Nuclear Regulatory Commission April 1, 2010 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

The Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) has received and requests public comment on a petition for rulemaking dated February 2, 2010, filed by Dan Kane (petitioner). The petition was docketed by the NRC and has been assigned Docket No. PRM-51-13. The petitioner is requesting that the NRC amend the regulations that govern environmental protection for domestic licensing and related regulatory functions. Specifically, the petitioner requests that the provisions that govern temporary storage of spent fuel after cessation of reactor operation be revoked, that licensing of new nuclear power plants cease, and that existing operating nuclear power plants be phased out. The petitioner believes these suggestions are necessary until the NRC can be assured of the technical and economic certainties of a waste disposition decision and associated political certainties in light of the current administration's proposed defunding of the Yucca Mountain Repository for permanent disposal and storage of spent nuclear fuel.