Northern States Power Company; Prairie Island Nuclear Generating Plant Independent Spent Fuel Storage Installation, 24982-24983 [2015-10246]

Download as PDF 24982 Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 84 / Friday, May 1, 2015 / Notices identifying or contact information that they do not want to be publicly disclosed in their comment submission. Your request should state that the NRC does not routinely edit comment submissions to remove such information before making the comment submissions available to the public or entering the comment into ADAMS. II. Discussion Electrical enclosures are a potential source of fire in nuclear power plants because they contain both combustible materials and live electrical circuits. These fires have the potential to disrupt power, instrumentation, and control in the plant. Key parameters affecting fire in an electrical enclosure include its size, openings, electrical voltage, and combustible load. This report documents the results from 112 fullscale experiments conducted by the National Institute of Standards and Technology at the Chesapeake Bay Detachment of the Naval Research Laboratory to better quantify the heat release rate (HRR) and burning behavior of electrical enclosures. Eight electrical enclosures were acquired from Bellefonte Nuclear Generating Station, a plant owned by the Tennessee Valley Authority located in Hollywood, Alabama. The enclosures were originally low voltage control cabinets, but in the experiments they were reconfigured with various amounts and types of electrical cable to represent other kinds of enclosures that would be found in a typical plant. An oxygen consumption calorimeter was built on site to measure the HRR of the fire as a function of time. The peak HRR varied from 0.3 kW to 576 kW. Dated at Rockville, Maryland, this 21st day of April 2015. For the Nuclear Regulatory Commission. Mark Henry Salley, Chief, Fire Research Branch, Division of Risk Analysis, Office of Nuclear Regulatory Research. [FR Doc. 2015–10128 Filed 4–30–15; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 7590–01–P NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION mstockstill on DSK4VPTVN1PROD with NOTICES [Docket Nos. 50–282, 50–306, and 72–10; NRC–2014–0236] Northern States Power Company; Prairie Island Nuclear Generating Plant Independent Spent Fuel Storage Installation Nuclear Regulatory Commission. ACTION: Exemption; issuance. AGENCY: VerDate Sep<11>2014 18:14 Apr 30, 2015 Jkt 235001 The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) is issuing an exemption in response to a May 16, 2013, request from Northern States Power Company (NSPM or the licensee), a Minnesota corporation doing business as Xcel Energy, for its specific license to operate an independent spent fuel storage installation (ISFSI) at the Prairie Island (PI) Nuclear Generating Plant. The licensee seeks relief from a regulatory provision with regard to the location of the primary alarm station. DATES: Notice of issuance of exemption is given on May 1, 2015. ADDRESSES: Please refer to Docket ID NRC–2014–0236 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–2014–0236. Address question about NRC dockets to Carol Gallagher; telephone: 301–415–3463; email: Carol.Gallagher@nrc.gov. For technical questions, contact the individual listed in the FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT section of this document. • NRC’s PDC: 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: Pamela Longmire, Ph.D., Office of Nuclear Material Safety and Safeguards, U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission, Washington, DC 20555–0001; telephone: 301–415–7000; email: Pamela.Longmire@nrc.gov. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: SUMMARY: I. Background The licensee possesses a specific license under part 72 of Title 10 of the Code of Federal Regulations (10 CFR) for the storage of spent fuel in an ISFSI at the PI Nuclear Generating Plant. Section 72.180, ‘‘Physical protection plan,’’ requires the licensee to comply with the physical protection requirements in 10 CFR 73.51, ‘‘Requirements for the physical protection of stored spent nuclear fuel and high-level radioactive waste.’’ The licensee is subject to the requirements of 10 CFR 73.51(d)(3), which specifies the location, components, and requirements for the primary alarm station for the ISFSI. II. Request/Action By letter dated May 16, 2013, NSPM submitted a request for an exemption PO 00000 Frm 00091 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 from a specific portion of the requirements of 10 CFR 73.51(d), ‘‘Physical protection systems, components, and procedures.’’ Specifically, the licensee seeks relief from a regulatory provision of 10 CFR 73.51(d)(3) with regard to the location of the primary alarm station. The NRC has the authority under 10 CFR 73.5 to grant a specific exemption from these requirements if the exemption is authorized by law and will not endanger life or property or the common defense and security, and the exemption is otherwise in the public interest. III. Discussion In accordance with the provisions of 10 CFR 73.21, physical protection plans for the storage of spent fuel and highlevel radioactive waste are protected as Safeguards Information. This exemption request pertains to the location of the primary alarm station. The NRC evaluated the exemption request in greater detail in the safety evaluation report (SER). The SER is withheld from public disclosure in accordance with 10 CFR 2.390 because it contains security information. A. Regulatory Evaluation In the final rule, ‘‘Physical Protection for Spent Nuclear Fuel and High-Level Radioactive Waste’’ (63 FR 26955; May 15, 1998), the introductory text of 10 CFR 73.51(d) was revised to more clearly indicate the Commission’s intent that alternative measures may also be acceptable for meeting the performance objectives of 10 CFR 73.51(d). B. Technical Evaluation Pursuant to 10 CFR 73.5, the Commission may, upon application by any interested person or upon its own initiative, grant such exemptions from the requirements of the regulations in 10 CFR part 73 as it determines are authorized by law, will not endanger life or property or the common defense and security, and are otherwise in the public interest. The NRC reviewed this request to determine whether the exemption should be granted. The NRC’s evaluation of this exemption request is set forth in the SER. The NRC has found that the NSPM meets the criteria for an exemption in 10 CFR 73.5. The NRC has determined that granting the exemption will not result in a violation of the Atomic Energy Act of 1954, as amended, or otherwise violate the Commission’s regulations. Therefore, the exemption is authorized by law. This exemption would not reduce the safeguards effectiveness of the physical security plan, and would E:\FR\FM\01MYN1.SGM 01MYN1 Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 84 / Friday, May 1, 2015 / Notices allow NSPM to continue to maintain the 10 CFR 73.51 performance objectives of high assurance of public health and safety and the common defense and security. Therefore, granting the exemption would not endanger life or property or the common defense and security. Lastly, issuance of the exemption would facilitate effective security management at the PI site. Therefore, issuance of the exemption is in the public interest. NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION C. Environmental Assessment SUMMARY: The NRC also considered whether there would be any significant environmental impacts associated with the exemption. For this proposed action, the NRC performed an environmental assessment pursuant to 10 CFR 51.30. The proposed action is the approval of a request to exempt the applicant from certain requirements of 10 CFR 73.51(d)(3). The environmental assessment concluded that the proposed action would not significantly impact the quality of the human environment. The NRC concludes that the proposed action would not result in any changes in the types or amounts of any radiological or non-radiological effluents that may be released offsite, and there would be no significant increase in occupational or public radiation exposure because of the proposed action. The environmental assessment and the finding of no significant impact were published in the Federal Register on October 24, 2014 (79 FR 63649). IV. Conclusion mstockstill on DSK4VPTVN1PROD with NOTICES Accordingly, the Commission has determined that, pursuant to 10 CFR 73.5, this exemption is authorized by law, will not endanger life or property or the common defense and security, and is otherwise in the public interest. Therefore, the Commission hereby grants NSPM an exemption from certain requirements of 10 CFR 73.51(d)(3), as specified in the SER. The licensee did not request, and the Commission does not grant, relief from any other requirement in 10 CFR 73.51(d)(3) or any other provision. Dated at Rockville, Maryland, this 23rd day of April 2015. For the Nuclear Regulatory Commission. Anthony H. Hsia, Deputy Director, Division of Spent Fuel Management, Office of Nuclear Material Safety and Safeguards. [FR Doc. 2015–10246 Filed 4–30–15; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 7590–01–P VerDate Sep<11>2014 18:14 Apr 30, 2015 Jkt 235001 [Docket No. 72–10; NRC–2013–0002] Northern States Power Company; Prairie Island Independent Spent Fuel Storage Installation Nuclear Regulatory Commission. ACTION: License amendment application; issuance. AGENCY: The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) reviewed an application by Northern States Power Company (NSPM) for amendment of Materials License No. SNM–2506 which authorizes NSPM to receive, possess, store, and transfer spent nuclear fuel and associated radioactive materials. The amendment sought to revise the cask cavity pressurization Technical Specifications for the spent fuel storage casks utilized at the Prairie Island (PI) Independent Spent Fuel Storage Installation (ISFSI). DATES: Notice of amendment to Materials License No. SNM–2506 given on May 1, 2015. ADDRESSES: Please refer to Docket ID NRC–2013–0002 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–2013–0002. Address questions about NRC dockets to Carol Gallagher; telephone: 301–415–3463; email: Carol.Gallagher@nrc.gov. For technical questions, contact the individuals 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 Prairie Island License Amendment Request No. 9 package is available electronically under ADAMS Accession No. ML14143A202. • NRC’s PDR: You may examine and purchase copies of public documents at the NRC’s PDR, Room O1–F21, One PO 00000 Frm 00092 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 24983 White Flint North, 11555 Rockville Pike, Rockville, Maryland 20852. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Chris Allen, Office of Nuclear Material Safety and Safeguards, U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission, Washington, DC 20555–0001; telephone: 301–415– 6877; email: William.Allen@nrc.gov. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: By application dated May 23, 2014, as supplemented November 19, 2014, NSPM submitted to the NRC, in accordance with part 72 of Title 10 of the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR), a request to amend Special Nuclear Materials License No. SNM–2506 for its PI ISFSI site located in Welch, Minnesota. License No. SNM–2506 authorizes NSPM to receive, possess, store, and transfer spent nuclear fuel and associated radioactive materials resulting from the operation of the PI Power Plant in an ISFSI at the power plant site for a term of 20 years. Specifically, the amendment proposed to revise the cask cavity pressurization technical specifications for the spent fuel storage casks utilized at the PI ISFSI. The NRC issued a letter dated July 30, 2014, notifying NSPM that the application was acceptable for review. In accordance with 10 CFR 72.16, a notice of docketing was published in the Federal Register on September 3, 2014 (79 FR 52375). The notice of docketing included an opportunity to request a hearing and to petition for leave to intervene. No requests for a hearing or petitions for leave to intervene were submitted. The NRC prepared a safety evaluation report (SER) (ADAMS Accession No. ML15092A166) to document its review and evaluation of the amendment request. In addition, the NRC evaluated an assertion by PI that the amendment request satisfied the categorical exclusion criteria specified in 10 CFR 51.22(c)(11). Under 10 CFR 51.22(c)(11), a categorical exclusion is allowed for amendments to materials licenses which are administrative, organizational, or procedural in nature, or which result in a change to process operations or equipment, provided that (i) there is no significant change in the types or significant increase in the amounts of any effluents that may be released offsite, (ii) there is no significant increase in individual or cumulative occupational radiation exposure, (iii) there is no significant construction impact, and (iv) there is no significant increase in the potential for or consequences from radiological accidents. As explained in the SER, the NRC determined that the license E:\FR\FM\01MYN1.SGM 01MYN1

Agencies

NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION

[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 84 (Friday, May 1, 2015)]
[Notices]
[Pages 24982-24983]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2015-10246]


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NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION

[Docket Nos. 50-282, 50-306, and 72-10; NRC-2014-0236]


Northern States Power Company; Prairie Island Nuclear Generating 
Plant Independent Spent Fuel Storage Installation

AGENCY: Nuclear Regulatory Commission.

ACTION: Exemption; issuance.

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SUMMARY: The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) is issuing an 
exemption in response to a May 16, 2013, request from Northern States 
Power Company (NSPM or the licensee), a Minnesota corporation doing 
business as Xcel Energy, for its specific license to operate an 
independent spent fuel storage installation (ISFSI) at the Prairie 
Island (PI) Nuclear Generating Plant. The licensee seeks relief from a 
regulatory provision with regard to the location of the primary alarm 
station.

DATES: Notice of issuance of exemption is given on May 1, 2015.

ADDRESSES: Please refer to Docket ID NRC-2014-0236 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-2014-0236. Address 
question about NRC dockets to Carol Gallagher; telephone: 301-415-3463; 
email: Carol.Gallagher@nrc.gov. For technical questions, contact the 
individual listed in the FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT section of 
this document.
     NRC's PDC: 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: Pamela Longmire, Ph.D., Office of 
Nuclear Material Safety and Safeguards, U.S. Nuclear Regulatory 
Commission, Washington, DC 20555-0001; telephone: 301-415-7000; email: 
Pamela.Longmire@nrc.gov.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Background

    The licensee possesses a specific license under part 72 of Title 10 
of the Code of Federal Regulations (10 CFR) for the storage of spent 
fuel in an ISFSI at the PI Nuclear Generating Plant. Section 72.180, 
``Physical protection plan,'' requires the licensee to comply with the 
physical protection requirements in 10 CFR 73.51, ``Requirements for 
the physical protection of stored spent nuclear fuel and high-level 
radioactive waste.'' The licensee is subject to the requirements of 10 
CFR 73.51(d)(3), which specifies the location, components, and 
requirements for the primary alarm station for the ISFSI.

II. Request/Action

    By letter dated May 16, 2013, NSPM submitted a request for an 
exemption from a specific portion of the requirements of 10 CFR 
73.51(d), ``Physical protection systems, components, and procedures.'' 
Specifically, the licensee seeks relief from a regulatory provision of 
10 CFR 73.51(d)(3) with regard to the location of the primary alarm 
station.
    The NRC has the authority under 10 CFR 73.5 to grant a specific 
exemption from these requirements if the exemption is authorized by law 
and will not endanger life or property or the common defense and 
security, and the exemption is otherwise in the public interest.

III. Discussion

    In accordance with the provisions of 10 CFR 73.21, physical 
protection plans for the storage of spent fuel and high-level 
radioactive waste are protected as Safeguards Information. This 
exemption request pertains to the location of the primary alarm 
station. The NRC evaluated the exemption request in greater detail in 
the safety evaluation report (SER). The SER is withheld from public 
disclosure in accordance with 10 CFR 2.390 because it contains security 
information.

A. Regulatory Evaluation

    In the final rule, ``Physical Protection for Spent Nuclear Fuel and 
High-Level Radioactive Waste'' (63 FR 26955; May 15, 1998), the 
introductory text of 10 CFR 73.51(d) was revised to more clearly 
indicate the Commission's intent that alternative measures may also be 
acceptable for meeting the performance objectives of 10 CFR 73.51(d).

B. Technical Evaluation

    Pursuant to 10 CFR 73.5, the Commission may, upon application by 
any interested person or upon its own initiative, grant such exemptions 
from the requirements of the regulations in 10 CFR part 73 as it 
determines are authorized by law, will not endanger life or property or 
the common defense and security, and are otherwise in the public 
interest. The NRC reviewed this request to determine whether the 
exemption should be granted. The NRC's evaluation of this exemption 
request is set forth in the SER.
    The NRC has found that the NSPM meets the criteria for an exemption 
in 10 CFR 73.5. The NRC has determined that granting the exemption will 
not result in a violation of the Atomic Energy Act of 1954, as amended, 
or otherwise violate the Commission's regulations. Therefore, the 
exemption is authorized by law. This exemption would not reduce the 
safeguards effectiveness of the physical security plan, and would

[[Page 24983]]

allow NSPM to continue to maintain the 10 CFR 73.51 performance 
objectives of high assurance of public health and safety and the common 
defense and security. Therefore, granting the exemption would not 
endanger life or property or the common defense and security. Lastly, 
issuance of the exemption would facilitate effective security 
management at the PI site. Therefore, issuance of the exemption is in 
the public interest.

C. Environmental Assessment

    The NRC also considered whether there would be any significant 
environmental impacts associated with the exemption. For this proposed 
action, the NRC performed an environmental assessment pursuant to 10 
CFR 51.30. The proposed action is the approval of a request to exempt 
the applicant from certain requirements of 10 CFR 73.51(d)(3).
    The environmental assessment concluded that the proposed action 
would not significantly impact the quality of the human environment. 
The NRC concludes that the proposed action would not result in any 
changes in the types or amounts of any radiological or non-radiological 
effluents that may be released offsite, and there would be no 
significant increase in occupational or public radiation exposure 
because of the proposed action. The environmental assessment and the 
finding of no significant impact were published in the Federal Register 
on October 24, 2014 (79 FR 63649).

IV. Conclusion

    Accordingly, the Commission has determined that, pursuant to 10 CFR 
73.5, this exemption is authorized by law, will not endanger life or 
property or the common defense and security, and is otherwise in the 
public interest. Therefore, the Commission hereby grants NSPM an 
exemption from certain requirements of 10 CFR 73.51(d)(3), as specified 
in the SER. The licensee did not request, and the Commission does not 
grant, relief from any other requirement in 10 CFR 73.51(d)(3) or any 
other provision.

    Dated at Rockville, Maryland, this 23rd day of April 2015.

    For the Nuclear Regulatory Commission.
Anthony H. Hsia,
Deputy Director, Division of Spent Fuel Management, Office of Nuclear 
Material Safety and Safeguards.
[FR Doc. 2015-10246 Filed 4-30-15; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 7590-01-P

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