Tennessee Valley Authority; Sequoyah Nuclear Plant, Units 1 and 2; Environmental Assessment and Finding of No Significant Impact, 53667-53669 [2024-14057]
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Federal Register / Vol. 89, No. 124 / Thursday, June 27, 2024 / Notices
air quality. In addition, the proposed
action would have no noticeable effect
on socioeconomic and environmental
justice conditions in the region, and no
adverse effect on historic and cultural
resources. Therefore, the proposed
action would have no significant effect
on the quality of the human
environment.
Environmental Impacts of the
Alternatives to the Proposed Action
As an alternative to the proposed
action, the staff considered denial of the
exemption request (i.e., the ‘‘no-action’’
alternative). Denial of the exemption
request would result in the need to
install a locked door or gate with
monitored alarm, and there would be no
change in the current environmental
impacts. Accordingly, the
environmental impacts from the
proposed action and the no-action
alternative would be similar.
Alternative Use of Resources
There are no unresolved conflicts
concerning alternative uses of available
resources under the proposed action.
lotter on DSK11XQN23PROD with NOTICES1
Agencies and Persons Consulted
No agencies or persons were
consulted. Because the proposed action
is not a type of activity that has the
potential to cause effects on historic
properties, the NRC has no further
obligations under section 106 of the
National Historic Preservation Act.
Similarly, the proposed action would
not affect threatened or endangered
species; therefore, consultation under
section 7 of the Endangered Species Act
is not required.
III. Finding of No Significant Impact
TVA requested an exemption from the
requirement in 10 CFR 37.11(c)(2) to
have a locked gate or door with a
monitored alarm at the access control
point for the Watts Bar OSGSFs where
the old steam generators are stored.
Based on the review of available
information, including information
provided in the licensee’s request for
exemption and its response to a request
for additional information, the NRC
determined that the proposed action
would not have any significant
environmental impacts. Also, the
impacts of the ‘‘no-action’’ alternative
would be the same as the impacts of the
proposed action.
Consistent with 10 CFR 51.21, the
NRC conducted an environmental
review of the proposed action and, in
accordance with 10 CFR 51.32(a)(4), this
FONSI incorporates the EA in Section II
of this document by reference.
Therefore, the NRC concludes that the
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proposed action will not have a
significant effect on the quality of the
human environment. Accordingly, the
NRC has determined an environmental
impact statement for the proposed
action is not needed.
This FONSI and related
environmental documents are available
for public inspection online in the
ADAMS Public Documents collection at
https://www.nrc.gov/reading-rm/
adams.html. Persons who do not have
access to ADAMS or who encounter
problems in accessing the documents
located in ADAMS should contact the
NRC’s PDR reference staff by telephone
at 1–800–397–4209 or 301–415–4737, or
by email to PDR.Resource@nrc.gov.
Dated: June 21, 2024.
For the Nuclear Regulatory Commission.
Kimberly Green,
Senior Project Manager, Licensing Projects
Branch II–2, Division of Operating Reactor
Licensing, Office of Nuclear Reactor
Regulation.
[FR Doc. 2024–14058 Filed 6–26–24; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 7590–01–P
NUCLEAR REGULATORY
COMMISSION
[Docket Nos. 50–327, 50–328, and 72–034;
NRC–2024–0115]
Tennessee Valley Authority; Sequoyah
Nuclear Plant, Units 1 and 2;
Environmental Assessment and
Finding of No Significant Impact
Nuclear Regulatory
Commission.
ACTION: Notice; issuance.
AGENCY:
The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory
Commission (NRC) is considering
issuance of an exemption for Renewed
Facility Operating License Nos. DPR–77
and DPR–79 held by Tennessee Valley
Authority (TVA, the licensee) for the
operation of Sequoyah Nuclear Plant,
Units 1 and 2 (Sequoyah). The
exemption would exempt TVA from the
requirement to install a monitored alarm
at the access control point of the storage
facilities where the old steam generators
are stored. The exemption is being
requested to address a regulatory
noncompliance which has resulted in
the issuance of minor violations at the
Sequoyah site. The NRC staff is issuing
an environmental assessment (EA) and
finding of no significant impact (FONSI)
associated with the proposed
exemption.
SUMMARY:
The EA and FONSI referenced in
this document are available on June 27,
2024.
DATES:
PO 00000
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53667
Please refer to Docket ID
NRC–2024–0115 when contacting the
NRC about the availability of
information regarding this document.
You may obtain publicly available
information related to this document
using any of the following methods:
• Federal Rulemaking website: Go to
https://www.regulations.gov and search
for Docket ID NRC–2024–0115. Address
questions about Docket IDs in
Regulations.gov to Stacy Schumann;
telephone: 301–415–0624; email:
Stacy.Schumann@nrc.gov. For technical
questions, contact the individual listed
in the FOR FURTHER INFORMATION
CONTACT section of this document.
• NRC’s Agencywide Documents
Access and Management System
(ADAMS): You may obtain 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, at
301–415–4737, or by email to
PDR.Resource@nrc.gov. The ADAMS
accession number for each document
referenced (if it is available in ADAMS)
is provided the first time that it is
mentioned in this document.
• NRC’s PDR: The PDR, where you
may examine and order copies of
publicly available documents, is open
by appointment. To make an
appointment to visit the PDR, please
send an email to PDR.Resource@nrc.gov
or call 1–800–397–4209 or 301–415–
4737, between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. eastern
time (ET), Monday through Friday,
except Federal holidays.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Kimberly Green, Office of Nuclear
Reactor Regulation, U.S. Nuclear
Regulatory Commission, Washington,
DC 20555–0001, telephone: 301–415–
1627; email: Kimberly.Green@nrc.gov.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
ADDRESSES:
I. Introduction
The NRC is considering issuance of an
exemption from the requirement in
paragraph 37.11(c)(2) of title 10 of the
Code of Federal Regulations (10 CFR) to
secure category 1 or category 2
radioactive waste with a locked door or
gate with monitored alarm at the access
control point for Renewed Facility
Operating License Nos. DPR–77 and
DPR–79, issued to Tennessee Valley
Authority (TVA), for operation of the
Sequoyah Nuclear Plant, Units 1 and 2
(Sequoyah), respectively, located in
Hamilton County, Tennessee. Because
this proposed exemption does not fall
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53668
Federal Register / Vol. 89, No. 124 / Thursday, June 27, 2024 / Notices
within the NRC’s list of categorical
exclusions in 10 CFR 51.22, the NRC
prepared an EA, as required by 10 CFR
51.21. Based on the results of the EA
that follows, the NRC has determined
not to prepare an environmental impact
statement for the exemption and is
issuing a FONSI.
TVA is requesting an exemption from
the requirement to ‘‘[u]se a locked door
or gate with monitored alarm at the
access control point’’ for category 1 and
2 quantities of radioactive material as
set forth in 10 CFR 37.11(c)(2) for the
old steam generator storage facilities
(OSGSFs) at the Sequoyah site. The
exemption is being requested to address
a regulatory noncompliance which has
resulted in the issuance of minor
violations at the Sequoyah site.
The OSGSFs are used to store the
contaminated old steam generators
(OSGs) that have been removed from
their respective Sequoyah containments.
The OSGs exceed the threshold for a
category 2 quantity of radioactivity, as
defined in 10 CFR 37.5, but do not
contain discrete radioactive sources,
ion-exchange resins, or activated
materials that weigh less than 2,000
kilograms (4,409 pounds), as described
in 10 CFR 37.11(c).
TVA describes the OSGSFs as robust
structures that are closed with ten
stacked precast concrete panels
weighing approximately 17,237
kilograms (38,000 pounds) each. The
OSGSFs are located outside the
Sequoyah protected area but within the
exclusion area and site boundary.
Removal of the concrete panels is the
only access point of sufficient size to
remove an OSG and requires heavy
lifting and rigging equipment that
cannot be staged or utilized quickly.
Removal of the concrete panels is an
evolution that is easily observable over
an extended period of time.
II. Environmental Assessment
lotter on DSK11XQN23PROD with NOTICES1
Description of the Proposed Action
The proposed action would exempt
TVA from the requirement to use a
locked door or gate with a monitored
alarm at the access control point to the
OSGSFs utilized for the OSGs at
Sequoyah.
The proposed action is in accordance
with the licensee’s exemption request
dated September 28, 2023 (ADAMS
Accession No. ML23271A063), as
supplemented by letter dated March 14,
2024 (ADAMS Accession No.
ML24074A457).
Need for the Proposed Action
The regulation at 10 CFR 37.11(c)(2)
requires, in part, licensees who possess
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20:13 Jun 26, 2024
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radioactive waste that contains category
1 or category 2 quantities of radioactive
waste to secure the radioactive waste
with a locked door or gate with
monitored alarm at the access control
point. The Sequoyah OSGs exceed the
threshold for a category 2 quantity of
radioactivity, but do not contain
discrete radioactive sources, ionexchange resins, or activated materials
that weigh less than 2,000 kilograms
and, therefore, are not exempt from the
requirements in 10 CFR 37.11(c). As
such, the licensee is required to have a
monitored alarm at the access control
point to the OSGSFs where the OSGs
are stored. As described in the request
for exemption, the only access point of
sufficient size to the OSGs is via the
removal of the 17,237-kilogram concrete
panels, and removal of these panels
would require setting up heavy rigging
and lifting equipment.
On March 13, 2014, the NRC issued
Enforcement Guidance Memorandum
(EGM) 2014–001, ‘‘Interim Guidance for
Dispositioning 10 CFR part 37
Violations with Respect to Large
Components or Robust Structures
Containing Category 1 or Category 2
Quantities of Material at Power Reactor
Facilities Licensed Under 10 CFR parts
50 and 52’’ (ADAMS Accession No.
ML14056A151), to provide guidance to
NRC staff for dispositioning violations
associated with 10 CFR part 37 with
respect to large components containing
category 1 and category 2 quantities of
radioactive material stored in robust
structures at power reactor facilities
licensed under 10 CFR parts 50 and 52.
The EGM defines a large component as
an item weighing 2,000 kilograms or
more, but not containing either discrete
sources or ion exchange resins, and
limits the components to steam
generators, steam dryers, turbine rotors,
reactor vessels, reactor vessel heads,
reactor coolant pumps, and shielding
blocks. It also defines a robust structure
as a closed concrete bunker or modular
vault for which access to the radioactive
materials contained within the structure
is gained only through the use of heavy
equipment to remove structural
components or large access blocks that
weigh 2,000 kilograms or more. The
EGM allows the NRC Regional Offices to
evaluate potential violations and
consider if the use of enforcement
discretion is warranted under certain
circumstances. The EGM will remain
effective until the underlying technical
issue is dispositioned through
rulemaking or other regulatory action.
Therefore, to address a regulatory
noncompliance and avoid future
PO 00000
Frm 00084
Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
violations, TVA has requested an
exemption.
Environmental Impacts of the Proposed
Action
The NRC staff has assessed the
potential environmental impacts from
granting the requested exemption. The
proposed action involves no new
construction or modification of the
facilities at Sequoyah, and no changes to
the contents of OSGSFs. Therefore, the
proposed action would have no direct
impact on land and water use or water
quality, including terrestrial and aquatic
biota, and there would be no change in
the quality or quantity of radiological
and non-radiological effluents.
Additionally, there would be no change
in dose to members of the public and
occupational workers. The proposed
action would have no effect on air
pollutant emissions or ambient air
quality. In addition, the proposed action
would have no noticeable effect on
socioeconomic and environmental
justice conditions in the region, and no
adverse effect on historic and cultural
resources. Therefore, the proposed
action would have no significant effect
on the quality of the human
environment.
Environmental Impacts of the
Alternatives to the Proposed Action
As an alternative to the proposed
action, the staff considered denial of the
exemption request (i.e., the ‘‘no-action’’
alternative). Denial of the exemption
request would result in the need to
install a locked door or gate with
monitored alarm, and there would be no
change in the current environmental
impacts. Accordingly, the
environmental impacts from the
proposed action and the no-action
alternative would be similar.
Alternative Use of Resources
There are no unresolved conflicts
concerning alternative uses of available
resources under the proposed action.
Agencies and Persons Consulted
No agencies or persons were
consulted. Because the proposed action
is not a type of activity that has the
potential to cause effects on historic
properties, the NRC has no further
obligations under section 106 of the
National Historic Preservation Act.
Similarly, the proposed action would
not affect threatened or endangered
species; therefore, consultation under
section 7 of the Endangered Species Act
is not required.
III. Finding of No Significant Impact
TVA requested an exemption from the
requirement in 10 CFR 37.11(c)(2) to
have a locked gate or door with a
E:\FR\FM\27JNN1.SGM
27JNN1
Federal Register / Vol. 89, No. 124 / Thursday, June 27, 2024 / Notices
lotter on DSK11XQN23PROD with NOTICES1
monitored alarm at the access control
point for the Sequoyah OSGSFs where
the old steam generators are stored.
Based on the review of available
information, including the information
provided in the licensee’s request for
exemption and its response to a request
for additional information, the NRC
determined that the proposed action
would not have any significant
environmental impacts. Also, the
impacts of the ‘‘no-action’’ alternative
would be similar to the impacts of the
proposed action.
Consistent with 10 CFR 51.21, the
NRC conducted an environmental
review of the proposed action and, in
accordance with 10 CFR 51.32(a)(4), this
FONSI incorporates the EA in Section II
of this document by reference.
Therefore, the NRC concludes that the
proposed action will not have a
significant effect on the quality of the
human environment. Accordingly, the
NRC has determined an environmental
impact statement for the proposed
action is not needed.
This FONSI and related
environmental documents are available
for public inspection online in the
ADAMS Public Documents collection at
https://www.nrc.gov/reading-rm/
adams.html. Persons who do not have
access to ADAMS or who encounter
problems in accessing the documents
located in ADAMS should contact the
NRC’s PDR reference staff by telephone
at 1–800–397–4209 or 301–415–4737, or
by email to PDR.Resource@nrc.gov.
Comments are due: July 1, 2024.
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:
DATES:
ADDRESSES:
Table of Contents
I. Introduction
II. Docketed Proceeding(s)
I. Introduction
The Commission gives notice that the
Postal Service filed request(s) for the
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
Dated: June 21, 2024.
the interests of the general public in the
For the Nuclear Regulatory Commission.
proceeding, pursuant to 39 U.S.C. 505
Kimberly Green,
(Public Representative). Section II also
Senior Project Manager, Licensing Projects
establishes comment deadline(s)
Branch II–2, Division of Operating Reactor
pertaining to each request.
Licensing, Office of Nuclear Reactor
The public portions of the Postal
Regulation.
Service’s request(s) can be accessed via
[FR Doc. 2024–14057 Filed 6–26–24; 8:45 am]
the Commission’s website (https://
BILLING CODE 7590–01–P
www.prc.gov). Non-public portions of
the Postal Service’s request(s), if any,
can be accessed through compliance
POSTAL REGULATORY COMMISSION
with the requirements of 39 CFR
1
[Docket Nos. MC2024–381 and CP2024–389; 3011.301.
The
Commission
invites comments on
MC2024–382 and CP2024–390; MC2024–383
and CP2024–391; MC2024–384 and CP2024– whether the Postal Service’s request(s)
in the captioned docket(s) are consistent
392; MC2024–385 and CP2024–393]
with the policies of title 39. For
New Postal Products
request(s) that the Postal Service states
concern Market Dominant product(s),
AGENCY: Postal Regulatory Commission.
applicable statutory and regulatory
ACTION: Notice.
requirements include 39 U.S.C. 3622, 39
U.S.C. 3642, 39 CFR part 3030, and 39
SUMMARY: The Commission is noticing a
CFR part 3040, subpart B. For request(s)
recent Postal Service filing for the
Commission’s consideration concerning that the Postal Service states concern
a negotiated service agreement. This
1 See Docket No. RM2018–3, Order Adopting
notice informs the public of the filing,
Final Rules Relating to Non-Public Information,
invites public comment, and takes other June 27, 2018, Attachment A at 19–22 (Order No.
4679).
administrative steps.
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53669
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.
II. Docketed Proceeding(s)
1. Docket No(s).: MC2024–381 and
CP2024–389; Filing Title: USPS Request
to Add Priority Mail Express, Priority
Mail & USPS Ground Advantage
Contract 121 to Competitive Product
List and Notice of Filing Materials
Under Seal; Filing Acceptance Date:
June 21, 2024; 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: July 1, 2024.
2. Docket No(s).: MC2024–382 and
CP2024–390; Filing Title: USPS Request
to Add Priority Mail Express, Priority
Mail & USPS Ground Advantage
Contract 122 to Competitive Product
List and Notice of Filing Materials
Under Seal; Filing Acceptance Date:
June 21, 2024; 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: July 1, 2024.
3. Docket No(s).: MC2024–383 and
CP2024–391; Filing Title: USPS Request
to Add Priority Mail & USPS Ground
Advantage Contract 284 to Competitive
Product List and Notice of Filing
Materials Under Seal; Filing Acceptance
Date: June 21, 2024; Filing Authority: 39
U.S.C. 3642, 39 CFR 3040.130 through
3040.135, and 39 CFR 3035.105; Public
Representative: Jennaca D. Upperman;
Comments Due: July 1, 2024.
4. Docket No(s).: MC2024–384 and
CP2024–392; Filing Title: USPS Request
to Add Priority Mail Express, Priority
Mail & USPS Ground Advantage
Contract 123 to Competitive Product
List and Notice of Filing Materials
Under Seal; Filing Acceptance Date:
June 21, 2024; Filing Authority: 39
U.S.C. 3642, 39 CFR 3040.130 through
3040.135, and 39 CFR 3035.105; Public
Representative: Jennaca D. Upperman;
Comments Due: July 1, 2024.
5. Docket No(s).: MC2024–385 and
CP2024–393; Filing Title: USPS Request
to Add Priority Mail Express, Priority
Mail & USPS Ground Advantage
Contract 124 to Competitive Product
List and Notice of Filing Materials
Under Seal; Filing Acceptance Date:
June 21, 2024; Filing Authority: 39
U.S.C. 3642, 39 CFR 3040.130 through
3040.135, and 39 CFR 3035.105; Public
Representative: Almaroof Agoro;
Comments Due: July 1, 2024.
E:\FR\FM\27JNN1.SGM
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]]>Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 89, Number 124 (Thursday, June 27, 2024)]
[Notices]
[Pages 53667-53669]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2024-14057]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION
[Docket Nos. 50-327, 50-328, and 72-034; NRC-2024-0115]
Tennessee Valley Authority; Sequoyah Nuclear Plant, Units 1 and
2; Environmental Assessment and Finding of No Significant Impact
AGENCY: Nuclear Regulatory Commission.
ACTION: Notice; issuance.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) is considering
issuance of an exemption for Renewed Facility Operating License Nos.
DPR-77 and DPR-79 held by Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA, the
licensee) for the operation of Sequoyah Nuclear Plant, Units 1 and 2
(Sequoyah). The exemption would exempt TVA from the requirement to
install a monitored alarm at the access control point of the storage
facilities where the old steam generators are stored. The exemption is
being requested to address a regulatory noncompliance which has
resulted in the issuance of minor violations at the Sequoyah site. The
NRC staff is issuing an environmental assessment (EA) and finding of no
significant impact (FONSI) associated with the proposed exemption.
DATES: The EA and FONSI referenced in this document are available on
June 27, 2024.
ADDRESSES: Please refer to Docket ID NRC-2024-0115 when contacting the
NRC about the availability of information regarding this document. You
may obtain publicly available information related to this document
using any of the following methods:
Federal Rulemaking website: Go to https://www.regulations.gov and search for Docket ID NRC-2024-0115. Address
questions about Docket IDs in Regulations.gov to Stacy Schumann;
telephone: 301-415-0624; email: [email protected]. For technical
questions, contact the individual listed in the For Further Information
Contact section of this document.
NRC's Agencywide Documents Access and Management System
(ADAMS): You may obtain publicly available documents online in the
ADAMS Public Documents collection at https://www.nrc.gov/reading-rm/adams.html. To begin the search, select ``Begin Web-based ADAMS
Search.'' For problems with ADAMS, please contact the NRC's Public
Document Room (PDR) reference staff at 1-800-397-4209, at 301-415-4737,
or by email to [email protected]. The ADAMS accession number for
each document referenced (if it is available in ADAMS) is provided the
first time that it is mentioned in this document.
NRC's PDR: The PDR, where you may examine and order copies
of publicly available documents, is open by appointment. To make an
appointment to visit the PDR, please send an email to
[email protected] or call 1-800-397-4209 or 301-415-4737, between 8
a.m. and 4 p.m. eastern time (ET), Monday through Friday, except
Federal holidays.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Kimberly Green, Office of Nuclear
Reactor Regulation, U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission, Washington, DC
20555-0001, telephone: 301-415-1627; email: [email protected].
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
I. Introduction
The NRC is considering issuance of an exemption from the
requirement in paragraph 37.11(c)(2) of title 10 of the Code of Federal
Regulations (10 CFR) to secure category 1 or category 2 radioactive
waste with a locked door or gate with monitored alarm at the access
control point for Renewed Facility Operating License Nos. DPR-77 and
DPR-79, issued to Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA), for operation of
the Sequoyah Nuclear Plant, Units 1 and 2 (Sequoyah), respectively,
located in Hamilton County, Tennessee. Because this proposed exemption
does not fall
[[Page 53668]]
within the NRC's list of categorical exclusions in 10 CFR 51.22, the
NRC prepared an EA, as required by 10 CFR 51.21. Based on the results
of the EA that follows, the NRC has determined not to prepare an
environmental impact statement for the exemption and is issuing a
FONSI.
TVA is requesting an exemption from the requirement to ``[u]se a
locked door or gate with monitored alarm at the access control point''
for category 1 and 2 quantities of radioactive material as set forth in
10 CFR 37.11(c)(2) for the old steam generator storage facilities
(OSGSFs) at the Sequoyah site. The exemption is being requested to
address a regulatory noncompliance which has resulted in the issuance
of minor violations at the Sequoyah site.
The OSGSFs are used to store the contaminated old steam generators
(OSGs) that have been removed from their respective Sequoyah
containments. The OSGs exceed the threshold for a category 2 quantity
of radioactivity, as defined in 10 CFR 37.5, but do not contain
discrete radioactive sources, ion-exchange resins, or activated
materials that weigh less than 2,000 kilograms (4,409 pounds), as
described in 10 CFR 37.11(c).
TVA describes the OSGSFs as robust structures that are closed with
ten stacked precast concrete panels weighing approximately 17,237
kilograms (38,000 pounds) each. The OSGSFs are located outside the
Sequoyah protected area but within the exclusion area and site
boundary. Removal of the concrete panels is the only access point of
sufficient size to remove an OSG and requires heavy lifting and rigging
equipment that cannot be staged or utilized quickly. Removal of the
concrete panels is an evolution that is easily observable over an
extended period of time.
II. Environmental Assessment
Description of the Proposed Action
The proposed action would exempt TVA from the requirement to use a
locked door or gate with a monitored alarm at the access control point
to the OSGSFs utilized for the OSGs at Sequoyah.
The proposed action is in accordance with the licensee's exemption
request dated September 28, 2023 (ADAMS Accession No. ML23271A063), as
supplemented by letter dated March 14, 2024 (ADAMS Accession No.
ML24074A457).
Need for the Proposed Action
The regulation at 10 CFR 37.11(c)(2) requires, in part, licensees
who possess radioactive waste that contains category 1 or category 2
quantities of radioactive waste to secure the radioactive waste with a
locked door or gate with monitored alarm at the access control point.
The Sequoyah OSGs exceed the threshold for a category 2 quantity of
radioactivity, but do not contain discrete radioactive sources, ion-
exchange resins, or activated materials that weigh less than 2,000
kilograms and, therefore, are not exempt from the requirements in 10
CFR 37.11(c). As such, the licensee is required to have a monitored
alarm at the access control point to the OSGSFs where the OSGs are
stored. As described in the request for exemption, the only access
point of sufficient size to the OSGs is via the removal of the 17,237-
kilogram concrete panels, and removal of these panels would require
setting up heavy rigging and lifting equipment.
On March 13, 2014, the NRC issued Enforcement Guidance Memorandum
(EGM) 2014-001, ``Interim Guidance for Dispositioning 10 CFR part 37
Violations with Respect to Large Components or Robust Structures
Containing Category 1 or Category 2 Quantities of Material at Power
Reactor Facilities Licensed Under 10 CFR parts 50 and 52'' (ADAMS
Accession No. ML14056A151), to provide guidance to NRC staff for
dispositioning violations associated with 10 CFR part 37 with respect
to large components containing category 1 and category 2 quantities of
radioactive material stored in robust structures at power reactor
facilities licensed under 10 CFR parts 50 and 52. The EGM defines a
large component as an item weighing 2,000 kilograms or more, but not
containing either discrete sources or ion exchange resins, and limits
the components to steam generators, steam dryers, turbine rotors,
reactor vessels, reactor vessel heads, reactor coolant pumps, and
shielding blocks. It also defines a robust structure as a closed
concrete bunker or modular vault for which access to the radioactive
materials contained within the structure is gained only through the use
of heavy equipment to remove structural components or large access
blocks that weigh 2,000 kilograms or more. The EGM allows the NRC
Regional Offices to evaluate potential violations and consider if the
use of enforcement discretion is warranted under certain circumstances.
The EGM will remain effective until the underlying technical issue is
dispositioned through rulemaking or other regulatory action. Therefore,
to address a regulatory noncompliance and avoid future violations, TVA
has requested an exemption.
Environmental Impacts of the Proposed Action
The NRC staff has assessed the potential environmental impacts from
granting the requested exemption. The proposed action involves no new
construction or modification of the facilities at Sequoyah, and no
changes to the contents of OSGSFs. Therefore, the proposed action would
have no direct impact on land and water use or water quality, including
terrestrial and aquatic biota, and there would be no change in the
quality or quantity of radiological and non-radiological effluents.
Additionally, there would be no change in dose to members of the public
and occupational workers. The proposed action would have no effect on
air pollutant emissions or ambient air quality. In addition, the
proposed action would have no noticeable effect on socioeconomic and
environmental justice conditions in the region, and no adverse effect
on historic and cultural resources. Therefore, the proposed action
would have no significant effect on the quality of the human
environment.
Environmental Impacts of the Alternatives to the Proposed Action
As an alternative to the proposed action, the staff considered
denial of the exemption request (i.e., the ``no-action'' alternative).
Denial of the exemption request would result in the need to install a
locked door or gate with monitored alarm, and there would be no change
in the current environmental impacts. Accordingly, the environmental
impacts from the proposed action and the no-action alternative would be
similar.
Alternative Use of Resources
There are no unresolved conflicts concerning alternative uses of
available resources under the proposed action.
Agencies and Persons Consulted
No agencies or persons were consulted. Because the proposed action
is not a type of activity that has the potential to cause effects on
historic properties, the NRC has no further obligations under section
106 of the National Historic Preservation Act. Similarly, the proposed
action would not affect threatened or endangered species; therefore,
consultation under section 7 of the Endangered Species Act is not
required.
III. Finding of No Significant Impact
TVA requested an exemption from the requirement in 10 CFR
37.11(c)(2) to have a locked gate or door with a
[[Page 53669]]
monitored alarm at the access control point for the Sequoyah OSGSFs
where the old steam generators are stored. Based on the review of
available information, including the information provided in the
licensee's request for exemption and its response to a request for
additional information, the NRC determined that the proposed action
would not have any significant environmental impacts. Also, the impacts
of the ``no-action'' alternative would be similar to the impacts of the
proposed action.
Consistent with 10 CFR 51.21, the NRC conducted an environmental
review of the proposed action and, in accordance with 10 CFR
51.32(a)(4), this FONSI incorporates the EA in Section II of this
document by reference. Therefore, the NRC concludes that the proposed
action will not have a significant effect on the quality of the human
environment. Accordingly, the NRC has determined an environmental
impact statement for the proposed action is not needed.
This FONSI and related environmental documents are available for
public inspection online in the ADAMS Public Documents collection at
https://www.nrc.gov/reading-rm/adams.html. Persons who do not have
access to ADAMS or who encounter problems in accessing the documents
located in ADAMS should contact the NRC's PDR reference staff by
telephone at 1-800-397-4209 or 301-415-4737, or by email to
[email protected].
Dated: June 21, 2024.
For the Nuclear Regulatory Commission.
Kimberly Green,
Senior Project Manager, Licensing Projects Branch II-2, Division of
Operating Reactor Licensing, Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation.
[FR Doc. 2024-14057 Filed 6-26-24; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 7590-01-P
