ML24157A186
| ML24157A186 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Site: | Hermes File:Kairos Power icon.png |
| Issue date: | 05/22/2024 |
| From: | Public Commenter Public Commenter |
| To: | NRC/NMSS/DREFS |
| NRC/NMSS/DREFS | |
| References | |
| 89FR32462 | |
| Download: ML24157A186 (3) | |
Text
From:
Long, Larry <Long.Larry@epa.gov>
Sent:
Wednesday, May 22, 2024 8:27 AM To:
Kairos-Hermes2Environmental Resource; Peyton Doub
Subject:
[External_Sender] EPA's comments for Kairos-Hermes DEA Peyton Doub U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission Office of Administration Mail Stop: TWFN-7-A60M Washington, DC 20555-0001 ATTN: Program Management Kairos-Hermes2Environmental@nrc.gov Peyton.Doub@nrc.gov RE: The EPAs comments for the Draft Environmental Assessment and Finding of No Significant Impact for the Construction Permits for the Kairos Hermes 2 Test Reactors, Docket ID NRC-2023-0138.
Peyton Doub:
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has reviewed the Nuclear Regulatory Commissions Draft Environmental Assessment, for the Construction Permits for the Kairos Hermes 2 Test Reactor, in accordance with Section 309 of the Clean Air Act and Section 102(2)(C) of the National Environmental Policy Act. The CAA Section 309 role is unique to EPA. It requires the EPA to review and comment on any proposed federal action subject to NEPAs environmental impact statement requirement and to make its comments public.
The purpose of this proposed federal action is to allow Kairos to construct two non-power test reactors termed Hermes 2 that Kairos will use to demonstrate key elements of the Kairos Power Fluoride Salt-Cooled, High Temperature Reactor technology for possible future commercial deployment.
The DEA advances two alternatives to construction, operation, and decommissioning of Hermes at the proposed site in Oak Ridge, Tennessee. Alternative 1, includes the construction and operation at the proposed site. Alternative 2 is the no-action alternative, for which the NRC would not issue construction permits to Kairos to build the proposed Hermes 2 test reactors.
The DEA states that, not issuing CPs for Hermes 2 would not change the fact that the NRC has already issued a CP for the Hermes test reactor on the same site. The applicant could still be able to build Hermes but would not have the ability to test elements of the Hermes 2 design, such as the intermediate cooling loop.
Based on our review of the DEA, the EPA recommends that the applicant should divert any irretrievable material with the potential to be recyclable (table 2.1-1, of the ER Kairos 2023-TN9774) such as concrete, steel, and asphalt away from landfills and repurpose materials instead. The EPA also recommends the use of sustainable building practices that maximize energy and water conservation. Please consult appropriate federal agencies
(https://www.energy.gov/eere/femp/sustainable-federal-buildings) for energy conservation requirements.
Thank you for the opportunity to review the proposed project. Please send us a copy of the Final EA once it is available. If you have any questions, please contact Larry Long of the NEPA Section at (404) 562-9460, or by e-mail at long.larry@epa.gov.
Larry Long Regional Mining Expert Physical Scientist/Sr. Principle Reviewer NEPA Section 61 Forsyth Street, SW Atlanta, GA 30303 404-562-9460 404-562-9598(FAX) long.larry@epa.gov Intelligence does not always define wisdom, but adaptability to change does CONFIDENTIALITY NOTICE: This message is being sent by or on behalf of the Environmental Protection Agency. It is intended exclusively for the individual(s) or entity(s) to whom or to which it is addressed. This communication may contain information that is proprietary, privileged or confidential, or otherwise legally exempted from disclosure. If you are not the named addressee, you are not authorized to read, print, retain, copy, or disseminate this message, or any part of it. If you have received this message in error, please notify the sender immediately by email and delete all copies of the message.
Federal Register Notice:
89FR32462 Comment Number:
7 Mail Envelope Properties (SA1PR09MB7552563E4E4B19E7D0C9F3DC8EEB2)
Subject:
[External_Sender] EPA's comments for Kairos-Hermes DEA Sent Date:
5/22/2024 8:26:31 AM Received Date:
5/22/2024 8:26:41 AM From:
Long, Larry Created By:
Long.Larry@epa.gov Recipients:
"Kairos-Hermes2Environmental Resource" <Kairos-Hermes2Environmental.Resource@nrc.gov>
Tracking Status: None "Peyton Doub" <Peyton.Doub@nrc.gov>
Tracking Status: None Post Office:
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