ML23345A160

Revision of Safety Evaluation for Amendment No. 237 Request for Deviation from Fire Protection Requirements

ML23345A160
Person / Time
Site:	Wolf Creek
Issue date:	05/09/2024
From:	Samson Lee Plant Licensing Branch IV
To:	Reasoner C Wolf Creek
Lee S, 301-415-3168
References
EPID L-2023-LRL-0002
Download: ML23345A160 (1)

Text

May 9, 2024

Cleveland Reasoner Chief Executive Officer and Chief Nuclear Officer Wolf Creek Nuclear Operating Corporation P.O. Box 411 Burlington, KS 66839

SUBJECT:

WOLF CREEK GENERATING STATION, UNIT 1 - REVISION OF SAFETY EVALUATION FOR AMENDMENT NO. 237 RE: REQUEST FOR DEVIATION FROM FIRE PROTECTION REQUIR EMENTS (EPID L-2023-LRL-0002)

Dear Cleveland Reasoner:

On August 31, 2023, the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC or the Commission) issued Amendment No. 237 (Agencywide Docu ments Access and Management System (ADAMS) Accession No. ML23165A250) to Renewed Facility Operating License No. NPF-42 for the Wolf Creek Generating Station, Unit 1. The amendment revised License Condition 2.C.(5),

Fire Protection (Section 9.5.1, SER [Safety Evaluation Report], Section 9.5.1.8, SSER

[Supplement to SER] #5), and the Updated Safety Analysis Report to allow the use of hard hat mounted portable lights.

By letter dated October 19, 2023 (ML23292A357), Wolf Creek Nuclear Operating Corporation (the licensee) indicated that the supporting information in the NRCs safety evaluation (SE) for Amendment No. 237 deviated from what the licensee had provided in its license amendment request (LAR), as supplemented. The licensee requested that the NRC correct the SE by letter.

The NRC staff has considered the licensees comments and agrees that the SE should be revised to properly reflect the scope of the LA R and the NRC staffs review thereof. Accordingly, the SE is being reissued with revisions, to pr operly reflect the LAR and the NRC staffs review.

These revisions do not affect the NRC staffs approval of the LAR or the NRCs issuance of Amendment No. 237. A copy of the revised SE is enclosed.

At a public meeting on March 25, 2024 (ML24088A312), the licensee commented that the NRC staff SE would limit the use of portable lighting to the operator manual actions (OMAs) associated with table 1 in the SE. The licensee indicated its LAR scope was for all OMAs supporting certain plant procedures. The licensee also indicated that the original SE did not address the use of hard hat mounted portable lights for alternate safe shutdown due to a control room fire. The NRC staff noted that it does not approve plant procedures, and the licensee did not provide technical analysis for all requested OMAs in the LAR.

The NRC staff has found that the licensees analysi s, included in the LAR, sufficiently discussed only OMAs related to fires outside the control room and Appendix R to 10 CFR Part 50, Section III.G.2 areas. The NRC staff found that th e licensees comments in the March 25, 2024, C. Reasoner

meeting claimed that the LAR for Amendment No. 237 had requested broad approval of the use of portable lighting. The LAR, however, did not appear to seek such broad approval or provide the basis for such broad approval. In the event that the licensee seeks such broad approval, it may submit an additional LAR that clearly states the full desired scope for the change from fixed emergency lighting units with 8-hour battery backup to hard hat mounted portable lights, and include additional technical analysis to demonstrate that the LAR, including additionally covered OMAs, is acceptable.

In sum, the NRC staff found that the licensees comments in the March 25, 2024, meeting are beyond the scope of Amendment No. 237. The lic ensee can either (1) implement Amendment No. 237, as evaluated in the enclosed SE, and submit an additional LAR for the OMAs that were not included in Amendment No. 237, or (2) request that the NRC rescind Amendment No. 237, and submit a new LAR with analysis justifying all of the proposed changes.

If you have any questions, please contact me at 301-415-3168 or via email at Samson.Lee@nrc.gov.

Sincerely,

/RA/

Samson S. Lee, Project Manager Plant Licensing Branch IV Division of Operating Reactor Licensing Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation

Docket No. 50-482

Enclosure:

Safety Evaluation

cc: Listserv SAFETY EVALUATION BY THE OFFICE OF NUCLEAR REACTOR REGULATION

RELATED TO AMENDMENT NO. 237 TO

RENEWED FACILITY OPERATING LICENSE NO. NPF-42

WOLF CREEK NUCLEAR OPERATING CORPORATION

WOLF CREEK GENERATING STATION, UNIT 1

DOCKET NO. 50-482 1

1.0 INTRODUCTION

By letter dated August 2, 2022 (Agencywide Documents Access and Management System (ADAMS) Accession No. ML22215A000), as supplemented by letters dated January 26, and August 8, 2023 (ML23026A359 and ML23220A422, respectively), Wolf Creek Nuclear Operating Corporation (the licensee) submitted a license amendment request (LAR) for the Wolf Creek Generating Station, Unit 1 (Wolf Creek), in accordance with Title 10 of the Code of Federal Regulations (10 CFR) Section 50.90, Application for amendment of license, construction permit, or early site permit, requesting changes to the fire protection License Condition 2.C.(5), Fire Protection (Section 9.5.1, SER [Safety Evaluation Report],

Section 9.5.1.8, SSER [Supplement to SER] #5). The LAR proposed a deviation from the requirements of 10 CFR Part 50, Appendix R, Fire Protection Program for Nuclear Power Facilities Operating Prior to January 1, 1979. Specifically, the licensee proposed a deviation from Wolf Creek Updated Safety Analysis Report (USAR), appendix 9.5E, 10 CFR Part 50, Appendix R Comparison (ML22151A150), to allow the use of hard hat mounted portable lights, with limited exceptions (as discussed below), for performance of operator manual actions that support post-fire safe shutdown in the fire areas described in table 1 of this safety evaluation (SE) for illuminating safe shutdown equipment, and access and egress routes to the equipment in lieu of meeting the requirements of 10 CFR Part 50, Appendix R, Section III.J, Emergency lighting.

The areas where hard hat mounted lights will not be used for post-fire shutdown safety (i.e., the limited exceptions mentioned above) are areas of the plant where the fixed emergency light fixtures with 8-hour battery backup will be retained and credited for post-fire safe shutdown.

1 Following the issuance of License Amendm ent No. 237 on October 19, 2023 (ML23292A357), the licensee notified the NRC that the SE issued with that amendment did not correctly reflect the scope of its LAR, and it requested that the SE be revised and reissued. The NRC staff reviewed its initial SE and confirmed that certain revisions should be made to properly reflect the scope of the LAR and the NRC staffs review thereof. Accordingly, this SE is being reissued with revisions, to properly reflect the LAR and the NRC staffs review. These revisi ons do not affect the NRC staffs approval of the LAR or the NRCs issuance of Amendment 237.

Enclosure 2

These areas include the control room, the auxiliary shutdown panel, the emergency diesel generator control panel, and the operations hard hat rack just outside the control room. For additional details, see table 2 of this SE.

The supplemental letters dated January 26, and August 8, 2023, provided additional information that clarified the application, did not expand the scope of the application as originally noticed, and did not change the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC or the Commission) staffs original proposed no significant hazards consideration determination as published in the Federal Register on October 4, 2022 (87 FR 60217).

2.0 REGULATORY EVALUATION

2.1 Program Description and Regulatory Requirements

The regulations in 10 CFR 50.48(a), require that each operating nuclear power plant have a fire protection plan which satisfies Criterion 3, Fire protection, of Appendix A to 10 CFR Part 50, General Design Criteria for Nuclear Power Plants. Specific fire protection features deemed necessary to ensure this capability are delineated in Appendix R to 10 CFR Part 50. Criterion 3 of Appendix A to 10 CFR Part 50, requires, in part, that [s]tructures, systems, and components

[SSCs] important to safety shall be designed and located to minimize, the probability and effect of fire and explosions. It further requires that the [f]irefighting systems shall be designed to assure that their rupture or inadvertent operation does not significantly impair the capability of these structures, systems, and components.

The regulations in 10 CFR Part 50, Appendix R establish fire protection features required to satisfy Criterion 3 of Appendix A to 10 CFR Part 50 with respect to certain generic issues for nuclear power plants licensed to operate prio r to January 1, 1979. One of the principal objectives of the commercial nuclear power plant fire protection program is to ensure that the risk of fire-induced radiological hazards to t he public, environment and plant personnel is minimized. To meet this objective, 10 CFR 50.48, Fire protection, requires each operating nuclear power plant to have the means to limit fire damage to SSCs important to safety so that the capability to shut down the plant safely is ensured. The objective of safe shutdown of the plant is to assure that at least one means of achieving and maintaining safe shutdown capability is available during and after any postulated fire.

Wolf Creek was licensed to operate on June 4, 1985, and thus, is not subject to Appendix R to 10 CFR Part 50. However, the requirements of Appendix R to 10 CFR Part 50, Section III.J to provide emergency lighting to assure that safe shutdown capability is maintained during and after a fire, are referenced in appendix 9.5E, 10 CFR Part 50 Appendix R Comparison, of the Wolf Creek USAR. Appendix R to 10 CFR Part 50, Section III.J, states that, Emergency lighting units with at least an 8-hour battery power supply shall be provided in all areas needed for operation of safe shutdown equipment and in access and egress routes thereto. The objective of this requirement is that in the event of a fire, adequate lighting will be available to assure that the plant can be safely shut down.

The Wolf Creek operating license includes a fire protection license condition requiring the implementation of an approved fire protection program. License Condition 2.C.(5) allows the licensee to make changes to an approved fire protection program without prior NRC staff approval only if those changes would not adversely affect the ability to achieve and maintain safe shutdown in the event of a fire. All changes to the fire protection program must ensure that compliance is maintained with the requirements of 10 CFR 50.48(a).

2.2 Licensees Proposed Changes

The licensees proposed changes would revise paragraph 2.C.(5)(a) of Renewed Facility Operating License NPF-42 and the fire protection program as described in the USAR for Wolf Creek.

The licensee proposes to revise License Condi tion 2.C.(5) by adding this current license amendment, as approved, to state (changes shown in bold):

(a) The Operating Corporation shall maintain in effect all provisions of the approved fire protection program as described in the SNUPPS Final Safety Analysis Report for the facility through Revision 17, the Wolf Creek site addendum through Revision 15, as approved in the SER through Supplement 5, Amendment 189, Amendment No. 191, Amendment No. 193, Amendment No. 205, Amendment No. 214, and Amendment No. 237, subject to provisions b and c below.

The licensee proposes to revise Wolf Creek USAR table 9.5E-1 (Sheet 19) and sections 9.5.3.1.2, Power Generation Design Bases; 9.5.3.2.3, Emergency Lighting Systems; and 9.5.3.3, Failure Analysis. The licensee proposes to delete the current wording in USAR table 9.5E-1 (Sheet 19) for 10 CFR 50 Appendix R, Section III.J in its entirety and replace with the following:

The emergency lighting strategy involves a diverse approach utilizing the following:

8-hour fixed battery units for the locations that may require long term attendance in support of safe shutdown. These locations are identified in E-1F9900.

Portable (hard hat mounted) lighting for illuminating implementing procedures, safe shutdown equipment, and the access egress routes to the equipment. This will be the primary emergency lighting method for most locations.

1.5-hour fixed battery units for firefighting activities, life safety access/egress, and supplementary lighting to portable lighting.

The licensee proposes to revise Wolf Creek USAR section 9.5.3.1.2 to state (changes shown in bold):

POWER GENERATION DESIGN BASES ONE. Adequate fixed and/or portable lighting is provided for areas used during shutdown or emergency, including the appropriate access or exit routes.

The licensee proposes to revise Wolf Creek USAR section 9.5.3.2.3 to state (changes shown in bold):

The fixed emergency lighting system consists of individual sealed-beam, self-contained, 8-hour battery units to provide illumination of panel locations that may require long term attendance in support of safe shutdown.

Portable lighting, via a hard hat mounted headlamp worn by Operations personnel designated for operator manual action response, is credited as the primary emergency lighting means for illuminating implementing procedures, safe shutdown equipment, and the respective access egress routes to the equipment in support of post-fire safe shutdown or a non-fire event resulting in the loss of all AC [alternating current] power. Spare portable lighting and batteries are strategically located in the plant to ensure adequate reserve illumination capability for the portable lighting.

Refer to E-1F9900 for the technical basis supporting the use of portable lighting as the primary emergency lighting means for operator manual actions.

For cold shutdown, operator actions may be required in the electrical penetration rooms (1409 and 1410) to isolate the accumulator tanks and to open the RHR

[residual heat removal] suction valves from the hot legs. These actions may be taken as late as 72 hours8.333333e-4 days <br />0.02 hours <br />1.190476e-4 weeks <br />2.7396e-5 months <br /> following an event. The safe shutdown scenario does not require access to the containment for hot shutdown but could require access to containment for cold shutdown.

In areas required to be manned for safe shutdown, sufficient lighting with 8-hour battery packs is directed at the control panels to enable operation of controls. This includes the following:

a. Main control board

b. Auxiliary shutdown panel(s)

c. Diesel generator control panel(s)

In the area above the main control board and operators console, the emergency lighting system consists of emergency lights with 8 hour9.259259e-5 days <br />0.00222 hours <br />1.322751e-5 weeks <br />3.044e-6 months <br /> battery packs and fixtures supplied from a Class IE battery through a normally deenergized contactor. The contactor control circuit monitors the normal ac [alternating current] lighting feed and automatically energizes the fixtures from one Class IE battery upon loss of ac power. The contactor, switch, wiring, raceways, and fixture mounting for this system are equivalent to Class IE with regard to separation, color coding, and seismic supports.

Remaining fixed emergency lighting units for the powerblock have 1.5 hour5.787037e-5 days <br />0.00139 hours <br />8.267196e-6 weeks <br />1.9025e-6 months <br /> battery capacity, which provides illumination for fire fighting activities, life safety access/egress, and supplemental lighting to portable lighting. Each unit is connected to the normal lighting ac source for maintaining the charge and is automatically transferred to its internal battery upon loss of ac power.

The licensee proposes to revise Wolf Creek USAR section 9.5.3.3 to state (changes shown in bold):

The emergency lighting strategy involves a diverse approach utilizing the following:

8-hour fixed battery units for the locations that may require long term attendance in support of safe shutdown. These locations are identified in E-1F9900.

Portable (hard hat mounted) lighting for illuminating implementing procedures, safe shutdown equipment, and the access egress routes to the equipment. This will be the primary emergency lighting method for most locations.

1.5-hour fixed battery units for firefighting activities, life safety access/egress, and supplementary lighting to portable lighting.

The standby lighting system is powered from the emergency diesel generators in the event of the loss of offsite power. Refer to Section 9.5.3.2.2.

3.0 TECHNICAL EVALUATION

In its LAR dated August 2, 2022, the licensee requested a deviation from certain technical requirements of 10 CFR Part 50, Appendix R, Section III.J (as documented in appendix 9.5E of the Wolf Creek USAR). Specifically, the licensee requested the use of hard hat mounted portable lights, with limited exceptions (as des cribed above), as the primary emergency lighting means for illuminating implementing procedures, safe shutdown equipment, and the respective access and egress routes to the equipment in support of post-fire safe shutdown or a non-fire event resulting in the loss of all AC power. The licensees proposed changes would replace the requirement of meeting the 8-hour fixed emergency lighting requirements of 10 CFR Part 50, Appendix R, Section III.J, referenced in appendix 9.5E of the Wolf Creek USAR with limited exceptions as discussed above.

The equipment needed for safe shutdown at Wolf Creek is maintained inside the main power block and the essential service water pump house. Fixed emergency lighting is provided inside these buildings for areas needed for operation of safe shutdown equipment, as well as for access and egress routes in accordance with 10 CFR Part 50, Appendix R, Section llI.J.

The licensee requested to use hard hat mounted portable lights as an alternative for fixed emergency lighting units, with limited exceptions (as described above), where operator manual actions are performed to achieve and maintain post-fire safe shutdown, and to be the primary illumination means for utilizing related implementing procedures, safe shutdown equipment, and the respective access and egress routes to the equipment in support of post-fire shutdown or a non-fire event resulting in the loss of all AC power.

Table 1 of this SE identifies the 10 CFR Part 50 Appendix R, Section III.G.2 fire areas identified by the licensee in its analysis that require oper ator manual actions to achieve safe shutdown.

Appendix R to 10 CFR Part 50, Section III.G.2 fire areas are areas where cables or equipment of redundant trains of systems necessary to achieve and maintain hot shutdown conditions are located in the same fire area outside of primary containment. The operator manual actions are

actions conducted outside the affected fire area that are needed to ensure that safe shutdown can be accomplished for a fire in the affected area.

Table 1 - 10 CFR Part 50 Appendix R, Section III.G.2, Fire Areas that Require Operator Manual Actions for Safe Shutdown (identified in the LAR enclosure 2)

Fire Area Location A-16 Auxiliary Building 2026 General Corridor C-18 Control Building 2016 Cable Chase C-21 Control Building 2032 Lower Cable Spreading Room C-22 Control Building 2073-6 Upper Cable Spreading Room C-23 Control Building 2032 South Cable Chase C-24 Control Building 2032 North Cable Chase C-30 Control Building 2047-6 C-33 Control Building 2073-6

Fixed emergency lighting units with 8-hour battery capacity that will continue to be credited as the primary emergency lighting system in the emergency lighting illumination response strategy for safe shutdown are listed in table 2 of this SE.

Table 2 - Fixed Emergency Lighting Units With 8-Hour Battery Backup Locations Credited For Safe Shutdown (identified in LAR table E.2.5-1)

Asset Location QDC036 Control Room Equipment Cabinet Area QDC037 Control Room QDC038 Control Room QDC039 Control Room QDC040 Control Room QDC057 I QDC067 Control Room Equipment Cabinet Area QDC060 I QDC061 Control Room Shift Managers Office QDT018 Comm Corridor - Operations Hard Hat Rack QDA053 Auxiliary Shutdown Panel Room QDC046 A Emergency Diesel Generator Control Panel KJ121 QDC047 A Emergency Diesel Generator Panel NE107 QDC048 A Emergency Diesel Generator Panel NG03D QDC052 B Emergency Diesel Generator Panel KJ122 and NE106 QDC053 B Emergency Diesel Generator Panel NE106 QDC054 B Emergency Diesel Generator Panel NG04D

The fixed emergency lighting system is powered from normal lighting circuits that are fed from the non-Class 1E auxiliary system. Upon loss of the normal AC power, the lights will be powered by the back-up batteries. The licensee has provided a reliability and feasibility analysis, which shows that all of the required manual actions can be performed well before the 8-hour batteries become incapable of performing their required function. Thus, the fixed emergency light fixtures in the locations listed in table 2 of this SE will be continuously energized for a sufficient time period to enable the plant to safely shutdown.

2The body of the text in the LAR states that the hard hat mounted lighting and the 8-hour emergency lighting locations are identified in Enclosure 1 but the enclosure itself doesnt include the 1.

Section III.J of Appendix R to 10 CFR Part 50, requires that emergency lighting units with at least an 8-hour battery power supply are provided in all areas needed for operation of safe shutdown equipment and in access and egress routes thereto. The LAR credits the use of hard hat mounted portable lights as the primary emer gency lighting means, with limited exceptions, as discussed above, for illuminating implementing procedures, safe shutdown equipment, and the respective access and egress routes to the equipment in support of post-fire safe shutdown or a non-fire event resulting in the loss of AC power. In the LAR, the licensee stated that Wolf Creek continues to maintain a deterministic fi re protection licensing basis, with no plans to transition to a risk-informed, performance-based fire protection licensing basis (i.e., National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) Standard 805, Performance-Based Standard for Fire Protection for Light Water Reactor Electric Generating Plants, or 10 CFR 50.48(c)).

Based on its review of information in the LAR, the NRC staff transmitted a request for additional information (RAI) to the licensee on December 27, 2022 (ML22361A005). The NRC staffs RAI requested that the licensee discuss the impact of using only portable (hard hat mounted) lights to light travel pathways to and from areas where operator manual actions are performed.

Furthermore, the NRC staffs RAI requested information regarding the status of updating the feasibility and reliability review for each fi re area where operator manual actions are conducted since it did not appear to the NRC staff that this review had been updated to reflect the use of portable hard hat mounted lights in lieu of fixed emergency light fixtures.

In its response to the RAI by letter dated January 26, 2023, the licensee provided an updated evaluation that evaluated operator manual actions using hard hat mounted lights as the primary emergency lighting means for illumination during safe shutdown implementing procedures, including the equipment, and respective access and egress routes to the equipment. The licensee stated that its evaluation concluded that the proposed change of crediting hard hat mounted portable lights as the primary emergen cy lighting means does not adversely affect operator manual action implementation, uncertainty, or time margins.

In its response to the RAI, the licensee indicated that its evaluation determined that the post-fire operator manual actions for a fire outside the main control room continue to remain feasible and reliable demonstrating that the plant can be safely shutdown in the event of a fire. In addition, the licensee indicated that the performance of the operator manual actions in support of applicable procedures will not be adversely affected by the use of hard hat mounted portable lights as the primary emergency lighting means. The lic ensee further indicated that for life safety access, egress, and for firefighting activities, 1.5-hour fixed lights will be available for supplementary lighting to the portable lights.

The licensee response to the RAI provided additional information the NRC staff needed to complete its review.

3.1 NRC Staff Evaluation

The underlying purpose of 10 CFR Part 50, Appendix R, Section Ill.J, is to ensure that adequate lighting is available to aid the operator for an extended period of time during plant fire emergencies. In plant areas, where installation or maintenance of 8-hour battery backup supplied lighting is not achievable or feasible, the hard hat mounted portable lights accomplish the purpose of achieving adequate emergency light ing because they will ensure that adequate lighting is available to aid the operator for an extended period of time during plant fire emergencies.

The licensees proposed change would allow Wolf Creek to use hard hat mounted portable lights, with limited exceptions, as discussed above, in conjunction with the other installed fire protection features, to ensure the proper illumination of implementing procedures, safe shutdown equipment, and access and egress routes to the equipment, in lieu of meeting the requirements of 10 CFR Part 50, Appendix R, Section III.J, for 8-hour fixed emergency light fixtures.

Defense-in-depth elements are maintained (e.g., control of transient combustible materials),

through various means, including: the implementat ion of administrative procedures; automatic fire detection and fire suppression systems prov ided as required by the fire hazard analysis; portable fire extinguishers and fire hose stations provided throughout the plant for manual firefighting; and passive fire barrier features (walls, floors/ceilings, fire dampers, doors, penetration seals, fire wrap, and structural steel fireproofing) to separate redundant post-fire safe-shutdown components installed in accordance with industry standards and fire tested assemblies. Therefore, a level of safety is being provided that results in the unlikely occurrence of fires; rapid detection, control, and extinguishment of fires that do occur, and the protection of SSCs important to safety.

Further, the licensee has provided preventative and protective measures in addition to feasible and reliable operator manual actions that together demonstrate the licensees ability to preserve or maintain safe shutdown capability at Wolf Creek in the event of a fire in the identified fire areas. An action is considered feasible if it is shown that it is possible to be performed within the available time (considering relevant uncertainties in estimating the time available). An action is considered to be reliable as well if it is shown that it can be dependably and repeatedly performed within the available time, by different crews, under somewhat varying conditions.

Based on its review of the information provided by the licensee, the NRC staff concluded that, in the event of a fire, the use of hard hat mounted portable lights for performance of operator manual actions that support post-fire safe shutdown in the fire areas listed in table 1 of this SE, will provide sufficient illumination to enable safe shutdown of the plant because the licensee has demonstrated that the actions remain feasible and reliable with the use of the hard hat mounted portable lights.

3.2 NRC Staff Conclusion

On the basis of its evaluation, the NRC staff c oncludes that the licensees proposed use of hard hat mounted portable lights in lieu of 8-hour battery supplied emergency light fixtures for performance of operator manual actions that suppor t safe shutdown in the fire areas described in table 1 of this SE, satisfy the underlying purpose of 10 CFR Part 50, Appendix R, Section Ill.J, to provide sufficient illumination to the areas needed for operation of safe shutdown equipment and in access and egress routes thereto.

4.0 STATE CONSULTATION

In accordance with the Commissions regulations, the Kansas State official was notified of the proposed issuance of the amendment on May 18, 2023. The State official had no comments.

5.0 ENVIRONMENTAL CONSIDERATION

The amendment changes a requirement with respect to installation or use of a facility component located within the restricted area as defined in 10 CFR Part 20. The NRC staff has determined that the amendment involves no significant increase in the amounts, and no significant change in the types, of any effluents that may be released offsite, and that there is no significant increase in individual or cumulative occupational radiation exposure. The Commission has previously issued a proposed finding that the amendment involves no significant hazards consideration, published in the Federal Register on October 4, 2022 (87 FR 60217), and there has been no public comment on such finding. Accordingly, the amendment meets the eligibility criteria for catego rical exclusion set forth in 10 CFR 51.22(c)(9).

Pursuant to 10 CFR 51.22(b), no environmental impact statement or environmental assessment need be prepared in connection with the issuance of the amendment.

6.0 CONCLUSION

The Commission has concluded, based on the considerations discussed above, that: (1) there is reasonable assurance that the health and safety of the public will not be endangered by operation in the proposed manner, (2) there is reasonable assurance that such activities will be conducted in compliance with the Commissions regulations, and (3) the issuance of the amendment will not be inimical to the common defense and security or to the health and safety of the public.

Principal Contributors: N. Iqbal, NRR J. Robinson, NRR

Date: August 31, 2023, as revised May 9, 2024

ML23345A160 *via email concurrence NRR-058 OFFICE NRR/DORL/LPL4/PM NRR/DORL/LPL4/LA* NRR/DRA/APLB/(A)BC* NRR/DEX/EEEB/BC*

NAME SLee PBlechman SMakor WMorton DATE 4/16/2024 4/16/2024 4/15/2024 4/16/2024 OFFICE OGC* NRR/DORL/LPL4/BC* NRR/DORL/LPL4/PM*

NAME STurk JRankin SLee DATE 5/8/2024 5/9/2024 5/9/2024