ML25084A216
| ML25084A216 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Site: | 07007038 |
| Issue date: | 04/08/2025 |
| From: | Osiris Siurano-Perez NRC/NMSS/DFM/FFLB |
| To: | Lav S NRC/NMSS/DFM/FFLB |
| References | |
| EPID L-2024-NEW-0007 | |
| Download: ML25084A216 (1) | |
Text
UNITED STATES NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION WASHINGTON, D.C. 20555-0001 MEMORANDUM TO: Samantha Lav, Chief Fuel Facility Licensing Branch Division of Fuel Management Office of Nuclear Material Safety and Safeguards FROM: Osiris Siurano-Pérez, Project Manager Fuel Facility Licensing Branch Division of Fuel Management Office of Nuclear Material Safety and Safeguards
SUBJECT:
SUMMARY
OF FEBRUARY 27, 2025, PARTIALLY CLOSED MEETING WITH ORANO ENRICHMENT USA, LLC On February 27, 2025, the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) staff held a hybrid, partially closed meeting with representatives from Orano Enrichment USA, LLC (Orano), to continue discussions regarding Oranos plans for submitting an application to the NRC for a Title 10 of the Code of Federal Regulations Part 70, "Domestic Licensing of Special Nuclear Material," special nuclear materials license for of Project IKE, a uranium enrichment facility to be located in Oak Ridge, Tennessee. The purpose of the meeting was to discuss Oranos plans for submitting the environmental report in support of its application.
Docket No. 07007038 EPID No. L-2024-NEW-0007
Enclosure:
1.
Summary of partially closed meeting with Orano Enrichment USA, LLC, Plans for Submitting the Environmental Report in Support of License Application cc: Peter Vescovi, Orano USA CONTACT: Osiris Siurano-Pérez, NMSS/DFM 301-415-7827 April 8, 2025 Signed by Siurano-Perez, Osiris on 04/08/25
ML25084A216 OFFICE NMSS/DFM/FFLB NMSS/DFM/FFLB NMSS/DFM/FFLB NMSS/DFM/FFLB NMSS/DFM/FFLB NAME EAllen OSiurano-Pérez JGoodridge SLav OSiurano-Pérez DATE 03/27/25 03/27/25 04/1/25 04/8/25 04/8/25
Enclosure Summary of Partially Closed Meeting with Orano Enrichment USA, LLC Plans for Submitting the Environmental Report in Support of License Application Date and Time:
February 27, 2025, 9:50 AM - 12:00 PM Call
Participants:
U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission Jill Caverly Patrick Donohue Stacey Imboden Samantha Lav Kimyata Morgan-Butler Joseph Rudd Osiris Siurano-Pérez Diana Woodyatt Orano Enrichment USA, LLC Lionel Antognelli Brian Mekdeci Lou Quals Dave Tiktinski Peter Vescovi Summary of Discussions Open portion On February 27, 2025, the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) staff from the Office of Nuclear Material Safety and Safeguards held a partially closed meeting with representatives from Orano Enrichment USA, LLC (Orano), to continue pre-application discussions regarding submittal of a license application for Oranos Project IKE, a new uranium enrichment facility, to be located in Oak Ridge, Tennessee.
During the open portion of the meeting, Oranos representatives provided an overview of their selected site in Oak Ridge, Tennessee, and presented their plans, strategies, and methodologies for submitting the applications environmental report (ER) required pursuant to Title 10 of the Code of Federal Regulations (10 CFR) Paragraph 51.60(b). The Orano representatives discussed their plans for leveraging their Eagle Rock enrichment facility license application, an NRC previously approved but terminated license, and re-confirmed their plans for submitting a complete application by early 2026. The NRC staff also confirmed its receipt of Oranos, February 5, 2025, request (Agencywide Documents Access and Management System Accession No. ML25036A341) for an exemption from the 10 CFR 51.60(b) requirement to allow for the submittal of the ER ahead of the safety and safeguards portions of the application.
During the meeting, Oranos representatives stated that the environmental characterization of the site is well known because of the number of legacy projects, currently active projects, as well as projects currently under NRC review. To submit the ER, Orano has developed a core team of professionals from Boston Government Services, Kiewit (a construction and
2 engineering organization), the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), and United Cleanup Oak Ridge, LLC (UCOR, a partnership with Honeywell, working under contract with the DOE Oak Ridge Office of Environmental Management for deactivating and demolishing former nuclear facilities). Oranos representatives described the selected site, vicinity of landmarks, and proximity to other facilities on the Oak Ridge property.
Following Oranos presentation, Orano representatives responded to NRC staff questions. After these questions and answers (Q&A) sessions, the public was afforded an opportunity to ask questions and/or provide comments. However, no members of the public were in attendance.
Following the public participation session, the NRC staff and Orano representatives provided their closing remarks, after which, the meeting was adjourned at approximately 10:25 AM. No regulatory decisions were made during the meeting.
Closed portion During this portion of the meeting, Orano discussed, in detail, its plans and schedule for developing and submitting the ER and the remainder of their application to the NRC. In addition, they provided more specific and detailed information about the selected site in Oak Ridge, Tennessee. Information discussed, among others, included geologic characteristics, current developments, industries, and historical and cultural resources surrounding the site. In addition, Orano stated that it plans leverage knowledge and experience from the previous Eagle Rock licensing effort and efforts for proximate facilities in this area for development of its ER.
Following their presentation, a Q&A session was conducted, mainly for the NRC staff to answer Oranos questions on the development, submittal, and NRC review process for the environmental assessment. During this session, the NRC staff conducted a brief discussion on the Endangered Species Act (ESA). Under section 7 of ESA, Federal agencies can designate a non-federal representative to conduct informal consultation or prepare a biological assessment.
However, the Federal agency retains ultimate responsibility for compliance. Orano had previously expressed their interest in becoming the NRC-designated representative for this process, which the NRC has done for other applicants. The NRC staff committed to discuss and provide more information about this process later. Following the Q&A session, the meeting was adjourned at around 12:00 PM. No regulatory decisions were made during this meeting.
Action Items 1.
For Orano a.
None.
2.
For the NRC a.
Coordinate an information session with Orano to further discuss the ESA section 7 consultation process.
PRINCIPAL CONTRIBUTORS Eben Allen, NMSS/DFM Stacy Imboden, NMSS/REFS Osiris Siurano-Pérez, NMSS/DFM