Notice of Intent To Prepare an Environmental Impact Statement for Construction and Demonstration of a Prototype Advanced Mobile Nuclear Microreactor, 12274-12276 [2020-03809]

Agencies

• DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE
• Office of the Secretary

[Federal Register Volume 85, Number 41 (Monday, March 2, 2020)]
[Notices]
[Pages 12274-12276]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2020-03809]


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DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE

Office of the Secretary


Notice of Intent To Prepare an Environmental Impact Statement for 
Construction and Demonstration of a Prototype Advanced Mobile Nuclear 
Microreactor

AGENCY: Strategic Capabilities Office, Office of the Secretary of 
Defense, Department of Defense (DoD).

ACTION: Notice of intent.

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SUMMARY: The DoD, Office of the Secretary of Defense, acting through 
the Strategic Capabilities Office (SCO), and in partnership with the 
U.S. Department of Energy, Office of Nuclear Energy (DOE), proposes to 
construct and demonstrate a prototype advanced mobile nuclear 
microreactor (prototype microreactor) to support DoD domestic energy 
demands and DoD operational energy demands (Proposed Action).
    SCO, as lead agency, in partnership with DOE, as a cooperating 
agency, intends to prepare an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) in 
accordance with the requirements of the National Environmental Policy 
Act (NEPA) and applicable implementing regulations for the Proposed 
Action. The EIS also will cover the planned disposition of the 
prototype microreactor following operation and demonstration. Through 
this EIS process, SCO will identify measures to avoid, minimize, or 
mitigate any negative impacts to human health or the environment 
associated with the Proposed Action.

DATES: SCO invites public comment on the scope of this EIS during a 30-
day public scoping period commencing March 2, 2020, and ending on April 
1, 2020. Public comment may also be made at the public scoping meeting 
on March 18, 2020, in Fort Hall, Idaho (see ``Public Scoping Meeting,'' 
in the SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION section). In defining the scope of the 
EIS, SCO will consider all comments received or postmarked by the end 
of the scoping period. Comments received or postmarked after the 
scoping period end date will be considered to the extent practicable.

ADDRESSES: Written comments regarding the scope of the EIS and comments 
or questions on the scoping process may be sent by any of the following 
methods:
     Email: [email protected]. Include ``Prototype Microreactor 
EIS Comments'' in the subject line.
     Mail: OSD Strategic Capabilities Office, ATTN: Prototype 
Microreactor EIS Comments, 675 N Randolph Street, Arlington, Virginia 
22203-2114.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Dr. Jeff Waksman, Program Manager; 
address: SCO, 675 N Randolph St, Arlington, Virginia 22203-2114; email: 
[email protected]. Persons who use a telecommunications device for the 
deaf (TDD) may call the Federal Relay Service (FRS) at 1-800-877-8339 
to contact the above individual during normal business hours. The FRS 
is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, to leave a message or 
question. You will receive a reply during normal business hours.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Purpose and Need for Agency Action

    The purpose of the Proposed Action is to construct and demonstrate 
a prototype microreactor that would be capable of producing 1-10 
megawatts of electrical power. Pursuant to the National Defense 
Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2018, Public Law 115-91, 131 Stat. 
1283, 1857, section 2831, codified in 10 U.S.C. 2911, the Secretary of 
Defense has the authority to ``ensure the readiness of the armed forces 
for their military missions by pursuing energy security and energy 
resilience.'' Further, pursuant to the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 
2020, Public Law 116-93, section 4, and the Act's accompanying 
congressional explanatory statement, 165 Congressional Record H10613, 
H10886 (daily edition December 17, 2019), SCO received an appropriation 
for this prototype microreactor.

[[Page 12275]]

    The DoD is one of the largest users of energy in the world, and 
projections for future military operations predict energy demand will 
increase significantly in coming years. DoD installations need the 
capability to reduce their present reliance on local electric grids, 
which are highly vulnerable to prolonged outages from a variety of 
threats, placing critical missions at unacceptably high risk of 
extended disruption. Backup power is often based on diesel generators 
that have limited on-site fuel storage, are undersized for new homeland 
defense missions, are not prioritized to critical loads, and are 
inadequate in duration and reliability. Advanced nuclear power is 
capable of meeting the DoD's need to increase energy security and 
resilience, but must demonstrate its technical and safety 
specifications at full size and power.
    The microreactor must keep radiation exposure during power 
operation, abnormal operations, or upset conditions, as low as 
reasonably achievable. SCO seeks to produce a prototype that will 
minimize consequences to the nearby environment and population in case 
of kinetic or non-kinetic action affecting structural integrity or 
release of contamination. Further, SCO seeks to utilize nuclear 
materials in the construction of a prototype microreactor that, if 
damaged, do not generate and impose excessive training and equipping 
burdens on forward area first responders, site medical facilities, or 
supported military personnel and the civilian population.

Proposed Action

    The prototype microreactor is expected to be a small advanced gas 
reactor (AGR) using high-assay low enriched uranium (HALEU) 
tristructural isotropic (TRISO) fuel and air cooling. TRISO fuel is 
encapsulated and has been demonstrated in the laboratory to be able to 
withstand temperatures up to 1,800 degrees Celsius, allowing for an 
inherently safe prototype microreactor. The Proposed Action includes 
construction of the prototype microreactor and demonstration 
activities. The demonstration activities may include testing of project 
materials, startup and transient testing and evaluation of the 
constructed prototype microreactor, transportation and operational 
testing of the prototype microreactor or its components within the 
boundaries of the selected site to test and evaluate prototype 
microreactor mobility, and post-irradiation testing of project 
materials. The EIS also will cover the planned disposition of the 
prototype microreactor following operation and demonstration.
    Additionally, there are expected to be ancillary activities 
necessary to support the Proposed Action. These include the fabrication 
of reactor fuel, the assembly of test/experimental modules at existing, 
modified, or newly constructed test/experiment assembly facilities, and 
the management of waste and spent nuclear fuel. After irradiation of 
the prototype microreactor, test/experimental cartridges would be 
transferred to post-irradiation examination facilities. SCO would make 
use of existing post-irradiation facilities to the extent possible, but 
existing post-irradiation examination facilities may require expansion 
or modification.
    Two locations are required for the prototype construction and 
demonstration. One would be inside an existing structure, and the 
second would be outside. The potential indoor location would utilize 
existing infrastructure for initial deployment in a containment 
structure. The second location would be an outdoor site and would also 
utilize existing facilities and infrastructure.
    The joint effort between SCO and DOE established by interagency 
agreement will make use of DOE expertise, material, laboratories, and 
authority to construct and demonstrate this prototype microreactor. DOE 
will provide SCO regulatory oversight and expertise on technical, 
safety, environmental, and health requirements applicable to the 
construction and demonstration of the prototype microreactor. DoD plans 
to request authorization from the DOE pursuant to its authority under 
the Atomic Energy Act (42 U.S.C. 2121(b), 2140) and National Security 
Decision Directive 282, September 30, 1987, for the acquisition and 
operation of a prototype reactor. The Nuclear Regulatory Commission 
(NRC), consistent with its role as an independent safety and security 
regulator, is participating in this project to provide SCO with 
accurate, current information on the NRC's regulations and licensing 
processes in connection with construction and demonstration of a 
prototype advanced mobile nuclear microreactor. Consistent with an 
authorization by the Secretary of Energy, the prototype microreactor 
does not require a NRC license.

Alternatives

    SCO will evaluate a range of reasonable alternatives for the 
Proposed Action in the EIS. As required by NEPA, the alternatives will 
include a No Action Alternative to serve as a basis for comparison with 
the action alternatives. Under the No Action Alternative, SCO would not 
pursue the construction or demonstration of a prototype microreactor. 
The following site features are considered necessary for the Proposed 
Action and will be used as screening criteria to identify a range of 
reasonable action alternatives:
     A site that has been previously used for nuclear 
activities that has sufficient infrastructure to support nuclear 
operations, including the planned disposition of the prototype 
microreactor following operation and demonstration.
     Access to an electrical grid and a grid independent from 
the commercial grid capable of performing research.
     An established control zone (to facilitate emergency 
planning for reactors with safety features not previously 
demonstrated).
     Adjacent nuclear facilities available for examination and 
characterization of radioactive components and materials (e.g., hot 
cells, analytical chemistry).
     Ability to manufacture and test shielding for the 
prototype microreactor.
     Variable climate conditions that are suitable 
demonstration conditions.
     Sufficient space for transportation and operational 
testing and evaluation of the mobility of the prototype microreactor or 
its components within the boundaries of the site, including both indoor 
and outdoor testing facilities.
     A site that is or can be subject to DOE authority or 
control.
    The range of action alternatives may consider multiple sites or 
multiple locations within one site. SCO has identified the following 
potential sites as locations for the Proposed Action: Idaho National 
Laboratory (INL), and Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL). Within the 
INL site, the following specific options for indoor and outdoor 
facilities have been identified for inclusion in the range of 
alternatives to be considered:
    The following indoor locations at INL will be considered:
    (a) Chemical Processing Plant 691 (CPP-691) situated within the 
Idaho Nuclear Technology and Engineering Center (INTEC);
    (b) Experimental Breeder Reactor II (EBR II) situated within the 
Materials and Fuels Complex (MFC);
    (c) Power Burst Facility 613, situated within the Critical 
Infrastructure Test Range Complex (CITRC); or
    (d) Alternate facilities and infrastructure identified during the 
scoping process.
    The following outdoor locations at INL will be considered:

[[Page 12276]]

    (a) Near the Materials and Fuels Complex (MFC);
    (b) Within the Critical Infrastructure Test Range Complex (CITRC); 
or
    (c) Alternate facilities and infrastructure identified during the 
scoping process.
    The indoor and outdoor locations at INL were identified during 
preliminary planning for the preparation of this notice. If multiple 
indoor or outdoor locations at ORNL prove suitable as action 
alternatives during the EIS process, SCO will analyze those locations 
individually in the same manner.
    Through the EIS process, the required site features will be used to 
identify a range of reasonable action alternatives to be considered in 
the EIS. SCO will consider any scoping comments on alternative sites, 
and plans to evaluate multiple locations to ensure specific facilities 
and infrastructure are recommended that minimize environmental impacts.

Impacts Analysis

    The EIS will include an analysis of potential impacts to the 
quality of the human environment from the range of reasonable Action 
Alternatives, and the No Action Alternative. Because the specific 
design of the prototype will be unknown during the preparation of the 
EIS, SCO will consider potential environmental impacts from all 
reasonable designs that are under consideration. The EIS will analyze 
impacts of the Proposed Action to natural and cultural resources, to 
include Native American resources and concerns; to public health from 
potential exposure to radionuclides under routine and credible accident 
or emergency scenarios including natural disasters such as floods, 
hurricanes, tornadoes, or seismic events; any disproportionately high 
and adverse effects on minority and low-income populations (i.e., 
environmental justice impacts); and potential impacts of intentional 
destructive acts, including sabotage and terrorism, as well as other 
issues that may emerge during the scoping process.

Public Scoping Process

    SCO invites Federal agencies, state, local, and tribal governments, 
and the general public to comment on the scope of the EIS. This 
includes any comments on the identification of reasonable alternatives 
and specific environmental issues to be addressed. Analysis of written 
and oral public comments provided during the scoping period will help 
further identify concerns and potential issues to be considered in the 
Draft EIS.

Public Scoping Meeting

    SCO, acting on behalf of DoD, will host a public scoping meeting to 
provide the public with information about the NEPA process and to 
invite public comments on the scope of this EIS. The public meeting 
will begin with a presentation on the NEPA process and then a 
presentation on the Proposed Action and the alternatives. Following the 
presentations, there will be a moderated session during which members 
of the public can provide oral comments on the scope of the EIS 
analysis. Commenters will be allowed three minutes to provide comments, 
which will be recorded.
    The public meeting will be held on March 18, 2020, at 5:00 p.m. 
Mountain Daylight Time at: Shoshone-Bannock Event Center, Fort Hall 
Indian Reservation, 777 Bannock Trail, Fort Hall, Idaho 83203.
    For those who cannot attend the public meeting in-person but are 
interested in watching the presentations, there will be two options for 
viewing. The first option is a live webcast of the public meeting. The 
second option is viewing a recording of the public meeting. The 
internet address for the live webcast and rebroadcast of the public 
meeting presentations is https://www.cto.mil/pele_eis/.

EIS Preparation and Schedule

    Following the scoping period announced in this Notice of Intent, 
and after consideration of all comments received during scoping, SCO 
will prepare a Draft EIS for the construction and demonstration of the 
prototype microreactor. Once the Draft EIS is completed, it will be 
made available for a 45-day public review and comment period. SCO will 
announce the availability of the Draft EIS in the Federal Register and 
local media outlets. SCO expects the Draft EIS will be available for 
public review and comment in 2021. All interested parties are 
encouraged to respond to this notice and provide a current address if 
they wish to be notified of the Draft EIS circulation.

    Dated: February 20, 2020.
Aaron T. Siegel,
Alternate OSD Federal Register Liaison Officer, Department of Defense.
[FR Doc. 2020-03809 Filed 2-28-20; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 5001-06-P