Florida Power and Light Company, St. Lucie, Unit Nos. 1 and 2; Exemption, 24062-24064 [2011-10404]
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graduate fellowships for scientific study
or scientific work in the mathematical,
physical, biological, engineering, social,
and other sciences at accredited U.S.
institutions selected by the recipient of
such aid, for stated periods of time.’’
The Graduate Research Fellowship
Program is designed to meet the
following objectives:
• To select, recognize, and financially
support individuals with the
demonstrated potential to be high
achieving scientists and engineers.
• To broaden participation in science
and engineering.
The list of GRFP Fellows sponsored
by the Foundation may be found via
FastLane through the NSF Web site:
https://www.fastlane.nsf.gov. The GRF
Program is described in the Solicitation
available at: https://www.nsf.gov/
publications/pub_summ.jsp?WT.z_
pims_id=6201&ods_key=nsf10604.
Estimate of Burden: This is an annual
application program providing three
years of support to individuals, usable
over a five-year fellowship period. The
application deadline is the third week
in November. It is estimated that each
submission is averaged to be 12 hours
per respondent.
Respondents: Individuals.
Estimated Number of Responses:
12,000.
Estimated Total Annual Burden on
Respondents: 144,000 hours.
Frequency of Responses: Annually.
Comments: Comments are invited on
(a) whether the proposed collection of
information is necessary for the proper
performance of the functions of the
Agency, including whether the
information shall have practical utility;
(b) the accuracy of the Agency’s
estimate of the burden of the proposed
collection of information; (c) ways to
enhance the quality, utility, and clarity
of the information on respondents,
including through the use of automated
collection techniques or other forms of
information technology; (d) ways to
minimize the burden of the collection of
information on those who are to
respond, including through the use of
appropriate automated, electronic,
mechanical, or other technological
collection techniques or other forms of
information technology.
Dated: April 25, 2011.
Suzanne H. Plimpton,
Reports Clearance Officer, National Science
Foundation.
[FR Doc. 2011–10300 Filed 4–28–11; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 7555–01–P
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NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION
Business and Operations Advisory
Committee; Notice of Meeting
In accordance with Federal Advisory
Committee Act (Pub. L. 92–463, as
amended), the National Science
Foundation announces the following
meeting:
Name: Business and Operations Advisory
Committee (9556).
Date/Time: May 17, 2011; 1 p.m. to 6 p.m.
(EST).
May 18, 2011; 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. (EST).
Place: National Science Foundation, 4201
Wilson Boulevard,. Stafford I, Room 375,
Arlington, VA.
Type of Meeting: Open.
Contact Person: Patty Balanga, National
Science Foundation, 4201 Wilson Boulevard,
Arlington, VA 22230 (703) 292–8100.
Purpose of Meeting: To provide advice
concerning issues related to the oversight,
integrity, development and enhancement of
NSF’s business operations.
Agenda:
May 17, 2011
Welcome/Introductions; BFA/OIRM/
CHCO/CIO Overview Presentations;
Innovative Technologies; International
Facilities Subcommittee; Sensitive and
Personally Identifiable Information; State of
the B&O Committee.
May 18, 2011
NSF Recompetition Policy; Committee
Discussion: Prepare for Meeting with NSF
Deputy Director; Discussion with Deputy
Director; Closing Committee Discussion/
Wrap-Up.
Dated: April 26, 2011.
Susanne Bolton,
Committee Management Officer.
Summary of Minutes: May be obtained
from contact person listed above.
Purpose of Meeting: To provide advice and
recommendations to the National Science
Foundation on major goals and policies
pertaining to Social, Behavioral and
Economic Sciences Directorate programs and
activities.
Agenda:
Thursday, May 19, 2011
Updates and discussions on continuing
activities
• Budget priorities for FY 2012
• SBE/SES COV Report
• Science of Learning Centers (SLC)
Program
• AC Report on SBE Futures
• NCSES (formerly SRS) Update
SBE 2020 Activity
New SBE Data & Infrastructure Activities
Friday, May 20, 2011
Discussion with NSF Director and Deputy
Director
Overview and discussion
• Science, Engineering & Education for
Sustainability (SEES)
• Cyberinfrastructure Framework for the
21st Century (CIF21)
Opportunities for International Partnerships
with ESRC
Dated: April 26, 2011.
Susanne Bolton,
Committee Management Officer.
[FR Doc. 2011–10365 Filed 4–28–11; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 7555–01–P
NUCLEAR REGULATORY
COMMISSION
[NRC–2010–0363; Docket Nos. 50–335 and
50–389]
[FR Doc. 2011–10364 Filed 4–28–11; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 7555–01–P
Florida Power and Light Company, St.
Lucie, Unit Nos. 1 and 2; Exemption
NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION
1.0
Advisory Committee for Social,
Behavioral and Economic Sciences;
Notice of Meeting
In accordance with Federal Advisory
Committee Act (Pub. L. 92–463, as
amended), the National Science
Foundation announces the following
meeting:
Name: Advisory Committee for Social,
Behavioral and Economic Sciences (#1171)
Date/Time: May 19, 2011; 9 a.m. to 5:30
p.m. May 20, 2011; 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Place: National Science Foundation, 4201
Wilson Boulevard, Stafford II, Room 555,
Arlington, VA 22230.
Type of Meeting: Open.
Contact Person: Ms. Lisa Jones, Office of
the Assistant Director, Directorate for Social,
Behavioral and Economic Sciences, National
Science Foundation, 4201 Wilson Boulevard,
Room 905, Arlington, Virginia 22230, 703–
292–8700
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Background
Florida Power & Light Company, et al.
(FPL, the licensee), is the holder of
Facility Operating License Nos. DPR–67
and NPF–16, which authorize operation
of St. Lucie, Unit 1 and 2 (St. Lucie 1
and 2). The license provides, among
other things, that the facility is subject
to all rules, regulations, and orders of
the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory
Commission (NRC) now or hereafter in
effect. The facility consists of two
pressurized-water reactors located on
Hutchinson Island in St. Lucie County,
Florida.
2.0
Request/Action
Title 10 of the Code of Federal
Regulations (10 CFR), Part 26, Subpart
I, Managing Fatigue, requires that an
individual’s work hours be scheduled
consistent with the objective of
preventing impairment from fatigue as
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found in 10 CFR 26.205(c). Section
26.205(d) of 10 CFR provides the actual
work hour controls—which include a
maximum of 16 work hours in any 24hour period, 26 work hours in any 48hour period, and 72 work hours in any
7-day period. This section also provides
the minimum break times between work
periods and limits for the minimum
number of days off an individual must
be given. The licensee has requested an
exemption from 10 CFR 26.205(c) and
(d) for meeting work hour controls
during preparation for severe weather
conditions involving tropical storm or
hurricane force winds.
The requested exemption applies to
individuals who perform duties
identified in 10 CFR 26.4(a)(1) through
(a)(5) who are sequestered onsite during
a severe wind event, as travel to and
from the site during severe wind
conditions may be hazardous or not
possible. According to the National
Weather Service, a sustained wind
speed of 40 miles per hour (mph) makes
travel unsafe for the common traveler.
The exemption request states that
because of the unpredictable nature and
potential speed of a storm, a need to
activate the storm crew could occur on
short notice and without the ability to
meet work hour controls. The
exemption request also states that
although the plant may not meet the
criteria for declaring an emergency
based on the NRC-approved emergency
action levels, emergency preparedness
would require the implementation of
the site emergency plan.
The exemption does not apply to
discretionary maintenance activities.
Suspension of work hour controls is for
storm preparation activities, and those
activities deemed critical for plant and
public safety.
Section 26.207(d) of 10 CFR states
that licensees need not meet the
requirements of 26.205(c) and (d) during
declared emergencies, as defined in the
licensee’s emergency plan. A confirmed
hurricane warning, defined by the
National Hurricane Center (NHC) as
when sustained winds of 74 mph are
expected somewhere within the
specified coastal area, is an entry
condition for a declared emergency
under the St. Lucie emergency plan.
Therefore, this exemption is not needed,
and does not apply, during the period
of a St. Lucie declared emergency for
severe winds. Although work hours,
breaks, and days off are calculated as
usual during a licensee-declared plant
emergency, licensees are unconstrained
in the number of hours that they may
allow individuals to work performing
covered duties or the timing and
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duration of breaks they must require
them to take.
The entry condition for this
exemption occurs when there is a
confirmed tropical storm watch or
warning or when there is a confirmed
hurricane watch or warning and the St.
Lucie Hurricane Response Coordinator
(a senior management official at St.
Lucie) indicates that site preparations
should be commenced per the severe
weather preparation procedure. As
defined by the National Hurricane
Center (NHC), a tropical storm watch is
declared when sustained winds of at
least 39 mph are expected somewhere
within the specified coastal area.
Therefore, entry conditions for the
exemption may precede the declaration
of an emergency due to a confirmed
hurricane warning.
The exit condition for the exemption
is when the Hurricane Response
Coordinator determines that conditions
and available personnel are sufficient to
safely meet the requirements of 10 CFR
26.205(c) and (d). Therefore, exit
conditions for this exemption request
can possibly come well after the exit of
a declared emergency. After high wind
conditions pass, damage to the plant
and surrounding area might preclude
sufficient numbers of individuals from
immediately returning to the site.
Additionally, mandatory civil
evacuations could also delay the return
of sufficient relief personnel. When the
Hurricane Response Coordinator
determines that conditions permit
sufficient personnel to be available
following a severe wind event, full
compliance with 10 CFR 26.205(c) and
(d) is again required.
Regulatory Guide 5.73, Fatigue
Management for Nuclear Power Plant
Personnel, endorses the Nuclear Energy
Institute (NEI) report NEI 06–11,
revision 1, ‘‘Managing Personnel Fatigue
at Nuclear Power Plants,’’ with certain
clarifications, additions and exceptions.
The NRC staff has endorsed this
guidance for use during declared
emergencies. After exiting the
emergency, the licensee is immediately
subject to the scheduling requirements
of 10 CFR 26.205(c) and the work hour/
rest break/minimum day off
requirements of 10 CFR 26.205(d). As
required by 26.205(b)(3), all time
worked during the emergency must be
tracked to ensure that individuals are
not fatigued when work hour controls
are reinstated. The staff has previously
determined that NEI 06–11, Revision 1,
Section 7.5 ‘‘Reset from Deviations’’ is
an acceptable method for resuming
work hour controls after a Plant
Emergency exception.
PO 00000
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STP Nuclear Operating Company, the
licensee for South Texas Project Units 1
and 2 has been granted a similar
exemption from severe wind conditions,
which can be found in the Federal
Register dated July 12, 2010 (75 FR
39707). The NRC staff granted a similar
exemption to FPL for Turkey Point,
Units 3 and 4. The exemption can be
found in the Federal Register dated
January 6, 2011 (76 FR 802).
The effects of Hurricane Andrew on
the Turkey Point site were used to
identify lessons learned to consider
when evaluating this request. The
following sources were reviewed:
• NUREG–1474, ‘‘Effect of Hurricane
Andrew on the Turkey Point Nuclear
Generating Station from August 20–30,
1992.’’
• NRC Information Notice 93–53,
‘‘Effect of Hurricane Andrew on Turkey
Point Nuclear Generating Station and
Lessons Learned.’’
• NRC Information Notice 93–53,
Supplement 1, ‘‘Effect of Hurricane
Andrew on Turkey Point Nuclear
Generating Station and Lessons
Learned.’’
• NUREG–0933, ‘‘Resolution of
Generic Safety Issues,’’ Issue 178: Effect
of Hurricane Andrew on Turkey Point
(Rev 2).
Hurricane Andrew was a Category 5
hurricane that struck the Turkey Point
site on August 24, 1992. On September
10, 1992, the NRC and the Institute of
Nuclear Power Operations jointly
sponsored a team to review the damage
of Hurricane Andrew on the nuclear
units and the utility’s actions to prepare
for the storm and recover from it and
compile lessons learned that might
benefit other nuclear utilities. Lessons
learned from Hurricane Andrew,
NUREG–1474, include having all units
shutdown and on residual heat removal
when a storm strikes so that a loss of
offsite power will not jeopardize core
cooling. The licensee exemption request
for St. Lucie and the licensee’s site
procedures related to severe winds were
compared to the actions and lessons
learned documented in NUREG–1474,
including an indication that detailed
methodical preparations should be
made prior to the onset of hurricane
force winds, and are consistent with the
lessons learned.
The licensee’s site procedures provide
that if a hurricane warning is in effect
and the storm is projected to reach the
site as a Category 1 or 2 hurricane, then
shutdown of the units to hot standby
(mode 3) is commenced at least two (2)
hours before the projected onset of
sustained hurricane force winds at the
site. Both units will remain offline for
the duration of the hurricane force
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winds (or restoration of reliable offsite
power). If the storm is projected to reach
the site as a category 3, 4, or 5 hurricane
prior to landfall, specific shutdown
conditions are established at least two
(2) hours before the projected onset of
sustained hurricane force winds at the
site. Because severe weather
preparations will likely commence prior
to the shutdown of the units, this
exemption will allow sufficient
personnel onsite to ensure that the
facility is properly secured for severe
weather. The NRC staff has reviewed the
FPL exemption request for the St. Lucie
site and agrees that preparing the site for
the onset of severe wind conditions
such as hurricanes, including
sequestering enough essential personnel
to provide for shift relief, is prudent to
ensure plant and personnel safety.
The licensee plans to sequester
sufficient individuals to staff two 12hour shifts of workers consisting of
personnel from operations,
maintenance, health physics, chemistry,
engineering, and security to maintain
the safe and secure operation of the
facility. The St. Lucie hurricane plan
provides for bunking facilities that
provide an accommodation for
restorative rest for the off crew. A 12hour break provides each individual
with an opportunity for restorative rest.
Although the accommodations and
potentially stressful circumstances may
not be ideal for restorative rest, the NRC
finds that these actions are consistent
with the practice of fatigue management
when limited personnel are available
during severe weather conditions.
In summary, by letter dated October
16, 2009 (Agencywide Documents
Access and Management System
(ADAMS) Accession No.
ML092990394), and pursuant to Title 10
of the Code of Federal Regulations
(CFR) 26.9, FPL requested an exemption
from the requirements of 10 CFR
26.205(c), ‘‘Work hours scheduling,’’ and
(d), ‘‘Work hour controls,’’ during
declarations of severe weather
conditions such as tropical storm and
hurricane force winds at the St. Lucie
site. Supplemental responses and
responses to requests for additional
information are dated March 11, 2010
(ADAMS Accession No. ML100750658),
September 16, 2010 (ADAMS Accession
No. ML102640111), December 10, 2010
(ADAMS Accession No. ML103560079),
and December 22, 2010 (ADAMS
Accession No. ML103630360).
3.0 Discussion
Pursuant to 10 CFR 26.9, the
Commission may, upon application of
any interested person or on its own
initiative, grant such exemptions from
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the requirements of 10 CFR Part 26 as
it determines are authorized by law and
will not endanger life or property or the
common defense and security, and are
otherwise in the public interest.
Authorized by Law
As stated above, this exemption
would allow the licensee to sequester
the storm crew on site when conditions
are met and suspend work hour controls
for the stated reasons. As stated above,
10 CFR 26.9 allows the NRC to grant
exemptions from the requirements of 10
CFR 26.205(c) and (d). The NRC staff
has determined that granting of the
licensee’s proposed exemption will not
result in a violation of the Atomic
Energy Act of 1954, as amended, or the
Commission’s regulations. Therefore,
the exemption is authorized by law.
Will Not Endanger Life or Property
The underlying purposes of 10 CFR
26.205(c) and (d) are to prevent
impairment from fatigue due to
duration, frequency, or sequencing of
successive shifts. Based on the above
evaluation, no new accident precursors
are created by the licensee maintaining
the additional staff on site necessary to
respond to a plant emergency during a
severe storm to ensure that the plant
maintains a safe and secure status;
therefore, the probability of postulated
accidents is not increased. Even though
the licensee will utilize whatever staff
resources may be necessary during
severe weather preparation and storm
crew activation, opportunities for
restorative sleep will be maintained.
Also, the consequences of postulated
accidents are not increased because
there is no change in the types of
accidents previously evaluated.
Therefore, the exemption will not
endanger life or property.
Will Not Endanger the Common Defense
and Security
The proposed exemption would allow
the licensee to utilize whatever staff
resources may be necessary to respond
to a plant emergency and ensure that the
plant maintains a safe and secure status.
The licensee will provide sufficient
numbers of management and
supervision over the storm crew or the
resources utilized during the plant
emergency to provide additional
oversight for monitoring the effects of
fatigue to ensure that the safety and
security of the facility are maintained.
Also, during the plant emergency,
opportunities for restorative sleep will
be maintained. Therefore, the common
defense and security is not impacted by
this exemption.
PO 00000
Frm 00096
Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
Otherwise in the Public Interest
The proposed exemption would
increase the availability of the licensee
staff. The exemption would allow
licensee staff to remain at or return to
the site and perform additional duties to
ensure the plant is in a safe
configuration during the emergency.
Therefore, granting this exemption is
otherwise in the public interest.
4.0 Conclusion
Accordingly, the Commission has
determined that, pursuant to 10 CFR
26.9, the exemption is authorized by
law and will not endanger life or
property or the common defense and
security, and is otherwise in the public
interest. Therefore, the Commission
hereby grants Florida Power & Light
Company an exemption from the
requirements of 10 CFR 26.205(c) and
(d) under the conditions specified above
for St. Lucie 1 and 2.
Pursuant to 10 CFR 51.32, the
Commission has determined that the
granting of this exemption will not have
a significant effect on the quality of the
human environment (75 FR 73134).
This exemption is effective upon
issuance.
Dated at Rockville, Maryland, this 22nd
day of April 2011.
For the Nuclear Regulatory Commission.
Robert A. Nelson,
Acting Director, Division of Operating Reactor
Licensing, Office of Nuclear Reactor
Regulation.
[FR Doc. 2011–10404 Filed 4–28–11; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 7590–01–P
NUCLEAR REGULATORY
COMMISSION
[Docket Nos. 50–528, 50–529, 50–530; NRC–
2009–0012
Arizona Public Service Company, Palo
Verde Nuclear Generating Station,
Units 1, 2, and 3, Notice of Issuance of
Renewed Facility Operating License
Nos. NPF–41, NPF–51, and NPF–74 for
an Additional 20-Year Period; Record
of Decision
Notice is hereby given that the U.S.
Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC,
the Commission) has issued Renewed
Facility Operating License Nos. NPF–41,
NPF–51, and NPF–74 to Arizona Public
Service Company (licensee), the
operator of the Palo Verde Nuclear
Generating Station, Units 1, 2, and 3
(PVNGS). Renewed Facility Operating
License Nos. NPF–41, NPF–51, and
NPF–74 authorize the licensee to
operate PVNGS at reactor core power
levels not in excess of 3990 megawatts
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Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 76, Number 83 (Friday, April 29, 2011)]
[Notices]
[Pages 24062-24064]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2011-10404]
=======================================================================
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION
[NRC-2010-0363; Docket Nos. 50-335 and 50-389]
Florida Power and Light Company, St. Lucie, Unit Nos. 1 and 2;
Exemption
1.0 Background
Florida Power & Light Company, et al. (FPL, the licensee), is the
holder of Facility Operating License Nos. DPR-67 and NPF-16, which
authorize operation of St. Lucie, Unit 1 and 2 (St. Lucie 1 and 2). The
license provides, among other things, that the facility is subject to
all rules, regulations, and orders of the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory
Commission (NRC) now or hereafter in effect. The facility consists of
two pressurized-water reactors located on Hutchinson Island in St.
Lucie County, Florida.
2.0 Request/Action
Title 10 of the Code of Federal Regulations (10 CFR), Part 26,
Subpart I, Managing Fatigue, requires that an individual's work hours
be scheduled consistent with the objective of preventing impairment
from fatigue as
[[Page 24063]]
found in 10 CFR 26.205(c). Section 26.205(d) of 10 CFR provides the
actual work hour controls--which include a maximum of 16 work hours in
any 24-hour period, 26 work hours in any 48-hour period, and 72 work
hours in any 7-day period. This section also provides the minimum break
times between work periods and limits for the minimum number of days
off an individual must be given. The licensee has requested an
exemption from 10 CFR 26.205(c) and (d) for meeting work hour controls
during preparation for severe weather conditions involving tropical
storm or hurricane force winds.
The requested exemption applies to individuals who perform duties
identified in 10 CFR 26.4(a)(1) through (a)(5) who are sequestered
onsite during a severe wind event, as travel to and from the site
during severe wind conditions may be hazardous or not possible.
According to the National Weather Service, a sustained wind speed of 40
miles per hour (mph) makes travel unsafe for the common traveler. The
exemption request states that because of the unpredictable nature and
potential speed of a storm, a need to activate the storm crew could
occur on short notice and without the ability to meet work hour
controls. The exemption request also states that although the plant may
not meet the criteria for declaring an emergency based on the NRC-
approved emergency action levels, emergency preparedness would require
the implementation of the site emergency plan.
The exemption does not apply to discretionary maintenance
activities. Suspension of work hour controls is for storm preparation
activities, and those activities deemed critical for plant and public
safety.
Section 26.207(d) of 10 CFR states that licensees need not meet the
requirements of 26.205(c) and (d) during declared emergencies, as
defined in the licensee's emergency plan. A confirmed hurricane
warning, defined by the National Hurricane Center (NHC) as when
sustained winds of 74 mph are expected somewhere within the specified
coastal area, is an entry condition for a declared emergency under the
St. Lucie emergency plan. Therefore, this exemption is not needed, and
does not apply, during the period of a St. Lucie declared emergency for
severe winds. Although work hours, breaks, and days off are calculated
as usual during a licensee-declared plant emergency, licensees are
unconstrained in the number of hours that they may allow individuals to
work performing covered duties or the timing and duration of breaks
they must require them to take.
The entry condition for this exemption occurs when there is a
confirmed tropical storm watch or warning or when there is a confirmed
hurricane watch or warning and the St. Lucie Hurricane Response
Coordinator (a senior management official at St. Lucie) indicates that
site preparations should be commenced per the severe weather
preparation procedure. As defined by the National Hurricane Center
(NHC), a tropical storm watch is declared when sustained winds of at
least 39 mph are expected somewhere within the specified coastal area.
Therefore, entry conditions for the exemption may precede the
declaration of an emergency due to a confirmed hurricane warning.
The exit condition for the exemption is when the Hurricane Response
Coordinator determines that conditions and available personnel are
sufficient to safely meet the requirements of 10 CFR 26.205(c) and (d).
Therefore, exit conditions for this exemption request can possibly come
well after the exit of a declared emergency. After high wind conditions
pass, damage to the plant and surrounding area might preclude
sufficient numbers of individuals from immediately returning to the
site. Additionally, mandatory civil evacuations could also delay the
return of sufficient relief personnel. When the Hurricane Response
Coordinator determines that conditions permit sufficient personnel to
be available following a severe wind event, full compliance with 10 CFR
26.205(c) and (d) is again required.
Regulatory Guide 5.73, Fatigue Management for Nuclear Power Plant
Personnel, endorses the Nuclear Energy Institute (NEI) report NEI 06-
11, revision 1, ``Managing Personnel Fatigue at Nuclear Power Plants,''
with certain clarifications, additions and exceptions.
The NRC staff has endorsed this guidance for use during declared
emergencies. After exiting the emergency, the licensee is immediately
subject to the scheduling requirements of 10 CFR 26.205(c) and the work
hour/rest break/minimum day off requirements of 10 CFR 26.205(d). As
required by 26.205(b)(3), all time worked during the emergency must be
tracked to ensure that individuals are not fatigued when work hour
controls are reinstated. The staff has previously determined that NEI
06-11, Revision 1, Section 7.5 ``Reset from Deviations'' is an
acceptable method for resuming work hour controls after a Plant
Emergency exception.
STP Nuclear Operating Company, the licensee for South Texas Project
Units 1 and 2 has been granted a similar exemption from severe wind
conditions, which can be found in the Federal Register dated July 12,
2010 (75 FR 39707). The NRC staff granted a similar exemption to FPL
for Turkey Point, Units 3 and 4. The exemption can be found in the
Federal Register dated January 6, 2011 (76 FR 802).
The effects of Hurricane Andrew on the Turkey Point site were used
to identify lessons learned to consider when evaluating this request.
The following sources were reviewed:
NUREG-1474, ``Effect of Hurricane Andrew on the Turkey
Point Nuclear Generating Station from August 20-30, 1992.''
NRC Information Notice 93-53, ``Effect of Hurricane Andrew
on Turkey Point Nuclear Generating Station and Lessons Learned.''
NRC Information Notice 93-53, Supplement 1, ``Effect of
Hurricane Andrew on Turkey Point Nuclear Generating Station and Lessons
Learned.''
NUREG-0933, ``Resolution of Generic Safety Issues,'' Issue
178: Effect of Hurricane Andrew on Turkey Point (Rev 2).
Hurricane Andrew was a Category 5 hurricane that struck the Turkey
Point site on August 24, 1992. On September 10, 1992, the NRC and the
Institute of Nuclear Power Operations jointly sponsored a team to
review the damage of Hurricane Andrew on the nuclear units and the
utility's actions to prepare for the storm and recover from it and
compile lessons learned that might benefit other nuclear utilities.
Lessons learned from Hurricane Andrew, NUREG-1474, include having all
units shutdown and on residual heat removal when a storm strikes so
that a loss of offsite power will not jeopardize core cooling. The
licensee exemption request for St. Lucie and the licensee's site
procedures related to severe winds were compared to the actions and
lessons learned documented in NUREG-1474, including an indication that
detailed methodical preparations should be made prior to the onset of
hurricane force winds, and are consistent with the lessons learned.
The licensee's site procedures provide that if a hurricane warning
is in effect and the storm is projected to reach the site as a Category
1 or 2 hurricane, then shutdown of the units to hot standby (mode 3) is
commenced at least two (2) hours before the projected onset of
sustained hurricane force winds at the site. Both units will remain
offline for the duration of the hurricane force
[[Page 24064]]
winds (or restoration of reliable offsite power). If the storm is
projected to reach the site as a category 3, 4, or 5 hurricane prior to
landfall, specific shutdown conditions are established at least two (2)
hours before the projected onset of sustained hurricane force winds at
the site. Because severe weather preparations will likely commence
prior to the shutdown of the units, this exemption will allow
sufficient personnel onsite to ensure that the facility is properly
secured for severe weather. The NRC staff has reviewed the FPL
exemption request for the St. Lucie site and agrees that preparing the
site for the onset of severe wind conditions such as hurricanes,
including sequestering enough essential personnel to provide for shift
relief, is prudent to ensure plant and personnel safety.
The licensee plans to sequester sufficient individuals to staff two
12-hour shifts of workers consisting of personnel from operations,
maintenance, health physics, chemistry, engineering, and security to
maintain the safe and secure operation of the facility. The St. Lucie
hurricane plan provides for bunking facilities that provide an
accommodation for restorative rest for the off crew. A 12-hour break
provides each individual with an opportunity for restorative rest.
Although the accommodations and potentially stressful circumstances may
not be ideal for restorative rest, the NRC finds that these actions are
consistent with the practice of fatigue management when limited
personnel are available during severe weather conditions.
In summary, by letter dated October 16, 2009 (Agencywide Documents
Access and Management System (ADAMS) Accession No. ML092990394), and
pursuant to Title 10 of the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) 26.9, FPL
requested an exemption from the requirements of 10 CFR 26.205(c),
``Work hours scheduling,'' and (d), ``Work hour controls,'' during
declarations of severe weather conditions such as tropical storm and
hurricane force winds at the St. Lucie site. Supplemental responses and
responses to requests for additional information are dated March 11,
2010 (ADAMS Accession No. ML100750658), September 16, 2010 (ADAMS
Accession No. ML102640111), December 10, 2010 (ADAMS Accession No.
ML103560079), and December 22, 2010 (ADAMS Accession No. ML103630360).
3.0 Discussion
Pursuant to 10 CFR 26.9, the Commission may, upon application of
any interested person or on its own initiative, grant such exemptions
from the requirements of 10 CFR Part 26 as it determines are authorized
by law and will not endanger life or property or the common defense and
security, and are otherwise in the public interest.
Authorized by Law
As stated above, this exemption would allow the licensee to
sequester the storm crew on site when conditions are met and suspend
work hour controls for the stated reasons. As stated above, 10 CFR 26.9
allows the NRC to grant exemptions from the requirements of 10 CFR
26.205(c) and (d). The NRC staff has determined that granting of the
licensee's proposed exemption will not result in a violation of the
Atomic Energy Act of 1954, as amended, or the Commission's regulations.
Therefore, the exemption is authorized by law.
Will Not Endanger Life or Property
The underlying purposes of 10 CFR 26.205(c) and (d) are to prevent
impairment from fatigue due to duration, frequency, or sequencing of
successive shifts. Based on the above evaluation, no new accident
precursors are created by the licensee maintaining the additional staff
on site necessary to respond to a plant emergency during a severe storm
to ensure that the plant maintains a safe and secure status; therefore,
the probability of postulated accidents is not increased. Even though
the licensee will utilize whatever staff resources may be necessary
during severe weather preparation and storm crew activation,
opportunities for restorative sleep will be maintained. Also, the
consequences of postulated accidents are not increased because there is
no change in the types of accidents previously evaluated. Therefore,
the exemption will not endanger life or property.
Will Not Endanger the Common Defense and Security
The proposed exemption would allow the licensee to utilize whatever
staff resources may be necessary to respond to a plant emergency and
ensure that the plant maintains a safe and secure status. The licensee
will provide sufficient numbers of management and supervision over the
storm crew or the resources utilized during the plant emergency to
provide additional oversight for monitoring the effects of fatigue to
ensure that the safety and security of the facility are maintained.
Also, during the plant emergency, opportunities for restorative sleep
will be maintained. Therefore, the common defense and security is not
impacted by this exemption.
Otherwise in the Public Interest
The proposed exemption would increase the availability of the
licensee staff. The exemption would allow licensee staff to remain at
or return to the site and perform additional duties to ensure the plant
is in a safe configuration during the emergency. Therefore, granting
this exemption is otherwise in the public interest.
4.0 Conclusion
Accordingly, the Commission has determined that, pursuant to 10 CFR
26.9, the exemption is authorized by law and will not endanger life or
property or the common defense and security, and is otherwise in the
public interest. Therefore, the Commission hereby grants Florida Power
& Light Company an exemption from the requirements of 10 CFR 26.205(c)
and (d) under the conditions specified above for St. Lucie 1 and 2.
Pursuant to 10 CFR 51.32, the Commission has determined that the
granting of this exemption will not have a significant effect on the
quality of the human environment (75 FR 73134).
This exemption is effective upon issuance.
Dated at Rockville, Maryland, this 22nd day of April 2011.
For the Nuclear Regulatory Commission.
Robert A. Nelson,
Acting Director, Division of Operating Reactor Licensing, Office of
Nuclear Reactor Regulation.
[FR Doc. 2011-10404 Filed 4-28-11; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 7590-01-P