any accident previously evaluated; or (3) involve a significant reduction in a margin of safety.
Requirements in 10 CFR 51.22(c)(25)(ii):
There is no significant change in the types or significant increase in the amounts of any effluents that may be released offsite. The proposed action involves only a schedule change, which is administrative in nature, and does not involve any changes in the types or increase in the amounts of any effluents that may be released offsite.
Requirements in 10 CFR 51.22(c)(25)(iii):
There is no significant increase in individual or cumulative public or occupational radiation exposure. Since the proposed action involves only a schedule change, which
is administrative in nature, it does not contribute to any significant increase in individual or cumulative public or occupational radiation exposures.
Requirements in 10 CFR 51.22(c)(25)(iv):
There is no significant construction impact. Since the proposed action involves only a schedule change related to the timing for submittal of UFSAR updates, which is administrative in nature, it does not involve any construction impact.
Requirements in 10 CFR 51.22(c)(25)(v):
There is no significant increase in the potential for or consequences from radiological accidents. The proposed action involves only a schedule change related to the timing for submittal of UFSAR updates, which is administrative in nature and does not impact the potential for or consequences from radiological accidents.
Requirements in 10 CFR 51.22(c)(25)(vi):
The requirements from which the exemption is sought involve recordkeeping, reporting, scheduling, or other requirements of an administrative, managerial, or organizational nature. The proposed action involves recordkeeping, reporting, and scheduling requirements, and other requirements of an administrative, managerial, or organizational nature because it is associated with the schedule for submittal of UFSAR updates pursuant to 10 CFR 50.71(e)(4), and meets that regulations requirement that the interval between successive updates does not exceed 24 months.
Based on the above, the NRC staff concludes that the proposed exemptions meet the eligibility criteria for the categorical exclusion set forth in 10 CFR 51.22(c)(25).
Therefore, in accordance with 10 CFR 51.22(b), no environmental impact statement or environmental assessment need be prepared in connection with the NRCs issuance of these exemptions.
IV. Conclusions