Guidance on Performing a Seismic Margin Assessment, 55510-55512 [2012-22174]

Download as PDF mstockstill on DSK4VPTVN1PROD with NOTICES 55510 Federal Register / Vol. 77, No. 175 / Monday, September 10, 2012 / Notices No Undue Risk to Public Health and Safety The underlying purpose of 10 CFR 50.46 is to establish acceptance criteria for adequate ECCS performance. As previously documented in the NRC staff’s review of topical reports submitted by Westinghouse Electric Company, LLC (Westinghouse), and subject to compliance with the specific conditions of approval established therein, the NRC staff finds that the applicability of these ECCS acceptance criteria to Optimized ZIRLOTM has been demonstrated by Westinghouse. Ring compression tests performed by Westinghouse on Optimized ZIRLOTM pproved topical report WCAP–12610– P–A & CENPD–404–P–A, Addendum 1– A, ‘‘Optimized ZIRLOTM,’’ July 2006, ADAMS Accession No. ML062080576; the public version is WCAP–14342–A & CENPD–404–NP–A at ADAMS Accession No. ML062080569) demonstrate an acceptable retention of post-quench ductility up to 10 CFR 50.46 limits of 2,200 °F and 17 percent equivalent clad reacted (ECR). Furthermore, the NRC staff has concluded that oxidation measurements previously provided by Westinghouse (‘‘SER Compliance with WCAP–12610– P–A & CENPD–404–P–A Addendum 1– A ‘Optimized ZIRLOTM,’’’ November 2007, non-public version at ADAMS Accession No. ML073130562, public version at ADAMS Accession No. ML073130560) illustrate that oxide thickness (and associated hydrogen pickup) for Optimized ZIRLOTM at any given burnup would be less than both zircaloy-4 and ZIRLOTM. Hence, the NRC staff concludes that Optimized ZIRLOTM would be expected to maintain better post-quench ductility than ZIRLOTM. This finding is further supported by an ongoing loss-of-coolant accident (LOCA) research program at Argonne National Laboratory, which has identified a strong correlation between cladding hydrogen content (due to inservice corrosion) and post-quench ductility. In addition, the provisions of 10 CFR 50.46 require the licensee to periodically evaluate the performance of the emergency core cooling system (ECCS), using currently approved LOCA models and methods, to ensure that the fuel rods will continue to satisfy 10 CFR 50.46 acceptance criteria. Granting the exemption to allow the licensee to use Optimized ZIRLOTM fuel rods in addition to the current mix of fuel rods does not diminish this requirement of periodic evaluation of ECCS performance. Thus, the underlying purpose of the rule will continue to be VerDate Mar<15>2010 16:57 Sep 07, 2012 Jkt 226001 achieved for Donald C. Cook Nuclear Plant, Unit 2. Paragraph I.A.5 of Appendix K to 10 CFR part 50 states that the rates of energy release, hydrogen concentration, and cladding oxidation from the metalwater reaction shall be calculated using the Baker-Just equation. Since the Baker-Just equation presumes the use of zircaloy clad fuel, strict application of this provision of the rule would not permit use of the equation for Optimized ZIRLOTM cladding for determining acceptable fuel performance. However, the NRC staff previously found that metal-water reaction tests performed by Westinghouse on Optimized ZIRLOTM (see Appendix B of WCAP–12610–P–A & CENPD–404–P–A, Addendum 1–A) demonstrate conservative reaction rates relative to the Baker-Just equation. Thus, the NRC staff agrees that application of Appendix K, paragraph I.A.5 is not necessary to achieve the underlying purpose of the rule in these circumstances. Since these evaluations demonstrate that the underlying purpose of the rule will be met, there will be no undue risk to the public health and safety. Consistent With Common Defense and Security The proposed exemption would allow the use of Optimized ZIRLOTM fuel rod cladding material at CNP–2. This change to the plant configuration has no relation to security issues. Therefore, the common defense and security is not impacted by this exemption. Special Circumstances Special circumstances, in accordance with 10 CFR 50.12(a)(2)(ii), are present whenever application of the regulation in the particular circumstances is not necessary to achieve the underlying purpose of the rule. The underlying purpose of 10 CFR 50.46 and Appendix K to 10 CFR part 50 is to establish acceptance criteria for ECCS performance. The wording of the regulations in 10 CFR 50.46 and Appendix K is not directly applicable to Optimized ZIRLOTM, even though the evaluations above show that the intent of the regulation is met. Therefore, since the underlying purposes of 10 CFR 50.46 and Appendix K are achieved through the use of Optimized ZIRLOTM fuel rod cladding material, the special circumstances required by 10 CFR 50.12(a)(2)(ii) for the granting of an exemption exist. 4.0 Conclusion Accordingly, the Commission has determined that, pursuant to 10 CFR PO 00000 Frm 00060 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 50.12, the exemption is authorized by law, will not present an undue risk to the public health and safety, and is consistent with the common defense and security. Also, special circumstances are present. Therefore, the Commission hereby grants the licensee an exemption from the requirements of 10 CFR 50.46 and Appendix K to 10 CFR Part 50, to allow the use of Optimized ZIRLOTM fuel rod cladding material at CNP–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 and has published an environmental assessment for this exemption on August 23, 2012 (77 FR 51071). This exemption is effective upon issuance. Dated at Rockville, Maryland, this 23rd day of August, 2012. For the Nuclear Regulatory Commission. Michele Evans, Director, Division of Operating Reactor Licensing, Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation. [FR Doc. 2012–22173 Filed 9–7–12; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 7590–01–P NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION [NRC–2012–0209] Guidance on Performing a Seismic Margin Assessment Nuclear Regulatory Commission. ACTION: Draft Japan Lessons-Learned Project Directorate guidance; request for comment. AGENCY: The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) is issuing for public comment the draft Japan LessonsLearned Project Directorate Interim Staff Guidance (JLD–ISG), JLD–ISG–2012–04, ‘‘Guidance on Performing a Seismic Margin Assessment in response to the March 2012 Request for Information Letter.’’ This draft JLD–ISG provides guidance on an acceptable method for licensees to carry out a Seismic Margins Analysis (SMA) method referred to in the seismic portion of a letter requiring recipients (licensees) to submit information under oath and affirmation to the NRC. DATES: Comments must be filed no later than October 10, 2012. Comments received after this date will be considered, if it is practical to do so, but the NRC staff is able to ensure SUMMARY: E:\FR\FM\10SEN1.SGM 10SEN1 Federal Register / Vol. 77, No. 175 / Monday, September 10, 2012 / Notices consideration only for comments received on or before this date. ADDRESSES: You may access information and comment submissions related to this document, which the NRC possesses and are publically available, by searching on https:// www.regulations.gov under Docket ID NRC–2012–0209. You may submit comments by any of the following methods: • Federal Rulemaking Web Site: Go to https://www.regulations.gov and search for Docket ID NRC–2012–0209. Address questions about NRC dockets to Carol Gallagher, telephone: 301–492–3668; email: Carol.Gallagher@nrc.gov. • Mail comments to: Cindy Bladey, Chief, Rules, Announcements, and Directives Branch (RADB), Office of Administration, Mail Stop: TWB–05– B01M, U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission, Washington, DC 20555– 0001. • Fax comments to: RADB at 301– 492–3446. For additional direction on accessing information and submitting comments, see ‘‘Accessing Information and Submitting Comments’’ in the SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION section of this document. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. Christopher Gratton, Japan LessonsLearned Project Directorate, Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation, U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission, Washington, DC 20555–0001; telephone: 301–415–1055; email: Christopher.Gratton@nrc.gov. 1–800–397–4209, 301–415–4737, or by email to pdr.resource@nrc.gov. The draft JLD–ISG–2012–04 is available under ADAMS Accession No. ML12222A327. The 10 CFR 50.54(f) request letter was issued in March 2012, and can be located under ADAMS Accession No. ML12053A340. • NRC’s PDR: You may examine and purchase copies of public documents at the NRC’s PDR, Room 01–F21, One White Flint North, 11555 Rockville Pike, Rockville, Maryland 20852. A. Accessing Information B. Submitting Comments Please include Docket ID NRC–2012– 0209 in the subject line of your comment submission, in order to ensure that the NRC is able to make your comment submission available to the public in this docket. The NRC cautions you not to include identifying or contact information that you do not want to be publically disclosed in your comment submission. The NRC will post all comment submissions at https:// www.regulations.gov as well as enter the comment submissions into ADAMS. The NRC does not routinely edit comment submissions to remove identifying or contact information. If you are requesting or aggregating comments from other persons for submission to the NRC, then you should inform those persons not to include identifying or contact information that they do not want to be publically disclosed in their comment submission. Your request should state that the NRC does not routinely edit comment submissions to remove such information before making the comment submissions available to the public or entering the comment submissions into ADAMS. Please refer to Docket ID NRC–2012– 0209 when contacting the NRC about the availability of information regarding this document. You may access information related to this document, which the NRC possesses and are publically available by any of the following methods: • Federal Rulemaking Web Site: Go to https://www.regulations.gov and search for Docket ID NRC–2012–0209. • NRC’s Agencywide Document Access and Management System (ADAMS): You may access publically available documents online in the NRC Library at https://www.nrc.gov/readingrm/adams.html. To begin the search, select ‘‘ADAMS Public Documents’’ and then select ‘‘Begin Web-based ADAMS Search.’’ For problems with ADAMS please contact the NRC’s Public Document Room (PDR) reference staff at II. Background Information Following the events at the Fukushima Dai-ichi nuclear power plant on March 11, 2011, the NRC established a senior-level agency task force referred to as the Near-Term Task Force (NTTF). The NTTF was tasked with conducting a systematic and methodical review of the NRC regulations and processes and determining if the agency should make additional improvements to those programs in light of the events at Fukushima Dai-ichi. As a result of this review, the NTTF developed a comprehensive set of recommendations, documented in SECY–11–0093, ‘‘NearTerm Report and Recommendations for Agency Actions Following the Events in Japan,’’ dated July 12, 2011 (ADAMS Accession No. ML111861807). These recommendations were enhanced by the NRC staff following interactions with SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: mstockstill on DSK4VPTVN1PROD with NOTICES I. Accessing Information and Submitting Comments VerDate Mar<15>2010 16:57 Sep 07, 2012 Jkt 226001 PO 00000 Frm 00061 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 55511 stakeholders. Documentation of the staff’s efforts is contained in SECY–11– 0124, ‘‘Recommended Actions To Be Taken Without Delay From the NearTerm Task Force Report,’’ dated September 9, 2011, (ADAMS Accession No. ML11245A158), and SECY–11– 0137, ‘‘Prioritization of Recommended Actions To Be Taken in Response to Fukushima Lessons Learned,’’ dated October 3, 2011 (ADAMS Accession No. ML11269A204). As directed by the staff requirements memorandum (SRM) for SECY–11– 0093, the NRC staff reviewed the NTTF recommendations within the context of the NRC’s existing regulatory framework and considered the various regulatory vehicles available to the NRC to implement the recommendations. The staff’s prioritization of the recommendations was established in SECY–11–0124 and SECY–11–0137. In March 2012, the NRC issued Request for Information Pursuant to Section 50.54(f) of Title 10 of the Code of Federal Regulations (10 CFR), Regarding Recommendations 2.1, 2.3, and 9.3, of the Near-Term Task Force Review of Insights from the Fukushima Dai-ichi Accident,’’ hereafter called the ‘‘March 12, 2012, 50.54(f) letter.’’ Enclosure 1 of that letter, ‘‘Recommendation 2.1: Seismic,’’ described the actions related to seismic hazard and risk reassessments to be taken by licensees in response to the letter. Among the actions discussed in Enclosure 1 is an SMA method, which may be appropriate for some plants depending on the outcome of the hazard reassessment phase. Enclosure 1 to the 50.54(f) letter states that the SMA approach should be the NRC SMA approach (e.g.; NUREG/CR–4334. ‘‘An Approach to the Quantification of Seismic Margins in Nuclear Power Plants,’’ issued in August 1985 (ADAMS Accession No. ML090500182), as enhanced for full-scope plants in NUREG–1407, ‘‘Procedural and Submittal Guidance for the Individual Plant Examination of External Events (IPEEE) for Severe Accident Vulnerabilities,’’ ADAMS Accession No. ML063550238. This draft JLD–ISG, ‘‘Guidance on Performing a Seismic Margin Assessment in Response to the March 2012, Request for Information Letter,’’ (ADAMS Accession No. ML12222A327) describes the enhancements to the NRC SMA method described in NUREG/CR– 4334 needed to meet the objectives of the March 12, 2012, 50.54(f) letter. It presents staff positions on enhancements to the major elements of the NRC SMA and updates references to allow for use of recent advances in E:\FR\FM\10SEN1.SGM 10SEN1 55512 Federal Register / Vol. 77, No. 175 / Monday, September 10, 2012 / Notices methods and guidance. These guidance documents include the American Society of Mechanical Engineers/ American Nuclear Society, ‘‘Standard for Level 1/Large Early Release Frequency Probabilistic Risk Assessment for Nuclear Power Plant Applications,’’ Standard ASME/ANS RA–Sa–2009, 2009 (hereafter called the ASME/ANS PRA standard) and the Screening, Prioritization, and Implementation document (SPID) currently under development by the Nuclear Energy Institute (with NRC staff input) for NRC endorsement. Licensees may propose other methods for satisfying these requirements. The NRC staff will review such methods and determine their acceptability on a caseby-case basis. This guidance, at this time, is only intended to be used for an SMA conducted in response to the 50.54(f) letter, and not for other purposes. The NRC ISG DC/COL–ISG–020, ‘‘Seismic Margin Analysis for New Reactors Based on Probabilistic Risk Assessment’’ (ADAMS Accession No. ML100491233), remains the NRC’s current guidance for application to new reactors. The contents of this draft JLD– ISG have no implications for NRC ISG DC/COL–ISG–020, the ASME/ANS PRA standard, or any other document. The draft JLD–ISG is not a substitute for the requirements in the March 12, 2012, 50.54(f) letter and compliance with the draft JLD–ISG is not required. This draft JLD–ISG is being issued in draft form for public comment to involve the public in developing the regulatory positions. Proposed Action mstockstill on DSK4VPTVN1PROD with NOTICES By this action, the NRC is requesting public comments on draft JLD–ISG– 2012–04. This draft JLD–ISG proposes guidance related to requirements contained in the seismic portion of the March 12, 2012, 50.54(f) letter. The NRC staff will make a final determination regarding issuance of the JLD–ISG after it considers any public comments received in response to this request. For the Nuclear Regulatory Commission. Dated at Rockville, Maryland, this 4th day of September, 2012. David L. Skeen, Director, Japan Lessons-Learned Project Directorate, Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation. [FR Doc. 2012–22174 Filed 9–7–12; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 7590–01–P VerDate Mar<15>2010 16:57 Sep 07, 2012 Jkt 226001 SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION Submission for OMB Review; Comment Request Upon Written Request Copies Available From: U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, Office of Investor Education and Advocacy, Washington, DC 20549–0213. Extension: Rule 17Ad–15, OMB Control No. 3235– 0409, SEC File No. 270–360. Notice is hereby given that pursuant to the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44 U.S.C. 3501 et seq.) the Securities and Exchange Commission (‘‘Commission’’) is soliciting comments on the existing collection of information provided for in the following rule: Rule 17a–10 (17 CFR 240.17Ad–15) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (15 U.S.C. 78a et seq.). Rule 17Ad–15 requires approximately 477 transfer agents to establish written standards for accepting and rejecting guarantees of securities transfers from eligible guarantor institutions. Transfer agents are also required to establish procedures to ensure that those standards are used by the transfer agent to determine whether to accept or reject guarantees from eligible guarantor institutions. Transfer agents must maintain, for a period of three years following the date of a rejection of transfer, a record of all transfers rejected, along with the reason for the rejection, identification of the guarantor, and whether the guarantor failed to meet the transfer agent’s guarantee standard. These recordkeeping requirements assist the Commission and other regulatory agencies with monitoring transfer agents and ensuring compliance with the rule. There are approximately 477 registered transfer agents. The staff estimates that every transfer agent will spend about 40 hours annually to comply with Rule 17Ad–15. The total annual burden for all transfer agents is 23,480 hours (477 times 40). The average cost per hour is approximately $50. Therefore, the total cost of compliance for all transfer agents is $1,174,000 (23,480 times $50). The Commission may not conduct or sponsor a collection of information unless it displays a currently valid control number. No person shall be subject to any penalty for failing to comply with a collection of information subject to the PRA that does not display a valid Office of Management and Budget (OMB) control number. Background documentation for this information collection may be viewed at PO 00000 Frm 00062 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 the following Web site, www.reginfo.gov. Comments should be directed to: (i) Desk Officer for the Securities and Exchange Commission, Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs, Office of Management and Budget, Room 10102, New Executive Office Building, Washington, DC 20503, or by sending an email to: Shagufta_Ahmed@omb.eop.gov; and (ii) Thomas Bayer, Director/Chief Information Officer, Securities and Exchange Commission, c/o Remi PavlikSimon, 6432 General Green Way, Alexandria, VA 22312 or send an email to: PRA_Mailbox@sec.gov. Comments must be submitted within 30 days of this notice. Dated: September 4, 2012. Kevin M. O’Neill, Deputy Secretary. [FR Doc. 2012–22143 Filed 9–7–12; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 8011–01–P SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION Submission for OMB Review; Comment Request Upon Written Request Copies Available From: Securities and Exchange Commission, Office of Investor Education and Advocacy, Washington, DC 20549–0213. Extension: Regulation S–P, SEC File No. 270–480, OMB Control No. 3235–0537. Notice is hereby given that pursuant to the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44 U.S.C. 3501 et seq.) the Securities and Exchange Commission (‘‘Commission’’) has submitted to the Office of Management and Budget a request for approval of extension of the previously approved collection of information provided for in the privacy notice and opt out notice provisions of Regulation S–P—Privacy of Consumer Financial Information (17 CFR part 248) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (15 U.S.C. 78a et seq.) (‘‘Exchange Act’’). The Commission plans to submit this existing collection of information to the Office of Management and Budget for extension and approval. The privacy notice and opt out notice provisions of Regulation S–P (the ‘‘Rule’’) implement the privacy notice and opt out notice requirements of Title V of the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act (‘‘GLBA’’), which include the requirement that at the time of establishing a customer relationship with a consumer and not less than annually during the continuation of such relationship, a financial institution E:\FR\FM\10SEN1.SGM 10SEN1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 77, Number 175 (Monday, September 10, 2012)]
[Notices]
[Pages 55510-55512]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2012-22174]


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NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION

[NRC-2012-0209]


Guidance on Performing a Seismic Margin Assessment

AGENCY: Nuclear Regulatory Commission.

ACTION: Draft Japan Lessons-Learned Project Directorate guidance; 
request for comment.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) is issuing for 
public comment the draft Japan Lessons-Learned Project Directorate 
Interim Staff Guidance (JLD-ISG), JLD-ISG-2012-04, ``Guidance on 
Performing a Seismic Margin Assessment in response to the March 2012 
Request for Information Letter.'' This draft JLD-ISG provides guidance 
on an acceptable method for licensees to carry out a Seismic Margins 
Analysis (SMA) method referred to in the seismic portion of a letter 
requiring recipients (licensees) to submit information under oath and 
affirmation to the NRC.

DATES: Comments must be filed no later than October 10, 2012. Comments 
received after this date will be considered, if it is practical to do 
so, but the NRC staff is able to ensure

[[Page 55511]]

consideration only for comments received on or before this date.

ADDRESSES: You may access information and comment submissions related 
to this document, which the NRC possesses and are publically available, 
by searching on https://www.regulations.gov under Docket ID NRC-2012-
0209. You may submit comments by any of the following methods:
     Federal Rulemaking Web Site: Go to https://www.regulations.gov and search for Docket ID NRC-2012-0209. Address 
questions about NRC dockets to Carol Gallagher, telephone: 301-492-
3668; email: Carol.Gallagher@nrc.gov.
     Mail comments to: Cindy Bladey, Chief, Rules, 
Announcements, and Directives Branch (RADB), Office of Administration, 
Mail Stop: TWB-05-B01M, U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission, Washington, 
DC 20555-0001.
     Fax comments to: RADB at 301-492-3446.
    For additional direction on accessing information and submitting 
comments, see ``Accessing Information and Submitting Comments'' in the 
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION section of this document.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. Christopher Gratton, Japan 
Lessons-Learned Project Directorate, Office of Nuclear Reactor 
Regulation, U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission, Washington, DC 20555-
0001; telephone: 301-415-1055; email: Christopher.Gratton@nrc.gov.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Accessing Information and Submitting Comments

A. Accessing Information

    Please refer to Docket ID NRC-2012-0209 when contacting the NRC 
about the availability of information regarding this document. You may 
access information related to this document, which the NRC possesses 
and are publically available by any of the following methods:
     Federal Rulemaking Web Site: Go to https://www.regulations.gov and search for Docket ID NRC-2012-0209.
     NRC's Agencywide Document Access and Management System 
(ADAMS): You may access publically available documents online in the 
NRC Library at https://www.nrc.gov/reading-rm/adams.html. To begin the 
search, select ``ADAMS Public Documents'' and then select ``Begin Web-
based ADAMS Search.'' For problems with ADAMS please contact the NRC's 
Public Document Room (PDR) reference staff at 1-800-397-4209, 301-415-
4737, or by email to pdr.resource@nrc.gov. The draft JLD-ISG-2012-04 is 
available under ADAMS Accession No. ML12222A327. The 10 CFR 50.54(f) 
request letter was issued in March 2012, and can be located under ADAMS 
Accession No. ML12053A340.
     NRC's PDR: You may examine and purchase copies of public 
documents at the NRC's PDR, Room 01-F21, One White Flint North, 11555 
Rockville Pike, Rockville, Maryland 20852.

B. Submitting Comments

    Please include Docket ID NRC-2012-0209 in the subject line of your 
comment submission, in order to ensure that the NRC is able to make 
your comment submission available to the public in this docket.
    The NRC cautions you not to include identifying or contact 
information that you do not want to be publically disclosed in your 
comment submission. The NRC will post all comment submissions at https://www.regulations.gov as well as enter the comment submissions into 
ADAMS. The NRC does not routinely edit comment submissions to remove 
identifying or contact information.
    If you are requesting or aggregating comments from other persons 
for submission to the NRC, then you should inform those persons not to 
include identifying or contact information that they do not want to be 
publically disclosed in their comment submission. Your request should 
state that the NRC does not routinely edit comment submissions to 
remove such information before making the comment submissions available 
to the public or entering the comment submissions into ADAMS.

II. Background Information

    Following the events at the Fukushima Dai-ichi nuclear power plant 
on March 11, 2011, the NRC established a senior-level agency task force 
referred to as the Near-Term Task Force (NTTF). The NTTF was tasked 
with conducting a systematic and methodical review of the NRC 
regulations and processes and determining if the agency should make 
additional improvements to those programs in light of the events at 
Fukushima Dai-ichi. As a result of this review, the NTTF developed a 
comprehensive set of recommendations, documented in SECY-11-0093, 
``Near-Term Report and Recommendations for Agency Actions Following the 
Events in Japan,'' dated July 12, 2011 (ADAMS Accession No. 
ML111861807). These recommendations were enhanced by the NRC staff 
following interactions with stakeholders. Documentation of the staff's 
efforts is contained in SECY-11-0124, ``Recommended Actions To Be Taken 
Without Delay From the Near-Term Task Force Report,'' dated September 
9, 2011, (ADAMS Accession No. ML11245A158), and SECY-11-0137, 
``Prioritization of Recommended Actions To Be Taken in Response to 
Fukushima Lessons Learned,'' dated October 3, 2011 (ADAMS Accession No. 
ML11269A204).
    As directed by the staff requirements memorandum (SRM) for SECY-11-
0093, the NRC staff reviewed the NTTF recommendations within the 
context of the NRC's existing regulatory framework and considered the 
various regulatory vehicles available to the NRC to implement the 
recommendations. The staff's prioritization of the recommendations was 
established in SECY-11-0124 and SECY-11-0137.
    In March 2012, the NRC issued Request for Information Pursuant to 
Section 50.54(f) of Title 10 of the Code of Federal Regulations (10 
CFR), Regarding Recommendations 2.1, 2.3, and 9.3, of the Near-Term 
Task Force Review of Insights from the Fukushima Dai-ichi Accident,'' 
hereafter called the ``March 12, 2012, 50.54(f) letter.'' Enclosure 1 
of that letter, ``Recommendation 2.1: Seismic,'' described the actions 
related to seismic hazard and risk reassessments to be taken by 
licensees in response to the letter. Among the actions discussed in 
Enclosure 1 is an SMA method, which may be appropriate for some plants 
depending on the outcome of the hazard reassessment phase. Enclosure 1 
to the 50.54(f) letter states that the SMA approach should be the NRC 
SMA approach (e.g.; NUREG/CR-4334. ``An Approach to the Quantification 
of Seismic Margins in Nuclear Power Plants,'' issued in August 1985 
(ADAMS Accession No. ML090500182), as enhanced for full-scope plants in 
NUREG-1407, ``Procedural and Submittal Guidance for the Individual 
Plant Examination of External Events (IPEEE) for Severe Accident 
Vulnerabilities,'' ADAMS Accession No. ML063550238.
    This draft JLD-ISG, ``Guidance on Performing a Seismic Margin 
Assessment in Response to the March 2012, Request for Information 
Letter,'' (ADAMS Accession No. ML12222A327) describes the enhancements 
to the NRC SMA method described in NUREG/CR-4334 needed to meet the 
objectives of the March 12, 2012, 50.54(f) letter. It presents staff 
positions on enhancements to the major elements of the NRC SMA and 
updates references to allow for use of recent advances in

[[Page 55512]]

methods and guidance. These guidance documents include the American 
Society of Mechanical Engineers/American Nuclear Society, ``Standard 
for Level 1/Large Early Release Frequency Probabilistic Risk Assessment 
for Nuclear Power Plant Applications,'' Standard ASME/ANS RA-Sa-2009, 
2009 (hereafter called the ASME/ANS PRA standard) and the Screening, 
Prioritization, and Implementation document (SPID) currently under 
development by the Nuclear Energy Institute (with NRC staff input) for 
NRC endorsement.
    Licensees may propose other methods for satisfying these 
requirements. The NRC staff will review such methods and determine 
their acceptability on a case-by-case basis.
    This guidance, at this time, is only intended to be used for an SMA 
conducted in response to the 50.54(f) letter, and not for other 
purposes.
    The NRC ISG DC/COL-ISG-020, ``Seismic Margin Analysis for New 
Reactors Based on Probabilistic Risk Assessment'' (ADAMS Accession No. 
ML100491233), remains the NRC's current guidance for application to new 
reactors. The contents of this draft JLD-ISG have no implications for 
NRC ISG DC/COL-ISG-020, the ASME/ANS PRA standard, or any other 
document.
    The draft JLD-ISG is not a substitute for the requirements in the 
March 12, 2012, 50.54(f) letter and compliance with the draft JLD-ISG 
is not required. This draft JLD-ISG is being issued in draft form for 
public comment to involve the public in developing the regulatory 
positions.

Proposed Action

    By this action, the NRC is requesting public comments on draft JLD-
ISG-2012-04. This draft JLD-ISG proposes guidance related to 
requirements contained in the seismic portion of the March 12, 2012, 
50.54(f) letter. The NRC staff will make a final determination 
regarding issuance of the JLD-ISG after it considers any public 
comments received in response to this request.

    For the Nuclear Regulatory Commission.

    Dated at Rockville, Maryland, this 4th day of September, 2012.
David L. Skeen,
Director, Japan Lessons-Learned Project Directorate, Office of Nuclear 
Reactor Regulation.
[FR Doc. 2012-22174 Filed 9-7-12; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 7590-01-P
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