ML21229A081

University of Massachusetts Lowell, Update Regarding the Renewal of Facility Operating License No. R-125

ML21229A081
Person / Time
Site:	University of Lowell
Issue date:	08/30/2021
From:	Edward Helvenston NRC/NRR/DANU/UNPL
To:	Prosanta Chowdhury Univ of Massachusetts - Lowell
Helvenston E
References
EPID L-2015-RNW-0001, EPID L-2020-NFR-0008
Download: ML21229A081 (4)

Text

P. Chowdhury August 30, 2021 Dr. Partha Chowdhury, Director Nuclear Radiation Laboratory University of Massachusetts-Lowell One University Avenue Lowell, MA 01854

SUBJECT:

UNIVERSITY OF MASSACHUSETTS LOWELL - UPDATE REGARDING THE RENEWAL OF FACILITY OPERATING LICENSE NO. R-125 (EPID NOS. L-2015-RNW-0001, L-2020-NFR-0008)

Dear Dr. Chowdhury:

The University of Massachusetts Lowell (UML) holds U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) Facility Operating License No. R-125 for the operation of the UML Research Reactor (UMLRR). By application dated October 20, 2015 (Agencywide Documents Access and Management System (ADAMS) Accession No. ML16042A015), as supplemented, UML applied for renewal of the UMLRR operating license.

By letter dated May 19, 2021 (ADAMS Accession No. ML21133A168), the NRC staff informed UML that based on its current expected resources, and the time the NRC staff expected to need to complete and document its review of UMLs renewal application, as supplemented, including supplemental information in UMLs letters dated February 16, 2021, April 5, 2021, and April 20, 2021 (ADAMS Accession Nos. ML21047A245, ML21095A245, and ML21110A053, respectively), the NRC staff was providing a date of August 31, 2021, by which it expected to complete its review and make a final determination on the renewal request.

As discussed during a teleconference with UML on August 17, 2021, based on the NRC staffs updated current expected resources, and additional time needed to complete and document its review (primarily, to accommodate additional NRC staff review determined to be necessary related to the instrumentation and control (I&C) systems at the UMLRR, including I&C upgrades UML proposed in its renewal application, as supplemented), the NRC staff is providing a revised completion date of November 15, 2021, by which it expects to complete its review and make a final determination on the renewal request. However, this date could still change due to several factors including a need for further requests for additional information, unanticipated changes to the scope of the review, unsolicited supplements to the application for the renewal, and others.

If the forecasted date changes, the NRC staff will notify you in writing of the new date and an explanation of the reason for the change.

P. Chowdhury If you have any questions, please contact me at 301-415-4067, or by electronic mail at Edward.Helvenston@nrc.gov.

Sincerely, Signed by Helvenston, Edward on 08/30/21 Edward M. 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 Docket No. 50-223 License No. R-125 cc: See next page

University of Massachusetts - Lowell Docket No. 50-223 cc:

Mayor of Lowell City Hall Lowell, MA 01852 Mr. Leo Bobek Reactor Supervisor University of Massachusetts - Lowell One University Avenue Lowell, MA 01854 Department of Environmental Protection One Winter Street Boston, MA 02108 Jack Priest, Director Radiation Control Program Department of Public Health Schrafft Center, Suite 1M2A 529 Main Street Charlestown, MA 02129 Ms. Samantha Phillips, Director Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency 400 Worcester Road Framingham, MA 01702-5399 Test, Research and Training Reactor Newsletter Attention: Ms. Amber Johnson Department of Materials Science and Engineering University of Maryland 4418 Stadium Drive College Park, MD 20742-2115

ML21229A081 NRR-106 OFFICE NRR/DANU/UNPL/PM NRR/DANU/UNPL/LA NRR/DANU/UNPL/BC NRR/DANU/UNPL/PM NAME EHelvenston NParker JBorromeo EHelvenston DATE 8/24/2021 8/25/2021 8/29/2021 8/30/2021