Replacement Energy Cost Estimates for Nuclear Power Plants: 2020-2030, 82528-82529 [2020-27928]

Download as PDF 82528 Federal Register / Vol. 85, No. 244 / Friday, December 18, 2020 / Notices the teleconference in listen only mode can be found at https://www.nrc.gov/ pmns/mtg. For the Nuclear Regulatory Commission. Denise L. McGovern, Policy Coordinator, Office of the Secretary. Week of December 21, 2020—Tentative [FR Doc. 2020–28027 Filed 12–16–20; 11:15 am] BILLING CODE 7590–01–P There are no meetings scheduled for the week of December 21, 2020. Week of December 28, 2020—Tentative There are no meetings scheduled for the week of December 28, 2020. Week of January 4, 2021—Tentative There are no meetings scheduled for the week of January 4, 2021. Week of January 11, 2021—Tentative [NRC–2020–0266] Replacement Energy Cost Estimates for Nuclear Power Plants: 2020–2030 Nuclear Regulatory Commission. AGENCY: Draft NUREG; request for comment. There are no meetings scheduled for the week of January 11, 2021. ACTION: Week of January 18, 2021—Tentative SUMMARY: There are no meetings scheduled for the week of January 18, 2021. CONTACT PERSON FOR MORE INFORMATION: khammond on DSKJM1Z7X2PROD with NOTICES NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION For more information or to verify the status of meetings, contact Denise McGovern at 301–415–0681 or via email at Denise.McGovern@nrc.gov. The schedule for Commission meetings is subject to change on short notice. The NRC Commission Meeting Schedule can be found on the internet at: https://www.nrc.gov/ public-involve/public-meetings/ schedule.html. The NRC provides reasonable accommodation to individuals with disabilities where appropriate. If you need a reasonable accommodation to participate in these public meetings or need this meeting notice or the transcript or other information from the public meetings in another format (e.g., Braille, large print), please notify Anne Silk, NRC Disability Program Specialist, at 301–287–0745, by videophone at 240–428–3217, or by email at Anne.Silk@nrc.gov. Determinations on requests for reasonable accommodation will be made on a case-by-case basis. Members of the public may request to receive this information electronically. If you would like to be added to the distribution, please contact the Nuclear Regulatory Commission, Office of the Secretary, Washington, DC 20555 (301–415–1969), or by email at Tyesha.Bush@nrc.gov. The NRC is holding the meetings under the authority of the Government in the Sunshine Act, 5 U.S.C. 552b. 22:22 Dec 17, 2020 Submit comments by February 16, 2021. Comments received after this date will be considered if it is practical to do so, but the NRC is able to ensure consideration only for comments received before this date. DATES: 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–2020–0266. Address questions about NRC dockets to Dawn Forder; telephone: 301–415–3407; email: Dawn.Forder@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– A60M, U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission, Washington, DC 20555– 0001, ATTN: Program Management, Announcements and Editing Staff. For additional direction on obtaining information and submitting comments, see ‘‘Obtaining Information and Submitting Comments’’ in the SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION section of this document. ADDRESSES: FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Pamela Noto, Office of Nuclear Material Safety and Safeguards, U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission, Washington, DC 20555–0001; telephone: 301–415– 6795, email: Pamela.Noto@nrc.gov. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Dated: December 15, 2020. VerDate Sep<11>2014 The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) is issuing for public comment draft NUREG–2242, ‘‘Replacement Energy Cost Estimates for Nuclear Power Plants: 2020–2030.’’ This guidance updates previous estimates of replacement energy costs for potential shutdowns of U.S. nuclear electricitygenerating units. Jkt 253001 PO 00000 Frm 00103 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 I. Obtaining Information and Submitting Comments A. Obtaining Information Please refer to Docket ID NRC–2020– 0266 when contacting the NRC about the availability of information for this action. You may obtain publicly available information related to this action by any of the following methods: • Federal Rulemaking Website: Go to https://www.regulations.gov and search for Docket ID NRC–2020–0266. • 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 pdr.resource@ nrc.gov. The draft NUREG, ‘‘Replacement Energy Cost Estimates for Nuclear Power Plants: 2020–2030,’’ is available in ADAMS under Accession No. ML20342A132. • Attention: The Public Document Room (PDR), where you may examine and order copies of public documents is currently closed. You may submit your request to the PDR via email at PDR.Resource@nrc.gov or call 1–800– 397–4209 between 8:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. (EST), Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. B. Submitting Comments Please include Docket ID NRC–2020– 0266 in your comment submission. The NRC cautions you not to include identifying or contact information that you do not want to be publicly disclosed in your comment submission. The NRC will post all comment submissions at https:// www.regulations.gov as well as enter the comment submissions into ADAMS. The NRC does not routinely edit comment submissions to remove identifying or contact information. If you are requesting or aggregating comments from other persons for submission to the NRC, then you should inform those persons not to include 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. E:\FR\FM\18DEN1.SGM 18DEN1 Federal Register / Vol. 85, No. 244 / Friday, December 18, 2020 / Notices khammond on DSKJM1Z7X2PROD with NOTICES II. Discussion The NRC is developing new guidance to update replacement energy cost estimates for both short- and long-term nuclear power plant outages. The new guidance document, NUREG–2242, ‘‘Replacement Energy Cost Estimates for Nuclear Power Plants: 2020–2030,’’ when finalized, updates and replaces the information contained within NUREG/CR–4012, Volume 4, ‘‘Replacement Energy Costs for Nuclear Electricity-Generating Units in the United States: 1997–2001,’’ and NUREG/CR–6080, ‘‘Replacement Energy, Capacity, and Reliability Costs for Permanent Nuclear Reactor Shutdowns’’ (ADAMS Accession Nos. ML20073J435 and ML20076F500, respectively). Replacement energy costs are estimated for the U.S. electricity wholesale market regions with nuclear electricity-generating units over the 2020–2030 study period. These estimates were developed to assist the NRC in evaluating proposed regulatory actions that (1) require safety modifications that might necessitate temporary reactor outages and (2) reduce the potential for extended outages resulting from a severe reactor accident. Estimates were calculated using ASEA Brown Boveri’s PROMOD model and ICF’s Integrated Planning Model for North America. The model simulates dispatching a collection of generating units in merit order (i.e., lowest to highest incremental cost of dispatch) until the regional power demand is met. Each generating unit is characterized by the technology and fuel it uses to generate electricity, the unit’s heat rate, and the variable and fixed costs incurred in owning and operating the unit. To estimate the replacement energy cost, the study models a Reference Case, in which all operational nuclear power plants are generating, and an Alternative Case, in which a nuclear generating unit is taken offline so that the next unit in merit order is dispatched to replace the lost generation. The difference in market clearing prices between the two cases is the replacement energy cost. The resulting wholesale power price projections capture the dynamics and economics of the U.S. electricity markets, which provide short- and longterm replacement energy cost estimates on a market area basis. Factors that affect replacement energy costs, such as load growth, replacement sources of generation, fuel prices, air emission requirement outlooks, and seasonal variations were treated in the analysis. VerDate Sep<11>2014 22:22 Dec 17, 2020 Jkt 253001 On November 18, 2020, the NRC held a Category 3 public meeting (ADAMS Accession No. ML20336A181) to discuss the updated replacement energy cost estimates. The NRC appreciates feedback received from the November 18, 2020 public meeting and will consider comments received during the public comment period when developing the final NUREG–2242. After Commission approval and publication of the final NUREG–2242, the NRC plans to develop an appendix to NUREG/BR–0058, Revision 5, ‘‘Regulatory Analysis Guidelines of the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission,’’ (ADAMS Accession No. ML19261A278) to provide guidance for applying the replacement energy cost estimates. Dated: December 15, 2020. For the Nuclear Regulatory Commission. John R. Tappert, Director, Division of Rulemaking, Environmental, and Financial Support, Office of Nuclear Materials Safety and Safeguards. [FR Doc. 2020–27928 Filed 12–17–20; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 7590–01–P POSTAL REGULATORY COMMISSION [Docket Nos. CP2020–230; CP2020–246; CP2020–263; MC2021–46 and CP2021–48] New Postal Products Postal Regulatory Commission. Notice. AGENCY: ACTION: The Commission is noticing a recent Postal Service filing for the Commission’s consideration concerning a negotiated service agreement. This notice informs the public of the filing, invites public comment, and takes other administrative steps. DATES: Comments are due: December 22, 2020. ADDRESSES: Submit comments electronically via the Commission’s Filing Online system at https:// www.prc.gov. Those who cannot submit comments electronically should contact the person identified in the FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT section by telephone for advice on filing alternatives. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: David A. Trissell, General Counsel, at 202–789–6820. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: SUMMARY: Table of Contents I. Introduction II. Docketed Proceeding(s) I. Introduction The Commission gives notice that the Postal Service filed request(s) for the PO 00000 Frm 00104 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 82529 Commission to consider matters related to negotiated service agreement(s). The request(s) may propose the addition or removal of a negotiated service agreement from the market dominant or the competitive product list, or the modification of an existing product currently appearing on the market dominant or the competitive product list. Section II identifies the docket number(s) associated with each Postal Service request, the title of each Postal Service request, the request’s acceptance date, and the authority cited by the Postal Service for each request. For each request, the Commission appoints an officer of the Commission to represent the interests of the general public in the proceeding, pursuant to 39 U.S.C. 505 (Public Representative). Section II also establishes comment deadline(s) pertaining to each request. The public portions of the Postal Service’s request(s) can be accessed via the Commission’s website (https:// www.prc.gov). Non-public portions of the Postal Service’s request(s), if any, can be accessed through compliance with the requirements of 39 CFR 3011.301.1 The Commission invites comments on whether the Postal Service’s request(s) in the captioned docket(s) are consistent with the policies of title 39. For request(s) that the Postal Service states concern market dominant product(s), applicable statutory and regulatory requirements include 39 U.S.C. 3622, 39 U.S.C. 3642, 39 CFR part 3030, and 39 CFR part 3040, subpart B. For request(s) that the Postal Service states concern competitive product(s), applicable statutory and regulatory requirements include 39 U.S.C. 3632, 39 U.S.C. 3633, 39 U.S.C. 3642, 39 CFR part 3035, and 39 CFR part 3040, subpart B. Comment deadline(s) for each request appear in section II. 1. Docket No(s).: CP2020–230; Filing Title: Notice of the United States Postal Service of Filing Modification One to Priority Mail Express International, Priority Mail International, First-Class Package International Service & Commercial ePacket Contract 7 Negotiated Service Agreement; Filing Acceptance Date: December 14, 2020; Filing Authority: 39 U.S.C. 3642, 39 CFR 3040.130 through 3040.135, and 39 CFR 3035.105; Public Representative: Kenneth R. Moeller; Comments Due: December 22, 2020. 2. Docket No(s).: CP2020–246; Filing Title: Notice of the United States Postal 1 See Docket No. RM2018–3, Order Adopting Final Rules Relating to Non-Public Information, June 27, 2018, Attachment A at 19–22 (Order No. 4679). E:\FR\FM\18DEN1.SGM 18DEN1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 85, Number 244 (Friday, December 18, 2020)]
[Notices]
[Pages 82528-82529]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2020-27928]


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

NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION

[NRC-2020-0266]


Replacement Energy Cost Estimates for Nuclear Power Plants: 2020-
2030

AGENCY: Nuclear Regulatory Commission.

ACTION: Draft NUREG; request for comment.

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

SUMMARY: The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) is issuing for 
public comment draft NUREG-2242, ``Replacement Energy Cost Estimates 
for Nuclear Power Plants: 2020-2030.'' This guidance updates previous 
estimates of replacement energy costs for potential shutdowns of U.S. 
nuclear electricity-generating units.

DATES: Submit comments by February 16, 2021. Comments received after 
this date will be considered if it is practical to do so, but the NRC 
is able to ensure consideration only for comments received 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-2020-0266. Address 
questions about NRC dockets to Dawn Forder; telephone: 301-415-3407; 
email: [email protected]. 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-A60M, U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission, Washington, DC 20555-
0001, ATTN: Program Management, Announcements and Editing Staff.
    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:  Pamela Noto, Office of Nuclear 
Material Safety and Safeguards, U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission, 
Washington, DC 20555-0001; telephone: 301-415-6795, email: 
[email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Obtaining Information and Submitting Comments

A. Obtaining Information

    Please refer to Docket ID NRC-2020-0266 when contacting the NRC 
about the availability of information for this action. You may obtain 
publicly available information related to this action by any of the 
following methods:
     Federal Rulemaking Website: Go to https://www.regulations.gov and search for Docket ID NRC-2020-0266.
     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]. The draft NUREG, ``Replacement Energy 
Cost Estimates for Nuclear Power Plants: 2020-2030,'' is available in 
ADAMS under Accession No. ML20342A132.
     Attention: The Public Document Room (PDR), where you may 
examine and order copies of public documents is currently closed. You 
may submit your request to the PDR via email at [email protected] or 
call 1-800-397-4209 between 8:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. (EST), Monday 
through Friday, except Federal holidays.

B. Submitting Comments

    Please include Docket ID NRC-2020-0266 in your comment submission.
    The NRC cautions you not to include identifying or contact 
information that you do not want to be publicly disclosed in your 
comment submission. The NRC will post all comment submissions at 
https://www.regulations.gov as well as enter the comment submissions 
into ADAMS. The NRC does not routinely edit comment submissions to 
remove identifying or contact information.
    If you are requesting or aggregating comments from other persons 
for submission to the NRC, then you should inform those persons not to 
include 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.

[[Page 82529]]

II. Discussion

    The NRC is developing new guidance to update replacement energy 
cost estimates for both short- and long-term nuclear power plant 
outages. The new guidance document, NUREG-2242, ``Replacement Energy 
Cost Estimates for Nuclear Power Plants: 2020-2030,'' when finalized, 
updates and replaces the information contained within NUREG/CR-4012, 
Volume 4, ``Replacement Energy Costs for Nuclear Electricity-Generating 
Units in the United States: 1997-2001,'' and NUREG/CR-6080, 
``Replacement Energy, Capacity, and Reliability Costs for Permanent 
Nuclear Reactor Shutdowns'' (ADAMS Accession Nos. ML20073J435 and 
ML20076F500, respectively).
    Replacement energy costs are estimated for the U.S. electricity 
wholesale market regions with nuclear electricity-generating units over 
the 2020-2030 study period. These estimates were developed to assist 
the NRC in evaluating proposed regulatory actions that (1) require 
safety modifications that might necessitate temporary reactor outages 
and (2) reduce the potential for extended outages resulting from a 
severe reactor accident. Estimates were calculated using ASEA Brown 
Boveri's PROMOD model and ICF's Integrated Planning Model for North 
America. The model simulates dispatching a collection of generating 
units in merit order (i.e., lowest to highest incremental cost of 
dispatch) until the regional power demand is met. Each generating unit 
is characterized by the technology and fuel it uses to generate 
electricity, the unit's heat rate, and the variable and fixed costs 
incurred in owning and operating the unit. To estimate the replacement 
energy cost, the study models a Reference Case, in which all 
operational nuclear power plants are generating, and an Alternative 
Case, in which a nuclear generating unit is taken offline so that the 
next unit in merit order is dispatched to replace the lost generation. 
The difference in market clearing prices between the two cases is the 
replacement energy cost.
    The resulting wholesale power price projections capture the 
dynamics and economics of the U.S. electricity markets, which provide 
short- and long-term replacement energy cost estimates on a market area 
basis. Factors that affect replacement energy costs, such as load 
growth, replacement sources of generation, fuel prices, air emission 
requirement outlooks, and seasonal variations were treated in the 
analysis.
    On November 18, 2020, the NRC held a Category 3 public meeting 
(ADAMS Accession No. ML20336A181) to discuss the updated replacement 
energy cost estimates. The NRC appreciates feedback received from the 
November 18, 2020 public meeting and will consider comments received 
during the public comment period when developing the final NUREG-2242. 
After Commission approval and publication of the final NUREG-2242, the 
NRC plans to develop an appendix to NUREG/BR-0058, Revision 5, 
``Regulatory Analysis Guidelines of the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory 
Commission,'' (ADAMS Accession No. ML19261A278) to provide guidance for 
applying the replacement energy cost estimates.

    Dated: December 15, 2020.

    For the Nuclear Regulatory Commission.
John R. Tappert,
Director, Division of Rulemaking, Environmental, and Financial Support, 
Office of Nuclear Materials Safety and Safeguards.
[FR Doc. 2020-27928 Filed 12-17-20; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 7590-01-P
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