ML21084A808

GE Hitachi Nuclear Energy Americas, LLC - Annual Statement of Non-availability of Federal Government Funding for Conversion from HEU to LEU for Vnc Nuclear Test Reactor (Ntr)

ML21084A808
Person / Time
Site:	Vallecitos Nuclear Center
Issue date:	03/25/2021
From:	Smyly J GE Hitachi Nuclear Energy
To:	Document Control Desk, Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation
References
M210042
Download: ML21084A808 (3)

Text

GE Hitachi Nuclear Energy Jeffrey Smyly Regulatory Compliance Manager 6705 Vallecitos Road Sunol, CA 94586 USA T 925-918-6074 M210042 Jeffrey.Smyly@ge.com March 25, 2021 Director of the Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission Washington, D.C. 20555-001 Attn: Document Control Desk

Subject:

Annual Statement of Non-availability of Federal Government Funding for Conversion from HEU to LEU for VNC Nuclear Test Reactor (NTR)

References:

1) 10 CFR 50.64 Limitations on the use of highly enriched uranium (HEU) in domestic non-power reactors

2) NRC License R-33, Docket 50-73 GE Hitachi Nuclear Energy Americas, LLC., (GEH) operates the Nuclear Test Reactor (NTR) at the Vallecitos Nuclear Center in Sunol, California under the provisions of NRC License No. R-

33. The NTR operates utilizing fully enriched U-Al alloy fuel at a maximum power of 100 kW.

In accordance with 10 CFR 50.64 (Reference 1), GEH is submitting the attached letter to demonstrate that DOE funding is not currently available for conversion of the NTR fuel.

If you have any questions, please contact me at 925-918-6074.

Sincerely, Digitally signed by Jeff Smyly DN: cn=Jeff Smyly gn=Jeff Smyly Jeff c=US United States l=US United States o=GEH ou=RC/EHS e=jeffrey.smyly@ge.com Smyly Reason: I am approving this document Location:

Date: 2021-03-25 14:09-07:00 Jeffrey Smyly Regulatory Compliance Manager

Enclosure:

Letter from Brian Waud - DOE NNSA, to J. Smyly - VNC, March 25, 2021 cc: D. Hardesty, NRC NRR JS21-003

ENCLOSURE Letter from Brian Waud - DOE NNSA, to J. Smyly - VNC, March 25, 2021

Department of Energy National Nuclear Security Administration Washington, DC 20585 March 25, 2021 Mr. Jeffrey Smyly Regulatory Compliance Manager Vallecitos Nuclear Center GE Hitachi Nuclear Energy 6705 Vallecitos Road Sunol, CA 94586

Dear Mr. Smyly:

In accordance with 10 CFR Part 50.64, Limitations on the Use of Highly Enriched Uranium in Domestic Non-Power Reactors, the Nuclear Test Reactor (NTR) at the Vallecitos Nuclear Center is required to send a letter annually to the Nuclear Regulatory Commission documenting whether federal funds are available to convert to low-enriched uranium (LEU) fuel.

In accordance with 10 CFR 50.64, you are hereby notified that Department of Energy funding will not be available in fiscal year 2021 to complete the conversion of NTR to LEU fuel.

If you have any questions, please contact me at my telework number (240) 751-2377.

I look forward to continuing discussion with you on the matter.

Sincerely, Brian Waud Reactor Conversion Program Director Office of Material Management & Minimization Office of Defense Nuclear Nonproliferation cc: Christopher Landers, NA-231 Vic Pearson, DOE-ID