ML102300385

U. S. Geological Survey Triga Reactor (Gstr) - Request for Additional Information (RAI) Dated May 19, 2010

ML102300385
Person / Time
Site:	U.S. Geological Survey
Issue date:	08/12/2010
From:	Timothy Debey US Dept of Interior, Geological Survey, Florida Integrated Science Ctr - Gainesville
To:	NRC/Document Processing Center, Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation
References
Download: ML102300385 (8)

Text

SUSGS science for a changingworld Department of the Interior US Geological Survey Box 25046 MS-974 Denver CO, 80225 August 12, 2010 U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission Document Control Desk Washington, DC 20555

Reference:

U.S. Geological Survey TRIGA Reactor (GSTR), Docket 50-274, License R-1 13 Request for Additional Information (RAI) dated May 19, 2010

Subject:

Response to the RAI Concerning Financial Qualifications Mr. Wertz:

The RAI questions are answered in the following pages, in order, as stated in the original request.

Please contact me or Tamara Dickinson if you need further information.

Sincerely, Tim DeBey USGS Reactor Supervisor

Attachment:

FY2010 USGS Budget Copy to:

Tamara Dickinson Page lof5 a if

1. The USGS is not owned, controlled, or dominated by an alien, foreign corporation, or foreign government. The Geological Survey was established by U.S. Congress through the Organic Act of March 3, 1879 (20 Stat. 394; 43 U.S.C. 31), which provided for "the classification of the public lands and examination of the geological structure, mineral resources, and products of the national domain." The Act of September 5, 1962 (76 Stat. 427; 43 U.S.C. 3 1(b)), expanded this authorization to include such examinations outside the national domain. Topographic mapping and chemical and physical research were recognized as an essential part of the investigations and studies authorized by the Organic Act, and specific provision was made for them by Congress in the Act of October 2, 1888 (25 Stat. 505, 526).

2. A copy of latest USGS budget report for FY2010 (the current fiscal year) is attached to this document. (Budget reports for a number of USGS fiscal years, by fiscal year, may be found at the web site: http://www.usgs.gov/budget/fiscal_year.asp)

3. Annual operating costs.

a. Projected annual operating costs for the GSTR for FY201 1-FY2015.

FY2011 $421,678 FY2012 $428,003 FY2013 $434,423 FY2014 $440,939 FY2015 $447,554

b. The sources of funds for the above operating costs are:

Direct funding from USGS programs User fees from internal, USGS users User fees from external, non-USGS users

4. Decommissioning

a. Decommissioning costs estimate, in 2006 and 2010 dollars, for the USGS TRIGA reactor facility are summarized in Table 1.

Table 1:

SUMMARY

OF COSTS Category Cost (2006 $) Cost (2010 $)

Planning, calculations and inventories $ 102,926 $ 114,774 Fuel transportation to DOE site $ 171,543 $ 191,289 Dismantling, decontamination and disposal $ 2,524,286 $ 2,814,857 USGS preparation and miscellaneous $ 171,543 $ 191,289 expenses Subtotal $ 2,970,298 $ 3,312,209 Contingency (25%) $ 742,574 $ 828,052 Total $ 3,712,872 $ 4,140,261

b. Future cost estimates will be performed using the same methodology that was used for the 2010 estimate, as described below.

Page 2 of 5

Adjustment factor The adjustment factor was designed for updating reference Pressurized Water Reactor (PWR) and Boiling Water Reactor (BWR) decommissioning estimates, but serves as a convenient method to adjust GSTR decommissioning cost estimates over time. Whenever a calculation is specified for a PWR or BWR, an average of the PWR and BWR factors is used.

The decommissioning cost inflation equation of 10 CFR 50.75(c)(2) is divided into three general categories that test to escalate similarly: (1) labor, materials and services; (2) energy and waste transportation; and (3) radioactive waste burial/treatment. A relatively simple equation is used to update the estimate of cost by multiplying the revised original cost estimate (in our case, $3,712,872 in 2006 $)

by a factor developed using the three categories described above. The equation is:

Estimate Cost (Year 2010) = [2006 $ Cost]*(A Lx + B Ex + C By) where A = fraction of the [2006 $ Cost] attributable to labor, materials, and services (0.65)

B = fraction of the [2006 $ Cost] attributable to energy and transportation (0.13)

C = fraction of the [2006 $ Cost] attributable to waste burial (0.22)

L, = labor, materials and services cost adjustment, January of 2006 to latest month of 2010 for which data is available E, = energy and waste transportation cost adjustment, January of 2006 to latest month of 2010 for which data is available B, = LLW burial/disposition cost adjustment January of 2006 to January of 2010

= (R 2010 + -*S 201o)/(R 2 006+YS200 6 )

where R2010 = radioactive waste burial/disposition costs in 2010 dollars I S 2010 = summation of surcharges in 2010 dollars R2006 = radioactive waste burial/disposition costs in 2006 dollars IS2010 = summation of surcharges in 2006 dollars Determination of L, E and B These ratios are determined using the information supplied in the most recently published NUREG-1307, Report on Waste Burial Charges, Revision 13, November 2008 and by using the most recent U.S.

Department of Labor-Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) data.

Labor adiustment factor The Employment Cost Index (ECI) is taken from Table 5 of current BLS data entitled "Employment Cost Index for total compensation, for private industry workers, by occupational group and industry" under the sub-occupational heading of "All workers." The base Lx is taken from Table 3.2, Regional Factors for Labor Cost Adjustment in NUREG-1 307 referenced above.

L2010 = [(ECI, March 2010)*(Base Lx)]/l00

= [111.1 *2.06]/100 L2006 = [(ECI, 2006)*(Base Lx)]/100

= [100.8*2.06]/100 To take into account only the inflation from 2006 to present, you must divide L20 10 by L 2006 , giving simply the labor adjustment factor L,:

Page 3 of 5

Lx = L2010 /L2006

= ([111.1*2.06]/100 + [100.8*2.06]/100)

= 111.1/100.8 Lx = 1.102183...

Energy adjustment Factor The adjustment factor for energy, Ex, is a weighted average of two components, namely, industrial electrical power, Px, and light fuel oil, Fx.

For the reference PWR: Ex(PWR) = 0.58 P, + 0.42 F, For the reference BWR: Ex(BWR) = 0.54 P,, + 0.46 Fx P, and F, are the ratios of the current Producer Price Indexes (PPI) divided by the corresponding indexes for 2006.

Px = 189.1 (average 2010 value for code 0543)/172.9 (average 2006 value for code 0543)

= 1.09 F, = 226 (average 2010 value for code 0573)/212.0 (average 2006 value for code 0573)

= 1.07 Therefore:

Ex(PWR) = 0.58*1.09 + 0.42* 1.07

= 1.0816 Ex(BWR) = 0.54* 1.09 + 0.46* 1.07

= 1.0808 E, for the GSTR is calculated as an average of EX(PWR) and Ex(BWR), therefore Ex(average) = 1.0812 Because the factors P, and Fx are already corrected to include only inflation from 2006 to 2010, call Ex(average) simply Ex, therefore:

E,= 1.0812 Waste Burial Adjustment Factor The adjustment factor for waste burial/treatment, Bx, is taken directly from Table 2.1 ofNNUREG-1307, Bx Values for Generic LLW Disposal Sites, Direct Disposal with Vendor. For facilities that have no disposal site available for LLW, the NUREG assumes the cost of disposal is the same as that provided for the Atlantic Compact, for lack of a better alternative at this time. Data for 2008 is the most current at this time and will be assumed to approximate 2010 data.

B 200 8(PWR) = 9.872 B 2008(BWR) = 11.198 B 2006(PWR) = 8.600 B 2006(BWR) = 9.345 Bx for GSTR is calculated as an average of Bx(PWR) and BX(BWR) and therefore:

B200 8(average) = 10.535 B 2006(average) = 8.973 To account for only the inflation from 2006 to present, you must divide B 2008(average) by B 2006(average),

giving simply the waste burial adjustment factor Bx:

Bx = B 2008(average)/ B 2006(average)

= 1.174 Adjusted Decommissioning Cost Estimate Page 4 of 5

Estimated Cost (in 2010 $)

= [Cost in 2006 $]*[A Lx + B Ex + C Bx]

= [$ 3,712,872]*[0.65*1.102 + 0.13*1.081 + 0.22*1.174]

- $ 4,140,261 (this includes the 25% contingency)

5. Decommissioning by Federal entity

a. Current 2010 $ estimate for decommissioning is $4,140,261.

STATEMENT OF INTENT [a statement signed by the Director of the U.S. Geological Survey will be sent in a separate letter]

b. Documentation that the USGS is a Federal institution and a Federal government licensee. The Geological Survey is a U.S. federal agency that was established by U.S. Congress through the Organic Act of March 3, 1879 (20 Stat. 394; 43 U.S.C. 31), which provided for "the classification of the public lands and examination of the geological structure, mineral resources, and products of the national domain." The Act of September 5, 1962 (76 Stat. 427; 43 U.S.C. 3 1(b)), expanded this authorization to include such examinations outside the national domain. Topographic mapping and chemical and physical research were recognized as an essential part of the investigations and studies authorized by the Organic Act, and specific provision was made for them by Congress in the Act of October 2, 1888 (25 Stat. 505, 526).

License R-1 13 states the following, which corroborates that the USGS is a Federal government licensee:

"The Atomic Energy Commission ("the Commission') havingfound with respect to the applicationfor license of the U S. Geological Survey, Departmentof the Interior (hereinafter "the USGS" or "the licensee'), that:

1. The applicationfor license complies with the requirements of the Atomic Energy Act of 1954, as amended (hereinafter "the Act'), and the Commission's regulationsset forth in Title 10, Chapter 1, CFR,;

2. The reactor has been constructed in conformity with ConstructionPermitNo. CPRR-102 and will operate in conformity with the applicationand in conformity with the Act and the rules and regulationsof the Commission;

3. There is reasonable assurancethat the reactor can be operatedat the designated location without endangeringthe health and safety of the public;

4. The USGS is technically andfinancially qualified to engage in the proposed activities in accordancewith the Commission's regulations,'

The issuance of this license will not be inimical to the common defense and security or to the health and safety of the public; and The USGS is afederal agency and need notfurnish proofoffinancialprotection as would otherwise be requiredby Subsection 1 70a of the Act. "

c. Decommissioning funding obligations for the GSTR (license R-1 13) are backed by the Federal government. The citation to support this will be sent in a separate letter from the Director of the USGS.

d. Documentation supporting the Director's authority to execute this document will be sent in a separate letter from the Director of the USGS.

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U.S. Geological Survey 2010 President's Budget (Dollars in Thousands) 2010 Fixed Cat & President's 2009 Rel Chg Program Budget Actlvltv/Subactlvltv/Prooram Element Enacted Subtotal Changes Request GEOG RES, INVESTIGATIONS, &REMOTE SENSING Land Remote Sensing 61,718 339 0 62,057 Geographic Analysis and Monitoring 10,598 237 300 11,135 National Geospatial Program 70,748 0 70,748 TOTAL 72,316 71,324 300 143,940 GEOLOGIC HAZ, RESOURCES, & PROC.

Geologic Hazard Assessments Earthquake Hazards 55,760 761 -500 56,021 Volcano Hazards 23,901 270 0 24,171 Landslide Hazards 3,350 55 0 3,405 Global Seismographic Network 5,482 46 0 5,528 Geomagnetism 2 092 46 0 2.138 Subtotal 90,585 1,178 -500 91,263 Geologic Landscape & Coastal Assessments National Cooperative Geologic Mapping 27,724 439 0 28,163 Coastal and Marine Geology 44,657 656 875 46,188 Subtotal 72,381 1,095 875 74,351 Geologic Resource Assessments Mineral Resources 52,427 1,253 -550 53,130 Energy Resources 26,749 488 1,000 28,237 Subtotal 79,176 1,741 450 81,367 TOTAL 242,142 4,014 WATER RESOURCES INVESTIGATIONS Hydrologic Monitoring, Assessments & Research Ground-Water Resources Program 9,008 126 -900 8,234 National Water-Quality Assessment 65,056 1,451 0 66,507 Toxic Substances Hydrology 10,767 317 0 11,084 Hydrologic Research & Development 13,421 266 -1,465 12,222 National Streamflow Information Program 22,406 326 5,000 27,732 Hydrologic Networks and Analysis 30,128 556 -643 30,041 Subtotal 150,786 3,042 1,992 155,820 Cooperative Water Program 64,078 1,483 0 65,561 Water Resources Research Act Program 6,500 0 0 6,500 TOTAL 221,364 4,525 1,992 227,881 BIOLOGICAL RESEARCH Biological Research and Monitoring 146,416 2,681 8,668 157,765 Biological Information Management & Delivery 21,965 231 0 22,196 Cooperative Research Units 16,949 364 2,000 19,313 TOTAL 185,330 3,276 10,668 199,274

U.S. Geological Survey 2010 President's Budget (Dollars in Thousands) 2010 Fixed Cat & President's 2009 Rel Chg Program Budget Activity/Subactivity/Program Element Enacted Subtotal Changes Reouest ENTERPRISE INFORMATION Enterprise Information Security and Technology 25,176 1,087 0 26,263 Enterprise Information Resources 17,478 228 2,000 19,706 National Geospatial Program 69,816 -69,816 0 0 TOTAL 112,47(0 -60,501 2,000 GLOBAL CHANGE 40,628 549 17,000 58,177 SCIENCE SUPPORT 67,430 1,795 0 69,225 FACILITIES Rental Payments and Operations & Maintenance 94,802 4,274 0 99,076 Deferred Maintenance & Capital Improvement 7,321 0 0 7,321 TOTAL 102,123 4,274 0 106,397 TOTAL, SIR (w/o ARRA) 1,043,803 21,256 32,785 1,097,844 American Recovery and Reinveatment Act of 2009 140,000 -140,000 0 TOTAL, SIR (w ARRA) 1,183,803 -118,744 32,785 1,097,844 a/ The difference between the President's Budget Request and the 2009 Enacted funding is: a fixed cost funding adjustment ($0.339 million). '

b/ The difference between the President's Budget Request and the 2009 Enacted funding is: a fixed cost funding adjustment ($0.237 million) and New Energy Frontier- Biofuels ($0.3 million).

c/The difference between the President's Budget Request and the 2009 Enacted funding is: a fixed cost funding adjustment ($0.932 million) and a adjustment moving the National Geospatial Program to Geographic Research, Investigations, & Remote Sensing from Enterprise Information ($69.1 d/ The difference between the President's Budget Request and the 2009 Enacted funding is: a fixed cost funding adjustment ($0.761 million) and Arkansas Seismological Observatory (-$0.5 million).

el/ The difference between the President's Budget Request and the 2009 Enacted funding is: a fixed cost funding adjustment ($0.270 million).

f/ The difference between the President's Budget Request and the 2009 Enacted funding is: a fixed cost funding adjustment ($0.055 million).

W The difference between the President's Budget Request and the 2009 Enacted funding is: a fixed cost funding adjustment ($0.046 million).

h/ The difference between the President's Budget Request and the 2009 Enacted funding is: a fixed cost funding adjustment ($0.046 million).

i/ The difference between the President's Budget Request and the 2009 Enacted funding is: a fixed cost funding adjustment ($0.439 million).

J1The difference between the President's Budget Request and the 2009 Enacted funding is: a fixed cost funding adjustment ($0.656 million); incre.

Continental Shelf ($1.0 million) and A New Energy Frontier - Wind and Solar ($0.375 million): and a decrease for California Sea Floor Mapping (-$0 k/ The difference between the President's Budget Request and the 2009 Enacted funding is: a fixed cost funding adjustment ($1.253 million); an ir Energy Frontier - Biofuels ($0.1 million); and a decrease for Mineral Resource Assessment Nye County, NV (-$0.65 million).

IUThe difference between the President's Budget Request and the 2009 Enacted funding is: a fixed cost funding adjustment ($0.488 million) and a New Energy Frontier- Geothermal ($1.0 million).

m/ The difference between the President's Budget Request and the 2009 Enacted funding is: a fixed cost funding adjustment ($0.126 million) and Diego CA Aquifer Mapping (-$0.9 million).

n/The difference between the President's Budget Request and the 2009 Enacted funding is: a fixed cost funding adjustment ($1.451 million).

0/The difference between the President's Budget Request and the 2009 Enacted funding is: a fixed cost funding adjustment ($0.317 million).

U.S. Geological Survey 2010 Presidenrs Budget (Dollars in Thousands) 2010 Fixed Cat & Presldenrs 2009 Rel Chg Program Budget Actlvlty/Subactivity/Program Element Enacted Subtotal Changes Rguest P/ The difference between the President's Budget Request and the 2009 Enacted funding is: a fixed cost funding adjustment ($0.266 million) and Canal Dissolved Oxygen Study (-$0.27 million), San Pedro Partnership Monitoring and Reporting (-$0.295 million), Long Term Estuary Group (-$0.'

Mexico Transboundary Aquifer Assessment Act (-$0.5 million).

q/The difference between the President's Budget Request and the 2009 Enacted funding is: a fixed cost funding adjustment ($0.326 million) and Enhance the National Streamgage Network ($5.0 million).

r_The difference between the Presidents Budget Request and the 2009 Enacted funding is: a fixed cost funding adjustment ($0.556 million); an ih Energy Frontier - Biofuels ($0.2 million); and decreases for Lake Champlain Basin Toxic Materials (-$0.343 million) and Monitoring Water Resource million).

s/The difference between the President's Budget Request and the 2009 Enacted funding is: a fixed cost funding adjustment ($1.483 million).

t/The difference between the President's Budget Request and the 2009 Enacted funding is: a fixed cost funding adjustment ($2.681 million); incre Sustainable Energy Development ($0.727 million), A New Energy Frontier- Biofuels ($0.4 million) and Wind and Solar ($0.625 million), Climate Chi Support for FWS ($5.0 million), and Changing Arctic Ecosystems ($4.2 million); and decreases for Molecular Biology at LCS (-$0.8 million), San Frm Research Efforts (-$0.5 million), and NatureServe (-$0.984 million).

u/ The difference between the President's Budget Request and the 2009 Enacted funding is: a fixed cost funding adjustment ($0.231 million).

v/The difference between the President's Budget Request and the 2009 Enacted funding is: a fixed cost funding adjustment ($0.364 million) and Vacancies ($2.0 million).

w/ The difference between the President's Budget Request and the 2009 Enacted funding is: a fixed cost funding adjustment ($1.067 million).

x/ The difference between the President's Budget Request and the 2009 Enacted funding is: a fixed cost funding adjustment ($0,228 million) and 1 21st Century Youth Conservation Corps ($2.0 million).

5/The difference between the President's Budget Request and the 2009 Enacted funding is: a technical funding adjustment moving the National C from Enterprise Information to Geographic Research, Investigations, & Remote Sensing (-$69.616 million).

z/ The difference between the President's Budget Request and the 2009 Enacted funding is: a fixed cost funding adjustment ($0.549 million) and i National Climate Change and Wildlife Science Center ($5.0 million), Carbon Sequestration ($7.0 million), and Climate Change Science ($5.0 millior aa/ The difference between the President's Budget Request and the 2009 Enacted funding is: a fixed cost funding adjustment ($1.795 million).

ab/ The difference between the President's Budget Request and the 2009 Enacted funding is: a fixed cost funding adjustment ($4.274 million).

ac/ The difference between the President's Budget Request and the 2009 Enacted funding is: technical adjustment because the American Recove Reinvestment Act of 2009 provided one-time funding (-$140.0 million).