Virginia Electric and Power Company, Dominion Energy Kewaunee, Inc. and Dominion Nuclear Connecticut, Inc.; Millstone Independent Spent Fuel Storage Installation, 38075-38078 [2019-16671]

Download as PDF 38075 Federal Register / Vol. 84, No. 150 / Monday, August 5, 2019 / Notices in any significant impact to the environment. Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966, as amended (54 U.S.C. 30618) (NHPA), requires Federal agencies to consider the effects of their undertakings on historic properties. In accordance with the NHPA implementing regulations at 36 CFR part 800, ‘‘Protection of Historic Properties,’’ the NRC’s approval of Dominion’s DFPs constitutes a Federal undertaking. The NRC, however, has determined that the approval of the DFPs is a type of undertaking that does not have the potential to cause effects on historic properties, assuming such historic properties were present, because the NRC’s approval of Dominion’s DFPs will not authorize or result in changes to licensed operations or maintenance activities, or changes in the types, characteristics, or quantities of radiological or non-radiological effluents released into the environment from the ISFSI, or result in the creation of any solid waste. Therefore, in accordance with 36 CFR 800.3(a)(1), no consultation is required under Section 106 of the NHPA. Under Section 7 of the Endangered Species Act of 1973 (16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.) (ESA), prior to taking a proposed action, a Federal agency must determine whether (i) endangered and threatened species or their critical habitats are known to be in the vicinity of the proposed action and if so, whether (ii) the proposed Federal action may affect listed species or critical habitats. The NRC has determined that the proposed action will have no effect on any listed species or their critical habitats because Alternative to the Proposed Action In addition to the proposed action, the NRC evaluated the no-action alternative. The no-action alternative is to deny Dominion’s DFPs. A denial of a DFP that meets the criteria of 10 CFR 72.30(b) or 72.30(c) does not support the regulatory intent of the 2011 rulemaking. As noted in the EA for the 2011 rulemaking (ADAMS Accession No. ML090500648), not promulgating the 2011 final rule would have increased the likelihood of additional legacy sites. Thus, denying Dominion’s DFPs, which the NRC has found to meet the criteria of 10 CFR 72.30(b) and 72.30(c), will undermine the licensee’s decommissioning planning. On this basis, the NRC has concluded that the no-action alternative is not a viable alternative. Agencies and Persons Consulted The NRC staff consulted with other agencies and parties regarding the environmental impacts of the proposed action. The NRC provided a draft of its EA to the Virginia Department of Emergency Management (State) by letter dated August 17, 2017 (ADAMS Accession No. ML17227A007), and gave the State 30 days to respond. The State did not respond. The NRC staff has determined that consultation under ESA Section 7 is not required because the proposed action is administrative/ procedural in nature and will not affect listed species or critical habitat (ADAMS Accession No. ML17135A062). Consequently, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service was not consulted on the proposed action. III. Finding of No Significant Impact The NRC staff has determined that the proposed action, the review and approval of Dominion’s initial and updated DFPs, submitted in accordance with 10 CFR 72.30(b) and 72.30(c), will not authorize or result in changes to licensed operations or maintenance activities, or changes in the types, characteristics, or quantities of radiological or non-radiological effluents released into the environment from the ISFSI, or result in the creation of any solid waste. Moreover, the approval of the DFPs will not authorize any construction activity, facility modification, or any other landdisturbing activity. The NRC staff has concluded that the proposed action is a procedural and administrative action and as such, that the proposed action will not have a significant effect on the quality of the human environment. Therefore, the NRC staff has determined not to prepare an EIS for the proposed action but will issue this FONSI. IV. Availability of Documents The following documents, related to this notice, can be found using any of the methods provided in the following table. Instructions for accessing ADAMS were provided under the ADDRESSES section of this document. ADAMS accession No. Date Document December 17, 2012 ....... December 2, 2015 ......... February 1, 2009 ........... May 15, 2017 ................. August 17, 2017 ............. Submission of Dominion decommissioning funding plan ................................................................... Submission of Dominion triennial decommissioning funding plan ..................................................... Environmental Assessment for Final Rule—Decommissioning Planning .......................................... Note to File re Sct 7 Consultations for ISFSI DFPs .......................................................................... Letter to J. Stern re: Review of the Draft Environmental Assessment and Finding of No Significant Impact for the Surry Power Station Independent Spent Fuel Storage Installation Decommissioning Funding Plan. NRC staff’s Final EA for the approval of the decommissioning funding plan .................................... June 14, 2019 ................ jspears on DSK3GMQ082PROD with NOTICES the NRC’s approval of Dominion’s DFPs will not authorize or result in changes to licensed operations or maintenance activities, or changes in the types, characteristics, or quantities of radiological or non-radiological effluents released into the environment from the ISFSI, or result in the creation of any solid waste. Dated at Rockville, Maryland, this 31st day of July, 2019. For the Nuclear Regulatory Commission. John B. McKirgan, Chief, Spent Fuel Licensing Branch, Division of Spent Fuel Management, Office of Nuclear Material Safety and Safeguards. [FR Doc. 2019–16674 Filed 8–2–19; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 7590–01–P [Docket No. 72–47; NRC–2018–0252] Virginia Electric and Power Company, Dominion Energy Kewaunee, Inc. and Dominion Nuclear Connecticut, Inc.; Millstone Independent Spent Fuel Storage Installation Nuclear Regulatory Commission. VerDate Sep<11>2014 18:42 Aug 02, 2019 Jkt 247001 PO 00000 Frm 00090 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 ML19165A116 Environmental assessment and finding of no significant impact; issuance. ACTION: NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION AGENCY: ML13002A036 ML15342A038 ML090500648 ML17135A062 ML17227A007 The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) is issuing an environmental assessment (EA) and a finding of no significant impact (FONSI) for its review and approval of the decommissioning funding plans submitted by Virginia Electric and Power Company, Dominion Energy SUMMARY: E:\FR\FM\05AUN1.SGM 05AUN1 38076 Federal Register / Vol. 84, No. 150 / Monday, August 5, 2019 / Notices jspears on DSK3GMQ082PROD with NOTICES Kewaunee, Inc. and Dominion Nuclear Connecticut, Inc. (collectively, Dominion) on December 17, 2012, and December 2, 2015, for the independent spent fuel storage installation (ISFSI) at Millstone in Waterford, Connecticut. DATES: The EA and FONSI referenced in this document are available on August 5, 2019. ADDRESSES: Please refer to Docket ID NRC–2018–0252 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 Website: Go to https://www.regulations.gov/ and search for Docket ID NRC–2018–0252. Address questions about docket IDs in Regulations.gov to Jennifer Borges; telephone: 301–287–9127; email: Jennifer.Borges@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 publiclyavailable documents online in the ADAMS Public Documents collection at https://www.nrc.gov/reading-rm/ adams.html. To begin the search, 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. For the convenience of the reader, instructions about obtaining materials referenced in this document are provided in the availability of documents section. • 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: Pamela Longmire, Office of Nuclear Material Safety and Safeguards, U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission, Washington, DC 20555–0001; telephone: 301–415–7465, email: Pamela.Longmire@nrc.gov. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: I. Introduction The NRC is considering the approval of the decommissioning funding plans (DFPs) for the Millstone ISFSI. By letter dated December 17, 2012, Dominion submitted an initial DFP for the ISFSI at Millstone for the NRC’s review and approval (ADAMS Accession No. ML13002A036). The NRC staff reviewed the initial DFP and issued a request for additional information (RAI) by letter VerDate Sep<11>2014 18:42 Aug 02, 2019 Jkt 247001 dated July 18, 2013 (ADAMS Accession No. ML13200A025). Dominion responded to the NRC’s RAI on September 30, 2013 (ADAMS Accession No. ML13283A085). By letter dated December 2, 2015, Dominion submitted an updated DFP (ADAMS Accession No. ML15342A064). The NRC staff has prepared a final EA (ADAMS Accession No. ML19165A120) in support of its review of Dominion’s DFPs, in accordance with the NRC regulations in part 51 of title 10 of the Code of Federal Regulations (10 CFR), ‘‘Environmental Protection Regulations for Domestic Licensing and Related Regulatory Functions,’’ which implement the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969, as amended (42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.). Based on the EA, the NRC staff has determined that approval of the DFPs for the Millstone ISFSI will not significantly affect the quality of the human environment, and accordingly, the staff has concluded that a FONSI is appropriate. The NRC staff further finds that preparation of an environmental impact statement (EIS) is not warranted. II. Environmental Assessment Background The Millstone ISFSI is located in Waterford, Connecticut. Dominion is authorized by the NRC, under License No. SFGL–22 to store spent nuclear fuel at the Millstone ISFSI. The NRC requires its licensees to plan for the eventual decommissioning of their licensed facilities prior to license termination. On June 17, 2011, the NRC published a final rule in the Federal Register amending its decommissioning planning regulations (76 FR 35512). The final rule amended the NRC regulation, 10 CFR 72.30, which concerns financial assurance and decommissioning for ISFSIs. This regulation now requires each holder of, or applicant for, a license under 10 CFR part 72 to submit, for NRC review and approval, a DFP. The purpose of the DFP is to demonstrate the licensee’s financial assurance, i.e., that funds will be available to decommission the ISFSI. The NRC staff is reviewing the DFPs submitted by Dominion on December 17, 2012, and December 2, 2015. Specifically, the NRC must determine whether Dominion’s DFPs contain the information required by 10 CFR 72.30(b) and 72.30(c) and whether Dominion has provided reasonable assurance that funds will be available to decommission the ISFSI. Description of the Proposed Action The proposed action is the NRC’s review and approval of Dominion’s PO 00000 Frm 00091 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 DFPs submitted in accordance with 10 CFR 72.30(b) and 72.30(c). To approve the DFPs, the NRC evaluates whether the decommissioning cost estimate (DCE) adequately estimates the cost to conduct the required ISFSI decommissioning activities prior to license termination, including identification of the volume of onsite subsurface material containing residual radioactivity that will require remediation to meet the license termination criteria in 10 CFR 20.1402 or 10 CFR 20.1403. The NRC also evaluates whether the aggregate dollar amount of Dominion financial instruments provides adequate financial assurance to cover the DCE and that the financial instruments meet the criteria of 10 CFR 72.30(e). Finally, the NRC evaluates whether the effects of the following events have been considered in Dominion’s submittal: (1) Spills of radioactive material producing additional residual radioactivity in onsite subsurface material; (2) facility modifications; (3) changes in authorized possession limits; and (4) actual remediation costs that exceed the previous cost estimate, consistent with 10 CFR 72.30(c). The proposed action does not require any changes to the ISFSI’s licensed routine operations, maintenance activities, or monitoring programs, nor does it require any new construction or land disturbing activities. The scope of the proposed action concerns only the NRC’s review and approval of Dominion’s DFPs. The scope of the proposed action does not include, and will not result in, the review and approval of any decontamination or decommissioning activity or license termination for the ISFSI or any other part of Millstone. Need for the Proposed Action The proposed action provides a means for the NRC to confirm that Dominion will have sufficient funding to cover the costs of decommissioning the ISFSI, including the reduction of the residual radioactivity at the ISFSI to the level specified by the applicable NRC license termination regulations concerning release of the property (10 CFR 20.1402 or 10 CFR 20.1403). Environmental Impacts of the Proposed Action The NRC’s approval of the DFPs will not change the scope or nature of the operation of the ISFSI and will not authorize any changes to licensed operations or maintenance activities. The NRC’s approval of the DFPs will not result in any changes in the types, characteristics, or quantities of E:\FR\FM\05AUN1.SGM 05AUN1 38077 Federal Register / Vol. 84, No. 150 / Monday, August 5, 2019 / Notices radiological or non-radiological effluents released into the environment from the ISFSI, or result in the creation of any solid waste. Moreover, the approval of the DFPs will not authorize any construction activity or facility modification. Therefore, the NRC staff concludes that the approval of Dominion’s DFPs is a procedural and administrative action that will not result in any significant impact to the environment. Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966, as amended (54 U.S.C. 30618) (NHPA), requires Federal agencies to consider the effects of their undertakings on historic properties. In accordance with the NHPA implementing regulations at 36 CFR part 800, ‘‘Protection of Historic Properties,’’ the NRC’s approval of Dominion’s DFPs constitutes a Federal undertaking. The NRC, however, has determined that the approval of the DFPs is a type of undertaking that does not have the potential to cause effects on historic properties, assuming such historic properties were present, because the NRC’s approval of Dominion’s DFPs will not authorize or result in changes to licensed operations or maintenance activities, or changes in the types, characteristics, or quantities of radiological or non-radiological effluents released into the environment from the ISFSI, or result in the creation of any solid waste. Therefore, in accordance with 36 CFR 800.3(a)(1), no consultation is required under Section 106 of the NHPA. Under Section 7 of the Endangered Species Act of 1973 (16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.) (ESA), prior to taking a proposed action, a Federal agency must determine whether (i) endangered and threatened species or their critical habitats are known to be in the vicinity of the Alternative to the Proposed Action In addition to the proposed action, the NRC evaluated the no-action alternative. The no-action alternative is to deny Dominion’s DFPs. A denial of a DFP that meets the criteria of 10 CFR 72.30(b) or 72.30(c) does not support the regulatory intent of the 2011 rulemaking. As noted in the EA for the 2011 rulemaking (ADAMS Accession No. ML090500648), not promulgating the 2011 final rule would have increased the likelihood of additional legacy sites. Thus, denying Dominion’s DFPs, which the NRC has found to meet the criteria of 10 CFR 72.30(b) and 72.30(c), will undermine the licensee’s decommissioning planning. On this basis, the NRC has concluded that the no-action alternative is not a viable alternative. Agencies and Persons Consulted The NRC staff consulted with other agencies and parties regarding the environmental impacts of the proposed action. The NRC provided a draft of its EA to the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (State) by letter dated September 26, 2016 (ADAMS Accession No. ML17083A021), and gave the State 30 days to respond. The State did not respond. The NRC also consulted with the Fish and Wildlife Service by letter dated September 26, 2016 (ADAMS Accession No. ML16274A241). However, the NRC staff has determined that consultation under ESA Section 7 is not required because the proposed action is administrative/procedural in nature and will not affect listed species or critical habitat (ADAMS Accession No. ML17135A062). III. Finding of No Significant Impact The NRC staff has determined that the proposed action, the review and approval of Dominion’s initial and updated DFPs, submitted in accordance with 10 CFR 72.30(b) and 72.30(c), will not authorize or result in changes to licensed operations or maintenance activities, or changes in the types, characteristics, or quantities of radiological or non-radiological effluents released into the environment from the ISFSI, or result in the creation of any solid waste. Moreover, the approval of the DFPs will not authorize any construction activity, facility modification, or any other landdisturbing activity. The NRC staff has concluded that the proposed action is a procedural and administrative action and as such, that the proposed action will not have a significant effect on the quality of the human environment. Therefore, the NRC staff has determined not to prepare an EIS for the proposed action but will issue this FONSI. IV. Availability of Documents The following documents, related to this notice, can be found using any of the methods provided in the following table. Instructions for accessing ADAMS were provided under the ADDRESSES section of this document. ADAMS accession No. Date Document December 17, 2012 ....... December 2, 2015 ......... February 1, 2009 ........... May 15, 2017 ................. September 26, 2016 ...... September 26, 2016 ...... Submission of Dominion decommissioning funding plan ................................................................... Submission of Dominion triennial decommissioning funding plan ..................................................... Environmental Assessment for Final Rule—Decommissioning Planning .......................................... Note to File re Sct 7 Consultations for ISFSI DFPs .......................................................................... Consultation Letter: ML16271A004–RLSO ........................................................................................ Preliminary Determination of No Effects Regarding Milestone Power Station ISFSI Decommissioning Funding Plan (72–47) L24728. NRC staff’s Final EA for the approval of the decommissioning funding plan .................................... June 14, 2019 ................ jspears on DSK3GMQ082PROD with NOTICES proposed action and if so, whether (ii) the proposed Federal action may affect listed species or critical habitats. The NRC has determined that the proposed action will have no effect on any listed species or their critical habitats because the NRC’s approval of Dominion’s DFPs will not authorize or result in changes to licensed operations or maintenance activities, or changes in the types, characteristics, or quantities of radiological or non-radiological effluents released into the environment from the ISFSI, or result in the creation of any solid waste. VerDate Sep<11>2014 18:42 Aug 02, 2019 Jkt 247001 PO 00000 Frm 00092 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 9990 E:\FR\FM\05AUN1.SGM 05AUN1 ML13002A036 ML15342A064 ML090500648 ML17135A062 ML17083A021 ML16274A241 ML19165A120 38078 Federal Register / Vol. 84, No. 150 / Monday, August 5, 2019 / Notices Dated at Rockville, Maryland, this 31st day of July, 2019. For the Nuclear Regulatory Commission. John B. McKirgan, Chief, Spent Fuel Licensing Branch, Division of Spent Fuel Management, Office of Nuclear Material Safety and Safeguards. [FR Doc. 2019–16671 Filed 8–2–19; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 7590–01–P SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION [Release No. 34–86512; File No. SR– NASDAQ–2019–048] Self-Regulatory Organizations; The Nasdaq Stock Market LLC; Notice of Designation of Longer Period for Commission Action on Proposed Rule Change, as Modified by Amendment No. 1, To Amend Rule 4702 To Establish the ‘‘Midpoint Extended Life Order + Continuous Book’’ as a New Order Type July 30, 2019. On May 29, 2019, The Nasdaq Stock Market LLC (‘‘Exchange’’) filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (‘‘Commission’’), pursuant to Section 19(b)(1) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (‘‘Act’’) 1 and Rule 19b–4 thereunder,2 a proposed rule change to establish the Midpoint Extended Life Order + Continuous Book (‘‘MELO+CB’’) as a new order type. The proposed rule change was published for comment in the Federal Register on June 17, 2019.3 On July 1, 2019, the Exchange filed Amendment No. 1 to the proposed rule change, which amended and superseded the proposed rule change as originally filed.4 The Commission has received no comments on the proposal. Section 19(b)(2) of the Act 5 provides that within 45 days of the publication of notice of the filing of a proposed rule change, or within such longer period up to 90 days as the Commission may designate if it finds such longer period jspears on DSK3GMQ082PROD with NOTICES 1 15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(1). 2 17 CFR 240.19b–4. 3 See Securities Exchange Act Release No. 86083 (June 11, 2019), 84 FR 28107. 4 In Amendment No. 1, the Exchange revised the proposal to: (1) Provide additional detail to the description of and statutory basis for the proposed rule change; (2) explain in greater detail the order entry protocols available for M-ELO+CB; (3) specify that any punitive fees or participant requirements determined to be necessary by the Exchange for MELO+CB usage would be implemented pursuant to a future proposed rule change; and (4) make technical, clarifying, and conforming changes. Amendment No. 1 is available at https:// www.sec.gov/comments/sr-nasdaq-2019-048/ srnasdaq2019048-5749583-186789.pdf. 5 15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(2). VerDate Sep<11>2014 18:42 Aug 02, 2019 Jkt 247001 to be appropriate and publishes its reasons for so finding or as to which the self-regulatory organization consents, the Commission shall either approve the proposed rule change, disapprove the proposed rule change, or institute proceedings to determine whether the proposed rule change should be disapproved. The 45th day for this filing is August 1, 2019. The Commission is extending the 45day time period for Commission action on the proposed rule change. The Commission finds that it is appropriate to designate a longer period within which to take action on the proposed rule change so that it has sufficient time to consider the proposed rule change. Accordingly, pursuant to Section 19(b)(2) of the Act,6 the Commission designates September 15, 2019, as the date by which the Commission shall either approve or disapprove, or institute proceedings to determine whether to disapprove, the proposed rule change (File No. SR–NASDAQ– 2019–048), as modified by Amendment No. 1. For the Commission, by the Division of Trading and Markets, pursuant to delegated authority.7 Jill M. Peterson, Assistant Secretary. [FR Doc. 2019–16613 Filed 8–2–19; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 8011–01–P SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION [Release No. 34–86511; File No. SR– CboeBZX–2019–067] Self-Regulatory Organizations; Cboe BZX Exchange, Inc.; Notice of Filing of a Proposed Rule Change To List and Trade Shares of the Innovator-100 Buffer ETF Series and Innovator Russell 2000 Buffer ETF Series, Innovator-100 Power Buffer ETF Series and Innovator Russell 2000 Power Buffer ETF Series, and Innovator-100 Ultra Buffer ETF Series and Innovator Russell 2000 Ultra Buffer ETF Series Under Rule 14.11(i) July 30, 2019. Pursuant to Section 19(b)(1) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the ‘‘Act’’),1 and Rule 19b–4 thereunder,2 notice is hereby given that on July 18, 2019, Cboe BZX Exchange, Inc. (the ‘‘Exchange’’ or ‘‘BZX’’) filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the ‘‘Commission’’) the proposed rule 6 15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(2). CFR 200.30–3(a)(31). 1 15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(1). 2 17 CFR 240.19b–4. 7 17 PO 00000 Frm 00093 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 change as described in Items I and II below, which Items have been prepared by the Exchange. The Commission is publishing this notice to solicit comments on the proposed rule change from interested persons. I. Self-Regulatory Organization’s Statement of the Terms of Substance of the Proposed Rule Change The Exchange proposes a rule change to list and trade shares of the Innovator100 Buffer ETF Series and Innovator Russell 2000 Buffer ETF Series; Innovator-100 Power Buffer ETF Series and Innovator Russell 2000 Power Buffer ETF Series; and Innovator-100 Ultra Buffer ETF Series and Innovator Russell 2000 Ultra Buffer ETF Series under the Innovator ETFs Trust under Rule 14.11(i) (‘‘Managed Fund Shares’’). The text of the proposed rule change is also available on the Exchange’s website (https://markets.cboe.com/us/ equities/regulation/rule_filings/bzx/), at the Exchange’s Office of the Secretary, and at the Commission’s Public Reference Room. II. Self-Regulatory Organization’s Statement of the Purpose of, and Statutory Basis for, the Proposed Rule Change In its filing with the Commission, the Exchange included statements concerning the purpose of and basis for the proposed rule change and discussed any comments it received on the proposed rule change. The text of these statements may be examined at the places specified in Item IV below. The Exchange has prepared summaries, set forth in sections A, B, and C below, of the most significant aspects of such statements. A. Self-Regulatory Organization’s Statement of the Purpose of, and Statutory Basis for, the Proposed Rule Change 1. Purpose The Exchange proposes to list and trade shares (‘‘Shares’’) of up to twelve monthly Innovator-100 Buffer ETF Series and Innovator Russell 2000 Buffer ETF Series (collectively, the ‘‘Buffer Funds’’); Innovator-100 Power Buffer ETF Series and Innovator Russell 2000 Power Buffer ETF Series (collectively, the ‘‘Power Buffer Funds’’); and Innovator-100 Ultra Buffer ETF Series and Innovator Russell 2000 Ultra Buffer ETF Series (collectively, the ‘‘Ultra Buffer Funds’’) (each a ‘‘Fund’’ and, collectively, the ‘‘Funds’’) under Rule 14.11(i), which governs the listing and trading of Managed Fund Shares on E:\FR\FM\05AUN1.SGM 05AUN1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 84, Number 150 (Monday, August 5, 2019)]
[Notices]
[Pages 38075-38078]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2019-16671]


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NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION

[Docket No. 72-47; NRC-2018-0252]


Virginia Electric and Power Company, Dominion Energy Kewaunee, 
Inc. and Dominion Nuclear Connecticut, Inc.; Millstone Independent 
Spent Fuel Storage Installation

AGENCY: Nuclear Regulatory Commission.

ACTION: Environmental assessment and finding of no significant impact; 
issuance.

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SUMMARY: The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) is issuing an 
environmental assessment (EA) and a finding of no significant impact 
(FONSI) for its review and approval of the decommissioning funding 
plans submitted by Virginia Electric and Power Company, Dominion Energy

[[Page 38076]]

Kewaunee, Inc. and Dominion Nuclear Connecticut, Inc. (collectively, 
Dominion) on December 17, 2012, and December 2, 2015, for the 
independent spent fuel storage installation (ISFSI) at Millstone in 
Waterford, Connecticut.

DATES: The EA and FONSI referenced in this document are available on 
August 5, 2019.

ADDRESSES: Please refer to Docket ID NRC-2018-0252 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 Website: Go to https://www.regulations.gov/ and search for Docket ID NRC-2018-0252. Address 
questions about docket IDs in Regulations.gov to Jennifer Borges; 
telephone: 301-287-9127; email: [email protected]. 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 ``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 [email protected]. For the convenience of the reader, 
instructions about obtaining materials referenced in this document are 
provided in the availability of documents section.
     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: Pamela Longmire, Office of Nuclear 
Material Safety and Safeguards, U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission, 
Washington, DC 20555-0001; telephone: 301-415-7465, email: 
[email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Introduction

    The NRC is considering the approval of the decommissioning funding 
plans (DFPs) for the Millstone ISFSI. By letter dated December 17, 
2012, Dominion submitted an initial DFP for the ISFSI at Millstone for 
the NRC's review and approval (ADAMS Accession No. ML13002A036). The 
NRC staff reviewed the initial DFP and issued a request for additional 
information (RAI) by letter dated July 18, 2013 (ADAMS Accession No. 
ML13200A025). Dominion responded to the NRC's RAI on September 30, 2013 
(ADAMS Accession No. ML13283A085). By letter dated December 2, 2015, 
Dominion submitted an updated DFP (ADAMS Accession No. ML15342A064). 
The NRC staff has prepared a final EA (ADAMS Accession No. ML19165A120) 
in support of its review of Dominion's DFPs, in accordance with the NRC 
regulations in part 51 of title 10 of the Code of Federal Regulations 
(10 CFR), ``Environmental Protection Regulations for Domestic Licensing 
and Related Regulatory Functions,'' which implement the National 
Environmental Policy Act of 1969, as amended (42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.). 
Based on the EA, the NRC staff has determined that approval of the DFPs 
for the Millstone ISFSI will not significantly affect the quality of 
the human environment, and accordingly, the staff has concluded that a 
FONSI is appropriate. The NRC staff further finds that preparation of 
an environmental impact statement (EIS) is not warranted.

II. Environmental Assessment

Background

    The Millstone ISFSI is located in Waterford, Connecticut. Dominion 
is authorized by the NRC, under License No. SFGL-22 to store spent 
nuclear fuel at the Millstone ISFSI.
    The NRC requires its licensees to plan for the eventual 
decommissioning of their licensed facilities prior to license 
termination. On June 17, 2011, the NRC published a final rule in the 
Federal Register amending its decommissioning planning regulations (76 
FR 35512). The final rule amended the NRC regulation, 10 CFR 72.30, 
which concerns financial assurance and decommissioning for ISFSIs. This 
regulation now requires each holder of, or applicant for, a license 
under 10 CFR part 72 to submit, for NRC review and approval, a DFP. The 
purpose of the DFP is to demonstrate the licensee's financial 
assurance, i.e., that funds will be available to decommission the 
ISFSI. The NRC staff is reviewing the DFPs submitted by Dominion on 
December 17, 2012, and December 2, 2015. Specifically, the NRC must 
determine whether Dominion's DFPs contain the information required by 
10 CFR 72.30(b) and 72.30(c) and whether Dominion has provided 
reasonable assurance that funds will be available to decommission the 
ISFSI.

Description of the Proposed Action

    The proposed action is the NRC's review and approval of Dominion's 
DFPs submitted in accordance with 10 CFR 72.30(b) and 72.30(c). To 
approve the DFPs, the NRC evaluates whether the decommissioning cost 
estimate (DCE) adequately estimates the cost to conduct the required 
ISFSI decommissioning activities prior to license termination, 
including identification of the volume of onsite subsurface material 
containing residual radioactivity that will require remediation to meet 
the license termination criteria in 10 CFR 20.1402 or 10 CFR 20.1403. 
The NRC also evaluates whether the aggregate dollar amount of Dominion 
financial instruments provides adequate financial assurance to cover 
the DCE and that the financial instruments meet the criteria of 10 CFR 
72.30(e). Finally, the NRC evaluates whether the effects of the 
following events have been considered in Dominion's submittal: (1) 
Spills of radioactive material producing additional residual 
radioactivity in onsite subsurface material; (2) facility 
modifications; (3) changes in authorized possession limits; and (4) 
actual remediation costs that exceed the previous cost estimate, 
consistent with 10 CFR 72.30(c).
    The proposed action does not require any changes to the ISFSI's 
licensed routine operations, maintenance activities, or monitoring 
programs, nor does it require any new construction or land disturbing 
activities. The scope of the proposed action concerns only the NRC's 
review and approval of Dominion's DFPs. The scope of the proposed 
action does not include, and will not result in, the review and 
approval of any decontamination or decommissioning activity or license 
termination for the ISFSI or any other part of Millstone.

Need for the Proposed Action

    The proposed action provides a means for the NRC to confirm that 
Dominion will have sufficient funding to cover the costs of 
decommissioning the ISFSI, including the reduction of the residual 
radioactivity at the ISFSI to the level specified by the applicable NRC 
license termination regulations concerning release of the property (10 
CFR 20.1402 or 10 CFR 20.1403).

Environmental Impacts of the Proposed Action

    The NRC's approval of the DFPs will not change the scope or nature 
of the operation of the ISFSI and will not authorize any changes to 
licensed operations or maintenance activities. The NRC's approval of 
the DFPs will not result in any changes in the types, characteristics, 
or quantities of

[[Page 38077]]

radiological or non-radiological effluents released into the 
environment from the ISFSI, or result in the creation of any solid 
waste. Moreover, the approval of the DFPs will not authorize any 
construction activity or facility modification. Therefore, the NRC 
staff concludes that the approval of Dominion's DFPs is a procedural 
and administrative action that will not result in any significant 
impact to the environment.
    Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966, as 
amended (54 U.S.C. 30618) (NHPA), requires Federal agencies to consider 
the effects of their undertakings on historic properties. In accordance 
with the NHPA implementing regulations at 36 CFR part 800, ``Protection 
of Historic Properties,'' the NRC's approval of Dominion's DFPs 
constitutes a Federal undertaking. The NRC, however, has determined 
that the approval of the DFPs is a type of undertaking that does not 
have the potential to cause effects on historic properties, assuming 
such historic properties were present, because the NRC's approval of 
Dominion's DFPs will not authorize or result in changes to licensed 
operations or maintenance activities, or changes in the types, 
characteristics, or quantities of radiological or non-radiological 
effluents released into the environment from the ISFSI, or result in 
the creation of any solid waste. Therefore, in accordance with 36 CFR 
800.3(a)(1), no consultation is required under Section 106 of the NHPA.
    Under Section 7 of the Endangered Species Act of 1973 (16 U.S.C. 
1531 et seq.) (ESA), prior to taking a proposed action, a Federal 
agency must determine whether (i) endangered and threatened species or 
their critical habitats are known to be in the vicinity of the proposed 
action and if so, whether (ii) the proposed Federal action may affect 
listed species or critical habitats. The NRC has determined that the 
proposed action will have no effect on any listed species or their 
critical habitats because the NRC's approval of Dominion's DFPs will 
not authorize or result in changes to licensed operations or 
maintenance activities, or changes in the types, characteristics, or 
quantities of radiological or non-radiological effluents released into 
the environment from the ISFSI, or result in the creation of any solid 
waste.

Alternative to the Proposed Action

    In addition to the proposed action, the NRC evaluated the no-action 
alternative. The no-action alternative is to deny Dominion's DFPs. A 
denial of a DFP that meets the criteria of 10 CFR 72.30(b) or 72.30(c) 
does not support the regulatory intent of the 2011 rulemaking. As noted 
in the EA for the 2011 rulemaking (ADAMS Accession No. ML090500648), 
not promulgating the 2011 final rule would have increased the 
likelihood of additional legacy sites. Thus, denying Dominion's DFPs, 
which the NRC has found to meet the criteria of 10 CFR 72.30(b) and 
72.30(c), will undermine the licensee's decommissioning planning. On 
this basis, the NRC has concluded that the no-action alternative is not 
a viable alternative.

Agencies and Persons Consulted

    The NRC staff consulted with other agencies and parties regarding 
the environmental impacts of the proposed action. The NRC provided a 
draft of its EA to the Connecticut Department of Energy and 
Environmental Protection (State) by letter dated September 26, 2016 
(ADAMS Accession No. ML17083A021), and gave the State 30 days to 
respond. The State did not respond. The NRC also consulted with the 
Fish and Wildlife Service by letter dated September 26, 2016 (ADAMS 
Accession No. ML16274A241). However, the NRC staff has determined that 
consultation under ESA Section 7 is not required because the proposed 
action is administrative/procedural in nature and will not affect 
listed species or critical habitat (ADAMS Accession No. ML17135A062).

III. Finding of No Significant Impact

    The NRC staff has determined that the proposed action, the review 
and approval of Dominion's initial and updated DFPs, submitted in 
accordance with 10 CFR 72.30(b) and 72.30(c), will not authorize or 
result in changes to licensed operations or maintenance activities, or 
changes in the types, characteristics, or quantities of radiological or 
non-radiological effluents released into the environment from the 
ISFSI, or result in the creation of any solid waste. Moreover, the 
approval of the DFPs will not authorize any construction activity, 
facility modification, or any other land-disturbing activity. The NRC 
staff has concluded that the proposed action is a procedural and 
administrative action and as such, that the proposed action will not 
have a significant effect on the quality of the human environment. 
Therefore, the NRC staff has determined not to prepare an EIS for the 
proposed action but will issue this FONSI.

IV. Availability of Documents

    The following documents, related to this notice, can be found using 
any of the methods provided in the following table. Instructions for 
accessing ADAMS were provided under the ADDRESSES section of this 
document.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                    Date                                 Document                     ADAMS  accession No.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
December 17, 2012..........................  Submission of Dominion            ML13002A036
                                              decommissioning funding plan.
December 2, 2015...........................  Submission of Dominion triennial  ML15342A064
                                              decommissioning funding plan.
February 1, 2009...........................  Environmental Assessment for      ML090500648
                                              Final Rule--Decommissioning
                                              Planning.
May 15, 2017...............................  Note to File re Sct 7             ML17135A062
                                              Consultations for ISFSI DFPs.
September 26, 2016.........................  Consultation Letter: ML16271A004- ML17083A021
                                              RLSO.
September 26, 2016.........................  Preliminary Determination of No   ML16274A241
                                              Effects Regarding Milestone
                                              Power Station ISFSI
                                              Decommissioning Funding Plan
                                              (72-47) L24728.
June 14, 2019..............................  NRC staff's Final EA for the      ML19165A120
                                              approval of the decommissioning
                                              funding plan.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------



[[Page 38078]]

    Dated at Rockville, Maryland, this 31st day of July, 2019.

    For the Nuclear Regulatory Commission.
John B. McKirgan,
Chief, Spent Fuel Licensing Branch, Division of Spent Fuel Management, 
Office of Nuclear Material Safety and Safeguards.
[FR Doc. 2019-16671 Filed 8-2-19; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 7590-01-P


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