ML25199A097
| ML25199A097 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Site: | Vallecitos Nuclear Center |
| Issue date: | 08/27/2025 |
| From: | Allen C Reactor Decommissioning Branch |
| To: | Self L NorthStar Vallecitos |
| Shared Package | |
| ML25232A197 | List: |
| References | |
| EPID L-2025-LLE-0009, EPID L-2025-LLA-0031 | |
| Download: ML25199A097 (1) | |
Text
UNITED STATES NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION WASHINGTON, D.C. 20555-0001 Luke M. Self, Vice President NorthStar Vallecitos, LLC 6705 Vallecitos Rd.
Sunol, CA 94586
SUBJECT:
VALLECITOS BOILING WATER REACTOR REQUEST FOR EXEMPTION FROM LICENSE TERMINATION REQUIREMENTS IN 10 CFR PART 20 AND REQUEST FOR LICENSE TERMINATION - APPROVAL (L-2025-LLE-0009 and L-2025-LLA-0031) (License No. DPR-1, Docket No. 50-18)
Dear Luke M. Self:
The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) staff has reviewed and approved the application from NorthStar Vallecitos, LLC (NSV) for an exemption from 10 CFR 50.82(a)(11)(ii),
and request to terminate the license, for the Vallecitos Boiling Water Reactor (VBWR), dated February 3, 2025 (Agencywide Documents Access and Management System (ADAMS)
Accession No. (ML25034A275). The regulation in 10 CFR 50.82(a)(11)(ii) requires demonstration that a facility and site meet the dose criteria for license termination in 10 CFR Part 20, subpart E, to terminate the license.
As described in the VBWR License Termination Plan (ADAMS Accession No. ML23261A591),
this exemption request is supported by a request to move the licensed authority for the residual contamination associated with the VBWR to the license for the adjacent Empire State Atomic Development Associates (ESADA) Vallecitos Experimental Superheat Reactor (EVESR). The transfer of the VBWR residual contamination and remaining structures to the EVESR license was requested by NSV by letter dated April 11, 2025 (ADAMS Accession No. ML25102A001).
The EVESR license is required to be decommissioned by April 15, 2030 which is the 60-year limit for the EVESR to complete decommissioning in accordance with 10 CFR 50.82(a)(3).
Enclosed is a copy of the NRC staffs assessment of your application for exemption from 10 CFR 50.82(a)(11)(ii) and request for license termination for the VBWR. This approval is supported by the amendment of the EVESR license to accept the VBWR residual contamination and remaining structures dated August 19, 2025, (ADAMS Package Accession No. ML25199A084). The assessment of the exemption request and request to terminate the VBWR license concludes that the exemption may be granted, and license DPR-1 is terminated. A copy of the FRN notice of issuance granting the exemption request and license termination notice is also enclosed.
August 27, 2025
L. Self 2
In accordance with Title 10 of the Code of Federal Regulations (10 CFR) Part 2, Agency Rules of Practice and Procedure, a copy of this letter will be available electronically for public inspection in the NRC Public Document Room (PDR) or from the Publicly Available Records component of the NRCs ADAMS. ADAMS is accessible from the NRC website at http://www.nrc.gov/reading-rm/adams.html. If you have any questions regarding this matter, please contact me by telephone at (301) 415-6877 or via e-mail at William.Allen@nrc.gov.
Sincerely, Jane E. Marshall, Director Division of Decommissioning, Uranium Recovery, and Waste Programs Office of Nuclear Material Safety and Safeguards Docket Nos. 50-18 License Nos. DPR-1 EPID Nos. L-2025-LLE-0009 L-2025-LLA-0031
Enclosures:
- 1. Safety Evaluation Report
- 2. Draft FRN cc: GEVallecitos Listserv Signed by Marshall, Jane on 08/27/25
Ltr ML25199A097 OFFICE NMSS/DUWP/RDB NMSS/DUWP/RDB NMSS/DUWP/RTAB NMSS/REFS
/EPMB2 NAME WAllen NFuguet CBarr RSun DATE Jul 28, 2025 Jul 29, 2025 Jul 29, 2025 Aug 1, 2025 OFFICE NRR/DANU/UNPL NMSS/DUWP
/RTAB OGC/GCRPS
/HLWFCNS/NLO*
NMSS/DUWP NAME MSutherland CRidge ACoggins JMarshall DATE Aug 1, 2025 Aug 4, 2025 Aug 22, 2025 Aug 27, 2025