ML25136A292
| ML25136A292 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Site: | 07007033 |
| Issue date: | 05/29/2025 |
| From: | Minor A NRC/NMSS/DREFS/EPMB2 |
| To: | Robert Sun NRC/NMSS/DREFS/EPMB2 |
| References | |
| Download: ML25136A292 (1) | |
Text
R. Sun UNITED STATES NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION WASHINGTON, D.C. 20555-0001 MEMORANDUM TO:
Robert Sun, Chief Environmental Project Management Branch 2 Division of Rulemaking, Environmental, and Financial Support Office of Nuclear Material Safety and Safeguards FROM:
Amy Minor, Environmental Project Manager Environmental Project Management Branch 2 Division of Rulemaking, Environmental, and Financial Support Office of Nuclear Material Safety and Safeguards
SUBJECT:
SUMMARY
TRIP REPORT - PREAPPLICATION READINESS ACTIVITIES, SITE VISIT, AND AGENCY INFORMATION GATHERING MEETINGS FOR THE PROPOSED GLOBAL LASER ENRICHMENT, LLC PADUCAH LASER ENRICHMENT FACILITY IN MCRACKEN COUNTY, KENTUCKY (DOCKET NUMBER: 70-7033)
By letter dated December 30, 2024, Global Laser Enrichment, LLC (GLE) submitted the environmental report (ER) for construction and operation of a proposed uranium enrichment facility called the Paducah Laser Enrichment Facility in McCraken County, Kentucky (ML24365A109). The ER is part of GLEs application for a U.S. Nuclear Regulatory (NRC) license. GLE has requested that the NRC staff conduct a preapplication readiness assessment (hereinafter readiness assessment) of their ER. On April 29 and 30, 2025, the NRC staff conducted a site visit and information gathering meetings related to the staffs readiness assessment. The trip report is enclosed.
The readiness assessment is not part of the NRCs official acceptance review process for the license application. The NRC staff performed the readiness assessment to understand the level of detail of GLEs ER and to identify any major issues or information gaps. Therefore, the observations from the readiness assessment activities and site visit do not pre-determine whether the license application will be accepted and docketed.
CONTACT:
Amy Minor, NMSS/REFS (817) 200-1454 Docket No. 70-7033
Enclosure:
As stated May 29, 2025 Signed by Minor, Amy on 05/29/25
ML25136A292 (Letter)
OFFICE PM: EPMB2 LA: REFS BC: EPMB2 BC: EPMB2 PM: FFLB PM: EPMB2 NAME AMinor AWalker-Smith DDiaz-Toro RSun MBartlett AMinor DATE 5/19/2025 5/19/2025 5/23/2025 5/27/2025 5/23/2025 5/29/2025
Enclosure Global Laser Enrichments Proposed Paducah Laser Enrichment Facility in McCracken County, Kentucky - Preapplication Readiness Activities, Site Visit, and Agency Information Gathering Meetings on April 29-30, 2025 (Docket Number: 70-7033)
Summary Trip Report INTRODUCTION On April 29 and 30, 2025, staff of the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) conducted a site visit and information gathering meetings in support of the NRCs preapplication environmental readiness assessment for a proposed laser enrichment facility in McCracken County, Kentucky.
On August 19, 2024, the NRC approved Global Laser Enrichment LLCs (GLEs) request for an exemption from requirements in Title 10 of the Code of Federal Regulations (10 CFR), Sections 51.60(a), Environmental reportmaterials licenses and 70.21(h), Filing (NRC 2024). The exemption authorized submittal of the application in two parts: the ER, followed by the safety analysis report. Section 70.21(h) of 10 CFR requires that an application be accompanied by an ER (i.e., a complete application) required under 10 CFR 51, NRCs National Environmental Policy Act -implementing regulations. On December 30, 2024, the NRC received an ER from GLE for the Paducah Laser Enrichment Facility (PLEF) in McCracken County, Kentucky (GLE 2024a).
This trip report summarizes the NRC staffs interactions, site visit, and other information gathering meetings in support of the preapplication readiness assessment. This included a meeting with GLE and their contractors; a site tour of the PLEF and surrounding areas; and meetings with other agencies and local governments in the region. To begin each of the agency and local government meetings, the NRC staff provided an overview of the NRCs environmental review process for the proposed PLEF to meeting attendees. The meetings were then opened for discussion and questions.
MEETING SUMMARIES Date: Tuesday, April 29, 2025 Local Government: McCracken County Judge Executive Meeting Location: 300 Clarence Gaines St, Paducah, KY 42003 Attendees: Craig Clymer, Judge Executive, and Steve Doolittle, Deputy Judge Executive NRC Attendees: Amy Minor, Diana Diaz-Toro, Patrick Donohue, and Briana Arlene After the NRC staff provided a brief overview of the NRC environmental review process, Judge Clymer mentioned that there have been historical health and safety concerns in the area associated with the U.S. Department of Energys (DOE) Paducah Gaseous Diffusion Plant (PGDP); however, the community has had a nuclear industry presence in the area since the 1950s and is supportive of proposed nuclear projects. Judge Clymer explained that the community in general is supportive of the recent Resolution Supporting Nuclear Ready Community that the Paducah Board of Commissioners approved (City of Paducah, 2024). The
2 county has interacted with the Energy Communities Alliance, a non-profit organization that supports community reutilization efforts. He also indicated that other industries in the county include a large medical community. Deputy Judge Executive Doolittle discussed county permits and zoning associated with the proposed PLEF, his experience with the PGDP, and the former Tennessee Valley Authority Shawnee Power Plant, which is approximately 6.4 kilometers (4 miles) north of the proposed PLEF site.
Date: Tuesday, April 29, 2025 Local Government: Greater Paducah Economic Development Meeting Location: 300 S 3rd St, Paducah, KY 42003 Attendee: Bruce Wilcox NRC Attendees: Amy Minor, Diana Diaz-Toro, Patrick Donohue, and Briana Arlene After the NRC staff provided a brief overview of the NRC environmental review process,Mr. Bruce Wilcox discussed the land swap that occurred between GLE and the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife which he, as a member of the Paducah Industrial Development Authority, facilitated and the economic studies conducted for the GLE PLEF. He noted the anticipated positive economic impact that the proposed PLEF would bring to the region as well as the creation of local jobs, and the potential benefit of reducing the amount of waste at the PGDP. Mr. Wilcox also discussed several networks that could offer support to nuclear projects including the University of Kentucky College of Engineering, the Paducah Innovation Hub, and the Kentucky Nuclear Development Workgroup. He also provided the NRC staff links to several websites that may be helpful during NRCs environmental review including the Paducah Convention and Visitors Bureau, and the Kentucky Cabinet for Economic Development. He suggested the NRC staff could reach out to the Citizens Advisory Board of the PGDP for local contacts.
Date: Wednesday, April 30, 2025 Agency: Paducah Area Chamber of Commerce Meeting Location: 300 S 3rd St, Paducah, KY 42003 Attendees: Sandra Wilson, President and CEO of Paducah Chamber of Commerce, and City Commissioner; and Maegan Mansfield, Civil Engineer at Bacon Farmer Workman/Marcum and a Member of Paducah Chamber of Commerce NRC Attendees: Amy Minor, Diana Diaz-Toro, Patrick Donohue, and Briana Arlene After the NRC staff provided a brief overview of the NRC environmental review process, Ms. Sandra Wilson shared that she has not received negative feedback from the community or local officials or other chamber members. They see new jobs as an anticipated benefit from the proposed PLEF. Ms. Wilson discussed reindustrialization efforts in Paducah. The Chamber has interacted with the Energy Communities Alliance, a non-profit organization that supports community reutilization efforts. The Paducah Chamber of Commerce received a DOE grant to study reindustrialization in Paducah. The chamber hired Bacon Farmer Workman/Marcum to conduct the study. Ms. Maegan Mansfield provided details about the scope of the study and its
3 four pillars: land transfers, infrastructure evaluation, workforce, and economic development. She stated that the study may be publicly available in the future.
Date: Wednesday, April 30, 2025 Local Government: City of Paducah, Mayors Office Meeting Location: 300 S 5th St, Paducah, KY 42002 Attendee: Mayor George Bray NRC Attendees: Amy Minor, Diana Diaz-Toro, Patrick Donohue, and Briana Arlene After the NRC staff provided a brief overview of the NRC environmental review process, Mayor George Bray commented that the community is well-positioned for nuclear projects like the GLE PLEF. He discussed local industries including maritime and shipping companies. He also discussed the potential stress that large projects could have on housing. He discussed the Paducah Area Community Reuse Organization and the five counties that are involved in job creation and regional development to mitigate the closure of the PGDP. The mayor has interacted with the Energy Communities Alliance, a non-profit organization that supports community reutilization efforts.
4 INFORMATION GATHERING AND SITE TOUR OF THE PROPOSED PADUCAH LASER ENRICHMENT FACILITY AND SURROUNDING AREAS Meeting Location: Bacon Farmer Workman/Marcum (BFW) Engineering and Consulting, 2301 McCracken Blvd, Paducah, KY 42001 NRC Attendees: Amy Minor, Diana Diaz-Toro, Patrick Donohue, and Briana Arlene Additional Attendees: Steve Long, GLE CEO; Scott Steuer, GLE Director of Projects; Tim Knowles, GLE Licensing & Regulatory Affairs Manager; Daniel Jelinek, DeMase Environmental Director; Guy Scott, GLE Project Manager; Chris Dean Boston Government Services, LLC, Project Manager; Vinnie Tremante, Burns & McDonnell Senior Environmental Scientist; Brian Jelke, Burns & McDonnell Project Manager, Engineer; Josiah Maine, Burns & McDonnell Ecologist; Susannah Campbell, BFW Project Manager; and Chris Matthews BFW Geotechnical Engineer Date: Tuesday, April 29, 2025 After introductions, GLE staff and their contractors gave a presentation responding to general topics of interest to the NRC staff ahead of the site tour to the proposed PLEF site. GLE provided a map with designated stops on and around the PLEF site to guide the tour. The following is a summary of observations collected by the staff during the site tour and reconnaissance.
The first stop was at the southwest corner of the PLEF site. From this location, the MW-103 cluster of groundwater monitoring wells were visible in front of dense forested areas. An overhead power line corridor paralleled Woodville Road. An electrical substation was visible on the south side of Woodville Road. The entrance to the DOE PGDP) was visible to the north on Hobbs Road. GLE representatives clarified that DOE owns the Hobbs Road right-of-way. The group also discussed the historical and cultural survey conducted for the proposed PLEF.
Figure 1. Looking northeast from the northeast corner of Dyke Road and Hobbs Road toward the proposed PLEF
5 The second stop was at Magruder Road north of Woodville Road, approximately the southeast corner of the PLEF site. An agricultural field surrounded by wooded areas was present on the PLEF site. This location had been the laydown yard for site exploration soil boring and well drilling activities.
Figure 2. Looking west across the proposed PLEF at a winter wheat field located northwest of Woodville Road and Magruder Road The third stop was at the intersection of Woodville Road and Kelley Road. The land to the west of Kelley Road is owned by GLE but is not part of the PLEF site. The MW-104 cluster of groundwater monitoring wells were observed at this location. An agricultural field surrounded by wooded areas was present on the GLE property. GLE leases the fields, and the agricultural activities on the GLE property outside of the PLEF site will continue during the proposed action.
Figure 3. Photograph is looking northwest at a field on the GLE owned property located northwest of Kelly Road and Woodville Road The fourth stop was at State Road 1030 (ST-1030) and Dyke Road along the northern most boundary of the PLEF site, after driving north on Kelley Road to access ST-1030. Dyke Road is owned by the DOE and is not a public road. The MW-101 cluster of groundwater monitoring wells was observed at this location. ST-1030 is a gravel road that cuts through the northeast corner of the PLEF site through thick woods. ST-1030 crosses Little Bayou Creek where ponded, but not flowing, water was
6 observed. Dead ash trees were seen on ST-1030 that could provide habitat for the tri-colored bat.
The fifth stop was on Dyke Road near where a proposed access road would be located to access the PGDP depleted uranium hexafluoride cylinders. The proposed access road would be within the DOE site and cut across a wide overhead electrical power line corridor. The PGDP depleted uranium hexafluoride cylinders could be seen from this location.
The sixth stop was at the PGDP facility, west of the depleted uranium hexafluoride cylinder yard. Large industrial buildings could be seen north of the cylinder yard.
During the afternoon of April 29, 2025, the NRC and GLE staff and their contractors returned to BFW to discuss NRC staffs observations on their December 2024 ER. The NRC staff emphasized to GLE and its contractors the need to include any and all new information and clarifications that were provided during the meeting as updates to the ER or in responses to NRC staffs observations on their ER so that the information is publicly available and can be used as part of the analysis in the NRCs environmental impact statement. There were clarifying discussions about the following topics:
GLE staff provided additional information about the proposed action schedule, which NRC staff will use to evaluate the temporal scope of potential impacts.
The GLE staff confirmed the references for inactive weblinks, figure titles, and cited documents in the ER.
The NRC staff asked GLE to clarify the anticipated offsite noise levels from construction activities, including from all potential sources.
The NRC staff asked GLE about the changes in recreation opportunities due to GLE acquiring a portion of the former West Kentucky Wildlife Management Area.
NRC staff and GLE discussed whether GLE intends to engage in pre-licensing site preparation activities that do not have a radiological nexus.
GLE discussed additional information about the differences between GLEs baseline sampling constituents and GLEs proposed environmental monitoring constituents.
NRC and GLE staff discussed potential permits and certifications associated with the Clean Water Act Sections 401 and 404. The NRC staff clarified that an NRC licensing decision cannot be made if a 401 water quality certification is required but not issued.
GLE will continue to keep NRC staff informed as to the status of 401 and 404 permits.
GLE informed NRC staff that GLE submitted additional information on the results of geotechnical studies and groundwater monitoring (GLE, 2024b). NRC staff will review this information and provide additional observations, if necessary.
GLE discussed the findings of the historical and cultural survey and their interactions with the Kentucky Heritage Council.
Date: Wednesday, April 30, 2025 During the morning of April 30, 2025, the NRC and GLE staff and their contractors completed discussing NRC staffs ER observations about the following topics:
Air quality analyses: GLE provided additional clarification about the estimated air emissions and air permits they will obtain for construction and operation of the proposed PLEF.
Potential health effects to workers and the public, including mitigation measures, which will also be documented in the license application.
7 A continuation of the geotechnical and groundwater monitoring discussion.
Endangered Species Act Section 7 informal consultation with U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
NRC staff asked GLE about estimated property taxes.
NRC staff asked GLE about mitigation measures and to clarify which measures they plan to implement during the project.
NRC and GLE staff discussed other environmental reviews conducted for the DOE PGDP and their potential relevance to the proposed PLEF.
Cross-referencing and relevant interactions between the ER and the license application.
Table 1 identifies the staff members who participated in the site visit and information gathering meetings.
Table 1. NRC Participants in Preapplication GLE PLEF Site Visit and Information Gathering Meetings, April 29-30, 2025 Staff Member and Title Amy Minor, Environmental Project Manager Diana Diaz-Toro, Environmental Project Manager Patrick Donohue, Environmental Project Manager Briana Arlene, Ecologist REFERENCES City of Paducah. 2024. City Commission Meeting Highlights - January 23, 2024.
<https://www.paducahky.gov/news/city-commission-meeting-highlights-january-23-2024>
(Accessed 15 May 2025)
Global Laser Enrichment LLC (GLE). 2024a. Global Laser Enrichment, LLC Environmental Report Submittal. Wilmington, NC. ADAMS ML24365A109.
GLE 2024b. Supplement to GLE Paducah Laser Enrichment Facility (PLEF) Environmental Report (ER), Appendix E, Subsurface Investigation in GLE Study Area Seasonal Variation Wilmington, NC. ADAMS ML25097A174.
U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC). 2024. Approval of Global Laser Enrichment, LLC Exemption Request for Submittal of the Environmental Report in Advance of the Safety and Safeguards Analysis Report for Paducah Laser Enrichment Facility. Washington, DC. ADAMS ML24184B970.