ML24086A299
| ML24086A299 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Site: | 99902117 |
| Issue date: | 03/26/2024 |
| From: | Adrian Muniz Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation |
| To: | Michael Wentzel Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation |
| References | |
| EPID L-2023-LRM-0091 | |
| Download: ML24086A299 (1) | |
Text
March 26, 2024 MEMORANDUM TO:
Michael Wentzel, Chief Advanced Reactor Licensing Branch 2 Division of Advanced Reactors and Non-power Production and Utilization Facilities Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation FROM:
Adrian Muniz, Senior Project Manager
/RA/
Advanced Reactor Licensing Branch 2 Division of Advanced Reactors and Non-power Production and Utilization Facilities Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation
SUBJECT:
SUMMARY
OF THE FEBRUARY 15, 2024, PUBLIC OUTREACH MEETING RELATED TO PROJECT LONG MOTT AT PORT LAVACA, TEXAS (EPID NO.L-2023-LRM-0091)
Meeting Information:
Applicant: X-ENERGY, LLC. (X-energy)
Docket/Project No.(s): 99902117 Public Meeting Notice Agencywide Documents Access and Management System (ADAMS)
Accession No.: ML24008A126 NRC Presentation Slides ADAMS Accession No.: ML24012A103 Meeting Attendees: See the enclosure for a list of meeting attendees.
CONTACT:
Adrian Muniz, NRR/DANU 301-415-4093
Meeting Summary:
The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) staff conducted the meeting in accordance with NRC Management Directive 3.5, Attendance at NRC Staff-Sponsored Meetings (ML21180A271).
This was an Information Meeting with a question-and-answer session. The purpose of this meeting was for the NRC staff to meet directly with members of the public to discuss NRC safety and environmental review processes for the review of the forthcoming construction permit application for proposed deployment of X-energy's Xe-100 reactor design at the Dow Chemical Company (Dow) Seadrift operations site in Calhoun County, TX.
More specifically, the NRC staff presentation addressed the following topics:
The NRCs mission.
The regulatory framework under which the NRC operates.
The composition and organization of the Commission.
The licensing process that the applicant is proposing to use.
The scope of the construction activities that are under NRCs jurisdiction.
The various legal documents and regulations that drive the environmental review and safety evaluation to be performed by the NRC staff.
The key safety areas considered in the safety review.
The scope and process followed to develop and publish the environmental impact statement and resource areas considered in the environmental review.
Opportunities for public involvement in the licensing process.
Generic review schedules and the reactor technology proposed for the site.
The members of the public had the following questions with corresponding NRC staff responses that follow:
What is the specific location of the project within the Dow complex? The NRC staff indicated that because the project is still in preapplication engagements the specific location has not been documented as an official record yet. Dow staff indicated that the project will be located in the northeast section of the complex.
What does the NRC staff mean by "construction activities that are not under NRC jurisdiction? The NRC staff clarified that there are pre-construction and construction activities, such as grading, installation of drainage systems, construction of temporary roads, etc. which do not directly impact the safety of the plant. These activities are not under NRC jurisdiction. The NRC staff emphasized that some of these activities may require other federal agency, state or local approvals, however, no NRC approval is required.
Does the 36-month generic schedule include the mandatory hearing? The NRC staff stated that the 36-month generic review schedule estimate for a construction permit application reflects the general time needed to perform such a review. However, the NRC staff stated that Dows application will be assessed at the time it is submitted for review. Based on this assessment, the NRC staff will determine and publish a specific schedule for the review of Dows application. The NRC staff further clarified that hearing activities are not included in the review schedules. The Commission will set the schedule
for the conduct of the hearing after the NRC staffs completion of the safety evaluation report and environmental impact statement.
Does the NRC evaluate hazards due to industrial accidents (e.g., explosions) initiated in the Dow complex? The NRC staff responded affirmatively.
How can the plant only use helium for cooling and not water? The NRC staff indicated the design being considered by Dow uses helium that moves through the reactor core to cool the reactor (instead of water) and then to a steam generator where the heat from the helium is transferred to the water on the secondary side of the steam generator. The transferred heat turns the water on the secondary side of the steam generator into steam.
What are resident inspectors? The NRC staff explained that the reactor oversight program includes resident inspectors, which are stationed at each nuclear power plant that is currently in operation in the United States. Resident inspectors are directly engaged with the plant daily activities and perform routine inspections to confirm that plant operations are in accordance with all requirements that are applicable to its license. The results of these inspections are documented in inspection reports that are available to the public. The NRC staff further explained that appropriate NRC construction and operation oversight will be provided should a construction permit and/or operating license be granted for the facility being proposed for the Dow site.
Is the design of the plant complete? The NRC staff explained that in a construction permit and operating license process (i.e., a two-step process), the staff reviews a preliminary design that must address all safety considerations and applicable requirements. If the staff deems this preliminary design acceptable and the proposed site suitable, it will allow the plant to be built. However, before operation of the plant is approved, the applicant must provide the final design and ensure all environmental requirements are met. The staff will review the final design and if found acceptable, it will grant an operating license.
What is the best way to keep informed with the licensing process? The NRC staff explained that documents related to the licensing process are available to the public via ADAMS. In addition, the public may subscribe to receive email notifications for this project by selecting X-energy Xe-100 under the Advanced Reactors Subscription Topics via GovDelivery, available at https://service.govdelivery.com/accounts/USNRC/subscriber/new.
The NRC did not actively solicit comments toward regulatory decisions at this meeting. No regulatory decisions were made as a result of this meeting.
Project No. 99902117
Enclosure:
List of Meeting Attendees cc: X-energy Xe-100 via GovDelivery
SUBJECT:
SUMMARY
OF THE FEBRUARY 15, 2024, PUBLIC OUTREACH MEETING RELATED TO PROJECT LONG MOTT AT PORT LAVACA, TEXAS (EPID NO.L-2023-LRM-0091) DATED: MARCH 26, 2024 DISTRIBUTION:
PUBLIC RidsNrrDanuUal1 Resource RidsNrrDanuUal2 Resource RidsNrrDanu Resource RidsNrrDanuUtb1 Resource RidsAcrsMailCenter RidsOGCMailCenter RidsEdoMailCenter AMuniz JHernandez ODukes GOberson IJung JGiacinto PVokoun MNagel DBarnhurst RAlexander AMoreno ADAMS Accession Number: ML24086A299 NRR-001 OFFICE NRR/DANU/UAL2:PM NRR/DANU/UAL2:PM NMSS/REFS/ENPM3:PM NAME JHernandez AMuniz JGiacinto DATE 02/22/2024 03/20/2024 2/22/2024 OFFICE NMSS/REFS/ENPM3:BC NRR/DANU/UAL2:BC NRR/DANU/UAL2:PM NAME DBarnhurst MWentzel AMuniz DATE 03/25/2024 03/26/2024 03/26/2024 OFFICIAL RECORD COPY
Enclosure List of Meeting Attendees For the February 15, 2024 Public Outreach Meeting Related To Project Long Mott at Port Lavaca, Texas Name Organization Michael Wentzel Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC)
Adrian Muniz NRC Jorge Hernandez NRC Joseph Giacinto NRC Madelyn Nagel NRC Edward Robinson NRC Brett Klukan NRC Scott Burnell NRC Ryan Alexander NRC Angel Moreno NRC Jack Whitlow Mayor - Port Lavaca, TX Matt Sunseri Diane Wilson San Antonio Bay Waterkeeper Joaquin Sanchez Lisa Bruedigan TX Department of State Health Services Jack Campbell Betsy Madru Amy Blanchett Formosa Plastics Christian Palacios Congressman Cloud Staff Jen Banda Victoria Office of Emergency Management Rick McBrayer Victoria Office of Emergency Management Lawrence Wich Victoria College Richard Williams Mike Rottmann Dan Hinkle Natura Tim Williamson Steve Marwiz James Mertink Steve Koch Chris Green Victoria Advocate Newspaper Daniel Harry Camryn Edwards Diane Drussell Victoria Economic Development Corporation Justin Boyd Jonathan Jirkovsky University of Houston-Victoria Amy Boone Calhoun County ISD Karen Hadden Sustainable Energy & Economic Development Coalition Ruston Raybon Darble Morries Alysa Jarvis Tania French Port Lavaca Chamber Jennifer Stastny West Side CCND Luis De La Garza
2 Name Organization Daniela Salazar Miguel Salazar C Krause Sara M. Rodriguez Calhoun County CDA Jonas Titus VEDC Regional Partnership Barton Bradicich Robert Milligan Jody Weaver City of Port Lavaca City Mgr.
Rae Walker Sharon Barnard VEDC Regional Partnership Mary Meetzen CC Historical Commission CT Chen Formosa Plastics Corporation Bud Rinasz BR Construction Russell Cain Ruby Flores Sherry Williams Wade Wilson Felicia Harral Calhoun Port Authority Carrie Hart Kyle Lofland Dow Daniel Womack Dow Russell Woznich Dow Justin Martin Dow Joe Smith Dow Kreshka Young Dow Clint Trampota Dow Heather Lyons Dow Mark Feltner Dow Steve Vaughn X-energy Harlan Bowers X-energy