ML21242A406

LTR-21-0237, Oedo Response Letter to Tx State Representative Tom Craddick (District 82) Regarding Opposition to Spent Fuel Storage in Texas

ML21242A406
Person / Time
Site:	Consolidated Interim Storage Facility
Issue date:	09/16/2021
From:	Margaret Doane NRC/EDO
To:	Craddick T State of TX, House of Representatives
Don Habib 301-415-1035 NMSS/DFM/STLB
Shared Package
ML21230A296	List: ML21242A406
References
LTR-21-0237
Download: ML21242A406 (2)

Text

September 16, 2021 The Honorable Tom Craddick Texas House of Representatives, District 82 P.O. Box 2910 Austin, TX 78768-2910

Dear Representative Craddick:

On behalf of the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC), I am responding to your August 2, 2021, letter expressing opposition to the proposed interim storage of spent nuclear fuel and high-level nuclear waste within the States of Texas and New Mexico.

As referenced in your letter, the NRC staff has been considering two applications for licenses to construct and operate facilities for the interim storage of commercial spent nuclear fuel at sites in Andrews County, Texas, and Lea County, New Mexico. For the Interim Storage Partners facility proposed in Texas, the NRC staff issued a license on September 13, 2021.

The staff issued, with the license, a record of decision and a final safety evaluation report, which discuss the staffs findings on the environmental impacts, safety, and security of the proposed facility (Agencywide Documents Access and Management System (ADAMS) Accession Package No. ML21188A096). In addition, on July 29, 2021, the NRC staff issued a final environmental impact statement (EIS) for the Interim Storage Partners application that considers potential environmental impacts from the construction, operation, and decommissioning of the proposed facility (ADAMS Accession No. ML21209A955). For the Holtec facility proposed in New Mexico, the staff anticipates that it will issue the final EIS in November 2021 and that a final licensing decision will be made in or around January 2022.

The NRC takes its mission of protecting public health and safety very seriously. The NRC issues licenses only if it finds that all regulatory requirements have been met and that there is reasonable assurance of adequate protection of the public health and safety.

The NRC staff would be happy to meet with you or your staff to discuss in greater detail the agencys roles, responsibilities, and review process for the consolidated interim storage facilities and the safety and security of shipments of spent fuel and high-level waste. If you have any questions, please contact Mr. John W. Lubinski, Director, Office of Nuclear Material Safety and Safeguards, at (301) 415-0595.

Sincerely, Signed by Doane, Margaret on 09/16/21 Margaret M. Doane Executive Director for Operations

T. Craddick 2

SUBJECT:

RESPONSE TO THE HONORABLE TOM CRADDICKS AUGUST 2, 2021, LETTER; DATED: September 16, 2021 DISTRIBUTION:

MWoods, OEDO ADeJesus, OEDO RidsEDOMailCenter RidsOGCMailCenter RidsOCAMailCenter RidsSECYMailCenter RidsNMSSMailCenter EDO r/f ADAMS Package Accession Nos.: ML21230A296 (pkg), ML21242A406 (LTR) *via email OFFICE: NMSS/DFM/STLB NMSS/DFM/STLB NMSS/DFM D NMSS/TechEd PM BC NAME: DHabib JMcKirgan SHelton TBrockington DATE: 8/26/2021 8/30/21 8/31/21 8/31/21 OFFICE: NMSS OD OGC EDO NAME: JLubinski MAlbert MDoane DATE: 9/2/21 9/15/21 9/16/21 OFFICIAL RECORD COPY