Notice of Availability of Draft Construction and Demonstration of a Prototype Mobile Microreactor Environmental Impact Statement, 53039-53041 [2021-20546]
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Federal Register / Vol. 86, No. 183 / Friday, September 24, 2021 / Notices
Federal, state, and tribal entities.
Significant impacts may include
economic impacts to the communities of
Delta Junction and Fairbanks,
recreational and military use of
airspace, including currently restricted
airspace, utilities and infrastructure,
and hazardous and toxic materials and
waste.
Following the 30-day scoping period,
and after consideration of comments
received during scoping, the Army will
prepare a Draft LEIS. The U.S.
Environmental Protection Agency will
announce the availability of the Draft
LEIS in the Federal Register. The Army
will also announce the release of the
Draft LEIS in local media outlets,
kicking off a public comment period
during which it will hold public
meetings. In accordance with 40 CFR
1506.8 a Final LEIS is not required for
the legislative EIS process, and it will
not be prepared for this action. Public
comments on the Draft LEIS will be
submitted as part of the legislative
proposal.
Federal, state, and local agencies,
Alaska Native tribes, Alaska Native
tribal organizations, and the public are
invited to be involved in the scoping
process for the preparation of this LEIS
by participating in a scoping meeting
and submitting written comments. To
assist the Army in the development of
this LEIS, the Army encourages
submission of comments on potential
alternatives, potential environmental
impacts, information, and analyses
relevant to the proposed action. Written
comments must be sent within 30 days
of publication of this Notice of Intent in
the Federal Register. In the interest of
public health, scoping meetings will be
held in a virtual environment and the
date(s) will be posted online at https://
home.army.mil/alaska/index.php/fortwainwright/NEPA. Date(s) and time(s)
for the public meeting will also be
advertised in local area newspapers.
The Draft LEIS is anticipated to be
published in summer 2022. The
decision for this action will be made by
Congress.
James W. Satterwhite Jr.,
Army Federal Register Liaison Officer.
[FR Doc. 2021–20661 Filed 9–23–21; 8:45 am]
DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE
Office of the Secretary
Notice of Availability of Draft
Construction and Demonstration of a
Prototype Mobile Microreactor
Environmental Impact Statement
Strategic Capabilities Office
(SCO), Office of the Secretary,
Department of Defense (DoD).
ACTION: Notice of availability and public
hearings; request for comment.
AGENCY:
The DoD, acting through SCO
and with the United States (U.S.)
Department of Energy (DOE) serving as
a cooperating agency, announces the
availability of the Draft Construction
and Demonstration of a Prototype
Mobile Microreactor Environmental
Impact Statement. SCO is also
announcing a public comment period
and public hearings on the Draft EIS.
SCO prepared the Draft EIS to evaluate
the potential environmental impacts of
alternatives for constructing and
operating a prototype mobile
microreactor capable of producing 1 to
5 megawatts of electrical power (MWe).
DATES: Comments are due by November
8, 2021.
Public hearings:
1. October 20, 2021, 3:00 p.m. to 5:00
p.m. Mountain time, Fort Hall, ID
(livestreamed)
2. October 20, 2021, 6:00 p.m. to 8:00
p.m. Mountain time, Fort Hall, ID
(livestreamed)
SUMMARY:
You may submit written
comments on the Draft EIS by any of the
following methods:
Mail: Mobile Microreactor EIS
Comment, c/o Leidos, 2109 Air Park Rd
SE, Suite 200, Albuquerque, NM 87106.
Email: PELE_NEPA@sco.mil.
Online: https://www.mobilemicro
reactoreis.com.
The Draft EIS is available for review
online at the website listed above. Send
requests to be placed on the Draft EIS
distribution list to receive future
updates to the email listed above.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Dr.
Jeff Waksman, Program Manager; Mail:
Strategic Capabilities Office, 1155
Defense Pentagon, Washington, DC
20301–1155; Email: PELE_NEPA@
sco.mil.
ADDRESSES:
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
BILLING CODE 5061–AP–P
Background
The DoD consumes around 30
terawatt hours of electricity per year and
more than 10 million gallons of fuel per
day. Additionally, military operational
projections predict that energy demand
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53039
will continue to increase significantly
over the next few years. Prioritizing
climate change considerations in
national security will require
explorations of energy-generating
resources that create a sustainable
climate pathway. Energy delivery and
management continues to be a critical
defensive risk. The challenge is to
develop more sustainable methods to
provide reliable, abundant, and
continuous energy. Inherent dangers,
logistical complexities, and
overwhelming costs of sustaining power
demands at Forward Operating Bases,
Remote Operating Bases, and
Expeditionary Bases using diesel
generators continue to constrain
operations and fundamental strategic
planning. Additionally, technologies
currently under development, such as
unmanned aerial vehicles, new radar
systems, new weapon systems, and the
electrification of the non-tactical vehicle
fleet, will require even greater energy
demands. The Defense Science Board,
commissioned by the DoD,
recommended further engineering
development and prototyping of very
small modular reactors with an output
less than 10 MWe. Before this
technology can be deployed, a prototype
mobile microreactor must be tested to
ensure it can meet DoD specifications
and requirements.
A related Notice of Intent to Prepare
an EIS for Construction and
Demonstration of a Prototype Advanced
Mobile Nuclear Microreactor was
previously published in the Federal
Register, 85 FR 12274 (March 2, 2020).
On March 22, 2021, SCO announced
two teams—led by BWXT Advanced
Technologies, LLC, Lynchburg, Virginia,
and X-energy, LLC, Rockville,
Maryland—would proceed with
development of a final design for a
mobile microreactor under Project Pele.
The two teams were selected from a
preliminary design competition, and
each continues design development
independently. After a final design
review in early 2022 and completion of
this EIS under the National
Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) of
1969, as amended, one of the two
companies may be selected to build and
demonstrate a mobile microreactor.
Alternatives
SCO evaluated a range of reasonable
alternatives for the Proposed Action
(mobile microreactor construction and
demonstration) in this EIS, including a
No Action Alternative that serves as a
basis for comparison with the action
alternatives. The Idaho National
Laboratory (INL Site) was identified as
the preferred location for the Proposed
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Federal Register / Vol. 86, No. 183 / Friday, September 24, 2021 / Notices
Action based on siting requirements for
the mobile microreactor. Other sites,
including the Oak Ridge National
Laboratory (ORNL) did not meet all of
the siting criteria. Specifically, these
sites either lacked sufficient supporting
infrastructure or lacked an independent
electrical distribution system capable of
scheduling and operation independent
of and isolated from the local
commercial utility grid.
Proposed Action
The Proposed Action in the Draft EIS
consists of constructing and
demonstrating a prototype mobile
microreactor at the INL site that would
be capable of producing 1 to 5 MWe.
The mobile microreactor is expected to
be a small, advanced gas-cooled reactor
using high-assay low-enriched uranium
(HALEU) tristructural isotropic (TRISO)
fuel. TRISO fuel is encapsulated and has
been demonstrated to be capable of
withstanding temperatures up to 1,800
degrees Celsius (°C), allowing for a
reactor design that relies primarily on
simple passive features and inherent
physics to ensure safety.
Mobile microreactor fuel loading,
final assembly, and demonstration
would be performed at the INL Site
using DOE technical expertise and
facilities at the Materials and Fuels
Complex (MFC) and Critical
Infrastructure Test Range Complex
(CITRC). Reactor fuel would be
produced from DOE stockpiles of highly
enriched uranium (HEU) located at
DOE’s Y–12 plant in Oak Ridge,
Tennessee that would be converted to
an oxide form at the Nuclear Fuel
Services (a subsidiary of BWXT) facility
in Erwin, Tennessee, and down blended
to HALEU and fabricated into TRISO
fuel at the BWXT facility in Lynchburg,
Virginia.
Demonstration Activities at the INL Site
The Project Pele activities to be
performed at the CITRC and MFC
facilities on the INL Site, would involve
demonstration that the proposed mobile
microreactor could produce reliable
electric power onto an electrical grid
that is separate from the public utility
grid and that the mobile microreactor
can be safely disassembled and moved.
At the end of an approximately 3-year
demonstration, current plans are that
the mobile microreactor would be shut
down and placed into a safe storage
mode at the INL Site.
The mobile microreactor would arrive
at the INL Site for installation at MFC
without reactor fuel. The possible
locations to perform the fueling of the
mobile microreactor are either the
Transient Reactor Test Facility (TREAT)
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or the Hot Fuel Examination Facility
(HFEF). Final assembly of the mobile
microreactor modules would be
performed at the site of the initial
startup testing. The initial startup
testing of the mobile microreactor could
be performed at the Demonstration of
Operation Microreactor Experiments
(DOME) facilities in the Experimental
Breeder Reactor II (EBR II) building.
Improvements to the DOME are
planned in support of other programs at
the INL Site. These improvements to the
DOME, while not a part of Project Pele,
are necessary for the DOME to be
capable of supporting the initial startup
testing phase of the mobile microreactor
demonstration. Should these
improvements not be made in time to
support Project Pele schedule, final
assembly and startup testing would be
performed at CITRC. At either location,
final assembly entails connecting the
mobile microreactor modules. The
modules within the CONEX containers
would be attached via cables, conduit,
and pipes that would have been
transported with the mobile
microreactor to the INL Site. During this
phase of the demonstration, the mobile
microreactor would not be connected to
an electrical distribution grid. Startup
testing would be performed to verify
that the mobile microreactor would
perform as designed. The startup and
initial testing phase is anticipated to
take 6 months to complete.
Disassembly and transport would
occur between the startup testing phase
and the operational testing phase at
CITRC regardless of where startup
testing would be performed. In either
case, the disassembly and transport
would provide proof-of-concept of the
mobility of the mobile microreactor. The
mobile microreactor would be
disassembled at the startup testing site
with minimal temporary laydown
requirements. The mobile microreactor
would be placed in a safe shutdown
mode in which decay heat would be
removed via the passive heat removal
systems. This phase is anticipated to
take around 5 weeks to complete.
Mobile Microreactor Activities at CITRC
CITRC is part of the INL’s 61-mile
138-kilovolt (kV) power loop electric
test bed and supports critical
infrastructure research and testing.
CITRC includes a configurable and
controllable substation and a 13.8-kV
distribution network. Four test pads are
located at CITRC within the CITRC
distribution grid. Some testing connects
multiple test pads using the CITRC
microgrid distribution infrastructure.
These graveled/paved test pads furnish
areas to place test equipment (e.g.,
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transformers, circuit breakers, switches).
Test pads also serve as parking areas for
personnel performing setup and testing.
Preparation of the CITRC site would be
performed over the course of up to 6
months prior to the arrival of the mobile
microreactor at the site. Preparation
would involve construction of a 200foot by 200-foot concrete pad about 8
inches thick to create a level surface for
the CONEX containers.
Upon arrival at CITRC test pad area B,
C, or D, the mobile microreactor would
be offloaded from the transports to the
new concrete pad at the test pad area
and the mobile microreactor modules
reconnected. The temporary shielding,
consisting of concrete T-walls, steelreinforced concrete roof panels,
concrete wall blocks, steel bladders for
water shielding, and HESCO® bags,
would be installed. The completed
shielding structure would be about
5,000 square feet and up to 30 feet tall
around the microreactor module. A
limited version of the startup tests
performed at DOME (or CITRC) would
be performed to verify that no modules
were damaged during transport.
At CITRC, the mobile microreactor
system would be connected to the
CITRC microgrid which is separate and
distinct from the INL/commercially
supplied electrical grid. Diesel
generators and load banks would be
attached to the microgrid. The
generators and load banks would apply
realistic loads and supplies to the
microgrid to test the mobile
microreactor in a realistic setting.
Additional pads would be used to house
the load banks and diesel generators to
simulate a microgrid (electrical power
loads for the mobile microreactor)
during testing.
At-power testing, performed
according to test procedures yet to be
developed, would verify the ability of
the mobile microreactor to operate at its
rated power level for an extended
period under normal, off-normal (but
expected), and upset (not expected but
anticipated) conditions. Transient tests
performed would demonstrate mobile
microreactor features, not push it to
damage conditions. Transient testing
would demonstrate upset conditions
that would last at most a couple of days
but more likely hours. In addition, the
CITRC site would require a mobile
office trailer that could contain a
restroom, potable water, donning/
doffing facilities, equipment storage,
charging stations, etc. The mobile
microreactor operations phase at CITRC
is anticipated to take around 2.5 years
to complete.
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Federal Register / Vol. 86, No. 183 / Friday, September 24, 2021 / Notices
Temporary Storage
After operational testing, the mobile
microreactor would be disassembled
and placed in temporary storage,
awaiting eventual disposition. There are
two options for temporary storage of the
mobile microreactor system (within
their CONEX containers) at the INL Site:
the RSWF receiving area (MFC–771) and
ORSA (MFC–797). A reinforced
concrete pad would be constructed at
either of the temporary storage
locations, and minor upgrades in
fencing and instrumentation would be
required if stored at ORSA.
Post-Irradiation Examination and
Disposition
After the mobile microreactor’s useful
life is complete and after a period of
temporary storage, all of the materials
would be disposed. The mobile
microreactor components would be
disposed of through the appropriate
waste streams. It is anticipated that the
mobile microreactor would be
deconstructed and parts and/or fuel
removed to aggregate like-class wastes.
After deconstruction, irradiated
materials would be safely stored with
other similar DOE-irradiated materials
and experiments at MFC, most likely in
the HFEF or the RSWF. Ultimate
disposal of the irradiated materials that
have been declared waste would occur
along with similar DOE-owned
irradiated materials and experiments
currently at MFC.
Public Hearings
SCO will host two public hearings
regarding the Draft EIS. Meetings will be
held in-person with simultaneous
livestream over the internet. A toll-free
number will be available for
commenters not at the in-person
meeting. Interested parties are invited to
join either or both of the public
hearings, each with identical
presentation content, planned to be held
at the Shoshone Bannock Hotel and
Event Center, 777 Bannock Trail, Fort
Hall, Idaho 83203. An American Sign
Language interpreter will be present. A
recording of the public hearings will be
made available to the public at the
online website listed above. Individuals
attending the hearings in person will be
required to wear appropriate face
coverings and to follow social
distancing guidelines. Ongoing health
concerns as a result of the evolving
COVID–19 restrictions could result in
changes or cancellation of the in person
public hearings. Further public
announcements will be made in the
event of a postponement or cancellation.
In the event of cancellation of the in-
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person hearings, the online virtual
hearings would still occur on the
scheduled dates and at the scheduled
times.
The hearings will begin with a
presentation providing an overview of
the project, information on the NEPA
process, and highlights of the Draft EIS
content and analysis. Following the
presentation, individuals participating
both in-person and remotely will be
offered an opportunity to provide oral
comments on the Draft EIS. The
hearings will conclude after two hours
or when there are no additional
commenters, whichever occurs first.
Public comments will be addressed in
the Final EIS. You may pre-register to
comment by sending an email to PELE_
NEPA@sco.mil. A court reporter will be
present to transcribe all comments.
Dated: September 17, 2021.
Aaron T. Siegel,
Alternate OSD Federal Register Liaison
Officer, Department of Defense.
[FR Doc. 2021–20546 Filed 9–23–21; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 5001–06–P
CONTACT PERSON FOR MORE INFORMATION:
Tara Tadlock, Associate Director for
Board Operations, Defense Nuclear
Facilities Safety Board, 625 Indiana
Avenue NW, Suite 700, Washington, DC
20004–2901, (800) 788–4016. This is a
toll-free number.
Dated: September 22, 2021.
Joyce Connery,
Chair.
[FR Doc. 2021–20910 Filed 9–22–21; 4:15 pm]
BILLING CODE 3670–01–P
DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
[Docket No.: ED–2021–SCC–0139]
Agency Information Collection
Activities; Comment Request;
Eligibility of Students at Institutions of
Higher Education for Funds Under the
CARES Act
Office of Postsecondary
Education (OPE), Department of
Education (ED).
ACTION: Notice.
AGENCY:
In accordance with the
Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, ED is
proposing an extension without change
of a currently approved collection.
DATES: Interested persons are invited to
submit comments on or before
November 23, 2021.
ADDRESSES: To access and review all the
documents related to the information
collection listed in this notice, please
use https://www.regulations.gov by
searching the Docket ID number ED–
2021–SCC–0139. Comments submitted
in response to this notice should be
submitted electronically through the
Federal eRulemaking Portal at https://
www.regulations.gov by selecting the
Docket ID number or via postal mail,
commercial delivery, or hand delivery.
If the regulations.gov site is not
available to the public for any reason,
ED will temporarily accept comments at
ICDocketMgr@ed.gov. Please include the
docket ID number and the title of the
information collection request when
requesting documents or submitting
comments. Please note that comments
submitted by fax or email and those
submitted after the comment period will
not be accepted. Written requests for
information or comments submitted by
postal mail or delivery should be
addressed to the PRA Coordinator of the
Strategic Collections and Clearance
Governance and Strategy Division, U.S.
Department of Education, 400 Maryland
Ave. SW, LBJ, Room 6W208D,
Washington, DC 20202–8240.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For
specific questions related to collection
SUMMARY:
DEFENSE NUCLEAR FACILITIES
SAFETY BOARD
Sunshine Act Meetings
TIME AND DATE:
1 p.m., September 30,
2020.
This meeting will be held via
teleconference.
STATUS: Closed. During the closed
meeting, the Board Members will
discuss issues dealing with potential
Recommendations to the Secretary of
Energy. The Board invoked the
Exemption to close a meeting described
in 5 U.S.C. 552b(c)(3) and 10 CFR
1704.4(c). The Board determined that it
was necessary to close the meeting since
conducting an open meeting is likely to
disclose matters that are specifically
exempted from disclosure by statute. In
this case, the deliberations pertain to
potential Board Recommendations
which, under 42 U.S.C. 2286d(b) and
(h)(3), may not be made publicly
available until after they have been
received by the Secretary of Energy or
the President, respectively.
MATTERS TO BE CONSIDERED: The meeting
will proceed in accordance with the
closed meeting agenda that is posted on
the Board’s public website at
www.dnfsb.gov. Technical staff may
present information to the Board. The
Board Members are expected to conduct
deliberations regarding potential
Recommendations to the Secretary of
Energy.
PLACE:
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]]>Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 86, Number 183 (Friday, September 24, 2021)]
[Notices]
[Pages 53039-53041]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2021-20546]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE
Office of the Secretary
Notice of Availability of Draft Construction and Demonstration of
a Prototype Mobile Microreactor Environmental Impact Statement
AGENCY: Strategic Capabilities Office (SCO), Office of the Secretary,
Department of Defense (DoD).
ACTION: Notice of availability and public hearings; request for
comment.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: The DoD, acting through SCO and with the United States (U.S.)
Department of Energy (DOE) serving as a cooperating agency, announces
the availability of the Draft Construction and Demonstration of a
Prototype Mobile Microreactor Environmental Impact Statement. SCO is
also announcing a public comment period and public hearings on the
Draft EIS. SCO prepared the Draft EIS to evaluate the potential
environmental impacts of alternatives for constructing and operating a
prototype mobile microreactor capable of producing 1 to 5 megawatts of
electrical power (MWe).
DATES: Comments are due by November 8, 2021.
Public hearings:
1. October 20, 2021, 3:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. Mountain time, Fort Hall,
ID (livestreamed)
2. October 20, 2021, 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Mountain time, Fort Hall,
ID (livestreamed)
ADDRESSES: You may submit written comments on the Draft EIS by any of
the following methods:
Mail: Mobile Microreactor EIS Comment, c/o Leidos, 2109 Air Park Rd
SE, Suite 200, Albuquerque, NM 87106.
Email: [email protected].
Online: https://www.mobilemicroreactoreis.com.
The Draft EIS is available for review online at the website listed
above. Send requests to be placed on the Draft EIS distribution list to
receive future updates to the email listed above.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Dr. Jeff Waksman, Program Manager;
Mail: Strategic Capabilities Office, 1155 Defense Pentagon, Washington,
DC 20301-1155; Email: [email protected].
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Background
The DoD consumes around 30 terawatt hours of electricity per year
and more than 10 million gallons of fuel per day. Additionally,
military operational projections predict that energy demand will
continue to increase significantly over the next few years.
Prioritizing climate change considerations in national security will
require explorations of energy-generating resources that create a
sustainable climate pathway. Energy delivery and management continues
to be a critical defensive risk. The challenge is to develop more
sustainable methods to provide reliable, abundant, and continuous
energy. Inherent dangers, logistical complexities, and overwhelming
costs of sustaining power demands at Forward Operating Bases, Remote
Operating Bases, and Expeditionary Bases using diesel generators
continue to constrain operations and fundamental strategic planning.
Additionally, technologies currently under development, such as
unmanned aerial vehicles, new radar systems, new weapon systems, and
the electrification of the non-tactical vehicle fleet, will require
even greater energy demands. The Defense Science Board, commissioned by
the DoD, recommended further engineering development and prototyping of
very small modular reactors with an output less than 10 MWe. Before
this technology can be deployed, a prototype mobile microreactor must
be tested to ensure it can meet DoD specifications and requirements.
A related Notice of Intent to Prepare an EIS for Construction and
Demonstration of a Prototype Advanced Mobile Nuclear Microreactor was
previously published in the Federal Register, 85 FR 12274 (March 2,
2020).
On March 22, 2021, SCO announced two teams--led by BWXT Advanced
Technologies, LLC, Lynchburg, Virginia, and X-energy, LLC, Rockville,
Maryland--would proceed with development of a final design for a mobile
microreactor under Project Pele. The two teams were selected from a
preliminary design competition, and each continues design development
independently. After a final design review in early 2022 and completion
of this EIS under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) of 1969,
as amended, one of the two companies may be selected to build and
demonstrate a mobile microreactor.
Alternatives
SCO evaluated a range of reasonable alternatives for the Proposed
Action (mobile microreactor construction and demonstration) in this
EIS, including a No Action Alternative that serves as a basis for
comparison with the action alternatives. The Idaho National Laboratory
(INL Site) was identified as the preferred location for the Proposed
[[Page 53040]]
Action based on siting requirements for the mobile microreactor. Other
sites, including the Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) did not meet
all of the siting criteria. Specifically, these sites either lacked
sufficient supporting infrastructure or lacked an independent
electrical distribution system capable of scheduling and operation
independent of and isolated from the local commercial utility grid.
Proposed Action
The Proposed Action in the Draft EIS consists of constructing and
demonstrating a prototype mobile microreactor at the INL site that
would be capable of producing 1 to 5 MWe. The mobile microreactor is
expected to be a small, advanced gas-cooled reactor using high-assay
low-enriched uranium (HALEU) tristructural isotropic (TRISO) fuel.
TRISO fuel is encapsulated and has been demonstrated to be capable of
withstanding temperatures up to 1,800 degrees Celsius ([deg]C),
allowing for a reactor design that relies primarily on simple passive
features and inherent physics to ensure safety.
Mobile microreactor fuel loading, final assembly, and demonstration
would be performed at the INL Site using DOE technical expertise and
facilities at the Materials and Fuels Complex (MFC) and Critical
Infrastructure Test Range Complex (CITRC). Reactor fuel would be
produced from DOE stockpiles of highly enriched uranium (HEU) located
at DOE's Y-12 plant in Oak Ridge, Tennessee that would be converted to
an oxide form at the Nuclear Fuel Services (a subsidiary of BWXT)
facility in Erwin, Tennessee, and down blended to HALEU and fabricated
into TRISO fuel at the BWXT facility in Lynchburg, Virginia.
Demonstration Activities at the INL Site
The Project Pele activities to be performed at the CITRC and MFC
facilities on the INL Site, would involve demonstration that the
proposed mobile microreactor could produce reliable electric power onto
an electrical grid that is separate from the public utility grid and
that the mobile microreactor can be safely disassembled and moved. At
the end of an approximately 3-year demonstration, current plans are
that the mobile microreactor would be shut down and placed into a safe
storage mode at the INL Site.
The mobile microreactor would arrive at the INL Site for
installation at MFC without reactor fuel. The possible locations to
perform the fueling of the mobile microreactor are either the Transient
Reactor Test Facility (TREAT) or the Hot Fuel Examination Facility
(HFEF). Final assembly of the mobile microreactor modules would be
performed at the site of the initial startup testing. The initial
startup testing of the mobile microreactor could be performed at the
Demonstration of Operation Microreactor Experiments (DOME) facilities
in the Experimental Breeder Reactor II (EBR II) building.
Improvements to the DOME are planned in support of other programs
at the INL Site. These improvements to the DOME, while not a part of
Project Pele, are necessary for the DOME to be capable of supporting
the initial startup testing phase of the mobile microreactor
demonstration. Should these improvements not be made in time to support
Project Pele schedule, final assembly and startup testing would be
performed at CITRC. At either location, final assembly entails
connecting the mobile microreactor modules. The modules within the
CONEX containers would be attached via cables, conduit, and pipes that
would have been transported with the mobile microreactor to the INL
Site. During this phase of the demonstration, the mobile microreactor
would not be connected to an electrical distribution grid. Startup
testing would be performed to verify that the mobile microreactor would
perform as designed. The startup and initial testing phase is
anticipated to take 6 months to complete.
Disassembly and transport would occur between the startup testing
phase and the operational testing phase at CITRC regardless of where
startup testing would be performed. In either case, the disassembly and
transport would provide proof-of-concept of the mobility of the mobile
microreactor. The mobile microreactor would be disassembled at the
startup testing site with minimal temporary laydown requirements. The
mobile microreactor would be placed in a safe shutdown mode in which
decay heat would be removed via the passive heat removal systems. This
phase is anticipated to take around 5 weeks to complete.
Mobile Microreactor Activities at CITRC
CITRC is part of the INL's 61-mile 138-kilovolt (kV) power loop
electric test bed and supports critical infrastructure research and
testing. CITRC includes a configurable and controllable substation and
a 13.8-kV distribution network. Four test pads are located at CITRC
within the CITRC distribution grid. Some testing connects multiple test
pads using the CITRC microgrid distribution infrastructure. These
graveled/paved test pads furnish areas to place test equipment (e.g.,
transformers, circuit breakers, switches). Test pads also serve as
parking areas for personnel performing setup and testing. Preparation
of the CITRC site would be performed over the course of up to 6 months
prior to the arrival of the mobile microreactor at the site.
Preparation would involve construction of a 200-foot by 200-foot
concrete pad about 8 inches thick to create a level surface for the
CONEX containers.
Upon arrival at CITRC test pad area B, C, or D, the mobile
microreactor would be offloaded from the transports to the new concrete
pad at the test pad area and the mobile microreactor modules
reconnected. The temporary shielding, consisting of concrete T-walls,
steel-reinforced concrete roof panels, concrete wall blocks, steel
bladders for water shielding, and HESCO[supreg] bags, would be
installed. The completed shielding structure would be about 5,000
square feet and up to 30 feet tall around the microreactor module. A
limited version of the startup tests performed at DOME (or CITRC) would
be performed to verify that no modules were damaged during transport.
At CITRC, the mobile microreactor system would be connected to the
CITRC microgrid which is separate and distinct from the INL/
commercially supplied electrical grid. Diesel generators and load banks
would be attached to the microgrid. The generators and load banks would
apply realistic loads and supplies to the microgrid to test the mobile
microreactor in a realistic setting. Additional pads would be used to
house the load banks and diesel generators to simulate a microgrid
(electrical power loads for the mobile microreactor) during testing.
At-power testing, performed according to test procedures yet to be
developed, would verify the ability of the mobile microreactor to
operate at its rated power level for an extended period under normal,
off-normal (but expected), and upset (not expected but anticipated)
conditions. Transient tests performed would demonstrate mobile
microreactor features, not push it to damage conditions. Transient
testing would demonstrate upset conditions that would last at most a
couple of days but more likely hours. In addition, the CITRC site would
require a mobile office trailer that could contain a restroom, potable
water, donning/doffing facilities, equipment storage, charging
stations, etc. The mobile microreactor operations phase at CITRC is
anticipated to take around 2.5 years to complete.
[[Page 53041]]
Temporary Storage
After operational testing, the mobile microreactor would be
disassembled and placed in temporary storage, awaiting eventual
disposition. There are two options for temporary storage of the mobile
microreactor system (within their CONEX containers) at the INL Site:
the RSWF receiving area (MFC-771) and ORSA (MFC-797). A reinforced
concrete pad would be constructed at either of the temporary storage
locations, and minor upgrades in fencing and instrumentation would be
required if stored at ORSA.
Post-Irradiation Examination and Disposition
After the mobile microreactor's useful life is complete and after a
period of temporary storage, all of the materials would be disposed.
The mobile microreactor components would be disposed of through the
appropriate waste streams. It is anticipated that the mobile
microreactor would be deconstructed and parts and/or fuel removed to
aggregate like-class wastes. After deconstruction, irradiated materials
would be safely stored with other similar DOE-irradiated materials and
experiments at MFC, most likely in the HFEF or the RSWF. Ultimate
disposal of the irradiated materials that have been declared waste
would occur along with similar DOE-owned irradiated materials and
experiments currently at MFC.
Public Hearings
SCO will host two public hearings regarding the Draft EIS. Meetings
will be held in-person with simultaneous livestream over the internet.
A toll-free number will be available for commenters not at the in-
person meeting. Interested parties are invited to join either or both
of the public hearings, each with identical presentation content,
planned to be held at the Shoshone Bannock Hotel and Event Center, 777
Bannock Trail, Fort Hall, Idaho 83203. An American Sign Language
interpreter will be present. A recording of the public hearings will be
made available to the public at the online website listed above.
Individuals attending the hearings in person will be required to wear
appropriate face coverings and to follow social distancing guidelines.
Ongoing health concerns as a result of the evolving COVID-19
restrictions could result in changes or cancellation of the in person
public hearings. Further public announcements will be made in the event
of a postponement or cancellation. In the event of cancellation of the
in-person hearings, the online virtual hearings would still occur on
the scheduled dates and at the scheduled times.
The hearings will begin with a presentation providing an overview
of the project, information on the NEPA process, and highlights of the
Draft EIS content and analysis. Following the presentation, individuals
participating both in-person and remotely will be offered an
opportunity to provide oral comments on the Draft EIS. The hearings
will conclude after two hours or when there are no additional
commenters, whichever occurs first. Public comments will be addressed
in the Final EIS. You may pre-register to comment by sending an email
to [email protected]. A court reporter will be present to transcribe
all comments.
Dated: September 17, 2021.
Aaron T. Siegel,
Alternate OSD Federal Register Liaison Officer, Department of Defense.
[FR Doc. 2021-20546 Filed 9-23-21; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 5001-06-P
