View source for CNL-24-028, Response to Request for Additional Information Regarding Watts Bar Nuclear Plant, Units 1 and 2, Exemption from Enhanced Weapons, Firearms Background Checks, and Security Event Notifications Implementation

{{Adams
| number = ML24074A182
| issue date = 03/14/2024
| title = Response to Request for Additional Information Regarding Watts Bar Nuclear Plant, Units 1 and 2, Exemption from Enhanced Weapons, Firearms Background Checks, and Security Event Notifications Implementation
| author name = Hulvey K
| author affiliation = Tennessee Valley Authority
| addressee name = 
| addressee affiliation = NRC/NMSS, NRC/NRR, NRC/Document Control Desk
| docket = 05000390, 05000391, 07201048
| license number = NPF-090, NPF-096
| contact person = 
| case reference number = CNL-24-028, EPID L-2023-LLE-0087
| document type = Letter type:CNL, Response to Request for Additional Information (RAI)
| page count = 1
| project = EPID:L-2023-LLE-0087
| stage = Response to RAI
}}

=Text=
{{#Wiki_filter:1101 Market Street, Chattanooga, Tennessee 37402

CNL-24-028

March 14, 2024

10 CFR 73.5

ATTN:  Document Control Desk U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission Washington, D.C. 20555-0001

Watts Bar Nuclear Plant, Units 1 and 2 Facility Operating License Nos. NPF-90 and NPF-96 NRC Docket Nos. 50-390, 50-391 and 72-1048

==Subject:==
Response to Request for Additional Information Regarding Watts Bar Nuclear Plant, Units 1 and 2, Exemption from Enhanced Weapons, Firearms Background Checks, and Security Event Notifications Implementation (EPID L-2023-LLE-0087)

==References:==
: 1.                     TVA Letter to NRC, CNL-23-069, Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) -
Watts Bar Nuclear Plant Request for Exemption from Enhanced Weapons, Firearms Background Checks, and Security Event Notifications Implementation, dated December 21, 2023 (ML23355A208)
: 2.                     NRC electronic mail to TVA, Request for Additional Information Related to the Exemption Request for the 10 CFR Part 73 Enhanced Weapons Rule (EPID L-2023-LLE-0087), dated February 14, 2024 (ML24045A031)

In Reference 1, Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) submitted a request for exemption       from the specific requirements in Title 10 of the Code of Federal Regulations                                                                                                                   (10 CFR) Part 73, Subpart T, Security Notifications, Reports, and Recordkeeping, 10 CFR 73.1200(a) through 10 CFR 73.1200(t), Notification of physical security events, 10 CFR 73.1205(a)(1) through 10 CFR 73.1205(e), Written follow-up reports of physical security events, 10 CFR 73.1210(a)(1) through10 CFR 73.1210(h), Recordkeeping of physical security events, and 10 CFR 73.1215(a) through 10 CFR 73.1215(f), Suspicious activity reports.

In Reference 2, the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) issued a request for additional information (RAI) and requested that TVA respond no later than March 15, 2024     . As part of the Reference 2 RAI, the NRC provided TVA the option of revising the Reference 1 exemption U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission CNL-24-028 Page 2 March 14, 2024

request. Therefore, Enclosure 1 to this letter provides the TVA response to the RAI and  provides the revised  TVA Watts Bar Nuclear Plant Request for Exemption from Enhanced Weapons, Firearms Background Checks, and Security Event Notifications Implementation. Enclosure 2 replaces the Reference 1 exemption request in its entirety and includes revision bars to facilitate review of the changes.

There are no new regulatory commitments in this letter. Please address any questions regarding this submittal to Stuart L. Rymer, Senior Manager, Fleet Licensing, at slrymer@tva.gov.

Respectfully,

Kimberly D. Hulvey Director, Nuclear Regulatory Affairs

==Enclosures:==
: 1. TVA Response to Request for Additional Information Related to the Exemption Request for the 10 CFR Part 73 Enhanced Weapons Rule
: 2. Revised TVA Watts Bar Nuclear Plant Request for Exemption from Enhanced Weapons, Firearms Background Checks, and Security Event Notifications Implementation

cc:

NRC Regional Administrator - Region II NRC Senior Resident Inspector - Watts Bar Nuclear Plant NRC Project Manager - Watts Bar Nuclear Plant Enclosure 1

TVA Response to Request for Additional Information Related to the Exemption Request for the 10 CFR Part 73 Enhanced Weapons Rule

CNL-24-028 Enclosure 1

===
Background===

By {{letter dated|date=December 21, 2023|text=letter dated December 21, 2023}},  Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) requested an exemption for the Watts Bar Nuclear Plant, Units 1 and 2, and the independent spent fuel storage installation (ML23355A208). In particular, TVA requested an exemption from using the definitions for Contraband and Time of Disco very, until the implementation date of rulemaking to disposition the underlying technical issues for these definitions.

Technical Basis for Request

In the exemption request, TVA stated that the new definition f  or Time of Discovery expands the pool of personnel previously used by licensees to determine T=0 for an event, and that because of this, TVA will be required to expand its current security programs to incorporate expanded and revised training modules for general plant employees and implementation of the expanded training across a broad spectrum of personnel at the station. TVA also expressed a desire to not have to train personnel twice -- once to come into compliance with its own interpretation of the final rule (without the benefit of the additional guidance being developed by NRC), and again once the additional guidance is issued. However, TVA did not provide an estimated timeframe for how long it would take to complete the revisions to its security programs and complete the training (e.g., 300 days after publication of final regulatory guidance). Additionally, the TVA exemption request for Time of Discovery was tied to a future rulemaking that may not include a change for this term.

Request

Provide additional justification for delaying im plementation of the definition for Time of Discovery until the implementation date of a potential rule revising certain provisions in the current 10 CFR Part 73. Include information regarding the expected time needed to revise the security programs, procedures, and training for personnel in order to support TVAs requested duration for the exemption. Additionally, explain why TVA cannot comply with the definition for Time of Discovery until the 10 CFR Part 73 rule is revised. As an alternative, TVA may revise its exemption request relative to implementation date for the definition of Time of Discovery.

TVA Response to RAI

As a result of the Nuclear Regulatory Commission request for additional information, TVA has elected to revise the Watts Bar Nuclear Plant (WBN) exemption request relative to the implementation date for the term Time of Discovery. The revised WBN request proposes exemption from the definition of the term "Time of Discovery" as recently added to 10 CFR 73.2 until December 31, 2024, or 300 days after publication of the applicable Regulatory Guides, whichever is later. WBN will continue to apply the definition of the term "Time of Discovery" as provided in Regulatory Guide 5.76, Revision 1, "Physical Protection Programs at Nuclear Power Reactors," and in the WBN physical security programs, procedures, and training for personnel until that time. The remainder of the exemption request remains unchanged.

The revised WBN exemption request from Enhanced Weapons, Firearms Background Checks, and Security Event Notifications Implementation is provided in Enclosure 2.

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Revised TVA Watts Bar Nuclear Plant Request for Exemption from Enhanced Weapons, Firearms Background Checks, and Security Event Notifications Implementation

CNL-24-028 Enclosure 2

Revised TVA Watts Bar Nuclear Plant Request for Exemption from Enhanced Weapons, Firearms Background Checks, and Security Event Notifications Implementation

BACKGROUND

On March 14, 2023, the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) issued a Final Rule entitled Enhanced Weapons, Firearms Background Checks, and Security Event Notifications. 1  This final rule became effective April 13, 2023, with a compliance date of January 8, 2024. The final rule contains several new elements such as:
New terminology and associated requirements covering conditions adverse to security New definitions of the terms contraband and time of discovery in 10 CFR 73.2 New point of contact requirements with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA)
Changes reporting requirements applicable to security events from:
o                                        1-hour notifications and 24-hour recording of security events, to 1-hour, 4-hour, 8-hour notifications and 24-hour recording of security events.
o                                        Codifies the accelerated call to the NRC from NRC Bulletin 2005-02 to a new 15-minute notification.

Concurrently with the publication of the final rule, the NRC issued the following Regulatory Guides to support the implementation requirements set forth in the final rule:
5.62, Physical Security Event Notifications, Reports, and Records, Revision 2 5.86, Preemption Authority, Enhanced Weapons Authority, and Firearms Background Checks, Revision 0 5.87, Suspicious Activity Reports Under 10 CFR Part 73, Revision 0

During the May and August 2023, public workshops, the NRC recognized there are ambiguities and inconsistencies contained by the final rule language and associated guidance. The discussed revision date for clarifying guidance publication was April 2024, which is 3 months after the compliance date of January 8, 2024. Additionally, the NRC recognized the need for rulemaking to address the issues with the final rule language.

On December 5, 2023, NRC issued Enforcement Guidance Memorandum (EGM) 23-001 (Reference 2), Interim Guidance for Dispositioning Violations Associated with the Enhanced Weapons, Firearms Background Checks, and Security Event Notification Rule. As discussed in the EGM, following publication of the rule in March 2023 and subsequent public workshops, rule language was identified that created implementation challenges. It was also identified that aspects of the regulatory guidance associated with the rule warranted clarification. Based on the implementation challenges created by the above issues, it was noted that additional time might be needed for licensees to implement the rule and that exemption requests would be pursued for the rule compliance date.

Accordingly, Watts Bar Nuclear Plant (WBN) is requesting an exemption from the specific requirements in 10 CFR Part 73, Subpart T, "Security Notifications, Reports, and Recordkeeping," 10 CFR 73.1200(a) through 10 CFR 73.1200(t), "Notification of physical security events," 10 CFR 73.1205(a)(1) through 10 CFR 73.1205(e), "Written follow-up reports of physical security events," 10 CFR 73.1210(a)(1) through10 CFR 73.1210(h), "Recordkeeping of physical security events," and 10 CFR 73.1215(a) through 10 CFR 73.1215(f), "Suspicious

1 Enhanced Weapons, Firearms Background Checks, and Security Event Notifications; Final rule and guidance, 88 Fed. Reg. 15864 (March 14, 2023).

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activity reports," until December 31, 2024, or 300 days after publication of the final Regulatory Guides, whichever is later.

WBN is requesting a new compliance date of December 31, 2024, or 300 days after publication of final Regulatory Guides, whichever is later. The 300-day period is consistent with the initial implementation period associated with the March 2023 publication of the rule and guidance documents. The 300-day period also provides adequate time for TVA to revise the corresponding procedures and implement the c hange management process, including training per the established training cycles, once the NRC publishes the revised Regulatory Guides.

WBN is requesting an exemption from using the definition of the term "Time of Discovery" as recently added to 10 CFR 73.2 until December 31, 2024, or 300 days after publication of the applicable Regulatory Guides, whichever is later. WBN will continue to apply the definition of the term "Time of Discovery" in Regulatory Guide 5.76, Revision 1, "Physical Protection Programs at Nuclear Power Reactors," and in the WBN physical security programs, procedures, and training until that time.

WBN is requesting an exemption from using the definition for the term Contraband, as recently added to 10 CFR 73.2, Definitions, until the implementation date of rulemaking to disposition the underlying technical issues with this definition. WBN will continue to apply the definition of the term Contraband in Regulatory Guide 5.76, Revision 1, Physical Protection Programs at Nuclear Power Reactors, and in the WBN physical security plans and procedures.

WBN is not requesting an extension to the compliance date for specific requirements in Title 10 of the Code of Federal Regulations                                                                                                                                                                      (10 CFR) Part 73, Subpart B, Enhanced Weapons, Preemption, and Firearms Background Checks, described in 10 CFR 73.15, Authorization for Use of Enhanced Weapons and Preemption of Firearms Laws, and 10 CFR 73.17, Firearm Background Checks for Armed Security Personnel, as these requirements are not applicable to WBN.

Basis for Exemption Request

10 CFR 73.5 allows the Commission to grant exemptions from the requirements of Part 73 as it determines are authorized by law and will not endanger life or property or the common defense and security and are otherwise in the public interest. As explained below, this exemption request meets the criteria provided in section 73.5.

WBN has identified several issues in the final rule and the supporting Regulatory Guides that require clarification from the NRC in order for WBN to successfully implement the requirements.
As mentioned above, the NRC is currently devel oping a resolution for code language issues and addressing guidance revisions. The NRC plans to  issue additional guidance in April 2024, three months after the compliance date of January 8, 2024. Without additional guidance and the approval of this exemption, it is likely that WBN would need to make changes to its physical security plans and processes twice - once to come into compliance with its own interpretation of the final rule (without the benefit of the  additional guidance being developed by NRC), and again once the additional guidance is issued. The ambi  guity and conflict created by the final rule language and existing guidance, which is described below, could result in unnecessary confusion and distraction that detract from the current high level of assurance provided by WBNs existing physical security program. Thus, implementation of the final rule prior to issuance of additional clarifying guidance, at a minimum, is not in the best interest of the public.
The following are several issues that have been identified as examples:

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: 1.                     CONDITIONS ADVERSE TO SECURITY

The introduction of the term conditions adverse to security within 10 CFR 73.1210 is undefined, and ambiguous. WBN has established, as required, a formal Corrective Action Program in accordance with 10 CFR Part 50 Appendix B, Criterion XVI. Nuclear Energy Institute (NEI) 16-07, Improving the Effectiveness of Issue Resolution to Enhance Safety and Efficiency, provided recommended approaches to the industry to enhance corrective actions, and facilitate a better organizational focus on conditions affecting safety and reliability. As a result, WBN has developed procedures/processes to determine conditions adverse to quality as it relates to the security organization.
Procedure NPG-SPP-22.300, Corrective Action Program, defines specific events, situations or occurrences that result in a condition adverse to quality.
Security-related items are included.

Given the robust nature of the Corrective Action Program, the additional duplication of procedures and/or revision of procedures to accommodate a new term is unnecessary, adds burden, and provides no increased value, safety margin or improvements to security programs or the Corrective Action Program.
: 2.                     DEFINITIONS IN 10 CFR 73.2

New definitions in &sect; 73.2 expand existing definit ions provided in NRC endorsed, NEI 03-12, Template for the Security Plan, Training and Q ualification Plan, Safeguards Contingency Plan, and Independent Spent Fuel Storage Installation Security Program, Revision 7 and RG 5.76, Physical Protection Programs at Nuclear Power Reactors. WBN has used the existing definitions to design its Security Plan and associated programs and procedures. Examples of the issues include:

Contraband: Specifically, the exempli gratia                                                                              or e.g. parenthetical describing other dangerous materials as specifically including disease causing agents requires licensees to protect against circumstances beyond the current Design Basis Threat (DBT) as described in 10 CFR 73.1. The application of this expanded definition will require changes to WBNs methods of compliance with the requirements of 10 CFR 73.55(g)(1)(ii)(B). Paragraphs (g)(1)(ii)(B) requires (emphasis added):

  &sect; 73.55(g) Access controls.

(1) Consistent with the function of each barrier or barrier system, the licensee shall control personnel, vehicle, and material access, as applicable, at each access control point in accordance with the physical protection program design requirements of &sect; 73.55(b).

(ii) Where vehicle barriers are established, the licensee shall:
(B) Search vehicles and materials for contraband or other items which could be used to commit radiological sabotage in accordance with paragraph (h) of this section.

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  &sect; 73.55(h) Search programs.

(1)      The objective of the search program is to detect, deter, and prevent the introduction of firearms, explosives, incendiary devices, or other items which could be used to commit radiological sabotage.                                                                                                                                                                                                    To accomplish this the licensee shall search individuals, vehicles, and materials consistent with the physical protection program design requirements in paragraph (b) of this section, and the function to be performed at each access control point or portal before granting access.

(2)      Owner controlled area searches.

(iv) Vehicle searches must be accomplished through the use of equipment capable of detecting firearms, explosives, incendiary devices, or other items which could be used to commit radiological sabotage, or through visual and physical searches, or both, to ensure that all items are identified before granting access.

(3) Protected area searches. Licensees  shall search all personnel, vehicles and materials requesting access to protected areas.

(i) The search for firearms, explosives, incendiary devices, or other items which could be used to commit radiological sabotage shall be accomplished through the use of equipment capable of detecting these items, or through visual and physical searches, or both, to ensure that all items are clearly identified before granting access to protected areas. The licensee shall subject all persons except official Federal, state, and local law enforcement personnel on official duty to these searches upon entry to the protected area. Armed security officers who are on duty and have exited the protected area may re-enter the protected area without being searched for firearms.

&sect; 73.55(g) uses the term contraband, while &sect; 73.55(h) uses terminology consistent with that found in the definition of contraband in NEI 03-12 (and RG 5.76). The specific inclusion of disease causing agents in the new regulatory definition of contraband will require WBN to modify its programs and procedures describing the methods of compliance with paragraph
&sect; 73.55(g). WBN understands that the NRC is looking  at potential resolutions for this issue, but until rulemaking occurs, WBN is unable to come into compliance with this requirement as written without making significant changes to its physical security program.

Time of Discovery:  Specifically, the term cognizant individual and is considered anyone who, by position, experience, and/or training, is expected to understand that a particular condition or event adversely impacts security.
Currently, security plans incorporate the definition for Time of Discovery, that is found in NEI 03-12 and RG 5.76, being a supervisor or manager makes a determination that a verified degradation of a security safeguards measure or a contingency situation exists, to establish T=0 for a security related event.

The new definition expands the pool of personnel previously used by licensees to determine T=0 for an event, due to the undefined nature of position, experience, and/or training.
Additionally, the broader nature and lower threshold for recognition of something that simply adversely impacts security, versus recognition of verified degradation of a security safeguards

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measure or a contingency situation contributes to the expansion of pool of personnel. WBN is confident, the definition of the term in NEI 03-12 and RG 5.76, is the appropriate threshold for T=0 for security related events. The application of this expanded definition will require WBN to expand current security programs to incorporate the expanded and revised training modules onsite for general plant employees, (potentially with INPO and the NANTeL course they facilitate), and the responsibility for implementation of the expanded training across a broad spectrum of personnel at the station.
: 3.                     FEDERAL AVIATION ADMINISTRATION (FAA) LOCAL CONTROL TOWER POINT OF CONTACT

10 CFR 73.1215 establishes reporting requirements for suspicious activities involving aircraft to a licensees FAA local control tower. Specifically, licensees are required to:

Establish a point of contact with their local FAA control tower, and Document the point of contact in written communication procedures.

The code language is very specific in regard to establishing a point of contact with the local control tower. Based on current documentation, WBN has direction to contact FAA points of contact other than a local control tower depending on the day and time of day.

The requirement of establishing and documenting a FAA local control tower point of contact does not add additional safety margin to the protection or operation of WBN and adds difficulty for compliance due to the lack of participation from our local control tower.
: 4. REGULATORY GUIDES

Examples of clarification needed in the supporting Regulatory Guide 5.62, Revision 2, Physical Security Event Notifications, Reports, and Records include:

4-hour vs. 15-minute notification requirement:
                                                                &sect; 73.1200(e)(1)(iii) and (iv) requires a 4-hour notification for contraband attempted or actual introduction of contraband into a Protected Area (PA),
Vital Area (VA), or Material Access Area (MAA).
o                              The definition of contraband contains the term incendiaries.
                                                                &sect; 73.1200(a) required a 15-minute notification for hostile actions.
o                              RG 5.62, Rev 2, Section 7.1, page 24, provides examples of hostile actions:
(4) The discovery of unauthorized explosive materials, incendiary materials, or an improvised explosive device within the licensees site boundary.
The code language requires a 4-hour notification for an incendiary device at or inside the PA, VA, or MAA. The regulatory guide drives licensee to a 15-minute notification for an incendiary device at the site boundary, which is further away from safety related equipment.

The notification conflict the regulatory guide introduced between a 15-minute and 4-hour notification is burdensome, confusing, and makes the consistency and success for this notification unpredictable. Station personnel routinely reference published Regulatory

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Guides and other guidance documents, as a best practice, when implementing station procedures to support the accuracy of determination of notification events.

The inconsistency created by RG 5.62 unnecessarily creates the potential for confusion and human performance error.

4-hour notification vs. 24-hour recording of lost or uncontrolled weapon:
                                                                &sect; 73.1200(e)(1)(v) requires a 4-hour notification for a lost or uncontrolled weapon.
                                                                &sect; 73.1210(f) requires recording within 24-hours physical security events or conditions that decreases the effectiveness of the physical security program.
o                              RG 5.62, Rev 2, Section 18.2, page 38, provides examples of the Recordable Events and Conditions Regarding Decreases in Effectiveness, that 73.1210(f) requires. The regulatory guide includes an event involving the loss of control of an authorized security weapon within a PA, VA, MAA, or Controlled Access Area (CAA).

The conflict between the notification and recording of a lost or uncontrolled weapon only exists because of the regulatory guidance in RG 5.62. As a best practice, and to support accurate determination of notification events, station personnel are trained in referencing published Regulatory Guides, station procedures and guidance, and other industry documents. Additional clarity is needed in order to support the implementation of notifications and recordkeeping in a consistent and successful manner.

Malevolent intent discussion:
10 CFR 73.1200 only refers to the term malevolent intent in
                                 &sect; 73.1200(q)(2) as exempli gratia or e.g. parenthetical describing a circumstance where a licensee may desir e to retract a previous physical security event notification.
o                              RG 5.62, Rev 2, Section 2, page 21, titled, Malevolent Intent and Credible Bomb Threat Considerations, states the NRCs position that only government officials have the necessary resources and qualifications to determine whether malevolent intent was present in a security event.
o                              During the May 2023, and August 2023, public meetings, the NRC was unable to consistently describe when licensees were capable of this determination, and when licensees were required to have government officials make this determination.
o                              Within the NRC Response to Public Comments, ML16264A004, 2 comment K-21 contains the discussion regarding credible, and puts into context, the circumstances of the NRCs position, as it relates to the determination of malevolent intent.
It is clear, that as of the publication date of March 2023, the discussion revolves around the 15-minute notification

2 NRC Response to Public Comments, Enhanced Weapons, Firearms Background Checks, and Security Event notifications Rule, NRC-2011-0018; RIN 3150-AI49

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requirements, and not blanketly across all security related events.
WBN is aligned that in certain circumstances, external government agencies would be the most appropriate to determine malevolent intent, (e.g., credible bomb threat, credible threat). However, WBNs position on the capability to determine intent as it relates to identifying Human Performance errors, as well as determining Trustworthy and Reliability for Access purposes remains with WBN.
The lack of clarity of the scope and/or intent of when it is appropriate for external government officials to determine malevolent intent creates ambiguity. Final clarity is needed to prevent WBN having to unnecessarily change security programs and procedures, such as access authorization, to incorporate a process to await investigation results from a Federal, State, or local law enforcement agency.

Considerations for Exemption

As highlighted in the selected examples above, WBN moving towards a compliance date of January 8, 2024, without full clarity on key parts of the final rule, would result in an inadequate implementation. Unknown success path towards co mpliance of the final rule, as written, in current code language; along with the conflict and confusion the published, publicly available, stated positions of the NRC, are key elements for this request. WBN would find themselves in a situation where the modification to security plans and procedures would be required at least twice, based on interpretation of this new rule. WBN is requesting the following considerations be taken into account during review of this request:

WBNs current site security plan implements the requirements of 10 CFR 73.71, Reporting of Safeguards Events for reporting the suspension of security measures.
WBN will continue to comply with security event reporting, as previously required in 10 CFR 73.71, Reporting of Safeguards Events and Appendix G to Part 73, Reportable Safeguards Events.
WBN will use the definitions for the terms "Contraband" and "Discovery (time of)," in its current site Security Plan consistent with how these terms are currently defined in Regulatory Guide 5.76, Revision 1, "Physical Protection Programs at Nuclear Power Reactors."
WBN is currently implementing a formal Corrective Action Program and has identified Conditions Adverse to Quality as they relate to Security Programs.
WBN can currently contact the FAA, in general, at various numbers depending on the day and time of day.
WBN is currently capable of making voluntary reports of suspicious activities, and this will not change in the interim until the new compliance date and allow for final revised regulatory guidance issuance.
The burden associated with rework for WBN is unnecessary while awaiting final clarity with publication of associated Regulatory Guides. Several examples of where rework will be required are:
o                              Revisions of associated procedures/processes, job aids, training materials and lesson plans that are used to describe and elaborate on reporting requirements.
o                              Coordination of work management and resources to align with station outage schedule(s).

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o                              The re-training of impacted station personnel with updated information contained within the revised guidance documents:
Security - WBN Security conducts training on a trimester basis, typically in January, May and September. If guidance is made available in April 2024, the earliest security training would be conducted (allowing time for modification of procedures and associated training material) would be September. However, if guidance is not published until later in the year then security training would likely not begin until January 2025.
Regulatory/Compliance Emergency Response Radiation Protection Operations - Accredited Training Program, requiring the use of the Systematic Approach to Training process. Examples of elements that drive the number of available weeks to train operators within a year are:
WBN executes six cycles of requalification training per year.
WBN requires six weeks for each cycle of training, based on the number of operating crews, and licensed operators we have.
WBN is required to administer an exam cycle for our licensed operators each year.
WBN is required to incorporate certain elements within our 2-year training cycle, that include outage applicable objectives, (including, but not limited to: core changes, plant modifications, Lower Mode operations).

Justification for Exemption

WBN is requesting an exemption from the specific requirements in 10 CFR Part 73, Subpart T, Security Notifications, Reports, and Recordkeeping, 10 CFR 73.1200(a) through 10 CFR 73.1200(t), Notification of physical security events, 10 CFR 73.1205(a)(1) through 10 CFR 73.1205(e), Written follow-up reports of physical security events, 10 CFR 73.1210(a)(1) through10 CFR 73.1210(h), Recordkeeping of physical security events, and 10 CFR 73.1215(a) through 10 CFR 73.1215(f), Suspicious activity reports, until of December 31, 2024, or 300 days after publication of the final Regulatory Guides, whichever is later.

WBN is requesting a new compliance date of December 31, 2024, or 300 days after publication of final Regulatory Guides, whichever is later. The 300-day period is consistent with the initial implementation period associated with the March 2023 publication of the rule and guidance documents. The 300-day period also provides adequate time for TVA to revise the corresponding procedures and implement the c hange management process, including training per the established training cycles, once the NRC publishes the revised Regulatory Guides.

WBN is requesting an exemption from using the definition of the term "Time of Discovery" as recently added to 10 CFR 73.2 until December 31, 2024, or 300 days after publication of the final Regulatory Guides, whichever is later. WBN will continue to apply the definition of the term "Time of Discovery" in Regulatory Guide 5.76, Revision 1, "Physical Protection Programs at Nuclear Power Reactors," and in the WBN physical security programs, procedures, and training until that time.

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WBN is requesting an exemption from using the definition for the term Contraband, as recently added to 10 CFR 73.2, Definitions, until the implementation date of rulemaking to disposition the underlying technical issues with this definition. WBN will continue to apply the definition of the term Contraband in Regulatory Guide 5.76, Revision 1, Physical Protection Programs at Nuclear Power Reactors, and in the WBN physical security plans and procedures.

As stated above, WBN will continue to implement   the Security Plan as documented. Because it has been reviewed and approved by the NRC, the WBNs Security Plan provides reasonable assurance of safety and security. The delay in implementation of the final rule will not impact proper implementation of the current Security Plan and will ensure that the final rule is effectively implemented. Thus, granting of this exemption will not endanger the life or property or common defense and security.

Implementation of the final rule without further interface, clarity, and refined guidance may result in unintended consequences which could reduce the effectiveness of the current Security Plan.
Therefore, it is in the publics interest that WBNs Security Plan and associated procedures/processes comprehensively and accurately implement the regulation and guidance documents once resolution is obtained of identified issues.

The granting of this exemption would not violate the Atomic Energy Act (AEA), as the compliance date for the final rule is not required nor specified in the AEA as amended, any provisions of the Commissions regulations, or  any other legally binding requirements imposed by the Commission.

Thus, issuance of this exemption request would be consistent with 10 CFR 73.5 because it is authorized by law and will not endanger life or property or the common defense and security and [is] otherwise in the public interest.

Environmental Assessment

WBN is requesting an exemption from the specific requirements for the 2023 Security Rule, "Enhanced Weapons, Firearms Background Checks, and Security Event Notifications," effective as of April 13, 2023. The following information is provided in support of an environmental assessment and finding of no significant impac  t for the proposed exemption. WBN has determined that the exemption involves no significant increase in the amounts, and no significant change in the types, of any effluents that may be released offsite; that there is no significant increase in individual or cumulative public or occupational radiation exposure; that there is no construction impact; and there is no significant increase in the potential for or consequences from a radiological accident. Accordingly, the proposed one-time exemption meets the eligibility criteria for categorical ex clusion set forth in 10 CFR 51.22(c)(25). Pursuant to 10 CFR 51.22(b), no environmental impact st atement or environmental assessment need be prepared in connection with the issuance of this proposed exemption request.

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