ML24302A118
| ML24302A118 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Issue date: | 12/17/2024 |
| From: | Christopher Hanson NRC/Chairman |
| To: | Carper T, Carter B, Duncan J, Fleischmann C, Markey E, Mcmorris Rodgers C US HR, Comm on Energy & Commerce, US HR, Subcomm on Energy & Water Development, US HR, Subcomm on Energy, Climate and Grid Security, US HR, Subcomm on Environment, Manufacturing and Critical Materials, US SEN, Comm on Environment & Public Works, US SEN, Subcomm on Clean Air, Climate Change & Nuclear Safety |
| References | |
| CORR-24-0097, SRM-OGC981013 | |
| Download: ML24302A118 (1) | |
Text
UNITED STATES NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION WASHINGTON, D.C. 20555-0001 December 17, 2024 CHAIR The Honorable Edward J. Markey Chairman, Subcommittee on Clean Air, Climate, and Nuclear Safety Committee on Environment and Public Works United States Senate Washington, DC 2051 O
Dear Chairman Markey:
On behalf of the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC), I am submitting the "Semiannual Status Report on the Licensing Activities and Regulatory Duties of the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission." The enclosed report covers NRC activities from April 1, 2024, through September 30, 2024, and includes a list of rulemaking activities, their priority and schedule, and actions taken to adhere to the backfit rule, as directed in House Report 117-394 accompanying the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2023.
During this reporting period, the NRC completed work associated with several major regulatory milestones and prepared for significant new license applications.
In May 2024, the NRC accepted the TerraPower construction permit application for review.
On June 12, 2024, the NRC staff issued a letter to TerraPower outlining the estimated schedule and resources needed to complete the safety and environmental reviews for the application (ML24162A063).
On August 9, 2024, the NRC staff published a proposed rule on "Alternative Physical Security Requirements for Advanced Reactors" (ML21334A003) (89 FR 65226) for public comment.
On August 30, 2024, the NRC staff issued the final Environmental Assessment and Finding of No Significant Impact for the construction permit application for the Kairos Hermes 2 test reactors (ML24240A034). The notice of mandatory hearing for Hermes 2 was issued on September 12, 2024 (89 FR 7 4303). Subsequent to this reporting period, following a new, streamlined mandatory hearing process conducted via written documents, the Commission authorized the NRC staff on November 21, 2024, to issue the Hermes 2 construction permits (ML24324A021 and ML24324A022). Application documents and information regarding the review are available on the NRC's public website (https://www.nrc.gov/reactors/non-power/new-facility-licensing/hermes2-kairos.html).
On September 6, 2024, the NRC staff provided the Commission with the proposed rule on "Risk-Informed, Technology Inclusive Regulatory Framework for Advanced Reactors" (known as Part 53) after addressing the Commission's comments (ML24095A158).
Subsequent to this reporting period, on October 31, 2024, the proposed rule was published in the Federal Register (89 FR 86918). On November 22, 2024, in response to multiple requests, the NRC extended the comment period until February 28, 2025 (89 FR 92609).
This rulemaking is on track to be completed ahead of the 2027 deadline established in the Nuclear Energy Innovation and Modernization Act.
On September 16, 2024, the NRC issued the construction permit and associated safety evaluation for Abilene Christian University's nonpower molten salt research reactor, to be located in Abilene, TX.
On September 27, 2024, the NRC published a White Paper discussing strategies for nth-of-a-kind licensing of micro-reactors (ML24270A206).
Other Noteworthy Activities in the Past 6 Months The ADVANCE Act of 2024, which was enacted in July, offers the NRC additional tools and flexibilities to improve how the agency accomplishes its mission while preserving the NRC's role as an independent safety and security regulator. The NRC is now addressing the actions and deliverables required by the Act. The Executive Director for Operations established a dedicated Core Team with a lead executive to coordinate the agencywide efforts for implementation of the Act. The agency has also issued specific taskings for actions required by the Act or related to its implementation. Recognizing that stakeholder engagement is important in this process, the NRC created a public website (https://www.nrc.gov/about-nrc/governing-laws/advance-act. html), which includes a "Contact Us" form, and initiated a series of public meetings to inform and engage external stakeholders during its implementation of the ADVANCE Act.
From April through September 2024, the NRC held 324 public meetings to address a wide range of NRG-related topics. Also, during this time, the NRC received 540 new Freedom of Information Act requests and closed 331 such requests.
From September 16-20, 2024, an NRC delegation participated in the International Atomic Energy Agency's (IAEA) General Conference. NRC participation in the General Conference enhances engagement with IAEA leadership and communication of NRC priorities, facilitates the conclusion of bilateral cooperation agreements, and provides the opportunity for productive discussions with international regulatory counterparts. The conference included the Chair's participation in approximately 20 bilateral meetings with international head regulators and senior IAEA officials and the signing of international cooperation agreements.
The NRC continues to make progress on its strategic goal to attract, develop, and maintain a high-performing, diverse, engaged, and flexible workforce with the skills needed to carry out the NRC's mission now and in the future. Through expansion of recruitment and targeted outreach efforts to address current and anticipated vacancies, the NRC onboarded 276 new external hires in fiscal year 2024.
Lastly, during this reporting period, the NRC staff conducted 89 security inspections across the current fleet of commercial nuclear power plants and Category I fuel cycle facilities.
As detailed in the enclosed report, this included a total of 10 full-scope force-on-force inspections involving simulated attacks on the selected facilities to test the effectiveness of the licensees' physical security programs.
Please feel free to contact me or have your staff contact Eugene Dacus, Director of the Office of Congressional Affairs, at 301-415-1776, if you have any questions or need additional information.
Sincerely, Chri~opherT Hanson
Enclosures:
As stated cc: Senator Pete Ricketts
Identical letter sent to:
The Honorable Edward J. Markey Chairman, Subcommittee on Clean Air, Climate, and Nuclear Safety Committee on Environment and Public Works United States Senate Washington, DC 2051 0 cc: Senator Pete Ricketts The Honorable Thomas R. Carper Chairman, Committee on Environment and Public Works United States Senate Washington, DC 2051 0 cc: Senator Shelley Moore Capito The Honorable Cathy McMorris Rodgers Chair, Committee on Energy and Commerce United States House of Representatives Washington, DC 20515 cc: Representative Frank J. Pallone, Jr.
The Honorable Jeff Duncan Chairman, Subcommittee on Energy, Climate, and Grid Security Committee on Energy and Commerce United States House of Representatives Washington, DC 20515 cc: Representative Diana DeGette The Honorable Buddy Carter Chairman, Subcommittee on Environment, Manufacturing, and Critical Materials Committee on Energy and Commerce United States House of Representatives Washington, DC 20515 cc: Representative Paul Tonko The Honorable Chuck Fleischmann Chairman, Subcommittee on Energy and Water Development Committee on Appropriations United States House of Representatives Washington, DC 20515 cc: Representative Marcy Kaptur The Honorable Patty Murray Chair, Subcommittee on Energy and Water Development Committee on Appropriations United States Senate Washington, DC 2051 0 cc: Senator John Kennedy