ML23065A072

Global Nuclear Fuel Americas (GNF-A), Supplemental Environmental Report Information and Request to Begin Construction

ML23065A072
Person / Time
Site:	07001113
Issue date:	03/06/2023
From:	Murray S Global Nuclear Fuel - Americas
To:	Office of Nuclear Material Safety and Safeguards, Document Control Desk
Shared Package
ML23065A071	List: ML23065A072 ML23065A074
References
M230022
Download: ML23065A072 (1)

Text

Global Nuclear Fuel Scott P. Murray Manager, Facility Licensing 3901 Castle Hayne Road P.O. Box 780 Wilmington, NC 28402 USA T (910) 819-5950 M230022 scott.murray@ge.com March 6, 2023 Director, Office of Nuclear Material Safety and Safeguards U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission Washington, D.C. 20555-0001

``

ATTN: Document Control Desk

Subject:

Global Nuclear Fuel - Americas (GNF-A) Supplemental Environmental Report Information and Request to Begin Construction

References:

1) NRC License SNM 1097, Docket 70-1113

2) GNF-A Natrium Fuel Fabrication Facility Letter of Intent, 10/9/21

3) GNF-A Request for Exemption from Environmental Information Timing Requirement, 1/4/23

4) GNF-A/NRC Pre-Application Meeting, 2/1/23

5) NRC Exemption Request Approval, 3/3/23 (ML23039A150, ML23039A151)

Dear Sir or Madam:

As described in GNF-As letter of intent dated October 9, 2021 (Reference 2), GE Hitachi Nuclear Energy Americas LLC (GEH), TerraPower LLC and GNF-A have partnered on a project to produce advanced nuclear reactor fuel technologies with enrichment limits up to 20 wt. % U-235 supporting TerraPowers award under the Department of Energys Advanced Reactor Demonstration Program (ARDP). As a part of this project, GNF-A plans to design, construct and license a new standalone Natrium Fuel Fabrication Facility (NFFF). The NFFF will contain equipment and support services to manufacture fuel for advanced nuclear reactor technologies.

Two key milestones for the NFFF project are NRC authorization to begin construction and submittal of a license amendment request.

In accordance with 10 CFR 51.60, attached is GNF-As supplemental environmental report information for the NFFF. It is GNF-As understanding that NRC can begin its review of site-specific supplemental environmental information and preparation of an Environmental Assessment (EA) to allow construction activities to begin in the fall of 2023. Based on the characteristics of the project and the attached report, GNF-A has concluded the project meets the exclusion provisions of 10 CFR 51.22.

The NFFF project requires construction of a new structure within the existing NRC licensed controlled access area. The location of the NFFF in a previously disturbed area minimizes the potential for impacts from ground disturbing activities. No impacts to historic/cultural or biological resources, including special status species are expected because such resources are not known to be present within the existing controlled access area. Preconstruction activities include site exploration, grading of the land, vegetation removal, improvement of

US NRC M230022 March 6, 2023 Page 2 of 2 existing roads, and construction of support structures, among other activities. Both preconstruction and construction activities will occur within the Wilmington site which has restricted access. As a result, environmental impacts from both preconstruction and construction activities are expected to be small and temporary.

The NFFF will be a two-story structure similar in height to the current GNi=-A fuel manufacturing building. The new building will have a footprint of approximately 154,000-square feet and will be located approximately 800 feet west and slightly north of the existing fuel manufacturing building. The new building will meet or exceed all State and local building codes.

NRC concurrence to proceed with construction is requested no later.th~m mid August 2023 as the contractors will be mobilizing during September 2023

• Per our discussions with NRC on February 1, 2023 (Reference 4), GNF-A recognizes that significant additional information and a license amendment request mUst be submitted and approved prior to bringing enriched special nuclear material up to 20-wt.% U-235 onsite. As in the past, GNF-A continues to be committed to working closely with the-NRC to establish the appropriate scope, documents, and schedules. The GNF-A NFFF license amendment request and supporting information are scheduled to be submitted pursuant to1 0 CFR 70.34 "AmendmE;~nt of Licenses" by the end of October 2023.

GNF-A personnel would-be pleased to meet with you and your staff as deemed-necessary.

Please contact me if you have any questions or would like to discuss this matter further.

Sincerely, 2;::MP Scott P. Murray, Manager Facility Licensing

Attachment:

NFFF Supplemental Environmental Report Information - February 2023 Cc: J. Rowley, USNRC/NMSS/DFM/FFLB J. Rivera, USNRC/RII/DFFI SPM 23-007 DOC-0013-8281-29 .

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