Notice of Opportunity for Hearing, and Notice of Intent To Prepare an Environmental Impact Statement and Conduct the Scoping Process for Facility Operating License No. NPF-63 for an Additional 20-Year Period Carolina Power & Light Company Shearon Harris Nuclear Power Plant, Unit 1, 13139-13142 [E7-5033]

Download as PDF Federal Register / Vol. 72, No. 53 / Tuesday, March 20, 2007 / Notices projected to be greater than those associated with the proposed action. In the case of the latter, radiological impacts and transportation risks would be similar to those associated with the proposed action with higher implementation costs. Conclusion The NRC staff has concluded that the proposed action will not significantly impact the quality of the human environment, and that the proposed action is the preferred alternative. Agencies and Persons Consulted NRC provided a draft of this Environmental Assessment to the State of Idaho Department of Environmental Quality and the Texas Department of State Health Services for review on February 5, 2007. Minor comments received from both agencies via e-mail have been incorporated herein or otherwise resolved. The NRC staff has determined that the transportation of the subject material over preexisting rail transportation routes for disposal at a preexisting facility is not likely to jeopardize the continued existence of any endangered species or threatened species or result in the destruction or adverse modification of the habitat of such species. Therefore, no further consideration is required under Section 7 of the Endangered Species Act. The NRC staff has also determined that the proposed action is not the type of activity that has the potential to cause effects on historic properties. Therefore, no further consultation is required under Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act. III. Finding of No Significant Impact The NRC staff has prepared this EA in support of the proposed action. On the basis of this EA, the NRC finds that there are no significant environmental impacts resulting from the proposed action and that preparation of an environmental impact statement is not warranted. Accordingly, the NRC has determined that a Finding of No Significant Impact is appropriate. pwalker on PROD1PC71 with NOTICES IV. Further Information Documents related to this action are available electronically in the NRC’s Reading Room at https://www.nrc.gov/ reading-rm/adams.html. From this site, you can access NRC’s Agencywide Document Access and Management System (ADAMS), which provides text and image files of NRC’s public documents. The documents associated with this action are: VerDate Aug<31>2005 15:08 Mar 19, 2007 Jkt 211001 (1) Letter dated October 27, 2006, from LeTourneau to Texas DSHS and NRC requesting exemptions to allow transfer of material to USEI for processing and disposal. (ML063260540), (2) Letter dated November 14, 2006, from E. Bailey, Texas DSHS to W. Maier, NRC Region IV requesting NRC determination whether or not wastes may be disposed of at USEI facility and a condition for DSHS approval of waste removal. (ML070540192), (3) Letter dated February 1, 2007, from E. Bailey, Texas DSHS to W. Maier, NRC Region IV clarifying terms of approval for waste removal. (ML070540194), (4) Technical Review and Safety Evaluation Report of LeTourneau proposal by NRC staff dated February 22, 2007 (ML070530623), (5) Title 10, Code of Federal Regulations, part 30, ‘‘Rules of General Applicability to Domestic Licensing of Byproduct Material.’’ If you do not have access to ADAMS, or if there are problems accessing documents located in ADAMS, contact the NRC Public Document Room (PDR) Reference Staff at 1–800–397–4209, 301–415–4737 or e-mail pdr@nrc.gov. These documents may also be viewed electronically on the public computers located at the NRC’s PDR, O–1F21, One White Flint North, 11555 Rockville Pike, Rockville, MD 20852. The PDR reproduction contractor will copy documents for a fee. Dated at Rockville, Maryland, this 13th Day of March, 2007. For the Nuclear Regulatory Commission. Scott Flanders, Deputy Director, Environmental Protection and Performance Assessment Directorate, Division of Waste Management and Environmental Protection, Office of Federal and State Materials and Environmental Management. [FR Doc. E7–5034 Filed 3–19–07; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 7590–01–P NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION [Docket No. 50–400] Notice of Opportunity for Hearing, and Notice of Intent To Prepare an Environmental Impact Statement and Conduct the Scoping Process for Facility Operating License No. NPF–63 for an Additional 20-Year Period Carolina Power & Light Company Shearon Harris Nuclear Power Plant, Unit 1 The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC or the Commission) PO 00000 Frm 00062 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 13139 is considering an application for the renewal of operating license NPF–63, which authorizes the Carolina Power & Light Company (CP&L), doing business as Progress Energy Carolinas, Inc., to operate the Shearon Harris Nuclear Power Plant, (HNP), Unit 1, at 2900 megawatts thermal. The renewed license would authorize the applicant to operate the HNP, Unit 1, for an additional 20 years beyond the period specified in the current license. HNP, Unit 1, is located in Wake County, North Carolina, and its current operating license expires on October 24, 2026. On November 16, 2006, the Commission’s staff received an application from CP&L to renew operating license NPF–63 for HNP, Unit 1, pursuant to Title 10 of the Code of Federal Regulations, Part 54 (10 CFR Part 54). A notice of receipt and availability of the license renewal application (LRA) was published in the Federal Register on December 11, 2006 (71 FR 71586). A notice of acceptance for docketing of the application for renewal of the facility operating license was published in the Federal Register on January 12, 2007, (72 FR 1562). The license renewal process proceeds along two tracks, one for review of safety issues (10 CFR Part 54) and another for environmental issues (10 CFR Part 51). An applicant must provide the NRC an evaluation that addresses the technical aspects of plant aging and describes the aging management programs and activities that will be relied on to manage aging. In addition, to support plant operation for the additional 20 years, the licensee must prepare an evaluation of the potential impact on the environment. The NRC reviews the application, documents its reviews in a safety evaluation report and supplemental environmental impact statement, and performs verification inspections at the applicant’s facilities. If the NRC approves a renewed license, the licensee must continue to comply with all existing regulations and commitments associated with the current operating license as well as those additional activities required as a result of license renewal. The licensee’s activities continue to be subject to NRC oversight in the period of extended operation. Before issuance of the requested renewed license, the NRC will have made the findings required by the Atomic Energy Act of 1954, as amended (the Act), and the Commission’s rules and regulations. In accordance with 10 CFR 54.29, the NRC may issue a renewed license on the basis of its review if it finds that actions have been E:\FR\FM\20MRN1.SGM 20MRN1 pwalker on PROD1PC71 with NOTICES 13140 Federal Register / Vol. 72, No. 53 / Tuesday, March 20, 2007 / Notices identified and have been or will be taken with respect to: (1) Managing the effects of aging during the period of extended operation on the functionality of structures and components that have been identified as requiring aging management review; and (2) timelimited aging analyses that have been identified as requiring review, such that there is reasonable assurance that the activities authorized by the renewed license will continue to be conducted in accordance with the current licensing basis (CLB), and that any changes made to the plant’s CLB will comply with the Act and the Commission’s regulations. In addition, the Commission must find that applicable requirements of Subpart A of 10 CFR Part 51 have been satisfied, and that matters raised under 10 CFR 2.335 have been addressed. Within 60 days after the date of publication of this Federal Register notice, any person whose interest may be affected by this proceeding and who desires to participate as a party in the proceeding must file a written request for a hearing or a petition for leave to intervene with respect to the renewal of the license. Interested parties must file requests for a hearing or a petition for leave to intervene in accordance with the Commission’s ‘‘Rules of Practice for Domestic Licensing Proceedings and Issuance of Orders’’ described in 10 CFR Part 2. Those interested should consult a current copy of 10 CFR 2.309, which is available at the Commission’s Public Document Room (PDR), located at One White Flint North, 11555 Rockville Pike, Rockville, Maryland 20852 and is accessible through the Internet at https://www.nrc.gov/reading-rm/doccollections/cfr/part002/part002– 0309.html. Persons who do not have access to the Internet or who encounter problems in accessing the documents should contact the NRC’s PDR Reference staff by telephone at 1–800–397–4209, or 301–415–4737, or via e-mail at PDR@nrc.gov. If a request for a hearing or a petition for leave to intervene is filed within the 60-day period, the Commission or a presiding officer designated by the Commission or by the Chief Administrative Judge of the Atomic Safety and Licensing Board Panel will rule on the request and/or petition, and the Secretary or the Chief Administrative Judge of the Atomic Safety and Licensing Board will issue a notice of a hearing or an appropriate order. If no request for a hearing or petition for leave to intervene is filed within the 60-day period, the NRC may, upon completion of its evaluations and upon making the findings required VerDate Aug<31>2005 15:08 Mar 19, 2007 Jkt 211001 under 10 CFR Parts 51 and 54, renew the license without further notice. As required by 10 CFR 2.309, a petition for leave to intervene shall set forth with particularity the interest of the petitioner in the proceeding, and how that interest may be affected by the results of the proceeding, taking into consideration the limited scope of matters that may be considered pursuant to 10 CFR Parts 51 and 54. The petition must specifically explain the reasons why intervention should be permitted with particular reference to: (1) The requester/petitioner’s right under the Act to be made a party to the proceeding; (2) the nature and extent of the requester/petitioner’s property, financial, or other interest in the proceeding; and (3) the possible effect of any decision or order which may be entered in the proceeding on the requester/petitioner’s interest. The petition must also set forth the specific contentions that the petitioner/requester seeks to have litigated at the proceeding. Each contention must consist of a specific statement of the issue of law or fact to be raised or controverted. In addition, the requester/petitioner shall briefly explain the bases of each contention and concisely state the alleged facts or the expert opinion that supports the contention on which the requester/petitioner intends to rely in proving the contention at the hearing. The requester/petitioner must also provide references to those specific sources and documents of which the requester/petitioner is aware and on which the requester/petitioner intends to rely to establish those facts or expert opinion. The requester/petitioner must provide sufficient information to show that a genuine dispute exists with the applicant on a material issue of law or fact. Contentions shall be limited to matters within the scope of the action under consideration. The contention must be one that, if proven, would entitle the requester/petitioner to relief. A requester/petitioner who fails to satisfy these requirements with respect to at least one contention will not be permitted to participate as a party. The Commission requests that each contention be given a separate numeric or alpha designation within one of the following groups: (1) Technical (primarily related to safety concerns), (2) environmental, or (3) miscellaneous. As specified in 10 CFR 2.309, if two or more requesters/petitioners seek to co-sponsor a contention or propose substantially the same contention, the requesters/petitioners must jointly designate a representative who shall have the authority to act for the PO 00000 Frm 00063 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 requesters/petitioners with respect to that contention. Those permitted to intervene become parties to the proceeding, subject to any limitations in the order granting leave to intervene, and have the opportunity to participate fully in the conduct of the hearing. A request for a hearing or a petition for leave to intervene must be filed by either: (1) First class mail addressed to the Office of the Secretary of the Commission, U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission, Washington, DC 20555–0001, Attention: Rulemaking and Adjudications Staff; (2) courier, express mail, and expedited delivery services to the Office of the Secretary, Sixteenth Floor, One White Flint North, 11555 Rockville Pike, Rockville, Maryland 20852, Attention: Rulemaking and Adjudications Staff; (3) e-mail addressed to the Office of the Secretary, U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission, hearingdocket@nrc.gov; or (4) facsimile transmission addressed to the Office of the Secretary, U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission, Washington, DC, Attention: Rulemaking and Adjudications Staff at 301–415–1101 (verification number is 301–415–1966).1 Requesters/petitioners must send a copy of the request for hearing and petition for leave to intervene to the Office of the General Counsel, U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission, Washington, DC 20555–0001; copies should be transmitted either by facsimile to 301– 415–3725 or via e-mail to OGCMailCenter@nrc.gov. Requesters/ petitioners must also send a copy of the request for hearing and petition for leave to intervene to the attorney for the licensee, Mr. John H. O’Neil, Jr., Pillsbury Winthrop Shaw Pittman, 2300 N Street, NW., Washington, DC 20037. Untimely requests and/or petitions and contentions will not be entertained absent a determination by the Commission, the presiding officer, or the Atomic Safety and Licensing Board that the petition, request and/or contentions should be granted based on a balancing of the factors specified in 10 CFR 2.309(c)(1)(i) through (viii). In addition, this notice informs the public that the NRC will be preparing an environmental impact statement (EIS) related to the review of the LRA and provides the public an opportunity to participate in the environmental scoping process, as defined in 10 CFR 51.29. In accordance with 10 CFR 1 If the request/petition is filed by e-mail or facsimile, an original and two copies of the document must be mailed within 2 (two) business days thereafter to the Secretary, U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission, Washington, DC 20555– 0001; Attention: Rulemaking and Adjudications Staff. E:\FR\FM\20MRN1.SGM 20MRN1 pwalker on PROD1PC71 with NOTICES Federal Register / Vol. 72, No. 53 / Tuesday, March 20, 2007 / Notices 51.95(c), the NRC will prepare an EIS that will be used as a supplement to the Commission’s NUREG–1437, ‘‘Generic Environmental Impact Statement for License Renewal of Nuclear Plants’’ (GEIS), dated May 1996. Pursuant to 10 CFR 51.26, and as part of the environmental scoping process, the NRC staff intends to hold a public scoping meeting. In addition, as outlined in 36 CFR 800.8(c), ‘‘Coordination with the National Environmental Policy Act,’’ the NRC plans to coordinate compliance with Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act in meeting the requirements of the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA). In accordance with 10 CFR 51.53(c) and 10 CFR 54.23, CP&L prepared and submitted the environmental report (ER) as part of the LRA. The LRA and the ER are publicly available at the NRC’s PDR, located at One White Flint North, 11555 Rockville Pike, Rockville, Maryland 20852, or from ADAMS. The ADAMS Accession Numbers for the LRA and the ER are ML063350270 and ML063350276, respectively. The public may also view the LRA and the ER on the Internet at https://www.nrc.gov/ reactors/operating/licensing/renewal/ applications.html. In addition, the LRA and the ER are available to the public near HNP, Unit 1, at the Eva. H. Perry Library, 2100 Shepherd’s Vineyard Drive, Apex, North Carolina 27502. Alternatives to the proposed action include no action and reasonable alternative energy sources. The NRC is required by 10 CFR 51.95(c) to prepare a supplement to the GEIS in connection with the renewal of an operating license. This notice is being published in accordance with 10 CFR 51.26. The NRC staff will first conduct a scoping process for the supplement to the GEIS and, as soon as practicable thereafter, will prepare a draft supplement to the GEIS for public comment. Participation in the scoping process by members of the public and local, State, tribal, and Federal Government agencies is encouraged. As described in 10 CFR 51.29, the NRC staff will use the scoping process for the supplement to the GEIS to accomplish the following: a. Define the proposed action which is to be the subject of the supplement to the GEIS. b. Determine the scope of the supplement to the GEIS and identify the significant issues to be analyzed in depth. c. Identify and eliminate from detailed study those issues that are peripheral or insignificant. VerDate Aug<31>2005 15:08 Mar 19, 2007 Jkt 211001 d. Identify any environmental assessments and other ElSs that are being or will be prepared that are related to, but are not part of, the scope of the supplement to this GEIS. e. Identify other environmental review and consultation requirements related to the proposed action. f. Indicate the relationship between the timing of the preparation of the environmental analyses and the Commission’s tentative planning and decision-making schedule. g. Identify any cooperating agencies and, as appropriate, allocate assignments for preparation and schedules for completing the supplement to the GEIS to the NRC and any cooperating agencies. h. Describe how the NRC will prepare the supplement to the GEIS and any contractor assistance to be used. The NRC invites the following entities to participate in scoping: a. The applicant, CP&L. b. Any Federal agency that has jurisdiction by law or special expertise with respect to any environmental impact involved, or that is authorized to develop and enforce relevant environmental standards. c. Affected State and local government agencies, including those authorized to develop and enforce relevant environmental standards. d. Any affected Indian tribe. e. Any person who requests or has requested an opportunity to participate in the scoping process. f. Any person who has petitioned or intends to petition for leave to intervene. In accordance with 10 CFR 51.26, the scoping process for an EIS may include a public scoping meeting to help identify significant issues related to a proposed activity and to determine the scope of issues to be addressed in an EIS. The NRC will hold public meetings for the HNP, Unit 1, license renewal supplement to the GEIS, at the New Horizons Fellowship, 820 East Williams St., Apex, North Carolina 27502 on Wednesday, April 18, 2007. There will be two identical meetings to accommodate interested parties. The first meeting will convene at 1:30 p.m. and will continue until 4:30 p.m., as necessary. The second meeting will convene at 7 p.m. and will continue until 10 p.m., as necessary. Both meetings will be transcribed and will include: (1) An overview by the NRC staff of the NRC’s license renewal review process; (2) an overview by the NRC staff of the NEPA environmental review process, the proposed scope of the supplement to the GEIS, and the proposed review schedule; and (3) the PO 00000 Frm 00064 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 13141 opportunity for interested government agencies, organizations, and individuals to submit comments or suggestions on the environmental issues or the proposed scope of the supplement to the GEIS. Additionally, the NRC staff will host informal discussions 1 hour before the start of each session at the same location. The staff will not accept formal comments on the proposed scope of the supplement to the GEIS during these informal discussions. For comments to be considered, persons must provide them either at the transcribed public meetings or in writing, as discussed below. For more information about the proposed action, the scoping process, and the EIS, interested persons should contact the NRC Environmental Project Manager, Mr. Samuel Hernandez, at Mail Stop O–11F1, U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission, 11555 Rockville Pike, Rockville, Maryland 20852; by telephone at 1–800–368– 5642, extension 4049; or via e-mail at shq@nrc.gov. Persons may register to attend or present oral comments at the meetings on the scope of the NEPA review by contacting Mr. Hernandez. Members of the public may also register to speak at the meeting within 15 minutes of the start of each meeting. Individual oral comments may be limited by the time available, depending on the number of persons who register. Members of the public who have not registered may also have an opportunity to speak, if time permits. The NRC will consider public comments in the scoping process for the supplement to the GEIS. If members of the public need special equipment or accommodations to attend or present information at the public meeting, they should contact Mr. Hernandez no later than April 11, 2007, so that the NRC staff can determine if it can accommodate the request. Members of the public may send written comments on the environmental scope of the HNP, Unit 1, license renewal review to: Chief, Rules and Directives Branch, Division of Administrative Services, Office of Administration, Mail Stop T–6D59, U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission, Washington, DC 20555–0001, and should cite the publication date and page number of this Federal Register notice. The public may also deliver comments to the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission, Mail Stop T– 6D59, Two White Flint North, 11545 Rockville Pike, Rockville, Maryland 20852, from 7:30 a.m. to 4:15 p.m. during Federal workdays. To be considered in the scoping process, written comments should be postmarked within 60 days after the E:\FR\FM\20MRN1.SGM 20MRN1 13142 Federal Register / Vol. 72, No. 53 / Tuesday, March 20, 2007 / Notices date of publication of this Federal Register Notice. Electronic comments may be sent by e-mail to the NRC at ShearonHarrisEIS@nrc.gov, and should be sent no later than 60 days after the date of publication of this Federal Register Notice, to be considered in the scoping process. Comments will be available electronically and accessible through ADAMS. Participation in the scoping process for the supplement to the GEIS does not entitle participants to become parties to the proceeding to which the supplement to the GEIS relates. Matters related to participation in any hearing are outside the scope of matters to be discussed at this public meeting. At the conclusion of the scoping process, the NRC will prepare a concise summary of the determination and conclusions reached, including the significant issues identified, and will send a copy of the summary to each participant in the scoping process. The public may also view the summary in ADAMS. The staff will then prepare and issue for comment the draft supplement to the GEIS, which will be the subject of separate notices and separate public meetings. Copies will be available for public viewing at the above-mentioned addresses, and one copy per request will be provided free of charge, to the extent of supply. After receipt and consideration of the comments, the NRC will prepare a final supplement to the GEIS, which will also be available for public viewing. Information about the supplement to the GEIS, and the scoping process may be obtained from Mr. Hernandez at the telephone number or e-mail address given previously. The agenda for the subject meeting shall be as follows: Tuesday, April 3, 2007—8:30 a.m. Until the Conclusion of Business. The Subcommittee will review the NRC staff’s proposed revisions to Standard Review Plan Section 4.2, ‘‘Fuel Designs.’’ The Subcommittee will hear presentations by and hold discussions with representatives of the NRC staff, their contractors, representatives of the nuclear industry, and other interested persons regarding this matter. The Subcommittee will gather information, analyze relevant issues and facts, and formulate proposed positions and actions, as appropriate, for deliberation by the full Committee. Members of the public desiring to provide oral statements and/or written comments should notify the Designated Federal Official, Mr. Ralph Caruso (telephone 301/415–8065) five days prior to the meeting, if possible, so that appropriate arrangements can be made. Electronic recordings will be permitted. Further information regarding this meeting can be obtained by contacting the Designated Federal Official between 7:15 a.m. and 5 p.m. (ET). Persons planning to attend this meeting are urged to contact the above named individual at least two working days prior to the meeting to be advised of any potential changes to the agenda. Dated: March 14, 2007. Cayetano Santos, Acting Branch Chief, ACRS. [FR Doc. E7–5035 Filed 3–19–07; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 7590–01–P Dated at Rockville, Maryland, this 14th day of March, 2007. For the Nuclear Regulatory Commission. Pao-Tsin Kuo, Director, Division of License Renewal, Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation. [FR Doc. E7–5033 Filed 3–19–07; 8:45 am] NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION BILLING CODE 7590–01–P The ACRS Subcommittee on Planning and Procedures will hold a meeting on April 4, 2007, Room T–2B1, 11545 Rockville Pike, Rockville, Maryland. The entire meeting will be open to public attendance, with the exception of a portion that may be closed pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 552b ( c) (2) and (6) to discuss organizational and personnel matters that relate solely to the internal personnel rules and practices of the ACRS, and information the release of which would constitute a clearly unwarranted invasion of personal privacy. The agenda for the subject meeting shall be as follows: NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION pwalker on PROD1PC71 with NOTICES Advisory Committee on Reactor Safeguards (ACRS); Subcommittee Meeting on Materials, Metallurgy, and Reactor Fuels; Notice of Meeting The ACRS Subcommittee on Materials, Metallurgy, and Reactor Fuels will hold a meeting on April 3, 2007, Room T–2B3, 11545 Rockville Pike, Rockville, Maryland. The entire meeting will be open to public attendance. VerDate Aug<31>2005 15:08 Mar 19, 2007 Jkt 211001 Advisory Committee on Reactor Safeguards; Subcommittee Meeting on Planning and Procedures; Notice of Meeting PO 00000 Frm 00065 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 Wednesday, April 4, 2007, 8:30 a.m.–10 a.m. The Subcommittee will discuss proposed ACRS activities and related matters. The Subcommittee will gather information, analyze relevant issues and facts, and formulate proposed positions and actions, as appropriate, for deliberation by the full Committee. Members of the public desiring to provide oral statements and/or written comments should notify the Designated Federal Official, Mr. Sam Duraiswamy (telephone: 301–415–7364) between 7:30 a.m. and 4 p.m. (ET) five days prior to the meeting, if possible, so that appropriate arrangements can be made. Electronic recordings will be permitted only during those portions of the meeting that are open to the public. Further information regarding this meeting can be obtained by contacting the Designated Federal Official between 7:30 a.m. and 4 p.m. (ET). Persons planning to attend this meeting are urged to contact the above named individual at least two working days prior to the meeting to be advised of any potential changes in the agenda. Dated: March 14, 2007. Cayetano Santos, Acting Branch Chief, ACRS. [FR Doc. E7–5036 Filed 3–19–07; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 7590–01–P OFFICE OF THE UNITED STATES TRADE REPRESENTATIVE Trade Policy Staff Committee: Seeking Resubmission of Any Comments from the Public Transmitted Prior to March 14, 2007 on the 2005 WTO Ministerial Decision on Duty-Free Quota-Free Market Access for the Least Developed Countries Office of the United States Trade Representative. ACTION: Request for resubmission of comments. AGENCY: SUMMARY: The Trade Policy Staff Committee (TPSC) is advising the public of a technical malfunction in the e-mail address contained in the original notice requesting comments on considerations relating to the Decision that Members adopted at the Sixth Ministerial Conference of the World Trade Organization (WTO) in December 2005 on duty-free, quota-free (DFQF) market access for the least-developed countries (LDCs). The original notice was published on January 18, 2007 (Federal Register Volume 72, Number 11, pages 2316–2317). Any submission transmitted prior to March 14, 2007 was E:\FR\FM\20MRN1.SGM 20MRN1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 72, Number 53 (Tuesday, March 20, 2007)]
[Notices]
[Pages 13139-13142]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E7-5033]


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NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION

[Docket No. 50-400]


Notice of Opportunity for Hearing, and Notice of Intent To 
Prepare an Environmental Impact Statement and Conduct the Scoping 
Process for Facility Operating License No. NPF-63 for an Additional 20-
Year Period Carolina Power & Light Company Shearon Harris Nuclear Power 
Plant, Unit 1

    The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC or the Commission) is 
considering an application for the renewal of operating license NPF-63, 
which authorizes the Carolina Power & Light Company (CP&L), doing 
business as Progress Energy Carolinas, Inc., to operate the Shearon 
Harris Nuclear Power Plant, (HNP), Unit 1, at 2900 megawatts thermal. 
The renewed license would authorize the applicant to operate the HNP, 
Unit 1, for an additional 20 years beyond the period specified in the 
current license. HNP, Unit 1, is located in Wake County, North 
Carolina, and its current operating license expires on October 24, 
2026.
    On November 16, 2006, the Commission's staff received an 
application from CP&L to renew operating license NPF-63 for HNP, Unit 
1, pursuant to Title 10 of the Code of Federal Regulations, Part 54 (10 
CFR Part 54). A notice of receipt and availability of the license 
renewal application (LRA) was published in the Federal Register on 
December 11, 2006 (71 FR 71586). A notice of acceptance for docketing 
of the application for renewal of the facility operating license was 
published in the Federal Register on January 12, 2007, (72 FR 1562).
    The license renewal process proceeds along two tracks, one for 
review of safety issues (10 CFR Part 54) and another for environmental 
issues (10 CFR Part 51). An applicant must provide the NRC an 
evaluation that addresses the technical aspects of plant aging and 
describes the aging management programs and activities that will be 
relied on to manage aging. In addition, to support plant operation for 
the additional 20 years, the licensee must prepare an evaluation of the 
potential impact on the environment. The NRC reviews the application, 
documents its reviews in a safety evaluation report and supplemental 
environmental impact statement, and performs verification inspections 
at the applicant's facilities. If the NRC approves a renewed license, 
the licensee must continue to comply with all existing regulations and 
commitments associated with the current operating license as well as 
those additional activities required as a result of license renewal. 
The licensee's activities continue to be subject to NRC oversight in 
the period of extended operation.
    Before issuance of the requested renewed license, the NRC will have 
made the findings required by the Atomic Energy Act of 1954, as amended 
(the Act), and the Commission's rules and regulations. In accordance 
with 10 CFR 54.29, the NRC may issue a renewed license on the basis of 
its review if it finds that actions have been

[[Page 13140]]

identified and have been or will be taken with respect to: (1) Managing 
the effects of aging during the period of extended operation on the 
functionality of structures and components that have been identified as 
requiring aging management review; and (2) time-limited aging analyses 
that have been identified as requiring review, such that there is 
reasonable assurance that the activities authorized by the renewed 
license will continue to be conducted in accordance with the current 
licensing basis (CLB), and that any changes made to the plant's CLB 
will comply with the Act and the Commission's regulations. In addition, 
the Commission must find that applicable requirements of Subpart A of 
10 CFR Part 51 have been satisfied, and that matters raised under 10 
CFR 2.335 have been addressed.
    Within 60 days after the date of publication of this Federal 
Register notice, any person whose interest may be affected by this 
proceeding and who desires to participate as a party in the proceeding 
must file a written request for a hearing or a petition for leave to 
intervene with respect to the renewal of the license. Interested 
parties must file requests for a hearing or a petition for leave to 
intervene in accordance with the Commission's ``Rules of Practice for 
Domestic Licensing Proceedings and Issuance of Orders'' described in 10 
CFR Part 2. Those interested should consult a current copy of 10 CFR 
2.309, which is available at the Commission's Public Document Room 
(PDR), located at One White Flint North, 11555 Rockville Pike, 
Rockville, Maryland 20852 and is accessible through the Internet at 
https://www.nrc.gov/reading-rm/doc-collections/cfr/part002/part002-
0309.html. Persons who do not have access to the Internet or who 
encounter problems in accessing the documents should contact the NRC's 
PDR Reference staff by telephone at 1-800-397-4209, or 301-415-4737, or 
via e-mail at PDR@nrc.gov. If a request for a hearing or a petition for 
leave to intervene is filed within the 60-day period, the Commission or 
a presiding officer designated by the Commission or by the Chief 
Administrative Judge of the Atomic Safety and Licensing Board Panel 
will rule on the request and/or petition, and the Secretary or the 
Chief Administrative Judge of the Atomic Safety and Licensing Board 
will issue a notice of a hearing or an appropriate order. If no request 
for a hearing or petition for leave to intervene is filed within the 
60-day period, the NRC may, upon completion of its evaluations and upon 
making the findings required under 10 CFR Parts 51 and 54, renew the 
license without further notice.
    As required by 10 CFR 2.309, a petition for leave to intervene 
shall set forth with particularity the interest of the petitioner in 
the proceeding, and how that interest may be affected by the results of 
the proceeding, taking into consideration the limited scope of matters 
that may be considered pursuant to 10 CFR Parts 51 and 54. The petition 
must specifically explain the reasons why intervention should be 
permitted with particular reference to: (1) The requester/petitioner's 
right under the Act to be made a party to the proceeding; (2) the 
nature and extent of the requester/petitioner's property, financial, or 
other interest in the proceeding; and (3) the possible effect of any 
decision or order which may be entered in the proceeding on the 
requester/petitioner's interest. The petition must also set forth the 
specific contentions that the petitioner/requester seeks to have 
litigated at the proceeding.
    Each contention must consist of a specific statement of the issue 
of law or fact to be raised or controverted. In addition, the 
requester/petitioner shall briefly explain the bases of each contention 
and concisely state the alleged facts or the expert opinion that 
supports the contention on which the requester/petitioner intends to 
rely in proving the contention at the hearing. The requester/petitioner 
must also provide references to those specific sources and documents of 
which the requester/petitioner is aware and on which the requester/
petitioner intends to rely to establish those facts or expert opinion. 
The requester/petitioner must provide sufficient information to show 
that a genuine dispute exists with the applicant on a material issue of 
law or fact. Contentions shall be limited to matters within the scope 
of the action under consideration. The contention must be one that, if 
proven, would entitle the requester/petitioner to relief. A requester/
petitioner who fails to satisfy these requirements with respect to at 
least one contention will not be permitted to participate as a party.
    The Commission requests that each contention be given a separate 
numeric or alpha designation within one of the following groups: (1) 
Technical (primarily related to safety concerns), (2) environmental, or 
(3) miscellaneous.
    As specified in 10 CFR 2.309, if two or more requesters/petitioners 
seek to co-sponsor a contention or propose substantially the same 
contention, the requesters/petitioners must jointly designate a 
representative who shall have the authority to act for the requesters/
petitioners with respect to that contention.
    Those permitted to intervene become parties to the proceeding, 
subject to any limitations in the order granting leave to intervene, 
and have the opportunity to participate fully in the conduct of the 
hearing. A request for a hearing or a petition for leave to intervene 
must be filed by either: (1) First class mail addressed to the Office 
of the Secretary of the Commission, U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission, 
Washington, DC 20555-0001, Attention: Rulemaking and Adjudications 
Staff; (2) courier, express mail, and expedited delivery services to 
the Office of the Secretary, Sixteenth Floor, One White Flint North, 
11555 Rockville Pike, Rockville, Maryland 20852, Attention: Rulemaking 
and Adjudications Staff; (3) e-mail addressed to the Office of the 
Secretary, U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission, hearingdocket@nrc.gov; 
or (4) facsimile transmission addressed to the Office of the Secretary, 
U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission, Washington, DC, Attention: 
Rulemaking and Adjudications Staff at 301-415-1101 (verification number 
is 301-415-1966).\1\ Requesters/petitioners must send a copy of the 
request for hearing and petition for leave to intervene to the Office 
of the General Counsel, U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission, Washington, 
DC 20555-0001; copies should be transmitted either by facsimile to 301-
415-3725 or via e-mail to OGCMailCenter@nrc.gov. Requesters/petitioners 
must also send a copy of the request for hearing and petition for leave 
to intervene to the attorney for the licensee, Mr. John H. O'Neil, Jr., 
Pillsbury Winthrop Shaw Pittman, 2300 N Street, NW., Washington, DC 
20037.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \1\ If the request/petition is filed by e-mail or facsimile, an 
original and two copies of the document must be mailed within 2 
(two) business days thereafter to the Secretary, U.S. Nuclear 
Regulatory Commission, Washington, DC 20555-0001; Attention: 
Rulemaking and Adjudications Staff.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Untimely requests and/or petitions and contentions will not be 
entertained absent a determination by the Commission, the presiding 
officer, or the Atomic Safety and Licensing Board that the petition, 
request and/or contentions should be granted based on a balancing of 
the factors specified in 10 CFR 2.309(c)(1)(i) through (viii).
    In addition, this notice informs the public that the NRC will be 
preparing an environmental impact statement (EIS) related to the review 
of the LRA and provides the public an opportunity to participate in the 
environmental scoping process, as defined in 10 CFR 51.29. In 
accordance with 10 CFR

[[Page 13141]]

51.95(c), the NRC will prepare an EIS that will be used as a supplement 
to the Commission's NUREG-1437, ``Generic Environmental Impact 
Statement for License Renewal of Nuclear Plants'' (GEIS), dated May 
1996. Pursuant to 10 CFR 51.26, and as part of the environmental 
scoping process, the NRC staff intends to hold a public scoping 
meeting. In addition, as outlined in 36 CFR 800.8(c), ``Coordination 
with the National Environmental Policy Act,'' the NRC plans to 
coordinate compliance with Section 106 of the National Historic 
Preservation Act in meeting the requirements of the National 
Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA).
    In accordance with 10 CFR 51.53(c) and 10 CFR 54.23, CP&L prepared 
and submitted the environmental report (ER) as part of the LRA. The LRA 
and the ER are publicly available at the NRC's PDR, located at One 
White Flint North, 11555 Rockville Pike, Rockville, Maryland 20852, or 
from ADAMS. The ADAMS Accession Numbers for the LRA and the ER are 
ML063350270 and ML063350276, respectively. The public may also view the 
LRA and the ER on the Internet at https://www.nrc.gov/reactors/
operating/licensing/renewal/applications.html. In addition, the LRA and 
the ER are available to the public near HNP, Unit 1, at the Eva. H. 
Perry Library, 2100 Shepherd's Vineyard Drive, Apex, North Carolina 
27502.
    Alternatives to the proposed action include no action and 
reasonable alternative energy sources. The NRC is required by 10 CFR 
51.95(c) to prepare a supplement to the GEIS in connection with the 
renewal of an operating license. This notice is being published in 
accordance with 10 CFR 51.26.
    The NRC staff will first conduct a scoping process for the 
supplement to the GEIS and, as soon as practicable thereafter, will 
prepare a draft supplement to the GEIS for public comment. 
Participation in the scoping process by members of the public and 
local, State, tribal, and Federal Government agencies is encouraged. As 
described in 10 CFR 51.29, the NRC staff will use the scoping process 
for the supplement to the GEIS to accomplish the following:
    a. Define the proposed action which is to be the subject of the 
supplement to the GEIS.
    b. Determine the scope of the supplement to the GEIS and identify 
the significant issues to be analyzed in depth.
    c. Identify and eliminate from detailed study those issues that are 
peripheral or insignificant.
    d. Identify any environmental assessments and other ElSs that are 
being or will be prepared that are related to, but are not part of, the 
scope of the supplement to this GEIS.
    e. Identify other environmental review and consultation 
requirements related to the proposed action.
    f. Indicate the relationship between the timing of the preparation 
of the environmental analyses and the Commission's tentative planning 
and decision-making schedule.
    g. Identify any cooperating agencies and, as appropriate, allocate 
assignments for preparation and schedules for completing the supplement 
to the GEIS to the NRC and any cooperating agencies.
    h. Describe how the NRC will prepare the supplement to the GEIS and 
any contractor assistance to be used.
    The NRC invites the following entities to participate in scoping:
    a. The applicant, CP&L.
    b. Any Federal agency that has jurisdiction by law or special 
expertise with respect to any environmental impact involved, or that is 
authorized to develop and enforce relevant environmental standards.
    c. Affected State and local government agencies, including those 
authorized to develop and enforce relevant environmental standards.
    d. Any affected Indian tribe.
    e. Any person who requests or has requested an opportunity to 
participate in the scoping process.
    f. Any person who has petitioned or intends to petition for leave 
to intervene.
    In accordance with 10 CFR 51.26, the scoping process for an EIS may 
include a public scoping meeting to help identify significant issues 
related to a proposed activity and to determine the scope of issues to 
be addressed in an EIS. The NRC will hold public meetings for the HNP, 
Unit 1, license renewal supplement to the GEIS, at the New Horizons 
Fellowship, 820 East Williams St., Apex, North Carolina 27502 on 
Wednesday, April 18, 2007. There will be two identical meetings to 
accommodate interested parties. The first meeting will convene at 1:30 
p.m. and will continue until 4:30 p.m., as necessary. The second 
meeting will convene at 7 p.m. and will continue until 10 p.m., as 
necessary. Both meetings will be transcribed and will include: (1) An 
overview by the NRC staff of the NRC's license renewal review process; 
(2) an overview by the NRC staff of the NEPA environmental review 
process, the proposed scope of the supplement to the GEIS, and the 
proposed review schedule; and (3) the opportunity for interested 
government agencies, organizations, and individuals to submit comments 
or suggestions on the environmental issues or the proposed scope of the 
supplement to the GEIS. Additionally, the NRC staff will host informal 
discussions 1 hour before the start of each session at the same 
location. The staff will not accept formal comments on the proposed 
scope of the supplement to the GEIS during these informal discussions. 
For comments to be considered, persons must provide them either at the 
transcribed public meetings or in writing, as discussed below.
    For more information about the proposed action, the scoping 
process, and the EIS, interested persons should contact the NRC 
Environmental Project Manager, Mr. Samuel Hernandez, at Mail Stop O-
11F1, U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission, 11555 Rockville Pike, 
Rockville, Maryland 20852; by telephone at 1-800-368-5642, extension 
4049; or via e-mail at shq@nrc.gov. Persons may register to attend or 
present oral comments at the meetings on the scope of the NEPA review 
by contacting Mr. Hernandez. Members of the public may also register to 
speak at the meeting within 15 minutes of the start of each meeting. 
Individual oral comments may be limited by the time available, 
depending on the number of persons who register. Members of the public 
who have not registered may also have an opportunity to speak, if time 
permits. The NRC will consider public comments in the scoping process 
for the supplement to the GEIS. If members of the public need special 
equipment or accommodations to attend or present information at the 
public meeting, they should contact Mr. Hernandez no later than April 
11, 2007, so that the NRC staff can determine if it can accommodate the 
request.
    Members of the public may send written comments on the 
environmental scope of the HNP, Unit 1, license renewal review to: 
Chief, Rules and Directives Branch, Division of Administrative 
Services, Office of Administration, Mail Stop T-6D59, U.S. Nuclear 
Regulatory Commission, Washington, DC 20555-0001, and should cite the 
publication date and page number of this Federal Register notice. The 
public may also deliver comments to the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory 
Commission, Mail Stop T-6D59, Two White Flint North, 11545 Rockville 
Pike, Rockville, Maryland 20852, from 7:30 a.m. to 4:15 p.m. during 
Federal workdays. To be considered in the scoping process, written 
comments should be postmarked within 60 days after the

[[Page 13142]]

date of publication of this Federal Register Notice. Electronic 
comments may be sent by e-mail to the NRC at ShearonHarrisEIS@nrc.gov, 
and should be sent no later than 60 days after the date of publication 
of this Federal Register Notice, to be considered in the scoping 
process. Comments will be available electronically and accessible 
through ADAMS.
    Participation in the scoping process for the supplement to the GEIS 
does not entitle participants to become parties to the proceeding to 
which the supplement to the GEIS relates. Matters related to 
participation in any hearing are outside the scope of matters to be 
discussed at this public meeting.
    At the conclusion of the scoping process, the NRC will prepare a 
concise summary of the determination and conclusions reached, including 
the significant issues identified, and will send a copy of the summary 
to each participant in the scoping process. The public may also view 
the summary in ADAMS. The staff will then prepare and issue for comment 
the draft supplement to the GEIS, which will be the subject of separate 
notices and separate public meetings. Copies will be available for 
public viewing at the above-mentioned addresses, and one copy per 
request will be provided free of charge, to the extent of supply. After 
receipt and consideration of the comments, the NRC will prepare a final 
supplement to the GEIS, which will also be available for public 
viewing.
    Information about the supplement to the GEIS, and the scoping 
process may be obtained from Mr. Hernandez at the telephone number or 
e-mail address given previously.

    Dated at Rockville, Maryland, this 14th day of March, 2007.

    For the Nuclear Regulatory Commission.
Pao-Tsin Kuo,
Director, Division of License Renewal, Office of Nuclear Reactor 
Regulation.
[FR Doc. E7-5033 Filed 3-19-07; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 7590-01-P
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