NRC-2021-0193, Written Statement from the City of Oak Ridge Tennessee for the October 19, 2023 Evidentiary Hearing for the Kairos Power, LLC, Hermes Test Reactor Construction Permit Application

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Written Statement from the City of Oak Ridge Tennessee for the October 19, 2023 Evidentiary Hearing for the Kairos Power, LLC, Hermes Test Reactor Construction Permit Application
ML23268A361
Person / Time
Site: Hermes
Issue date: 09/22/2023
From: Hetrick M
City of Oak Ridge, TN
To:
NRC/SECY
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ML23268A359 List:
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NRC-2021-0193
Download: ML23268A361 (1)
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From: Hetrick, MacKenzie To: Docket, Hearing Cc: Wesley Held; Fitzgerald, Amy; Suggs, Jack

Subject:

[External_Sender] Statement for NRS"s Kairos Hearing Date: Friday, September 22, 2023 5:14:19 PM Attachments: image001.png Evidentiary Hearing Letter.pdf Good afternoon, Please find attached a letter signed by Interim City Manager, Jack Suggs regarding comments for the October 19th Hearing.

Thank you, MacKenzie Hetrick City Managers Office/ Executive Associate l City of Oak Ridge P (865) 425-3550 l E mahetrick@oakridgetn.gov

@CityofOakRidge l oakridgetn.gov

Office Of the City Manager (865)425-3550 Oak Ridge TENNESSEE September 21, 2023 VIA E-maii: hearingdocket@nrc.gov

SUBJECT:

OCTOBER 19, 2023 EVIDENTIARY HEARING ON THE CONSTRUCTION PERMIT APPLICATION FOR THE PROPOSED KAIROS HERMES TEST REACTOR IN OAK RIDGE,TENNESSEE

Dear Sir/Madam:

I am writing pursuant to the Federal Register Notice dated August 29, 2023, regarding the subject document. Please accept this letter and the attached comments relative to the October 19, 2023, evidentiary hearing.

It is my understanding that verbal comments will not be received except from the applicant and your staff. For that reason 1 have attached written comments regarding the City's position.

Thank you for your consideration of this request and please confirm receipt.

Sincerely yours.

Jack Suggs Interim City Manager Attachment Post Office Box 1 1 Oak Ridge,Tennessee 37831-0001

Oak Ri dg e I 1 N N I V S 1 I STATEMENT FOR THE NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION EVIDENTIARY HEARING ON THE CONSTRUCTION PERMIT APPLICATION FOR THE PROPOSED KAIROS HERMES TEST REACTOR IN OAK RIDGE,TENNESSEE Docket No. 50-7513; NRC-2021-0193 JACK SUGGS INTERIM CITY MANAGER CITY OF OAK RIDGE,TENNESSEE OCTOBER 19, 2023 Good morning. My name is Jack Suggs, Interim City Manager, for the City of Oak Ridge, Tennessee. I appreciate the opportunity to address the Commission with a brief statement on behalf of the City of Oak Ridge. The site selected by Kairos for their proposed demonstration project is located within our municipal corporate limits.

Former City Manager, Mark Watson, who transmitted previous communications to the NRC on the Kairos project, retired in May 2023 after serving almost thirteen years (13) as City Manager.

The Oak Ridge City Council recently completed an executive search, and hired a new City Manager who will report to work on November 1, 2023.

I have served more than thirty years as the Electric Director for the City of Oak Ridge. In that capacity, I have met with numerous companies whose work involves nuclear-related research and development, and reviewed dozens of potential projects, including the proposed Kairos Hermes Test Reactor project.

From the outset, while Kairos was working with the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) on pre-application activities and technical documentation, company employees worked on a parallel track, engaging with City of Oak Ridge officials, performing their due diligence on initial site characterization and zoning and permit issues.

As the result of this interaction, the City's Planning and Development Department received an application for a temporary use permit to conduct site activities in December 2020. In addition, the Department issued a letter on February 1, 2022, verifying the zoning for the proposed Hermes Test Reactor Project as IND-2. This Industrial District zoning designation includes uses within the major group 332 of the North American Industrial Classification System, or NAICS.

The 2022 NAICS code classifies "Nuclear Reactors Manufacturing" under code 332410, meaning that the manufacture of nuclear reactors, without power generation, is permitted at the subject property.

1 will not repeat comments previously transmitted by city representatives to the NRC, but respectfully request full consideration of those comments. The City welcomes and supports Kairos Power to our community and will continue working with the company on this innovative Page 2 i 3

Oak Ri dg e 1 I N N I SiI(

project to help achieve long-term success. Based on the current scope and documentation, the City believes the construction of the facility will not endanger the health and safety of the public, and that the applicant is technically and financially qualified to engage in the proposed activities.

In closing, I would like to thank the NRC staff, who have conducted significant outreach to City officials since the project's inception. These staff members have provided several important educational and outreach meetings for our elected and administrative officials in and around Oak Ridge. Their communications and assistance have been valuable and are appreciated.

Thank you for your time and attention.

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