Format Options for Requesting and Documenting Evaluation of Alternatives, 37963-37964 [2020-13646]

Download as PDF Federal Register / Vol. 85, No. 122 / Wednesday, June 24, 2020 / Notices Wednesday, July 8, 2020, 10:00 a.m.–6:00 p.m., Eastern Time. ADDRESSES: Virtual meeting via dial-in teleconference and WebEx only. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ms. Irma Rodriguez, Designated Federal Officer, Aeronautics Research Mission Directorate, NASA Headquarters, Washington, DC 20546, (202) 527–4826, or irma.c.rodriguez@nasa.gov. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: As noted above, this meeting will be available telephonically and by WebEx only. You must use a touch-tone phone to participate in this meeting. Any interested person may dial the toll-free access number 1–888–769–8716 and then the numeric participant passcode: 6813159 to participate in the meeting. NOTE: Please ‘‘mute’’ your phone. The WebEx link is https:// nasaenterprise.webex.com, the meeting number is 908 912 695, and the password is gJkZYZu$239 (case sensitive). The agenda for the meeting includes the following topics: —COVID–19 Impacts and Industry Response —Future Flight Demos —Urban Air Mobility (UAM) Plans It is imperative that the meeting be held on this date to accommodate the scheduling priorities of the key participants. DATES: Patricia Rausch, Advisory Committee Management Officer, National Aeronautics and Space Administration. [FR Doc. 2020–13613 Filed 6–23–20; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 7510–13–P Sunshine Act Meeting 9:30 am, Tuesday, July 14, 2020. PLACE: Virtual. STATUS: The one item may be viewed by the public through webcast only. MATTERS TO BE CONSIDERED: 65227 Aircraft Accident Report: Rapid Descent and Crash into Water, Atlas Air Inc. Flight 3591, Boeing 767–375BCF, N1217A, Trinity Bay, Texas, February 23, 2019. CONTACT PERSON FOR MORE INFORMATION: Candi Bing at (202) 590–8384 or by email at bingc@ntsb.gov. Media Information Contact: Keith Holloway by email at keith.hollow@ ntsb.gov or at (202) 314–6100. This meeting will take place virtually. The public may view it through a live jbell on DSKJLSW7X2PROD with NOTICES VerDate Sep<11>2014 18:20 Jun 23, 2020 Jkt 250001 Dated: Monday, June 22, 2020. LaSean R McCray, Alternate Federal Register Liaison Officer. [FR Doc. 2020–13747 Filed 6–22–20; 4:15 pm] BILLING CODE 7533–01–P NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION [NRC–2020–0145] Format Options for Requesting and Documenting Evaluation of Alternatives Nuclear Regulatory Commission. ACTION: Notice of format for certain relief requests from licensees. AGENCY: The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) is notifying the public of an online submission option and format for documenting the NRC’s evaluation of a request for an alternative to the regulatory requirements. DATES: The format described in this document will take effect on June 19, 2020. SUMMARY: Please refer to Docket ID NRC–2020–0145 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–2020–0145. Address questions about NRC docket IDs 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 ADDRESSES: NATIONAL TRANSPORTATION SAFETY BOARD TIME AND DATE: or archived webcast by accessing a link under ‘‘Webcast of Events’’ on the NTSB home page at www.ntsb.gov. There may be changes to this event due to the evolving situation concerning the novel coronavirus (COVID–19). Schedule updates, including weatherrelated cancellations, are also available at www.ntsb.gov. The National Transportation Safety Board is holding this meeting under the Government in the Sunshine Act, 5 U.S.C. 552(b). PO 00000 Frm 00144 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 37963 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. • NRC’s Public Website: The online form is available in the NRC’s public website at https://www.nrc.gov/aboutnrc/covid-19/reactors/. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: James G. Danna, U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission, Washington, DC 20555–0001, telephone: 301–415– 7422, email: James.Danna@nrc.gov. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: On January 31, 2020, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services declared a public health emergency (PHE) for the United States to aid the nation’s healthcare community in responding to the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID– 19). On March 11, 2020, the COVID–19 outbreak was characterized as a pandemic by the World Health Organization. As discussed during a public meeting held on March 20, 2020, with nuclear industry representatives and members of the public, this is an unprecedented time for our country, the NRC, and its regulated entities. The NRC is committed to following the NRC’s Principles of Good Regulation (independence, openness, efficiency, clarity, and reliability) while performing our mission. In keeping with these principles, the NRC is providing additional flexibility by creating an online submission form licensees may use to request relief in the form of alternatives under Title 10 of the Code of Federal Regulations (10 CFR) Section 50.55a(z), ‘‘Alternatives to codes and standards requirements,’’ from certain NRC regulatory requirements in 10 CFR 50.55a(b) through (h). The regulations in 10 CFR 50.55a(z), ‘‘Alternatives to codes and standards requirements,’’ state: Alternatives to the requirements of paragraphs (b) through (h) of this section or portions thereof may be used when authorized by the Director, Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation. A proposed alternative must be submitted and authorized prior to implementation. The applicant or licensee must demonstrate that: (1) Acceptable level of quality and safety. The proposed alternative would provide an acceptable level of quality and safety; or (2) Hardship without a compensating increase in quality and safety. Compliance with the specified requirements of this section would result in hardship or unusual difficulty without a compensating increase in the level of quality and safety. In response to the COVID–19 PHE and the anticipated requests by licensees for E:\FR\FM\24JNN1.SGM 24JNN1 jbell on DSKJLSW7X2PROD with NOTICES 37964 Federal Register / Vol. 85, No. 122 / Wednesday, June 24, 2020 / Notices alternatives to certain regulatory requirements in 10 CFR 50.55a, ‘‘Codes and standards,’’ the NRC’s Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation is providing a Web-based online form that licensees may use to submit their requests. The online form may only be used for requests to use alternatives submitted under 10 CFR 50.55a(z). The form may be used regardless of whether the request is related to COVID–19. Any licensee wishing to request an alternative under 10 CFR 50.55a(z) may use the form. Use of the online form by licensees is optional. Whether a licensee chooses to use a traditional method to submit a request or opts to use the online submission form, the licensee must adhere to the requirements of 10 CFR 50.4, ‘‘Written Communications,’’ and submit all information necessary for the NRC to conduct a technical evaluation of the request. The licensee’s submittal will be captured as an official agency record in ADAMS. The public and stakeholders will have access through ADAMS to the licensee’s request and the supporting information provided by the licensee. Additionally, the NRC will use a streamlined format for documenting its regulatory and technical evaluation and issuing an approval of a licensee’s request for an alternative under 10 CFR 50.55a(z). This format is different from the expedited processing the NRC has used on some COVID-related matters. It will not affect the way in which the NRC reviews the requests for alternatives, it will just streamline format in which that review is documented. This streamlined format will still consist of a safety evaluation that documents the rationale for the NRC’s decision. The NRC expects that the streamlined format will reduce the amount of information repeated from other sources, such as the licensee’s application. For example, safety evaluations will no longer extensively quote from the application in a ‘‘Licensee’s Proposed Alternative’’ section. That information will, however, still be available to the public in the application, which the safety evaluation will cite, along with an ADAMS accession number. The format will still provide the same level of detail for the NRC’s regulatory and technical evaluation of the licensee’s request. The public will continue to have the same level of access to the information documenting the NRC staff’s decision in response to the licensee’s request. The online form is available in the NRC’s public website at https://www.nrc.gov/ about-nrc/covid-19/reactors/. Dated: June 19, 2020. VerDate Sep<11>2014 18:20 Jun 23, 2020 Jkt 250001 For the Nuclear Regulatory Commission. James G. Danna, Chief, Plant Licensing Branch 1, Division of Operating Reactor Licensing, Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation. [FR Doc. 2020–13646 Filed 6–23–20; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 7590–01–P NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION [Docket No. 72–1051; NRC–2018–0052] Holtec International HI–STORE Consolidated Interim Storage Facility Project Nuclear Regulatory Commission. ACTION: Draft environmental impact statement; extension of comment period; public meeting. AGENCY: On March 20, 2020, the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) issued for public comment a draft Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for Holtec International’s (Holtec’s) application to construct and operate a consolidated interim storage facility (CISF) for spent nuclear fuel (SNF) and Greater-Than Class C (GTCC) waste, along with a small quantity of mixed oxide fuel. The public comment period was originally scheduled to close on May 22, 2020. On April 27, 2020 the public comment period was extended to July 22, 2020. However, given recent events associated with the COVID–19 public health emergency, the NRC has decided to extend the public comment period to allow more time for members of the public to develop and submit their comments. DATES: The due date of comments requested in the document published on March 20, 2020 (85 FR 16150), which was extended on April 27, 2020 (85 FR 23382), is further extended. Comments should be filed no later than September 22, 2020. Comments received after this date will be considered, if it is practical to do so, but the Commission is able to ensure consideration only for comments received on or before this date. ADDRESSES: You may submit comments by any of the following methods: • Federal Rulemaking website: Go to https://www.regulations.gov/ and search for Docket ID NRC–2018–0052. Address questions about NRC Docket IDs 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. • Mail comments to: Office of Administration, Mail Stop: TWFN–7– SUMMARY: PO 00000 Frm 00145 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 A60M, ATTN: Program Management, Announcements and Editing Staff, U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission, Washington, DC 20555–0001. • Email comments to: HoltecCISFEIS@nrc.gov. For additional direction on obtaining information and submitting comments, see ‘‘Obtaining Information and Submitting Comments’’ in the SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION section of this document. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Jill Caverly, Office of Nuclear Material Safety and Safeguards, U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission, Washington, DC 20555–0001; telephone: 301–415– 7674; email: Jill.Caverly@nrc.gov. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: I. Obtaining Information and Submitting Comments A. Obtaining Information Please refer to Docket ID NRC–2018– 0052 when contacting the NRC about the availability of information regarding this document. You may obtain publicly-available information related to this action by the following methods: • Federal Rulemaking website: Go to https://www.regulations.gov and search for Docket ID NRC–2018–0052. • 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. The draft EIS for the Holtec International HI–STORE CISF project is available in ADAMS under Accession No. ML20069G420. • Project Web Page: Information related to the Holtec HI–STORE CISF project can be accessed on the NRC’s Holtec HI–STORE CISF web page at https://www.nrc.gov/waste/spent-fuelstorage/cis/holtec-international.html. • Public Libraries: A copy of the draft EIS can be accessed at the following public libraries (library access and hours are determined by local policy): • Carlsbad Public Library, 101 S. Halagueno Street, Carlsbad, NM 88220 • Hobbs Public Library, 509 N Shipp St., Hobbs, NM 88240 • Roswell Public Library, 301 N. Pennsylvania, Roswell, NM 88201 B. Submitting Comments Please include Docket ID NRC–2018– 0052 in your comment submission. E:\FR\FM\24JNN1.SGM 24JNN1

Agencies

NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION

[Federal Register Volume 85, Number 122 (Wednesday, June 24, 2020)]
[Notices]
[Pages 37963-37964]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2020-13646]


=======================================================================
-----------------------------------------------------------------------

NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION

[NRC-2020-0145]


Format Options for Requesting and Documenting Evaluation of 
Alternatives

AGENCY: Nuclear Regulatory Commission.

ACTION: Notice of format for certain relief requests from licensees.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) is notifying the 
public of an online submission option and format for documenting the 
NRC's evaluation of a request for an alternative to the regulatory 
requirements.

DATES: The format described in this document will take effect on June 
19, 2020.

ADDRESSES: Please refer to Docket ID NRC-2020-0145 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-2020-0145. Address 
questions about NRC docket IDs 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].
     NRC's Public Website: The online form is available in the 
NRC's public website at https://www.nrc.gov/about-nrc/covid-19/reactors/.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: James G. Danna, U.S. Nuclear 
Regulatory Commission, Washington, DC 20555-0001, telephone: 301-415-
7422, email: [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: On January 31, 2020, the U.S. Department of 
Health and Human Services declared a public health emergency (PHE) for 
the United States to aid the nation's healthcare community in 
responding to the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19). On March 11, 
2020, the COVID-19 outbreak was characterized as a pandemic by the 
World Health Organization.
    As discussed during a public meeting held on March 20, 2020, with 
nuclear industry representatives and members of the public, this is an 
unprecedented time for our country, the NRC, and its regulated 
entities. The NRC is committed to following the NRC's Principles of 
Good Regulation (independence, openness, efficiency, clarity, and 
reliability) while performing our mission. In keeping with these 
principles, the NRC is providing additional flexibility by creating an 
online submission form licensees may use to request relief in the form 
of alternatives under Title 10 of the Code of Federal Regulations (10 
CFR) Section 50.55a(z), ``Alternatives to codes and standards 
requirements,'' from certain NRC regulatory requirements in 10 CFR 
50.55a(b) through (h).
    The regulations in 10 CFR 50.55a(z), ``Alternatives to codes and 
standards requirements,'' state:
    Alternatives to the requirements of paragraphs (b) through (h) of 
this section or portions thereof may be used when authorized by the 
Director, Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation. A proposed alternative 
must be submitted and authorized prior to implementation. The applicant 
or licensee must demonstrate that:

    (1) Acceptable level of quality and safety. The proposed 
alternative would provide an acceptable level of quality and safety; 
or
    (2) Hardship without a compensating increase in quality and 
safety. Compliance with the specified requirements of this section 
would result in hardship or unusual difficulty without a 
compensating increase in the level of quality and safety.

    In response to the COVID-19 PHE and the anticipated requests by 
licensees for

[[Page 37964]]

alternatives to certain regulatory requirements in 10 CFR 50.55a, 
``Codes and standards,'' the NRC's Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation 
is providing a Web-based online form that licensees may use to submit 
their requests. The online form may only be used for requests to use 
alternatives submitted under 10 CFR 50.55a(z). The form may be used 
regardless of whether the request is related to COVID-19. Any licensee 
wishing to request an alternative under 10 CFR 50.55a(z) may use the 
form. Use of the online form by licensees is optional. Whether a 
licensee chooses to use a traditional method to submit a request or 
opts to use the online submission form, the licensee must adhere to the 
requirements of 10 CFR 50.4, ``Written Communications,'' and submit all 
information necessary for the NRC to conduct a technical evaluation of 
the request. The licensee's submittal will be captured as an official 
agency record in ADAMS. The public and stakeholders will have access 
through ADAMS to the licensee's request and the supporting information 
provided by the licensee.
    Additionally, the NRC will use a streamlined format for documenting 
its regulatory and technical evaluation and issuing an approval of a 
licensee's request for an alternative under 10 CFR 50.55a(z). This 
format is different from the expedited processing the NRC has used on 
some COVID-related matters. It will not affect the way in which the NRC 
reviews the requests for alternatives, it will just streamline format 
in which that review is documented. This streamlined format will still 
consist of a safety evaluation that documents the rationale for the 
NRC's decision. The NRC expects that the streamlined format will reduce 
the amount of information repeated from other sources, such as the 
licensee's application. For example, safety evaluations will no longer 
extensively quote from the application in a ``Licensee's Proposed 
Alternative'' section. That information will, however, still be 
available to the public in the application, which the safety evaluation 
will cite, along with an ADAMS accession number. The format will still 
provide the same level of detail for the NRC's regulatory and technical 
evaluation of the licensee's request. The public will continue to have 
the same level of access to the information documenting the NRC staff's 
decision in response to the licensee's request. The online form is 
available in the NRC's public website at https://www.nrc.gov/about-nrc/covid-19/reactors/.

    Dated: June 19, 2020.

    For the Nuclear Regulatory Commission.
James G. Danna,
Chief, Plant Licensing Branch 1, Division of Operating Reactor 
Licensing, Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation.
[FR Doc. 2020-13646 Filed 6-23-20; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 7590-01-P

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.