Notice of Availability of Draft Versatile Test Reactor Environmental Impact Statement, 83068-83071 [2020-27951]
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Federal Register / Vol. 85, No. 245 / Monday, December 21, 2020 / Notices
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[FR Doc. 2020–28032 Filed 12–18–20; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 5061–AP–P
DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
[Docket No.: ED–2020–SCC–0154]
Agency Information Collection
Activities; Submission to the Office of
Management and Budget for Review
and Approval; Comment Request;
Quarterly Budget and Expenditure
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AGENCY:
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ACTION:
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In accordance with the
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SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
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Type of Review: Extension without
change of a currently approved
collection.
Respondents/Affected Public: Private
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Abstract: Section 18004(a)(1) of the
CARES Act, Public Law 116–136 (March
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Education to allocate formula grant
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under parts A and B of title III, parts A
and B of title V, and subpart 4 of part
A of title VII of the Higher Education
Act of 1965, as amended (‘‘HEA’’), to
address needs directly related to the
coronavirus. These awards are in
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18004(a)(3) of the CARES Act, Pub.
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for IHEs that the Secretary determines
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we are now requesting an extension of
the approved collection under regular
processing.
Dated: December 15, 2020.
Kate Mullan,
PRA Coordinator, Strategic Collections and
Clearance, Governance and Strategy Division,
Office of Chief Data Officer, Office of
Planning, Evaluation and Policy
Development.
[FR Doc. 2020–28000 Filed 12–18–20; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4000–01–P
DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY
Notice of Availability of Draft Versatile
Test Reactor Environmental Impact
Statement
Office of Nuclear Energy,
Department of Energy.
ACTION: Notice of availability and public
hearings.
AGENCY:
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Federal Register / Vol. 85, No. 245 / Monday, December 21, 2020 / Notices
The U.S. Department of
Energy (DOE) announces the availability
of the Draft Versatile Test Reactor
Environmental Impact Statement (VTR
EIS) (DOE/EIS–0542). DOE is also
announcing a public comment period
and public hearings to receive
comments on the Draft VTR EIS. DOE
prepared the Draft VTR EIS to evaluate
the potential environmental impacts of
alternatives for constructing and
operating a versatile test reactor (VTR),
and the associated facilities for postirradiation examination of test and
experimental fuels and materials. The
Draft VTR EIS also evaluates the
potential environmental impacts of
options for VTR driver fuel (the fuel that
powers the reactor) fabrication and the
management of spent nuclear fuel from
the VTR.
DATES: Comments will be accepted
during the comment period that will
extend for 45 days after the date that the
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
publishes its Notice of Availability in
the Federal Register (expected to be
December 31, 2020). DOE plans to hold
two public hearings on the Draft VTR
EIS. In light of ongoing public health
concerns, DOE will host internet-based,
virtual public hearings in place of inperson hearings. The dates of the
hearing will be provided in a future
notice posted on the following website:
https://www.energy.gov/ne/nuclearreactor-technologies/versatile-testreactor. DOE will hold the hearings no
earlier than 15 days from the posting of
the notice.
ADDRESSES: DOE invites Federal and
state agencies, state and local
governments, Native American tribes,
industry, other organizations, and
members of the public to review and
submit comments on the Draft VTR EIS.
Written comments on the Draft VTR EIS
should be sent to Mr. James Lovejoy,
Document Manager, by mail at: U.S.
Department of Energy, Idaho Operations
Office, 1955 Fremont Avenue, MS 1235,
Idaho Falls, Idaho 83415; or by email to
VTR.EIS@nuclear.energy.gov. The Draft
VTR EIS is available for viewing or
download at https://www.energy.gov/
nepa or https://www.energy.gov/ne/
nuclear-reactor-technologies/versatiletest-reactor.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For
information regarding the VTR Project
or the Draft VTR EIS, visit https://
www.energy.gov/ne/nuclear-reactortechnologies/versatile-test-reactor; or
contact Mr. James Lovejoy at the mailing
address listed in ADDRESSESS; or via
email at VTR.EIS@nuclear.energy.gov;
or call (208) 526–6805. For general
information on DOE’s NEPA process,
SUMMARY:
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contact Mr. Jason Sturm at the mailing
address listed in ADDRESSES; or via
email at VTR.EIS@nuclear.energy.gov;
or call (208) 526–6805.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Background
Part of the DOE mission is to ensure
America’s security and prosperity by
addressing its energy, environmental
and nuclear challenges through
transformative science and technology
solutions. Many commercial
organizations and universities are
pursuing advanced nuclear energy fuels,
materials, and reactor designs that
complement the efforts of DOE and its
laboratories in advancing nuclear
energy. These designs include thermal
and fast-spectrum 1 reactors targeting
improved fuel resource utilization and
waste management, and utilizing
materials other than water for cooling.
Their development requires an adequate
infrastructure for experimentation,
testing, design evolution, and
component qualification. Existing
irradiation test capabilities are aging,
and some are over 50 years old. The
existing capabilities are focused on
testing of materials, fuels, and
components in the thermal neutron
spectrum and do not have the ability to
support the testing needs for fast
reactors. Only limited fast-neutronspectrum-testing capabilities, with
restricted availability, exist outside the
United States. To meet its obligation to
support advanced reactor technology
development, DOE needs to develop the
capability for large-scale testing,
accelerated testing, and qualification of
advanced nuclear fuels, materials,
instrumentation and sensors. This
testing capability is essential for the
United States to modernize its nuclear
energy infrastructure and for developing
transformational nuclear energy
technologies that re-establish the U.S. as
a world leader in nuclear technology
commercialization.
Recognizing that the United States
does not have a dedicated fast-neutronspectrum testing capability, DOE
performed a mission needs assessment
1 Fast neutrons are highly energetic neutrons
(ranging from 0.1 to 10 million electron volts [MeV]
and travelling at speeds of thousands to tens of
thousands kilometers per second) emitted during
fission. The fast-neutron spectrum refers to the
range of energies associated with fast neutrons. By
contrast, thermal neutrons, such as those typically
associated in a commercial light-water reactor, are
neutrons that are less energetic than fast neutrons
(more than a million times less energetic [about
0.25eV] and travelling at speeds of less than 5
kilometers per second), having been slowed by
collisions with other materials such as water. The
thermal neutron spectrum refers to the range of
energies associated with thermal neutrons.
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to assess current testing capabilities
(domestic and foreign) against the
required testing capabilities to support
the development of advanced nuclear
technologies. This needs assessment
was consistent with the Nuclear Energy
Innovation Capabilities Act (NEICA)
(Pub. L. 115–248) passed in 2018, which
directed DOE to assess the mission need
for, and cost of, a versatile reactor-based
fast-neutron source with a high neutron
flux, irradiation flexibility, multiple
experimental environment (e.g., coolant)
capabilities, and volume for many
concurrent users. The needs assessment
identified a gap between required
testing needs and existing capabilities.
That is, there currently is an inability to
effectively test advanced nuclear fuels
and materials in a fast-neutron spectrum
irradiation environment at high neutron
fluxes. Specifically, the DOE Office of
Nuclear Energy (NE), Nuclear Energy
Advisory Committee (NEAC) report,
Assessment of Missions and
Requirements for a New U.S. Test
Reactor, confirmed that there was a
need in the U.S. for fast-neutron testing
capabilities, but that there is no facility
that is readily available domestically or
internationally. The NEAC study
confirmed the conclusions of an earlier
study, the Advanced Demonstration and
Test Reactor Options Study. That study
established the strategic objective that
DOE ‘‘provide an irradiation test reactor
to support development and
qualification of fuels, materials, and
other important components/items (e.g.,
control rods, instrumentation) of both
thermal and fast neutron-based
advanced reactor systems.’’
Following establishment of the
mission need described above, the VTR
Project was formally launched in
February 2019 as a part of the effort
called for by Congress to modernize the
nuclear energy research and
development user facility infrastructure
in the United States.
Alternatives
In addition to a No Action
Alternative, the Draft VTR EIS evaluates
potential environmental impacts of
alternatives for constructing and
operating a VTR. Under the action
alternatives, the VTR would be a small
(approximately 300 megawatt thermal)
sodium-cooled, pool-type, metal-fueled
reactor. DOE has completed a
conceptual design of a fast-neutronspectrum reactor based on the Power
Reactor Innovative Small Module
(PRISM) design from GE-Hitachi. In
addition to constructing and operating
the VTR, the action alternatives include
the activities necessary to perform postirradiation examination of test
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Federal Register / Vol. 85, No. 245 / Monday, December 21, 2020 / Notices
specimens and for the management of
driver fuel from the VTR. After
irradiation in the VTR, test specimens/
experimental cartridges would be
transferred to post-irradiation
examination facilities where they would
be disassembled so that the specimens
can undergo detailed evaluation. To the
extent practical, DOE would make use
of existing facilities to perform postirradiation examination. Spent driver
fuel would be removed from the VTR
each year over its 60-year operating life.
The fuel would be treated (to remove
sodium that is used as a bonding
material in fabrication of the fuel) and
packaged in containers that are ready for
transport to an offsite storage facility or
repository. Pending shipment offsite,
the packaged spent fuel would be stored
at a facility provided by the VTR
project. These activities would be part
of each action alternative. The
alternatives evaluated include
establishing the VTR and support
activities at Idaho National Laboratory
(INL) or Oak Ridge National Laboratory
(ORNL).
Idaho National Laboratory Versatile
Test Reactor Alternative
Under the INL VTR Alternative, DOE
would site the VTR adjacent to the
Materials and Fuels Complex (MFC) at
INL and use existing hot cell and other
facilities at the MFC for post-irradiation
examination. The MFC is the location of
the Hot Fuel Examination Facility
(HFEF), the Irradiated Materials
Characterization Laboratory (IMCL), the
Experimental Fuels Facility (EFF), and
other laboratory facilities. Spent driver
fuel would be treated at the Fuel
Conditioning Facility (FCF) and stored
at a facility constructed as part of the
VTR project.
Oak Ridge National Laboratory Versatile
Test Reactor Alternative
Under the ORNL VTR Alternative, the
VTR would be sited at ORNL at a
location about three quarters of a mile
northeast of the High Flux Isotope
Reactor. In addition to constructing the
VTR and a facility to store spent driver
fuel, DOE would also construct a new
hot cell facility at this location. The hot
cell facility would include capability
and capacity for the initial postirradiation disassembly and
examination of test specimens and for
the treatment of spent VTR driver fuel.
Several existing facilities at ORNL
would be used to provide additional
post-irradiation examination
capabilities. Hot cells in the Irradiated
Fuels Examination Laboratory and the
Irradiated Materials Examination and
Testing Facility would augment the
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capabilities in the new hot cell facility.
In addition, the Low Activation
Materials Design and Analysis
Laboratory would be used for testing
low-dose samples that do not require
the use of hot cells.
Reactor Fuel Production
The driver fuel for the VTR would be
a metal alloy composed of uranium,
plutonium, and zirconium. Activities to
produce reactor fuel may include
feedstock preparation and well as fuel
fabrication. The Draft VTR EIS evaluates
the potential environmental impacts of
the feedstock preparation activities that
would be used to remove contaminants
from the plutonium (called polishing)
and to convert plutonium oxides to
metal that can be used in fuel
fabrication. The fabrication steps
include creating the alloy; casting the
alloy to create fuel slugs; fabricating fuel
pins, including establishing a sodium
bond between the fuel slugs and the
encasing tube; and assembling the tube
bundles that would be placed in the
reactor. DOE evaluates two options for
each phase of reactor fuel production.
The feedstock preparation could be
performed at either INL or the Savanah
River Site (SRS). Similarly, fuel
fabrication activities could be performed
at INL or SRS.
Under the options to perform
feedstock preparation and fuel
fabrication at INL, new and existing
gloveboxes and equipment would be
used in the Fuel Manufacturing Facility
and the building that previously housed
the Zero Power Physics Reactor. Under
the options to perform feedstock
preparation and fuel fabrication at SRS,
new gloveboxes and equipment would
be installed in a building that
previously housed one of the SRS
production reactors.
Preferred Alternative
DOE’s Preferred Alternative is the INL
VTR Alternative. DOE would build and
operate the VTR at the INL Site adjacent
to the existing MFC. Existing facilities
within the MFC would be used for postirradiation examination of test
specimens. Post-irradiation examination
would be performed in HFEF, IMCL,
and other MFC facilities. Spent nuclear
fuel (spent VTR driver fuel) would be
treated to remove the sodium-bonded
material at FCF (modifications to FCF
may be required). The intent of this
treatment is to condition and transform
the spent nuclear fuel into a form that
would meet the acceptance criteria for
a future permanent repository. This
treated fuel would be temporarily stored
at a new VTR spent fuel pad at MFC.
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DOE has no preferred options at this
time for where it would perform driver
fuel production (i.e., feedstock
preparation and driver fuel fabrication)
for the VTR. DOE evaluated options for
both processes at the INL Site and at
SRS. DOE could choose to use either
site or a combination of both sites to
implement either option. DOE will state
its preferred options for feedstock
preparation and driver fuel fabrication
in the Final VTR EIS, if preferred
options are identified before issuance.
Webcast Public Hearings
DOE will host two interactive webcast
public hearings during the public
comment period. During the webcast
public hearings, DOE will give a brief
presentation on the Draft VTR EIS,
followed by a period during which DOE
will accept oral comments on the Draft
VTR EIS. The comments will be
transcribed. There will also be a phone
line available to allow people who do
not have an internet connection the
opportunity to participate. Note that
those desiring to provide oral comments
will need to call in on the phone line.
Written comments on the Draft VTR EIS
may also be submitted during the public
comment period as indicated under
ADDRESSES. All comments, whether oral
or written, will be considered by DOE
as the VTR EIS is finalized. DOE will
post information regarding the public
hearings on the VTR Draft EIS website
at https://www.energy.gov/ne/nuclearreactor-technologies/versatile-testreactor. The hearings will also be
announced in newspapers near INL,
ORNL, and SRS.
Signing Authority
This document of the Department of
Energy was signed on December 15,
2020, by Robert Boston, DOE Idaho
Operations Office Manager, Office of
Nuclear Energy, pursuant to delegated
authority from the Secretary of Energy.
That document with the original
signature and date is maintained by
DOE. For administrative purposes only,
and in compliance with requirements of
the Office of the Federal Register, the
undersigned DOE Federal Register
Liaison Officer has been authorized to
sign and submit the document in
electronic format for publication, as an
official document of the Department of
Energy. This administrative process in
no way alters the legal effect of this
document upon publication in the
Federal Register.
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Federal Register / Vol. 85, No. 245 / Monday, December 21, 2020 / Notices
Signed in Washington, DC, on December
15, 2020.
Treena V. Garrett,
Federal Register Liaison Officer, U.S.
Department of Energy.
[FR Doc. 2020–27951 Filed 12–18–20; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6450–01–P
DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY
Federal Energy Regulatory
Commission
Combined Notice of Filings #1
Take notice that the Commission
received the following electric corporate
filings:
Docket Numbers: EC21–34–000.
Applicants: Kings Point Wind, LLC,
The Empire District Electric Company.
Description: Application for
Authorization Under Section 203 of the
Federal Power Act of Kings Point Wind,
LLC, et. al.
Filed Date: 12/14/20.
Accession Number: 20201214–5219.
Comments Due: 5 p.m. ET 1/4/21.
Take notice that the Commission
received the following exempt
wholesale generator filings:
Docket Numbers: EG21–54–000.
Applicants: PGR Lessee O, LLC.
Description: Self-Certification of
exempt Wholesale Generator of PGR
Lessee O, LLC.
Filed Date: 12/14/20.
Accession Number: 20201214–5161.
Comments Due: 5 p.m. ET 1/4/21.
Take notice that the Commission
received the following electric rate
filings:
Docket Numbers: ER10–2302–009.
Applicants: Public Service Company
of New Mexico.
Description: Compliance filing: PNM
Compliance Filing with November 13,
2020 Order to be effective 11/13/2020.
Filed Date: 12/14/20.
Accession Number: 20201214–5185.
Comments Due: 5 p.m. ET 1/4/21.
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Applicants: New Mexico PPA
Corporation.
Description: Compliance filing: MBR
Filing in Compliance with November
13, 2020 Order to be effective 11/13/
2020.
Filed Date: 12/14/20.
Accession Number: 20201214–5172.
Comments Due: 5 p.m. ET 1/4/21.
Docket Numbers: ER20–860–003.
Applicants: Green River Wind Farm
Phase 1, LLC.
Description: Compliance filing:
Reactive Power Compliance Filing to be
effective 3/22/2020.
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Filed Date: 12/15/20.
Accession Number: 20201215–5087.
Comments Due: 5 p.m. ET 1/5/21.
Docket Numbers: ER20–1890–003.
Applicants: California Independent
System Operator Corporation.
Description: Compliance filing: 2020–
12–15 Intertie Deviation Settlement—
Compliance Filing to be effective 1/1/
2021.
Filed Date: 12/15/20.
Accession Number: 20201215–5102.
Comments Due: 5 p.m. ET 1/5/21.
Docket Numbers: ER21–244–001.
Applicants: Duke Energy Carolinas,
LLC.
Description: Tariff Amendment: Errata
to Correct Location—DEC RS No. 318
Amendment 2021 to be effective 1/1/
2021.
Filed Date: 12/14/20.
Accession Number: 20201214–5169.
Comments Due: 5 p.m. ET 12/21/21.
Docket Numbers: ER21–645–000.
Applicants: TransWest Express LLC.
Description: Application for
authorization to sell transmission
service rights at negotiated rates, request
for approval of capacity allocation
process, and request for waivers of
TransWest Express LLC.
Filed Date: 12/11/20.
Accession Number: 20201211–5208.
Comments Due: 5 p.m. ET 1/4/21.
Docket Numbers: ER21–647–000.
Applicants: Arizona Public Service
Company.
Description: § 205(d) Rate Filing: Rate
Schedule No. 265, Amendment No. 3_
PV—Morgan Joint Participation to be
effective 2/15/2021.
Filed Date: 12/15/20.
Accession Number: 20201215–5083.
Comments Due: 5 p.m. ET 1/5/21.
Docket Numbers: ER21–648–000.
Applicants: Southwest Power Pool,
Inc.
Description: § 205(d) Rate Filing:
Revisions to Bylaws and Membership
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Filed Date: 12/15/20.
Accession Number: 20201215–5099.
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Applicants: California Independent
System Operator Corporation.
Description: § 205(d) Rate Filing:
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Applicants: Rail Splitter Wind Farm II
LLC.
Description: Request for Prospective
One-Time, Limited Waiver of Tariff
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Provisions, et al. of Rail Splitter Wind
Farm II LLC.
Filed Date: 12/14/20.
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Accession Number: 20201215–5139.
Comments Due: 5 p.m. ET 1/5/21.
The filings are accessible in the
Commission’s eLibrary system (https://
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fercgensearch.asp) by querying the
docket number.
Any person desiring to intervene or
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other information, call (866) 208–3676
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Dated: December 15, 2020.
Kimberly D. Bose,
Secretary.
[FR Doc. 2020–28088 Filed 12–18–20; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6717–01–P
DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY
Federal Energy Regulatory
Commission
[Docket No. EL21–26–000]
New England Power Generators
Association, Inc. v. ISO New England,
Inc.; Notice of Complaint
Take notice that on December 11,
2020, pursuant to sections 206, 306, and
309 of the Federal Power Act, 16 U.S.C.
824e, 825e, 825h and Rule 206 of the
Federal Energy Regulatory
Commission’s (Commission) Rules of
Practice and Procedure, 18 CFR 385.206,
New England Power Generators
Association, Inc. (Complainant) filed a
formal complaint against ISO New
England, Inc., (Respondent) alleging
that, Respondent has violated its tariff
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]]>Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 85, Number 245 (Monday, December 21, 2020)]
[Notices]
[Pages 83068-83071]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2020-27951]
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DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY
Notice of Availability of Draft Versatile Test Reactor
Environmental Impact Statement
AGENCY: Office of Nuclear Energy, Department of Energy.
ACTION: Notice of availability and public hearings.
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SUMMARY: The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) announces the availability
of the Draft Versatile Test Reactor Environmental Impact Statement (VTR
EIS) (DOE/EIS-0542). DOE is also announcing a public comment period and
public hearings to receive comments on the Draft VTR EIS. DOE prepared
the Draft VTR EIS to evaluate the potential environmental impacts of
alternatives for constructing and operating a versatile test reactor
(VTR), and the associated facilities for post-irradiation examination
of test and experimental fuels and materials. The Draft VTR EIS also
evaluates the potential environmental impacts of options for VTR driver
fuel (the fuel that powers the reactor) fabrication and the management
of spent nuclear fuel from the VTR.
DATES: Comments will be accepted during the comment period that will
extend for 45 days after the date that the U.S. Environmental
Protection Agency publishes its Notice of Availability in the Federal
Register (expected to be December 31, 2020). DOE plans to hold two
public hearings on the Draft VTR EIS. In light of ongoing public health
concerns, DOE will host internet-based, virtual public hearings in
place of in-person hearings. The dates of the hearing will be provided
in a future notice posted on the following website: https://www.energy.gov/ne/nuclear-reactor-technologies/versatile-test-reactor.
DOE will hold the hearings no earlier than 15 days from the posting of
the notice.
ADDRESSES: DOE invites Federal and state agencies, state and local
governments, Native American tribes, industry, other organizations, and
members of the public to review and submit comments on the Draft VTR
EIS. Written comments on the Draft VTR EIS should be sent to Mr. James
Lovejoy, Document Manager, by mail at: U.S. Department of Energy, Idaho
Operations Office, 1955 Fremont Avenue, MS 1235, Idaho Falls, Idaho
83415; or by email to [email protected]. The Draft VTR EIS is
available for viewing or download at https://www.energy.gov/nepa or
https://www.energy.gov/ne/nuclear-reactor-technologies/versatile-test-reactor.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For information regarding the VTR
Project or the Draft VTR EIS, visit https://www.energy.gov/ne/nuclear-reactor-technologies/versatile-test-reactor; or contact Mr. James
Lovejoy at the mailing address listed in ADDRESSESS; or via email at
[email protected]; or call (208) 526-6805. For general
information on DOE's NEPA process, contact Mr. Jason Sturm at the
mailing address listed in ADDRESSES; or via email at
[email protected]; or call (208) 526-6805.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Background
Part of the DOE mission is to ensure America's security and
prosperity by addressing its energy, environmental and nuclear
challenges through transformative science and technology solutions.
Many commercial organizations and universities are pursuing advanced
nuclear energy fuels, materials, and reactor designs that complement
the efforts of DOE and its laboratories in advancing nuclear energy.
These designs include thermal and fast-spectrum \1\ reactors targeting
improved fuel resource utilization and waste management, and utilizing
materials other than water for cooling. Their development requires an
adequate infrastructure for experimentation, testing, design evolution,
and component qualification. Existing irradiation test capabilities are
aging, and some are over 50 years old. The existing capabilities are
focused on testing of materials, fuels, and components in the thermal
neutron spectrum and do not have the ability to support the testing
needs for fast reactors. Only limited fast-neutron-spectrum-testing
capabilities, with restricted availability, exist outside the United
States. To meet its obligation to support advanced reactor technology
development, DOE needs to develop the capability for large-scale
testing, accelerated testing, and qualification of advanced nuclear
fuels, materials, instrumentation and sensors. This testing capability
is essential for the United States to modernize its nuclear energy
infrastructure and for developing transformational nuclear energy
technologies that re-establish the U.S. as a world leader in nuclear
technology commercialization.
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\1\ Fast neutrons are highly energetic neutrons (ranging from
0.1 to 10 million electron volts [MeV] and travelling at speeds of
thousands to tens of thousands kilometers per second) emitted during
fission. The fast-neutron spectrum refers to the range of energies
associated with fast neutrons. By contrast, thermal neutrons, such
as those typically associated in a commercial light-water reactor,
are neutrons that are less energetic than fast neutrons (more than a
million times less energetic [about 0.25eV] and travelling at speeds
of less than 5 kilometers per second), having been slowed by
collisions with other materials such as water. The thermal neutron
spectrum refers to the range of energies associated with thermal
neutrons.
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Recognizing that the United States does not have a dedicated fast-
neutron-spectrum testing capability, DOE performed a mission needs
assessment to assess current testing capabilities (domestic and
foreign) against the required testing capabilities to support the
development of advanced nuclear technologies. This needs assessment was
consistent with the Nuclear Energy Innovation Capabilities Act (NEICA)
(Pub. L. 115-248) passed in 2018, which directed DOE to assess the
mission need for, and cost of, a versatile reactor-based fast-neutron
source with a high neutron flux, irradiation flexibility, multiple
experimental environment (e.g., coolant) capabilities, and volume for
many concurrent users. The needs assessment identified a gap between
required testing needs and existing capabilities. That is, there
currently is an inability to effectively test advanced nuclear fuels
and materials in a fast-neutron spectrum irradiation environment at
high neutron fluxes. Specifically, the DOE Office of Nuclear Energy
(NE), Nuclear Energy Advisory Committee (NEAC) report, Assessment of
Missions and Requirements for a New U.S. Test Reactor, confirmed that
there was a need in the U.S. for fast-neutron testing capabilities, but
that there is no facility that is readily available domestically or
internationally. The NEAC study confirmed the conclusions of an earlier
study, the Advanced Demonstration and Test Reactor Options Study. That
study established the strategic objective that DOE ``provide an
irradiation test reactor to support development and qualification of
fuels, materials, and other important components/items (e.g., control
rods, instrumentation) of both thermal and fast neutron-based advanced
reactor systems.''
Following establishment of the mission need described above, the
VTR Project was formally launched in February 2019 as a part of the
effort called for by Congress to modernize the nuclear energy research
and development user facility infrastructure in the United States.
Alternatives
In addition to a No Action Alternative, the Draft VTR EIS evaluates
potential environmental impacts of alternatives for constructing and
operating a VTR. Under the action alternatives, the VTR would be a
small (approximately 300 megawatt thermal) sodium-cooled, pool-type,
metal-fueled reactor. DOE has completed a conceptual design of a fast-
neutron-spectrum reactor based on the Power Reactor Innovative Small
Module (PRISM) design from GE-Hitachi. In addition to constructing and
operating the VTR, the action alternatives include the activities
necessary to perform post-irradiation examination of test
[[Page 83070]]
specimens and for the management of driver fuel from the VTR. After
irradiation in the VTR, test specimens/experimental cartridges would be
transferred to post-irradiation examination facilities where they would
be disassembled so that the specimens can undergo detailed evaluation.
To the extent practical, DOE would make use of existing facilities to
perform post-irradiation examination. Spent driver fuel would be
removed from the VTR each year over its 60-year operating life. The
fuel would be treated (to remove sodium that is used as a bonding
material in fabrication of the fuel) and packaged in containers that
are ready for transport to an offsite storage facility or repository.
Pending shipment offsite, the packaged spent fuel would be stored at a
facility provided by the VTR project. These activities would be part of
each action alternative. The alternatives evaluated include
establishing the VTR and support activities at Idaho National
Laboratory (INL) or Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL).
Idaho National Laboratory Versatile Test Reactor Alternative
Under the INL VTR Alternative, DOE would site the VTR adjacent to
the Materials and Fuels Complex (MFC) at INL and use existing hot cell
and other facilities at the MFC for post-irradiation examination. The
MFC is the location of the Hot Fuel Examination Facility (HFEF), the
Irradiated Materials Characterization Laboratory (IMCL), the
Experimental Fuels Facility (EFF), and other laboratory facilities.
Spent driver fuel would be treated at the Fuel Conditioning Facility
(FCF) and stored at a facility constructed as part of the VTR project.
Oak Ridge National Laboratory Versatile Test Reactor Alternative
Under the ORNL VTR Alternative, the VTR would be sited at ORNL at a
location about three quarters of a mile northeast of the High Flux
Isotope Reactor. In addition to constructing the VTR and a facility to
store spent driver fuel, DOE would also construct a new hot cell
facility at this location. The hot cell facility would include
capability and capacity for the initial post-irradiation disassembly
and examination of test specimens and for the treatment of spent VTR
driver fuel. Several existing facilities at ORNL would be used to
provide additional post-irradiation examination capabilities. Hot cells
in the Irradiated Fuels Examination Laboratory and the Irradiated
Materials Examination and Testing Facility would augment the
capabilities in the new hot cell facility. In addition, the Low
Activation Materials Design and Analysis Laboratory would be used for
testing low-dose samples that do not require the use of hot cells.
Reactor Fuel Production
The driver fuel for the VTR would be a metal alloy composed of
uranium, plutonium, and zirconium. Activities to produce reactor fuel
may include feedstock preparation and well as fuel fabrication. The
Draft VTR EIS evaluates the potential environmental impacts of the
feedstock preparation activities that would be used to remove
contaminants from the plutonium (called polishing) and to convert
plutonium oxides to metal that can be used in fuel fabrication. The
fabrication steps include creating the alloy; casting the alloy to
create fuel slugs; fabricating fuel pins, including establishing a
sodium bond between the fuel slugs and the encasing tube; and
assembling the tube bundles that would be placed in the reactor. DOE
evaluates two options for each phase of reactor fuel production. The
feedstock preparation could be performed at either INL or the Savanah
River Site (SRS). Similarly, fuel fabrication activities could be
performed at INL or SRS.
Under the options to perform feedstock preparation and fuel
fabrication at INL, new and existing gloveboxes and equipment would be
used in the Fuel Manufacturing Facility and the building that
previously housed the Zero Power Physics Reactor. Under the options to
perform feedstock preparation and fuel fabrication at SRS, new
gloveboxes and equipment would be installed in a building that
previously housed one of the SRS production reactors.
Preferred Alternative
DOE's Preferred Alternative is the INL VTR Alternative. DOE would
build and operate the VTR at the INL Site adjacent to the existing MFC.
Existing facilities within the MFC would be used for post-irradiation
examination of test specimens. Post-irradiation examination would be
performed in HFEF, IMCL, and other MFC facilities. Spent nuclear fuel
(spent VTR driver fuel) would be treated to remove the sodium-bonded
material at FCF (modifications to FCF may be required). The intent of
this treatment is to condition and transform the spent nuclear fuel
into a form that would meet the acceptance criteria for a future
permanent repository. This treated fuel would be temporarily stored at
a new VTR spent fuel pad at MFC.
DOE has no preferred options at this time for where it would
perform driver fuel production (i.e., feedstock preparation and driver
fuel fabrication) for the VTR. DOE evaluated options for both processes
at the INL Site and at SRS. DOE could choose to use either site or a
combination of both sites to implement either option. DOE will state
its preferred options for feedstock preparation and driver fuel
fabrication in the Final VTR EIS, if preferred options are identified
before issuance.
Webcast Public Hearings
DOE will host two interactive webcast public hearings during the
public comment period. During the webcast public hearings, DOE will
give a brief presentation on the Draft VTR EIS, followed by a period
during which DOE will accept oral comments on the Draft VTR EIS. The
comments will be transcribed. There will also be a phone line available
to allow people who do not have an internet connection the opportunity
to participate. Note that those desiring to provide oral comments will
need to call in on the phone line. Written comments on the Draft VTR
EIS may also be submitted during the public comment period as indicated
under ADDRESSES. All comments, whether oral or written, will be
considered by DOE as the VTR EIS is finalized. DOE will post
information regarding the public hearings on the VTR Draft EIS website
at https://www.energy.gov/ne/nuclear-reactor-technologies/versatile-test-reactor. The hearings will also be announced in newspapers near
INL, ORNL, and SRS.
Signing Authority
This document of the Department of Energy was signed on December
15, 2020, by Robert Boston, DOE Idaho Operations Office Manager, Office
of Nuclear Energy, pursuant to delegated authority from the Secretary
of Energy. That document with the original signature and date is
maintained by DOE. For administrative purposes only, and in compliance
with requirements of the Office of the Federal Register, the
undersigned DOE Federal Register Liaison Officer has been authorized to
sign and submit the document in electronic format for publication, as
an official document of the Department of Energy. This administrative
process in no way alters the legal effect of this document upon
publication in the Federal Register.
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Signed in Washington, DC, on December 15, 2020.
Treena V. Garrett,
Federal Register Liaison Officer, U.S. Department of Energy.
[FR Doc. 2020-27951 Filed 12-18-20; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6450-01-P
