ML23306A126
| ML23306A126 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Issue date: | 11/07/2023 |
| From: | Jessup W, Mallecia Sutton, Patricia Vokoun Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation |
| To: | |
| References | |
| Download: ML23306A126 (16) | |
Text
Public Outreach Meeting for the Forthcoming TerraPower Natrium Demonstration Reactor Construction Permit Application U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission Bill Jessup, Chief, Advanced Reactor Licensing Branch 1 Mallecia Sutton, Senior Licensing Project Manager Patricia Vokoun, Environmental Project Manager November 7, 2023
NRC Mission Statement -
Protecting People and the Environment The NRC licenses and regulates the Nations civilian use of radioactive materials to provide reasonable assurance of adequate protection of public health and safety and to promote the common defense and security and to protect the environment.
www.nrc.gov/about-nrc.html
Code of Federal Regulations NRCs regulations (or rules) are contained in Title 10 of the Code of Federal Regulations, Parts 1 through 199 Regulations govern:
Transportation and storage of nuclear materials Use of radioactive materials at nuclear power plants, research and test reactors, uranium recovery facilities, fuel cycle facilities, waste repositories, and other nuclear facilities Use of nuclear materials for medical, industrial, and academic purposes https://www.ecfr.gov/
Advanced Reactor Licensing Pathways 10 CFR Part 52 Vogtle 3 & 4 AP-1000; NuScale Combined License; Design Certification; ESP; ML; SDA 10 CFR Part 53 New licensing framework under development 10 CFR Part 50 Large majority of operating fleet and NPUFs Publish final rule by 2025 Two-step construction permit and operating license Licensing Process Brochure (NUREG/BR-0298)
10 CFR Part 50:
Two-Step Licensing Process Construction Permit Public Construction Construction Construction Hearing Permit Begins Application Permit Operating Operating License Public Hearing Operating Operation License Begins License Application Opportunity
Principle Legislation & Regulations Driving Timely Decisions and Outcomes
- National Environmental Policy Act (1969)
- Atomic Energy Act (1954)
- Impacts ON the environment FROM licensed
- Energy Reorganization Act (1974) activities
- Impacts ON the facility FROM the
- 10 CFR Part 51 environment
- Impact level
- 10 CFR Parts 20, 40, 50, 52, 70
- Disclosure document
- Risk informed
- Reasonable assurance of adequate protection www.nrc.gov/about-nrc/governing-laws.html
Safety Review - Fundamental Functions Reactivity and power control Fuel Radionuclide Reactivity control retention systems Barriers to retain radionuclides Heat removal within the facility Reactor coolant system Backup cooling systems
Safety Review - Key Topics External hazards (nearby facilities, hydrology, seismology, etc.)
Reactor fuel Reactivity control and reactor shutdown Primary coolant and decay heat removal Instrumentation and control Radiation protection for both workers and the public Accident analyses Operational programs (emergency plan, security, operator training, etc.)
Environmental Review - Regulations National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA)(1969)
National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA), Endangered Species Act (ESA), others 10 CFR Part 51 - NRC environmental protection regulations for domestic licensing and related regulatory functions The NRC NEPA document addresses impacts on the environment from the facility and informs the NRC licensing decision For a power reactor an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) is required - Federal Register Notice
Resources Addressed in NRC Environmental Reviews Analyst will describe the affected environment (baseline conditions) for each resource area and then describe the consequences of the action (impact level) and compare those to the reasonable alternatives.
Analyst will also describe cumulative impacts from any known past, present, or reasonably foreseeable future actions.
Environmental Review Process Notice of Intent to Conduct Scoping and Publish Federal Register notice NRCs NEPA Process for Prepare EIS Public scoping period with advertised and Scoping Process facilitated meetings held in plant vicinity Information Gathering NRC staff performs review EISs Draft EIS Published Publish Federal Register notice Comments on Draft Public comment period on Draft EIS for at least 45 days with advertised and facilitated public meetings held in plant vicinity Final EIS Published Staff responds to comments and publishes Federal Register notice
Licensing is a Multi-Step Process, with Opportunities for Public Engagement ACRS ACRS Review Letter Safety Safety Review Evaluation Report Pre-Application Mandatory Commission Application Opportunity for Hearing*
Activities Decision Contested Hearing Environmental Scoping Draft Comments on Final Review Activities NEPA Draft NEPA Document Document ACRS: Advisory Committee on Reactor Safeguards NEPA: National Environmental Policy Act Consultations Public Participation
- Required for early site permits, construction permits, or combined licenses
www.nrc.gov/public-involve TerraPower Natrium Technology Natrium uses a pool-type sodium fast reactor (primary loop is located within the reactor vessel)
Natrium reactor is rated for 840 MWt (345 MWe output or 500 MWe for peak demand periods)
Basic plant layout includes a nuclear island and energy island Energy island leverages a molten salt storage system that can be used for flexible power operation PacifiCorp and TerraPower announced in 2021 that the Natrium demonstration plant would be sited in Kemmerer, WY https://www.terrapower.com/our-work/natriumpower/
Timely NRC Review Schedules The NRC established generic schedules for completing final safety evaluations for various licensing actions Activity Reactor Type Milestone*
Part 50 - Construction Permit All 36 months Environmental Impact Statement All 24 months Part 50 - Operating License Non-Light-Water Reactor 36 months Topical Reports All 24 months
- Actual schedules may be shorter or longer than the generic milestone schedule based on the specific needs of the licensee or applicant and the staff's resources.
www.nrc.gov/about-nrc/generic-schedules.html
Thank You Questions?