Westinghouse Electric Company, LLC; Decommissioning Project, Hematite, Missouri, 71795-71800 [2014-28421]

Agencies

• NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION

[Federal Register Volume 79, Number 232 (Wednesday, December 3, 2014)]
[Notices]
[Pages 71795-71800]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2014-28421]


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NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION

[Docket No. 70-0036; NRC-2012-0054]


Westinghouse Electric Company, LLC; Decommissioning Project, 
Hematite, Missouri

AGENCY: Nuclear Regulatory Commission.

ACTION: License amendment application; request for exemption; 
opportunity to request a hearing and to petition for leave to 
intervene; order.

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SUMMARY: The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) has received an 
application from Westinghouse Electric Company, LLC dated July 11, 
2014, and subsequently modified by submittal dated September 25, 2014, 
for amendment of the Hematite Fuel Cycle Facility license (License No. 
SNM-33), which authorizes decommissioning of the facility. The 
amendment would allow disposal of an additional 87,100 m\3\ (cubic 
meters) of debris and contaminated soil, concrete and asphalt, filter 
media, ion exchange resin and piping containing NRC-licensed source, 
byproduct and special nuclear material at U.S. Ecology Idaho, Inc.

DATES: A request for a hearing or petition for leave to intervene must 
be filed by February 2, 2015. Any potential party as defined in Sec.  
2.4 of Title 10 of the Code of Federal Regulations (10 CFR) who 
believes access to Sensitive Unclassified Non-Safeguards Information 
(SUNSI) and/or Safeguards Information (SGI) is necessary to respond to 
this notice must request document access by December 15, 2014.

ADDRESSES: Please refer to Docket ID NRC-2012-0054 when contacting the 
NRC about the availability of information regarding this document. You 
may obtain publicly-available information related to this document 
using any of the following methods:
     Federal Rulemaking Web site: Go to https://www.regulations.gov and search for Docket ID NRC-2012-0054. 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 FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT section of 
this document.
     NRC's Agencywide Documents Access and Management System 
(ADAMS): You may obtain publicly available documents online in the 
ADAMS Public Documents collection 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.
     NRC's PDR: You may examine and purchase copies of public 
documents at the NRC's PDR, Room O1-F21, One White Flint North, 11555 
Rockville Pike, Rockville, Maryland, 20852.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: John J. Hayes, Office of Nuclear 
Materials and Safeguards, U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission, 
Washington, DC 20555-0001; telephone: 301-415-5928; email: 
John.Hayes@nrc.gov.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Introduction

    The NRC has received a license amendment application from 
Westinghouse Electric Company, LLC (WEC or the licensee), dated July 
11, 2014 (ADAMS Accession No. ML14193A008). The licensee holds NRC 
License No. SNM-33 and is authorized to conduct decommissioning 
activities at the facility. The licensee requests NRC authorization 
under 10 CFR

[[Page 71796]]

20.2002 for alternate disposal of an additional 87,100 m\3\ (cubic 
meters) of buried debris and contaminated soil, concrete and asphalt, 
filter media, ion exchange resin and piping containing NRC-licensed 
source, byproduct and special nuclear material. The amendment requests 
authorization for WEC to transfer decommissioning waste from the 
facility to U.S. Ecology Idaho, Inc. (USEI), a Resource Conservation 
and Recovery Act Subtitle C disposal facility, located near Grand View, 
Idaho. The USEI facility is regulated by the Idaho Department of 
Environmental Quality and is not an NRC-licensed facility.
    An NRC administrative review, documented in a letter to WEC dated 
August 29, 2014 (ADAMS Accession No. ML14188B647), found the 
application acceptable to begin a technical review. On September 25, 
2014, Westinghouse submitted a revision (ADAMS Accession No. 
ML14293A614) to their July 11, 2014, request. If the NRC approves the 
amendment, the approval will be documented in an amendment to NRC 
License No. SNM-33. However, before approving the proposed amendment, 
the NRC will need to make the findings required by the Atomic Energy 
Act of 1954, as amended, and the NRC's regulations. These findings will 
be documented in a Safety Evaluation Report and an Environmental 
Assessment.

ll. Opportunity To Request a Hearing and Petition for Leave To 
Intervene

    Within 60 days after the date of publication of this notice, any 
person(s) whose interest may be affected by this action may file a 
request for a hearing and a petition to intervene with respect to 
issuance of the amendment to the subject facility operating license or 
combined license. Requests for hearing and petitions for leave to 
intervene shall be filed under 10 CFR part 2, ``Agency Rules of 
Practice and Procedure.'' Interested person(s) should consult a current 
copy of 10 CFR 2.309, ``Hearing requests, petitions to intervene, 
requirements for standing, and contentions,'' which is available at the 
NRC's PDR, located at One White Flint North, Room O1-F21, 11555 
Rockville Pike (first floor), Rockville, Maryland, 20852. The NRC's 
regulations are accessible electronically from the NRC Library on the 
NRC's Web site at https://www.nrc.gov/reading-rm/doc-collections/cfr/. 
If a request for a hearing or petition for leave to intervene is filed 
within 60 days, the Commission or a presiding officer designated by the 
Commission or by the Chief Administrative Judge of the Atomic Safety 
and Licensing Board Panel, will rule on the request and/or petition; 
and the Secretary or the Chief Administrative Judge of the Atomic 
Safety and Licensing Board will issue a notice of a hearing or an 
appropriate order.
    As required by 10 CFR 2.309, a petition for leave to intervene 
shall set forth with particularity the interest of the petitioner in 
the proceeding, and how that interest may be affected by the results of 
the proceeding. The petition should specifically explain the reasons 
why intervention should be permitted with particular reference to the 
following general requirements: (1) The name, address, and telephone 
number of the requestor or petitioner; (2) the nature of the 
requestor's/petitioner's right under the Act to be made a party to the 
proceeding; (3) the nature and extent of the requestor's/petitioner's 
property, financial, or other interest in the proceeding; and (4) the 
possible effect of any decision or order which may be entered in the 
proceeding on the requestor's/petitioner's interest. The petition must 
also set forth the specific contentions that the requestor/petitioner 
seeks to have litigated at the proceeding.
    Each contention must consist of a specific statement of the issue 
of law or fact to be raised or controverted. In addition, the 
requestor/petitioner shall provide a brief explanation of the bases for 
the contention and a concise statement of the alleged facts or expert 
opinion which support the contention and on which the requestor/
petitioner intends to rely in proving the contention at the hearing. 
The requestor/petitioner must also provide references to those specific 
sources and documents of which the petitioner is aware and on which the 
requestor/petitioner intends to rely to establish those facts or expert 
opinion. The petition must include sufficient information to show that 
a genuine dispute exists with the applicant on a material issue of law 
or fact. Contentions shall be limited to matters within the scope of 
the amendment under consideration. The contention must be one which, if 
proven, would entitle the requestor/petitioner to relief. A requestor/
petitioner who fails to satisfy these requirements with respect to at 
least one contention will not be permitted to participate as a party.
    Those permitted to intervene become parties to the proceeding, 
subject to any limitations in the order granting leave to intervene, 
and have the opportunity to participate fully in the conduct of the 
hearing with respect to resolution of that person's admitted 
contentions, including the opportunity to present evidence and to 
submit a cross-examination plan for cross-examination of witnesses, 
consistent with NRC regulations, policies, and procedures. The Atomic 
Safety and Licensing Board will set the time and place for any 
prehearing conferences and evidentiary hearings, and the appropriate 
notices will be provided. Petitions for leave to intervene must be 
filed no later than 60 days from the date of publication of this 
notice. Requests for hearing, petitions for leave to intervene, and 
motions for leave to file new or amended contentions that are filed 
after the 60-day deadline will not be entertained absent a 
determination by the presiding officer that the filing demonstrates 
good cause by satisfying the three factors in 10 CFR 2.309(c)(1)(i)-
(iii).
    A State, local governmental body, Federally-recognized Indian 
tribe, or agency thereof, may submit a petition to the Commission to 
participate as a party under 10 CFR 2.309(h)(1). The petition should 
state the nature and extent of the petitioner's interest in the 
proceeding. The petition should be submitted to the Commission by 
February 2, 2015. The petition must be filed in accordance with the 
filing instructions in the ``Electronic Submissions (E-Filing)'' 
section of this document, and should meet the requirements for 
petitions for leave to intervene set forth in this section, except that 
under Sec.  2.309(h)(2) a State, local governmental body, or Federally-
recognized Indian tribe, or agency thereof does not need to address the 
standing requirements in 10 CFR 2.309(d) if the facility is located 
within its boundaries. A State, local governmental body, Federally-
recognized Indian Tribe, or agency thereof may also have the 
opportunity to participate under 10 CFR 2.315(c).
    If a hearing is granted, any person who does not wish, or is not 
qualified, to become a party to the proceeding may, in the discretion 
of the presiding officer, be permitted to make a limited appearance 
pursuant to the provisions of 10 CFR 2.315(a). A person making a 
limited appearance may make an oral or written statement of position on 
the issues, but may not otherwise participate in the proceeding. A 
limited appearance may be made at any session of the hearing or at any 
prehearing conference, subject to the limits and conditions as may be 
imposed by the presiding officer. Persons desiring to make a limited 
appearance are requested to inform the Secretary of the Commission by 
February 2, 2015.

[[Page 71797]]

III. Electronic Submissions (E-Filing)

    All documents filed in NRC adjudicatory proceedings, including a 
request for hearing, a petition for leave to intervene, any motion or 
other document filed in the proceeding prior to the submission of a 
request for hearing or petition to intervene, and documents filed by 
interested governmental entities participating under 10 CFR 2.315(c), 
must be filed in accordance with the NRC's E-Filing rule (72 FR 49139; 
August 28, 2007). The E-Filing process requires participants to submit 
and serve all adjudicatory documents over the internet, or in some 
cases to mail copies on electronic storage media. Participants may not 
submit paper copies of their filings unless they seek an exemption in 
accordance with the procedures described below.
    To comply with the procedural requirements of E-Filing, at least 10 
days prior to the filing deadline, the participant should contact the 
Office of the Secretary by email at Hearing.Docket@nrc.gov, or by 
telephone at 301-415-1677, to request (1) a digital identification (ID) 
certificate, which allows the participant (or its counsel or 
representative) to digitally sign documents and access the E-Submittal 
server for any proceeding in which it is participating; and (2) advise 
the Secretary that the participant will be submitting a request or 
petition for hearing (even in instances in which the participant, or 
its counsel or representative, already holds an NRC-issued digital ID 
certificate). Based upon this information, the Secretary will establish 
an electronic docket for the hearing in this proceeding if the 
Secretary has not already established an electronic docket.
    Information about applying for a digital ID certificate is 
available on the NRC's public Web site at https://www.nrc.gov/site-help/e-submittals/getting-started.html. System requirements for accessing 
the E-Submittal server are detailed in the NRC's ``Guidance for 
Electronic Submission,'' which is available on the agency's public Web 
site at https://www.nrc.gov/site-help/e-submittals.html. Participants 
may attempt to use other software not listed on the Web site, but 
should note that the NRC's E-Filing system does not support unlisted 
software, and the NRC Meta System Help Desk will not be able to offer 
assistance in using unlisted software. If a participant is 
electronically submitting a document to the NRC in accordance with the 
E-Filing rule, the participant must file the document using the NRC's 
online, Web-based submission form. In order to serve documents through 
the Electronic Information Exchange System, users will be required to 
install a Web browser plug-in from the NRC's Web site. Further 
information on the Web-based submission form, including the 
installation of the Web browser plug-in, is available on the NRC's 
public Web site at https://www.nrc.gov/site-help/e-submittals.html.
    Once a participant has obtained a digital ID certificate and a 
docket has been created, the participant can then submit a request for 
hearing or petition for leave to intervene. Submissions should be in 
Portable Document Format (PDF) in accordance with NRC guidance 
available on the NRC's public Web site at https://www.nrc.gov/site-help/e-submittals.html. A filing is considered complete at the time the 
documents are submitted through the NRC's E-Filing system. To be 
timely, an electronic filing must be submitted to the E-Filing system 
no later than 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time on the due date. Upon receipt of 
a transmission, the E-Filing system time-stamps the document and sends 
the submitter an email notice confirming receipt of the document. The 
E-Filing system also distributes an email notice that provides access 
to the document to the NRC's Office of the General Counsel and any 
others who have advised the Office of the Secretary that they wish to 
participate in the proceeding, so that the filer need not serve the 
documents on those participants separately. Therefore, applicants and 
other participants (or their counsel or representative) must apply for 
and receive a digital ID certificate before a hearing request/petition 
to intervene is filed so that they can obtain access to the document 
via the E-Filing system.
    A person filing electronically using the NRC's adjudicatory E-
Filing system may seek assistance by contacting the NRC Meta System 
Help Desk through the ``Contact Us'' link located on the NRC's public 
Web site at https://www.nrc.gov/site-help/e-submittals.html, by email to 
MSHD.Resrouce@nrc.gov or by a toll-free call at 1-866-672-7640. The NRC 
Meta System Help Desk is available between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m., Eastern 
Time, Monday through Friday, excluding government holidays.
    Participants who believe that they have a good cause for not 
submitting documents electronically must file an exemption request, in 
accordance with 10 CFR 2.302(g), with their initial paper filing 
requesting authorization to continue to submit documents in paper 
format. Such filings must be submitted by: (1) First class mail 
addressed to the Office of the Secretary of the Commission, U.S. 
Nuclear Regulatory Commission, Washington, DC 20555-0001, Attention: 
Rulemaking and Adjudications Staff; or (2) courier, express mail, or 
expedited delivery service to the Office of the Secretary, Sixteenth 
Floor, One White Flint North, 11555 Rockville Pike, Rockville, 
Maryland, 20852, Attention: Rulemaking and Adjudications Staff. 
Participants filing a document in this manner are responsible for 
serving the document on all other participants. Filing is considered 
complete by first-class mail as of the time of deposit in the mail, or 
by courier, express mail, or expedited delivery service upon depositing 
the document with the provider of the service. A presiding officer, 
having granted an exemption request from using E-Filing, may require a 
participant or party to use E-Filing if the presiding officer 
subsequently determines that the reason for granting the exemption from 
use of E-Filing no longer exists.
    Documents submitted in adjudicatory proceedings will appear in the 
NRC's electronic hearing docket which is available to the public at 
https://ehd1.nrc.gov/ehd/, unless excluded under an order of the 
Commission, or the presiding officer. Participants are requested not to 
include personal privacy information, such as social security numbers, 
home addresses, or home phone numbers in their filings, unless an NRC 
regulation or other law requires submission of such information. 
However, a request to intervene will require including information on 
local residence in order to demonstrate a proximity assertion of 
interest in the proceeding. With respect to copyrighted works, except 
for limited excerpts that serve the purpose of the adjudicatory filings 
and would constitute a Fair Use application, participants are requested 
not to include copyrighted materials in their submission.

Order Imposing Procedures for Access to Sensitive Unclassified Non-
Safeguards Information and Safeguards Information for Contention 
Preparation

    A. This Order contains instructions regarding how potential parties 
to this proceeding may request access to documents containing sensitive 
unclassified information (including Sensitive Unclassified Non-
Safeguards Information (SUNSI) and Safeguards Information (SGI)). 
Requirements for access to SGI are primarily set forth in 10 CFR parts 
2 and 73. Nothing in this

[[Page 71798]]

Order is intended to conflict with the SGI regulations.
    B. Within 10 days after publication of this notice of hearing and 
opportunity to petition for leave to intervene, any potential party who 
believes access to SUNSI or SGI is necessary to respond to this notice 
may request access to SUNSI or SGI. A ``potential party'' is any person 
who intends to participate as a party by demonstrating standing and 
filing an admissible contention under 10 CFR 2.309. Requests for access 
to SUNSI or SGI submitted later than 10 days after publication will not 
be considered absent a showing of good cause for the late filing, 
addressing why the request could not have been filed earlier.
    C. The requestor shall submit a letter requesting permission to 
access SUNSI, SGI, or both to the Office of the Secretary, U.S. Nuclear 
Regulatory Commission, Washington, DC 20555-0001, Attention: 
Rulemakings and Adjudications Staff, and provide a copy to the 
Associate General Counsel for Hearings, Enforcement and Administration, 
Office of the General Counsel, Washington, DC 20555-0001. The expedited 
delivery or courier mail address for both offices is: U.S. Nuclear 
Regulatory Commission, 11555 Rockville Pike, Rockville, Maryland, 
20852. The email address for the Office of the Secretary and the Office 
of the General Counsel are Hearing.Docket@nrc.gov and 
OGCmailcenter@nrc.gov, respectively.\1\ The request must include the 
following information:
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    \1\ While a request for hearing or petition to intervene in this 
proceeding must comply with the filing requirements of the NRC's E-
Filing Rule,'' the initial request to access SUNSI and/or SGI under 
these procedures should be submitted as described in this paragraph.
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    (1) A description of the licensing action with a citation to this 
Federal Register notice;
    (2) The name and address of the potential party and a description 
of the potential party's particularized interest that could be harmed 
by the action identified in C. (1);
    (3) If the request is for SUNSI, the identity of the individual or 
entity requesting access to SUNSI and the requestor's basis for the 
need for the information in order to meaningfully participate in this 
adjudicatory proceeding. In particular, the request must explain why 
publicly-available versions of the information requested would not be 
sufficient to provide the basis and specificity for a proffered 
contention; and
    (4) If the request is for SGI, the identity of each individual who 
would have access to SGI if the request is granted, including the 
identity of any expert, consultant, or assistant who will aid the 
requestor in evaluating the SGI. In addition, the request must contain 
the following information:
    (a) A statement that explains each individual's ``need to know'' 
the SGI, as required by 10 CFR 73.2 and 10 CFR 73.22(b)(1). Consistent 
with the definition of ``need to know'' as stated in 10 CFR 73.2, the 
statement must explain:
    (i) Specifically why the requestor believes that the information is 
necessary to enable the requestor to proffer and/or adjudicate a 
specific contention in this proceeding; \2\ and
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    \2\ Broad SGI requests under these procedures are unlikely to 
meet the standard for need to know; furthermore, staff redaction of 
information from requested documents before their release may be 
appropriate to comport with this requirement. These procedures do 
not authorize unrestricted disclosure or less scrutiny of a 
requestor's need to know than ordinarily would be applied in 
connection with an already-admitted contention or non-adjudicatory 
access to SGI.
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    (ii) The technical competence (demonstrable knowledge, skill, 
training or education) of the requestor to effectively utilize the 
requested SGI to provide the basis and specificity for a proffered 
contention. The technical competence of a potential party or its 
counsel may be shown by reliance on a qualified expert, consultant, or 
assistant who satisfies these criteria.
    (b) A completed Form SF-85, ``Questionnaire for Non-Sensitive 
Positions'' for each individual who would have access to SGI. The 
completed Form SF-85 will be used by the Office of Administration to 
conduct the background check required for access to SGI, as required by 
10 CFR part 2, subpart G and 10 CFR 73.22(b)(2), to determine the 
requestor's trustworthiness and reliability. For security reasons, Form 
SF-85 can only be submitted electronically through the electronic 
questionnaire for investigations processing (e-QIP) Web site, a secure 
Web site that is owned and operated by the Office of Personnel 
Management. To obtain online access to the form, the requestor should 
contact the NRC's Office of Administration at 301-415-7000.\3\
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    \3\ The requestor will be asked to provide his or her full name, 
social security number, date and place of birth, telephone number, 
and email address. After providing this information, the requestor 
usually should be able to obtain access to the online form within 
one business day.
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    (c) A completed Form FD-258 (fingerprint card), signed in original 
ink, and submitted in accordance with 10 CFR 73.57(d). Copies of Form 
FD-258 may be obtained by writing the Office of Information Services, 
U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission, Washington, DC 20555-0001, by 
calling 630-829-9565, or by email to Forms.Resource@nrc.gov. The 
fingerprint card will be used to satisfy the requirements of 10 CFR 
part 2, 10 CFR 73.22(b)(1), as well as Section 149 of the Atomic Energy 
Act of 1954, as amended, which mandates that all persons with access to 
SGI must be fingerprinted for an FBI identification and criminal 
history records check.
    (d) A check or money order payable in the amount of $238.00 \4\ to 
the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission for each individual for whom the 
request for access has been submitted.
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    \4\ This fee is subject to change pursuant to the Office of 
Personnel Managements adjustable billing rates.
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    (e) If the requestor or any individual who will have access to SGI 
believes they belong to one or more of the categories of individuals 
that are exempt from the criminal history records check and background 
check requirements in 10 CFR 73.59, the requestor should also provide a 
statement identifying which exemption the requestor is invoking and 
explaining the requestor's basis for believing that the exemption 
applies. While processing the request, the Office of Administration, 
Personnel Security Branch, will make final determination whether the 
claimed exemption applies. Alternatively, the requestor may contact the 
Office of Administration for an evaluation of their exemption status 
prior to submitting their request. Persons who are exempt from the 
background check are not required to complete the SF-85 or Form FD-258; 
however, all other requirements for access to SGI, including the need 
to know, are still applicable.

    Note:  Copies of documents and materials required by paragraphs 
C. (4)(b), (c), and (d) of this Order must be sent to the following 
address: U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission, ATTN: Personnel 
Security Branch, Mail Stop TWFN-03-B46M, 11555 Rockville Pike, 
Rockville, MD 20852.
    These documents and materials should not be included with the 
request letter to the Office of the Secretary, but the request 
letter should state that the forms and fees have been submitted as 
required.

    D. To avoid delays in processing requests for access to SGI, the 
requestor should review all submitted materials for completeness and 
accuracy (including legibility) before submitting them to the NRC. The 
NRC will return incomplete packages to the sender without processing.
    E. Based on an evaluation of the information submitted under 
paragraphs C.(3) or C.(4) above, as applicable, the NRC staff will 
determine within 10 days of receipt of the request whether:

[[Page 71799]]

    (1) There is a reasonable basis to believe the petitioner is likely 
to establish standing to participate in this NRC proceeding; and
    (2) The requestor has established a legitimate need for access to 
SUNSI or need to know the SGI requested.
    F. For requests for access to SUNSI, if the NRC staff determines 
that the requestor satisfies both E. (1) and E. (2) above, the NRC 
staff will notify the requestor in writing that access to SUNSI has 
been granted. The written notification will contain instructions on how 
the requestor may obtain copies of the requested documents, and any 
other conditions that may apply to access to those documents. These 
conditions may include, but are not limited to, the signing of a Non-
Disclosure Agreement or Affidavit, or Protective Order setting forth 
terms and conditions to prevent the unauthorized or inadvertent 
disclosure of SUNSI by each individual who will be granted access to 
SUNSI.\5\
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    \5\ Any motion for Protective Order or draft Non-Disclosure 
Affidavit or Agreement for SUNSI must be filed with the presiding 
officer or the Chief Administrative Judge if the presiding officer 
has not yet been designated, within 30 days of the deadline for the 
receipt of the written access request.
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    G. For requests for access to SGI, if the NRC staff determines that 
the requestor has satisfied both E.(1) and E.(2) above, the Office of 
Administration will then determine, based upon completion of the 
background check, whether the proposed recipient is trustworthy and 
reliable, as required for access to SGI by 10 CFR 73.22(b). If the 
Office of Administration determines that the individual or individuals 
are trustworthy and reliable, the NRC will promptly notify the 
requestor in writing. The notification will provide the names of 
approved individuals as well as the conditions under which the SGI will 
be provided. Those conditions may include, but not be limited to, the 
signing of a Non-Disclosure Agreement or Affidavit, or Protective Order 
\6\ by each individual who will be granted access to SGI.
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    \6\ Any motion for Protective Order or draft Non-Disclosure 
Affidavit or Agreement for SGI must be filed with the presiding 
officer or the Chief Administrative Judge if the presiding officer 
has not yet been designated, within 180 days of the deadline for the 
receipt of the written access request.
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    H. Release and Storage of SGI. Prior to providing SGI to the 
requestor, the NRC staff will conduct (as necessary) an inspection to 
confirm that the recipient's information protection system is 
sufficient to satisfy the requirements of 10 CFR 73.22. Alternatively, 
recipients may opt to view SGI at an approved SGI storage location 
rather than establish their own SGI protection program to meet SGI 
protection requirements.
    I. Filing of Contentions. Any contentions in these proceedings that 
are based upon the information received as a result of the request made 
for SUNSI or SGI must be filed by the requestor no later than 25 days 
after the requestor is granted access to that information. However, if 
more than 25 days remain between the date the petitioner is granted 
access to the information and the deadline for filing all other 
contentions (as established in the notice of hearing or opportunity for 
hearing), the petitioner may file its SUNSI or SGI contentions by that 
later deadline.
    J. Review of Denials of Access.
    (1) If the request for access to SUNSI or SGI is denied by the NRC 
staff either after a determination on standing and requisite need, or 
after a determination on trustworthiness and reliability, the NRC staff 
shall immediately notify the requestor in writing, briefly stating the 
reason or reasons for the denial.
    (2) Before the Office of Administration makes an adverse 
determination regarding the proposed recipient(s) trustworthiness and 
reliability for access to SGI, the Office of Administration, in 
accordance with 10 CFR 2.705(c)(3)(iii), must provide the proposed 
recipient(s) any records that were considered in the trustworthiness 
and reliability determination, including those required to be provided 
under 10 CFR 73.57(e)(1), so that the proposed recipient(s) have an 
opportunity to correct or explain the record.
    (3) The requestor may challenge the NRC staff's adverse 
determination with respect to access to SUNSI by filing a challenge 
within 5 days of receipt of that determination with: (a) The presiding 
officer designated in this proceeding; (b) if no presiding officer has 
been appointed, the Chief Administrative Judge, or if he or she is 
unavailable, another administrative judge, or an Administrative Law 
Judge with jurisdiction pursuant to 10 CFR 2.318(a); or (c) if another 
officer has been designated to rule on information access issues, with 
that officer.
    (4) The requestor may challenge the NRC staff's or Office of 
Administration's adverse determination with respect to access to SGI by 
filing a request for review in accordance with 10 CFR 2.705(c)(3)(iv). 
Further appeals of decisions under this paragraph must be made pursuant 
to 10 CFR 2.311, ``Interlocutory review of rulings on requests for 
hearings/petitions to intervene, selection of hearing procedures, and 
requests by potential parties for access to sensitive unclassified non-
safeguards information and safeguards information.''
    K. Review of Grants of Access. A party other than the requestor may 
challenge an NRC staff determination granting access to SUNSI or SGI 
whose release would harm that party's interest independent of the 
proceeding. Such a challenge must be filed with the Chief 
Administrative Judge within 5 days of the notification by the NRC staff 
of its grant of access.
    If challenges to the NRC staff determinations are filed, these 
procedures give way to the normal process for litigating disputes 
concerning access to information. The availability of interlocutory 
review by the Commission of orders ruling on such NRC staff 
determinations (whether granting or denying access) is governed by 10 
CFR 2.311.\7\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \7\ Requestors should note that the filing requirements of the 
NRC's E-Filing Rule (72 FR 49139; August 28, 2007) apply to appeals 
of NRC staff determinations (because they must be served on a 
presiding officer or the Commission, as applicable), but not to the 
initial SUNSI/SGI request submitted to the NRC staff under these 
procedures.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    L. The Commission expects that the NRC staff and presiding officers 
(and any other reviewing officers) will consider and resolve requests 
for access to SUNSI or SGI, and motions for protective orders, in a 
timely fashion in order to minimize any unnecessary delays in 
identifying those petitioners who have standing and who have propounded 
contentions meeting the specificity and basis requirements in 10 CFR 
part 2. The attachment to this Order summarizes the general target 
schedule for processing and resolving requests under these procedures.
    It is so ordered.

    Dated at Rockville, Maryland, this 24th day of November, 2014.

    For the Nuclear Regulatory Commission.
Annette L. Vietti-Cook,
Secretary of the Commission.

[[Page 71800]]



   Attachment 1--General Target Schedule for Processing and Resolving
Requests for Access to Sensitive Unclassified Non-Safeguards Information
              and Safeguards Information in This Proceeding
------------------------------------------------------------------------
           Day                             Event/activity
------------------------------------------------------------------------
0........................  Publication of Federal Register notice of
                            hearing and opportunity to petition for
                            leave to intervene, including order with
                            instructions for access requests.
10.......................  Deadline for submitting requests for access
                            to Sensitive Unclassified Non Safeguards
                            Information (SUNSI) and/or Safeguards
                            Information (SGI) with information:
                            supporting the standing of a potential party
                            identified by name and address; describing
                            the need for the information in order for
                            the potential party to participate
                            meaningfully in an adjudicatory proceeding;
                            demonstrating that access should be granted
                            (e.g., showing technical competence for
                            access to SGI); and, for SGI, including
                            application fee for fingerprint/background
                            check.
60.......................  Deadline for submitting petition for
                            intervention containing: (i) Demonstration
                            of standing; (ii) all contentions whose
                            formulation does not require access to SUNSI
                            and/or SGI (+25 Answers to petition for
                            intervention; +7 requestor/petitioner
                            reply).
20.......................  U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC)
                            staff informs the requestor of the staff's
                            determination whether the request for access
                            provides a reasonable basis to believe
                            standing can be established and shows (1)
                            need for SUNSI or (2) need to know for SGI.
                            (For SUNSI, NRC staff also informs any party
                            to the proceeding whose interest independent
                            of the proceeding would be harmed by the
                            release of the information.) If NRC staff
                            makes the finding of need for SUNSI and
                            likelihood of standing, NRC staff begins
                            document processing (preparation of
                            redactions or review of redacted documents).
                            If NRC staff makes the finding of need to
                            know for SGI and likelihood of standing, NRC
                            staff begins background check (including
                            fingerprinting for a criminal history
                            records check), information processing
                            (preparation of redactions or review of
                            redacted documents), and readiness
                            inspections.
25.......................  If NRC staff finds no ``need,'' no ``need to
                            know,'' or no likelihood of standing, the
                            deadline for requestor/petitioner to file a
                            motion seeking a ruling to reverse the NRC
                            staff's denial of access; NRC staff files
                            copy of access determination with the
                            presiding officer (or Chief Administrative
                            Judge or other designated officer, as
                            appropriate). If NRC staff finds ``need''
                            for SUNSI, the deadline for any party to the
                            proceeding whose interest independent of the
                            proceeding would be harmed by the release of
                            the information to file a motion seeking a
                            ruling to reverse the NRC staff's grant of
                            access.
30.......................  Deadline for NRC staff reply to motions to
                            reverse NRC staff determination(s).
40.......................  (Receipt +30) If NRC staff finds standing and
                            need for SUNSI, deadline for NRC staff to
                            complete information processing and file
                            motion for Protective Order and draft Non-
                            Disclosure Affidavit. Deadline for applicant/
                            licensee to file Non-Disclosure Agreement
                            for SUNSI.
190......................  (Receipt +180) If NRC staff finds standing,
                            need to know for SGI, and trustworthiness
                            and reliability, deadline for NRC staff to
                            file motion for Protective Order and draft
                            Non-disclosure Affidavit (or to make a
                            determination that the proposed recipient of
                            SGI is not trustworthy or reliable). Note:
                            Before the Office of Administration makes an
                            adverse determination regarding access to
                            SGI, the proposed recipient must be provided
                            an opportunity to correct or explain
                            information.
205......................  Deadline for petitioner to seek reversal of a
                            final adverse NRC staff trustworthiness or
                            reliability determination either before the
                            presiding officer or another designated
                            officer under 10 CFR 2.705(c)(3)(iv).
A........................  If access granted: Issuance of presiding
                            officer or other designated officer decision
                            on motion for protective order for access to
                            sensitive information (including schedule
                            for providing access and submission of
                            contentions) or decision reversing a final
                            adverse determination by the NRC staff.
A + 3....................  Deadline for filing executed Non-Disclosure
                            Affidavits. Access provided to SUNSI and/or
                            SGI consistent with decision issuing the
                            protective order.
A + 28...................  Deadline for submission of contentions whose
                            development depends upon access to SUNSI and/
                            or SGI. However, if more than 25 days remain
                            between the petitioner's receipt of (or
                            access to) the information and the deadline
                            for filing all other contentions (as
                            established in the notice of hearing or
                            opportunity for hearing), the petitioner may
                            file its SUNSI or SGI contentions by that
                            later deadline.
A + 53...................  (Contention receipt +25) Answers to
                            contentions whose development depends upon
                            access to SUNSI and/or SGI.
A + 60...................  (Answer receipt +7) Petitioner/Intervenor
                            reply to answers.
>A + 60..................  Decision on contention admission.
------------------------------------------------------------------------

[FR Doc. 2014-28421 Filed 12-2-14; 8:45 am]
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