ML23256A364

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28J Letter Re ISP September 6, 2023
ML23256A364
Person / Time
Site: HI-STORE
Issue date: 09/06/2023
From: Andrew Averbach
NRC/OGC
To: Cayce L
US Federal Judiciary, Court of Appeals, 5th Circuit
References
23-60377
Download: ML23256A364 (1)


Text

Case: 23-60377 Document: 44 Page: 1 Date Filed: 09/06/2023 UNITED STATES NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION WASHINGTON, D.C. 20555-0001 September 6, 2022 BY ELECTRONIC FILING Lyle W. Cayce Clerk of Court United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit 600 S. Maestri Place New Orleans, Louisiana 70130 Re: Fasken v. NRC, No. 23-60377

Dear Mr. Cayce:

Federal Respondents write to address the Courts recent decision in Texas v. NRC, No. 21-60743 (5th Cir. Aug. 25, 2023). The panels decision bears on multiple issues germane to this case, including one raised in our motion to dismiss on July 28, 2023. Specifically, Texas held that the petitioners (including the Petitioners here) had standing to contest the Nuclear Regulatory Commissions issuance of a spent fuel storage license; that the petitioners were not required to participate in the adjudicatory proceedings before the agency to be parties aggrieved under the Hobbs Act because they challenged the agencys statutory authority to issue the license; and that the Commission lacks authority to issue a license for the away-from-reactor storage of spent nuclear fuel.

Federal Respondents are considering whether to seek further review in Texas.

Because Petitioners opening brief in this case is due prior to the time that a rehearing petition would be filed, Federal Respondents are amenable to staying the briefing in this case until the mandate issues in Texas. However, we were unable to reach an agreement with Petitioners concerning the appropriateness or terms of such a stay.

Case: 23-60377 Document: 44 Page: 2 Date Filed: 09/06/2023 L. Cayce Federal Respondents will continue to update the Court about developments in the Texas case. Meanwhile, Federal Respondents respectfully suggest that the pending motion to dismiss may either be (1) carried with the case to the merits panel; or (2) deferred until the mandate issues in Texas.

Respectfully,

/s/ Andrew P. Averbach Solicitor Counsel of Record for U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission