ML090700332

Comment (155) of Moanica M. Caston, on Behalf of Southern Nuclear Operating Co., Re Pr 51, Consideration of Environmental Impacts of Temporary Storage of Spent Fuel After Cessation of Reactor Operation and Related Waste Confidence.

ML090700332
Person / Time
Site:	Hatch, Vogtle, Farley
Issue date:	02/10/2009
From:	Caston M Southern Nuclear Operating Co
To:	Annette Vietti-Cook NRC/SECY/RAS
SECY RAS
References
73FR59547 00155, 73FR59551 00155, PR 51
Download: ML090700332 (2)

Text

MoanicOJ M. Castor. Southern Nuclear Vice President Operating CompallY, Inc.

40 Inverness Center Parkway Genera! Counsel and Corporate Secretary Post Office Box 1295 Birmingham, Alabama 35201-1295

/55 Te! 205.992.5316 PR51 (73FR59547)

(73FR59551 ) SOUTHERN . \

COMPANY SM

"'-, to Serve Your' WOrld Ener(J"V February 10,2009 DOCKETED USNRC March 10, 2009 (4:15pm)

Ms. Annette 1. Vietti-Cook OFFICE OF SECRETARY Secretary RULEMAKINGS AND U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission ADJUDICATIONS STAFF Washington, D.C. 20555-0001 Attn: Rulemakings and Adjudications Re: U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission Proposed RJlle 10 CFR Part 51 Consideration of Environmental Impacts of Tempora!')' Storage! of Spent Fuel Afler Cessation of Reactor Operati,}n (73 Fed. Reg. 59547) and rdated Waste:: COY'Jtdence Decision Update (73 Fed.

Reg. 59551), each dated Ocwber 9, 2008

Dear .\;1s. Vietti-Cook:

I am writing an behalf of Southern Nuclea::- Operating Company (SNC) the licensed operator for the Edwin 1. Hatch Nuclear Plant, the Joseph M. Farley Nuclear Plant and Vogtle Electric Generating Plant, in support of the Nuclear Regulatory Commission's proposed update to the basis for its Waste Confidence Decision and associated regulations. SNC concurs with the comments submitted by the Nuclear Energy Institute (NEI) 1 on behalf of the nuclear energy industry in response to the proposed revision to 10 CFR Part 51 Consideration ofEnvironmental Impacts of Temporary Storage ofSpent Fuel After Cessation ofReactor Operation (73 Fed. Reg.

59,547) and update to the Nuclear Regulatory Commission's (NRC) waste confidence findings in a corresponding Waste Confidence Decision Update (73 Fed. Reg. 59,551).

SNC believes that the NRC's Waste Confidence Decision is amply supported by the industry's experience with dry storage of spent nuclear fuel, as well as by tangible progress in the demonstration of the viability of geologic disposal of SNF. Accordingly SNC endorses NEI's comments supporting NRC's decision to reaffirm Findings 1, 3, and 5, as well as revised Findings 2 and 4 of its Waste Confidence Decision. In addition, in response to the specific 1 NEI is the organization responsible for establishing unified nuclear industry policy on matters affecting the nuclear ~nergy industry. NEI's members include all:utiiities licensed to operate commt:rcial nuckar power plants in the United States, nuclear plant designers, majorarchitect/engineering firms, fuel fabricators, nucl~ar mate:-ial licensees, and other organizations and individuals involved in the nuclear energy industry.

Ms. Annette L. Vietti-Cook question for public comment posed by NRC as to whether a timeframe for the availability of a repository should be included at all, SNC also concurs with NEI's recommendation that the NRC adopt the proposed alternative revision of Finding 2, which does not include a specific timeframe for the availability of a repository.

If you have any questions concerning SNC's position or would like to discuss these comments further, please feel free to contact me at (205) 992-5316.

Moanica M. Caston cc: David Jones (SNC)

Bruce Hunt (SNC)

Ron Cocherell (SNC)

Stan Blanton (Balch)

Angela Luckett (Balch) 2