Proposed Generic Communication; NRC Regulatory Issue Summary 2009-XX; Monitoring the Status of Regulated Activities During a Pandemic, 65165-65167 [E9-29326]
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Federal Register / Vol. 74, No. 235 / Wednesday, December 9, 2009 / Notices
NUCLEAR REGULATORY
COMMISSION
[Docket No. 050–133; NRC–2009–0541]
Pacific Gas and Electric, Humboldt Bay
Power Plant, Unit 3; Environmental
Assessment and Finding of No
Significant Impact for an Exemption
From Certain Control and Tracking
Requirements in 10 CFR Part 20
Appendix G Section III.E
The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory
Commission (NRC) is considering
issuance of an exemption from certain
control and tracking requirements in 10
CFR part 20 appendix G section III.E for
Facility Operating License No. DPR–7
issued to Pacific Gas and Electric (PG&E
or the licensee), for Humboldt Bay
Power Plant (HBPP) Unit 3, located in
Humboldt County, California.
Environmental Assessment
Identification of Proposed Action
The proposed action is in accordance
with the licensee’s application for an
exemption dated September 4, 2009.
The licensee has requested an
exemption from certain control and
tracking requirements in 10 CFR part 20
appendix G section III.E, which require
the licensee to investigate, and file a
report with the NRC, if shipments of
low-level radioactive waste are not
acknowledged by the intended recipient
within 20 days after transfer to the
shipper.
The proposed action would grant an
exemption to extend the time period
that can elapse during shipments of
low-level radioactive waste before the
licensee is required to investigate and
file a report with the NRC. Specifically,
the exemption would extend the time
period for the licensee to receive
acknowledgment that the low-level
radioactive waste shipment has been
received by the intended recipient from
20 days to 45 days.
WReier-Aviles on DSKGBLS3C1PROD with NOTICES
The Need for the Proposed Action
PG&E is in the process of
decommissioning HBPP Unit 3. During
the decommissioning process, large
volumes of slightly contaminated debris
are generated and require disposal.
PG&E transports low-level radioactive
waste from HBPP Unit 3 to distant
locations such as a waste disposal
facility operated by Energy Solutions in
Clive, Utah, and waste processors in
Tennessee.
The licensee’s request to extend the
20-day investigation and reporting
requirements for shipments of low-level
radioactive waste to 45 days is based on
historical data derived from experience
VerDate Nov<24>2008
15:02 Dec 08, 2009
Jkt 220001
at Southern California Edison
Company’s San Onofre Nuclear
Generating Station (SONGS). That
experience indicates that rail
transportation time to waste disposal
facilities frequently exceeded the 20-day
reporting requirement. A review of the
SONGS data indicates that
transportation time for shipments by rail
or truck/rail took over 16 days on
average and, on occasion, took up to 57
days. HBPP is in a more remote location
than SONGS and is not near a railhead.
Shipping from HBPP may require a
combination of truck/rail, barge/rail or
barge/truck shipments. These mixedmode shipments will be comprised of
truck and barge shipments from HBPP
to inland locations in California or
nearby states, followed by rail
shipments to the waste disposal
facilities or processors. The additional
step of transloading material at a remote
railyard (e.g., unloading and loading,
waiting for the train to depart) is
expected to add to shipping delays that
exceed the time of shipments from
SONGS.
The licensee affirms that the low-level
radioactive waste shipments will always
be tracked throughout transportation
until they arrive at their intended
destination. The licensee believes, and
the staff agrees, that the need to
investigate, trace, and report to the NRC
on the shipment of low-level waste
packages not reaching their destination
within 20 days does not serve the
underlying purpose of the rule.
Therefore, the NRC staff finds that
granting an exemption to extend the
time period from 20 days to 45 days for
mixed-mode shipments of low-level
radioactive waste will not result in an
undue hazard to life or property.
Environmental Impacts of the Proposed
Action
The NRC has reviewed the licensee’s
proposed exemption request and
concluded that the proposed exemption
is procedural and administrative in
nature.
The proposed action will not
significantly increase the probability or
consequences of accidents, no changes
are being made in the types of any
effluents that may be released offsite,
and there is no significant increase in
occupational or public radiation
exposure. Therefore, there are no
significant radiological environmental
impacts associated with the proposed
action.
With regard to potential
nonradiological impacts, the proposed
action does not involve any historic
sites. It does not affect nonradiological
plant effluents and has no other
PO 00000
Frm 00078
Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
65165
environmental impact. Therefore, there
are no significant nonradiological
environmental impacts associated with
the proposed action.
Accordingly, the NRC concludes that
there are no significant environmental
impacts associated with the proposed
action.
Alternatives to the Proposed Action
As an alternative to the proposed
action, the staff considered denial of the
proposed action (i.e., the ‘‘no-action’’
alternative). Denial of the application
would result in no change in current
environmental impacts. The
environmental impacts of the proposed
action and the alternative action are
similar.
Agencies and Persons Contacted
In accordance with NRC policy, on
November 2, 2009, the staff consulted
with a State of California official in the
Radiologic Health Services, State
Department of Health Services,
regarding the environmental impact of
the proposed action. The state official
had no comments.
Finding of No Significant Impact
On the basis of the environmental
assessment, the NRC concludes that the
proposed action will not have a
significant effect on the quality of the
human environment. Accordingly, the
NRC has determined not to prepare an
environmental impact statement for the
proposed action.
Dated at Rockville, Maryland this 1st day
of December 2009.
For the Nuclear Regulatory Commission.
Keith I. McConnell,
Deputy Director, Decommissioning and
Uranium Recovery Licensing Directorate,
Division of Waste Management and
Environmental Protection, Office of Federal
and State Materials and Environmental
Management Programs.
[FR Doc. E9–29327 Filed 12–8–09; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 7590–01–P
NUCLEAR REGULATORY
COMMISSION
[NRC–2009–0536]
Proposed Generic Communication;
NRC Regulatory Issue Summary 2009–
XX; Monitoring the Status of Regulated
Activities During a Pandemic
AGENCY: Nuclear Regulatory
Commission.
ACTION: Notice of opportunity for public
comment.
SUMMARY: The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory
Commission (NRC) is proposing to issue
E:\FR\FM\09DEN1.SGM
09DEN1
65166
Federal Register / Vol. 74, No. 235 / Wednesday, December 9, 2009 / Notices
this regulatory issue summary (RIS) to
inform addressees of the NRC’s desire
for information on the evolving
pandemic situations at licensee sites
and the impact of a pandemic situation
on operational decisions and requests
for regulatory relief. The NRC intends to
use this information to align NRC
resources to be prepared to address
potential safety and operational issues
at affected licensee sites, and to support
decision-making within the NRC. The
NRC, therefore, is soliciting licensees to
voluntarily provide information
regarding the above.
The NRC is also sharing this RIS with
the Agreement States via a separate
communication and is encouraging the
Agreement States to share it with their
licensees.
This RIS is available through the
NRC’s Agencywide Documents Access
and Management System (ADAMS)
under accession number ML093210234.
DATES: Comment period expires January
25, 2010. Comments submitted after this
date will be considered if it is practical
to do so, but assurance of consideration
cannot be given except for comments
received on or before this date.
ADDRESSES: Submit written comments
to the Chief, Rulemaking and Directives
Branch, Division of Administrative
Services, Office of Administration, U.S.
Nuclear Regulatory Commission, Mail
Stop TWB–05–B01M, Washington, DC
20555–0001, and cite the publication
date and page number of this Federal
Register notice.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Thomas Alexion at 301–415–1326 or by
e-mail at Thomas.Alexion@NRC.gov or
Joseph Golla at 301–415–1002 or by email at Joe.Golla@NRC.gov.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
NRC Regulatory Issue Summary 2009–
XX; Monitoring the Status of Regulated
Activities During a Pandemic
WReier-Aviles on DSKGBLS3C1PROD with NOTICES
Addressees
All holders of operating licenses for
nuclear power reactors and research and
test reactors (RTRs) under the
provisions of Title 10 of the Code of
Federal Regulations (10 CFR) Part 50,
‘‘Domestic Licensing of Production and
Utilization Facilities,’’ except those that
have ceased operations and have
certified that fuel has been permanently
removed from the reactor vessel.
All U.S. Nuclear Regulatory
Commission (NRC) fuel cycle facilities
licensed under 10 CFR Part 40 or 70 and
gaseous diffusion plants certified under
10 CFR Part 76.
All 10 CFR Part 72 specific licensees
and certificate holders and holders of
VerDate Nov<24>2008
15:02 Dec 08, 2009
Jkt 220001
operating licenses for nuclear power
reactors who have permanently ceased
operations and have certified that fuel
has been permanently removed from the
reactor vessel that are not 10 CFR Part
72 specific licensees.
All holders of radioactive materials
licenses under the provisions of 10 CFR
Parts 30, 40, and 70, regarding Rules of
General Applicability to Domestic
Licensing of Byproduct, Source, and
Special Nuclear Material with Category
1 and 2 sources.
Intent
The NRC is issuing this regulatory
issue summary (RIS) to inform
addressees of the NRC’s desire for
information on the evolving pandemic
situations at licensee sites and the
impact of a pandemic situation on
operational decisions and requests for
regulatory relief. The NRC intends to
use this information to align NRC
resources to be prepared to address
potential safety and operational issues
at affected licensee sites, and to support
decision-making within the NRC. The
NRC, therefore, is soliciting licensees to
voluntarily provide information
regarding the above.
The NRC is also sharing this RIS with
the Agreement States via a separate
communication and is encouraging the
Agreement States to share it with their
licensees.
Background
The NRC’s overarching mission is to
license and regulate the nation’s civilian
use of byproduct, source, and special
nuclear materials to ensure adequate
protection of public health and safety,
promote the common defense and
security, and protect the environment.
Across the spectrum of government
operations, there has been a concerted
effort to prepare for and respond to
pandemic outbreaks, including the
H1N1 influenza virus. All government
agencies have or are preparing
pandemic plans to ensure the operation
of the government during a pandemic.
Part of this preparation and planning is
an effort by the federal government to
ensure the U.S. infrastructure is
maintained to the fullest extent
possible.
The Homeland Security Council, in
the National Framework for 2009–H1N1
Influenza Preparedness and Response,
described surveillance as the first of the
pillars of preparedness and further
defined the term to mean ‘‘enhanced
efforts to achieve timely and accurate
situational awareness of evolving
disease and the impact on critical
sectors to inform policy and operational
decisions.’’ Under that definition, the
PO 00000
Frm 00079
Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
NRC is in a ‘‘situational awareness’’
mode at all times when there is a threat
of a pandemic, because: (1) Of the
agency’s need to be ready to respond
quickly to any emergency that could
threaten the agency’s mission or the
nuclear activities that it regulates, and
(2) impacts to the electric grid may have
an impact on plant safety.
Summary of Issues
The NRC is interested in maintaining
situational awareness of licensees’
ability to cope with the challenges
associated with a pandemic. This
information will serve two functions:
1. The NRC must be prepared to
respond quickly if a safety or security
event develops.
2. The NRC is obligated to keep its
stakeholders informed.
Information of Interest
The NRC is interested in maintaining
situational awareness of the status of its
regulated activities during a pandemic
and requests that licensees voluntarily
inform the staff of any potential impacts
on those activities. Accordingly,
answers to the following two questions
should be considered during routine
business contacts with NRC staff (e.g.,
during routine communications with
the NRC licensing project manager or
resident inspector or during inspections
conducted by the NRC), or as licensees
desire to report information:
1. Does the licensee anticipate
operational challenges at the facility or
in the conduct of activities in the next
48 hours in the following areas as a
result of the pandemic?
a. Safety.
b. Security.
c. Safeguards.
d. Emergency preparedness.
2. Does the licensee anticipate the
need to request regulatory action as a
result of the pandemic in the next 48
hours?
Responses to these questions will be
voluntary. If either question results in a
‘‘yes’’ answer, the NRC expects the
licensee to provide additional
information specific to the needs of the
licensee, as soon as possible. In such
cases, the appropriate NRC staff will
follow-up with the licensee. It should be
noted that this RIS does not eliminate
the need for licensees to meet the
reporting requirements contained in
applicable regulations. Further, there
are no information collection
expectations other than information that
is typically exchanged through routine
business activities or is already required
by NRC regulations. The information
provided will enable the NRC to
E:\FR\FM\09DEN1.SGM
09DEN1
Federal Register / Vol. 74, No. 235 / Wednesday, December 9, 2009 / Notices
effectively respond to licensees with
potential challenges.
For materials licensees that have less
frequent contact with NRC, the NRC
regional offices are establishing an
e-mail address that can be used to
voluntarily submit the information
discussed above. Materials licensees
will receive a separate communication,
by e-mail or phone, identifying the
appropriate e-mail address for
submitting information concerning
potential pandemic impacts.
NRC recognizes that during a
pandemic, licensees’ resources may be
strained. Therefore, NRC understands
that licensees will provide information
to the best of their ability, given the
circumstances.
Backfit Discussion
This RIS requests that addressees
voluntarily provide information as
appropriate to assist the NRC staff in
managing the impacts of a pandemic on
regulated activities. This effort by the
NRC is a part of the continuing federal
effort in pandemic planning, and it
supports situational awareness of
potential issues at NRC-licensed
facilities.
The staff is not imposing any new
positions nor is it imposing any new
regulatory requirements on licensees.
Any information provided by a licensee
is strictly voluntary. No action is
required on the part of any licensee;
therefore, this document does not
constitute a backfit under applicable
backfit regulations. Consequently, the
staff did not perform a backfit analysis.
Federal Register Notification
To be done after the public comment
period.
Paperwork Reduction Act Statement
WReier-Aviles on DSKGBLS3C1PROD with NOTICES
This RIS does not contain new or
amended information collection
requirements subject to the Paperwork
Reduction Act of 1995 (44 U.S.C. 3501
et seq.). Existing information collection
requirements were approved by the
Office of Management and Budget,
control numbers 3150–0011 and 3150–
0012.
Contacts
Technical Contacts—Office of Nuclear
Reactor Regulation (NRR)
Joseph Golla, NRR, (301) 415–1002,
E-mail: joseph.golla@nrc.gov.
Thomas Alexion, NRR, (301) 415–1326,
E-mail: thomas.alexion@nrc.gov.
Technical Contacts—Office of Nuclear
Material Safety and Safeguards (NMSS)
Steven Ward, NMSS, (301) 492–3426,
E-mail: steven.ward@nrc.gov.
Kevin Witt, NMSS, (301) 492–3323,
E-mail: kevin.witt@nrc.gov.
Technical Material Contacts—Office of
Federal and State Materials and
Environmental Management Programs
(FSME) and the Regions
Duncan White, FSME, (301) 415–2598,
E-mail: duncan.white@nrc.gov.
John Kinneman, Region I, (610) 337–
5274,
E-mail: john.kinneman@nrc.gov.
Steven Reynolds, Region III, (630) 829–
9800,
E-mail: steven.reynolds@nrc.gov.
Art Howell, Region IV, (817) 860–8106,
E-mail: art.howell@nrc.gov.
End of Draft Regulatory Issue Summary
Documents may be examined, and/or
copied for a fee, at the NRC’s Public
Document Room at One White Flint
North, 11555 Rockville Pike (first floor),
Rockville, Maryland. Publicly available
records will be accessible electronically
from the Agencywide Documents
Access and Management System
(ADAMS) Public Electronic Reading
Room on the Internet at the NRC Web
site, https://www.nrc.gov/NRC/ADAMS/
index.html. If you do not have access to
ADAMS or if you have problems in
accessing the documents in ADAMS,
contact the NRC Public Document Room
(PDR) reference staff at 1–800–397–4209
or 301–415–4737 or by e-mail to
pdr@nrc.gov.
Dated at Rockville, Maryland, this 30th day
of November 2009.
For the Nuclear Regulatory Commission.
Martin C. Murphy,
Chief, Generic Communications Branch,
Division of Policy and Rulemaking, Office
of Nuclear Reactor Regulation.
[FR Doc. E9–29326 Filed 12–8–09; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 7590–01–P
Public Protection Notification
The NRC may not conduct or sponsor,
and a person is not required to respond
to, a request for information or an
information collection requirement
unless the requesting document
displays a current valid Office of
Management and Budget control
number.
VerDate Nov<24>2008
15:02 Dec 08, 2009
Jkt 220001
PENSION BENEFIT GUARANTY
CORPORATION
Proposed Submission of Information
Collection for OMB Review; Comment
Request; Administrative Appeals
AGENCY: Pension Benefit Guaranty
Corporation.
PO 00000
Frm 00080
Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
65167
ACTION: Notice of intent to request
extension of OMB approval of
information collection.
SUMMARY: The Pension Benefit Guaranty
Corporation (‘‘PBGC’’) intends to
request the Office of Management and
Budget (‘‘OMB’’) to extend approval,
under the Paperwork Reduction Act, of
a collection of information under its
regulation on Rules for Administrative
Review of Agency Decisions. This
notice informs the public of PBGC’s
intent and solicits public comment on
the collection of information.
DATES: Comments should be submitted
by February 8, 2010.
ADDRESSES: Comments may be
submitted by any of the following
methods:
Federal eRulemaking Portal: https://
www.regulations.gov. Follow the Web
site instructions for submitting
comments.
E-mail:
paperwork.comments@pbgc.gov.
Fax: 202–326–4224.
Mail or Hand Delivery: Legislative and
Regulatory Department, Pension Benefit
Guaranty Corporation, 1200 K Street,
NW., Washington, DC 20005–4026.
PBGC will make all comments
available on its Web site, https://
www.pbgc.gov.
Copies of the collection of
information may also be obtained
without charge by writing to the
Disclosure Division of the Office of the
General Counsel of PBGC at the above
address or by visiting the Disclosure
Division or calling 202–326–4040
during normal business hours. (TTY and
TDD users may call the Federal relay
service toll-free at 1–800–877–8339 and
ask to be connected to 202–326–4040.)
PBGC’s regulation on Administrative
Appeals may be accessed on PBGC’s
Web site at https://www.pbgc.gov.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Catherine B. Klion, Manager, or Donald
McCabe, Attorney, Regulatory and
Policy Division, Legislative and
Regulatory Department, Pension Benefit
Guaranty Corporation, 1200 K Street,
NW., Washington, DC 20005–4026, 202–
326–4024. (For TTY and TDD, call 800–
877–8339 and request connection to
202–326–4024).
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: PBGC’s
regulation on Rules for Administrative
Review of Agency Decisions (29 CFR
part 4003) prescribes rules governing
the issuance of initial determinations by
PBGC and the procedures for requesting
and obtaining administrative review of
initial determinations. Certain types of
initial determinations are subject to
administrative appeals, which are
E:\FR\FM\09DEN1.SGM
09DEN1
Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 74, Number 235 (Wednesday, December 9, 2009)]
[Notices]
[Pages 65165-65167]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E9-29326]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION
[NRC-2009-0536]
Proposed Generic Communication; NRC Regulatory Issue Summary
2009-XX; Monitoring the Status of Regulated Activities During a
Pandemic
AGENCY: Nuclear Regulatory Commission.
ACTION: Notice of opportunity for public comment.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) is proposing to
issue
[[Page 65166]]
this regulatory issue summary (RIS) to inform addressees of the NRC's
desire for information on the evolving pandemic situations at licensee
sites and the impact of a pandemic situation on operational decisions
and requests for regulatory relief. The NRC intends to use this
information to align NRC resources to be prepared to address potential
safety and operational issues at affected licensee sites, and to
support decision-making within the NRC. The NRC, therefore, is
soliciting licensees to voluntarily provide information regarding the
above.
The NRC is also sharing this RIS with the Agreement States via a
separate communication and is encouraging the Agreement States to share
it with their licensees.
This RIS is available through the NRC's Agencywide Documents Access
and Management System (ADAMS) under accession number ML093210234.
DATES: Comment period expires January 25, 2010. Comments submitted
after this date will be considered if it is practical to do so, but
assurance of consideration cannot be given except for comments received
on or before this date.
ADDRESSES: Submit written comments to the Chief, Rulemaking and
Directives Branch, Division of Administrative Services, Office of
Administration, U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission, Mail Stop TWB-05-
B01M, Washington, DC 20555-0001, and cite the publication date and page
number of this Federal Register notice.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Thomas Alexion at 301-415-1326 or by
e-mail at Thomas.Alexion@NRC.gov or Joseph Golla at 301-415-1002 or by
e-mail at Joe.Golla@NRC.gov.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
NRC Regulatory Issue Summary 2009-XX; Monitoring the Status of
Regulated Activities During a Pandemic
Addressees
All holders of operating licenses for nuclear power reactors and
research and test reactors (RTRs) under the provisions of Title 10 of
the Code of Federal Regulations (10 CFR) Part 50, ``Domestic Licensing
of Production and Utilization Facilities,'' except those that have
ceased operations and have certified that fuel has been permanently
removed from the reactor vessel.
All U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) fuel cycle facilities
licensed under 10 CFR Part 40 or 70 and gaseous diffusion plants
certified under 10 CFR Part 76.
All 10 CFR Part 72 specific licensees and certificate holders and
holders of operating licenses for nuclear power reactors who have
permanently ceased operations and have certified that fuel has been
permanently removed from the reactor vessel that are not 10 CFR Part 72
specific licensees.
All holders of radioactive materials licenses under the provisions
of 10 CFR Parts 30, 40, and 70, regarding Rules of General
Applicability to Domestic Licensing of Byproduct, Source, and Special
Nuclear Material with Category 1 and 2 sources.
Intent
The NRC is issuing this regulatory issue summary (RIS) to inform
addressees of the NRC's desire for information on the evolving pandemic
situations at licensee sites and the impact of a pandemic situation on
operational decisions and requests for regulatory relief. The NRC
intends to use this information to align NRC resources to be prepared
to address potential safety and operational issues at affected licensee
sites, and to support decision-making within the NRC. The NRC,
therefore, is soliciting licensees to voluntarily provide information
regarding the above.
The NRC is also sharing this RIS with the Agreement States via a
separate communication and is encouraging the Agreement States to share
it with their licensees.
Background
The NRC's overarching mission is to license and regulate the
nation's civilian use of byproduct, source, and special nuclear
materials to ensure adequate protection of public health and safety,
promote the common defense and security, and protect the environment.
Across the spectrum of government operations, there has been a
concerted effort to prepare for and respond to pandemic outbreaks,
including the H1N1 influenza virus. All government agencies have or are
preparing pandemic plans to ensure the operation of the government
during a pandemic. Part of this preparation and planning is an effort
by the federal government to ensure the U.S. infrastructure is
maintained to the fullest extent possible.
The Homeland Security Council, in the National Framework for 2009-
H1N1 Influenza Preparedness and Response, described surveillance as the
first of the pillars of preparedness and further defined the term to
mean ``enhanced efforts to achieve timely and accurate situational
awareness of evolving disease and the impact on critical sectors to
inform policy and operational decisions.'' Under that definition, the
NRC is in a ``situational awareness'' mode at all times when there is a
threat of a pandemic, because: (1) Of the agency's need to be ready to
respond quickly to any emergency that could threaten the agency's
mission or the nuclear activities that it regulates, and (2) impacts to
the electric grid may have an impact on plant safety.
Summary of Issues
The NRC is interested in maintaining situational awareness of
licensees' ability to cope with the challenges associated with a
pandemic. This information will serve two functions:
1. The NRC must be prepared to respond quickly if a safety or
security event develops.
2. The NRC is obligated to keep its stakeholders informed.
Information of Interest
The NRC is interested in maintaining situational awareness of the
status of its regulated activities during a pandemic and requests that
licensees voluntarily inform the staff of any potential impacts on
those activities. Accordingly, answers to the following two questions
should be considered during routine business contacts with NRC staff
(e.g., during routine communications with the NRC licensing project
manager or resident inspector or during inspections conducted by the
NRC), or as licensees desire to report information:
1. Does the licensee anticipate operational challenges at the
facility or in the conduct of activities in the next 48 hours in the
following areas as a result of the pandemic?
a. Safety.
b. Security.
c. Safeguards.
d. Emergency preparedness.
2. Does the licensee anticipate the need to request regulatory
action as a result of the pandemic in the next 48 hours?
Responses to these questions will be voluntary. If either question
results in a ``yes'' answer, the NRC expects the licensee to provide
additional information specific to the needs of the licensee, as soon
as possible. In such cases, the appropriate NRC staff will follow-up
with the licensee. It should be noted that this RIS does not eliminate
the need for licensees to meet the reporting requirements contained in
applicable regulations. Further, there are no information collection
expectations other than information that is typically exchanged through
routine business activities or is already required by NRC regulations.
The information provided will enable the NRC to
[[Page 65167]]
effectively respond to licensees with potential challenges.
For materials licensees that have less frequent contact with NRC,
the NRC regional offices are establishing an e-mail address that can be
used to voluntarily submit the information discussed above. Materials
licensees will receive a separate communication, by e-mail or phone,
identifying the appropriate e-mail address for submitting information
concerning potential pandemic impacts.
NRC recognizes that during a pandemic, licensees' resources may be
strained. Therefore, NRC understands that licensees will provide
information to the best of their ability, given the circumstances.
Backfit Discussion
This RIS requests that addressees voluntarily provide information
as appropriate to assist the NRC staff in managing the impacts of a
pandemic on regulated activities. This effort by the NRC is a part of
the continuing federal effort in pandemic planning, and it supports
situational awareness of potential issues at NRC-licensed facilities.
The staff is not imposing any new positions nor is it imposing any
new regulatory requirements on licensees. Any information provided by a
licensee is strictly voluntary. No action is required on the part of
any licensee; therefore, this document does not constitute a backfit
under applicable backfit regulations. Consequently, the staff did not
perform a backfit analysis.
Federal Register Notification
To be done after the public comment period.
Paperwork Reduction Act Statement
This RIS does not contain new or amended information collection
requirements subject to the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44 U.S.C.
3501 et seq.). Existing information collection requirements were
approved by the Office of Management and Budget, control numbers 3150-
0011 and 3150-0012.
Public Protection Notification
The NRC may not conduct or sponsor, and a person is not required to
respond to, a request for information or an information collection
requirement unless the requesting document displays a current valid
Office of Management and Budget control number.
Contacts
Technical Contacts--Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation (NRR)
Joseph Golla, NRR, (301) 415-1002, E-mail: joseph.golla@nrc.gov.
Thomas Alexion, NRR, (301) 415-1326, E-mail: thomas.alexion@nrc.gov.
Technical Contacts--Office of Nuclear Material Safety and Safeguards
(NMSS)
Steven Ward, NMSS, (301) 492-3426, E-mail: steven.ward@nrc.gov.
Kevin Witt, NMSS, (301) 492-3323, E-mail: kevin.witt@nrc.gov.
Technical Material Contacts--Office of Federal and State Materials and
Environmental Management Programs (FSME) and the Regions
Duncan White, FSME, (301) 415-2598, E-mail: duncan.white@nrc.gov.
John Kinneman, Region I, (610) 337-5274, E-mail: john.kinneman@nrc.gov.
Steven Reynolds, Region III, (630) 829-9800, E-mail:
steven.reynolds@nrc.gov.
Art Howell, Region IV, (817) 860-8106, E-mail: art.howell@nrc.gov.
End of Draft Regulatory Issue Summary
Documents may be examined, and/or copied for a fee, at the NRC's
Public Document Room at One White Flint North, 11555 Rockville Pike
(first floor), Rockville, Maryland. Publicly available records will be
accessible electronically from the Agencywide Documents Access and
Management System (ADAMS) Public Electronic Reading Room on the
Internet at the NRC Web site, https://www.nrc.gov/NRC/ADAMS/.
If you do not have access to ADAMS or if you have problems in accessing
the documents in ADAMS, contact the NRC Public Document Room (PDR)
reference staff at 1-800-397-4209 or 301-415-4737 or by e-mail to
pdr@nrc.gov.
Dated at Rockville, Maryland, this 30th day of November 2009.
For the Nuclear Regulatory Commission.
Martin C. Murphy,
Chief, Generic Communications Branch, Division of Policy and
Rulemaking, Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation.
[FR Doc. E9-29326 Filed 12-8-09; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 7590-01-P