ML24012A014
| ML24012A014 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Issue date: | 03/08/2024 |
| From: | Christopher Regan NRC/NMSS/DREFS/ERMB |
| To: | Michelle Catts GE-Hitachi Nuclear Energy Americas |
| References | |
| Download: ML24012A014 (3) | |
Text
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UNITED STATES NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION WASHINGTON, D.C. 20555-0001 Michelle P. Catts, Senior Vice President GEHA Regulatory Affairs 3901 Castle Hayne Road P.O. Box 780 Wilmington, NC 28402
SUBJECT:
INFORMATION REGARDING TITLE 10 OF THE CODE OF FEDERAL REGULATIONS SECTION 50.82(A)(6) REVIEW PROCESS REGARDING HISTORIC PROPERTIES
Dear Michelle Catts:
On December 11, 2023, the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) staff met with NorthStar Group Services, Inc. and General Electric (GE) Hitachi Nuclear Energy (GEH) to discuss the transfer of their license and decommissioning activities at the Vallecitos Nuclear Center (VNC). This letter is a follow-up to that conversation.
The Commissions regulations at Title 10 of the Code of Federal Regulations (10 CFR) Section 50.82(a)(6) state that power reactor licensees in decommissioning shall not perform any decommissioning activities that, among other things, result in significant environmental impacts not previously reviewed. Adverse impacts, such as some alterations or demolition to structures eligible for listing on the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP) could be considered an unreviewed significant environmental impact pursuant to 10 CFR 50.82(a)(6).
If a licensee plans to conduct an activity at a decommissioning power reactor that would cause significant environmental impacts not previously reviewed, as described under 10 CFR 50.82(a)(6), then prior to undertaking that activity (e.g., alterations or demolition of NRHP eligible or historically significant structures), the licensee must either submit a licensing action, such as a request for an amendment, that would request review of major decommissioning activities that would diminish the historic integrity (e.g., physical demolition) of buildings previously deemed eligible for the NRHP; decide not to perform the proposed activity; or modify the proposed activity so that the unreviewed significant environmental impact does not occur.
If the licensee chooses to submit a licensing action that would allow for decommissioning activities resulting in significant environmental impacts not previously reviewed, then the request would trigger NRC responsibilities under environmental statutes, including a new determination of whether consultation is necessary under the National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA). An environmental review of the activity, including any necessary consultation under the NHPA, would then be initiated, and once finalized, the activity would be in compliance with 10 CFR 50.82(a)(6). Should consultation under the NHPA be warranted, the NRC would work with the State Historic Preservation Office, the licensee, and other consulting parties to develop March 8, 2024
M. Catts 2
strategies to minimize, mitigate, or avoid the potential environmental impacts from decommissioning activities.
For additional information related to environmental reviews and the NHPA, please contact Michelle Rome, Branch Chief, Environmental Technical Review Branch 1 at Michelle.Rome@nrc.gov.
Sincerely, Christopher M. Regan Federal Preservation Officer, Division Director Division of Rulemaking, Environmental and Financial Support Office of Nuclear Material Safety and Safeguards cc: Gregory G. DiCarlo gdicarlo@NorthStar.com Signed by Regan, Christopher on 03/08/24
M. Catts 3
SUBJECT:
INFORMATION REGARDING TITLE 10 OF THE CODE OF FEDERAL REGULATIONS SECTION 50.82(A)(6) REVIEW PROCESS REGARDING HISTORIC PROPERTIES Dated:
DISTRIBUTION:
SImboden JCaverly SAnderson JMoses MRome RSun JTrefethen BGoldstein JParrott JWhitman JMarshall ADAMS Accession No.: ML24012A014 concurrence via e-mail OFFICE SME:REFS LR:REFS PM:REFS DUWP/RDB NAME JTrefethen AWalker-Smith BGoldstein JParrott DATE 01/16/2024 01/18/2024 01/18/2024 02/20/2024 OFFICE REFS/ERMB DUWP/RDB OGC/GCRPS NMSS/REFS NAME MRome SAnderson ACoggins CRegan DATE 02/21/2024 02/22/2024 03/07/2024 03/08/2024 OFFICAL RECORD COPY March 8, 2024