ML23065A240
| ML23065A240 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Issue date: | 04/27/2023 |
| From: | Christopher Hanson NRC/Chairman |
| To: | Revesz R US Executive Office of the President, Office of Mgmt & Budget (OMB) |
| References | |
| CORR-23-0040 | |
| Download: ML23065A240 (1) | |
Text
U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission Statement of Regulatory Priorities for Fiscal Year 2024
I. Introduction
Under the authority of the Atomic Energy Act of 1954, as amended, and the Energy Reorganization Act of 1974, as amended, the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) regulates the possession and use of source, byproduct, and special nuclear material. Our regulatory mission is to license and regulate the Nations civilian use of byproduct, source, and special nuclear materials to ensure the adequate protection of public health and safety and promote the common defense and security. As part of our mission, we regulate the operation of nuclear power plants and fuel cycle facilities; the safeguarding of nuclear materials from theft and sabotage; the safe transport, storage, and disposal of radioactive materials and wastes; the decommissioning and safe release for other uses of licensed facilities that are no longer in operation; and the medical, industrial, and research applications of nuclear material. In addition, we license the import and export of radioactive materials.
As part of our regulatory process, we routinely conduct comprehensive regulatory analyses that examine the costs and benefits of contemplated regulations. We have developed internal procedures and programs to ensure that we impose only necessary requirements on our licensees and we review existing regulations to determine whether the requirements imposed are still necessary.
Our regulatory priorities for fiscal year (FY) 2024 reflect our safety and security mission and will enable us to achieve our three strategic goals described in NUREG-1614, Volume 8, Strategic Plan: Fiscal Years 2022-2026, issued April 2022 (https://www.nrc.gov/reading-rm/doc-collections/nuregs/staff/sr1614/v8/index.html): (1) ensure the safe and secure use of radioactive materials, (2) continue to foster a healthy organization, and (3) inspire stakeholder confidence in the NRC.
II. Regulatory Priorities
This section contains information on some of our most important and significant regulatory actions that we are considering issuing in proposed or final form during FY 2024. This report does not include the NRCs high-priority rulemakings titled American Society of Mechanical Engineers 2021-2022 Code Editions (RIN 3150- AK21; NRC-2018- 0289), Am erican Society of Mechanical Engineers Code Cases and Update Frequency (RIN 3150-AK23; NRC-2018- 0291),
Risk -Informed, Technology-Inclusive Regulatory Framework for Advanced Reactors (RIN 3150-AK31; NRC-2019- 0062), Advanced Nuclear Reactor Generic Environmental Impact Statement (RIN 3150-AK55; NRC 2020- 0101), and Reporting Nuclear Medicine Injection Extravasations as Medical Events (RIN 3150-AK91; NRC-2022- 0218) as the timeframe for reporting is only through FY 2024; the agency expects to publish the final rules during FY 2025.
The agencys portion of the Unified Agenda of Regulatory and Deregulatory Actions contains additional information on NRC rulemaking activities and a broader spectrum of our upcoming regulatory actions. We also provide additional information on planned rulemakings and petition for rulemaking activities, including priority and schedule, on our website at https://www.nrc.gov/about-nrc/regulatory/rulemaking/rules-petitions.html.
Enclosure A. NRC Priority Rulemakings
Proposed Rules
Integrated Low-Level Radioactive Waste Disposal (RIN 3150-AI92; NRC-2011- 0012): This rulemaking would amend the NRCs regulations in Title 10 of the Code of Federal Regulations Part 61, Licensing Requirements for Land Disposal of Radioactive Waste, to revise the licensing requirements for low-level radioactive waste disposal and address requirements for disposal of greater -than-Class C and transuranic waste.
Final Rules
Alignment of Licensing Processes and Lessons Learned from New Reactor Licensing (RIN 3150- AI66; NRC-2009- 0196): This rulemaking would amend the NRCs regulations for the licensing of new reactors. The rule would align requirements between the two licensing processes currently provided in the NRCs regulations to ensure that all new reactor applications are subject to consistent and clear requirements, regardless of the selected licensing approach. The rule would incorporate changes based on lessons learned from NRC reviews conducted for combined licenses, design certifications, early site permits, and operating licenses.
Regulatory Improvements for Production and Utilization Facilities Transitioning to Decommissioning (RIN 3150- AJ59; NRC-2015- 0070): This rulemaking would amend the NRCs regulations to provide an appropriate regulatory framework for nuclear power reactors transitioning from operations to decommissioning.
Cyber Security for Fuel Facilities (RIN 3150-AJ64; NRC-2015- 0179): This rulemaking would amend the NRCs regulations to require certain fuel cycle facilities to establish, implement, and maintain a cyber security program that is designed to protect public health and safety and the common defense and security.
Renewing Nuclear Power Plant Operating Licenses Environmental Review (RIN 3150- AK32; NRC-2018- 0296) : This rulemaking would amend the NRCs environmental protection regulations by updating the environmental findings of renewing the operating license of a nuclear power plant. These findings would be based on a programmatic analysis under the National Environmental Policy Act. The rule will affect operating power reactor licensees that seek an initial renewed operating license (40- 60 years) or a subsequent renewed operating license (60- 80 years).
Radioactive Source Security and Accountability (RIN 3150- AK83; NRC-2022- 0103): The NRC is amending its regulations to require safety and security equipment to be in place before the agency grants a license for possession and use of radioactive materials. This rule also would require a licensee transferring category 3 quantities of radioactive material to verify that the recipients license authorizes the receipt of the type, form, and quantity of radioactive material to be transferred, and that such verification be conducted through the License Verification System or by contacting the license-issuing authority. Lastly, the NRC would implement a more stringent license verification method for licensees relying upon an oral certification to process an emergency shipment of radioactive material and remove an obsolete verification method for obtaining sources of information. This rulemaking would affect applicants for a radioactive material license and licensees that transfer category 3 quantities of radioactive material.
2 B. Significant Final Rules
The rulemaking activity below meets the requirements of a significant regulatory action in Executive Order 12866, Regulatory Planning and Review, signed September 30, 1993, because it is likely to have an annual effect on the economy of $100 million or more.
Revision of Fee Schedules: Fee Recovery for FY 2024 (RIN 3150- AK74 ; NRC-2022- 0046) :
This rule amends the NRCs fee schedules for licensing, inspection, and annual fees charged to agency applicants and licensees.
3