ML15230A048
| ML15230A048 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Site: | Vermont Yankee File:NorthStar Vermont Yankee icon.png |
| Issue date: | 08/13/2015 |
| From: | Ancel C B, Griffin W E, Recchia C, Zamore P H Green Mountain Power Corporation, Sheehey Furlong & Behm P C, State of VT, Dept of Public Service, State of VT, Office of the Attorney General, Vermont Yankee |
| To: | Dean W M Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation |
| References | |
| Download: ML15230A048 (16) | |
Text
WILLIAM H. SOREELL TEL: (802) 828-3171 ATTORNEY GENERAL "FAX: (802) 828-3187, TrY: (802) 828-3665 SUSANNE R. YOUNG DEPUTY ATI'ORNEY GENERAL http://wivw.ago.vermnont.gov WILLIAM E. GRIFFIN CHIEF ASST. ATrORNEY SAEO EMN GENERAL SAEO EMN OFFICE OF THE AITORNEY GENERAL 109 STATE STREET MONTPELIER, VT 05609-1001 August 13, 2015 William Dean, Director Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation Nuclear Regulatory Commission Washington D.C. 20555-.0001 Re: Docket 50-271; Request for Immediate Objection to Entergy's July 16, 2015 Pre-Notice of Disbursement from Decommissioning Trust for Non-Decommissioning Expenses
Dear Director Dean,
On July 16, 2015, Entergy Nuclear Vermont Yankee, LLC (Entergy) and the Managing Director of the Bank of New York Mellon (the Bank) submitted a "Pre-Notice of Disbursement from Decommissioning Trust." The notice requests "lip to $12,000,000" from the Nuclear Decommissioning Trust Fund for expenses that include "operational irradiated fuel management expenses." The State. the Vermont Yankee Nuclear Power Corporation.
and Green Mountain Power Corporation formally request that the NRC i~mmediately provide notice of objection" to the Bank of New York Mellon concerning the pending request. pursuant to the NRC's authority under Vermont Yankee Nuclear Power Station Renewed Facility Operating License Condition 3 .J~a(iii) and under the Master Trust AM! of Entergy's previous pre~notices of disbursements have been only for what Entergy asserts to be "legitimate decommissioning expenses." 'This is the first time Entergy has asserted a right to reimburse itself for non-decommissionfing expenses--something which NRC regulations explicitly forbid. 10 C.F.R.§ S0.75 (h)(1)(iv) (disbursements: "are restricted to decommissioning expenses");
see also, e.g., id.§ 50.82 (a)(8)(i)(A) (disbursements must be "for legitimate decommissioning activities consistent with the definition of decommissioning in [10 C.F.R.] § 50.2," which in turn defines decommissioning as limited to activities that "reduce residual radioactd'vity");
General Requiremnents for Decommissioning Nuclear Facilities, 53 Fed. Reg. 24018-01, 24018 (1988) ("Decommnissioning activities do not include the rem~oval and disposal of spent fuel which is considered to be an operational activity .... "(emphasis added)).Entergy' s assertion of an ability to reimburse itself for millions of dollars in "operational irradiated fuel management expenses" appears to be based on the NRC's June 23, 2015 granting of an exemption from the above regulations.
See 80 Fed. Reg. 35 992-35995 (June 23, 2015). However, the State of Vermont, the Vermont Yankee Nuclear 'Power Corporation, and Green Mountain power have now challenged that decision in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit, See attachment.
This pending legal challenge states that the NRC' s June 2 3, 2 015 decision shoulidhbe overturned as a violation of the Atomic Energy Act, the Administrative Procedures Act, and the National Environmental Policy Act.Further, as the State has previously noted, regardless of whether Entergy has been exempted from applicable NRC regulations, Entergy and the Bank of New York Mellon have independent legal obligations to not release funds for "operational
'irradiated fuel management expenses." In particular, the 2002 Master Trust' Agreement and the related Vermont Public Service Board Order do not allow use of the Nuclear Decommissioning Trust Fund for spent fuel expenses until the site has been decommissioned, and have specific provisions:
regarding the return of 55% of excess amounts in that fund to Vermont ratepayers through the Vermont Yankee Nuclear Power Corporation and Green Mountain Power. Entergy has not yet sought approval from the NRC or the Vermont Public Service Board to amend those requirements.
Applicable Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) regulations similarly state that "[a]bsent express authorization" from FERC--authorizati'on' Entergy has not received-"no part" of the Nuclear Decommissioning Trust Fund may be "used for, or diverted to, any purpose other than to fund 'the costs of decommissioning." 18 C.F.R. § 35.3'2(a)(6) (emphasis added). Entergy's planned use of alleged "excess" funds also violates' the requirement that any "excess jurisdictional amount" be "retur[ed]...
to ratepayers"--
here, through Vermont Yankee Nuclear Power Corporation and Green Mountain Power. Id. § 35.32(a)(7).
Entergy's cOntractual obligations as well as federal laWs, including'laws Entergy has not been exempted from, prohibit the release of trust funds for "operational irradiated fuel management expenses" at this time. And the undersigned have now fled a direct challenge in the' U.S. Court of Appeals for the D. C.Circuit to the exemption request that forms the entire basis for Entergy's claim that it can use the fund in this way. Unless and until these legal issues are resolved, it would be arbitrary and an abuse of discretion for the NRC to stand by and dedline to exercise its right to provide "written notice of objection" to the Bank of New York Mellon concerning the pending request.Thank you for your attention to this matter, and we look forward to your immediate action.William E. Griffin Chief Assistant Attorney General Vermont Attorney General's Office Pee .Zamor Sheehey'Furlong
& Behm P.C./30 Main Street, Gateway Sq, 6th Fl, P0 Box 66 Burlington, VT 95402 Counsel for Vermont Yankee Nuclear Power Corporation and Green' Mountain Power Christopher Recclhia Commissioner Vermont Department of Public Service Charlotte B. Ancel " / 6-Vice President, General Counsel 'Power Resoutrces, and COrpo'rate Se~cretary Green Mountain Power Corporation 163 Acorn Ln, Colchester, VT 05446 cc: Annette L. Vietti-Cook, Secretary of theNuclear Regulatory Commission U.S. Nuclear Regulatory.
Commission Document Control Desk Page 2 of 3 Daniel H. Dorman, Regional Admini) strator, Region 1, NRC James S, Kun, Project Manager, Division of Operating Reactor Licensing, NRC T. Michael Twomey, Vice President of External Affairs, Entergy Nuclear Vermont Yankee, LLC Chris Wamser, Site Vice President, Entergy Nuclear Vermont Yankee, LLC Glen Metzger, The Bank of New York. Mellon Page 8 of 3 UNTED STATES COURT OF APPEALS FOR THE DISTRICT OF COLO/MBIA CIRCUIT THE STATE OF VERONT, VEWONT YANKEE.NCLEAR
):
ad )GREEN MOUNTAIN POWER )CORPORATION
"-)Vt UNTED STAThS NUCLEA REGULATORY COMMSSION,.
and UNITED. STATES. OP AMERICA, Respondents N) t )))))))PETiTION FOR REVIW.Pursuant to § 189 of toi Atomlo Energ Act 42 U.S.,CI § 2239w, 28: U.S.C.§.§ 23414344; te Adminitmto troeur Act, S U.S.C. §: 551 et seq.; and Rule.1$ of the FedralRuls of Appellate Procedre, the ,petitioners, the State ,of.Vermont the Vermont Yanee Nuclear: Power Corporation, and onret Mountain h erohy. petition this..Court, fbr. review of :the. Uited States.Nuclear Regu~latory .Commission' s ("Commission")
Issuance of Exemptions for the Vermont Yan~ke Nuclear Power Station ("Vermont Yankee") in. Docket No..50-271; NRC-20I "The: Commission issued its approval to the owner/operator of Vermont 2015, and notice was published in the Pedant Registr on une 23, 201.5 (80 Fed.:3599% a copy of whi is attached hereto). This filing is within the: 60-dy statute of limitations and :is timely pursuant:
to 28 U.SC. § 2344, This Court has jurisdicto over this matter pursuant to 28 US.C. 2342(4) and 2344-, and is a proper venue pursuant to 28 U.S.C. -§ 2343.' Petitioners have stanuding pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 2344 and S U.S.C. § 702 to bring this Petition.
The State of' Veront, its citizens, and its ratepayers are agrieved by the Commission's decision, which affcts: (1) the: license for a nuclear power plant locae in the State and (2) the Nuclea Decnmssionig Trust~ Fund. (.De.mmssiondng Fun&V) for Vertmont Yankee which wa primarily frnded. by monis Worn Vermont ramteyon, andi in' whicih Veront ratepatyers have an inteet in excess tinds reaining after decommissioning.
The Vermont. Yoankee Nuclear Power Corporation.
and its crent: sole. owner, Green Mountain Power Corporation, are utilities that also :have: a diret interstin proper use of the Decmmssioning Fund. Vermont Yane Nuclea Power Copration, now owned by Green Mountai Power .Corporation, collected the principal funds that (with interest) eonstitute-the entirety of the Decounis~sioning Thud. .Further, Gree Moutattint Nwer Corportion, and: through it their Veormont ratepayrs, hav.2 dcosmnlssion4ng Thus, e.... ver time th Com..mission
... allows: an imptperlr froIU the eo mnsstomng Fun~d, it hars Veront Yankee Nucle~ar...Power .Corporation, Gren Mountai Power Corpration, and their Vermont ratpayer..s.
Finally, Petitione~rs jointly submtted a letter :(dated. June 5, 20i5)' to 9 ~the Commission requesting the opportunity for p~ublic participation on Ente~$y's i: oexemption request: and requesting to participate in the. matter before: the+.:::.Commssion isue its decsion. No such opportuntywas granted.:'!iThe. C on acted abused its discretion, nd violated the Atomic nergy the Administrative.
Prcdure Act. and th National:
Policy .Act In approvin the e~xemptions and foiling to provides.opportunity for Pettoners to participate in the process. Petitioners respectfhlly request that: this Court review the Commission's decis:ion, vacate that: decision, and remand the: matter. to the Conxssion.
Repethiysumttd i: ~By :its attorneys,;:;! 3 il Kyle Wr LandisMarinelo,,:'!fl.C, CircuitBa No. 55684 State of Vrmont109 State Stret i~ikylde nondllo~n ve :ilTel.(tOZ)
.82830186!i State of Vermaont i Department of Public ServiceStat Stret hr Fl.oor'..VT 056.20-2601Tel: (802) 828-4007:,::D t C. Ciuit.lar Roll No, 50119.NicaLLfhswrhMUR CUTLRP.ICKRRNIAtS AND DORK LIPBoston, M.A 02109* tohcia,kllswoM@wflmettale~aomu i!bonniediiple@wllmerh~leoerm 4
MO"NT.....P.w...COR..ORAT.ON
!'i~ i~ i:ii~ iii !i :: i:.:!!iii~iiiiiii~
i:: i~ ~iiCharlott-a
!i¸:: II I: .h Mii:ii:o1iCOlceTo VAI 05446 POCORPORATION iBy its attorney*.: Sheehey Furlong & Behrn I, C,.Main Strees Gateway Sq, 6th FlBox 66:!ii gThwlirtn VT 05402: pzroh xe)$shehevtco Tel (82.8989$1
- 'U.S. Nucilear Regulatory.Commission Issuance of Exemptions SENTrERGY NUCLEAR OPERATIONS, INC.: VERMONT YANKEENCLEARPOWER STATION-.. ..DOCKET NO.-50-27.1
.80 Fed. Reg. 35992 (June 23, 2015)
- 3592 35992Federal Register/Vol.
80, No. 120/Tuesdlay, Julne 23, 2015 /Notices I i II, Background
.ii :. i... .request the OMB's approva 1for thle ...
collection
- summarized.
- collection:
Title of the Code of-Federal Regulations (10 CFR) Part 51--
ProtectiOn Regulations for Domestic Licensing and Related:2. :MB approval nfumber: 3.150-0021, N/A.5. HoW often the collection is required or requested:
Upon submittal of an application for a combined license, construction permit, operating license, operating license renewal, early site permit, design certification, decommissioning or license termination review; or manufacturing license, or upon submittal of a petition for rulemaking.
- 6. Who will be required or asked to respond: Licensees and applicants requesting approvals for actions proposed in accordance with the provisions of 10 CFR parts 30, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 39, 40, 50, 52, 54, 60, 61, 70, and 72.7. The estimated number of annual responses:
48.7.8. The estimated number of annual respondents:
48.7.9. The estimated number of hours needed annually to cam ply~with the information collection requirement or request: 48,104.10. Abstract:
The NRC's regulations at 10 CFR part 51 specifies information to be provided by applicants and licensees so that the NRC can make determinations necessary to adhere to the policies, regulations, and public laws of the Unitedl States, which are interpreted and administered in accordance with the provisions, set forth in the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969, as amended.III. Specific Requests for Comments The NRC is seeking comments that address the following questions:
- 1. Is the proposed dollection of information necessary for the NRC to properly perform its functions?
Does the information have practical utility?2. Is the estimate of the burden of the information collection accurate?3. Is there a way to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to be collected?
- 4. How can the burden of the information collection on respondents be minimized, including the use of-:automated techniques or : -other ~formsi of i nformation t:e:hnob logy ?NRC Clearance Officer, office bf lnfor~mation Ser~vices.
""[FR Doe. 2015-15390 Filed 6-Z22-15; 8:45 am]BILLING" CODE 7593-01-P NUCLEAR :REGULATORY COMMISSION.I:.
No6. 50-271: NRC÷2015-01 57]Enhtergy Nuclear Operations, Inc,;Vermo0nt Yankee NUClear POwer Station AGENCY: Nuclear Regulatory Commission.
ACTION: Exemption; issuance.
SUMMARY
- The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) is issuing exemptions in response to a January 6, 2015, request from Entergy Nuclear Operations, Inc. (ENO or the licensee).
One exemption permits the use of the Vermont Yankee Nuclear Power Station (VY) Decommissioning Trust Fund (Trust) to implement the licensee's plan to manage irradiated fuel in accordance.-
with the updated Irradiated Fuel Management Plan and post-shutdown decommissioning activities report (PSDAR); The other exemption permits the licensee to make withdrawals from the Trust in accordance with the Updated Irradiated:Fuel Management Plan and PSDAR without prior notification to the NRC.DATES: June 23, 2015.ADDRESSES:
Please refer to Docket ID NRC-2015-01.57 when contacting the NRC about the availability of.information regarding this document.Y~u may obtain publicly-available information related to this document using any of the following methods:.* Federal Rulemaking Web site: Go tO h ttp://www~regulations.gov and. search ....for Docket ID NRC--2015-0157.
Address questions about NRC dockets to Carol Callagher; telephone:
301-415-3463; email: Carol, Gallagher@nrc.gov.
For technical questions, contact the individual listed in the FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT section of this document.* NRC's Agencywide Documents Access and Management System (ADAMS): You may access publicly: available documents online in the ADAMS public document collection at http://www.nrc.gov/reading-rm/
a~damas~html.
To begin the search, :select"!ADAMS Public Documents":
and then:select "!,Begi'n:
Web-based
is referenced.DR:B You imay examine and purchase copies of pulbl~ic documents at"F:OR FU!RTHER..INFORMATION.
CONTACT: James.Kimt, Office of Nuiclear Reactor R~egulation.
U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission, Washington, DC 20555-0001; telephone:
301-415-4125; email: james.Kim@nrc.gov.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
I. Background Entergy Nuclear Operations, Inc.(ENO), is the holder of Renewed Facility Operating License No. DPR-28 for VY.By letter dated January 12, 2015 (ADAMS Accession No. ML15013A426), ENO submitted to the NRC a certification in accordance with Sections 50.82(a)(1)(i) and 50.82(a)(1)(ii) of Title 10 of the Code of Federal Regulations (10 CFR), indicating that it had permanently deased power operations at VY and had permanently defueled the VY reactor vessel. VY has not operated since December 29, 2014.The facility consists of a boiling water reactor located in the town of Vernon, Windham County, Vermont on the west bank of the Connecticut River, immediately upstream of the Vernon Hydroelectric Station, II. RequestlAction By letter dated January 6, 2015 (ADAMS Accession No. ML150!3A1 71), ENO Submitted a request for exemptions from 10 CFR 50.82(a)(8)(i)(A) and 10 CFR 50.75(h)(1)(iv).
The exemption from 10.CFR 50.82(a)(8)(i)(A) w~ould....
permit ENO to make withdrawals from the VY Trust to implement its plan to manage irradiated fuel in accordance with the updated Irradiated Fuel Management Plan and PSDAR. The exemption from 10 CFR 50.75(h)(1)(ivl would permit ENO to make these withdrawals without prior notification of the NRC, similar to withdrawals for decommissioning activities made in accordance with 10 CFR 50.82(a)(8).
By a separate letter dated December 19, 2014 (ADAMS Accession No, ML14358A251), ENO submitted an
- Federal Re~ister/:VO1.
80, :No. 1i20/:TueSday, *June-23, : 2015/Notices359 I I I l l I I I l l I I f ManagquiementPlnas require by10 CR50.75(h)bb)i).
ThelsoA.,a reqtithuiredo briay 10ndF inc2a)idenwas alpnss} o subomittedoningepenber 1 nti 2014 AdAcmSmccssionghaben No.mpletedA10.
The requirements of 10 CFR 50.75(a)(8)(i)()
frethric thvie usftrust, exetfrwithdrawals toexeinssfrlgitmate udeommisionin 582actiites onsisten wimeth the odeinitio afdeomisisioninge which appar inciea 10xCens50., Thi deiiionudoesenot inclu mde activities asusoite withou irraiated fotielt h R::.mnaemnt Therefore, an exemptionfrm1CF
' 5f7omh)1(i0 C iR needed((i(A is nloweedeallo Ends trom use frunst fromrh Trs o irradiated fuel management.wthu ThPeuirementtsoo 10 CFR 5.2 50.7 hfssio) mals on restrictatheousebo ord inaerysand iniersntalrexpenses) tow deomissioninegrn expempinseuni finalth Terequirements of 10 CFR pr 0()we 507(h")i uther*xmpin parahovided th at, d isbuct lrOseent maynbemdue fri om the *: .: cOTrustenwithout withemmn notiefto the NRC:! ": : :Thserefore
- ic tanexemp gtediofrom 10 :CFR :: : : : ::50.75(h)()iv) isre.ped~edto allowsecal EN.........
to.use :.fcundstafromsthe Tustiamn fothr irraiagted fuelmanagemn without prio ApRlC ntifton.o h euaini the Darisculas ion mtne* ol o Purisuanotnesar to 10CFhi5e12 the* b}Commisionc mauonl appulct.ion.
byd* ~~anydinterestedherso ort uphats own* ~ignitiantive grant excespios frtomste consitenplte wihe the ommaton defese thingsd, orthe t followingniiaty serves*f thoe uelingcurpoedb ofthe rul signilantly sinuaexcssofths A:..:The ExemnptiOns:
are Authorized by: -:;CF 5bvi:0.82(a)(8).i)(A ando 10h CFRC aprinof theAoi funds rg tom the4 Trst o iradiated, frutel Cmangmenithiouts riorunoticento TheNrCfr, inthe samempin maBierThae EximthdowsPresn moUdue Teunder ligproef 10 CFR "08()8 o decommissioning activitiesreAscstate Baboe, 10CR01nalw the NRC-pcii cs etomt goranxmtions fro the Tutorirequirementsl ofa10gFRmpat 50whe nth adexseyimpatin aENs auilthorie bylaw.the NrCsafflgia hsdetermisoined asixpline b0elowan thtegraningt the lYI~censee.
puroperosed exemptions wil ot resut0i aF violation)(i tofal the Atoic enserg Atofm1954.as amendedrawl therommis Trsi on'regulations.
noThereforet the empiNsC arsuhoul riz fedt by law, iecyo B.nd iThe ETemptiton PrsetomUndue RaiktoltheiPuliHealnthand ati:f te sty Theaunserlycingpurpoas ae ofil 0 CFR and: 10 e CRev~ l B ]asedl on the sitve-speii cr os esimate portioenofthrcurstfor irradated fyusigtel managementh willpote madversel impac th ENr'sability tof comtuleted raccdiologica nterincratetedVY Alicense, Furthermbore, exemptonseune fom 10 ostulated(1)iv toallowitent lienseeitoreasekNocane ar weithraal frmaen the typess foramut irrdiaedffueltta managemrentse w ffithou phrio witte notsgificatinto thceae iNC radiological depulcntaminationoftese becausue, suherwiethdrwl areustill cxmtonstrained byth provsions olan CndR Based ton the aubove, hather areno naewy C .The Exem pt fonsi are Consistent With: for irradiated
+i +plhranniiedEND ecomm~isiaton~ingO~
andi: +.fia lhs~fic:ense terinthionfei processadt
.-.wil o to phyically:
- + s~ecur teit~i~~:::le orfprotec D.Special nclercumateral.Ths chnet wenabevterueo apporction of the feundsio fro the Tarstifor actiirmtines othe thnt decommssioning actievites thas unoeyn prelation to e seurityissue.Teeoe The uomndefeynse andposecurit is not D.0Specal(8Circumstand 0ces wit75h)(10v CFR to p2aro)iid ae presentbl wheneve application of thee reguaioemnt ino the particular actircumtanes ishenotha necemmssaryito achieveithes sunderyin assrancitate adequmataeent fundstill bena railgcldecommissioning ofpwrractor.
V frmThe toa YTrust foractiviteas othrta dectommissioningwa activitiestscha irraiate fuel ma!*n21iagement uTil fiNal railgcldecommissioning ats.Of VY hasb Octoberm31,l2014,.was approximately dollars).
As required by 10 CFR 50.54(bb), END estimated the costs assobciated with the lo~ng-term i!rradiated fuel management at VY to be $36:4.4 **: mriillion
- in.2014 dollars .;i:::!:The +staff:performed an :independent:.
cas :e~ flow analyesis o6f the Trust through~: 207*5, assumning.
ani annuial real: rate oef ;+-return.of two.i percen~t, as iallowe~d
_b:y:.. 10.CFR 50.75(e) (1) ii), and determined:
the preojected earnings of~the Tru~st. The staff confirmed that the current funds, .planned future contributions, and projected earntings of the Trust provide reasonable assurance of adequate funding to complete all NRC required decommissioning activities and to conduct irradiated fuel management in accordanqe with the updated Irradiated Fuel Management Plan and PSDAR. The staff's review and conclusions are based on END's specific financial situation, as described in its December 19, 2014,
- 35994.35994Federal Register/Vol.
80, No. 120 /Tuesday, June 23, 2015 /Notices letter. Consequently, the staff conclUdes that application of the requirementthat fun~ds from the Trust only be used for decommissioning activities and not for' irradiated fuel manageme~nt is not: nec'essary to :achileve iunderlying.
pUrpo~se:
of th~e nule and,
?special circu~mstances are pre~sent":" supporting the approval of the exemption request, ..Ini:its :submittal, END alSOI requested"::exemption, from the ofl10 written to the NRC of activities.
The uniderlying
- purpose :of notfyinig the NRCiprior to withdrawal opportunity for NRC intervention, when deemed necessary, i~f the withdrawals are for expenses other than those authorized by 10 CFR 50.75(h)(1)(iv) and 10 CFR 50.82(a)(8) that could result in there being insufficient funds in the Trust to accomplish radiological decommissioning of the site.As stated previously, the staff has determined that there are sufficient funds in the Trust to complete legitimate radiological decommissioning activities as well as to conduct irradiated fuel management.
Pursuant to the annual reporting requirements in 10 CFR 50.82(a)(8) (v),(vii), licensees are required to moiiitor and report the status of the Trust and the funding status for managing irradiated fuel.These reports provide the NRC with* awareness of, and the ability to take.. : :': funtdinigdeficiencies. .The re~quested :.:. .exempti~ons.:woUld not allow:: : Y:* *withdrAwal
- of funds fro~m the VY Trust.for any other purpose th~at is not ..currently authorized
'in the regulations without .prior notification to the NRC.Therefore, the granting of this allow the :licensee to make withdraWals
- from: the Trust for authorized expen~ses:
- for irradiated:
fuel management
- without-will still, meet the underlying purpose of the regulation.
---..Special citcumstandes, in accordance.
with 10 CFR 50.12(a)(2).(iii) are present whenever compliance would result in.undue hardship or other costs that. are significantly in excess of those contemplated when the regulation was adopted, or that are significantly in excess of those incurred by others similarly situated.
The licensee states that the Trust contains funds in excess of the estimated costs of radiological decommissioning and that these excess funds are needed for irradiated fuel management activities.
The NRC does not preclude use of funds from the Trust in excess of those needed for radiological decommissioning for other puirpo~ses,;
such as irradiated fuel m"ranihgementn.
The NRC hais stated that.funding for irradiatfed"fuel maniagemient mnay be commingled in- the Trulst, provid~ed the licensee toidenti fy.and account for the radiological
- -d fuds sep arately from'the funds :set aside :for irradiated fuel.rmanagement (seoe iNRC Regulatory.
Issue summa~ry 2001-0J7, iRevisioni 1, "10 CFR*Decommikissioning Planiniiig" dated .and .Reguflatory Guiide 1.1 84, Revision 1, "10 CFR 50.7.5 Reportinig anid-Recodiceepinig for.D~ecommissioning Planning" (ADAMS Accession No. ML13144A840))h To prevent access to those excess funds in the Trust because irradiated fuel management is not associated with radiological decommissioning, would create an unnecessary financial burden without any corresponding safety benefit. The adequacy of the Trust to cover the cost of activities associated with irradiated fuel management, in addition to radiological decommissioning, is supported by the site-specific decommissioning cost analysis.
If END cannot use its Trust for irradiated fuel management, it would*need to obtain additional funding that would not be recoverable from the Trust, or END would have to modify its decommissioning, approach and.methods. The NRC staff conclpdes that.: unnecessary atnd undue burden:::
....signi~ficantly
- in o 6t hat?' ::.contemplated when the regulation was adopted.:
- :*Since the underlying purpose of 1.0 CPR 50.82(a)(8)(i)(A) and 10 CFR 50.75 (h)(-1)(iv)
WOuld be achieved by END to use a portion..of the*Trulst for irradiated fue~l maniagement w :ithout prior:NRC.
notification, and.compliance the regulations wobuld result.in
- an undue or other costs that are s~ignifican~tly ini e xce~ssof.those contemplated when the regulation
- was adopted, the special circumstances required by 10 CFR 50.12(a)(2)(ii) and 10 CER 50,:12{a)(2)(iii) exist and support the approval of the requested exemptions.
E. Environmental Considerations Under 10 CFR 51.22(c)i251, granting of an' exemption from the requirements of any regulation of Chapter I is a categorical exclusion provided that (i)there is no significant hazards consideration; (ii) there is no significant change in the types or significant increase in the amounts of any effluents that maybe released offsite; (iii) there is no significant increase in individual or cuimulative public or occupational radiation exposure;. (iv) there is no .is.no significant increase in the-potential..for or consequenices fromn radiological accidents; and (vi) the requirem~ents from which an exemption iks sought are amoJn.g those identified in: 10 CER 51.22(c)(2.5)(vi)
...."'...The :Director, Division:
Of Dperating RdactorRegulationt,.has determined tha approxa!:
of exeption:reques.t
.involve~s no. significant hazads ..consideration because allowing the.li'ensee :to use with~drawals fromn the TrUst, in acod~rdance with the updated Irradiated Fuel Management Plan and PSDAR, without prior notification to the NRC at the permanently shttdown and de fueled VY power reactor, does not (11 involve a significant increase in the probability or consequences of an accident previously evaluated; or (2)create the possibility of a new or different kind of accident from any accident previously evaluated; or (3)involve a significant reduction in a margin of safety. The exempted decommissioning trust fund regulations are unrelated to any operational restriction.
Accordingly, there is no significant change in the types or significant increase in the amounts of any effluents that may be released offsite; and no significant increase in individual public or .with c~onstruction, so there is nO :: exempted regulation does not concern the source term (i.e., potential amount of radiation in an accident), nor mitigation.
Thus, there is no significant increa~se iin the pqtential for or ..con~sequiences:
from radiological.
accidents.
The requirements for using..dec~omm~issioning trust~funds forl...decommissioninig activities, and for prior written nqti~ce for other with~drawals.
fr om-which-thie .exemption is sought involve recordkeeping requirements, reporting requirements.
or other requirements .of an administrative, managerial, or organizaitional nature.Therefore, pursuant to 10 CFR 51,22(b) and 51.22(c)(25), no environmental impact, statement or environmental assessmetit need be prepared, in connection with the approval of this exemption request.IV. Conclusions Accordingly, the Commission has determined that, pursuant to 10 CFR Federal Register/Vol.
80, No. 120/Tuesday, June 23, 2015/Notices355 35995 50.12(a), the exemptions are authorized.by law, will not present an undue risk to tehe publ]ic health and saifetyi and are:! i consistent with :the common01 defenise:
i and:.. se:g c irity. Als~o,:s~peciail:::!::: ..cifrcustn cestae p~i resentfo .iiiTherefore, hexeemptions f romte rqiemfents uofn1 Dat5ehd1)ivatoR avllow wiyanthdrwas 1ta From the VY TerReusatfory irradiatedofue managemien wuithu, pir.R ATheg exemptoriiions are effetine Repon ofiJuesig 2015. fNularRaco Regulation.
[FR Doc. 2015-15473 Filed 5-22-15; 0:45 aml BILLING CODE 7590-01-P NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION
[NRC-201 5-0033]Information Collection; Physical Protection of Category 1 and Category 2 Quantities of Radioactive Material AGENCY: Nuclear Regulatory Commission.
ACTION: Renewal of existing information collection; request for comment.Mail Stop: T-:5 P53, U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission, Washinigton,*
D:C-20555-0001.
-.:: ...::additioefial direction on iniformationi and: submitting icommentsi see "Obtining Information and Submitting Comments"ith Trembaineionel Ofieoinformation.
ColmisioeWashingtone DC N-20555-0001; telephone:in 30-45628 emCail:t I.Othaaiaining ofinformation and thi a.vbainaleingnformation.rltd oti action by any of the following methods:* Federal Rulemaking Web site: Go to http://www.regulations.gov and search for Docket ID NRC-2015-0033.
- NRC's Agencywide Documents*Access and Management System (ADAMS): You may obtain publicly-available documents online in the ADAMS Public Documents collection at http://www.nrc.gov/readin g-rm/adoms.html.
To begin the search, select"ADAMS Public Documents" and then select "Begin Web-based ADAMS Search." For problems with ADAMS, please contact the NRC's Public Document Room (pDR) reference staff at 1-.800-397--4209, 301-:415::4737; or by emnail to. pdr.resburce@nrc.gov.
The supporting statement and :burden estimates are available in ADAMS under AccessionNos.:
ML15114A468 and ML15114A470.
- NRC's PDR; You imay examine and purchase copies of public documents at the NRC's PDR, Room O1-F21, One-White Flint North, 11555 Rockville Pike, Rocville,[I Maryland 20852.* NRC's Clearai-ce Officer'.
A copy of the collection of-information-and related instructions may be Obtained without charge by contacting the NRC's Clearance Officer, Tremnaine Donnell, Office of Information Services, U.S.Nuclear Regulatory Commission, Washington, DC 20555-0001; telephone:
301-415-6258; email: INFOCOLLECTS.Resource@NRC.GO V, B. Submitting Comments Please include Docket 1ID NRC-2015-0033 in the subject line of your comment submission, in order to ensure that the NRC is able to make your comment submission available to the public in this docket, ". " Sidentifyingoer iniformation that :.'The iNRC poJsts all comment : ::![: :.;.::submissions at http~i;:// '.: :i:: the commienit:
submissionis into ADAMS.Th NRCfi~fi does 0no~lt ruinely editin, 'comentsum issiotdheNs to rem d inform those: personus not toinclude identifying or contact infor~mation that they; do not want "to be pubibcly disclosed in their comment submission.
Your request should state that the NRC does not routinely edit comment submissions to remove such information before making the comment submissions available to the public or entering the comment submissions into ADAMS, II. Background In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44 U.S.C.chapter 35), the NRC is requesting public comment on its intention to request the OMB's approval for the information collection summarized below.1. The title of the information collection:
10OCFR part 37, Physical Protection of Category 1 and Category 2 Quantities of.Radioactive Material.apprO Val number: 3150-0214.
- 3. Type of suibmission:?
- 4. The farm number, if applicable:
Standard Fingerprint Form, FD-258.5. How often the, collection is required or requested:
One time for initial compliance notifications and fingerprints for the revieWing 6fficials; and as needed for implementation notifications, event notifications, notifications of shipments o:fradioactive materi~al, and fingerprinting of new 6..6 WhoqyvwIlbeq re~qu~ired.
or asked to respond: Licensees that are authorized to possess and use category 1 or category 2 quantities of radioactive material.7. The estimated number of annual responses:
103,983.8. The estimated number of annual respondents:
1,5.00 (300 NRC Licensees+ 1,200 Agreement State Licensees).
- 9. The estimated number of hours needed annually to comply with the information collection requirement or request: 138,570.2 hours2.314815e-5 days <br />5.555556e-4 hours <br />3.306878e-6 weeks <br />7.61e-7 months <br /> (1932.4 hours4.62963e-5 days <br />0.00111 hours <br />6.613757e-6 weeks <br />1.522e-6 months <br /> reporting
+ 85,644.2 hours2.314815e-5 days <br />5.555556e-4 hours <br />3.306878e-6 weeks <br />7.61e-7 months <br />
SUMMARY
- The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NqRC) inviteS public comment On the renewal of Office of Management and Budget (OMB)approval for an existing collection of.information.
The information collection is entitled, "Physical Protection of Category 1 and Category 2 Quantities of.Radioactive Material," DATES: Submit comiments by August 24, 2015. Comments received after this date wi~ll be considered
[f it is practical .to do so, but tho Commission is able to ensure considerat~ion only for comments *: received on orbefore this date. .. .....ADDRESSES:
You may[ submit comments by any of the following methods:*Federal Rulemaking Web site: Go to*http://www.regulotions.gov and search for Docket ID NRC--2015--0033.
Address questions about NRC dockets to Carol Gallagher; telephone:.
301-287-3422; email: Carol.Gollagher~nrc.gov.
For technical questions, contact the individual listed in the FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT section of this document.* Mail comments to: Tremaine Donnell, Office of Information
- Services, i iii:iiiiiii:ii~ii~i ii~~iiiUN.!!
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O:~lEii!i~iiii C O LU MBi IATii C!11!:7 I R CU~i ~:!ii:! ITi~iiii ~! "Petitioners" V.UNITED STATES NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION, and UNITED STATES OF AMERICA,))))))))No.Respondents CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE[ .....i hereby certify that I. have on this..13th day of August 2015..served a .copy of the Office. of the Attorney General of the United states* [. U.S. Department
- of Justice.:...:
.".".-.
-: NW .:=:"i:i:: " : ... .:":"i:::.i James Kim, Project -Manager""...
":" ""-..." Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation U.s. Nuclear.Regulatoray Commission, Washington, DC 20555-0001 A. Louise Lund..Division
- of Operating Reactor Licensing,*
.i:::-..: .::Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation..
- i. .:i.i ...:.: .: .. :.:.iWashinagton, DC 20555-000 1 *.. .Anne Boland Division of .Operating Reactor Licensing, Office .of Nuclear Reactor* Regulation
- Washington, DC 20555-.0001 Office of.Commission Appellate Adjudication U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission Washington, DC 20555-000 1 Office of the Secretary ATTN: Rulemakings
& Adjudications Staff U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission Washington, DC 20555-000 1 Andrew Averbach Office of the General Counsel U.S. Nuclear.Regulatory Commission WashingtonD 20555-01Rothschild
.: ...:": :* "-Office of the General Counsel* -:" .U.S. Nuclear* Regulatory Commission
.. * ... W ashington, DC 20555-000:1::.*...-".
""'" ...':" "" M arian zobler ::* .: " : ." ::. ... .. ...... ,- .Office of the General- Counsel...." ."U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission Washington, DC 20555-0001 Catherine Scott Office of the General Counsel U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission Washington, DC 20555-0001 2
Edward Williamson Office. of the General Counsel US. Nuclear Regulatory Commission Washington, DC 20555-0001 Site Vice President Entergy Nuclear Operations, Inc,:- ~Vermont Yankee Nuclear *Power Station:.
-" .*.. Governor Hunt Road. :* .~Vernon, VT 053'54 "... ... .. ... ..Bonnie L. Heiple 3