ML22033A246

Request for Participation in the Environmental Scoping Process for the Proposed Kairos Hermes Test Reactor Site, Construction Permit Application Review

ML22033A246
Person / Time
Site:	Hermes
Issue date:	03/04/2022
From:	Kenneth Erwin NRC/NMSS/DREFS/ENRB
To:	Long L Environmental Protection Agency
Doub J,NMSS/REFS/ERNB
Shared Package
ML22027A589	List: ML22031A286 ML22031A287 ML22031A288 ML22031A289 ML22033A241 ML22033A246
References
Download: ML22033A246 (4)

Text

March 4, 2022 Larry Long NEPA Program Office USEPA Region 4 61 Forsyth Street SW Atlanta, GA 30303

SUBJECT:

REQUEST FOR PARTICIPATION IN THE ENVIRONMENTAL SCOPING PROCESS FOR THE PROPOSED KAIROS HERMES TEST REACTOR SITE, CONSTRUCTION PERMIT APPLICATION REVIEW (DOCKET NUMBER:

50-7513)

Dear Larry Long:

The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) staff is reviewing an application submitted by Kairos Power, LLC (Kairos) for a Construction Permit (CP) for the proposed Hermes non-power demonstration reactor employing the Kairos Power Fluoride Salt-Cooled, High Temperature Reactor technology. Kairos is applying for a CP to construct the reactor on a site within the East Tennessee Technology Park (ETTP) in the City of Oak Ridge, Tennessee (See ER Figure 1.1-1). As part of the review of this CP application, the NRC staff is preparing an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) as required by Title 10 of the Code of Federal Regulations (10 CFR)

Part 51 Environmental Protection Regulations for Domestic Licensing and Related Regulatory Functions, the NRCs regulations that implement the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) of 1969, as amended. The EIS will include an analysis of pertinent environmental matters, including but not limited to possible effects on Federally protected species and habitats. The area of potential effect for the CP review is the ETTP and its immediate environs that may be affected by land disturbing activities, associated noise and human activity, and other activities part of building, operating, and decommissioning the subject research and test reactor and associated facilities.

Kairos submitted the application for a CP on September 29, 2021, pursuant to the NRC requirements in 10 CFR Part 50, Domestic Licensing of Production and Utilization Facilities. The application is available through the NRCs Agencywide Documents Access and Management System (ADAMS). ADAMS is accessible at http://www.nrc.gov/readingrm/adams.html.

Additionally, by letter dated October 31, 2021, Kairos submitted an environmental report (ER) in support of its CP application. The ER portion of the application is listed under ADAMS Accession No. ML21306A131. The ER is also available on the Internet at https://www.nrc.gov/docs/ML2130/ML21306A131.html.

The proposed Kairos Hermes site comprises approximately 185 acres in Roane County, Tennessee within the ETTP that was formerly the location of the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) K-31 and K-33 plants, which were part of the K-25 complex operated as the Oak Ridge Gaseous Diffusion Plant. DOE has decommissioned, decontaminated, and razed the K-31 and K-33 buildings. According to the ER, the site presently consists of approximately 88 acres of exterior land currently used for temporary outdoor industrial uses unrelated to the Hermes

L. Long 2 project, approximately 72 acres of grassland typical of formerly disturbed lands, and approximately 25 acres of deciduous and mixed evergreen/deciduous forest along the sites perimeter. According to the ER, Kairos will temporarily disturb approximately 138 acres within previously disturbed areas on the site to build the proposed Hermes facilities, of which approximately 30 acres would remain permanently occupied by the new facilities over an anticipated 10-year operational life (See ER Figures 2.2-1 and 2.2-3). Kairos will then decommission the Hermes facilities. No forested areas or other areas of previously undisturbed natural soils would be temporarily or permanently disturbed. The entire area subject to temporary or permanent disturbance has a history of surface soil disturbance during the construction, operation, and decommissioning of the K-31 and K-33 facilities.

Kairos proposes to take advantage of existing roadways and utilities servicing the ETTP and does not propose any land disturbance outside of the 135 acres of previously disturbed land noted above. The water demands of the proposed Hermes facilities would be supplied by the City of Oak Ridge or truck deliveries of demineralized water, and wastewater from the Hermes facilities would be treated by the nearby existing Rarity Ridge Wastewater Treatment Plant. The applicant does not propose intake of surface water or groundwater or development of new intake or discharge structures. Stormwater would be managed using best management practices.

In accordance with 10 CFR 51.26(b), the scoping process for an EIS may include a public scoping meeting to help identify significant issues related to the proposed action and to determine the scope of issues to be addressed in the EIS. The NRC is planning to conduct a public outreach and scoping meeting for the Kairos Hermes EIS. The meeting is currently expected to be held on March 23, 2022. Meeting details will be available by March 11, 2022 at https://www.nrc.gov/reactors/non-power/kairos-hermes.html or at the NRCs Public Meeting Schedule website at https://www.nrc.gov/pmns/mtg. A court reporter will transcribe all comments received during the public meeting. To be considered, comments must be provided either at the transcribed public meeting or in writing. Please contact Ms. Tamsen Dozier at 301-415-2272 or by email at Tamsen.Dozier@nrc.gov no later than March 14, 2022 if accommodations or special equipment are needed to participate or to provide comments, so that the NRC staff can determine whether the request can be accommodated.

Please provide any information, comments, or concerns you feel are appropriate on the scope of the proposed action during the scoping comment period. Comments should be submitted either by mail to the Office of Administration, Mail Stop: TWFN-7-A60M, U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission, Washington, DC 20555-0001, ATTN: Program Management, Announcements and Editing Staff or by e-mail to Kairos-CPEIS.resource@nrc.gov. When the

L. Long 3 NRC staff completes the draft EIS on the proposed action, the staff plans to send the draft EIS to your office for comment. If you have any questions concerning the NRC staffs environmental review of this CP application, please contact Mr. Peyton Doub, Environmental Scientist at 301-415-6703 or by e-mail at Peyton.Doub@nrc.gov.

Sincerely, Folk, Kevin signing on behalf of Erwin, Kenneth on 03/04/22 Kenneth Erwin, Chief, Environmental Review New Reactor Branch Division of Rulemaking, Environment, and Financial Support, Office of Nuclear Material Safety and Safeguards Docket No. 50-7513

ML22033A246 *via email OFFICE NMSS/REFS NMSS/REFS NMSS/REFS NMSS/REFS OGC NAME JDavis AWalker-Smith PDoub KErwin RHarper DATE 02/07/2022 02/08/2022 02/09/2022 02/09/2022 02/23/2022 OFFICE NMSS/REFS NMSS/REFS NAME JDavis KErwin (KFolk DATE 03/04/2022 for) 03/04/2022