ML23152A006
| ML23152A006 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Site: | Erwin |
| Issue date: | 06/05/2023 |
| From: | Jonathan Rivera NRC/RGN-II |
| To: | Masters A NRC/RGN-II |
| References | |
| Download: ML23152A006 (3) | |
Text
June 5, 2023 MEMORANDUM TO: Anthony Masters, Director Division of Fuel Facility Inspection Region II FROM: Joel Rivera, Sr. Fuel Facility Inspector Projects Branch Division of Fuel Facility Inspection Signed by Rivera Ortiz, Joel Region II on 06/05/23
SUBJECT:
SUMMARY
OF PUBLIC COMMENTS - LICENSEE PERFORMANCE REVIEW OF NUCLEAR FUEL SERVICES, INC., DOCKET NUMBER 07000143 On May 18, 2023, the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) conducted a public observation meeting to discuss the performance of the Nuclear Fuel Services (NFS) facility as part of the Licensee Performance Review (LPR) process. The official meeting summary, with a list of attendees and copy of the slides, is available via Agencywide Documents Access and Management System ADAMS Accession Number ML23146A115.
While the meetings purpose was not to actively solicit comments towards regulatory decisions, as stated in the public meeting notice dated April 11, 2023 (ML23102A010), the NRC listened to concerns and answered questions from the public in a variety of topics related to NFSs performance and operations. The purpose of this memorandum is to capture the main topics received from the public during the question and answer session of the LPR public meeting, as understood by the NRC staff in attendance. The NRC staff has no intent to formally consider these comments for ongoing regulatory decisions because the LPR process is not one of the official avenues for public involvement in NRC regulatory decisions. However, the NRC staff will consider these comments to identify opportunities for improvement in the NRCs oversight process, as applicable.
In general, questions and comments from the public were in reference to:
desire for more plain language in NRCs documents, webpage, and communications desire to be better informed of ongoing operational events at NFS to avoid confusion and know they are safe concerns with NFSs environmental sampling and acquisition of nearby properties discontent with NRCs regulatory limits for radiation protection, particularly for effluents NFSs performance in relation to recent plant events (e.g., Event Notice 56326) desire to have comments/feedback included on NRCs official records criteria for identifying an area needing improvement (ANI)
NFSs transparency with the community cancelation of a previous cancer study and desire for a new cancer study in the community around NFS cumulative effects of radiation on the nearby population
2 desire for more engagement and meetings regarding the license amendment request for the uranium purification and conversion to metal process (U-Metal process), currently under NRC review impact of NFS operations and proposed U-Metal process on public health and the environment discontent with the Atomic Safety Licensing Board Panels (ASLBPs) decision to deny a public hearing for the U-Metal license amendment request concerns with the NRCs ability to act in the best interest of the public in light of the contract already awarded to NFS for the U-Metal process concerns with modifications of the NFS facility to support the new U-Metal process disapproval of nuclear weapons in the U.S.
Several of the topics listed above have been addressed in previous public meetings and captured on the NFSs frequently asked questions (FAQs) page available via this link:
https://www.nrc.gov/materials/fuel-cycle-fac/fuel-fab/nfs-faqs.html. The NRC staff plans to follow up on these comments to the extent required by the agencys policies and procedures.
Particularly, the staff plans to update the NFSs FAQs to reflect the current status of the facility and address new questions resulting from the May 18th LPR public meeting. The updated FAQs will be available in ADAMS under NFSs docket.
Docket No.: 70-143 License No.: SNM-124 CONTACT: Joel Rivera, RII/DFFI/PB1 404-997-4825
ML23152A006 OFFICE RII/DFFI RII/DFFI RII/DFFI NAME L. Cooke J. Rivera L. Harris DATE 06/01/2023 06/05/2023 06/01/2023