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{{#Wiki_filter:UNITED STATES OF AMERICA NUCLEAR             REGULATORY                 COMMISSION BEFORE         THE     COMMISSION
{{#Wiki_filter:UNITED STATES OF AMERICA NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION BEFORE THE COMMISSION


In the   matter     of Pacific Gas and Electric Company                                                     Docket Nos. 50           -275   -LR   , 50 -373   -LR Diablo Canyon Nuclear Power Plant                                                     July 29, 2024 Units 1 and 2
In the matter of Pacific Gas and Electric Company Docket Nos. 50 -275 -LR, 50 -373 -LR Diablo Canyon Nuclear Power Plant July 29, 2024 Units 1 and 2


BR   IEF     BY SAN LUIS OBISPO MOTHERS FOR PEACE, FRIENDS OF                                                                 T HE EARTH AND ENVIRONMENTAL WORKING GROUP                                                     ON     APPEAL OF LBP                 -24   -06
BR IEF BY SAN LUIS OBISPO MOTHERS FOR PEACE, FRIENDS OF T HE EARTH AND ENVIRONMENTAL WORKING GROUP ON APPEAL OF LBP -24 -06


Diane     Curran Harmon,       Curran,     Spielberg,       &   Eisenberg,         L.L.P.
Diane Curran Harmon, Curran, Spielberg, & Eisenberg, L.L.P.
1725     DeSales       Street   N.W.,     Suite   500 Washington,         D.C. 20036 240   -393   -9285 dcurran@harmoncurran.com Counsel to San Luis Obispo Mothers for Peac                               e H allie   Templeton Friends     of the   Earth 1101     15 th Street,   11 th Floor Washington,         DC     20005 434   -326   -4647 htempleton@foe.org Counsel       to Friends     of   the Earth
1725 DeSales Street N.W., Suite 500 Washington, D.C. 20036 240 -393 -9285 dcurran@harmoncurran.com Counsel to San Luis Obispo Mothers for Peac e H allie Templeton Friends of the Earth 1101 15 th Street, 11 th Floor Washington, DC 20005 434 -326 -4647 htempleton@foe.org Counsel to Friends of the Earth


C aroline     Leary Environmental           Working         Group 1250     I St N.W.
C aroline Leary Environmental Working Group 1250 I St N.W.
Washington,         DC     20005 202   -667   -6982 cleary@ewg.org Counsel       to Environmental           Working       Group
Washington, DC 20005 202 -667 -6982 cleary@ewg.org Counsel to Environmental Working Group


July   29,   2024
July 29, 2024


TABLE         OF     CONTENTS
TABLE OF CONTENTS


Table     of Aut   horities                                                                                           ...ii I.         INTRODUCTION                                                                                                   ..i II.         F ACTUAL           AND       PROCEDURAL                 BACKGROUND                                       .                 ..3
Table of Aut horities...ii I. INTRODUCTION..i II. F ACTUAL AND PROCEDURAL BACKGROUND...3


A. Issues     Raised     in Petitioners       Hearing       Request                                         .         3
A. Issues Raised in Petitioners Hearing Request. 3


B. P assage     of S.B. 846   by   the   California       Legislature                                 .           ..3
B. P assage of S.B. 846 by the California Legislature...3


C. C ommitment           by   NRC     Chairman         Hanson       to California       Senator     Padilla     for   Seismic Review       and   Public     Participation       During     License       Renewal       Proceeding       ..               4
C. C ommitment by NRC Chairman Hanson to California Senator Padilla for Seismic Review and Public Participation During License Renewal Proceeding.. 4


D. P etitioners     Hearing       Request       and   Shutdown         Petition     in Response       to   NRC     Extension of   Deadline       for   Pressure     Vessel     Inspection                                             .         .5
D. P etitioners Hearing Request and Shutdown Petition in Response to NRC Extension of Deadline for Pressure Vessel Inspection..5


E. PG&E       s License       Renewal       Application                                                             7
E. PG&E s License Renewal Application 7


F. Petitioners       Hearing       Request       and   Seismic       Enforcement           Petition                           8 III.       A RGUMENT                                                                                                   .9
F. Petitioners Hearing Request and Seismic Enforcement Petition 8 III. A RGUMENT.9


A. Contention         1 is Admissible                                                                         ..9
A. Contention 1 is Admissible..9
: 1. P etitioners     claims     fall   within     the   scope     of this   license     renewal       proceeding         ...11
: 1. P etitioners claims fall within the scope of this license renewal proceeding...11
: 2. Petitioners       claims     are   sufficiently       specific     to warrant     admission       of   the contention                                                                                       .14
: 2. Petitioners claims are sufficiently specific to warrant admission of the contention.14


B. C ontention       2 is A dmissible                                                                       1 4 C. Contention       3 is A dmissible                                                                       17
B. C ontention 2 is A dmissible 1 4 C. Contention 3 is A dmissible 17


IV.         CONCLUSION                                                                                                   19
IV. CONCLUSION 19


ii
ii


TABLE         OF     AUTHORITIES
TABLE OF AUTHORITIES


Judicial     Decisions
Judicial Decisions


Porter     County     Chapter       of the   Izaak   Walton       League       v. NRC     , 606   F.2d   1363     (D.C. Cir. 1979)       19
Porter County Chapter of the Izaak Walton League v. NRC, 606 F.2d 1363 (D.C. Cir. 1979) 19


Texas     v. United     States,     86   F.Supp.3d       591   (S.D. Tex. 2015)                                             .12
Texas v. United States, 86 F.Supp.3d 591 (S.D. Tex. 2015).12


Union     of Concerned         Scientists     v. NRC,     735   F.2d   1435     (D.C. Cir. 1984)                     .11,   13,   18
Union of Concerned Scientists v. NRC, 735 F.2d 1435 (D.C. Cir. 1984).11, 13, 18


United     States     v. Morgan,       118   F.Supp.     621   (S.D.N.Y.       1953)                                               12
United States v. Morgan, 118 F.Supp. 621 (S.D.N.Y. 1953) 12


Federal       Statutes
Federal Statutes


Atomic     Energy       Act                                                                                   ..5, 12,   19
Atomic Energy Act..5, 12, 19


42   U.S.C.     § 2232(a)                                                                                             ..12
42 U.S.C. § 2232(a)..12


42   U.S.C.     § 2239(a)                                                                                             ..19
42 U.S.C. § 2239(a)..19


Coastal     Zone     Management           Act   ( CZMA         ), 16   U.S.C.     § 1451,     et seq                 ..1, 3, 8, 17,   18
Coastal Zone Management Act ( CZMA ), 16 U.S.C. § 1451, et seq..1, 3, 8, 17, 18


Nation   al Environmental           P olicy   Act                                                                 5, 11,   12
Nation al Environmental P olicy Act 5, 11, 12


Regulations
Regulations


10   C.F.R.     § 2.206                                                                                                 .7
10 C.F.R. § 2.206.7


10   C.F.R.     § 2.311                                                                                                 .1
10 C.F.R. § 2.311.1


10   C.F.R.     § 2.341   (c)(3)                                                                                         1
10 C.F.R. § 2.341 (c)(3) 1


10   C.F.R. Part   51                                                                                         ...5, 11
10 C.F.R. Part 51...5, 11


10   C.F.R. Part   54                                                                                     .5, 11,   14
10 C.F.R. Part 54.5, 11, 14


10   C.F.R.     § 54.21                                                                                             ...14
10 C.F.R. § 54.21...14


Administrative           Dec   isions
Administrative Dec isions


Entergy     Nuclear       Operations,         Inc.   (Indian     Point,   Units     1 and   2),
Entergy Nuclear Operations, Inc. (Indian Point, Units 1 and 2),
LBP   -08 -13,   68   N.R.C.     43   (2008)                                                                           ..18
LBP -08 -13, 68 N.R.C. 43 (2008)..18


Pacific     Gas   and   Electric     Co.   (Diablo     Canyon       Nuclear       Power     Plant,   Units     1 and   2),
Pacific Gas and Electric Co. (Diablo Canyon Nuclear Power Plant, Units 1 and 2),
CLI   -82 -12A,     16   N.R.C.       7 (1982)                                                                           ...9
CLI -82 -12A, 16 N.R.C. 7 (1982)...9


ii iii
ii iii


Pacific     Gas   and   Electric     Co.   (Diablo     Canyon       Nuclear     Power       Plant,   Units     1 and   2),   LBP   -10 -15, 72   N.R.C.     257,   280   (2010)                                                                                     ...9
Pacific Gas and Electric Co. (Diablo Canyon Nuclear Power Plant, Units 1 and 2), LBP -10 -15, 72 N.R.C. 257, 280 (2010)...9


U.S. Dept. of Energy       (High   -Level     Waste     Repository),         LBP   -09   -06,   69   N.R.C.     367,   408   (2006)
U.S. Dept. of Energy (High -Level Waste Repository), LBP -09 -06, 69 N.R.C. 367, 408 (2006)
( LBP   -09 -06   )                                                                                             ...15
( LBP -09 -06 )...15


California       Statutes
California Statutes


Senate     Bill   846   (2022)                                                                               ...3, 4, 7, 13
Senate Bill 846 (2022)...3, 4, 7, 13


Cal. Pub. Utils. Code     § 712.7(c)(2)                                                                               .4
Cal. Pub. Utils. Code § 712.7(c)(2).4


Cal. Pub. Resources         Code     § 25548.3(c)(9)                                                                         .4
Cal. Pub. Resources Code § 25548.3(c)(9).4


Miscellaneous
Miscellaneous


Hearing     on   the   Nuclear       Regulatory         Commission         s Proposed         Fiscal     Year   2024     Budget     (April     19, 2023),
Hearing on the Nuclear Regulatory Commission s Proposed Fiscal Year 2024 Budget (April 19, 2023),
https://www.epw.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/hearings?ID=DD1B6EC6                                                   -588A     -4A56     -9961   -
https://www.epw.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/hearings?ID=DD1B6EC6 -588A -4A56 -9961 -
F9961BE12270                                                                                                             5
F9961BE12270 5


iii UNITED         STATES         OF   AMERICA NUCLEAR             REGULATORY                 COMMISSION BEFORE           THE     COMMISSION
iii UNITED STATES OF AMERICA NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION BEFORE THE COMMISSION


In the   matter     of Pacific     Gas   and   Electric     Company                                       Docket       Nos. 50 -275   -LR,     50 -373   -LR Diablo     Canyon       Nuclear     Power       Plant                             July   29,   2024 Units   1 and   2
In the matter of Pacific Gas and Electric Company Docket Nos. 50 -275 -LR, 50 -373 -LR Diablo Canyon Nuclear Power Plant July 29, 2024 Units 1 and 2


BRIEF       BY     SAN     LUIS     OBISPO           MOTHERS             FOR     PEACE,         FRIENDS           OF     THE     EAR TH AND       ENV IRONMENTAL                       WORKING               GROUP         ON     APPEAL           OF     LBP   -24   -06 I.         INTRODUCTION Pursuant       to   10   C.F.R.     §§   2.311     and   2.341   (c)(3),   Petitioners       San   Luis   Obispo       Mothers       for
BRIEF BY SAN LUIS OBISPO MOTHERS FOR PEACE, FRIENDS OF THE EAR TH AND ENV IRONMENTAL WORKING GROUP ON APPEAL OF LBP -24 -06 I. INTRODUCTION Pursuant to 10 C.F.R. §§ 2.311 and 2.341 (c)(3), Petitioners San Luis Obispo Mothers for


Peace     (SLOMFP),             Friends     of the   Earth   ( FoE   ), and   Environmental           Working       Group     (EWG)
Peace (SLOMFP), Friends of the Earth ( FoE ), and Environmental Working Group (EWG)


hereby     brief   the   Commissioners             of the   U.S. Nuclear       Regulatory       Commission           ( NRC       or
hereby brief the Commissioners of the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission ( NRC or


Commission         )   regarding       their   appeal     of LBP   -24   -06,   the   Atomic       Safety     and   Licensing       Board     s
Commission ) regarding their appeal of LBP -24 -06, the Atomic Safety and Licensing Board s


(ASLBs         or   Boards)       Memorandum             and   Order     (Denying       Request       for   Hearing       and
(ASLBs or Boards) Memorandum and Order (Denying Request for Hearing and


Terminating         Proceeding)         (July   3, 2024)     (hereinafter       LBP     -24 -06). 1 LBP   -24 -06   erroneously         and
Terminating Proceeding) (July 3, 2024) (hereinafter LBP -24 -06). 1 LBP -24 -06 erroneously and


arbitrarily     denies     the   public     a hearing     on   crucial     sa fety   and   environmental           issues   raised     by
arbitrarily denies the public a hearing on crucial sa fety and environmental issues raised by


Pacific     Gas   and   Electric     Company         s (PG&Es)           proposal       to operate     the   Diablo     Canyon       nuclear
Pacific Gas and Electric Company s (PG&Es) proposal to operate the Diablo Canyon nuclear


power     plant   ( DCPP     ) another     twenty     years   past   its operating       license     expiration       dates   of 2024
power plant ( DCPP ) another twenty years past its operating license expiration dates of 2024


(Unit   1) and   2025     (Unit   2). These     issues     include     the   unacceptable         risk   of   a se ismic     core   damage
(Unit 1) and 2025 (Unit 2). These issues include the unacceptable risk of a se ismic core damage


accident,     PG&Es       failure     to ensure     the   integrity     of the   Unit   1 reactor     pressure       vessel,   and
accident, PG&Es failure to ensure the integrity of the Unit 1 reactor pressure vessel, and


significant     questions       raised     by   the   California       Coastal     Commission           (CCC)         about   whether
significant questions raised by the California Coastal Commission (CCC) about whether


PG&E       complies       with   the   federal     Coastal     Zone     Management           Act   ( CZMA       ).
PG&E complies with the federal Coastal Zone Management Act ( CZMA ).


1 Petitioners       submitted       their   contentions       in   Request     by   San   Luis     Obispo     Mothers       for   Peace, Friends     of   the   Earth   and   Environmental           Working       Group     for   Hearing       on   Pacific     Gas   &   Electric Companys         License     Renewal       Application         for   the   Diablo     Canyon       Nuclear       Plant   (March       4, 2024)
1 Petitioners submitted their contentions in Request by San Luis Obispo Mothers for Peace, Friends of the Earth and Environmental Working Group for Hearing on Pacific Gas & Electric Companys License Renewal Application for the Diablo Canyon Nuclear Plant (March 4, 2024)
(Hearing       Request).
(Hearing Request).
2
2


As   discussed       below,     Petitioners       concerns       are   longstanding         and   serious. They     also   affect
As discussed below, Petitioners concerns are longstanding and serious. They also affect


the risks   and   environmental           impacts     of   current     operation       as well   as future     operation.       Therefore,
the risks and environmental impacts of current operation as well as future operation. Therefore,


Petitioners       have   taken     every     opportunity,       at all levels     of the   agency,     to ensure     those   concerns       are addressed       for   both   the   current     license     term     and   the   prospective         license     renewal     term. 2 But   the
Petitioners have taken every opportunity, at all levels of the agency, to ensure those concerns are addressed for both the current license term and the prospective license renewal term. 2 But the


NRC     has   rebuffed       the Petitioners       at every     turn,   thereby     insulating       PG&Es       unsafe     operation       of
NRC has rebuffed the Petitioners at every turn, thereby insulating PG&Es unsafe operation of


DCPP     from     public     scrutiny.     LBP   -24   -06   constitutes       the   latest   rebuff,   barring     Petitioners       from
DCPP from public scrutiny. LBP -24 -06 constitutes the latest rebuff, barring Petitioners from


providing       any   input   to the   agencys       momentous           and   potentially       disastrous       decision     to approve
providing any input to the agencys momentous and potentially disastrous decision to approve


operation       of DCPP       for   another     twenty     years.
operation of DCPP for another twenty years.


Petitioners       respectfully       submit     that   the   Board     erred   in ruling     that   none     of Petitioners three   contentions         is admissible.       3 In addition,     the   Board     unlawfully       repudiated       a binding
Petitioners respectfully submit that the Board erred in ruling that none of Petitioners three contentions is admissible. 3 In addition, the Board unlawfully repudiated a binding


commitment           by   the   Commission           to conduct       a comprehensive           review     of   the   se ismic     risk   to
commitment by the Commission to conduct a comprehensive review of the se ismic risk to


DCPP,       and   to include     the   public     in that   review     through     the   hearing     process.     Therefore,       the
DCPP, and to include the public in that review through the hearing process. Therefore, the


petition     should     have     been   granted.     Petitioners       respectfully       submit     that   the   Commission           should
petition should have been granted. Petitioners respectfully submit that the Commission should


reverse     LBP   -24   -06   and   grant   them     a hearing.
reverse LBP -24 -06 and grant them a hearing.


2 Petitioners       note   that   the   distinction       between       the   current     operating       license     term     and   the   license renewal     term   has   been   blurred     by   the   NRCs       grant   to PG&E       of an   exemption         from     the NRCs Timely     Renewal       rule,   10   C.F.R.     § 2.109(b).     The     exemption       will   allow     PG&E       to continue operating       DCPP       without     interruption       until   the   NRC     has   ruled     on   PG&Es       license     renewal application       - an   unknown         period     of time. Petitioners       appealed       the   exemption         to the   U.S. Court     of Appeals       but   their   petition     for   review     was   denied     in San   Luis   Obispo     Mothers       for   Peace,     et al. v.
2 Petitioners note that the distinction between the current operating license term and the license renewal term has been blurred by the NRCs grant to PG&E of an exemption from the NRCs Timely Renewal rule, 10 C.F.R. § 2.109(b). The exemption will allow PG&E to continue operating DCPP without interruption until the NRC has ruled on PG&Es license renewal application - an unknown period of time. Petitioners appealed the exemption to the U.S. Court of Appeals but their petition for review was denied in San Luis Obispo Mothers for Peace, et al. v.
NRC,     [CITE].       Petitioners       request     for rehearing       or rehearing       en   banc   is pending       before     the   Court.
NRC, [CITE]. Petitioners request for rehearing or rehearing en banc is pending before the Court.


3 The   ASLB       correctly     found     that   all three   of the   Petitioners       have     standing.     LBP   -24   -06 , slip   op. at 21 -15. Thus,     the   issue   of standing       is not   briefed     here.
3 The ASLB correctly found that all three of the Petitioners have standing. LBP -24 -06, slip op. at 21 -15. Thus, the issue of standing is not briefed here.
3
3


II.         FACTUAL             AND       PROCEDURAL                   BACKGROUND
II. FACTUAL AND PROCEDURAL BACKGROUND


A. Issues     Raised     in   Petitioners       Hearing       Request
A. Issues Raised in Petitioners Hearing Request


In their   Hearing       Request,       Petitioners       sought     an   adjudicatory         hearing     on   three   significant
In their Hearing Request, Petitioners sought an adjudicatory hearing on three significant


sa fety   and   environmental           risks   and   adverse       environmental           impacts     that   have     plagued     DCPP       for
sa fety and environmental risks and adverse environmental impacts that have plagued DCPP for


decades     and   the   severity     of   which     has   become       progressively         more     clear   or has   worsened       over
decades and the severity of which has become progressively more clear or has worsened over


time:
time:
* the significant       risk   of   a devastating         seismic     accident     posed     by   DCPPs       location     on   and
* the significant risk of a devastating seismic accident posed by DCPPs location on and


near   a web     of earthquake         faults,   including       thrust   faults   in the   Irish   Hills   that   have   an
near a web of earthquake faults, including thrust faults in the Irish Hills that have an


unacceptably         high   potential     to cause     a core   damage       accident     (i.e., approximately           one   in a
unacceptably high potential to cause a core damage accident (i.e., approximately one in a


thousand       per   year   of operation);
thousand per year of operation);
* the heightened         vulnerability       of   the   Unit   1 reactor     pressure     vessel     to fracture     during     a
* the heightened vulnerability of the Unit 1 reactor pressure vessel to fracture during a


loss -of -coolant       accident,     due   to its defective     composition,         indications       of embrittlement
loss -of -coolant accident, due to its defective composition, indications of embrittlement


during     2003     surveillance       and   testing,     and   PG&Es       failure     to conduct     any   surveillance       or
during 2003 surveillance and testing, and PG&Es failure to conduct any surveillance or


testing   since   then;   and
testing since then; and
* the significant       adverse       effects   of   continued       operation       of   DCPPs       once   -through       cooling
* the significant adverse effects of continued operation of DCPPs once -through cooling


system     on   the   marine     environment,         as witnessed       by   the   California       Coastal     Commissions
system on the marine environment, as witnessed by the California Coastal Commissions


(CCCs)         refusal     to accept     PG&Es       application       for   certification       under     the   C ZMA     .
(CCCs) refusal to accept PG&Es application for certification under the C ZMA.


B. Passage       of S.B. 846   by   the   California       Legislature
B. Passage of S.B. 846 by the California Legislature


Petitioners       longstanding         concerns       would     have     been   conclusively         resolved     by   PG&Es
Petitioners longstanding concerns would have been conclusively resolved by PG&Es


planned     closure     of the   DCPP       reactors     on   their   operating       license     expiration       dates     in 2024     (Unit   1)
planned closure of the DCPP reactors on their operating license expiration dates in 2024 (Unit 1)


and   2025     (Unit     2). Under     that   plan,   as approved       by   the   California       Public     Utilities   Commission
and 2025 (Unit 2). Under that plan, as approved by the California Public Utilities Commission


( CPUC     ) in 2018,     DCPP       would     have     been   decommissioned             and   replaced       with   renewable
( CPUC ) in 2018, DCPP would have been decommissioned and replaced with renewable


energy     sources.     But   in 2022,     out   of   unsubstantiated           concern     that   closure     of DCPP       would     make 4
energy sources. But in 2022, out of unsubstantiated concern that closure of DCPP would make 4


the State     vulnerable       to summer       energy     shortages,       the   California       Senate     Bi ll ( S.B.   ) 846,
the State vulnerable to summer energy shortages, the California Senate Bi ll ( S.B. ) 846,


reversing       the CPUCs         decision     approving         PG&Es       closure     plan. The   Legislature       directed     PG&E
reversing the CPUCs decision approving PG&Es closure plan. The Legislature directed PG&E


to se ek   NRC     approval       of   license     renewal       for operation       until   2030. 4
to se ek NRC approval of license renewal for operation until 2030. 4


Underlying         the   Legislatures         directive     was     an   implicit     assumption         that   before     permitting
Underlying the Legislatures directive was an implicit assumption that before permitting


continued       operation       of DCPP,       the   NRC     would     undertake       a robust     reexamination           of   se ismic     and
continued operation of DCPP, the NRC would undertake a robust reexamination of se ismic and


other   sa fety   risks   to DCPP.       In   fact,   the   Legislature       held   open     the   possibility     that   as   a result,   the
other sa fety risks to DCPP. In fact, the Legislature held open the possibility that as a result, the


NRC     might     even     order   upgrades       that   could     prove     too   expensive       to   justify   continued       operation       of
NRC might even order upgrades that could prove too expensive to justify continued operation of


the reactors.     These     assumptions         were     reflected     in a covenant         that:
the reactors. These assumptions were reflected in a covenant that:


[I]f   the United     States     Nuclear       Regulatory         Commission           or   any   state   agency     requires,       during the   process     of relicensing       the   Diablo     Canyon       powerplant,         se ismic     safety   or   other   safety modifications         to the   powerplant         that   would     exceed       the loan   amount       specified       in paragraph (1)   of subdivision         (a), any   application       or approval       to extend     the   operation       period     the commission         shall   promptly       evaluate     whether       the   extension       of the   Diablo     Canyon powerplant         remains       a cost -effective       means     to meet     Californias       mid   -term     reliability     needs, before     any   subsequent         authorization         and   appropriation         by   the   Legislature       of an   amount       in excess     of   the   loan   amount.       5
[I]f the United States Nuclear Regulatory Commission or any state agency requires, during the process of relicensing the Diablo Canyon powerplant, se ismic safety or other safety modifications to the powerplant that would exceed the loan amount specified in paragraph (1) of subdivision (a), any application or approval to extend the operation period the commission shall promptly evaluate whether the extension of the Diablo Canyon powerplant remains a cost -effective means to meet Californias mid -term reliability needs, before any subsequent authorization and appropriation by the Legislature of an amount in excess of the loan amount. 5


Thus,     the   Legislatures       directive     to   PG&E       to   apply   for   NRC       permission       to operate     for   five   more
Thus, the Legislatures directive to PG&E to apply for NRC permission to operate for five more


years   past   2025     was   based     on   the   Legislatures         assumptions         that   PG&E       would     not   se ek   more
years past 2025 was based on the Legislatures assumptions that PG&E would not se ek more


than   five   years   renewal       and   that   the   NRCs       license     renewal       review     would     thoroughly         assess     all
than five years renewal and that the NRCs license renewal review would thoroughly assess all


issues   relevant     to the   sa fety   of continued       operation,       including       se ismic     risk.
issues relevant to the sa fety of continued operation, including se ismic risk.


C. Commitment             by   NRC       Chairman         Hanson       to   California         Senator       Padilla     for Seismic       Review       and     Public     Participation         During       License       Renewal       Proceeding
C. Commitment by NRC Chairman Hanson to California Senator Padilla for Seismic Review and Public Participation During License Renewal Proceeding


The   following       spring,     in a hearing     of the   U.S. Senate     Environment           and   Public     Works
The following spring, in a hearing of the U.S. Senate Environment and Public Works


Committee,         California       Senator     Alex     Padilla     questioned         NRC     Chairman         Christopher         T. Hanson
Committee, California Senator Alex Padilla questioned NRC Chairman Christopher T. Hanson


regarding       the   scope     of the   se ismic     sa fety   review     that   the   NRC     planned       to undertake       for   DCPP:
regarding the scope of the se ismic sa fety review that the NRC planned to undertake for DCPP:


4 Cal. Pub. Utils. Code     § 712.7(c)(2)
4 Cal. Pub. Utils. Code § 712.7(c)(2)


5 Ca l. Pub. Resources       Code     § 25548.3(c)(9)         (emphasis         added).
5 Ca l. Pub. Resources Code § 25548.3(c)(9) (emphasis added).
5
5


And     in the   sa me   spirit   but   more     specifically,       not   just maintaining         sa fety   standards       more broadly,     but   continuing       to   be operationally         sa fe with   specific     concern       about     se ismic risk , which     have   talked     about     for   years   here,   and   maintaining         of   that. Any     comments here   would     be helpful.     Also     a friendly     reminder       to anticipate       that   when     you     do   have   these public     hearings. 6
And in the sa me spirit but more specifically, not just maintaining sa fety standards more broadly, but continuing to be operationally sa fe with specific concern about se ismic risk, which have talked about for years here, and maintaining of that. Any comments here would be helpful. Also a friendly reminder to anticipate that when you do have these public hearings. 6


Mr. Hanson       responded:
Mr. Hanson responded:
Of   course. We     are   going     to be   looking     at updated       sa fety   information         as part   of that license     renewal       process.       We   did   require     all plants     to take   a look     at the enhanced,         relook at their   risks   after   Fukushima.         Diablo,     of course,     did   look   at their   se ismic     risk   and   we   will take   another       look   at that   as   part   of the   license     renewal       process.     7
Of course. We are going to be looking at updated sa fety information as part of that license renewal process. We did require all plants to take a look at the enhanced, relook at their risks after Fukushima. Diablo, of course, did look at their se ismic risk and we will take another look at that as part of the license renewal process. 7


Accordingly,         under     questioning         by   Senator     Padilla,     Chairman         Hanson       and   his fellow
Accordingly, under questioning by Senator Padilla, Chairman Hanson and his fellow


Commissioners             committed         - formally       and   without     rebuttal     or   qualification       - to undertake       a new
Commissioners committed - formally and without rebuttal or qualification - to undertake a new


review     of   se ismic     risks   to DCPP       during     the   license     renewal     process.       This   commitment           was
review of se ismic risks to DCPP during the license renewal process. This commitment was


extremely       significant,       given     that   (a) NRC       regulations       for implementation             of the   Atomic       Energy
extremely significant, given that (a) NRC regulations for implementation of the Atomic Energy


Act   (10   C.F.R. Part   54)   excused       PG&E       from     addressing       se ismic     risks   in the   sa fety   portion     of   its
Act (10 C.F.R. Part 54) excused PG&E from addressing se ismic risks in the sa fety portion of its


license     renewal       application       and   (b)   NRC     regulations       for   the   implementation           of   the   National
license renewal application and (b) NRC regulations for the implementation of the National


Environmental           Policy     Act   ( NEPA     )   (10   C.F.R.     Part   51)   excused     PG&E       from     addressing se ismic     risks   in its Environmental           Report. 8
Environmental Policy Act ( NEPA ) (10 C.F.R. Part 51) excused PG&E from addressing se ismic risks in its Environmental Report. 8


D. Petitioners         Hearing       Request       and   Shutdown           Petition     in   Response         to NRC Extension         of Deadline       for   Pressure       Vessel     Inspection
D. Petitioners Hearing Request and Shutdown Petition in Response to NRC Extension of Deadline for Pressure Vessel Inspection


In the   summer       of 2023,     Petitioners       learned     of a letter   from     the   NRC     Staff   to PG&E       that
In the summer of 2023, Petitioners learned of a letter from the NRC Staff to PG&E that


extended,       for   the   fourth     time   in seventeen       years,   the   NRC     s deadline     for   conducting         surveillance
extended, for the fourth time in seventeen years, the NRC s deadline for conducting surveillance


6 Hearing       on   the   Nuclear       Regulatory         Commissions           Proposed       Fiscal     Year     2024     Budget     (April 19,   2023),     Remarks       of   Sen. Alex     Padilla     (emphasis       added).     A   recording       of the   hearing     is posted on   the   Committees         website       at:
6 Hearing on the Nuclear Regulatory Commissions Proposed Fiscal Year 2024 Budget (April 19, 2023), Remarks of Sen. Alex Padilla (emphasis added). A recording of the hearing is posted on the Committees website at:
https://www.epw.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/hearings?ID=DD1B6EC6                                                     -588A     -4A56     - 9961   -
https://www.epw.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/hearings?ID=DD1B6EC6 -588A -4A56 - 9961 -
F9961BE12270.             Sen. Padillas     question       can   be found     at approximately           1:45:26.
F9961BE12270. Sen. Padillas question can be found at approximately 1:45:26.
7 Id. (emphasis         added).     Chairman         Hansons       response       can   be found     at approximately           1:45:55.
7 Id. (emphasis added). Chairman Hansons response can be found at approximately 1:45:55.


8 See   Florida       Power     &   Light   Co.   (Turkey       Point   Nuclear       Generating         Plant,Units       3 and   4), CLI   -
8 See Florida Power & Light Co. (Turkey Point Nuclear Generating Plant,Units 3 and 4), CLI -
01 -17,   54   NRC     3, 8 (2001);     10   C.F.R.     Part   51,   Subpart     A,   Appendix         B.
01 -17, 54 NRC 3, 8 (2001); 10 C.F.R. Part 51, Subpart A, Appendix B.
6
6


of the   DCPP       Unit   1 pressure     vessel     for   signs   of embrittlement.         9 Petitioners       SLOMFP           and   FoE
of the DCPP Unit 1 pressure vessel for signs of embrittlement. 9 Petitioners SLOMFP and FoE


reviewed       the   record     of   the previous       extensions       and   discovered       that   the   proposed       extension
reviewed the record of the previous extensions and discovered that the proposed extension


altered   a deadline       the   NRC     had   se t in 2006     in a license     amendment           proceeding       to   extend     Unit   1s
altered a deadline the NRC had se t in 2006 in a license amendment proceeding to extend Unit 1s


operating       license     by   three   years   to recover     the   period     of   low   -power     testing. At   the sa me     time,
operating license by three years to recover the period of low -power testing. At the sa me time,


SLOMFP         and   FoE   retained     a highly     qualified       and   experienced         technical     expert,     Dr. Digby
SLOMFP and FoE retained a highly qualified and experienced technical expert, Dr. Digby


Macdonald,         Professor       Emeritus       at the   University       of California,       to evaluate       the body     of   publicly     -
Macdonald, Professor Emeritus at the University of California, to evaluate the body of publicly -


available     documents         regarding       the condition       of the   Unit   1 pressure     vessel. Dr. Macdonald
available documents regarding the condition of the Unit 1 pressure vessel. Dr. Macdonald


advised     SLOMFP         and   FoE     that   not   only   was   the   proposed       extension       unjustified,       but   that   Unit   1
advised SLOMFP and FoE that not only was the proposed extension unjustified, but that Unit 1


should     be   closed     immediately         due   to PG&Es         longstanding         failure     to monitor     the   condition       of
should be closed immediately due to PG&Es longstanding failure to monitor the condition of


the pressure       vessel   and   the   significant       possibility       that   the   pressure     vessel     was   embrittled       and
the pressure vessel and the significant possibility that the pressure vessel was embrittled and


could   not   survive     a loss   of   coolant     accident.
could not survive a loss of coolant accident.


Therefore,       with   a supporting       declaration       by   Dr. Macdonald,         SLOMFP           and   FoE     requested
Therefore, with a supporting declaration by Dr. Macdonald, SLOMFP and FoE requested


a hearing     on   the   proposed       extension       on   the   grounds       that   it constituted       an operating       license
a hearing on the proposed extension on the grounds that it constituted an operating license


amendment         and   should     not   be granted     because       it would     jeopardize       public     health     and   safety. They
amendment and should not be granted because it would jeopardize public health and safety. They


also   petitioned       the   Commissioners             to shut   down     Unit   1 immediately,         pending       the   completion         of
also petitioned the Commissioners to shut down Unit 1 immediately, pending the completion of


surveillance       on   the   Unit   1 pressure     vessel. 10 However,       the   Commission           refused     to consider       the
surveillance on the Unit 1 pressure vessel. 10 However, the Commission refused to consider the


9 Letter   from     Jennifer     L Dixon     -Herrity,     NRC       to Paula     Gerfen,     PG&E       re: Diablo     Canyon       Nuclear Power     Plant,   Unit   1 - Revision       to the   Reactor       Vessel     Material       Surveillance         Capsule       Withdrawal Schedule       (EPID     L -2023   -LLL     -0012)     (ADAMS           Accession         No. ML120330497             ).
9 Letter from Jennifer L Dixon -Herrity, NRC to Paula Gerfen, PG&E re: Diablo Canyon Nuclear Power Plant, Unit 1 - Revision to the Reactor Vessel Material Surveillance Capsule Withdrawal Schedule (EPID L -2023 -LLL -0012) (ADAMS Accession No. ML120330497 ).


10 Request       to the   NRC     Commissioners             by   San   Luis   Obispo       Mothers       for   Peace     and   Friends     of the Earth   for   a Hearing     on   NRC       Staff   Decision       Effectively       Amending         Diablo     Canyon       Unit   1 Operating       License       to Extend     the   Schedule       for   Surveillance       of   the   Unit   1 Pressure     Vessel     and Request     for   Emergency         Order     Requiring       Immediate         Shutdown         of Unit   1 Pending       Completion         of Tests   and   Inspections       of Pressure       Vessel,     Public     Disclosure       of Results,     Public     Hearing,       and Determination           by   the Commission           that   Unit   1 Ca n   Safely     Resume       Operation       (Sept. 14,   2023)     at 1- 3 (ADAMS           Accession         No. ML23257A302).
10 Request to the NRC Commissioners by San Luis Obispo Mothers for Peace and Friends of the Earth for a Hearing on NRC Staff Decision Effectively Amending Diablo Canyon Unit 1 Operating License to Extend the Schedule for Surveillance of the Unit 1 Pressure Vessel and Request for Emergency Order Requiring Immediate Shutdown of Unit 1 Pending Completion of Tests and Inspections of Pressure Vessel, Public Disclosure of Results, Public Hearing, and Determination by the Commission that Unit 1 Ca n Safely Resume Operation (Sept. 14, 2023) at 1-3 (ADAMS Accession No. ML23257A302).
7
7


petition     and   instead     referred     it back     to the   NRC     Staff. 11 A   Petition     Review       Board     (PRB)
petition and instead referred it back to the NRC Staff. 11 A Petition Review Board (PRB)


convened       by   the   Staff   has   issued     a final   decision     denying       the   petition. 12
convened by the Staff has issued a final decision denying the petition. 12


A. PG&Es         License       Renewal       Application
A. PG&Es License Renewal Application


In   November         2023,     PG&E       applied     to the   NRC     for   renewal       of the   DCPP       operating
In November 2023, PG&E applied to the NRC for renewal of the DCPP operating


licenses     for   twenty     years   (although       S.B. 846   contemplates         renewal       of only     five   years,   se e 4
licenses for twenty years (although S.B. 846 contemplates renewal of only five years, se e 4


above). Once     again,   Petitioners       retained     Dr. Macdonald,         this time   to   evaluate     the   question     of
above). Once again, Petitioners retained Dr. Macdonald, this time to evaluate the question of


whether     PG&E       had   justified     continued       reliance     on   the   Unit   1 pressure       vessel   during     the   proposed
whether PG&E had justified continued reliance on the Unit 1 pressure vessel during the proposed


license     renewal     term. Dr. Macdonald         advised     Petitioners       that   continued       operation       of DCPP       was
license renewal term. Dr. Macdonald advised Petitioners that continued operation of DCPP was


not   justified     due   to   (a) the   defective       composition         of   the Unit     1 pressure     vessel     when     it was
not justified due to (a) the defective composition of the Unit 1 pressure vessel when it was


purchased;       (b) indications       of embrittlement           in 2003     surveillance       tests;   and   (c)   PG&Es       failure,
purchased; (b) indications of embrittlement in 2003 surveillance tests; and (c) PG&Es failure,


since   the   2003     tests,   to monitor     the   condition       of   the   pressure     vessel.
since the 2003 tests, to monitor the condition of the pressure vessel.


Petitioners       also   retained     another     highly     experienced         and   qualified     technical       expert,     Dr.
Petitioners also retained another highly experienced and qualified technical expert, Dr.


Peter   Bird,   Professor       Emeritus       of   Geology       and   Geophysics         at the   University       of   California       at Los
Peter Bird, Professor Emeritus of Geology and Geophysics at the University of California at Los


Angeles,       to evaluate     the   se ismic     risk   of continuing       to operate     DCPP       past   its operating       license
Angeles, to evaluate the se ismic risk of continuing to operate DCPP past its operating license


expiration       dates. Dr. Bird,   who     has   previously       participated       in se ismic     risk   evaluations       for   DCPP,
expiration dates. Dr. Bird, who has previously participated in se ismic risk evaluations for DCPP,


advised     the   Petitioners       that   PG&E       and   the   NRC     had   systematically         underestimated           the
advised the Petitioners that PG&E and the NRC had systematically underestimated the


significant     risk   of   a core   damage       accident     due   to rupture     of   thrust   faults   in the   Irish   Hills   that
significant risk of a core damage accident due to rupture of thrust faults in the Irish Hills that


underlie     and   surround       DCPP.       According       to   Dr. Bird,   the   risk   of se ismic     core   damage       due   to
underlie and surround DCPP. According to Dr. Bird, the risk of se ismic core damage due to


11 Secretary       Order     (Denying       Hearing       Request     and   Referring       Request     for   Immediate
11 Secretary Order (Denying Hearing Request and Referring Request for Immediate


Action     to the   Executive       Director       for Operations         for Consideration           Under     10   C.F.R.     § 2.206)
Action to the Executive Director for Operations for Consideration Under 10 C.F.R. § 2.206)
(Oct. 2, 2023)     (unpublished)         (ADAMS           Accession       No. ML23275A225).               Petitioners       appealed       the Commissions           refusal   to   grant   them     a hearing     on   the extension       to the   U.S. Court     of Appeals       for the Ninth     Circuit     in San   Luis   Obispo     Mothers       for   Peace     and   Friends     of the   Earth     v. NRC,     No.
(Oct. 2, 2023) (unpublished) (ADAMS Accession No. ML23275A225). Petitioners appealed the Commissions refusal to grant them a hearing on the extension to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit in San Luis Obispo Mothers for Peace and Friends of the Earth v. NRC, No.
23 - 3882. The   case   is briefed     and   oral   argument       has   been     scheduled       for November.
23 - 3882. The case is briefed and oral argument has been scheduled for November.


12 Letter     from     Jamie     Pelton     to Diane     Curran     (June   18,   2024)     (ADAMS           Accession       No. ADAMS Accession       No. ML24155A218).
12 Letter from Jamie Pelton to Diane Curran (June 18, 2024) (ADAMS Accession No. ADAMS Accession No. ML24155A218).
8
8


these   thrust   faults   alone     is at least   one   in a thousand       per   year   - a level   so   high   that   it meets     the NRCs       criteria   for   immediate       shutdown         of a nuclear     reactor. 13
these thrust faults alone is at least one in a thousand per year - a level so high that it meets the NRCs criteria for immediate shutdown of a nuclear reactor. 13


A. Petitioners       Hearing       Request       and     Seismic     Enforcement             Petition
A. Petitioners Hearing Request and Seismic Enforcement Petition


On   Ma rch     4, 2024,     supported       by   declarations       from     both   Dr. Bird   and   Dr. Macdonald,
On Ma rch 4, 2024, supported by declarations from both Dr. Bird and Dr. Macdonald,


Petitioners       submitted       contentions         challenging       the   sa fety   of continued       operation       of DCPP       in a
Petitioners submitted contentions challenging the sa fety of continued operation of DCPP in a


license     renewal     term. 14 Petitioners       also   submitted       a contention       challenging         PG&Es         failure   to
license renewal term. 14 Petitioners also submitted a contention challenging PG&Es failure to


comply       with   the   CZMA.       15
comply with the CZMA. 15


In addition,     based     on   Dr. Birds     assessment         of the   high   risk   posed     by   current     operation       of
In addition, based on Dr. Birds assessment of the high risk posed by current operation of


DCPP,       Petitioners       also   submitted       a request     to the   Commissioners             to immediately         shut   down DCPP       pending     further     evaluation       of se ismic     risks. 16
DCPP, Petitioners also submitted a request to the Commissioners to immediately shut down DCPP pending further evaluation of se ismic risks. 16


Once     again,     the Commission           refused     to   consider     Petitioners       request     and   referred     it back to the NRC       Staff. 17 The   Staff   s PRB     has   issued     a preliminary       decision       denying       the   petition. 18 As
Once again, the Commission refused to consider Petitioners request and referred it back to the NRC Staff. 17 The Staff s PRB has issued a preliminary decision denying the petition. 18 As


13 Declaration         of Peter   Bird,     Ph.D     (March     4, 2024)     (ADAMS           Accession       No. ML24067A06)
13 Declaration of Peter Bird, Ph.D (March 4, 2024) (ADAMS Accession No. ML24067A06)
(Bird     Declaration).
(Bird Declaration).


14 Hearing       Request       at 7 -16   (Contention         1: Continued         Operation       of DCPP       Under     a Renewed License     Poses     an   Unacceptable           Safety     Risk   and   Significant       Adverse       Environmental           Impact     of Seismic     Core     Damage);         16 -18   (Contention         2: PG&E       Fails   to Provide     an   Adequate       Plan   to Monitor       and   Manage       he   Effects     of   Aging     on   Unit   1 Reactor     Pressure       Vessel).
14 Hearing Request at 7 -16 (Contention 1: Continued Operation of DCPP Under a Renewed License Poses an Unacceptable Safety Risk and Significant Adverse Environmental Impact of Seismic Core Damage); 16 -18 (Contention 2: PG&E Fails to Provide an Adequate Plan to Monitor and Manage he Effects of Aging on Unit 1 Reactor Pressure Vessel).
15 Hearing       Request       at 18 -21   (Contention         3: PG&E       Fails   to Demonstrate         Compliance           With     the Coastal     Zone     Management           Act).
15 Hearing Request at 18 -21 (Contention 3: PG&E Fails to Demonstrate Compliance With the Coastal Zone Management Act).


16 Petition     by   San   Luis   Obispo     Mothers       for Peace,     Friends     of the   Earth     and   Environmental Working       Group     for   Shutdown         of Diablo     Canyon       Nuclear     Power     Plant     Due   to Unacceptable           Risk of Seismic     Core     Damage         Accident       (March       4, 2024)     (ADAMS           Accession       No. ML24067A066) 17 Secretary       Order     (Mar. 12,   2024)     (unpublished)         (ADAMS           Accession       No. ML24072A529).
16 Petition by San Luis Obispo Mothers for Peace, Friends of the Earth and Environmental Working Group for Shutdown of Diablo Canyon Nuclear Power Plant Due to Unacceptable Risk of Seismic Core Damage Accident (March 4, 2024) (ADAMS Accession No. ML24067A066) 17 Secretary Order (Mar. 12, 2024) (unpublished) (ADAMS Accession No. ML24072A529).


18 Email     from     Perry   Buckberg,         NRC,     to Diane     Curran,     et al. (May     15,   2024)     (ADAMS Accession       No. ML24136A162).
18 Email from Perry Buckberg, NRC, to Diane Curran, et al. (May 15, 2024) (ADAMS Accession No. ML24136A162).
9
9


contemplated         by   PRB     procedures,       Dr. Bird     appeared       before     the   PRB     on   July   17,   2024,     and provided       a briefing. 19 The   PRB     has   not   yet   issued     a final   decision.
contemplated by PRB procedures, Dr. Bird appeared before the PRB on July 17, 2024, and provided a briefing. 19 The PRB has not yet issued a final decision.


Both   PG&E       and   the   NRC     Staff   opposed       Petitioners       Hearing     Request.     20 On   Ma y   22,
Both PG&E and the NRC Staff opposed Petitioners Hearing Request. 20 On Ma y 22,


2024,     the ASLB       held   an oral   argument       on   Petitioners       standing       and   the   admissibility         of
2024, the ASLB held an oral argument on Petitioners standing and the admissibility of


contentions.       The   ASLB       issued     LBP     -24 -06   on   July   3, 2024,     finding     that   Petitioners       had   standing
contentions. The ASLB issued LBP -24 -06 on July 3, 2024, finding that Petitioners had standing


but   denying     admission         of all three   of their   contentions.
but denying admission of all three of their contentions.


III.       ARGUMENT
III. ARGUMENT


A. Contention         1 is Admissible.
A. Contention 1 is Admissible.


The   risk   of a serious     earthquake         at DCPP       has   been     a controversial         subject     since
The risk of a serious earthquake at DCPP has been a controversial subject since


construction       of   DCPP       when     the   Hosgri     fault   was     discovered       to lie three   miles     from     the   DCPP
construction of DCPP when the Hosgri fault was discovered to lie three miles from the DCPP


site, throwing       into   doubt     the   adequacy       of the   reactors     se ismic     design.     At   that   time,   two Commissioners           dissented       from     the   Commissions           decision       to approve     the   licensing       of DCPPP.       21
site, throwing into doubt the adequacy of the reactors se ismic design. At that time, two Commissioners dissented from the Commissions decision to approve the licensing of DCPPP. 21


In 2008,     during     the   first   license     renewal     proceeding         (and   prior   to the   termination         of that
In 2008, during the first license renewal proceeding (and prior to the termination of that


proceeding       at PG&Es         request),     the   Shoreline       fault   was   discovered         only   600   meters     from   DCPP.
proceeding at PG&Es request), the Shoreline fault was discovered only 600 meters from DCPP.


That   discovery       halted     the   progress       of the   license     review     while     PG&E       updated       its se ismic
That discovery halted the progress of the license review while PG&E updated its se ismic


analysis. 22 Thus,     both   knowledge         and   concern     about     se ismic     risk   to   DCPP       have   expanded       in
analysis. 22 Thus, both knowledge and concern about se ismic risk to DCPP have expanded in


19 See   Supplemental           Declaration       of   Peter   Bird,   Ph.D     (June     7, 2024)     (ADAMS           Accession         No.
19 See Supplemental Declaration of Peter Bird, Ph.D (June 7, 2024) (ADAMS Accession No.
24162A079) 20 Pacific     Gas     and   Electric     Companys         Answer       Opposing       the   Hearing       Request       Filed   by   San   Luis Obispo     Mothers       for   Peace,     Friends     of   the   Earth   and   Environmental           Working       Group     (March       29, 2024)     (PG&E         Answer);       NRC       Staff   Answer       Opposing       the   San   Luis   Obispo       Mothers       for   Peace, Friends     of the   Earth   and   Environmental           Working       Group     Hearing       Request       (March       29,   2024)
24162A079) 20 Pacific Gas and Electric Companys Answer Opposing the Hearing Request Filed by San Luis Obispo Mothers for Peace, Friends of the Earth and Environmental Working Group (March 29, 2024) (PG&E Answer); NRC Staff Answer Opposing the San Luis Obispo Mothers for Peace, Friends of the Earth and Environmental Working Group Hearing Request (March 29, 2024)
(NRC       Staff   Answer).
(NRC Staff Answer).


21 Pacific     Gas   and   Electric     Co.   (Diablo       Canyon       Nuclear       Power     Plant,   Units     1 and   2), CLI   -82   -
21 Pacific Gas and Electric Co. (Diablo Canyon Nuclear Power Plant, Units 1 and 2), CLI -82 -
12A,   16   N.R.C.       7, 8 -14   (1982)     . The   Commission           effectively       approved       the   licensing     of   DCPP       by refusing     to take   review     of   an Appeal       Board     decision     approving       the   granting       of the   licenses.
12A, 16 N.R.C. 7, 8 -14 (1982). The Commission effectively approved the licensing of DCPP by refusing to take review of an Appeal Board decision approving the granting of the licenses.


22 Pacific     Gas   and   Electric     Co.   (Diablo       Canyon       Nuclear       Power     Plant,   Units     1 and   2), LBP   -10   -
22 Pacific Gas and Electric Co. (Diablo Canyon Nuclear Power Plant, Units 1 and 2), LBP -10 -
15,   72   N.R.C.     257,   280   (2010).
15, 72 N.R.C. 257, 280 (2010).
10
10


tandem     over     the decades.       Thus,     as Senator       Padilla     noted     in his   discussion       with     Chairman Hanson,       se ismic     risk   has   concerned         him. 23
tandem over the decades. Thus, as Senator Padilla noted in his discussion with Chairman Hanson, se ismic risk has concerned him. 23


To   date,   PG&Es       se ismic     studies     have   primarily       focused       on   the   Hosgri     fault,   the
To date, PG&Es se ismic studies have primarily focused on the Hosgri fault, the


Shoreline       fault,   and   other   strike   -slip   faults   to the   southwest       of   the   reactors. Two     thrust   faults   (the
Shoreline fault, and other strike -slip faults to the southwest of the reactors. Two thrust faults (the


Los   Osos     fault   and   the   San   Luis   Ba y   fault)   were     also   modeled,       but   their   hazard     was
Los Osos fault and the San Luis Ba y fault) were also modeled, but their hazard was


systematically         underestimated           through       PG&Es       assignment         of   arbitrarily     ste ep   dips,
systematically underestimated through PG&Es assignment of arbitrarily ste ep dips,


unrealistically       slow     slip -rates,   and   limited     extents     of   their   seismogenic         areas. For   these   modeled
unrealistically slow slip -rates, and limited extents of their seismogenic areas. For these modeled


faults,   PG&E       most     recently     (in 2024)     estimated       se ismic     core   damage       frequency       ( SCDF     ) at approximately           3 x 10 -5 per   year   and   cited   that   value     in its 2023     Environmental           Report. 24 As
faults, PG&E most recently (in 2024) estimated se ismic core damage frequency ( SCDF ) at approximately 3 x 10 -5 per year and cited that value in its 2023 Environmental Report. 24 As


demonstrated         by   Dr. Bird,     however,       thrust     faults   in the   Irish   Hills   beneath     and   to the   northeast       of
demonstrated by Dr. Bird, however, thrust faults in the Irish Hills beneath and to the northeast of


DCPP       constitute     a source     of   se ismic     risk   that   is significantly       greater,     because       they   produce strong     shaking     that   leads   to a much     higher     chance       of se ismic     core   damage.     25 Taking       into   account
DCPP constitute a source of se ismic risk that is significantly greater, because they produce strong shaking that leads to a much higher chance of se ismic core damage. 25 Taking into account


the recent     experience         of a severe     earthquake         on   analogous       thrust   faults   under     the   Noto     Peninsula
the recent experience of a severe earthquake on analogous thrust faults under the Noto Peninsula


of Japan,     Dr. Bird   estimates       that   SCDF       from     the   thrust   faults   in the   Irish   Hills   could     be   as   high   as 1.4   x 10 -3/year,   a factor   of   47   times   higher     than   estimated       by   PG&E.       26 Under     NRC       guidance,       this
of Japan, Dr. Bird estimates that SCDF from the thrust faults in the Irish Hills could be as high as 1.4 x 10 -3/year, a factor of 47 times higher than estimated by PG&E. 26 Under NRC guidance, this


rate   of core   damage       frequency       is high   enough       to warrant     immediate         shutdown         of a reactor. 27
rate of core damage frequency is high enough to warrant immediate shutdown of a reactor. 27


23 See   discussion       above     at page     5.
23 See discussion above at page 5.


24 Bird   Declaration         at 3 -4.
24 Bird Declaration at 3 -4.


25 Id. at 4,   5 -10.
25 Id. at 4, 5 -10.


26 Id. at 4. In other   words,     as asserted     by   Dr. Bird,   the   severe     accident     that   PG&E       asserts     will occur   only     once   in 33,000     years     may     actually     occur     every     ~715     years. That   means       that   a license extension       for   20   years   would     incur   an   additional       ~2.8%       probability       of   a severe     accident.
26 Id. at 4. In other words, as asserted by Dr. Bird, the severe accident that PG&E asserts will occur only once in 33,000 years may actually occur every ~715 years. That means that a license extension for 20 years would incur an additional ~2.8% probability of a severe accident.


27 Hearing       Request       at 13   and   note   27   (citing   Office     Instruction       LIC   -101,     License     Amendment Review       Procedures         (Rev. 6, July   31,   2020)     (NRC     Accession         No. ML19248C539).
27 Hearing Request at 13 and note 27 (citing Office Instruction LIC -101, License Amendment Review Procedures (Rev. 6, July 31, 2020) (NRC Accession No. ML19248C539).
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11


Petitioners       presented       these   specific     concerns       in their   Hearing       Request,       supporting       them
Petitioners presented these specific concerns in their Hearing Request, supporting them


with   the detailed     and   well   -documented           declaration       of   Dr. Bird. They     also   relied   on   Chairman
with the detailed and well -documented declaration of Dr. Bird. They also relied on Chairman


Hansons       commitment           to Sen. Padilla     that   the   NRC     would       d   at se ismic     risk   as   part   of the license     renewal     process.     28 But   the   ASLB       rejected     Petitioners       claims.
Hansons commitment to Sen. Padilla that the NRC would d at se ismic risk as part of the license renewal process. 28 But the ASLB rejected Petitioners claims.
: 1. Petitioners         claims     fall   within     the   scope     of   this   license     renewal       proceeding.
: 1. Petitioners claims fall within the scope of this license renewal proceeding.


First,   the   ASLB       held   that   consideration         of   Petitioners       contention       is out   of scope     because
First, the ASLB held that consideration of Petitioners contention is out of scope because


it is barred     by   NRC     regulations:       Part   54   regulations       limiting     the scope     of a sa fety   review     for
it is barred by NRC regulations: Part 54 regulations limiting the scope of a sa fety review for


license     renewal     to the   adequacy       of   the   licensees     aging     management           program       for   passive
license renewal to the adequacy of the licensees aging management program for passive


structures     and   Part   51   regulations       barring     NEPA       consideration         of issues   covered       by   the   2013 License     Renewal       GEIS. 29 In light   of these     barriers,     the   ASLB       ruled   that   the   Petitioners       were
structures and Part 51 regulations barring NEPA consideration of issues covered by the 2013 License Renewal GEIS. 29 In light of these barriers, the ASLB ruled that the Petitioners were


required     to submit     a waiver     petition     in order   to obtain     consideration         of Contention         1. 30 The
required to submit a waiver petition in order to obtain consideration of Contention 1. 30 The


ASLB       also   rejected     Petitioners       argument       that   Chairman         Hansons       commitment           to   Senator
ASLB also rejected Petitioners argument that Chairman Hansons commitment to Senator


Padilla     overrode       the   NRCs       Part   54   and   Part   51   regulations       and   rendered       Petitioners       claims
Padilla overrode the NRCs Part 54 and Part 51 regulations and rendered Petitioners claims


material     to the   NRCs       license     renewal     decision       under     Union     of Concerned         Scientists     v. NRC,     735
material to the NRCs license renewal decision under Union of Concerned Scientists v. NRC, 735


F.2d   1435,     1438     (D.C. Cir. 1984)     (finding     that   a rule   that   denie[d]       a right   to a hearing     on   a
F.2d 1435, 1438 (D.C. Cir. 1984) (finding that a rule that denie[d] a right to a hearing on a


material     factor   relied   upon     by   the   Commission           in making       its licensing     decisions       . . . was     issued
material factor relied upon by the Commission in making its licensing decisions... was issued


in excess     of the   Commission's           authority     under     section     189(a),     and   must     be vacated).         While     the
in excess of the Commission's authority under section 189(a), and must be vacated). While the


ASLB       conceded       that   the   caselaw     was     unclear       on   the   subject,     it expressed       grave     doubt     as to whether     the   Commission           could     be   bound     by   Chairman         Hansons       statements.       31
ASLB conceded that the caselaw was unclear on the subject, it expressed grave doubt as to whether the Commission could be bound by Chairman Hansons statements. 31


28 See   discussion       above     at page   5.
28 See discussion above at page 5.


29 LBP     -24 -06 , slip   op. at 28,   33 -35.
29 LBP -24 -06, slip op. at 28, 33 -35.


30 Id ., slip op. at 35 -37.
30 Id., slip op. at 35 -37.


31 Id.,   slip op. at 29   and   note   127. Petitioners       note   that   LBP   -24   -06   appears     to assume       that Petitioners       reliance     on   Chairman       Hansons       commitment           is limited     to the   portion     of   Contention       1
31 Id., slip op. at 29 and note 127. Petitioners note that LBP -24 -06 appears to assume that Petitioners reliance on Chairman Hansons commitment is limited to the portion of Contention 1


12
12


Petitioners       respectfully       submit     that   in the   circumstances           of this   proceeding,         caselaw       cited
Petitioners respectfully submit that in the circumstances of this proceeding, caselaw cited


in LBP   -24 -06   (at page   29   n. 127)     supports     a finding     that   Chairman       Hansons       commitment           to
in LBP -24 -06 (at page 29 n. 127) supports a finding that Chairman Hansons commitment to


conduct     a thorough       review     of   se ismic     risks   to DCPP       during     the   license     renewal     process     is
conduct a thorough review of se ismic risks to DCPP during the license renewal process is


binding     on   the   Commission.           In Texas     v. United     States,     86   F.Supp.3d       591,   654   n.64   (S.D. Tex.
binding on the Commission. In Texas v. United States, 86 F.Supp.3d 591, 654 n.64 (S.D. Tex.


2015),     for instance,       the District     Court     relied   on   representations         by   an   IRS   commissioner
2015), for instance, the District Court relied on representations by an IRS commissioner


regarding       the   eligibility     of   a certain     class   of taxpayers       for earned     income       tax   credits. And     in
regarding the eligibility of a certain class of taxpayers for earned income tax credits. And in


United     States     v. Morgan,       118   F.Supp.     621,   699   (S.D.N.Y.       1953),     the District     Court     found     that
United States v. Morgan, 118 F.Supp. 621, 699 (S.D.N.Y. 1953), the District Court found that


writings     by   commissioners           of the   Securities       and   Exchange         Commission           who     addressed       the
writings by commissioners of the Securities and Exchange Commission who addressed the


meaning       of   statutory     provision       on   which     they   had   been     in close     cooperation         with   the   members
meaning of statutory provision on which they had been in close cooperation with the members


of the   Congress       who   formulated         the   terms     of some     of the   statutory     provisions       provided
of the Congress who formulated the terms of some of the statutory provisions provided


information       that   while     not   binding       was   persuasive         and   helpful,     especially       as they     are   those   of
information that while not binding was persuasive and helpful, especially as they are those of


public   officials     of ripe   experience       in   dealing     with     this   very   subject     matter     from     day   to day.
public officials of ripe experience in dealing with this very subject matter from day to day.


Here,     as   in Texas     and   Morgan,       Chairman       Hanson       and   his   fellow     Commissioners             are
Here, as in Texas and Morgan, Chairman Hanson and his fellow Commissioners are


closely     familiar     with     the general     regulatory       framework         of   the NRCs       regulatory       process,
closely familiar with the general regulatory framework of the NRCs regulatory process,


including       the conceptual         framework         that   ordinarily       excludes       se ismic     risk   issues     from   the   license
including the conceptual framework that ordinarily excludes se ismic risk issues from the license


renewal     review     process.     And     they   are   just as   closely     familiar     with   their   obligation       and   plenary
renewal review process. And they are just as closely familiar with their obligation and plenary


power,     as   the   NRC     officials     with   ultimate     responsibility         for   carrying     out   the   requirements         of the
power, as the NRC officials with ultimate responsibility for carrying out the requirements of the


Atomic     Energy       Act,   to ensure     that   under     no   circumstances           will   operation       of   Diablo     Canyon       or any   other   nuclear     power     plant   pose     an unacceptable         risk   to public     health     and   safety. 32 Further,
Atomic Energy Act, to ensure that under no circumstances will operation of Diablo Canyon or any other nuclear power plant pose an unacceptable risk to public health and safety. 32 Further,


that is based     on   Atomic       Energy       Act   -based     safety     requirements,         not   NEPA.       Id., slip   op. at 28.
that is based on Atomic Energy Act -based safety requirements, not NEPA. Id., slip op. at 28.
That   assumption         is incorrect.     Section     A   of Contention         1 (Statement       of   Contention)         invokes     both the Atomic       Energy       Act   and   NEPA.       Hearing       Request       at 7. Section     C (Demonstration           that   the Contention       is Within     the   Scope     of the   Proceeding)         also   invokes     both   the   Atomic       Energy       Act   and NEPA       in claiming       reliance     on   Chairman       Hansons         commitment           to Senator     Padilla. Id. at 14.
That assumption is incorrect. Section A of Contention 1 (Statement of Contention) invokes both the Atomic Energy Act and NEPA. Hearing Request at 7. Section C (Demonstration that the Contention is Within the Scope of the Proceeding) also invokes both the Atomic Energy Act and NEPA in claiming reliance on Chairman Hansons commitment to Senator Padilla. Id. at 14.


32 42   U.S.C.     § 2232(a).
32 42 U.S.C. § 2232(a).
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13


they   surely     are   aware     that   few   people     outside     the   NRC     are   familiar     with   the   byzantine       and
they surely are aware that few people outside the NRC are familiar with the byzantine and


loopholed       structure     of the   NRCs       license     renewal       process,     which     limits   the   sa fety   review     to
loopholed structure of the NRCs license renewal process, which limits the sa fety review to


aging   management           issues     and   excludes       se ismic     risks   from     environmental           reviews       based     on   the
aging management issues and excludes se ismic risks from environmental reviews based on the


NRCs       Generic     Environmental           Impact       Statement       for License       Renewal.       Ca se   in point   is the
NRCs Generic Environmental Impact Statement for License Renewal. Ca se in point is the


California       Legislature,       which     assumed       in passing     S.B. 846   that   the   NRCs       license     renewal
California Legislature, which assumed in passing S.B. 846 that the NRCs license renewal


review     would       review     se ismic     risk   to DCPP       before     allowing       an   extended       operating       license     term. 33
review would review se ismic risk to DCPP before allowing an extended operating license term. 33


Finally,     as conveyed         by   Senator     Padilla,     se ismic     risk   to DCPP       constitutes       a longstanding         and
Finally, as conveyed by Senator Padilla, se ismic risk to DCPP constitutes a longstanding and


grave   concern       to the   Senator       as well   as his   constituents.       34
grave concern to the Senator as well as his constituents. 34


Thus,     Chairman       Hansons         unqualified       assurance       to Senator     Padilla     that   the   NRC     will
Thus, Chairman Hansons unqualified assurance to Senator Padilla that the NRC will


take   another     look     at se ismic     risk   as   part   of   the   license     renewal       process     must     be   taken     to
take another look at se ismic risk as part of the license renewal process must be taken to


constitute     an   assurance       that   means     just   what     it reasonably       appears       to mean:     that   the   NRC       will
constitute an assurance that means just what it reasonably appears to mean: that the NRC will


examine       se ismic     risk   with   new     eyes   and   in a comprehensive           manner,       and   that   it will   be
examine se ismic risk with new eyes and in a comprehensive manner, and that it will be


conducted       as part   of the   license     renewal       process,     i.e., will   be   a condition       of license     renewal.       And
conducted as part of the license renewal process, i.e., will be a condition of license renewal. And


if the   se ismic     review     is conducted       as material       part   of the   license     renewal       proceeding         as promised,
if the se ismic review is conducted as material part of the license renewal proceeding as promised,


that   necessarily       means       that   it will   be   subject     to   public     participation       through     the   adjudicatory
that necessarily means that it will be subject to public participation through the adjudicatory


process. 35
process. 35


33 See   discussion       above     at 4.
33 See discussion above at 4.


34 See   discussion       above     at 5.
34 See discussion above at 5.


35 Union     of Concerned         Scientists     v. NRC,     735   F.2d   at 1438. According         to the   Board,     Chairman Hansons       statement       could     reasonably       be   interpreted       to mean     that   the   seismic     risks   [Chairman Hanson]       referenced       were     related     to those   that   already     had   been     considered       as   part   of the agencys       safety   review     - which     are   limited     to aging     management           programs       and   time   -limited aging   analyses.       LBP   -24   -06 , slip   op. at 30. But   this crabbed       alternative       interpretation         does   not bear   objective       scrutiny.     Senator     Padilla     stated   his   inquiry     in the   broadest       possible     terms,     and Chairman       Hanson       responded       in kind,   without       qualification.       Further,     none     of his   fellow commissioners           demurred       or sought     to qualify     his statement.       Thus,     they   can   reasonably         be presumed       to have     agreed     with   and   supported       his   promise.
35 Union of Concerned Scientists v. NRC, 735 F.2d at 1438. According to the Board, Chairman Hansons statement could reasonably be interpreted to mean that the seismic risks [Chairman Hanson] referenced were related to those that already had been considered as part of the agencys safety review - which are limited to aging management programs and time -limited aging analyses. LBP -24 -06, slip op. at 30. But this crabbed alternative interpretation does not bear objective scrutiny. Senator Padilla stated his inquiry in the broadest possible terms, and Chairman Hanson responded in kind, without qualification. Further, none of his fellow commissioners demurred or sought to qualify his statement. Thus, they can reasonably be presumed to have agreed with and supported his promise.
14
14
: 2. Petitioners       claims     are   sufficiently       specific     to   warrant       admission         of the contention.
: 2. Petitioners claims are sufficiently specific to warrant admission of the contention.


The   ASLB       also   ruled     that   with   respect     to its sa fety   claims,     Contention         1 is inadmissible
The ASLB also ruled that with respect to its sa fety claims, Contention 1 is inadmissible


for its failure   to dispute     with   specificity       the   exact   portions     of   PG&Es       license     renewal application       the   Petitioners       disputed.     36 But   this   ruling     is tautological.       It would       not   be   possible     for
for its failure to dispute with specificity the exact portions of PG&Es license renewal application the Petitioners disputed. 36 But this ruling is tautological. It would not be possible for


Petitioners       to dispute     PG&Es         license     renewal       application,       because       the   NRCs       Part   54
Petitioners to dispute PG&Es license renewal application, because the NRCs Part 54


regulations       do   not   require     PG&E       to address       se ismic   risk   in the   sa fety   portion     of its application.
regulations do not require PG&E to address se ismic risk in the sa fety portion of its application.


Petitioners       comprehensively             cited   all relevant     PG&E       studies     and   reports     bearing     on   the   question
Petitioners comprehensively cited all relevant PG&E studies and reports bearing on the question


of se ismic     risk   to DCPP       including       the   Environmental           Report,     which     constitutes       a part   of   PG&Es license     renewal     application.       37 If the   Commission           upholds     Chairman         Hansons       commitment           to
of se ismic risk to DCPP including the Environmental Report, which constitutes a part of PG&Es license renewal application. 37 If the Commission upholds Chairman Hansons commitment to


Senator     Padilla,     it will   find   that   Dr. Bird   has   comprehensively             analyzed       every     one   of PG&Es
Senator Padilla, it will find that Dr. Bird has comprehensively analyzed every one of PG&Es


reports     that   is relevant     to the   question       of whether       extended       operation       of DCPP       in a license
reports that is relevant to the question of whether extended operation of DCPP in a license


renewal     term   can   be   conducted       safely.
renewal term can be conducted safely.


B. Contention         2 is A dmissible.
B. Contention 2 is A dmissible.
Petitioners       Contention         2 asserts   that:
Petitioners Contention 2 asserts that:
PG&Es       license     renewal       application       does   not   include     an   adequate       plan   to monitor     and manage       the   effects     of aging     due   to   embrittlement         of the   Unit   1 reactor     pressure       vessel
PG&Es license renewal application does not include an adequate plan to monitor and manage the effects of aging due to embrittlement of the Unit 1 reactor pressure vessel
( RPV   )   or an   adequate       time   -limited     aging   analysis     (TLAA),         as   required     by   10   C.F.R.
( RPV ) or an adequate time -limited aging analysis (TLAA), as required by 10 C.F.R.
            § 54.21. 38
§ 54.21. 38


As   Petitioners       assert   in their   Ba sis   Statement,       PG&Es         proposed       aging     management           program
As Petitioners assert in their Ba sis Statement, PG&Es proposed aging management program


for the   reactor     pressure     vessel     relies   heavily     upon     and   perpetuates       the   preexisting       and   inadequate
for the reactor pressure vessel relies heavily upon and perpetuates the preexisting and inadequate


surveillance       program       that   PG&E       has   used     during     the   decades     -old   initial   operating       license
surveillance program that PG&E has used during the decades -old initial operating license


period. Petitioners       rely   for   this assertion       on the   expert     declaration       of Dr. Digby     Macdonald,
period. Petitioners rely for this assertion on the expert declaration of Dr. Digby Macdonald,


36 LBP     -24 -06,   slip   op. at 32.
36 LBP -24 -06, slip op. at 32.


37 See   Hearing       Request       at 7 -13,   Bird   Declaration,         ¶¶ 10 -13,   14(6),     15,   30,   34.
37 See Hearing Request at 7 -13, Bird Declaration, ¶¶ 10 -13, 14(6), 15, 30, 34.


38 Hearing       Request       at 16.
38 Hearing Request at 16.
15
15


which     se ts forth   a se t of   fundamental         deficiencies       in PG&Es       monitoring         program,       including       its disregard     of   serious     indications       of   embrittlement.         39 As   summarized           in the   contention       s Ba sis
which se ts forth a se t of fundamental deficiencies in PG&Es monitoring program, including its disregard of serious indications of embrittlement. 39 As summarized in the contention s Ba sis


Statement,       [t]aking       all of these   deficiencies       into   account,     Dr. Macdonald         concludes       that   the
Statement, [t]aking all of these deficiencies into account, Dr. Macdonald concludes that the


NRC     must     reject   PG&Es         license     renewal       application       because       it relies   on   this   outdated preexisting       program       without     addressing       or resolving       multiple       serious     inadequacies.         40
NRC must reject PG&Es license renewal application because it relies on this outdated preexisting program without addressing or resolving multiple serious inadequacies. 40


The     ASLB       rejected     Contention       2, ruling     that   Petitioners       and   Dr. Macdonald         had   focused
The ASLB rejected Contention 2, ruling that Petitioners and Dr. Macdonald had focused


impermissibly         on   sa fety   problems       in the   current     license     term   rather     than   the prospective         license
impermissibly on sa fety problems in the current license term rather than the prospective license


renewal     term. 41 In making       this   ruling,     however,       the ASLB       failed   to consider     the   detail   and
renewal term. 41 In making this ruling, however, the ASLB failed to consider the detail and


specificity     with   which     Dr. Macdonald         demonstrated           that   in Shakespeares           words,     Whats       past   is
specificity with which Dr. Macdonald demonstrated that in Shakespeares words, Whats past is


prologue.       For   instance,     in Section     IV   of   his Declaration,         Dr. Macdonald         provided       specific     and
prologue. For instance, in Section IV of his Declaration, Dr. Macdonald provided specific and


detailed     quotations       from     PG&Es       license     renewal       application       that   demonstrate         reliance     by   the
detailed quotations from PG&Es license renewal application that demonstrate reliance by the


LRA     on   previous     results     of PG&Es       reactor     pressure     vessel     surveillance       program       for   its
LRA on previous results of PG&Es reactor pressure vessel surveillance program for its


TLAAs.       42 Dr. Macdonald         also   cited   specific     portions     of   the LRA     to   demonstrate         that   PG&E
TLAAs. 42 Dr. Macdonald also cited specific portions of the LRA to demonstrate that PG&E


implicitly     relies   on   deadlines       in its current     operating       license     for   withdrawal         of surveillance
implicitly relies on deadlines in its current operating license for withdrawal of surveillance


39 Id.   (citing   Exhibit     3, Declaration       of   Digby     Macdonald,         Ph.D     (March     4, 2024)     (Macdonald Declaration)).
39 Id. (citing Exhibit 3, Declaration of Digby Macdonald, Ph.D (March 4, 2024) (Macdonald Declaration)).


40 Hearing       Request       at 17.
40 Hearing Request at 17.


41 U.S. Dept. of Energy     (High     -Level     Waste     Repository),         LBP   -09   -06,   69   N.R.C.     367,   408   (2006)
41 U.S. Dept. of Energy (High -Level Waste Repository), LBP -09 -06, 69 N.R.C. 367, 408 (2006)
(LBP     -09 -06). In LBP   -09   -06,   the   ASLB       accepted       contentions       wherein       the   expert     opinions supporting       the contentions         were     detailed     in the   contentions         themselves       and   supported       by   a brief statement       of adoption       in the   expert     declaration.       Petitioners       could     have   taken     that   approach,       but chose     instead     to provide     detailed     technical     support     for   the   main     points   of   the   contention       in the expert   declaration.       In   both   cases,   the   contention       and   supporting       declaration,       taken     together,     put other   parties   on   notice     of the   petitioners       concerns       and   thereby     satisfied     the   objective     of   10 C.F.R.     § 2.309(f)(1)(v)         and   (vi)   to ensure     that   only     those     contentions       that   have     been demonstrated         to have     sufficient     substance       to warrant       further   consideration         on   the   merits     will   be admitted.
(LBP -09 -06). In LBP -09 -06, the ASLB accepted contentions wherein the expert opinions supporting the contentions were detailed in the contentions themselves and supported by a brief statement of adoption in the expert declaration. Petitioners could have taken that approach, but chose instead to provide detailed technical support for the main points of the contention in the expert declaration. In both cases, the contention and supporting declaration, taken together, put other parties on notice of the petitioners concerns and thereby satisfied the objective of 10 C.F.R. § 2.309(f)(1)(v) and (vi) to ensure that only those contentions that have been demonstrated to have sufficient substance to warrant further consideration on the merits will be admitted.


42 See   Macdonald         Declaration       , Section     IV,   ¶¶ 12 -18.
42 See Macdonald Declaration, Section IV, ¶¶ 12 -18.
16
16


Capsule     B   and   the   conduct     of   ultrasonic       testing,   without     explicitly       setting   new     deadlines       as part of the   license     renewal     application.       43 Thus,     Dr. Macdonald         documented           his observation         that:
Capsule B and the conduct of ultrasonic testing, without explicitly setting new deadlines as part of the license renewal application. 43 Thus, Dr. Macdonald documented his observation that:


[T]he   LRA     incorporates         and   depends       heavily     on   previous       tests   and   analyses       of RPV embrittlement         at DCPP       and   other   reactors     for   its conclusion       that   (a)   the   Unit   1 RPV     is entering     the period     of license     renewal       in a reasonably       sa fe condition       that   complies       with NRC     regulations       and   (b)   its condition       can   be   adequately         managed       throughout         the license renewal     term. 44
[T]he LRA incorporates and depends heavily on previous tests and analyses of RPV embrittlement at DCPP and other reactors for its conclusion that (a) the Unit 1 RPV is entering the period of license renewal in a reasonably sa fe condition that complies with NRC regulations and (b) its condition can be adequately managed throughout the license renewal term. 44


As   Dr. Macdonald         further     attested,     PG&Es         conclusions         in these   sections     of the   LRA     are   not
As Dr. Macdonald further attested, PG&Es conclusions in these sections of the LRA are not


justified     because       PG&E       has   failed   to demonstrate         that   the   Unit   1 reactor     pressure     vessel     is sa fe
justified because PG&E has failed to demonstrate that the Unit 1 reactor pressure vessel is sa fe


to operate     in   the current     license     term,   let alone     a renewal     term. 45 These     deficiencies       include
to operate in the current license term, let alone a renewal term. 45 These deficiencies include


PG&Es       inexplicable         and   gravely     concerning         decision     to discard     surveillance       data   showing
PG&Es inexplicable and gravely concerning decision to discard surveillance data showing


that   the Unit     RPV     would     approach       the   NRCs       screening       limit   for   embrittlement         at the   end   of its
that the Unit RPV would approach the NRCs screening limit for embrittlement at the end of its


current     operating       life (¶¶   19.a   and   19.b),   substitution       of data   from     other   reactors     without
current operating life (¶¶ 19.a and 19.b), substitution of data from other reactors without


applying       a larger     error   band     (¶ 19.c),   failing     to speed     up   the   RPV     monitoring         schedule       to get   a
applying a larger error band (¶ 19.c), failing to speed up the RPV monitoring schedule to get a


better   sense   of   its condition       (¶¶ 19.d   and   19.f),   and   unreasonable         extending       the schedule       for
better sense of its condition (¶¶ 19.d and 19.f), and unreasonable extending the schedule for


ultrasound       testing     of the   beltline     region     (¶¶   19.e,   19.f,   and   19.g). These     explicitly     -sta te d
ultrasound testing of the beltline region (¶¶ 19.e, 19.f, and 19.g). These explicitly -sta te d


deficiencies       support     Dr. Macdonalds           conclusion       that:
deficiencies support Dr. Macdonalds conclusion that:


[T]he   NRC       lacks   a reasonable       basis   to approve       PG&Es       license     renewal       application.
[T]he NRC lacks a reasonable basis to approve PG&Es license renewal application.
Unless     and   until   the NRC       establishes       that   the   Unit   1 pressure     vessel     can   operate     with     a reasonable       degree     of   safety,   it has   no   basis   to permit     continued       operation       in a license renewal     term. 46
Unless and until the NRC establishes that the Unit 1 pressure vessel can operate with a reasonable degree of safety, it has no basis to permit continued operation in a license renewal term. 46


43 Id.,   ¶¶ 14,   16.
43 Id., ¶¶ 14, 16.


44 Id. , ¶ 19.
44 Id., ¶ 19.


45 Id.,   Section     V, ¶¶   19 -21   (citing     Declaration         of Digby     Macdonald,         Ph.D     in Support       of Hearing Request     and   Request       for   Emergency         Order     by   San   Luis   Obispo       Mothers       for   Peace     and   Friends     of the Earth     (Sept. 14,   2023)     (NRC     Accession         No. ML23257A302)).
45 Id., Section V, ¶¶ 19 -21 (citing Declaration of Digby Macdonald, Ph.D in Support of Hearing Request and Request for Emergency Order by San Luis Obispo Mothers for Peace and Friends of the Earth (Sept. 14, 2023) (NRC Accession No. ML23257A302)).


46 Id.,   ¶ 21.
46 Id., ¶ 21.
17
17


With     these   specific     and   well   -supported       statements,       Dr. Macdonalds           Declaration
With these specific and well -supported statements, Dr. Macdonalds Declaration


established       that   PG&Es         license     renewal       application       depends       on   the   results   of   the current     reactor
established that PG&Es license renewal application depends on the results of the current reactor


vessel   surveillance         program       and   related     analyses       for its assertions       that   the   Unit   1 RPV     can   be
vessel surveillance program and related analyses for its assertions that the Unit 1 RPV can be


adequately       managed       during     the   license     renewal       term. As   in   Entergy     Nuclear       Operations,         Inc.
adequately managed during the license renewal term. As in Entergy Nuclear Operations, Inc.


(Indian     Point,     Units   1 and   2), LBP     -08 -13,   68 N.R.C.       43,   131   (2008),     Petitioners       lawfully     based
(Indian Point, Units 1 and 2), LBP -08 -13, 68 N.R.C. 43, 131 (2008), Petitioners lawfully based


their   contention       on   serious     embrittlement         issues     that   are   not   adequately       addressed       in [the licensees     license     renewal       application].       47   Therefore,       Petitioners       have   more     than   sufficiently
their contention on serious embrittlement issues that are not adequately addressed in [the licensees license renewal application]. 47 Therefore, Petitioners have more than sufficiently


raised     a genuine     issue   to   be resolved       at an   evidentiary       hearing. 48
raised a genuine issue to be resolved at an evidentiary hearing. 48


C. Contention         3 is A dmissible.
C. Contention 3 is A dmissible.
Petitioners       Contention         3 asserts:
Petitioners Contention 3 asserts:
The   NRC     may     not   approve       renewal       of PG&Es         operating       licenses     for   DCPP       because PG&E       has   not   demonstrated         compliance         with   the   Coastal     Zone     Management           Act
The NRC may not approve renewal of PG&Es operating licenses for DCPP because PG&E has not demonstrated compliance with the Coastal Zone Management Act
( CZMA       ), 16   U.S.C.     § 1451,     et seq. For   the   sa me   reason,     PG&Es       Environmental Report     also   fails   to sa tisfy   the   requirements         of   NRCs       own     regulations       mandating       the content     of   environmental           reports. 49
( CZMA ), 16 U.S.C. § 1451, et seq. For the sa me reason, PG&Es Environmental Report also fails to sa tisfy the requirements of NRCs own regulations mandating the content of environmental reports. 49


In   support     of the ir contention,       Petitioners       attached     a letter   from     the   CCC     to PG&E       withholding
In support of the ir contention, Petitioners attached a letter from the CCC to PG&E withholding


approval       of PG&Es       Coastal       Zone     Consistency         Certification         (Consistency         Certification) pending       resolution       of   a se t of deficiencies         identified     by   the   CCC. 50 In addition     to sta te   approval
approval of PG&Es Coastal Zone Consistency Certification (Consistency Certification) pending resolution of a se t of deficiencies identified by the CCC. 50 In addition to sta te approval


of   its Consistency         Certification,       PG&E       may     be   required     to obtain     one   or   more     coastal
of its Consistency Certification, PG&E may be required to obtain one or more coastal


development           permits     (CDPs).       51
development permits (CDPs). 51


47 Id. , 68   N.R.C.     at 131.
47 Id., 68 N.R.C. at 131.


48 Id.
48 Id.


49 Hearing       Request       at 18   (footnote       omitted).
49 Hearing Request at 18 (footnote omitted).


50 Exhibit     4, Letter     from   Tom     Luster,     CCC,     to Tom     Jones,     PG&E       re: Pacific     Gas   &   Electric Companys         Requested         Nuclear     Regulatory         Commission           License     Renewal       for   Diablo     Canyon Power     Plant,   San   Luis   Obispo       County       - Incomplete         Consistency         Certification         at 3 -8   (Dec. 7, 2023)     (CCC       Letter).
50 Exhibit 4, Letter from Tom Luster, CCC, to Tom Jones, PG&E re: Pacific Gas & Electric Companys Requested Nuclear Regulatory Commission License Renewal for Diablo Canyon Power Plant, San Luis Obispo County - Incomplete Consistency Certification at 3 -8 (Dec. 7, 2023) (CCC Letter).


51 Hearing       Request       at 19   (citing   Ca l. Public     Resources         Code     § 30600).
51 Hearing Request at 19 (citing Ca l. Public Resources Code § 30600).
18
18


The   ASLB       agree[d]       with   Petitioners       that   the   CZMA         requires     the   NRC     ultimately       to receive     a concurrence         in a licensees       consistency         certification.       52 But   the   Board     ruled   that
The ASLB agree[d] with Petitioners that the CZMA requires the NRC ultimately to receive a concurrence in a licensees consistency certification. 52 But the Board ruled that


Contention         3 nevertheless         is inadmissible         because       the   CZMA         does   not   require     an applicant       to include     with   the   application       to the   federal     agency       a concurrence         by   the   sta te agency.     53 Thus,
Contention 3 nevertheless is inadmissible because the CZMA does not require an applicant to include with the application to the federal agency a concurrence by the sta te agency. 53 Thus,


according       to the   Board,     the   contention       is unripe. Petitioners       must     wait   until   some     undesignated
according to the Board, the contention is unripe. Petitioners must wait until some undesignated


time     in the   future,   when     - if PG&E       has   not   obtained       the   necessary       concurrence         - they   may     se ek to   file a motion     to reopen     the   record     or   a motion       to file a new     contention.       54
time in the future, when - if PG&E has not obtained the necessary concurrence - they may se ek to file a motion to reopen the record or a motion to file a new contention. 54


The   Boards     ruling     is unlawful       under     Union     of Concerned         Scientists,     735   F.2d   at 1438,
The Boards ruling is unlawful under Union of Concerned Scientists, 735 F.2d at 1438,


1443.     As   conceded       by   the   ASLB,       a c oncurrence         from   the   CCC     is essential     to the   NRCs
1443. As conceded by the ASLB, a c oncurrence from the CCC is essential to the NRCs


licensing       decision     , and   therefore       it is a material     issue   on   which     the   NRC     must     offer   a hearing.     In
licensing decision, and therefore it is a material issue on which the NRC must offer a hearing. In


Union     of   Concerned         Scientists,     the   petitioners       challenged       an   NRC     rule   that   conditioned         the
Union of Concerned Scientists, the petitioners challenged an NRC rule that conditioned the


issuance       of reactor     operating       licenses     on   the   conduct       of offsite   emergency         planning       exercises
issuance of reactor operating licenses on the conduct of offsite emergency planning exercises


and   yet   excluded       the outcome       of   the   exercises     from     the   subject     matter     of   hearing     requests     by characterizing         them     as   part   of   the   operational       inspection       process.     55 The   rationale     for   the   rule
and yet excluded the outcome of the exercises from the subject matter of hearing requests by characterizing them as part of the operational inspection process. 55 The rationale for the rule


was     that   by   treating     the   exercises     as   inspections       and   holding     them     close   to the   time   of   licensing,
was that by treating the exercises as inspections and holding them close to the time of licensing,


the   exercises       would     be   more     meaningful.         56 But   the   NRC       was   unwilling       to delay     licensing     by
the exercises would be more meaningful. 56 But the NRC was unwilling to delay licensing by


holding       hearings     on   the   outcome       of the   exercises.
holding hearings on the outcome of the exercises.


52 LBP     -24 -06,   slip   op. at 48. See   also   id., slip   op. at 50   (finding     that   a consistency determination           (by   the   sta te or   the Secretary)       is required     prior   to the   issuance     of   any   license renewal       here.).
52 LBP -24 -06, slip op. at 48. See also id., slip op. at 50 (finding that a consistency determination (by the sta te or the Secretary) is required prior to the issuance of any license renewal here.).
53 Id.   (emphasis       in ori ginal).
53 Id. (emphasis in ori ginal).


54 Id. , slip op. at 51.
54 Id., slip op. at 51.


55 735   F.2d   at 140.
55 735 F.2d at 140.


56 Id.
56 Id.
19
19


The   Court     reversed     the   NRC       rule,   holding     that   once     a hearing     on   a licensing     proceeding
The Court reversed the NRC rule, holding that once a hearing on a licensing proceeding


is begun,     it must     encompass         all material     factors     bearing     on   the   licensing     decision     raised     by   the
is begun, it must encompass all material factors bearing on the licensing decision raised by the


requester. 57 In so   ruling,   the   Court     explicitly       rejected     the   NRCs       invitation       to petitioners       to
requester. 57 In so ruling, the Court explicitly rejected the NRCs invitation to petitioners to


reopen     the   hearing     if the   exercise     identifies     fundamental         defects     in the   emergency         preparedness
reopen the hearing if the exercise identifies fundamental defects in the emergency preparedness


plans,     finding     that   the   offer   to apply     a discretionary         standard     for   whether       to grant   a hearing     was
plans, finding that the offer to apply a discretionary standard for whether to grant a hearing was


not   consistent       with   the   strict   hearing     requirements         of Section     189(a)     of   the   Atomic       Energy     Act, 42   U.S.C.     § 2239(a).     58
not consistent with the strict hearing requirements of Section 189(a) of the Atomic Energy Act, 42 U.S.C. § 2239(a). 58


Here,   Petitioners       have     provided       evidence,       in the   form   of   a letter   to PG&E       from     the   CCC,
Here, Petitioners have provided evidence, in the form of a letter to PG&E from the CCC,


that   the CCC     is not   sa tisfie d   with   PG&Es       certification.       This   evidence       is sufficient     to raise   a
that the CCC is not sa tisfie d with PG&Es certification. This evidence is sufficient to raise a


genuine     and   material     dispute     with   PG&E       as   to whether       it will   be   able   to obtain     the   necessary
genuine and material dispute with PG&E as to whether it will be able to obtain the necessary


concurrence.         The   NRC       may   not   reject   the   contention       now     as   unripe     and   later   impose     a
concurrence. The NRC may not reject the contention now as unripe and later impose a


heightened       pleading       standard     on   Petitioners       for litigating     their   concern.       While     the Commission
heightened pleading standard on Petitioners for litigating their concern. While the Commission


may   hold   the   contention       in abeyance       pending       further     developments,           it may     not   reject   the
may hold the contention in abeyance pending further developments, it may not reject the


contention       now     and   place     extra   burdens     on   Petitioners       at whatever       time   in the   future     the   NRC
contention now and place extra burdens on Petitioners at whatever time in the future the NRC


deems     ripe   for   raising     this material     issue.
deems ripe for raising this material issue.


IV.         CONCLUSION F or the   foregoing       reasons,     the Commission           should     reverse     LBP   -24   -06   and   admit
IV. CONCLUSION F or the foregoing reasons, the Commission should reverse LBP -24 -06 and admit


Petitioners       contentions.
Petitioners contentions.


57 735   F.2d   at 1443     (citing     Porter     County       Chapter       of the   Izaak     Walton     League       v. NRC     , 606   F.2d 1363,     1368     (D.C. Cir. 1979)     ("such     proceedings         as are   begun     shall   be   formal,     public     hearings").
57 735 F.2d at 1443 (citing Porter County Chapter of the Izaak Walton League v. NRC, 606 F.2d 1363, 1368 (D.C. Cir. 1979) ("such proceedings as are begun shall be formal, public hearings").


58 Id.
58 Id.
20
20


Respectfully         submitted,
Respectfully submitted,


__/signed       electronically         by/___
__/signed electronically by/___
Diane     Curran Harmon,       Curran,     Spielberg,       &   Eisenberg,       L.L.P.
Diane Curran Harmon, Curran, Spielberg, & Eisenberg, L.L.P.
1725     DeSales       Street   N.W.,     Suite   500 Washington,         D.C. 20036 240   -393   -9285 dcurran@harmoncurran.com
1725 DeSales Street N.W., Suite 500 Washington, D.C. 20036 240 -393 -9285 dcurran@harmoncurran.com


Counsel       to San   Luis   Obispo     Mothers       for Peace
Counsel to San Luis Obispo Mothers for Peace


__/signed       electronically         by/___
__/signed electronically by/___
Hallie   Templeton Friends     of the   Earth 1101     15 th Street,   11 th Floor Washington,         DC   20005 434   -326   -4647 htempleton@foe.org
Hallie Templeton Friends of the Earth 1101 15 th Street, 11 th Floor Washington, DC 20005 434 -326 -4647 htempleton@foe.org


Counsel       to Friends     of the   Earth
Counsel to Friends of the Earth


__/signed       electronically         by/___
__/signed electronically by/___
Caroline     Leary Environmental           Working         Group 1250     I St N.W.
Caroline Leary Environmental Working Group 1250 I St N.W.
Washington,         DC   20005 202   -667   -6982 cleary@ewg.org
Washington, DC 20005 202 -667 -6982 cleary@ewg.org


Counsel       to Environmental           Working       Group
Counsel to Environmental Working Group


July   29,   2024 21
July 29, 2024 21


CERTIFICATE                   OF   SERVICE
CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE


I certify   that   on   July   29 , 2024,     I pos   ted   the   foregoing       NOTICE         OF   APPEAL         OF   LBP     -24 -06   BY SAN     LUIS     OBISPO         MO THERS           FOR     PEACE,         FRIENDS           OF   T HE   EARTH         AND ENVIRONMENTAL                       WORKIN G           GROUP           and   BRIEF       BY     SAN     LUIS     OBISPO         MO THERS FOR     PEACE,         FRIENDS           OF   THE     EARTH         AND     ENVIRONMENTAL                       WORKIN G             GROUP ON   APPEAL           OF   LBP   -24   -06   the   NRCs       Electronic       Information         Exchange.
I certify that on July 29, 2024, I pos ted the foregoing NOTICE OF APPEAL OF LBP -24 -06 BY SAN LUIS OBISPO MO THERS FOR PEACE, FRIENDS OF T HE EARTH AND ENVIRONMENTAL WORKIN G GROUP and BRIEF BY SAN LUIS OBISPO MO THERS FOR PEACE, FRIENDS OF THE EARTH AND ENVIRONMENTAL WORKIN G GROUP ON APPEAL OF LBP -24 -06 the NRCs Electronic Information Exchange.


__/signed       electronically         by/___
__/signed electronically by/___
Hallie   Templeton}}
Hallie Templeton}}

Revision as of 10:57, 4 October 2024

Brief by San Luis Obispo Mothers for Peace, Friends of the Earth and Environmental Working Group on Appeal of LBP-24-06
ML24211A288
Person / Time
Site: Diablo Canyon  Pacific Gas & Electric icon.png
Issue date: 07/29/2024
From: Curran D, Leary C, Templeton H
Environmental Working Group, Friends of the Earth, Harmon, Curran, Harmon, Curran, Spielberg & Eisenberg, LLP, San Luis Obispo Mothers for Peace
To:
NRC/OCM
SECY RAS
References
RAS 57063, 50-275-LR, 50-373-LR, LBP-24-06
Download: ML24211A288 (0)


Text

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION BEFORE THE COMMISSION

In the matter of Pacific Gas and Electric Company Docket Nos. 50 -275 -LR, 50 -373 -LR Diablo Canyon Nuclear Power Plant July 29, 2024 Units 1 and 2

BR IEF BY SAN LUIS OBISPO MOTHERS FOR PEACE, FRIENDS OF T HE EARTH AND ENVIRONMENTAL WORKING GROUP ON APPEAL OF LBP -24 -06

Diane Curran Harmon, Curran, Spielberg, & Eisenberg, L.L.P.

1725 DeSales Street N.W., Suite 500 Washington, D.C. 20036 240 -393 -9285 dcurran@harmoncurran.com Counsel to San Luis Obispo Mothers for Peac e H allie Templeton Friends of the Earth 1101 15 th Street, 11 th Floor Washington, DC 20005 434 -326 -4647 htempleton@foe.org Counsel to Friends of the Earth

C aroline Leary Environmental Working Group 1250 I St N.W.

Washington, DC 20005 202 -667 -6982 cleary@ewg.org Counsel to Environmental Working Group

July 29, 2024

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Table of Aut horities...ii I. INTRODUCTION..i II. F ACTUAL AND PROCEDURAL BACKGROUND...3

A. Issues Raised in Petitioners Hearing Request. 3

B. P assage of S.B. 846 by the California Legislature...3

C. C ommitment by NRC Chairman Hanson to California Senator Padilla for Seismic Review and Public Participation During License Renewal Proceeding.. 4

D. P etitioners Hearing Request and Shutdown Petition in Response to NRC Extension of Deadline for Pressure Vessel Inspection..5

E. PG&E s License Renewal Application 7

F. Petitioners Hearing Request and Seismic Enforcement Petition 8 III. A RGUMENT.9

A. Contention 1 is Admissible..9

1. P etitioners claims fall within the scope of this license renewal proceeding...11
2. Petitioners claims are sufficiently specific to warrant admission of the contention.14

B. C ontention 2 is A dmissible 1 4 C. Contention 3 is A dmissible 17

IV. CONCLUSION 19

ii

TABLE OF AUTHORITIES

Judicial Decisions

Porter County Chapter of the Izaak Walton League v. NRC, 606 F.2d 1363 (D.C. Cir. 1979) 19

Texas v. United States, 86 F.Supp.3d 591 (S.D. Tex. 2015).12

Union of Concerned Scientists v. NRC, 735 F.2d 1435 (D.C. Cir. 1984).11, 13, 18

United States v. Morgan, 118 F.Supp. 621 (S.D.N.Y. 1953) 12

Federal Statutes

Atomic Energy Act..5, 12, 19

42 U.S.C. § 2232(a)..12

42 U.S.C. § 2239(a)..19

Coastal Zone Management Act ( CZMA ), 16 U.S.C. § 1451, et seq..1, 3, 8, 17, 18

Nation al Environmental P olicy Act 5, 11, 12

Regulations

10 C.F.R. § 2.206.7

10 C.F.R. § 2.311.1

10 C.F.R. § 2.341 (c)(3) 1

10 C.F.R. Part 51...5, 11

10 C.F.R. Part 54.5, 11, 14

10 C.F.R. § 54.21...14

Administrative Dec isions

Entergy Nuclear Operations, Inc. (Indian Point, Units 1 and 2),

LBP -08 -13, 68 N.R.C. 43 (2008)..18

Pacific Gas and Electric Co. (Diablo Canyon Nuclear Power Plant, Units 1 and 2),

CLI -82 -12A, 16 N.R.C. 7 (1982)...9

ii iii

Pacific Gas and Electric Co. (Diablo Canyon Nuclear Power Plant, Units 1 and 2), LBP -10 -15, 72 N.R.C. 257, 280 (2010)...9

U.S. Dept. of Energy (High -Level Waste Repository), LBP -09 -06, 69 N.R.C. 367, 408 (2006)

( LBP -09 -06 )...15

California Statutes

Senate Bill 846 (2022)...3, 4, 7, 13

Cal. Pub. Utils. Code § 712.7(c)(2).4

Cal. Pub. Resources Code § 25548.3(c)(9).4

Miscellaneous

Hearing on the Nuclear Regulatory Commission s Proposed Fiscal Year 2024 Budget (April 19, 2023),

https://www.epw.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/hearings?ID=DD1B6EC6 -588A -4A56 -9961 -

F9961BE12270 5

iii UNITED STATES OF AMERICA NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION BEFORE THE COMMISSION

In the matter of Pacific Gas and Electric Company Docket Nos. 50 -275 -LR, 50 -373 -LR Diablo Canyon Nuclear Power Plant July 29, 2024 Units 1 and 2

BRIEF BY SAN LUIS OBISPO MOTHERS FOR PEACE, FRIENDS OF THE EAR TH AND ENV IRONMENTAL WORKING GROUP ON APPEAL OF LBP -24 -06 I. INTRODUCTION Pursuant to 10 C.F.R. §§ 2.311 and 2.341 (c)(3), Petitioners San Luis Obispo Mothers for

Peace (SLOMFP), Friends of the Earth ( FoE ), and Environmental Working Group (EWG)

hereby brief the Commissioners of the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission ( NRC or

Commission ) regarding their appeal of LBP -24 -06, the Atomic Safety and Licensing Board s

(ASLBs or Boards) Memorandum and Order (Denying Request for Hearing and

Terminating Proceeding) (July 3, 2024) (hereinafter LBP -24 -06). 1 LBP -24 -06 erroneously and

arbitrarily denies the public a hearing on crucial sa fety and environmental issues raised by

Pacific Gas and Electric Company s (PG&Es) proposal to operate the Diablo Canyon nuclear

power plant ( DCPP ) another twenty years past its operating license expiration dates of 2024

(Unit 1) and 2025 (Unit 2). These issues include the unacceptable risk of a se ismic core damage

accident, PG&Es failure to ensure the integrity of the Unit 1 reactor pressure vessel, and

significant questions raised by the California Coastal Commission (CCC) about whether

PG&E complies with the federal Coastal Zone Management Act ( CZMA ).

1 Petitioners submitted their contentions in Request by San Luis Obispo Mothers for Peace, Friends of the Earth and Environmental Working Group for Hearing on Pacific Gas & Electric Companys License Renewal Application for the Diablo Canyon Nuclear Plant (March 4, 2024)

(Hearing Request).

2

As discussed below, Petitioners concerns are longstanding and serious. They also affect

the risks and environmental impacts of current operation as well as future operation. Therefore,

Petitioners have taken every opportunity, at all levels of the agency, to ensure those concerns are addressed for both the current license term and the prospective license renewal term. 2 But the

NRC has rebuffed the Petitioners at every turn, thereby insulating PG&Es unsafe operation of

DCPP from public scrutiny. LBP -24 -06 constitutes the latest rebuff, barring Petitioners from

providing any input to the agencys momentous and potentially disastrous decision to approve

operation of DCPP for another twenty years.

Petitioners respectfully submit that the Board erred in ruling that none of Petitioners three contentions is admissible. 3 In addition, the Board unlawfully repudiated a binding

commitment by the Commission to conduct a comprehensive review of the se ismic risk to

DCPP, and to include the public in that review through the hearing process. Therefore, the

petition should have been granted. Petitioners respectfully submit that the Commission should

reverse LBP -24 -06 and grant them a hearing.

2 Petitioners note that the distinction between the current operating license term and the license renewal term has been blurred by the NRCs grant to PG&E of an exemption from the NRCs Timely Renewal rule, 10 C.F.R. § 2.109(b). The exemption will allow PG&E to continue operating DCPP without interruption until the NRC has ruled on PG&Es license renewal application - an unknown period of time. Petitioners appealed the exemption to the U.S. Court of Appeals but their petition for review was denied in San Luis Obispo Mothers for Peace, et al. v.

NRC, [CITE]. Petitioners request for rehearing or rehearing en banc is pending before the Court.

3 The ASLB correctly found that all three of the Petitioners have standing. LBP -24 -06, slip op. at 21 -15. Thus, the issue of standing is not briefed here.

3

II. FACTUAL AND PROCEDURAL BACKGROUND

A. Issues Raised in Petitioners Hearing Request

In their Hearing Request, Petitioners sought an adjudicatory hearing on three significant

sa fety and environmental risks and adverse environmental impacts that have plagued DCPP for

decades and the severity of which has become progressively more clear or has worsened over

time:

  • the significant risk of a devastating seismic accident posed by DCPPs location on and

near a web of earthquake faults, including thrust faults in the Irish Hills that have an

unacceptably high potential to cause a core damage accident (i.e., approximately one in a

thousand per year of operation);

loss -of -coolant accident, due to its defective composition, indications of embrittlement

during 2003 surveillance and testing, and PG&Es failure to conduct any surveillance or

testing since then; and

  • the significant adverse effects of continued operation of DCPPs once -through cooling

system on the marine environment, as witnessed by the California Coastal Commissions

(CCCs) refusal to accept PG&Es application for certification under the C ZMA.

B. Passage of S.B. 846 by the California Legislature

Petitioners longstanding concerns would have been conclusively resolved by PG&Es

planned closure of the DCPP reactors on their operating license expiration dates in 2024 (Unit 1)

and 2025 (Unit 2). Under that plan, as approved by the California Public Utilities Commission

( CPUC ) in 2018, DCPP would have been decommissioned and replaced with renewable

energy sources. But in 2022, out of unsubstantiated concern that closure of DCPP would make 4

the State vulnerable to summer energy shortages, the California Senate Bi ll ( S.B. ) 846,

reversing the CPUCs decision approving PG&Es closure plan. The Legislature directed PG&E

to se ek NRC approval of license renewal for operation until 2030. 4

Underlying the Legislatures directive was an implicit assumption that before permitting

continued operation of DCPP, the NRC would undertake a robust reexamination of se ismic and

other sa fety risks to DCPP. In fact, the Legislature held open the possibility that as a result, the

NRC might even order upgrades that could prove too expensive to justify continued operation of

the reactors. These assumptions were reflected in a covenant that:

[I]f the United States Nuclear Regulatory Commission or any state agency requires, during the process of relicensing the Diablo Canyon powerplant, se ismic safety or other safety modifications to the powerplant that would exceed the loan amount specified in paragraph (1) of subdivision (a), any application or approval to extend the operation period the commission shall promptly evaluate whether the extension of the Diablo Canyon powerplant remains a cost -effective means to meet Californias mid -term reliability needs, before any subsequent authorization and appropriation by the Legislature of an amount in excess of the loan amount. 5

Thus, the Legislatures directive to PG&E to apply for NRC permission to operate for five more

years past 2025 was based on the Legislatures assumptions that PG&E would not se ek more

than five years renewal and that the NRCs license renewal review would thoroughly assess all

issues relevant to the sa fety of continued operation, including se ismic risk.

C. Commitment by NRC Chairman Hanson to California Senator Padilla for Seismic Review and Public Participation During License Renewal Proceeding

The following spring, in a hearing of the U.S. Senate Environment and Public Works

Committee, California Senator Alex Padilla questioned NRC Chairman Christopher T. Hanson

regarding the scope of the se ismic sa fety review that the NRC planned to undertake for DCPP:

4 Cal. Pub. Utils. Code § 712.7(c)(2)

5 Ca l. Pub. Resources Code § 25548.3(c)(9) (emphasis added).

5

And in the sa me spirit but more specifically, not just maintaining sa fety standards more broadly, but continuing to be operationally sa fe with specific concern about se ismic risk, which have talked about for years here, and maintaining of that. Any comments here would be helpful. Also a friendly reminder to anticipate that when you do have these public hearings. 6

Mr. Hanson responded:

Of course. We are going to be looking at updated sa fety information as part of that license renewal process. We did require all plants to take a look at the enhanced, relook at their risks after Fukushima. Diablo, of course, did look at their se ismic risk and we will take another look at that as part of the license renewal process. 7

Accordingly, under questioning by Senator Padilla, Chairman Hanson and his fellow

Commissioners committed - formally and without rebuttal or qualification - to undertake a new

review of se ismic risks to DCPP during the license renewal process. This commitment was

extremely significant, given that (a) NRC regulations for implementation of the Atomic Energy

Act (10 C.F.R. Part 54) excused PG&E from addressing se ismic risks in the sa fety portion of its

license renewal application and (b) NRC regulations for the implementation of the National

Environmental Policy Act ( NEPA ) (10 C.F.R. Part 51) excused PG&E from addressing se ismic risks in its Environmental Report. 8

D. Petitioners Hearing Request and Shutdown Petition in Response to NRC Extension of Deadline for Pressure Vessel Inspection

In the summer of 2023, Petitioners learned of a letter from the NRC Staff to PG&E that

extended, for the fourth time in seventeen years, the NRC s deadline for conducting surveillance

6 Hearing on the Nuclear Regulatory Commissions Proposed Fiscal Year 2024 Budget (April 19, 2023), Remarks of Sen. Alex Padilla (emphasis added). A recording of the hearing is posted on the Committees website at:

https://www.epw.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/hearings?ID=DD1B6EC6 -588A -4A56 - 9961 -

F9961BE12270. Sen. Padillas question can be found at approximately 1:45:26.

7 Id. (emphasis added). Chairman Hansons response can be found at approximately 1:45:55.

8 See Florida Power & Light Co. (Turkey Point Nuclear Generating Plant,Units 3 and 4), CLI -

01 -17, 54 NRC 3, 8 (2001); 10 C.F.R. Part 51, Subpart A, Appendix B.

6

of the DCPP Unit 1 pressure vessel for signs of embrittlement. 9 Petitioners SLOMFP and FoE

reviewed the record of the previous extensions and discovered that the proposed extension

altered a deadline the NRC had se t in 2006 in a license amendment proceeding to extend Unit 1s

operating license by three years to recover the period of low -power testing. At the sa me time,

SLOMFP and FoE retained a highly qualified and experienced technical expert, Dr. Digby

Macdonald, Professor Emeritus at the University of California, to evaluate the body of publicly -

available documents regarding the condition of the Unit 1 pressure vessel. Dr. Macdonald

advised SLOMFP and FoE that not only was the proposed extension unjustified, but that Unit 1

should be closed immediately due to PG&Es longstanding failure to monitor the condition of

the pressure vessel and the significant possibility that the pressure vessel was embrittled and

could not survive a loss of coolant accident.

Therefore, with a supporting declaration by Dr. Macdonald, SLOMFP and FoE requested

a hearing on the proposed extension on the grounds that it constituted an operating license

amendment and should not be granted because it would jeopardize public health and safety. They

also petitioned the Commissioners to shut down Unit 1 immediately, pending the completion of

surveillance on the Unit 1 pressure vessel. 10 However, the Commission refused to consider the

9 Letter from Jennifer L Dixon -Herrity, NRC to Paula Gerfen, PG&E re: Diablo Canyon Nuclear Power Plant, Unit 1 - Revision to the Reactor Vessel Material Surveillance Capsule Withdrawal Schedule (EPID L -2023 -LLL -0012) (ADAMS Accession No. ML120330497 ).

10 Request to the NRC Commissioners by San Luis Obispo Mothers for Peace and Friends of the Earth for a Hearing on NRC Staff Decision Effectively Amending Diablo Canyon Unit 1 Operating License to Extend the Schedule for Surveillance of the Unit 1 Pressure Vessel and Request for Emergency Order Requiring Immediate Shutdown of Unit 1 Pending Completion of Tests and Inspections of Pressure Vessel, Public Disclosure of Results, Public Hearing, and Determination by the Commission that Unit 1 Ca n Safely Resume Operation (Sept. 14, 2023) at 1-3 (ADAMS Accession No. ML23257A302).

7

petition and instead referred it back to the NRC Staff. 11 A Petition Review Board (PRB)

convened by the Staff has issued a final decision denying the petition. 12

A. PG&Es License Renewal Application

In November 2023, PG&E applied to the NRC for renewal of the DCPP operating

licenses for twenty years (although S.B. 846 contemplates renewal of only five years, se e 4

above). Once again, Petitioners retained Dr. Macdonald, this time to evaluate the question of

whether PG&E had justified continued reliance on the Unit 1 pressure vessel during the proposed

license renewal term. Dr. Macdonald advised Petitioners that continued operation of DCPP was

not justified due to (a) the defective composition of the Unit 1 pressure vessel when it was

purchased; (b) indications of embrittlement in 2003 surveillance tests; and (c) PG&Es failure,

since the 2003 tests, to monitor the condition of the pressure vessel.

Petitioners also retained another highly experienced and qualified technical expert, Dr.

Peter Bird, Professor Emeritus of Geology and Geophysics at the University of California at Los

Angeles, to evaluate the se ismic risk of continuing to operate DCPP past its operating license

expiration dates. Dr. Bird, who has previously participated in se ismic risk evaluations for DCPP,

advised the Petitioners that PG&E and the NRC had systematically underestimated the

significant risk of a core damage accident due to rupture of thrust faults in the Irish Hills that

underlie and surround DCPP. According to Dr. Bird, the risk of se ismic core damage due to

11 Secretary Order (Denying Hearing Request and Referring Request for Immediate

Action to the Executive Director for Operations for Consideration Under 10 C.F.R. § 2.206)

(Oct. 2, 2023) (unpublished) (ADAMS Accession No. ML23275A225). Petitioners appealed the Commissions refusal to grant them a hearing on the extension to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit in San Luis Obispo Mothers for Peace and Friends of the Earth v. NRC, No.

23 - 3882. The case is briefed and oral argument has been scheduled for November.

12 Letter from Jamie Pelton to Diane Curran (June 18, 2024) (ADAMS Accession No. ADAMS Accession No. ML24155A218).

8

these thrust faults alone is at least one in a thousand per year - a level so high that it meets the NRCs criteria for immediate shutdown of a nuclear reactor. 13

A. Petitioners Hearing Request and Seismic Enforcement Petition

On Ma rch 4, 2024, supported by declarations from both Dr. Bird and Dr. Macdonald,

Petitioners submitted contentions challenging the sa fety of continued operation of DCPP in a

license renewal term. 14 Petitioners also submitted a contention challenging PG&Es failure to

comply with the CZMA. 15

In addition, based on Dr. Birds assessment of the high risk posed by current operation of

DCPP, Petitioners also submitted a request to the Commissioners to immediately shut down DCPP pending further evaluation of se ismic risks. 16

Once again, the Commission refused to consider Petitioners request and referred it back to the NRC Staff. 17 The Staff s PRB has issued a preliminary decision denying the petition. 18 As

13 Declaration of Peter Bird, Ph.D (March 4, 2024) (ADAMS Accession No. ML24067A06)

(Bird Declaration).

14 Hearing Request at 7 -16 (Contention 1: Continued Operation of DCPP Under a Renewed License Poses an Unacceptable Safety Risk and Significant Adverse Environmental Impact of Seismic Core Damage); 16 -18 (Contention 2: PG&E Fails to Provide an Adequate Plan to Monitor and Manage he Effects of Aging on Unit 1 Reactor Pressure Vessel).

15 Hearing Request at 18 -21 (Contention 3: PG&E Fails to Demonstrate Compliance With the Coastal Zone Management Act).

16 Petition by San Luis Obispo Mothers for Peace, Friends of the Earth and Environmental Working Group for Shutdown of Diablo Canyon Nuclear Power Plant Due to Unacceptable Risk of Seismic Core Damage Accident (March 4, 2024) (ADAMS Accession No. ML24067A066) 17 Secretary Order (Mar. 12, 2024) (unpublished) (ADAMS Accession No. ML24072A529).

18 Email from Perry Buckberg, NRC, to Diane Curran, et al. (May 15, 2024) (ADAMS Accession No. ML24136A162).

9

contemplated by PRB procedures, Dr. Bird appeared before the PRB on July 17, 2024, and provided a briefing. 19 The PRB has not yet issued a final decision.

Both PG&E and the NRC Staff opposed Petitioners Hearing Request. 20 On Ma y 22,

2024, the ASLB held an oral argument on Petitioners standing and the admissibility of

contentions. The ASLB issued LBP -24 -06 on July 3, 2024, finding that Petitioners had standing

but denying admission of all three of their contentions.

III. ARGUMENT

A. Contention 1 is Admissible.

The risk of a serious earthquake at DCPP has been a controversial subject since

construction of DCPP when the Hosgri fault was discovered to lie three miles from the DCPP

site, throwing into doubt the adequacy of the reactors se ismic design. At that time, two Commissioners dissented from the Commissions decision to approve the licensing of DCPPP. 21

In 2008, during the first license renewal proceeding (and prior to the termination of that

proceeding at PG&Es request), the Shoreline fault was discovered only 600 meters from DCPP.

That discovery halted the progress of the license review while PG&E updated its se ismic

analysis. 22 Thus, both knowledge and concern about se ismic risk to DCPP have expanded in

19 See Supplemental Declaration of Peter Bird, Ph.D (June 7, 2024) (ADAMS Accession No.

24162A079) 20 Pacific Gas and Electric Companys Answer Opposing the Hearing Request Filed by San Luis Obispo Mothers for Peace, Friends of the Earth and Environmental Working Group (March 29, 2024) (PG&E Answer); NRC Staff Answer Opposing the San Luis Obispo Mothers for Peace, Friends of the Earth and Environmental Working Group Hearing Request (March 29, 2024)

(NRC Staff Answer).

21 Pacific Gas and Electric Co. (Diablo Canyon Nuclear Power Plant, Units 1 and 2), CLI -82 -

12A, 16 N.R.C. 7, 8 -14 (1982). The Commission effectively approved the licensing of DCPP by refusing to take review of an Appeal Board decision approving the granting of the licenses.

22 Pacific Gas and Electric Co. (Diablo Canyon Nuclear Power Plant, Units 1 and 2), LBP -10 -

15, 72 N.R.C. 257, 280 (2010).

10

tandem over the decades. Thus, as Senator Padilla noted in his discussion with Chairman Hanson, se ismic risk has concerned him. 23

To date, PG&Es se ismic studies have primarily focused on the Hosgri fault, the

Shoreline fault, and other strike -slip faults to the southwest of the reactors. Two thrust faults (the

Los Osos fault and the San Luis Ba y fault) were also modeled, but their hazard was

systematically underestimated through PG&Es assignment of arbitrarily ste ep dips,

unrealistically slow slip -rates, and limited extents of their seismogenic areas. For these modeled

faults, PG&E most recently (in 2024) estimated se ismic core damage frequency ( SCDF ) at approximately 3 x 10 -5 per year and cited that value in its 2023 Environmental Report. 24 As

demonstrated by Dr. Bird, however, thrust faults in the Irish Hills beneath and to the northeast of

DCPP constitute a source of se ismic risk that is significantly greater, because they produce strong shaking that leads to a much higher chance of se ismic core damage. 25 Taking into account

the recent experience of a severe earthquake on analogous thrust faults under the Noto Peninsula

of Japan, Dr. Bird estimates that SCDF from the thrust faults in the Irish Hills could be as high as 1.4 x 10 -3/year, a factor of 47 times higher than estimated by PG&E. 26 Under NRC guidance, this

rate of core damage frequency is high enough to warrant immediate shutdown of a reactor. 27

23 See discussion above at page 5.

24 Bird Declaration at 3 -4.

25 Id. at 4, 5 -10.

26 Id. at 4. In other words, as asserted by Dr. Bird, the severe accident that PG&E asserts will occur only once in 33,000 years may actually occur every ~715 years. That means that a license extension for 20 years would incur an additional ~2.8% probability of a severe accident.

27 Hearing Request at 13 and note 27 (citing Office Instruction LIC -101, License Amendment Review Procedures (Rev. 6, July 31, 2020) (NRC Accession No. ML19248C539).

11

Petitioners presented these specific concerns in their Hearing Request, supporting them

with the detailed and well -documented declaration of Dr. Bird. They also relied on Chairman

Hansons commitment to Sen. Padilla that the NRC would d at se ismic risk as part of the license renewal process. 28 But the ASLB rejected Petitioners claims.

1. Petitioners claims fall within the scope of this license renewal proceeding.

First, the ASLB held that consideration of Petitioners contention is out of scope because

it is barred by NRC regulations: Part 54 regulations limiting the scope of a sa fety review for

license renewal to the adequacy of the licensees aging management program for passive

structures and Part 51 regulations barring NEPA consideration of issues covered by the 2013 License Renewal GEIS. 29 In light of these barriers, the ASLB ruled that the Petitioners were

required to submit a waiver petition in order to obtain consideration of Contention 1. 30 The

ASLB also rejected Petitioners argument that Chairman Hansons commitment to Senator

Padilla overrode the NRCs Part 54 and Part 51 regulations and rendered Petitioners claims

material to the NRCs license renewal decision under Union of Concerned Scientists v. NRC, 735

F.2d 1435, 1438 (D.C. Cir. 1984) (finding that a rule that denie[d] a right to a hearing on a

material factor relied upon by the Commission in making its licensing decisions... was issued

in excess of the Commission's authority under section 189(a), and must be vacated). While the

ASLB conceded that the caselaw was unclear on the subject, it expressed grave doubt as to whether the Commission could be bound by Chairman Hansons statements. 31

28 See discussion above at page 5.

29 LBP -24 -06, slip op. at 28, 33 -35.

30 Id., slip op. at 35 -37.

31 Id., slip op. at 29 and note 127. Petitioners note that LBP -24 -06 appears to assume that Petitioners reliance on Chairman Hansons commitment is limited to the portion of Contention 1

12

Petitioners respectfully submit that in the circumstances of this proceeding, caselaw cited

in LBP -24 -06 (at page 29 n. 127) supports a finding that Chairman Hansons commitment to

conduct a thorough review of se ismic risks to DCPP during the license renewal process is

binding on the Commission. In Texas v. United States, 86 F.Supp.3d 591, 654 n.64 (S.D. Tex.

2015), for instance, the District Court relied on representations by an IRS commissioner

regarding the eligibility of a certain class of taxpayers for earned income tax credits. And in

United States v. Morgan, 118 F.Supp. 621, 699 (S.D.N.Y. 1953), the District Court found that

writings by commissioners of the Securities and Exchange Commission who addressed the

meaning of statutory provision on which they had been in close cooperation with the members

of the Congress who formulated the terms of some of the statutory provisions provided

information that while not binding was persuasive and helpful, especially as they are those of

public officials of ripe experience in dealing with this very subject matter from day to day.

Here, as in Texas and Morgan, Chairman Hanson and his fellow Commissioners are

closely familiar with the general regulatory framework of the NRCs regulatory process,

including the conceptual framework that ordinarily excludes se ismic risk issues from the license

renewal review process. And they are just as closely familiar with their obligation and plenary

power, as the NRC officials with ultimate responsibility for carrying out the requirements of the

Atomic Energy Act, to ensure that under no circumstances will operation of Diablo Canyon or any other nuclear power plant pose an unacceptable risk to public health and safety. 32 Further,

that is based on Atomic Energy Act -based safety requirements, not NEPA. Id., slip op. at 28.

That assumption is incorrect. Section A of Contention 1 (Statement of Contention) invokes both the Atomic Energy Act and NEPA. Hearing Request at 7. Section C (Demonstration that the Contention is Within the Scope of the Proceeding) also invokes both the Atomic Energy Act and NEPA in claiming reliance on Chairman Hansons commitment to Senator Padilla. Id. at 14.

32 42 U.S.C. § 2232(a).

13

they surely are aware that few people outside the NRC are familiar with the byzantine and

loopholed structure of the NRCs license renewal process, which limits the sa fety review to

aging management issues and excludes se ismic risks from environmental reviews based on the

NRCs Generic Environmental Impact Statement for License Renewal. Ca se in point is the

California Legislature, which assumed in passing S.B. 846 that the NRCs license renewal

review would review se ismic risk to DCPP before allowing an extended operating license term. 33

Finally, as conveyed by Senator Padilla, se ismic risk to DCPP constitutes a longstanding and

grave concern to the Senator as well as his constituents. 34

Thus, Chairman Hansons unqualified assurance to Senator Padilla that the NRC will

take another look at se ismic risk as part of the license renewal process must be taken to

constitute an assurance that means just what it reasonably appears to mean: that the NRC will

examine se ismic risk with new eyes and in a comprehensive manner, and that it will be

conducted as part of the license renewal process, i.e., will be a condition of license renewal. And

if the se ismic review is conducted as material part of the license renewal proceeding as promised,

that necessarily means that it will be subject to public participation through the adjudicatory

process. 35

33 See discussion above at 4.

34 See discussion above at 5.

35 Union of Concerned Scientists v. NRC, 735 F.2d at 1438. According to the Board, Chairman Hansons statement could reasonably be interpreted to mean that the seismic risks [Chairman Hanson] referenced were related to those that already had been considered as part of the agencys safety review - which are limited to aging management programs and time -limited aging analyses. LBP -24 -06, slip op. at 30. But this crabbed alternative interpretation does not bear objective scrutiny. Senator Padilla stated his inquiry in the broadest possible terms, and Chairman Hanson responded in kind, without qualification. Further, none of his fellow commissioners demurred or sought to qualify his statement. Thus, they can reasonably be presumed to have agreed with and supported his promise.

14

2. Petitioners claims are sufficiently specific to warrant admission of the contention.

The ASLB also ruled that with respect to its sa fety claims, Contention 1 is inadmissible

for its failure to dispute with specificity the exact portions of PG&Es license renewal application the Petitioners disputed. 36 But this ruling is tautological. It would not be possible for

Petitioners to dispute PG&Es license renewal application, because the NRCs Part 54

regulations do not require PG&E to address se ismic risk in the sa fety portion of its application.

Petitioners comprehensively cited all relevant PG&E studies and reports bearing on the question

of se ismic risk to DCPP including the Environmental Report, which constitutes a part of PG&Es license renewal application. 37 If the Commission upholds Chairman Hansons commitment to

Senator Padilla, it will find that Dr. Bird has comprehensively analyzed every one of PG&Es

reports that is relevant to the question of whether extended operation of DCPP in a license

renewal term can be conducted safely.

B. Contention 2 is A dmissible.

Petitioners Contention 2 asserts that:

PG&Es license renewal application does not include an adequate plan to monitor and manage the effects of aging due to embrittlement of the Unit 1 reactor pressure vessel

( RPV ) or an adequate time -limited aging analysis (TLAA), as required by 10 C.F.R.

§ 54.21. 38

As Petitioners assert in their Ba sis Statement, PG&Es proposed aging management program

for the reactor pressure vessel relies heavily upon and perpetuates the preexisting and inadequate

surveillance program that PG&E has used during the decades -old initial operating license

period. Petitioners rely for this assertion on the expert declaration of Dr. Digby Macdonald,

36 LBP -24 -06, slip op. at 32.

37 See Hearing Request at 7 -13, Bird Declaration, ¶¶ 10 -13, 14(6), 15, 30, 34.

38 Hearing Request at 16.

15

which se ts forth a se t of fundamental deficiencies in PG&Es monitoring program, including its disregard of serious indications of embrittlement. 39 As summarized in the contention s Ba sis

Statement, [t]aking all of these deficiencies into account, Dr. Macdonald concludes that the

NRC must reject PG&Es license renewal application because it relies on this outdated preexisting program without addressing or resolving multiple serious inadequacies. 40

The ASLB rejected Contention 2, ruling that Petitioners and Dr. Macdonald had focused

impermissibly on sa fety problems in the current license term rather than the prospective license

renewal term. 41 In making this ruling, however, the ASLB failed to consider the detail and

specificity with which Dr. Macdonald demonstrated that in Shakespeares words, Whats past is

prologue. For instance, in Section IV of his Declaration, Dr. Macdonald provided specific and

detailed quotations from PG&Es license renewal application that demonstrate reliance by the

LRA on previous results of PG&Es reactor pressure vessel surveillance program for its

TLAAs. 42 Dr. Macdonald also cited specific portions of the LRA to demonstrate that PG&E

implicitly relies on deadlines in its current operating license for withdrawal of surveillance

39 Id. (citing Exhibit 3, Declaration of Digby Macdonald, Ph.D (March 4, 2024) (Macdonald Declaration)).

40 Hearing Request at 17.

41 U.S. Dept. of Energy (High -Level Waste Repository), LBP -09 -06, 69 N.R.C. 367, 408 (2006)

(LBP -09 -06). In LBP -09 -06, the ASLB accepted contentions wherein the expert opinions supporting the contentions were detailed in the contentions themselves and supported by a brief statement of adoption in the expert declaration. Petitioners could have taken that approach, but chose instead to provide detailed technical support for the main points of the contention in the expert declaration. In both cases, the contention and supporting declaration, taken together, put other parties on notice of the petitioners concerns and thereby satisfied the objective of 10 C.F.R. § 2.309(f)(1)(v) and (vi) to ensure that only those contentions that have been demonstrated to have sufficient substance to warrant further consideration on the merits will be admitted.

42 See Macdonald Declaration,Section IV, ¶¶ 12 -18.

16

Capsule B and the conduct of ultrasonic testing, without explicitly setting new deadlines as part of the license renewal application. 43 Thus, Dr. Macdonald documented his observation that:

[T]he LRA incorporates and depends heavily on previous tests and analyses of RPV embrittlement at DCPP and other reactors for its conclusion that (a) the Unit 1 RPV is entering the period of license renewal in a reasonably sa fe condition that complies with NRC regulations and (b) its condition can be adequately managed throughout the license renewal term. 44

As Dr. Macdonald further attested, PG&Es conclusions in these sections of the LRA are not

justified because PG&E has failed to demonstrate that the Unit 1 reactor pressure vessel is sa fe

to operate in the current license term, let alone a renewal term. 45 These deficiencies include

PG&Es inexplicable and gravely concerning decision to discard surveillance data showing

that the Unit RPV would approach the NRCs screening limit for embrittlement at the end of its

current operating life (¶¶ 19.a and 19.b), substitution of data from other reactors without

applying a larger error band (¶ 19.c), failing to speed up the RPV monitoring schedule to get a

better sense of its condition (¶¶ 19.d and 19.f), and unreasonable extending the schedule for

ultrasound testing of the beltline region (¶¶ 19.e, 19.f, and 19.g). These explicitly -sta te d

deficiencies support Dr. Macdonalds conclusion that:

[T]he NRC lacks a reasonable basis to approve PG&Es license renewal application.

Unless and until the NRC establishes that the Unit 1 pressure vessel can operate with a reasonable degree of safety, it has no basis to permit continued operation in a license renewal term. 46

43 Id., ¶¶ 14, 16.

44 Id., ¶ 19.

45 Id.,Section V, ¶¶ 19 -21 (citing Declaration of Digby Macdonald, Ph.D in Support of Hearing Request and Request for Emergency Order by San Luis Obispo Mothers for Peace and Friends of the Earth (Sept. 14, 2023) (NRC Accession No. ML23257A302)).

46 Id., ¶ 21.

17

With these specific and well -supported statements, Dr. Macdonalds Declaration

established that PG&Es license renewal application depends on the results of the current reactor

vessel surveillance program and related analyses for its assertions that the Unit 1 RPV can be

adequately managed during the license renewal term. As in Entergy Nuclear Operations, Inc.

(Indian Point, Units 1 and 2), LBP -08 -13, 68 N.R.C. 43, 131 (2008), Petitioners lawfully based

their contention on serious embrittlement issues that are not adequately addressed in [the licensees license renewal application]. 47 Therefore, Petitioners have more than sufficiently

raised a genuine issue to be resolved at an evidentiary hearing. 48

C. Contention 3 is A dmissible.

Petitioners Contention 3 asserts:

The NRC may not approve renewal of PG&Es operating licenses for DCPP because PG&E has not demonstrated compliance with the Coastal Zone Management Act

( CZMA ), 16 U.S.C. § 1451, et seq. For the sa me reason, PG&Es Environmental Report also fails to sa tisfy the requirements of NRCs own regulations mandating the content of environmental reports. 49

In support of the ir contention, Petitioners attached a letter from the CCC to PG&E withholding

approval of PG&Es Coastal Zone Consistency Certification (Consistency Certification) pending resolution of a se t of deficiencies identified by the CCC. 50 In addition to sta te approval

of its Consistency Certification, PG&E may be required to obtain one or more coastal

development permits (CDPs). 51

47 Id., 68 N.R.C. at 131.

48 Id.

49 Hearing Request at 18 (footnote omitted).

50 Exhibit 4, Letter from Tom Luster, CCC, to Tom Jones, PG&E re: Pacific Gas & Electric Companys Requested Nuclear Regulatory Commission License Renewal for Diablo Canyon Power Plant, San Luis Obispo County - Incomplete Consistency Certification at 3 -8 (Dec. 7, 2023) (CCC Letter).

51 Hearing Request at 19 (citing Ca l. Public Resources Code § 30600).

18

The ASLB agree[d] with Petitioners that the CZMA requires the NRC ultimately to receive a concurrence in a licensees consistency certification. 52 But the Board ruled that

Contention 3 nevertheless is inadmissible because the CZMA does not require an applicant to include with the application to the federal agency a concurrence by the sta te agency. 53 Thus,

according to the Board, the contention is unripe. Petitioners must wait until some undesignated

time in the future, when - if PG&E has not obtained the necessary concurrence - they may se ek to file a motion to reopen the record or a motion to file a new contention. 54

The Boards ruling is unlawful under Union of Concerned Scientists, 735 F.2d at 1438,

1443. As conceded by the ASLB, a c oncurrence from the CCC is essential to the NRCs

licensing decision, and therefore it is a material issue on which the NRC must offer a hearing. In

Union of Concerned Scientists, the petitioners challenged an NRC rule that conditioned the

issuance of reactor operating licenses on the conduct of offsite emergency planning exercises

and yet excluded the outcome of the exercises from the subject matter of hearing requests by characterizing them as part of the operational inspection process. 55 The rationale for the rule

was that by treating the exercises as inspections and holding them close to the time of licensing,

the exercises would be more meaningful. 56 But the NRC was unwilling to delay licensing by

holding hearings on the outcome of the exercises.

52 LBP -24 -06, slip op. at 48. See also id., slip op. at 50 (finding that a consistency determination (by the sta te or the Secretary) is required prior to the issuance of any license renewal here.).

53 Id. (emphasis in ori ginal).

54 Id., slip op. at 51.

55 735 F.2d at 140.

56 Id.

19

The Court reversed the NRC rule, holding that once a hearing on a licensing proceeding

is begun, it must encompass all material factors bearing on the licensing decision raised by the

requester. 57 In so ruling, the Court explicitly rejected the NRCs invitation to petitioners to

reopen the hearing if the exercise identifies fundamental defects in the emergency preparedness

plans, finding that the offer to apply a discretionary standard for whether to grant a hearing was

not consistent with the strict hearing requirements of Section 189(a) of the Atomic Energy Act, 42 U.S.C. § 2239(a). 58

Here, Petitioners have provided evidence, in the form of a letter to PG&E from the CCC,

that the CCC is not sa tisfie d with PG&Es certification. This evidence is sufficient to raise a

genuine and material dispute with PG&E as to whether it will be able to obtain the necessary

concurrence. The NRC may not reject the contention now as unripe and later impose a

heightened pleading standard on Petitioners for litigating their concern. While the Commission

may hold the contention in abeyance pending further developments, it may not reject the

contention now and place extra burdens on Petitioners at whatever time in the future the NRC

deems ripe for raising this material issue.

IV. CONCLUSION F or the foregoing reasons, the Commission should reverse LBP -24 -06 and admit

Petitioners contentions.

57 735 F.2d at 1443 (citing Porter County Chapter of the Izaak Walton League v. NRC, 606 F.2d 1363, 1368 (D.C. Cir. 1979) ("such proceedings as are begun shall be formal, public hearings").

58 Id.

20

Respectfully submitted,

__/signed electronically by/___

Diane Curran Harmon, Curran, Spielberg, & Eisenberg, L.L.P.

1725 DeSales Street N.W., Suite 500 Washington, D.C. 20036 240 -393 -9285 dcurran@harmoncurran.com

Counsel to San Luis Obispo Mothers for Peace

__/signed electronically by/___

Hallie Templeton Friends of the Earth 1101 15 th Street, 11 th Floor Washington, DC 20005 434 -326 -4647 htempleton@foe.org

Counsel to Friends of the Earth

__/signed electronically by/___

Caroline Leary Environmental Working Group 1250 I St N.W.

Washington, DC 20005 202 -667 -6982 cleary@ewg.org

Counsel to Environmental Working Group

July 29, 2024 21

CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE

I certify that on July 29, 2024, I pos ted the foregoing NOTICE OF APPEAL OF LBP -24 -06 BY SAN LUIS OBISPO MO THERS FOR PEACE, FRIENDS OF T HE EARTH AND ENVIRONMENTAL WORKIN G GROUP and BRIEF BY SAN LUIS OBISPO MO THERS FOR PEACE, FRIENDS OF THE EARTH AND ENVIRONMENTAL WORKIN G GROUP ON APPEAL OF LBP -24 -06 the NRCs Electronic Information Exchange.

__/signed electronically by/___

Hallie Templeton