SECY-19-0123, SRM-SECY-19-0123: Regulatory Options for Uranium in Situ Recovery Facilities

SRM-SECY-19-0123: Regulatory Options for Uranium in Situ Recovery Facilities

ML20296A469
Person / Time
Issue date:	10/22/2020
From:	NRC/SECY
To:
References
SECY-19-0123, VR-SECY-19-0123 SRM-SECY-0123
Download: ML20296A469 (1)

Text

UNITED STATES NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION WASHINGTON, D.C. 20555-0001 October 22, 2020 MEMORANDUM TO: Margaret M. Doane Executive Director for Operations Annette L. Digitally signed by FROM: Annette L. Vietti-Cook, Secretary Annette L. Vietti-Cook Vietti-Cook Date: 2020.10.22 13:19:47

-04'00'

SUBJECT:

STAFF REQUIREMENTS - SECY-19-0123 - REGULATORY OPTIONS FOR URANIUM IN SITU RECOVERY FACILITIES The Commission has approved the staffs recommended Option 3 to resume the in situ recovery (ISR)-specific rulemaking to provide risk-informed ISR-specific requirements that would provide increased consistency and transparency in licensing reviews between NRC and Agreement States and to clarify the applicability of existing requirements to ISR activities in 10 CFR Part 40, in particular the applicability of alternate concentration limits for ISR facilities. In light of the diminished domestic ISR activity, the rulemaking should be narrowly targeted and its costs should be included in fee relief. The Commission also agreed with staff commitments to implement SA-801A, Agreement State Participation in Rulemaking Working Groups, and consider the recommendations in the U.S. Nuclear Fuel Working Groups Report. In implementing SA-801A, the staff should maximize Agreement State representation on the rulemaking working group. The proposed rule should be provided to the Commission within nine months. The draft final rule should be provided to the Commission no later than one year after the public comment period closes for the proposed rule.

Consistent with the July 2020, Memorandum of Understanding Between the NRC and EPA Concerning the Regulation of Uranium in sItu Recovery Activities, the staff should update ISR guidance to clarify that the groundwater protection standards for ISR activities are set forth in 40 CFR Part 192, Subpart D.

cc: Chairman Svinicki Commissioner Baran Commissioner Caputo Commissioner Wright Commissioner Hanson OGC CFO OCA OPA ODs, RAs, ACRS, ASLBP (via E-Mail)

PDR