ML13149A008

Comment (15) of Tom Clements on Behalf of Friends of the Earth on Sequoyah Nuclear Plant, Units 1 and 2, License Renewal Application Review

ML13149A008
Person / Time
Site:	Sequoyah
Issue date:	04/26/2013
From:	Clements T Friends of the Earth
To:	Rules, Announcements, and Directives Branch
References
78FR15055 00015
Download: ML13149A008 (16)

Text

RULES I KTI\E~

• 1 Friends of the Earth n-3I AM 9:218 17J~

April 26, 2013 Chief, Rules, Announcements, and Directives Branch C V D Division of Administrative Services Office of Administration Mailstop TWB-05-BO1 M U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission Washington, DC 20555 (7;

Re: SCOPING COMMENT CONCERNING THE SEQUOYAH NUCLEAR PLANT, UNITS 1 AND 2, LICENSE RENEWAL APPLICATION REVIEW Z.Vc-/,-f-C, O. 5"-6 - . .- Ž To whom it Concerns:

Attached you will find documentation that the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) is considering production of tritium for nuclear weapons in the Sequoyah reactors. As the Nuclear Regulatory Commission has already licensed this activity, this issue clearly must be involved in any relicensing considerations of the Sequoyah reactors.

Likewise, TVA is actively considering use of plutonium fuel (MOX) made from weapons-grade plutonium in the Sequoyah reactors. While there is no NRC license request byTVA for MOX testing or use, the review of TVA concerning MOX must be taken into account during the review of the Sequoyah license extension.

Thank you for including in the scoping document that an analysis of all aspects tritium production and MOX testing and use must be included in license renewal documents.

Please add me to any distribution list you prepare on the scoping and/or license renewal; tomclements329@cs.com.

Sincerely, Tom Clements Southeastern Nuclear Campaign Coordinator SUNSI Review Complete Template-= ADM - 013 E-RIDS= ADiV-03 (

Add=e 5 4 1112 Florence Street

• Columbia, SC 29201 803.834.3084 phone & fax

• tomclements329@cs.com

• www.foe.org

@ Printed on 100% post consumer waste using 100% wind power. ---

1920 Federal Register/Vol. 77, No. 8/Thursday, January 12, 2012/Notices

SUMMARY

The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) announces its intent to modify the scope of the Surplus Plutonium Disposition Supplemental EnvironmentalImpact Statement (SPD of Supplemental EIS, DOE/EIS-0283-S2) and to conduct additional public scoping. DOE issued its Notice of Intent (NOI) to prepare the SPD Supplemental EIS on March 28, 2007, and issued an DOh~4-/

C./ 0 'ii Amended NOI on July 19, 2010. DOE now intends to further revise the scope V~~if 14 leY--, -g of the SPD Supplemental EIS primarily to add additional alternatives for the disassembly of pits (a nuclear weapons component) and the conversion of plutonium metal originating from pits to feed material for the Mixed Oxide (MOX) Fuel Fabrication Facility (MFFF), which DOE is constructing at the Savannah River Site (SRS) in South Sý4 Carolina. Under the proposed new alternatives, DOE would expand or Ce-4CZt c install the essential elements required to provide a pit disassembly and/or conversion capability at one or more of the following locations: Technical Area 55 (TA-55) at the Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL) in New Mexico, H-Canyon/HB-Line at SRS, K-Area at SRS, and the MFFF at SRS. In addition, DOE has decided not to analyze an alternative, described in the 2010 Amended NOI, to construct a separate Plutonium Preparation (PuP) capability for non-pit plutonium because the necessary preparation activities are adequately encompassed within the other alternatives.

The MOX fuel alternative is DOE's preferred alternative for surplus plutonium disposition. DOE's preferred alternative for pit disassembly and the conversion of surplus plutonium metal, regardless of its origins, to feed for the MFFF is to use some combination of facilities at TA-55 at LANL, K-Area at SRS, H-Canyon/MB-Line at SRS and MFFF at SRS, rather than to construct a new stand-alone facility. This would likely require the installation of additional equipment and other modifications to some of these facilities.

DOE's preferred alternative for disposition of surplus plutonium that is not suitable for MOX fuel fabrication is DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY disposal at the Waste Isolation Pilot Plant (WIPP) in New Mexico.

Second Amended Notice of Intent To DATES: DOE invites Federal agencies, Modify the Scope of the Surplus state and local governments, Native Plutonium Disposition Supplemental American tribes, industry, other Environmental Impact Statement and organizations, and members of the Conduct Additional Public Scoping public to submit comments to assist in AGENCY: U.S. Department of Energy, identifying environmental issues and in National Nuclear Security determining the appropriate scope of Administration. the SPD Supplemental EIS. The public ACTION: Amended Notice of Intent. scoping period will end on March 12, 2012. DOE will consider all comments

Federal Register / Vol. 77, No. 8 / Thursday, January 12, 2012 / Notices 1921 received or postmarked by March 12, Background alternatives for pit disassembly and 2012. Comments received after that date To reduce the threat of nuclear conversion, which could involve the use will be considered to the extent weapons proliferation, DOE is engaged of TA-55 at LANL, H-Canyon/HB-Line practicable. Also, DOE asks that Federal, in a program to disposition its surplus, at SRS, K-Area at SRS, and the MFFF State, local, and tribal agencies that weapons-usable plutonium in a safe, at SRS. These alternatives are described desire to be designated cooperating secure, and environmentally sound below under Potential Range of agencies on the SPD Supplemental EIS manner, by converting such plutonium Alternatives.

contact the National Environmental into proliferation-resistant forms not Policy Act (NEPA) Document Manager Purpose and Need for Agency Action readily usable in nuclear weapons. The at the addresses listed under ADDRESSES U.S. inventory of surplus plutonium is DOE's purpose and need remains to by the end of the scoping period. The in several forms. The largest quantity is reduce the threat of nuclear weapons Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) is a plutonium metal in the shape of pits (a proliferation worldwide by conducting cooperating agency for sections of the nuclear weapons component). The disposition of surplus plutonium in the EIS as described below. DOE will hold remainder is non-pit plutonium, which United States in an environmentally a public scoping meeting: includes plutonium oxides and metal in safe and timely manner. Comprehensive 0 February 2, 2012 (5:30 p.m. to 8 a variety of forms and purities. disposition actions are needed to ensure p.m.) at Cities of Gold Hotel, 10-A DOE already has decided to fabricate that surplus plutonium is converted into Cities of Gold Road, Pojoaque, NM 34 metric tons (MT) of surplus proliferation-resistant forms.

87501. plutonium into MOX fuel in the MFFF Potential Range of Alternatives The scoping period announced in this (68 FR 20134, April 24, 2003), currently second Amended NOI will allow for Since the 2010 Amended NOI, DOE under construction at SRS, and to additional public comment and for DOE has reconsidered the potential irradiate the MOX fuel in commercial alternatives for pit disassembly and to consider any new information that nuclear reactors used to generate may be relevant to the scope of the SPD conversion. DOE now is proposing to electricity, thereby rendering the Supplemental EIS. Because the analyze additional alternatives.

plutonium into a spent fuel form not The EIS analysis will account for the additional alternatives do not involve readily usable in nuclear weapons.

new locations except for LANL, and possibility that DOE could use some DOE announced its intent to prepare because there have been two previous a SPD Supplemental EIS in 2007 to combination of facilities at TA-55 at scoping periods for this SPD LANL, K-Area at SRS, H-Canyon/HB-analyze the potential environmental Supplemental EIS, DOE does not intend Line at SRS, and MFFF at SRS to impacts of alternatives to disposition to hold additional scoping meetings disassemble pits, and produce feed for about 13 MT of surplus plutonium (72 except at Pojoaque, NM, or to extend the the MFFF.

FR 14543; March 28, 2007). DOE issued scoping period beyond that announced DOE has determined that the an Amended NOI in 2010 "to refine the herein. construction of a separate Plutonium quantity and types of surplus weapons- Preparation (PuP) capability would not ADDRESSES: Please direct written usable plutonium material, evaluate be required because the alternatives that comments on the scope of the SPD additional alternatives, and no longer are being considered for the disposition Supplemental EIS to Ms. Sachiko consider in detail one alternative of non-pit plutonium include any McAlhany, SPD Supplemental EIS identified" in the 2007 NOI (75 FR necessary preparation activities.

NEPA Document Manager, U.S. 41850; July 19, 2010).1 The 2007 NOI The complete list of alternatives that Department of Energy, P.O. Box 2324, and 2010 Amended NOI are available at DOE proposes to analyze in detail in the Germantown, MD 20874-2324. http://www.nnsa.energy.gov/nepao SPD Supplemental EIS is provided Comments on the scope of the SPD spdsupplementaleisand details from below.

Supplemental EIS may also be them are not reproduced in this second submitted via email to Amended NOI. Surplus Plutonium Disposition spdsupplementaleis@saic.comor by In the 2010 Amended NOT, DOE DOE will analyze four alternative toll-free fax to (877) 865-0277. DOE will proposed to revisit its decision to pathways to disposition surplus give equal weight to written, email, fax, construct and operate a new Pit plutonium. There are constraints on the telephone, and oral comments. Disassembly and Conversion Facility type or quantity of plutonium that may Questions regarding the scoping process (PDCF) in the F-Area at SRS (65 FR be dispositioned by each pathway. For and requests to be placed on the SPD 1608; January 11, 2000) and analyze an example, there are safety (criticality)

Supplemental EIS mailing list should be alternative to install and operate the pit limits on how much plutonium can be directed to Ms. McAlhany by any of the disassembly and conversion capabilities sent to the Defense Waste Processing means given above or by calling toll-free in an existing building in K-Area at Facility (DWPF) at SRS, and some (877) 344-0513. SRS. With this second Amended NOI, plutonium is not suitable for fabrication For general information concerning DOE is proposing to analyze additional into MOX fuel. Accordingly, DOE the DOE NEPA process, contact: Carol expects to select two or more Borgstrom, Director, Office of NEPA I The 2010 Amended NOI describes changes in alternatives following completion of the Policy and Compliance (GC-54), U.S. the inventory of surplus plutonium to be analyzed in the SPD Supplemental EIS, though the total SPD Supplemental EIS.

Department of Energy, 1000 quantity remained about 13 MT. On March 30,

• H-Canyon/DWPF-DOE would use Independence Avenue SW., 2011, DOE made an amended interim action the H-Canyon at SRS to process surplus Washington. DC 20585-0103; telephone determination to disposition approximately 85 non-pit plutonium for disposition.

(202) 586-4600, or leave a message toll- kilograms (0.085 MT) of surplus, non-pit plutonium via the Defense Waste Processing Facility at SRS or Plutonium materials would be free (800) 472-2756; fax (202) 586-7031; disposal at the Waste Isolation Pilot Plant (WIPP) dissolved, and the resulting plutonium-or send an email to in New Mexico. On October 17, 2011. DOE made bearing solutions would be sent to a askNEPA@hq.doe.gov. This second another interim action determination to dispose of sludge batch feed tank and then to Amended NOI will be available on the 500 kilograms (0.5 MT) of surplus, non-pit plutonium at WIPP. These determinations do not DWPF at SRS for vitrification.

Internet at http://energy.gov/nepa. affect the range of reasonable alternatives to be Depending on the quantity, adding SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: analyzed in the SPD Supplemental EIS. additional plutonium to the feed may

1922 Federal Register/Vol. 77, No. 8/Thursday, January 12, 2012/Notices increase the amount of plutonium in eventually decommission a stand-alone additional future potential utility some DWPF canisters above historical PDCF to disassemble pits and convert customers.

levels. plutonium pits and other plutonium

• Glass Can-in-Canister metal to an oxide form suitable for feed Potential Decisions Immobilization-DOE would install a to the MFFF, as described in the SPD The SPD Supplemental EIS will not glass can-in-canister immobilization EIS and consistent with DOE's record of reconsider decisions already made to capability in K-Area at SRS. The decision for that EIS (65 FR 1608; disposition surplus plutonium, other analysis will assume that both surplus January 11, 2000). than the decision to construct and pit and non-pit plutonium would be e Pit Disassembly and Conversion operate the PDCF. DOE already has vitrified within small cans, which Capability in K-Area at SRS-DOE decided to fabricate 34 MT of surplus would be placed in a rack inside a would construct, operate, and plutonium into MOX fuel in the MFFF DWPF canister and surrounded with eventually decommission equipment in (68 FR 20134; April 24, 2003), currently vitrified high-level waste. This K-Area at SRS necessary to perform the under construction at SRS, and to alternative is similar to one evaluated in same functions as the PDCF. The irradiate the MOX fuel in commercial the 1999 Surplus Plutonium Disposition alternative would include nuclear reactors used to generate EIS (SPD EIS; DOE/EIS-0283), except reconfiguration of ongoing K-Area electricity. Subsequent to completion of that the capability would be installed in operations necessary to accommodate the SPD Supplemental EIS, DOE will an existing rather than a new facility. construction and operation of the pit decide, based on programmatic, Inclusion of cans with vitrified disassembly and conversion capability. engineering, facility safety, cost, and plutonium would substantially increase

• New alternatives for pit schedule information, and on the the amount of plutonium in some DWPF disassembly and conversion: environmental impact analysis in the canisters above historical levels. o LANL/MFFF-DOE would expand SPD Supplemental EIS, which pit

• WIPP-DOE would provide the existing capabilities in the plutonium disassembly and conversion capability to prepare and package non- facility (PF-4) in Technical Area-55 at alternative(s) to implement to provide pit plutonium using existing facilities at LANL to disassemble pits and provide feed to the MFFF, which alternative(s)

SRS for disposal as transuranic waste at plutonium metal and/or oxide for use as to implement for preparation of non-pit WIPP, provided that the material would feed material in MIFFF at SRS. DOE also plutonium for disposition, whether to meet the WIPP waste acceptance may add a capability to the MFFF to use the MOX alternative to disposition criteria. This alternative may include oxidize plutonium metal. additional surplus plutonium (beyond material that, because of its physical or O LANL/MFFF/K-Area/H-Canyon/

34 MT), and which alternative(s) chemical configuration or HE-Line at SRS-DOE would expand disposition path(s) to implement for characteristics, could not be prepared existing capabilities in the plutonium facility (PF--4) in Technical Area-55 at surplus plutonium that will not be for MFFF feed material and material dispositioned as MOX fuel. DOE may that could be disposed at WIPP with LANL to disassemble pits and provide determine that it can best meet its full minimal preparation. plutonium metal and potentially oxide

• MOX Fuel-Plutonium feed range of requirements in each of these for use as feed material in MFFF at SRS.

areas by implementing two or more of material, beyond the 34 MT for which DOE also may add a capability to the a decision already has been made, the alternatives analyzed in the SPD MFFF to oxidize plutonium metal. To Supplemental EIS. It is also possible would be fabricated into MOX fuel at augment the capability to provide feed the MFFF, and the resultant MOX fuel that DOE may determine that its full material to the MFFF, DOE also would would be irradiated in commercial range of requirements may be best met disassemble pits in K-Area at SRS and nuclear power reactors. For purposes of by implementing a composite set of process plutonium metal to an oxide analyzing this alternative, the EIS will actions that would be drawn from form at the H-Canyon/HB-Line at SRS. within the scope of the set of assume all the surplus pit and some of the surplus non-pit plutonium would be Reactor Operations alternatives proposed and analyzed in dispositioned in this manner. MOX fuel will be irradiated in the SPD Supplemental EIS.

commercial nuclear reactors used to DOE considers those alternatives that Pit Disassembly and Conversion generate electricity, thereby rendering would avoid extensive construction Capability the plutonium into a spent fuel form not and/or facility modification for the pit Plutonium pits must be disassembled readily usable in nuclear weapons. disassembly and conversion capability prior to disposition and, for the MOX

• DOE and TVA will analyze the and non-pit plutonium preparation alternative, plutonium metal from pits potential environmental impacts of any capability as having particular merit or non-pit material must be converted to reactor facility modifications necessary and, thus, has identified its preferred an oxide form to be used as feed in to accommodate MOX fuel operation at alternative for this proposed action. For producing MOX Fuel. DOE will analyze up to five TVA reactors-the three non-pit plutonium preparation and pit the potential environmental impacts of boiling water reactors at Browns Ferry, disassembly and conversion of conducting pit disassembly and/or near Decatur and Athens, AL, and the plutonium metal to MFFF feed for the conversion activities in five different two pressurized water reactors at manufacture of MOX fuel, DOE's facilities to support its prior decision to Sequoyah, near Soddy-Daisy, TN. DOE preferred alternative is to use some disposition 34 MT of surplus plutonium and TVA will analyze the potential combination of existing facilities, with by fabrication into MOX fuel and also environmental impacts of operating additional equipment or modification, any decision subsequent to this SPD these reactors using a core loading with at TA-55 at LANL, K-Area at SRS, H-Supplemental EIS to disposition the maximum technically and Canyon/HE-Line at SRS, and MFFF at additional surplus plutonium as MOX economically viable number of MOX SRS, rather than to construct a new, fuel. The Pit Disassembly and fuel assemblies. standalone facility. The MOX fuel Conversion Capability Alternatives that e DOE will analyze the potential alternative is DOE's preferred NNSA proposes to analyze are: environmental impacts of irradiating alternative for surplus plutonium

• PDCF in F-Area at SRS-DOE MOX fuel in a generic reactor in the disposition. DOE's preferred alternative would construct, operate, and United States to provide analysis for any for disposition of surplus plutonium

Federal Register/Vol. 77, No. 8/Thursday, January 12, 2012/Notices 1923 that is not suitable for MOX fuel destructive acts (terrorist actions and Availability of the Final SPD fabrication is disposal at WIPP. sabotage). Supplemental EIS.

As stated in the 2010 Amended NOI,

• Potential disproportionately high DOE and TVA are evaluating use of and adverse effects on low-income and Other Agency Involvement MOX fuel in up to five TVA reactors at minority populations (environmental The Tennessee Valley Authority is a the Sequoyah and Browns Ferry Nuclear justice). cooperating agency with DOE for Plants. TVA will determine whether to

• Short-term and long-term land use preparation and review of the sections pursue irradiation of MOX fuel in TVA impacts. of the SPD Supplemental EIS that reactors, and will determine which

• Cumulative impacts.

address operation of TVA reactors using reactors to use initially for this purpose, NEPA Process MOX fuel assemblies. DOE invites should TVA and DOE decide to use Federal and non-Federal agencies with MOX fuel in TVA reactors. The first scoping period for the SPD Supplemental EIS began on March 28, expertise in the subject matter of the Potential Environmental Issues for 2007, and ended on May 29, 2007, with SPD Supplemental EIS to contact the Analysis scoping meetings in Aiken and NEPA Document Manager (see Columbia, SC. DOE began a second ADDRESSES) if they wish to be a DOE has tentatively identified the cooperating agency in the preparation of following environmental issues for public scoping period with publication of an Amended NOI on July 19, 2010, the SPD Supplemental EIS.

analysis in the SPD Supplemental EIS.

The list is presented to facilitate and continuing through September 17, Issued at Washington, DC, on January 6, comment on the scope of the SPD 2010. Public scoping meetings were 2012.

Supplemental EIS, and is not intended held in Tanner, AL; Chattanooga, TN; Thomas P. D'Agostino, to be comprehensive or to predetermine North Augusta, SC; and Carlsbad and Undersecretaryfor Nuclear Security.

the potential impacts to be analyzed. Santa Fe, NM. [FR Dec. 2012-445 Filed 1-11-12; 8:45 am]

• Impacts to the general population Following the scoping period BILLING CODE 6450-01-P and workers from radiological and announced in this second Amended nonradiological releases, and other NOT, and after considering all scoping worker health and safety impacts. comments received, DOE will prepare a

• Impacts of emissions on air and Draft SPD Supplemental EIS. DOE will water quality. announce the availability of the Draft

• Impacts on ecological systems and SPD Supplemental EIS in the Federal threatened and endangered species. Register and local media outlets.

• Impacts of waste management Comments received on the Draft SPD activities, including storage of DWPF Supplemental EIS will be considered canisters and transuranic waste pending and addressed in the Final SPD disposal. Supplemental EIS. DOE currently plans

• Impacts of the transportation of to issue the Final SPD Supplemental EIS radioactive materials, reactor fuel in late 2012. DOE will issue a record of assemblies, and waste. decision no sooner than 30 days after

• Impacts that couldoccur as a result publication by the Environmental of postulated accidents'and intentional Protection Agency of a Notice of

Tennessee Valley Authority, 1101 Market Streeti Chattanooga, Tennessee 37402-2801 Letter of Intent between Tennesee Valley Authority and Shaw AREVA MOX Services, LLC The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) has contracted with Shaw AREVA MOX Services, LLC for the purpose of processing excess weapons plutonium and fabricating it into mixed oxide (MOX) fuel assemblies for use in commercial power generation reactors.

The Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) has expressed an interest in using MOX fuel as an alternate fuel to provide for lower fuel costs for its reactors and the ratepayers it serves and to support DOE's nuclear nonproliferation plutonium disposition program.

As a result of the above, TVA is evaluating the irradiation of MOX fuel in its Scquoyah Units I and 2, as its first preference (dependent on reactor selection to meet tritium production requirements), and in Browns Ferry Units 1, 2, and 3, as an alternative. In addition, TVA may also choose to evaluate the use of MOX fuel in any future nuclear generation project(s) that may be undertaken by TVA. Shaw AREVA MOX Services, LLC has agreed to work with TVA in these evaluations.

• 1~

F'x65 I This letter is a non-binding expression of the present intent of the parties. Either party may terminate negotiations or other activities hereunder at any time without incurring any obligation or liability to the other as a result of such termination. This Jetter does not create any exclusive rights on behalf of either party.

Preston D. Si rd Date Dave Stinson lDate Chief Nuclear Officer and President Executive Vice President Shaw AREVA MOX Services, LLC Nuclear Power Group

Mixed Oxide Fuel Impact Evaluaton A Review ofthe PotentialImpacts andCostAssociatedwith the Utilizationofa PartialMOX FuelCore

Evaluation of Using MOX Fuel in TVA Reactors Presented by TA Keys NRC Fuel Cycle Information Exchange Nuclear Vi io Leadin th n, iSft Pepl *

• Pefomac

I Of ctor ber 2011 IWAI

Tennessee Valley Authority Browns Ferry and Sequoyah Nuclear Plants Mixed Oxide (MOX) Fuel Cycle Impact Study Phase I Estimate Project No. 11291-240 May 26, 2011 Prepared by:

Sargent & Lundy. LLC Sar-gerut S,.n LuryL C 401 Chestnut Street Suite 500 Chattanooga. TN 37402 (423) 752-5539

Federal Register Vol. 76, No. 188/ Wednesday, September 28, 2011/Notices 60017 Persons who wish to comment only The purpose of the conference is to DOE's NEPA implementing regulations on the environmental review of this discuss the impact of the Penalty require the preparation of a supplement project should submit an original and Guidelines on compliance and to an environmental impact statement two copies of their comments to the enforcement matters. More information (EIS) when there are substantial changes Secretary of the Commission. on the topics to be explored and the to a proposal or when there are Environmental commentors will be number and composition of the panels significant new circumstances or placed on the Commission's will be provided in subsequent notices. information relevant to environmental environmental mailing list, will receive All interested persons are invited to concerns. DOE may also prepare a SEIS copies of the environmental documents, attend the conference, and there is no at any time to further the purposes of and will be notified of meetings registration fee to attend. The NEPA. Pursuant to these provisions, the associated with the Commission's conference will not be transcribed but NNSA, a semi-autonomous agency environmental review process. will be webcast. A free webcast of this within DOE, intends to prepare a SEIS Environmental commentors will not be event will be available through http:// to update the environmental analyses in required to serve copies of filed www.ferc.gov. Anyone with Internet DOE's 1999 EIS for the Production of documents on all other parties. access who desires to view this event Tritium in a Commercial Light Water However, the non-party commentors can do so by navigating to http:// Reactor (CLWR EIS; DOE/EIS-0288).

will not receive copies of all documents www.ferc.gov's Calendar of Events and The CLWR EIS addressed the filed by other parties or issued by the locating this event in the Calendar. The production of tritium in Tennessee Commission (except for the mailing of event will contain a link to its webcast. Valley Authority (TVA) reactors using environmental documents issued by the The Capitol Connection provides tritium-producing burnable absorber Commission) and will not have the right technical support for the webcasts and rods (TPBARs). In the Record of to seek court review of the offers access to the meeting via phone Decision (ROD) for the CLWR EIS, Commission's final order. bridge for a fee. If you have any NNSA selected TVA's Watts Bar Unit 1 The Commission strongly encourages questions, you may visit http:// and Sequoyah Units 1 and 2, located in electronic filings of comments, protests, www.CapitolConnection.org. Spring City and Soddy-Daisy, and interventions via the internet in lieu FERC conferences and meetings are Tennessee, respectively, for tritium of paper. See 18 CFR 385.2001(a)(1)(iii) accessible under section 508 of the production. TVA has been producing and the instructions on the Rehabilitation Act of 1973. For tritium for NNSA at Watts Bar Unit I Commission's Web site (http:// accessibility accommodations please since 2004.

wwwferc.gov) under the "e-Filing" link. send an e-mail to accessibility@ferc.gov Persons unable to file electronically or call toll free (866) 208-3372 (voice) After several years of tritium should submit an original and 14 copies or 202-502-8659 (TTY), or send a fax to production experience at TVA's Watts of the protest or intervention to the 202-208-2106 with the required Bar Unit 1, NNSA has determined that Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, accommodations. tritium permeation through TPBAR 888 First Street, NE., Washington, DC Questions about the technical cladding into the reactor cooling water 20426. conference may be directed to Jeremy occurs at a higher rate than previously Medovoy by e-mail at projected. The proposed SEIS will Dated: September 22, 2011. analyze the potential environmental Jeremy.Medovoy@ferc.gov or by Kimberly D. Bose, telephone at 202-502-6768. impacts associated with increased Secretarv. tritium permeation levels observed Dated: September 21, 2011.

[FR Doc. 2011-24961 Filed 9-27-11; 8:45 am]

Kimberly D. Bose, since 2004; DOE's revised estimate of BILLING CODE 6717-01-P the maximum number of TPBARs Secretarv.

required to support the current Nuclear

[FR Doc. 2011-24960 Filed 9-27-11; 8:45 am]

Posture Review tritium supply DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY BILLING CODE 8717-01-P requirements; and proposed changes to TVA facilities that may be used for Federal Energy Regulatory future tritium production. TVA will be Commission DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY participating as a cooperating agency in

[Docket No. PL10--4-000] National Nuclear Security the preparation of the SEIS. Any other Administration agency that would like to be a Technical Conference on Penalty cooperating agency in the preparation of Guidelines; Notice of Technical Notice of Intent To Prepare a the SEIS is requested to contact the SEIS Conference on Penalty Guidelines Supplemental Environmental Impact Document Manager as noted in this Statement (SEIS) for the Production of Notice under ADDRESSES.

The staff of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (Commission) Tritium in a Commercial Light Water DATES: NNSA invites comments on the will hold a conference on November 17, Reactor scope of the SEIS. The public scoping 2011, to discuss the Penalty Guidelines, AGENCY: National Nuclear Security period starts with the publication of this which the Commission issued on Administration (NNSA), U.S. Notice in the Federal Register and will September 17, 2010.1 The conference Department of Energy (DOE). continue until November 14, 2011.

will be held from 1:00 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. ACTION: Notice of intent to prepare a NNSA will consider all comments Eastern Standard Time in the supplemental environmental impact received or postmarked by that date in Commission Meeting Room at the statement and conduct public scoping defining the scope of the SEIS.

Commission's headquarters located at meetings. Comments received or postmarked after 888 First Street, NE., Washington, DC that date will be considered to the 20426.

SUMMARY

The Council on extent practicable. A public scoping Environmental Quality's implementing meeting is scheduled to be held on 1Enforcement of Statutes, Orders. Rules. and regulations for the National October 20, 2011, from 6:30 p.m. to 10 Regulations. 132 FERC ' 61,216 (2010). Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) and p.m.

60018 Federal Register/Vol. 76, No. 188/Wednesday, September 28, 2011/Notices ADDRESSES: The public scoping meeting tritium gas during the dismantlement of tritium program developed TPBARs in will be held at the Southeast Tennessee weapon systems, and the replacement of which neutrons are absorbed by a Trade and Conference Center, Athens, tritium-containing weapons components lithium aluminate ceramic rather than TN. NNSA will publish additional as part of Limited Life Component boron ceramic. While the two types of notices on the date, time, and location Exchange programs. In December 1999, rods function in a very similar manner of the scoping meeting in local a new tritium production capability was to absorb excess neutrons in the reactor newspapers in advance of the scheduled established through an Interagency core, there is one notable difference:

meeting. Any necessary changes will be Agreement with TVA in which TPBARs When neutrons strike the lithium announced in the local media. The are irradiated in the Watts Bar Unit 1 aluminate ceramic material in a TPBAR, scoping meeting will provide the public commercial nuclear power reactor and tritium is produced inside the TPBAR.

with an opportunity to present undergo extraction at the Tritium These TPBARs are placed in the same comments, ask questions, and discuss Extraction Facility (TEF) located at locations in the reactor core as the issues with NNSA officials regarding the DOE's Savannah River Site (SRS) in standard boron burnable absorber rods.

SEIS. South Carolina. In. order to continue to There is no fissile material (uranium or Written comments or suggestions provide the required supply, irradiation plutonium) in the TPBARs. Tritium concerning the scope of the SEIS or will increase from today's 544 TPBARs produced in TPBARs is captured almost requests for more information on the per fuel cycle to a projected steady state instantaneously in a solid zirconium SEIS and public scoping process should rate of approximately 1,700 TPBARs per material in the rod, called a "getter."

be directed to: Mr. Curtis Chambellan, fuel cycle, i.e., approximately every 18 The getter material that captures the Document Manager for the SEIS, U.S. months. tritium is very effective. During each Department of Energy, National Nuclear To provide sufficient capacity to reactor refueling cycle, the TPBARs are Security Administration, Box 5400, ensure the ability to meet projected removed from the reactor and Albuquerque, New Mexico 87185-5400; future stockpile requirements, NNSA transported to SRS. At SRS, the TPBARs facsimile at 505-845-5754; or e-mail at: and TVA anticipate requesting are heated in a vacuum at the TEF to tritium.readiness.seis@doeal.gov.Mr. authorization for TPBAR irradiation to extract the tritium from the getter Chambellan may also be reached by be increased in fiscal year 2016 to a material.

telephone at 505-845-5073. level that is beyond currently licensed DOE's May 1999 Consolidated Record FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For rates for one reactor. Meeting the of Decision for Tritium Supply and general information on the NNSA NEPA increased demand will require a license Recycling (64 FR 26369) announced the process, please contact: Ms. Mary amendment from the Nuclear selection of TVA's Watts Bar Unit 1, Martin, NNSA NEPA Compliance Regulatory Commission (NRC) to permit Sequoyah Unit 1 and Sequoyah Unit 2 Officer, U.S. Department of Energy, the irradiation of a greater number of for use in irradiating TPBARs and stated 1000 Independence Avenue, SW, TPBARs per reactor than can currently that a maximum of approximately 3,400 Washington, DC 20585, or telephone be irradiated at either the Watts Bar or TPBARs would be irradiated per reactor 202-586-9438. For general information Sequoyah site. License amendments are during each 18-month fuel cycle. Since about the DOE NEPA process, please reactor specific. NNSA and TVA will then, the projected need for tritium has supplement the 1999 CLWR EIS with decreased significantly. NNSA has contact: Ms. Carol Borgstrom, Director, Office of NEPA Policy and Compliance analyses supporting the anticipated determined that tritium demand to license amendment requests that also supply the Nuclear Weapons Stockpile (GC-54), U.S. Department of Energy, 1000 Independence Avenue, SW, evaluate a higher level of tritium could be satisfied using a maximum of permeation through TPBAR cladding approximately 2,500 TPBARs per fuel Washington, DC 20585, or telephone 202-586-4600, or leave a message at 1- into the reactor cooling water than was cycle, with a projected steady state previously analyzed. The tritium number of approximately 1,700 TPBARs 800-472-2756. Additional information releases associated with the proposed per fuel cycle.

about the DOE NEPA process, an increase in the number of TPBARs that electronic archive of DOE NEPA could be irradiated at Watts Bar, Purpose and Need documents, and other NEPA resources Although NNSA's projected need for Sequoyah, or both sites (compared to are provided at http://energy.gov/nepa. tritium to support the nuclear weapons the number currently authorized by the SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: NNSA is NRC) would remain below stockpile today is less than originally responsible for supplying nuclear Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) planned, a higher than expected rate of materials for national security needs and NRC regulatory limits. permeation of tritium from TPBARs into and ensuring that the nuclear weapons Subsequently, TVA plans to adopt the reactor coolant water and subsequent stockpile remains safe and reliable. SEIS for use in obtaining the necessary release to the environment has restricted Tritium, a radioactive isotope of NRC license amendment(s). the number of TPBARs irradiated at hydrogen, is an essential component of The production of tritium in a CLWR TVA's Watts Bar Unit 1. Before TVA every weapon in the U.S. nuclear is technically straightforward. All of the increases tritium production rates to weapons stockpile. Unlike other nuclear Nation's supply of tritium has been meet expected national security materials used in nuclear weapons, produced in reactors. Most commercial requirements. the environmental tritium decays at a rate of 5.5 percent pressurized water reactors were analyses in the CLWR EIS are being per year. Accordingly, as long as the designed to utilize 12-foot-long rods updated to analyze and evaluate the Nation relies on a nuclear deterrent, the containing an isotope of boron (boron- effects of the higher tritium permeation, tritium in each nuclear weapon must be 10) in ceramic form. These rods are as well as any potential effects related replenished periodically. The last sometimes called burnable absorber to other changes in the regulatory and reactor used for tritium production rods. The rods are inserted in the reactor operating environment since during the Cold War was shut down in fuel assemblies to absorb excess publication of the original CLWR EIS.

1988. Since then, tritium requirements neutrons produced by the uranium fuel As a cooperating agency in the for the stockpile have largely been met in the fission process for the purpose of preparation of the SEIS, TVA plans to from the existing original inventory controlling power in the core at the use the SEIS in pursuing NRC licensing through the harvest and recycle of beginning of an operating cycle. DOE's amendments to increase TPBAR

Federal Register/Vol. 76, No. 188/Wednesday, September 28, 2011/Notices 60019 irradiation at TVA's Watts Bar Nuclear included as part of the environmental 4. Cultural resources, including Plant (WBN) at Spring City, Tennessee, analyses in the SEIS. Mitigation and historical and pre-historical resources and/or the Sequoyah Nuclear Plant at management measures include an and traditional cultural properties.

Soddy-Daisy, Tennessee, beyond levels assessment of technologies 5. Infrastructure and utilities.

set in 2002. Four alternatives are commercially available to treat tritiated 6. Socioeconomic conditions.

expected to be analyzed in the SEIS: effluents, transportation of tritiated 7. Human health under routine The No Action Alternative and three effluents and/or low level radioactive operations and accident conditions, action alternatives, one using only the waste streams, and other applicable including potential impacts from Watts Bar site, one using only the effluent management actions. seismic events.

Sequoyah site, and one using both the 8. Minority and low-income The SEIS, which will supplement the Watts Bar and Sequoyah sites. As a populations (Environmental Justice).

1999 CLWR EIS, will support agency 9. Intentional Destructive Acts, matter of note, in a separate proceeding, deliberations regarding potential DOE and TVA are also analyzing the including terrorist acts.

changes in the tritium production at 10. Other past, present, and potential use of mixed oxide fuel during NRC licensed TVA facilities in order to some fuel cycles at the Sequoyah reasonably foreseeable actions meet the requirements of TVA's (cumulative impacts).

Nuclear Plant as part of the U.S. agreement with NNSA. These changes program for surplus plutonium SEIS Process and Invitation to also require TVA to pursue an NRC Comment. The SEIS scoping process disposition (75 FR 41850. July 19, 2010). license amendment request for these provides an opportunity for the public Proposed Action and Alternatives facilities. Accordingly, the SEIS is to assist the NNSA in determining expected to substantially meet NRC issues and alternatives to be addressed The CLWR EIS assessed the potential requirements for an environmental in the SEIS. One public scoping meeting impacts of irradiating up to 3,400 report necessary to support TVA's will be held as noted under DATES in TPBARs per reactor unit operating on 18 license amendment request(s) for this Notice. The purpose of the scoping month fuel cycles. It included TPBAR irradiation scenarios using multiple tritium production at the Watts Bar and/ meeting is to provide attendees with an reactor units to achieve a maximum or Sequoyah Nuclear Plants. opportunity to present comments, ask level of 6,000 TPBARs every 18 months. No Action Alternative: Produce questions, and discuss issues regarding Subsequently, tritium production tritium at currently approved TVA the SEIS with NNSA officials.

requirements have been reduced such facilities (Watts Bar Unit 1 and Comments can also be mailed to Mr.

that irradiation of approximately 1,700 Sequoyah Units 1 and 2) at appropriate Chambellan as noted in this Notice TPBARs every reactor fuel cycle is levels to keep permeation levels within under ADDRESSES. The SEIS scoping expected to be sufficient to fulfill currently approved NRC license and meeting will include an informal open current requirements, consistent with regulatory limits. house from 6:30-7 p.m. to facilitate the 2010 Nuclear Posture Review. To Alternative 1: Utilize TVA's Watts Bar dialogue between NNSA and the public.

provide flexibility in future tritium site only to a maximum level of 2,500 Once the formal scoping meeting begins supply decisions, the. revised TPBARs every reactor fuel cycle (18 at 7:00 pm, NNSA will present a brief environmental analysis is expected to months). overview of the SEIS process and consider irradiation of up to a total of Alternative 2: Utilize TVA's Sequoyah provide individuals the opportunity to 2,500 TPBARs every 18 months. This site only to a maximum level of 2,500 give written or oral statements. NNSA approach would provide sufficient TPBARs every 18 months. welcomes specific scoping comments or reserve capacity to accommodate Alternative 3: Utilize both the Watts suggestions on the SEIS. Copies of potential future changes in requirements Bar and Sequoyah sites to a maximum written comments and transcripts of and to allow for production above total level of 2,500 TPBARS every 18 oral comments provided to NNSA currently expected annual requirement months. The level of production per site during the scoping period will be levels for short durations (i.e., several would be determined by TVA. This available on the Internet at http://

years) to recover from potential future alternative would provide the ability to nnsa.energy.gov/nepa/clwrseis.

shortfalls should that become necessary. supply stockpile requirements at either After the close of the public scoping In the CLWR EIS, the permeation of site independently, or using both sites period, NNSA will begin preparing the tritium through the TPBAR cladding with each supplying a portion of the Draft SEIS. NNSA expects to issue the into the reactor coolant systems of supply. Draft SEIS for public review in 2012. A potential tritium production reactors Federal Register Notice of Availability, was estimated to be less than or equal Preliminary Identification of along with notices placed in local to one tritium curie/TPBAR/year. After Environmental Issues newspapers, will provide dates and several years of tritium production locations for public hearings on the NNSA has tentatively identified the experience at Watts Bar Unit 1, NNSA Draft SEIS and the deadline for issues for analysis in the SEIS.

has determined that tritium permeation comments on the draft document.

Additional issues may be identified as through TPBAR cladding is Persons who submit comments with a a result of the scoping comment process.

approximately three to four times higher mailing address during the scoping The SEIS will analyze the potential than this estimate; nevertheless, tritium process will receive a copy of or link to impacts on:

releases have been below regulatory the Draft SEIS. Other persons who limits. To conservatively bound the 1. Air, water, soil, and visual would like to receive a copy of or link potential environmental impacts, the resources. to the Draft SEIS for review should SEIS will assess the impacts associated 2. Plants and animals, and their notify Mr. Chambellan at the address with tritium production in CLWRs habitats, including state and Federally- noted under ADDRESSES. NNSA will based on a permeation rate of listed threatened or endangered species include all comments received on the approximately five tritium curies/ and their critical habitats. Draft SEIS, and responses to those TPBAR/year. 3. Irretrievable and irreversible comments in the Final SEIS.

An assessment of tritium mitigation consumption of natural resources and Issuance of the Final SEIS is currently and management measures will be energy, including transportation issues. anticipated to take place in 2013. NNSA

1 60020 Federal Register/Vol. 76, No. 188/Wednesday, September 28, 2011/Notices will issue a ROD no sooner than 30 days consider to be CBI or otherwise What information is EPA particularly after publication of EPA's Notice of protected through http:// interested in?

Availability of the Final SEIS. www.regulations.gov or e-mail. The Pursuant to section 3506(c)(2)(A) of Issued in Washington, DC, this 23rd day of http://www4regulations.govWeb site is the PRA, the EPA specifically solicits September 2011. an "anonymous access" system, which comments and information to enable it Thomas P. D'Agostino, means the EPA will not know your to:

Administrator,National NuclearSecurity identity or contact information unless (i) Evaluate whether the proposed Administration. you provide it in the body of your collection of information is necessary IFR Doc. 2011-24947 Filed 9-27-11; 8:45 am]

comment. If you send an email for the proper performance of the BILLING CODE 6450-01-P comment directly to the EPA without functions of the agency, including going through http:// whether the information will have www.regulations.gov, your e-mail practical utility; address will be automatically captured (ii) Evaluate the accuracy of the ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION and included as part of the comment agency's estimate of the burden of the AGENCY that is placed in the public docket and proposed collection of information,

[EPA-HQ-OAR-2002-0091, FRL-9472-8] made available on the Internet. If you including the validity of the submit an electronic comment, the EPA methodology and assumptions used; Agency Information Collection recommends that you include your (iii) Enhance the quality, utility, and Activities: Proposed Collection; name and other contact information in clarity of the information to be Comment Request; Ambient Air the body of your comment and with any collected; and Quality Surveillance disk or CD-ROM you submit. If the EPA (iv) Minimize the burden of the AGENCY: Environmental Protection cannot read your comment due to collection of information on those who Agency (EPA). technical difficulties and cannot contact are to respond, including through the ACTION: Notice. you for clarification, the EPA may not use of appropriate automated electronic, be able to consider your comment. mechanical, or other technological

SUMMARY

In compliance with the Electronic files should avoid the use of collection techniques or other forms of Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA) (44 special characters, any form of information technology, e.g., permitting U.S.C. 3501 et seq.), this document encryption, and be free of any defects or electronic submission of responses. In announces that the EPA is planning to viruses. For additional information particular, the EPA is requesting submit a request to renew an existing about EPA's public docket, visit the EPA comments from very small businesses approved Information Collection Docket Center homepage at http:// (those that employ less than 25 people)

Request (ICR) to the Office of www.epa.gov/epahome/dockets.htm. on examples of specific additional Management and Budget (OMB). This FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: efforts that the EPA could make to ICR is scheduled to expire on April 30, Laurie Trinca, Air Quality Assessment reduce the paperwork burden for very 2012. Before submitting the ICR to the Division, Environmental Protection small businesses affected by this OMB for review and approval, the EPA Agency; telephone number: (919) 541- collection.

is soliciting comments on specific 0520; fax number: (919) 541-1903; e- What should I consider when I prepare aspects of the proposed information mail address:trinca.laurie@epa.gov. my comments for the EPA?

collection as described below. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

DATES: Comments must be submitted on You may find the following or before November 28, 2011. How can I access the docket and/or suggestions helpful for preparing your submit comments? comments:

ADDRESSES: Submit your comments, The EPA has established a public 1. Explain your views as clearly as identified by Docket ID number OAR- possible and provide specific examples.

2002-0091, by one of the following docket for this ICR under Docket ID No.

2. Describe any assumptions that you methods: EPA-OAR-2002-0091, which is available for online viewing at http:// used.

. http://www.regulations.gov:Follow 3. Provide copies of any technical the on-line instructions for submitting www.regulations.gov, or in-person information and/or data you used that comments. viewing at the Air and Radiation Docket support your views.

" E-mail: a-and-r-docket@epa.gov. in the EPA Docket Center (EPA/DC), 4. If you estimate potential burden or

• Fax: (202) 566-1741. EPA West, Room B102, 1301 costs, explain how you arrived at the

" Mail: Environmental Protection Constitution Avenue, NW., Washington, estimate that you provide.

Agency, EPA Docket Center (EPA/DC), DC 20460. The EPA/DC Public Reading 5. Offer alternative ways to improve Air and Radiation Docket, Mail Code Room is open from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., the collection activity.

6102T, 1200 Pennsylvania Avenue, Monday through Friday, excluding legal 6. Make sure to submit your NW., Washington. DC 20460. holidays. The telephone number for the comments by the deadline identified Instructions:Direct your comments to Reading Room is (202) 566-1744, and under DATES.

Docket ID No. EPA-HQ-OAR-2002- the telephone number for the Air and 7. To ensure proper receipt by the 0091. The EPA's policy is that all Radiation Docket is (202) 566-1742. EPA, be sure to identify the docket ID comments received will be included in Use http://www.regulations.govto number assigned to this action in the the public docket without change and obtain a copy of the draft collection of subject line on the first page of your may be made available online at http:// information, submit or view public response. You may also provide the www.regulations.gov, including any comments, access the index listing of name, date, and Federal Register personal information provided, unless the contents of the docket, and to access citation.

the comment includes information those documents in the public docket claimed to be Confidential Business that are available electronically. Once in What information collection activity or Information (CBI) or other information the system, select "search," then key in ICR does this apply to?

whose disclosure is restricted by statute. the docket ID number identified in this Affected Entities:Entities potentially Do not submit information that you document. affected by this action are those state,

Tom Clements Southeastern Nuclear Campaign Coordinator tomclements329@cs.com O the Earth Friends of www.foe.org 1112 Florence Street Phone 803.834.30B4 Columbia, SC 29201 Cell 803.240.7268