Nuclear Regulatory Commission August 4, 2008 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) is making available preliminary draft rule language to amend its regulations concerning licensing requirements for the independent storage of spent nuclear fuel. This proposed rulemaking includes changes that clarify the license term limits for dry storage cask Certificates of Compliance (CoCs) and independent spent fuel storage installation (ISFSI) licenses, provide consistency between the general license requirements and the site-specific ISFSI license requirements, and allow part 72 general licensees to implement changes authorized by an amended CoC to a cask loaded under the initial CoC or an earlier amended CoC (a ``previously loaded cask''). More specifically, the proposed amendments would allow for longer initial and renewal terms for part 72 CoCs and licenses, clarify the general license storage term, clarify the difference between CoC ``approval'' and ``renewal,'' allow a licensee to apply the changes associated with a CoC amendment to a previously loaded cask without express NRC approval, provided the cask then fully conforms to the terms, conditions, and specifications of the amended CoC, and make certain administrative and clarification changes. The availability of the preliminary draft rule language is intended to inform stakeholders of the current status of the NRC's activities and solicit public comments on the information at this time.