List of Approved Spent Fuel Storage Casks: Transnuclear, Inc. Standardized NUHOMS® Cask System, 63375-63379 [2013-24906]
Download as PDF
Federal Register / Vol. 78, No. 206 / Thursday, October 24, 2013 / Rules and Regulations
NUCLEAR REGULATORY
COMMISSION
10 CFR Part 72
[NRC–2012–0020]
RIN 3150–AJ10
List of Approved Spent Fuel Storage
Casks: Transnuclear, Inc. Standardized
NUHOMS® Cask System
Nuclear Regulatory
Commission.
ACTION: Direct final rule.
AGENCY:
The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory
Commission (NRC) is amending its
spent fuel storage regulations by
revising the Transnuclear, Inc.
Standardized NUHOMS® Cask System
listing within the ‘‘List of Approved
Spent Fuel Storage Casks’’ to include
Amendment No. 11 to Certificate of
Compliance (CoC) No. 1004.
Amendment No. 11 revises authorized
contents to include: adding a new
transfer cask (TC), the OS197L, for use
with the 32PT and 61BT dry shielded
canisters (DSC); and converting the CoC
No. 1004 Technical Specifications (TS)
to the format in NUREG–1745,
‘‘Standard Format and Content for
Technical Specifications for 10 CFR
[Title 10 of the Code of Federal
Regulations] Part 72 Cask Certificates of
Compliance.’’ In addition, the
amendment makes several other
changes as described under the
‘‘Discussion of Changes’’ heading in the
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION section of
this document.
DATES: The final rule is effective January
7, 2014, unless significant adverse
comments are received by November 25,
2013. If the rule is withdrawn as a result
of such comments, timely notice of the
withdrawal will be published in the
Federal Register. Comments received
after this date will be considered if it is
practical to do so, but the NRC staff is
able to ensure consideration only for
comments received on or before this
date.
ADDRESSES: Please refer to Docket ID
NRC–2012–0020 when contacting the
NRC about the availability of
information for this final rule. You may
access information and comment
submittals related to this final
rulemaking, which the NRC possesses
and is publicly available by any of the
following methods:
• Federal Rulemaking Web site: Go to
https://www.regulations.gov and search
for Docket ID NRC–2012–0020. Address
questions about NRC dockets to Carol
Gallagher, telephone: 301–287–3422,
email: Carol.Gallagher@nrc.gov. For
Emcdonald on DSK67QTVN1PROD with RULES
SUMMARY:
VerDate Mar<15>2010
16:22 Oct 23, 2013
Jkt 232001
technical questions, contact the
individual listed in the FOR FURHTER
INFORMATION CONTACT section of this
document.
• NRC’s Agencywide Documents
Access and Management System
(ADAMS): You may access publicly
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
1–800–397–4209, 301–415–4737, or by
email to pdr.resource@nrc.gov. The
ADAMS accession number for each
document referenced in this document
(if that document is available in
ADAMS) is provided the first time that
a document is referenced. The proposed
CoC and preliminary safety evaluation
report (SER) are available in ADAMS
under Package Accession No.
ML120130550. The ADAMS Accession
No. for the Transnuclear, Inc.
Standardized NUHOMS® Cask System
Amendment No. 11 application dated
April 10, 2007, is ML071240088.
• NRC’s PDR: You may examine and
purchase copies of public documents at
the NRC’s PDR, Room O–1F21, One
White Flint North, 11555 Rockville
Pike, Rockville, Maryland 20852.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Gregory R. Trussell, Office of Federal
and State Materials and Environmental
Management Programs, U.S. Nuclear
Regulatory Commission, Washington,
DC 20555–0001, telephone: 301–415–
6445, email: Gregory.Trussell@nrc.gov.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Table of Contents
I. Procedural Background
II. Background
III. Discussion of Changes
IV. Voluntary Consensus Standards
V. Agreement State Compatibility
VI. Plain Writing
VII. Finding of No Significant Environmental
Impact: Availability
VIII. Paperwork Reduction Act Statement
IX. Regulatory Analysis
X. Regulatory Flexibility Certification
XI. Backfitting and Issue Finality
XII. Congressional Review Act
I. Procedural Background
This rule is limited to the changes
contained in Amendment No. 11 to CoC
No. 1004 and does not include other
aspects of the Transnuclear, Inc.
Standardized NUHOMS® Cask System
design. The NRC is using the ‘‘direct
final rule procedure’’ to issue this
amendment because it represents a
limited and routine change to an
PO 00000
Frm 00007
Fmt 4700
Sfmt 4700
63375
existing CoC that is expected to be
noncontroversial. Adequate protection
of public health and safety continues to
be ensured. The amendment to the rule
will become effective on January 7,
2014. However, if the NRC receives
significant adverse comments on this
direct final rule by November 25, 2013,
then the NRC will publish a document
that withdraws this action and will
subsequently address the comments
received in a final rule as a response to
the companion proposed rule published
in the Proposed Rule section of this
issue of the Federal Register. Absent
significant modifications to the
proposed revisions requiring
republication, the NRC will not initiate
a second comment period on this action.
A significant adverse comment is a
comment where the commenter
explains why the rule would be
inappropriate, including challenges to
the rule’s underlying premise or
approach, or would be ineffective or
unacceptable without a change. A
comment is adverse and significant if:
(1) The comment opposes the rule and
provides a reason sufficient to require a
substantive response in a notice-andcomment process. For example, a
substantive response is required when:
(a) The comment causes the NRC staff
to reevaluate (or reconsider) its position
or conduct additional analysis;
(b) The comment raises an issue
serious enough to warrant a substantive
response to clarify or complete the
record; or
(c) The comment raises a relevant
issue that was not previously addressed
or considered by the NRC staff.
(2) The comment proposes a change
or an addition to the rule, and it is
apparent that the rule would be
ineffective or unacceptable without
incorporation of the change or addition.
(3) The comment causes the NRC staff
to make a change (other than editorial)
to the rule, CoC, or TSs.
For detailed instructions on
submitting comments, please see the
companion proposed rule published in
the Proposed Rule section of this issue
of the Federal Register.
II. Background
Section 218(a) of the Nuclear Waste
Policy Act (NWPA) of 1982, as
amended, requires that ‘‘the Secretary
[of the Department of Energy] shall
establish a demonstration program, in
cooperation with the private sector, for
the dry storage of spent nuclear fuel at
civilian nuclear power reactor sites,
with the objective of establishing one or
more technologies that the [Nuclear
Regulatory] Commission may, by rule,
approve for use at the sites of civilian
E:\FR\FM\24OCR1.SGM
24OCR1
63376
Federal Register / Vol. 78, No. 206 / Thursday, October 24, 2013 / Rules and Regulations
Emcdonald on DSK67QTVN1PROD with RULES
nuclear power reactors without, to the
maximum extent practicable, the need
for additional site-specific approvals by
the Commission.’’ Section 133 of the
NWPA states, in part, that ‘‘[the
Commission] shall, by rule, establish
procedures for the licensing of any
technology approved by the
Commission under Section 219(a) [sic:
218(a)] for use at the site of any civilian
nuclear power reactor.’’
To implement this mandate, the
Commission approved dry storage of
spent nuclear fuel in NRC-approved
casks under a general license by
publishing a final rule in 10 CFR part
72, which added a new subpart K
within 10 CFR part 72 entitled, ‘‘General
License for Storage of Spent Fuel at
Power Reactor Sites’’ (55 FR 29181; July
18, 1990). This rule also established a
new subpart L within 10 CFR part 72
entitled, ‘‘Approval of Spent Fuel
Storage Casks,’’ which contains
procedures and criteria for obtaining
NRC approval of spent fuel storage cask
designs. The NRC subsequently issued a
final rule on December 22,1994 (59 FR
65898), that approved the Standardized
NUHOMS® Cask System design and
added it to the list of NRC-approved
cask designs in 10 CFR 72.214 as CoC
No. 1004.
III. Discussion of Changes
On April 10, 2007 (ADAMS Accession
No. ML071240088), and as
supplemented on August 23, 2007
(ADAMS Accession No. ML072410293),
December 21, 2007 (ADAMS Accession
No. ML080020420), June 12, 2008
(ADAMS Accession No. ML081700238),
August 14, 2009 (ADAMS Accession
No. ML13149A438), August 5, 2010
(ADAMS Accession No. ML102230097),
and February 25, 2011 (ADAMS
Accession No. ML110590060),
Transnuclear, Inc., the holder of CoC
No. 1004, submitted to the NRC a
request to amend CoC No. 1004.
Specifically, Transnuclear, Inc.
requested changes to: (1) add a new TC,
the OS197L, for use with the 32PT and
61BT DSC; and (2) convert the CoC No.
1004 TS to the format in NUREG–1745.
The previously approved payloads and
the corresponding TSs have been
retained ‘‘as-is’’ in the new format of the
proposed TSs, including tables and
figures. In addition, this change removes
the bases for the Limiting Conditions for
Operation and Surveillance
Requirements from the TSs and
relocates the bases to Chapter 10 of the
Updated Final Safety Analysis Report
(UFSAR). Specific changes to the TSs
are:
• Converting the existing TSs for CoC
No. 1004 proposed Amendment 10 TS,
VerDate Mar<15>2010
16:22 Oct 23, 2013
Jkt 232001
to the improved TS format and content
consistent with NUREG–1745
requirements.
• Deleting the TC dose rates for all
currently licensed payloads (TSs 1.2.11,
1.2.11 a, 1.2.11 b, 1.2.11 c, 1.2.11d, and
1.2.11e). These TS are redundant to TS
1.2.7 which regulates dose limits for a
loaded DSC when stored inside a
horizontal storage module where a
payload resides during its 20 year
licensed life span.
• Deleting DSC vacuum drying
duration limits for all the licensed
payloads (TSs 1.2.17, 1.2.17a, 1.2.17b,
and 1.2.17c).
• Implementing the following NRC
suggested revisions that were adopted
by letter dated August 14, 2009
(ADAMS Accession No. ML092330146).
Æ Adding Sections 4.4.1 and 4.4.2 to
the proposed TSs to reflect additional
restrictions for the use of the OS197L
TC.
Æ Revising Section 5.2.4, ‘‘Radiation
Protection Program,’’ of the proposed
TSs to include dose assessment for
occupational exposures during loading
operations. If remote handling devices
are used for movement of a transfer cask
during loading, then the dose
assessment shall include recovery from
a potential malfunction of these devices.
Æ Adding Section 4.2.1 of the
proposed TSs to reflect the additional
restrictions for all horizontal storage
modules if an independent spent fuel
storage installation (ISFSI) is located in
a coastal salt water marine environment.
• Changing the following conditions
in the CoC:
Æ Revising CoC Condition 6 to clarify
that general licensees may use either the
original issue of the certificate or use
previously approved amendments of
this certificate for storage under the
provisions of 10 CFR 72.210.
Æ Deleting CoC Conditions 7 and 8 as
they have been moved to proposed TSs
5.5 and 5.6, respectively.
• Revising the CoC and TSs to add
requirements for the OS197L TC.
As documented in the SER (ADAMS
Accession No. ML120130593), the NRC
staff performed a detailed safety
evaluation of the proposed CoC
amendment request. There are no
significant changes to cask design
requirements in the proposed CoC
amendment. Considering the specific
design requirements for each accident
condition, the design of the cask would
prevent loss of containment, shielding,
and criticality control. If there is no loss
of containment, shielding, or criticality
control, the environmental impacts
would be insignificant. This amendment
does not reflect a significant change in
design or fabrication of the cask. In
PO 00000
Frm 00008
Fmt 4700
Sfmt 4700
addition, any resulting occupational
exposure or offsite dose rates from the
implementation of Amendment No. 11
would remain well within the 10 CFR
part 20 limits. Thus, the proposed
CoC changes will not result in any
radiological or non-radiological
environmental impacts that significantly
differ from the environmental impacts
evaluated in the environmental
assessment supporting the July 18, 1990,
final rule. There will be no significant
change in the types or significant
revisions in the amounts of any effluent
released, no significant increase in the
individual or cumulative radiation
exposure, and no significant increase in
the potential for or consequences from
radiological accidents.
This direct final rule revises the
Standardized NUHOMS® Cask System
listing in 10 CFR 72.214 by adding
Amendment No. 11 to CoC No.1004.
The amendment consists of the changes
previously described, as set forth in the
revised CoC and TSs. The revised TSs
are identified in the SER.
The amended Standardized
NUHOMS® cask design, when used
under the conditions specified in the
CoC, the TSs, and the NRC’s regulations,
will meet the requirements of 10 CFR
part 72; thus, adequate protection of
public health and safety will continue to
be ensured. When this direct final rule
becomes effective, persons who hold a
general license under 10 CFR 72.210
may load spent nuclear fuel into
Standardized NUHOMS® Cask Systems
that meet the criteria of Amendment No.
11 to CoC No. 1004 under 10 CFR
72.212.
IV. Voluntary Consensus Standards
The National Technology Transfer
and Advancement Act of 1995 (Pub. L.
104–113) requires that Federal agencies
use technical standards that are
developed or adopted by voluntary
consensus standards bodies unless the
use of such a standard is inconsistent
with applicable law or otherwise
impractical. In this direct final rule, the
NRC will revise the Standardized
NUHOMS® Cask System design listed in
10 CFR 72.214, ‘‘List of Approved Spent
Fuel Storage Casks.’’ This action does
not constitute the establishment of a
standard that contains generally
applicable requirements.
V. Agreement State Compatibility
Under the ‘‘Policy Statement on
Adequacy and Compatibility of
Agreement State Programs’’ approved by
the Commission on June 30, 1997, and
published in the Federal Register on
September 3, 1997 (62 FR 46517), this
rule is classified as Compatibility
E:\FR\FM\24OCR1.SGM
24OCR1
Federal Register / Vol. 78, No. 206 / Thursday, October 24, 2013 / Rules and Regulations
Category ‘‘NRC.’’ Compatibility is not
required for Category ‘‘NRC’’
regulations. The NRC program elements
in this category are those that relate
directly to areas of regulation reserved
to the NRC by the Atomic Energy Act of
1954, as amended, or the provisions of
10 CFR. Although an Agreement State
may not adopt program elements
reserved to the NRC, it may wish to
inform its licensees of certain
requirements via a mechanism that is
consistent with the particular State’s
administrative procedure laws, but does
not confer regulatory authority on the
State.
VI. Plain Writing
The Plain Writing Act of 2010 (Pub.
L. 111–274) requires Federal agencies to
write documents in a clear, concise,
well-organized manner that also follows
other best practices appropriate to the
subject or field and the intended
audience. The NRC has attempted to use
plain language in promulgating this rule
consistent with the Federal Plain
Writing Act guidelines.
VII. Finding of No Significant
Environmental Impact: Availability
A. The Action
The action is to amend 10 CFR 72.214
to revise the Transnuclear, Inc.
Standardized NUHOMS® Cask System
listing within the ‘‘List of Approved
Spent Fuel Storage Casks’’ to include
Amendment No. 11 to CoC No. 1004.
Under the National Environmental
Policy Act of 1969, as amended, and the
NRC regulations in subpart A of 10 CFR
part 51, the NRC has determined that
this rule, if adopted, would not be a
major Federal action significantly
affecting the quality of the human
environment and, therefore, an
environmental impact statement is not
required. The NRC has made a finding
of no significant impact on the basis of
this environmental assessment.
Emcdonald on DSK67QTVN1PROD with RULES
B. The Need for the Action
This rule amends the CoC for the
Standardized NUHOMS® Cask System
design within the list of approved spent
fuel storage casks that power reactor
licensees can use to store spent fuel at
reactor sites under a general license.
Specifically, Transnuclear, Inc.
requested changes to revise authorized
contents to include: (1) adding a new
TC, the OS197L, for use with the 32PT
and 61BT DSC; and (2) converting the
CoC No. 1004 TSs to the format in
NUREG–1745, ‘‘Standard Format and
Content for Technical Specifications for
10 CFR Part 72 Cask Certificates of
Compliance.’’ The previously approved
VerDate Mar<15>2010
16:22 Oct 23, 2013
Jkt 232001
payloads and the corresponding TSs
have been retained ‘‘as-is’’ in the new
format of the proposed TSs, including
tables and figures. In addition, this
change removes the bases for the
Limiting Conditions for Operation and
Surveillance Requirements from the TSs
and relocates the bases to Chapter 10 of
the UFSAR.
C. Environmental Impacts of the Action
On July 18, 1990 (55 FR 29181), the
NRC issued an amendment to 10 CFR
part 72 to provide for the storage of
spent nuclear fuel under a general
license in cask designs approved by the
NRC. The potential environmental
impact of using NRC approved storage
casks was initially analyzed in the
environmental assessment for the 1990
final rule. The environmental
assessment for this Amendment No. 11
tiers off of the environmental
assessment for the July 18, 1990, final
rule. Tiering on past environmental
assessments is a standard process under
the National Environmental Policy Act.
Standardized NUHOMS® Cask
Systems are designed to mitigate the
effects of design basis accidents that
could occur during storage. Design basis
accidents account for human-induced
events and the most severe natural
phenomena reported for the site and
surrounding area. Postulated accidents
analyzed for an ISFSI, the type of
facility at which a holder of a power
reactor operating license would store
spent fuel in casks in accordance with
10 CFR part 72, include tornado winds
and tornado-generated missiles, a design
basis earthquake, a design basis flood,
an accidental cask drop, lightning
effects, fire, explosions, and other
incidents.
Based upon its review, the NRC staff
has reasonable assurance that the design
of the shielding system associated with
the OS197L light weight transfer cask (a
component of the Standardized
NUHOMS® System), as currently
proposed, and when limited to use of
the 61BT and 32PT DSCs, is in
compliance with 10 CFR part 72 and
that the applicable design and
acceptance criteria, including 10 CFR
part 20, have been satisfied. The
evaluation of the shielding design
provides reasonable assurance that the
OS197L light weight transfer cask will
allow safe transfer of spent fuel to dry
storage in accordance with 10 CFR
72.236(d). Considering the specific
design requirements for each accident
condition, the design of the cask would
prevent loss of containment, shielding,
and criticality control. If there is no loss
of containment, shielding, or criticality
control, the environmental impacts
PO 00000
Frm 00009
Fmt 4700
Sfmt 4700
63377
would be insignificant. This amendment
does not reflect a significant change in
design or fabrication of the cask. There
are no significant changes to cask design
requirements in the proposed CoC
amendment. In addition, any resulting
occupational exposure or offsite dose
rates from the implementation of
Amendment No. 11 would remain well
within the 10 CFR part 20 limits.
Therefore, the proposed CoC changes
will not result in any radiological or
non-radiological environmental impacts
that significantly differ from the
environmental impacts evaluated in the
environmental assessment supporting
the July 18, 1990, final rule. There will
be no significant change in the types or
significant revisions in the amounts of
any effluent released, no significant
increase in the individual or cumulative
radiation exposure, and no significant
increase in the potential for or
consequences from radiological
accidents.
The staff documented its findings in
a safety evaluation report which is
available in ADAMS under Accession
No. ML120130550.
D. Alternative to the Action
The alternative to this action is to
deny approval of Amendment No. 11
and end the final rulemaking.
Consequently, any 10 CFR part 72
general licensee that seeks to load spent
nuclear fuel into the Standardized
NUHOMS® Cask System in accordance
with the changes described in proposed
Amendment No. 11 would have to
request an exemption from the
requirements of 10 CFR 72.212 and
72.214. Under this alternative,
interested licensees would have to
prepare, and the NRC would have to
review, a separate exemption request,
thereby increasing the administrative
burden upon the NRC and the costs to
each licensee. Therefore, the
environmental impacts would be the
same or less than the action.
E. Alternative Use of Resources
Approval of Amendment No. 11 to
CoC No. 1004 would result in no
irreversible commitments of resources.
F. Agencies and Persons Contacted
No agencies or persons outside the
NRC were contacted in connection with
the preparation of this environmental
assessment.
G. Finding of No Significant Impact
The environmental impacts of the
action have been reviewed under the
requirements in 10 CFR part 51.
Based on the foregoing environmental
assessment, the NRC concludes that this
E:\FR\FM\24OCR1.SGM
24OCR1
63378
Federal Register / Vol. 78, No. 206 / Thursday, October 24, 2013 / Rules and Regulations
rulemaking entitled, ‘‘List of Approved
Spent Fuel Storage Casks: Standardized
NUHOMS® Cask System,’’ will not have
a significant effect on the human
environment. Therefore, the NRC has
determined that an environmental
impact statement is not necessary for
this rule.
Documents related to this rulemaking,
including comments received by the
NRC, may be examined at the NRC
Public Document Room, Room O–1F21,
One White Flint North, 11555 Rockville
Pike, Rockville, Maryland 20852.
VIII. Paperwork Reduction Act
Statement
This rule does not contain any
information collection requirements
and, therefore, is not subject to the
Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44
U.S.C. 3501 et seq.). Existing
requirements were approved by the
Office of Management and Budget
(OMB), Approval Number 3150–0132.
Emcdonald on DSK67QTVN1PROD with RULES
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 currently valid OMB control
number.
IX. Regulatory Analysis
On July 18, 1990 (55 FR 29181), the
NRC issued an amendment to 10 CFR
part 72 to provide for the storage of
spent nuclear fuel under a general
license in cask designs approved by the
NRC. Any nuclear power reactor
licensee can use NRC-approved cask
designs to store spent nuclear fuel if it
notifies the NRC in advance, the spent
fuel is stored under the conditions
specified in the cask’s CoC, and the
conditions of the general license are
met. A list of NRC-approved cask
designs is contained in 10 CFR 72.214.
On December 22, 1994 (59 FR 65898),
the NRC issued an amendment to 10
CFR part 72 that approved the
Standardized NUHOMS® Cask System
design by adding it to the list of NRCapproved cask designs in 10 CFR
72.214.
On April 10, 2007 (ADAMS Accession
No. ML071240088), and as
supplemented on August 23, 2007
(ML072410293), December 21, 2007
(ML080020420), June 12, 2008
(ML081700238), August 14, 2009
(ML13149A438), August 5, 2010
(ML102230097), and February 25, 2011
(ML110590060), Transnuclear, Inc.
submitted an application to amend the
Standardized NUHOMS® Cask System
as described in Section III.
VerDate Mar<15>2010
16:22 Oct 23, 2013
Jkt 232001
The alternative to this action is to
withhold approval of Amendment No.
11 and to require any 10 CFR part 72
general licensee seeking to load spent
nuclear fuel into Standardized
NUHOMS® Cask Systems under the
changes described in Amendment No.
11 to request an exemption from the
requirements of 10 CFR 72.212 and
72.214. Under this alternative, each
interested 10 CFR part 72 licensee
would have to prepare, and the NRC
would have to review, a separate
exemption request, thereby increasing
the administrative burden upon the
NRC and the costs to each licensee.
Approval of the direct final rule is
consistent with previous NRC actions.
Further, as documented in the SER and
the environmental assessment, the
direct final rule will have no adverse
effect on public health and safety or the
environment. This direct final rule has
no significant identifiable impact or
benefit on other Government agencies.
Based on this regulatory analysis, the
NRC concludes that the requirements of
the direct final rule are commensurate
with the NRC’s responsibilities for
public health and safety and the
common defense and security. No other
available alternative is believed to be as
satisfactory, and therefore, this action is
recommended.
X. Regulatory Flexibility Certification
Under the Regulatory Flexibility Act
of 1980 (5 U.S.C. 605(b)), the NRC
certifies that this rule will not, if issued,
have a significant economic impact on
a substantial number of small entities.
This direct final rule affects only
nuclear power plant licensees and
Transnuclear, Inc. These entities do not
fall within the scope of the definition of
small entities set forth in the Regulatory
Flexibility Act or the size standards
established by the NRC (10 CFR 2.810).
XI. Backfitting and Issue Finality
The NRC has determined that the
backfit rule (10 CFR 72.62) does not
apply to this direct final rule. Therefore,
a backfit analysis is not required. This
direct final rule revises the CoC No.
1004 for the Transnuclear, Inc.
Standardized NUHOMS® Cask System,
as currently listed in 10 CFR 72.214,
‘‘List of Approved Spent Fuel Storage
Casks.’’ The revision consists of
Amendment No. 11, which: (i) Adds a
new transfer cask, the OS197L, for use
with the 32PT and 61BT dry shielded
canisters, and associated changes to
address the use of the new transfer cask;
(ii) converts the TS in the CoC to the
format in NUREG–1745, ‘‘Standard
Format and Content for Technical
Specifications for 10 CFR [Title 10 of
PO 00000
Frm 00010
Fmt 4700
Sfmt 4700
the Code of Federal Regulations] Part 72
Cask Certificates of Compliance;’’ (iii)
deletes the TC dose rates for all
currently licensed payloads, which are
redundant to TS 1.2.7 (regulating dose
limits for a loaded DSC when stored
inside a horizontal storage module
where a payload resides during its 20
year licensed life span); (iv) deletes DSC
vacuum drying duration limits for all
the licensed payloads; (v) revises
Section 5.2.4, ‘‘Radiation Protection
Program,’’ of the TS to include dose
assessment for occupational exposures
during loading operations, and require
that if remote handling devices are used
for movement of a transfer cask during
loading, then the dose assessment shall
include recovery from a potential
malfunction of these devices; (vi) adds
Section 4.2.1 to the TSs to reflect
additional restrictions for all horizontal
storage modules if an ISFSI is located in
a coastal salt water marine environment;
(vii) revises CoC Condition 6 to clarify
that general licensees may use either the
original issue of the certificate or use
previously approved amendments of
this certificate for storage; and (vi)
deletes CoC Conditions 7 and 8 as they
are moved to TSs 5.5 and 5.6,
respectively.
Amendment 11 to CoC No. 1004 for
the Standardized NUHOMS® Cask
System was initiated by Transnuclear,
Inc. and was not submitted in response
to new NRC requirements, or an NRC
request for amendment. Amendment 11
applies only to new casks fabricated and
used under Amendment 11. These
changes do not affect existing users of
the Standardized NUHOMS® Cask
System, and the current amendment
(10) continues to be effective for existing
users, consistent with new CoC
Condition 6. While current CoC users
may comply with the new requirements
in Amendment 11, this would be a
voluntary decision on the part of current
users. For these reasons, Amendment 11
to CoC No. 1004 does not constitute
backfitting under 10 CFR 72.62, 10 CFR
50.109(a)(1), or otherwise represent an
inconsistency with the issue finality
provisions applicable to combined
licenses in Part 52. Accordingly, no
backfit analysis or additional
documentation addressing the issue
finality criteria in Part 52 has been
prepared by the staff.
XII. Congressional Review Act
The Office of Management and Budget
has not found this to be a major rule as
defined in the Congressional Review
Act.
E:\FR\FM\24OCR1.SGM
24OCR1
Federal Register / Vol. 78, No. 206 / Thursday, October 24, 2013 / Rules and Regulations
List of Subjects in 10 CFR Part 72
Administrative practice and
procedure, Criminal penalties,
Manpower training programs, Nuclear
materials, Occupational safety and
health, Penalties, Radiation protection,
Reporting and recordkeeping
requirements, Security measures, Spent
fuel, Whistleblowing.
For the reasons set out in the
preamble and under the authority of the
Atomic Energy Act of 1954, as amended;
the Energy Reorganization Act of 1974,
as amended; the Nuclear Waste Policy
Act of 1982, as amended; and 5 U.S.C.
552 and 553; the NRC is adopting the
following amendments to 10 CFR part
72.
PART 72—LICENSING
REQUIREMENTS FOR THE
INDEPENDENT STORAGE OF SPENT
NUCLEAR FUEL, HIGH-LEVEL
RADIOACTIVE WASTE, AND
REACTOR-RELATED GREATER THAN
CLASS C WASTE
1. The authority citation for part 72
continues to read as follows:
■
Authority: Atomic Energy Act secs. 51, 53,
57, 62, 63, 65, 69, 81, 161, 182, 183, 184, 186,
187, 189, 223, 234, 274 (42 U.S.C. 2071, 2073,
2077, 2092, 2093, 2095, 2099, 2111, 2201,
2232, 2233, 2234, 2236, 2237, 2238, 2273,
2282, 2021); Energy Reorganization Act sec.
201, 202, 206, 211 (42 U.S.C. 5841, 5842,
5846, 5851); National Environmental Policy
Act sec. 102 (42 U.S.C. 4332); Nuclear Waste
Policy Act secs. 131, 132, 133, 135, 137, 141
148 (42 U.S.C. 10151, 10152, 10153, 10155,
10157, 10161, 10168); sec. 1704, 112 Stat.
2750 (44 U.S.C. 3504 note); Energy Policy Act
of 2005, Pub. L. No. 109–58, 119 Stat. 549
(2005).
Section 72.44(g) also issued under secs.
Nuclear Waste Policy Act 142(b) and 148(c),
(d) (42 U.S.C. 10162(b), 10168(c), (d)).
Section 72.46 also issued under Atomic
Energy Act sec. 189 (42 U.S.C. 2239); Nuclear
Waste Policy Act sec. 134 (42 U.S.C. 10154).
Section 72.96(d) also issued under Nuclear
Waste Policy Act sec. 145(g) (42 U.S.C.
10165(g)). Subpart J also issued under
Nuclear Waste Policy Act secs. 117(a), 141(h)
(42 U.S.C. 10137(a), 10161(h)). Subpart K is
also issued under sec. 218(a) (42 U.S.C.
10198).
2. In § 72.214, Certificate of
Compliance 1004 is revised to read as
follows:
■
Emcdonald on DSK67QTVN1PROD with RULES
§ 72.214 List of approved spent fuel
storage casks.
*
*
*
*
*
Certificate Number: 1004.
Initial Certificate Effective Date:
January 23, 1995.
Amendment Number 1 Effective Date:
April 27, 2000.
Amendment Number 2 Effective Date:
September 5, 2000.
VerDate Mar<15>2010
16:22 Oct 23, 2013
Jkt 232001
Amendment Number 3 Effective Date:
September 12, 2001.
Amendment Number 4 Effective Date:
February 12, 2002.
Amendment Number 5 Effective Date:
January 7, 2004.
Amendment Number 6 Effective Date:
December 22, 2003.
Amendment Number 7 Effective Date:
March 2, 2004.
Amendment Number 8 Effective Date:
December 5, 2005.
Amendment Number 9 Effective Date:
April 17, 2007.
Amendment Number 10 Effective
Date: August 24, 2009.
Amendment Number 11 Effective
Date: January 7, 2014.
SAR Submitted by: Transnuclear, Inc.
SAR Title: Final Safety Analysis
Report for the Standardized NUHOMS®
Horizontal Modular Storage System for
Irradiated Nuclear Fuel.
Docket Number: 72–1004.
Certificate Expiration Date: January
23, 2015.
Model Number: NUHOMS® –24P,
–24PHB, –24PTH, –32PT, –32PTH1,
–52B, –61BT, and –61BTH.
*
*
*
*
*
Dated at Rockville, Maryland, this 2nd day
of October 2013.
For the Nuclear Regulatory Commission.
Mark A. Satorius,
Executive Director for Operations.
[FR Doc. 2013–24906 Filed 10–23–13; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 7590–01–P
FARM CREDIT ADMINISTRATION
12 CFR Part 610
RIN 3052–AC78
Registration of Mortgage Loan
Originators; Effective Date
Farm Credit Administration.
Notice of effective date.
AGENCY:
ACTION:
The Farm Credit
Administration (FCA) repealed its
regulations that govern the registration
of residential mortgage loan originators
employed by Farm Credit System (FCS
or System) institutions. We repealed
these regulations because the Bureau of
Consumer Financial Protection (CFPB),
pursuant to its authority under the
Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and
Consumer Protection Act (Dodd-Frank
Act), is consolidating and recodifying
the regulations that six Federal agencies
jointly enacted to implement the Secure
and Fair Enforcement for Mortgage
Licensing Act (S.A.F.E. Act), which
require residential mortgage loan
originators at banks, savings
SUMMARY:
PO 00000
Frm 00011
Fmt 4700
Sfmt 4700
63379
associations, credit unions, FCS
institutions, and their subsidiaries to
register with the National Mortgage
Licensing System and Registry (NMLSR
or Registry) and obtain a unique
identifier. Repealing these regulations
avoids duplication, which is likely to
cause confusion at FCS institutions. The
FCA received no comments on the
interim rule, and we now adopt it as
final. In accordance with the law, the
effective date of the rule is 30 days from
the date of publication in the Federal
Register during which either or both
Houses of Congress are in session.
DATES: Effective Date: Under the
authority of 12 U.S.C. 2252, the
regulation amending 12 CFR part 610
published on August 20, 2013 (78 FR
51046) is effective October 14, 2013.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Gaylon J. Dykstra, Assistant to the
Director, Office of Regulatory Policy,
Farm Credit Administration, McLean,
VA 22102–5090, (703) 883–4498, TTY
(703) 883–4056;
or
Richard A. Katz, Senior Counsel, Office
of General Counsel, Farm Credit
Administration, McLean, Virginia
22102–5090, (703) 883–4020, TTY
(703) 883–4056.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Farm
Credit Administration repealed its
regulations that govern the registration
of residential mortgage loan originators
employed by Farm Credit System (FCS
or System) institutions. We repealed
these regulations because the Bureau of
Consumer Financial Protection (CFPB),
pursuant to its authority under the
Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and
Consumer Protection Act (Dodd-Frank
Act), is consolidating and recodifying
the regulations that six Federal agencies
jointly enacted to implement the Secure
and Fair Enforcement for Mortgage
Licensing Act (S.A.F.E. Act), which
require residential mortgage loan
originators at banks, savings
associations, credit unions, FCS
institutions, and their subsidiaries to
register with the National Mortgage
Licensing System and Registry (NMLSR
or Registry) and obtain a unique
identifier. Repealing these regulations
avoids duplication, which is likely to
cause confusion at FCS institutions. The
FCA received no comments on the
interim rule, and we now adopt it as
final. In accordance with 12 U.S.C.
2252, the effective date of the rule is 30
days from the date of publication in the
Federal Register during which either or
both Houses of Congress are in session.
Based on the records of the sessions of
Congress, the effective date of the
regulations is October 14, 2013.
E:\FR\FM\24OCR1.SGM
24OCR1
Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 78, Number 206 (Thursday, October 24, 2013)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 63375-63379]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2013-24906]
[[Page 63375]]
=======================================================================
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION
10 CFR Part 72
[NRC-2012-0020]
RIN 3150-AJ10
List of Approved Spent Fuel Storage Casks: Transnuclear, Inc.
Standardized NUHOMS[supreg] Cask System
AGENCY: Nuclear Regulatory Commission.
ACTION: Direct final rule.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) is amending its
spent fuel storage regulations by revising the Transnuclear, Inc.
Standardized NUHOMS[supreg] Cask System listing within the ``List of
Approved Spent Fuel Storage Casks'' to include Amendment No. 11 to
Certificate of Compliance (CoC) No. 1004. Amendment No. 11 revises
authorized contents to include: adding a new transfer cask (TC), the
OS197L, for use with the 32PT and 61BT dry shielded canisters (DSC);
and converting the CoC No. 1004 Technical Specifications (TS) to the
format in NUREG-1745, ``Standard Format and Content for Technical
Specifications for 10 CFR [Title 10 of the Code of Federal Regulations]
Part 72 Cask Certificates of Compliance.'' In addition, the amendment
makes several other changes as described under the ``Discussion of
Changes'' heading in the SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION section of this
document.
DATES: The final rule is effective January 7, 2014, unless significant
adverse comments are received by November 25, 2013. If the rule is
withdrawn as a result of such comments, timely notice of the withdrawal
will be published in the Federal Register. Comments received after this
date will be considered if it is practical to do so, but the NRC staff
is able to ensure consideration only for comments received on or before
this date.
ADDRESSES: Please refer to Docket ID NRC-2012-0020 when contacting the
NRC about the availability of information for this final rule. You may
access information and comment submittals related to this final
rulemaking, which the NRC possesses and is publicly available by any of
the following methods:
Federal Rulemaking Web site: Go to https://www.regulations.gov and search for Docket ID NRC-2012-0020. Address
questions about NRC dockets to Carol Gallagher, telephone: 301-287-
3422, email: Carol.Gallagher@nrc.gov. For technical questions, contact
the individual listed in the FOR FURHTER INFORMATION CONTACT section of
this document.
NRC's Agencywide Documents Access and Management System
(ADAMS): You may access publicly 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 ADAMS accession number
for each document referenced in this document (if that document is
available in ADAMS) is provided the first time that a document is
referenced. The proposed CoC and preliminary safety evaluation report
(SER) are available in ADAMS under Package Accession No. ML120130550.
The ADAMS Accession No. for the Transnuclear, Inc. Standardized
NUHOMS[supreg] Cask System Amendment No. 11 application dated April 10,
2007, is ML071240088.
NRC's PDR: You may examine and purchase copies of public
documents at the NRC's PDR, Room O-1F21, One White Flint North, 11555
Rockville Pike, Rockville, Maryland 20852.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Gregory R. Trussell, Office of Federal
and State Materials and Environmental Management Programs, U.S. Nuclear
Regulatory Commission, Washington, DC 20555-0001, telephone: 301-415-
6445, email: Gregory.Trussell@nrc.gov.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Table of Contents
I. Procedural Background
II. Background
III. Discussion of Changes
IV. Voluntary Consensus Standards
V. Agreement State Compatibility
VI. Plain Writing
VII. Finding of No Significant Environmental Impact: Availability
VIII. Paperwork Reduction Act Statement
IX. Regulatory Analysis
X. Regulatory Flexibility Certification
XI. Backfitting and Issue Finality
XII. Congressional Review Act
I. Procedural Background
This rule is limited to the changes contained in Amendment No. 11
to CoC No. 1004 and does not include other aspects of the Transnuclear,
Inc. Standardized NUHOMS[supreg] Cask System design. The NRC is using
the ``direct final rule procedure'' to issue this amendment because it
represents a limited and routine change to an existing CoC that is
expected to be noncontroversial. Adequate protection of public health
and safety continues to be ensured. The amendment to the rule will
become effective on January 7, 2014. However, if the NRC receives
significant adverse comments on this direct final rule by November 25,
2013, then the NRC will publish a document that withdraws this action
and will subsequently address the comments received in a final rule as
a response to the companion proposed rule published in the Proposed
Rule section of this issue of the Federal Register. Absent significant
modifications to the proposed revisions requiring republication, the
NRC will not initiate a second comment period on this action.
A significant adverse comment is a comment where the commenter
explains why the rule would be inappropriate, including challenges to
the rule's underlying premise or approach, or would be ineffective or
unacceptable without a change. A comment is adverse and significant if:
(1) The comment opposes the rule and provides a reason sufficient
to require a substantive response in a notice-and-comment process. For
example, a substantive response is required when:
(a) The comment causes the NRC staff to reevaluate (or reconsider)
its position or conduct additional analysis;
(b) The comment raises an issue serious enough to warrant a
substantive response to clarify or complete the record; or
(c) The comment raises a relevant issue that was not previously
addressed or considered by the NRC staff.
(2) The comment proposes a change or an addition to the rule, and
it is apparent that the rule would be ineffective or unacceptable
without incorporation of the change or addition.
(3) The comment causes the NRC staff to make a change (other than
editorial) to the rule, CoC, or TSs.
For detailed instructions on submitting comments, please see the
companion proposed rule published in the Proposed Rule section of this
issue of the Federal Register.
II. Background
Section 218(a) of the Nuclear Waste Policy Act (NWPA) of 1982, as
amended, requires that ``the Secretary [of the Department of Energy]
shall establish a demonstration program, in cooperation with the
private sector, for the dry storage of spent nuclear fuel at civilian
nuclear power reactor sites, with the objective of establishing one or
more technologies that the [Nuclear Regulatory] Commission may, by
rule, approve for use at the sites of civilian
[[Page 63376]]
nuclear power reactors without, to the maximum extent practicable, the
need for additional site-specific approvals by the Commission.''
Section 133 of the NWPA states, in part, that ``[the Commission] shall,
by rule, establish procedures for the licensing of any technology
approved by the Commission under Section 219(a) [sic: 218(a)] for use
at the site of any civilian nuclear power reactor.''
To implement this mandate, the Commission approved dry storage of
spent nuclear fuel in NRC-approved casks under a general license by
publishing a final rule in 10 CFR part 72, which added a new subpart K
within 10 CFR part 72 entitled, ``General License for Storage of Spent
Fuel at Power Reactor Sites'' (55 FR 29181; July 18, 1990). This rule
also established a new subpart L within 10 CFR part 72 entitled,
``Approval of Spent Fuel Storage Casks,'' which contains procedures and
criteria for obtaining NRC approval of spent fuel storage cask designs.
The NRC subsequently issued a final rule on December 22,1994 (59 FR
65898), that approved the Standardized NUHOMS[supreg] Cask System
design and added it to the list of NRC-approved cask designs in 10 CFR
72.214 as CoC No. 1004.
III. Discussion of Changes
On April 10, 2007 (ADAMS Accession No. ML071240088), and as
supplemented on August 23, 2007 (ADAMS Accession No. ML072410293),
December 21, 2007 (ADAMS Accession No. ML080020420), June 12, 2008
(ADAMS Accession No. ML081700238), August 14, 2009 (ADAMS Accession No.
ML13149A438), August 5, 2010 (ADAMS Accession No. ML102230097), and
February 25, 2011 (ADAMS Accession No. ML110590060), Transnuclear,
Inc., the holder of CoC No. 1004, submitted to the NRC a request to
amend CoC No. 1004. Specifically, Transnuclear, Inc. requested changes
to: (1) add a new TC, the OS197L, for use with the 32PT and 61BT DSC;
and (2) convert the CoC No. 1004 TS to the format in NUREG-1745. The
previously approved payloads and the corresponding TSs have been
retained ``as-is'' in the new format of the proposed TSs, including
tables and figures. In addition, this change removes the bases for the
Limiting Conditions for Operation and Surveillance Requirements from
the TSs and relocates the bases to Chapter 10 of the Updated Final
Safety Analysis Report (UFSAR). Specific changes to the TSs are:
Converting the existing TSs for CoC No. 1004 proposed
Amendment 10 TS, to the improved TS format and content consistent with
NUREG-1745 requirements.
Deleting the TC dose rates for all currently licensed
payloads (TSs 1.2.11, 1.2.11 a, 1.2.11 b, 1.2.11 c, 1.2.11d, and
1.2.11e). These TS are redundant to TS 1.2.7 which regulates dose
limits for a loaded DSC when stored inside a horizontal storage module
where a payload resides during its 20 year licensed life span.
Deleting DSC vacuum drying duration limits for all the
licensed payloads (TSs 1.2.17, 1.2.17a, 1.2.17b, and 1.2.17c).
Implementing the following NRC suggested revisions that
were adopted by letter dated August 14, 2009 (ADAMS Accession No.
ML092330146).
[cir] Adding Sections 4.4.1 and 4.4.2 to the proposed TSs to
reflect additional restrictions for the use of the OS197L TC.
[cir] Revising Section 5.2.4, ``Radiation Protection Program,'' of
the proposed TSs to include dose assessment for occupational exposures
during loading operations. If remote handling devices are used for
movement of a transfer cask during loading, then the dose assessment
shall include recovery from a potential malfunction of these devices.
[cir] Adding Section 4.2.1 of the proposed TSs to reflect the
additional restrictions for all horizontal storage modules if an
independent spent fuel storage installation (ISFSI) is located in a
coastal salt water marine environment.
Changing the following conditions in the CoC:
[cir] Revising CoC Condition 6 to clarify that general licensees
may use either the original issue of the certificate or use previously
approved amendments of this certificate for storage under the
provisions of 10 CFR 72.210.
[cir] Deleting CoC Conditions 7 and 8 as they have been moved to
proposed TSs 5.5 and 5.6, respectively.
Revising the CoC and TSs to add requirements for the
OS197L TC.
As documented in the SER (ADAMS Accession No. ML120130593), the NRC
staff performed a detailed safety evaluation of the proposed CoC
amendment request. There are no significant changes to cask design
requirements in the proposed CoC amendment. Considering the specific
design requirements for each accident condition, the design of the cask
would prevent loss of containment, shielding, and criticality control.
If there is no loss of containment, shielding, or criticality control,
the environmental impacts would be insignificant. This amendment does
not reflect a significant change in design or fabrication of the cask.
In addition, any resulting occupational exposure or offsite dose rates
from the implementation of Amendment No. 11 would remain well within
the 10 CFR part 20 limits. Thus, the proposed
CoC changes will not result in any radiological or non-radiological
environmental impacts that significantly differ from the environmental
impacts evaluated in the environmental assessment supporting the July
18, 1990, final rule. There will be no significant change in the types
or significant revisions in the amounts of any effluent released, no
significant increase in the individual or cumulative radiation
exposure, and no significant increase in the potential for or
consequences from radiological accidents.
This direct final rule revises the Standardized NUHOMS[supreg] Cask
System listing in 10 CFR 72.214 by adding Amendment No. 11 to CoC
No.1004. The amendment consists of the changes previously described, as
set forth in the revised CoC and TSs. The revised TSs are identified in
the SER.
The amended Standardized NUHOMS[supreg] cask design, when used
under the conditions specified in the CoC, the TSs, and the NRC's
regulations, will meet the requirements of 10 CFR part 72; thus,
adequate protection of public health and safety will continue to be
ensured. When this direct final rule becomes effective, persons who
hold a general license under 10 CFR 72.210 may load spent nuclear fuel
into Standardized NUHOMS[supreg] Cask Systems that meet the criteria of
Amendment No. 11 to CoC No. 1004 under 10 CFR 72.212.
IV. Voluntary Consensus Standards
The National Technology Transfer and Advancement Act of 1995 (Pub.
L. 104-113) requires that Federal agencies use technical standards that
are developed or adopted by voluntary consensus standards bodies unless
the use of such a standard is inconsistent with applicable law or
otherwise impractical. In this direct final rule, the NRC will revise
the Standardized NUHOMS[supreg] Cask System design listed in 10 CFR
72.214, ``List of Approved Spent Fuel Storage Casks.'' This action does
not constitute the establishment of a standard that contains generally
applicable requirements.
V. Agreement State Compatibility
Under the ``Policy Statement on Adequacy and Compatibility of
Agreement State Programs'' approved by the Commission on June 30, 1997,
and published in the Federal Register on September 3, 1997 (62 FR
46517), this rule is classified as Compatibility
[[Page 63377]]
Category ``NRC.'' Compatibility is not required for Category ``NRC''
regulations. The NRC program elements in this category are those that
relate directly to areas of regulation reserved to the NRC by the
Atomic Energy Act of 1954, as amended, or the provisions of 10 CFR.
Although an Agreement State may not adopt program elements reserved to
the NRC, it may wish to inform its licensees of certain requirements
via a mechanism that is consistent with the particular State's
administrative procedure laws, but does not confer regulatory authority
on the State.
VI. Plain Writing
The Plain Writing Act of 2010 (Pub. L. 111-274) requires Federal
agencies to write documents in a clear, concise, well-organized manner
that also follows other best practices appropriate to the subject or
field and the intended audience. The NRC has attempted to use plain
language in promulgating this rule consistent with the Federal Plain
Writing Act guidelines.
VII. Finding of No Significant Environmental Impact: Availability
A. The Action
The action is to amend 10 CFR 72.214 to revise the Transnuclear,
Inc. Standardized NUHOMS[supreg] Cask System listing within the ``List
of Approved Spent Fuel Storage Casks'' to include Amendment No. 11 to
CoC No. 1004.
Under the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969, as amended,
and the NRC regulations in subpart A of 10 CFR part 51, the NRC has
determined that this rule, if adopted, would not be a major Federal
action significantly affecting the quality of the human environment
and, therefore, an environmental impact statement is not required. The
NRC has made a finding of no significant impact on the basis of this
environmental assessment.
B. The Need for the Action
This rule amends the CoC for the Standardized NUHOMS[supreg] Cask
System design within the list of approved spent fuel storage casks that
power reactor licensees can use to store spent fuel at reactor sites
under a general license. Specifically, Transnuclear, Inc. requested
changes to revise authorized contents to include: (1) adding a new TC,
the OS197L, for use with the 32PT and 61BT DSC; and (2) converting the
CoC No. 1004 TSs to the format in NUREG-1745, ``Standard Format and
Content for Technical Specifications for 10 CFR Part 72 Cask
Certificates of Compliance.'' The previously approved payloads and the
corresponding TSs have been retained ``as-is'' in the new format of the
proposed TSs, including tables and figures. In addition, this change
removes the bases for the Limiting Conditions for Operation and
Surveillance Requirements from the TSs and relocates the bases to
Chapter 10 of the UFSAR.
C. Environmental Impacts of the Action
On July 18, 1990 (55 FR 29181), the NRC issued an amendment to 10
CFR part 72 to provide for the storage of spent nuclear fuel under a
general license in cask designs approved by the NRC. The potential
environmental impact of using NRC approved storage casks was initially
analyzed in the environmental assessment for the 1990 final rule. The
environmental assessment for this Amendment No. 11 tiers off of the
environmental assessment for the July 18, 1990, final rule. Tiering on
past environmental assessments is a standard process under the National
Environmental Policy Act.
Standardized NUHOMS[supreg] Cask Systems are designed to mitigate
the effects of design basis accidents that could occur during storage.
Design basis accidents account for human-induced events and the most
severe natural phenomena reported for the site and surrounding area.
Postulated accidents analyzed for an ISFSI, the type of facility at
which a holder of a power reactor operating license would store spent
fuel in casks in accordance with 10 CFR part 72, include tornado winds
and tornado-generated missiles, a design basis earthquake, a design
basis flood, an accidental cask drop, lightning effects, fire,
explosions, and other incidents.
Based upon its review, the NRC staff has reasonable assurance that
the design of the shielding system associated with the OS197L light
weight transfer cask (a component of the Standardized NUHOMS[supreg]
System), as currently proposed, and when limited to use of the 61BT and
32PT DSCs, is in compliance with 10 CFR part 72 and that the applicable
design and acceptance criteria, including 10 CFR part 20, have been
satisfied. The evaluation of the shielding design provides reasonable
assurance that the OS197L light weight transfer cask will allow safe
transfer of spent fuel to dry storage in accordance with 10 CFR
72.236(d). Considering the specific design requirements for each
accident condition, the design of the cask would prevent loss of
containment, shielding, and criticality control. If there is no loss of
containment, shielding, or criticality control, the environmental
impacts would be insignificant. This amendment does not reflect a
significant change in design or fabrication of the cask. There are no
significant changes to cask design requirements in the proposed CoC
amendment. In addition, any resulting occupational exposure or offsite
dose rates from the implementation of Amendment No. 11 would remain
well within the 10 CFR part 20 limits. Therefore, the proposed CoC
changes will not result in any radiological or non-radiological
environmental impacts that significantly differ from the environmental
impacts evaluated in the environmental assessment supporting the July
18, 1990, final rule. There will be no significant change in the types
or significant revisions in the amounts of any effluent released, no
significant increase in the individual or cumulative radiation
exposure, and no significant increase in the potential for or
consequences from radiological accidents.
The staff documented its findings in a safety evaluation report
which is available in ADAMS under Accession No. ML120130550.
D. Alternative to the Action
The alternative to this action is to deny approval of Amendment No.
11 and end the final rulemaking. Consequently, any 10 CFR part 72
general licensee that seeks to load spent nuclear fuel into the
Standardized NUHOMS[supreg] Cask System in accordance with the changes
described in proposed Amendment No. 11 would have to request an
exemption from the requirements of 10 CFR 72.212 and 72.214. Under this
alternative, interested licensees would have to prepare, and the NRC
would have to review, a separate exemption request, thereby increasing
the administrative burden upon the NRC and the costs to each licensee.
Therefore, the environmental impacts would be the same or less than the
action.
E. Alternative Use of Resources
Approval of Amendment No. 11 to CoC No. 1004 would result in no
irreversible commitments of resources.
F. Agencies and Persons Contacted
No agencies or persons outside the NRC were contacted in connection
with the preparation of this environmental assessment.
G. Finding of No Significant Impact
The environmental impacts of the action have been reviewed under
the requirements in 10 CFR part 51.
Based on the foregoing environmental assessment, the NRC concludes
that this
[[Page 63378]]
rulemaking entitled, ``List of Approved Spent Fuel Storage Casks:
Standardized NUHOMS[supreg] Cask System,'' will not have a significant
effect on the human environment. Therefore, the NRC has determined that
an environmental impact statement is not necessary for this rule.
Documents related to this rulemaking, including comments received
by the NRC, may be examined at the NRC Public Document Room, Room O-
1F21, One White Flint North, 11555 Rockville Pike, Rockville, Maryland
20852.
VIII. Paperwork Reduction Act Statement
This rule does not contain any information collection requirements
and, therefore, is not subject to the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995
(44 U.S.C. 3501 et seq.). Existing requirements were approved by the
Office of Management and Budget (OMB), Approval Number 3150-0132.
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 currently valid
OMB control number.
IX. Regulatory Analysis
On July 18, 1990 (55 FR 29181), the NRC issued an amendment to 10
CFR part 72 to provide for the storage of spent nuclear fuel under a
general license in cask designs approved by the NRC. Any nuclear power
reactor licensee can use NRC-approved cask designs to store spent
nuclear fuel if it notifies the NRC in advance, the spent fuel is
stored under the conditions specified in the cask's CoC, and the
conditions of the general license are met. A list of NRC-approved cask
designs is contained in 10 CFR 72.214. On December 22, 1994 (59 FR
65898), the NRC issued an amendment to 10 CFR part 72 that approved the
Standardized NUHOMS[supreg] Cask System design by adding it to the list
of NRC-approved cask designs in 10 CFR 72.214.
On April 10, 2007 (ADAMS Accession No. ML071240088), and as
supplemented on August 23, 2007 (ML072410293), December 21, 2007
(ML080020420), June 12, 2008 (ML081700238), August 14, 2009
(ML13149A438), August 5, 2010 (ML102230097), and February 25, 2011
(ML110590060), Transnuclear, Inc. submitted an application to amend the
Standardized NUHOMS[supreg] Cask System as described in Section III.
The alternative to this action is to withhold approval of Amendment
No. 11 and to require any 10 CFR part 72 general licensee seeking to
load spent nuclear fuel into Standardized NUHOMS[supreg] Cask Systems
under the changes described in Amendment No. 11 to request an exemption
from the requirements of 10 CFR 72.212 and 72.214. Under this
alternative, each interested 10 CFR part 72 licensee would have to
prepare, and the NRC would have to review, a separate exemption
request, thereby increasing the administrative burden upon the NRC and
the costs to each licensee.
Approval of the direct final rule is consistent with previous NRC
actions. Further, as documented in the SER and the environmental
assessment, the direct final rule will have no adverse effect on public
health and safety or the environment. This direct final rule has no
significant identifiable impact or benefit on other Government
agencies. Based on this regulatory analysis, the NRC concludes that the
requirements of the direct final rule are commensurate with the NRC's
responsibilities for public health and safety and the common defense
and security. No other available alternative is believed to be as
satisfactory, and therefore, this action is recommended.
X. Regulatory Flexibility Certification
Under the Regulatory Flexibility Act of 1980 (5 U.S.C. 605(b)), the
NRC certifies that this rule will not, if issued, have a significant
economic impact on a substantial number of small entities. This direct
final rule affects only nuclear power plant licensees and Transnuclear,
Inc. These entities do not fall within the scope of the definition of
small entities set forth in the Regulatory Flexibility Act or the size
standards established by the NRC (10 CFR 2.810).
XI. Backfitting and Issue Finality
The NRC has determined that the backfit rule (10 CFR 72.62) does
not apply to this direct final rule. Therefore, a backfit analysis is
not required. This direct final rule revises the CoC No. 1004 for the
Transnuclear, Inc. Standardized NUHOMS[supreg] Cask System, as
currently listed in 10 CFR 72.214, ``List of Approved Spent Fuel
Storage Casks.'' The revision consists of Amendment No. 11, which: (i)
Adds a new transfer cask, the OS197L, for use with the 32PT and 61BT
dry shielded canisters, and associated changes to address the use of
the new transfer cask; (ii) converts the TS in the CoC to the format in
NUREG-1745, ``Standard Format and Content for Technical Specifications
for 10 CFR [Title 10 of the Code of Federal Regulations] Part 72 Cask
Certificates of Compliance;'' (iii) deletes the TC dose rates for all
currently licensed payloads, which are redundant to TS 1.2.7
(regulating dose limits for a loaded DSC when stored inside a
horizontal storage module where a payload resides during its 20 year
licensed life span); (iv) deletes DSC vacuum drying duration limits for
all the licensed payloads; (v) revises Section 5.2.4, ``Radiation
Protection Program,'' of the TS to include dose assessment for
occupational exposures during loading operations, and require that if
remote handling devices are used for movement of a transfer cask during
loading, then the dose assessment shall include recovery from a
potential malfunction of these devices; (vi) adds Section 4.2.1 to the
TSs to reflect additional restrictions for all horizontal storage
modules if an ISFSI is located in a coastal salt water marine
environment; (vii) revises CoC Condition 6 to clarify that general
licensees may use either the original issue of the certificate or use
previously approved amendments of this certificate for storage; and
(vi) deletes CoC Conditions 7 and 8 as they are moved to TSs 5.5 and
5.6, respectively.
Amendment 11 to CoC No. 1004 for the Standardized NUHOMS[supreg]
Cask System was initiated by Transnuclear, Inc. and was not submitted
in response to new NRC requirements, or an NRC request for amendment.
Amendment 11 applies only to new casks fabricated and used under
Amendment 11. These changes do not affect existing users of the
Standardized NUHOMS[supreg] Cask System, and the current amendment (10)
continues to be effective for existing users, consistent with new CoC
Condition 6. While current CoC users may comply with the new
requirements in Amendment 11, this would be a voluntary decision on the
part of current users. For these reasons, Amendment 11 to CoC No. 1004
does not constitute backfitting under 10 CFR 72.62, 10 CFR
50.109(a)(1), or otherwise represent an inconsistency with the issue
finality provisions applicable to combined licenses in Part 52.
Accordingly, no backfit analysis or additional documentation addressing
the issue finality criteria in Part 52 has been prepared by the staff.
XII. Congressional Review Act
The Office of Management and Budget has not found this to be a
major rule as defined in the Congressional Review Act.
[[Page 63379]]
List of Subjects in 10 CFR Part 72
Administrative practice and procedure, Criminal penalties, Manpower
training programs, Nuclear materials, Occupational safety and health,
Penalties, Radiation protection, Reporting and recordkeeping
requirements, Security measures, Spent fuel, Whistleblowing.
For the reasons set out in the preamble and under the authority of
the Atomic Energy Act of 1954, as amended; the Energy Reorganization
Act of 1974, as amended; the Nuclear Waste Policy Act of 1982, as
amended; and 5 U.S.C. 552 and 553; the NRC is adopting the following
amendments to 10 CFR part 72.
PART 72--LICENSING REQUIREMENTS FOR THE INDEPENDENT STORAGE OF
SPENT NUCLEAR FUEL, HIGH-LEVEL RADIOACTIVE WASTE, AND REACTOR-
RELATED GREATER THAN CLASS C WASTE
0
1. The authority citation for part 72 continues to read as follows:
Authority: Atomic Energy Act secs. 51, 53, 57, 62, 63, 65, 69,
81, 161, 182, 183, 184, 186, 187, 189, 223, 234, 274 (42 U.S.C.
2071, 2073, 2077, 2092, 2093, 2095, 2099, 2111, 2201, 2232, 2233,
2234, 2236, 2237, 2238, 2273, 2282, 2021); Energy Reorganization Act
sec. 201, 202, 206, 211 (42 U.S.C. 5841, 5842, 5846, 5851); National
Environmental Policy Act sec. 102 (42 U.S.C. 4332); Nuclear Waste
Policy Act secs. 131, 132, 133, 135, 137, 141 148 (42 U.S.C. 10151,
10152, 10153, 10155, 10157, 10161, 10168); sec. 1704, 112 Stat. 2750
(44 U.S.C. 3504 note); Energy Policy Act of 2005, Pub. L. No. 109-
58, 119 Stat. 549 (2005).
Section 72.44(g) also issued under secs. Nuclear Waste Policy
Act 142(b) and 148(c), (d) (42 U.S.C. 10162(b), 10168(c), (d)).
Section 72.46 also issued under Atomic Energy Act sec. 189 (42
U.S.C. 2239); Nuclear Waste Policy Act sec. 134 (42 U.S.C. 10154).
Section 72.96(d) also issued under Nuclear Waste Policy Act sec.
145(g) (42 U.S.C. 10165(g)). Subpart J also issued under Nuclear
Waste Policy Act secs. 117(a), 141(h) (42 U.S.C. 10137(a),
10161(h)). Subpart K is also issued under sec. 218(a) (42 U.S.C.
10198).
0
2. In Sec. 72.214, Certificate of Compliance 1004 is revised to read
as follows:
Sec. 72.214 List of approved spent fuel storage casks.
* * * * *
Certificate Number: 1004.
Initial Certificate Effective Date: January 23, 1995.
Amendment Number 1 Effective Date: April 27, 2000.
Amendment Number 2 Effective Date: September 5, 2000.
Amendment Number 3 Effective Date: September 12, 2001.
Amendment Number 4 Effective Date: February 12, 2002.
Amendment Number 5 Effective Date: January 7, 2004.
Amendment Number 6 Effective Date: December 22, 2003.
Amendment Number 7 Effective Date: March 2, 2004.
Amendment Number 8 Effective Date: December 5, 2005.
Amendment Number 9 Effective Date: April 17, 2007.
Amendment Number 10 Effective Date: August 24, 2009.
Amendment Number 11 Effective Date: January 7, 2014.
SAR Submitted by: Transnuclear, Inc.
SAR Title: Final Safety Analysis Report for the Standardized
NUHOMS[supreg] Horizontal Modular Storage System for Irradiated Nuclear
Fuel.
Docket Number: 72-1004.
Certificate Expiration Date: January 23, 2015.
Model Number: NUHOMS[supreg] -24P, -24PHB, -24PTH, -32PT, -32PTH1,
-52B, -61BT, and -61BTH.
* * * * *
Dated at Rockville, Maryland, this 2nd day of October 2013.
For the Nuclear Regulatory Commission.
Mark A. Satorius,
Executive Director for Operations.
[FR Doc. 2013-24906 Filed 10-23-13; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 7590-01-P