ML23354A237
| ML23354A237 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Issue date: | 01/11/2024 |
| From: | Christopher Hanson NRC/Chairman |
| To: | Kuster A, Pappas C, Shaheen J US Congress, US HR (House of Representatives), US SEN (Senate) |
| Shared Package | |
| ML23340A080 | List: |
| References | |
| LTR-23-0295 | |
| Download: ML23354A237 (1) | |
Text
Response to Request for Information Letter Dated December 5, 2023
- 1. How do the changes in NextEra Energy's proposed license amendment for common emergency planning improve safety in Seabrook?
RESPONSE
Florida Power & Light Company, NextEra Energy Seabrook, LLC, and NextEra Energy Point Beach, LLC (collectively referred to as "NextEra") submitted a license amendment request on October 4, 2022, proposing to make changes to the emergency plan for Seabrook Station and other nuclear power plants. NextEra states that if the license amendment request is granted, the NextEra Common Emergency Plan would take advantage of changes in technology and make program-wide improvements by standardization of response organizations, duties and responsibilities, processes, procedures, equipment, and training. The NRC staff is currently reviewing the license amendment request and will determine whether the license amendment request complies with the applicable regulatory requirements, including maintaining reasonable assurance that adequate protective measures can and will be taken in the event of a radiological emergency.
- 2. Will NextEra's proposed plan reduce the number of full-time employees stationed at Seabrook that hold Emergency Response Organization (ERO) roles? If so, how many staff currently employed in Seabrook will be re-located, reduced and/or reassigned into another position. not ERO related?
RESPONSE
The license amendment request currently under review proposes to reduce the total number of emergency response organization onsite roles. As part of its review of the license amendment request, the NRC staff will assess any potential reduction in emergency response organization roles to confirm that there remains reasonable assurance that the licensee can and will implement all necessary emergency response actions in the event of a radiological emergency.
- 3. It is our understanding that NextEra intends to increase the number of technical experts that can respond remotely in an emergency in place of on-the-ground experts. How will this proposal impact safety and the response time in an emergency? How have cybersecurity risks been evaluated related to remote access into a plant during an emergency?
RESPONSE
NextEra's license amendment request seeks approval for an increase in the number of remote responders in the emergency response organization. The NRC staff is currently reviewing the license amendment request and will determine whether the license amendment request complies with the applicable regulatory requirements, including maintaining reasonable assurance that adequate protective measures can and will be taken in the event of a radiological emergency.
Enclosure
The NRC's cybersecurity rule requires, in part, that power reactor licensees protect digital computer and communication systems and networks associated with emergency preparedness functions, including offsite communications. A power reactor licensee's NRC-approved cybersecurity plan must prohibit external access to control or manipulate systems relied upon for the safe operation and physical security of a nuclear reactor.
Emergency planning equipment components are classified as critical digital assets and are subject to regulatory requirements that prevent unauthorized access, either by applying cybersecurity controls that ensure availability and integrity of the systems and data, or by ensuring the availability of diverse alternate means of performing those functions in the event of a cyber compromise of an individual digital asset.
- 4. Has NextEra or NRC held any public forums with details about the plan? If not, we urge you to include an opportunity for the public to learn about the proposed plans and provide comments before NRC decides on the licensing amendment request. It is imperative that New Hampshire residents have ample time to review, understand and provide input on decisions that impact their neighborhoods and lives.
RESPONSE
The NRC staff held two public meetings (February 16, 2022, and May 18, 2022, ML22144A002) prior to NextEra submitting the license amendment request in October 2022. Following NextEra's submission of the request, the NRC staff provided an opportunity for public engagement on the license amendment request. On February 21, 2023, the NRC published a notice in the Federal Register informing the public about the opportunity to request a hearing or provide public comments on the license amendment request. The NRC did not receive a request for a hearing on the license amendment request. The NRC received comments from C-10 Research &
Education Foundation on October 6, 2023 (ML23346A132), and the NRC staff is considering those comments as part of its review of the license amendment request. The NRC staff also issued a request for information to NextEra on June 22, 2023 (ML23173A152), and NextEra responded to this request on August 7, 2023, and November 28, 2023 (ML23219A102 and ML23332A005, respectively); these documents are all publicly available in the NRC's Agencywide Documents Access and Management System. As the NRC staff proceeds through its review, it will continue to keep the public informed, consistent with the NRC's Principles of Good Regulation, including openness and clarity.
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