Nuclear Regulatory Commission January 2014 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

The Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) plans to hold a second public meeting on its proposed rule to amend its regulations for material control and accounting (MC&A) of special nuclear material (SNM) and the associated proposed guidance documents. This will be a continuation of the first public meeting that was held on January 9, 2014. The second public meeting will provide an additional opportunity for interested parties to improve their understanding of the NRC's proposed rule to revise and consolidate the NRC regulations for MC&A of special nuclear material (SNM) and the guidance. The public comment period for the proposed rule and the proposed guidance was previously extended in response to a request by stakeholders, and closes on March 10, 2014.

The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) has recently submitted to OMB for review the following proposal for the collection of information under the provisions of the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44 U.S.C. Chapter 35). The NRC hereby informs potential respondents that an agency may not conduct or sponsor, and that a person is not required to respond to, a collection of information unless it displays a currently valid OMB control number. The NRC published a Federal Register notice with a 60-day comment period on this information collection on November 4, 2013 (78 FR 66077). 1. Type of submission, new, revision, or extension: Extension. 2. The title of the information collection: NRC Form 212 ``Qualifications Investigation, Professional, Technical, and Administrative Positions.'' 3. Current OMB approval number: 3150-0033. 4. The form number if applicable: NRC Form 212. 5. How often the collection is required: On occasion. The forms are collected for every new hire to the NRC. 6. Who will be required or asked to report: Former employers, supervisors, and other references indicated on job applications are asked to complete the NRC Form 212. 7. An estimate of the number of annual responses: 1,000. 8. An estimate of the total number of hours needed annually to complete the requirement or request: 500 hours. 9. Abstract: Information requested on NRC Form 212, ``Qualifications Investigation, Professional, Technical, and Administrative Positions'' is used to determine the qualifications and suitability of external applicants for employment with the NRC. The completed form may be used to examine, rate and/or assess the prospective employee's qualifications. The information regarding the qualifications of applicants for employment is reviewed by professional personnel of the Office of the Chief Human Capital Officer, in conjunction with other information in the NRC files, to determine the qualifications of the applicant for appointment to the position under consideration. The public may examine and have copied for a fee publicly available documents, including the final supporting statement, at the NRC's Public Document Room, Room O-1F21, One White Flint North, 11555 Rockville Pike, Rockville, Maryland 20852. The OMB clearance requests are available at the NRC's Web site: https://www.nrc.gov/public-involve/ doc-comment/omb/. The document will be available on the NRC's home page site for 60 days after the signature date of this notice. Comments and questions should be directed to the OMB reviewer listed below by February 28, 2014. Comments received after this date will be considered if it is practical to do so, but assurance of consideration cannot be given to comments received after this date. Chad Whiteman, Desk Officer, Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs (3150-0033), NEOB-10202, Office of Management and Budget, Washington, DC 20503. Comments can also be emailed to Chad_S_Whiteman@omb.eop.gov or submitted by telephone at 202-395-4718. The Acting NRC Clearance Officer is Kristen Benney, telephone: 301- 415-6355.

The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) staff has determined that the inspections, tests, and analyses have been successfully completed, and that the specified acceptance criteria are met for ITAAC 3.3.00.09, for the Vogtle Unit 3 Combined License.

The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) is revising its licensing guidance for licenses of broad scope. The NRC is requesting public comment on draft NUREG-1556, Volume 11, Revision 1, ``Consolidated Guidance about Materials Licenses: Program-Specific Guidance about Licenses of Broad Scope.'' The document has been updated from the previous revision to include safety culture, security of radioactive materials, protection of sensitive information, and changes in regulatory policies and practices. This document is intended for use by applicants, licensees, and the NRC staff and will also be available to Agreement States.

The U. S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) invites public comment about our intention to request the OMB's approval for a new information collection that is summarized below. We are required to publish this notice in the Federal Register under the provisions of the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44 U.S.C. Chapter 35). Information pertaining to the requirement to be submitted: 1. The title of the information collection: Evaluation of Outreach Efforts Related to the NRC's Safety Culture Policy Statement. 2. Current OMB approval number: 3150-XXXX. 3. How often the collection is required: One time. 4. Who is required or asked to report: Respondents asked to voluntarily participate in this information collection activity will include licensees of the NRC's Office of Federal and State Materials and Environment Management Programs, fuel cycle, transportation and storage, and greater than critical mass licensees overseen by the NRC's Office of Nuclear Materials Safety and Safeguards, and materials licensees of the following Agreement States that have expressed interest in participating: Illinois, Minnesota, North Carolina, Ohio, Rhode Island, Virginia, Washington, and Wisconsin. 5. The number of annual respondents: 6,158 licensees of the NRC and participating Agreement States will be invited to participate in this one-time, voluntary information collection activity. The staff anticipates a response rate of 50 percent; therefore, the expected number of respondents is 3,079. Because the survey will only be administered once during the three year clearance period, the annualized number of respondents is 1,026.3 respondents. 6. The number of hours needed annually to complete the requirement or request: The survey is estimated to take no more than 20 minutes (0.33 hours) per respondent. The total annualized burden is estimated to be 338.7 hours. 7. Abstract: In June 2011, the NRC issued its Safety Culture Policy Statement, which describes the Commission's expectation that the NRC's regulated community maintain a positive safety culture. The NRC continues to seek ways to engage with stakeholders, licensees, members of the public, and the international community to provide outreach and education on the Safety Culture Policy Statement. The purpose of the current information collection activity is to gather feedback on whether NRC's outreach and communication activities have been effective in promoting awareness of the Safety Culture Policy Statement, and to determine if changes to current activities and/or new activities are necessary and appropriate. To support this evaluation, the NRC staff plans to conduct a voluntary survey of its materials regulated community, specifically materials users, organizations involved in the fuel cycle, and storage and transportation of nuclear materials. The NRC staff has also invited Agreement States (i.e., States that have signed formal agreements with the NRC to assume regulatory responsibility over certain byproduct and source nuclear materials, as well as small quantities of special nuclear materials) to participate by voluntarily administering the survey to materials users they regulate, and eight states have agreed to participate. The NRC has determined that a standardized voluntary survey is the most practical means of gathering feedback on its outreach and communications regarding the Safety Culture Policy Statement. Using a survey approach for the evaluation allows for input to be solicited from a wide range of licensees in an efficient and consistent manner. Submit, by March 28, 2014, comments that address the following questions: 1. Is the proposed collection of information necessary for the NRC to properly perform its functions? Does the information have practical utility? 2. Is the burden estimate accurate? 3. Is there a way to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to be collected? 4. How can the burden of the information collection be minimized, including the use of automated collection techniques or other forms of information technology? The public may examine and have copied for a fee publicly-available documents, including the draft supporting statement, at the NRC's Public Document Room, Room O-1F21, One White Flint North, 11555 Rockville Pike, Rockville, Maryland 20852. The OMB clearance requests are available at the NRC's Web site: https://www.nrc.gov/public-involve/ doc-comment/omb/. The document will be available on the NRC's home page site for 60 days after the signature date of this notice. Comments submitted in writing or in electronic form will be made available for public inspection. Because your comments will not be edited to remove any identifying or contact information, the NRC cautions you against including any information in your submission that you do not want to be publicly disclosed. Comments submitted should reference Docket No. NRC-2014-0013. You may submit your comments by any of the following methods: Electronic comments: https:// www.regulations.gov and search for Docket No. NRC-2014-0013. Mail comments to the Acting NRC Clearance Officer, Kristen Benney (T-5 F50), U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission, Washington, DC 20555-0001. Questions about the information collection requirements may be directed to the Acting NRC Clearance Officer, Kristen Benney (T-5 F50), U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission, Washington, DC 20555-0001, by telephone at 301-415-6355, or by email to INFOCOLLECTS.Resource@NRC.GOV.

The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) has received a supplement to a petition for rulemaking (PRM) previously filed with the NRC by Mr. James Lieberman (the petitioner) (PRM-50-107). The petitioner originally requested that the NRC expand its regulatory framework for nuclear power reactors to make it a legal obligation for those non-licensees who seek NRC regulatory approvals to be held to the same legal standards for the submittal of complete and accurate information as would a licensee or an applicant for a license. The petitioner requests that the scope of his petition be expanded to encompass the NRC's regulations for radioactive materials, waste disposal, transportation, and spent fuel storage licensees. The NRC requests public comments on the supplement to the petition.

The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) received and is considering approval of an application filed by Southern Nuclear Operating Company (SNC) on behalf of Municipal Electric Authority of Georgia (MEAG) Power and MEAG Power SPVM, LLC; MEAG Power SPVJ, LLC; and MEAG Power SPVP, LLC (together, ``the Applicants'') on December 2, 2013, as supplemented on December 12, 2013. The application seeks NRC approval of the direct transfer of Combined License Nos. NPF-091 and NPF-092 for the Vogtle Electric Generating Plant (VEGP), Units 3 and 4, from the current holder, MEAG, to one or more wholly-owned special purpose entities. These entities include MEAG Power SPVM, LLC; MEAG Power SPVJ, LLC; and MEAG Power SPVP, LLC (together, ``the Project Companies''). The NRC is also considering amending the combined licenses for administrative purposes to reflect the proposed transfer.

The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) is granting an exemption to allow a departure from the certification information of Tier 1 of the generic design control document (DCD) and is issuing License Amendment No. 16 to Combined Licenses (COL), NPF-91 and NPF-92. The COLs were issued to Southern Nuclear Operating Company, Inc., and Georgia Power Company, Oglethorpe Power Corporation, Municipal Electric Authority of Georgia, and the City of Dalton, Georgia (the licensee) for construction and operation of the Vogtle Electric Generating Plant (VEGP), Units 3 and 4, located in Burke County, Georgia. The amendment changes the VEGP Tier 1 (COL Appendix C) Figure 2.3.10-1, Liquid Radwaste System (WLS), and Updated Final Safety Analysis Report (UFSAR) Tier 2 tables, text and figures to align VEGP Tier 1 with Tier 2 information provided in the UFSAR and to achieve consistency within VEGP Tier 1 material by (1) changing the safety classification of the Passive Core Cooling System (PXS) and Chemical and Volume Control System (CVS) compartment drain hubs, (2) changing the connection type from the PXS Compartments drains A and B to a header to match the design description, (3) changing the valve types for three valves in the Tier 1 figure to conform to the design description and (4) changing depiction of Tier 1 WLS components to conform to Tier 1 Figure Conventions. The granting of the exemption allows the changes to Tier 1 information asked for in the license amendment request. Because the acceptability of the exemption was determined in part by the acceptability of the amendment, the exemption and amendment are being issued concurrently.

The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) is updating its policy statement on products intended for use by the general public (consumer products). The update reflects our current approach to radiation protection, legislation that has been enacted since the policy was published in 1965, and subsequent approaches taken in the NRC's regulatory framework for exemptions.

The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) has recently submitted to OMB for review the following proposal for the collection of information under the provisions of the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44 U.S.C. Chapter 35). The NRC hereby informs potential respondents that an agency may not conduct or sponsor, and that a person is not required to respond to, a collection of information unless it displays a currently valid OMB control number. The NRC published a Federal Register notice with a 60-day comment period on this information collection on May 14, 2013 (78 FR 28244). 1. Type of submission, new, revision, or extension: Extension. 2. The title of the information collection: 10 CFR part 50, ``Domestic Licensing of Production and Utilization Facilities.'' 3. Current OMB approval number: 3150-0011. 4. The form number if applicable: N/A. 5. How often the collection is required: As necessary in order for NRC to meet its responsibilities to conduct a detailed review of applications for licenses and amendments thereto to construct and operate nuclear power plants, preliminary or final design approvals, design certifications, research and test facilities, reprocessing plants and other utilization and production facilities, licensed pursuant to the Atomic Energy Act of 1954, as amended (the Act) and to monitor their activities. Reports are submitted daily, monthly, quarterly, annually, semi-annually, and on occasion. 6. Who will be required or asked to report: Licensees and applicants for nuclear power plants and research and test facilities, and approximately 100 materials licensees responding to generic communications. 7. An estimate of the number of annual responses: 46,098. 8. The estimated number of annual respondents: 251. 9. An estimate of the total number of hours needed annually to complete the requirement or request: 4.88M hours; 1.93M hours reporting (an average of 41.8 hrs/response) + 2.96M hours recordkeeping (an average of 19.5K hrs/recordkeeper). 10. Abstract: Part 50 of Title 10 of the Code of Federal Regulations (10 CFR), ``Domestic Licensing of Production and Utilization Facilities,'' specifies technical information and data to be provided to the NRC or maintained by applicants and licensees so that the NRC may take determinations necessary to protect the health and safety of the public, in accordance with the Act. The reporting and recordkeeping requirements contained in 10 CFR part 50 are mandatory for the affected licensees and applicants. The public may examine and have copied for a fee publicly available documents, including the final supporting statement, at the NRC's Public Document Room, Room O-1F21, One White Flint North, 11555 Rockville Pike, Rockville, Maryland 20852. The OMB clearance requests are available at the NRC's Web site: https://www.nrc.gov/public-involve/ doc-comment/omb/. The document will be available on the NRC's home page site for 60 days after the signature date of this notice. Comments and questions should be directed to the OMB reviewer listed below by February 14, 2014. Comments received after this date will be considered if it is practical to do so, but assurance of consideration cannot be given to comments received after this date.

The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) invites public comment about our intention to request the OMB's approval for renewal of an existing information collection that is summarized below. We are required to publish this notice in the Federal Register under the provisions of the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44 U.S.C. Chapter 35). Information pertaining to the requirement to be submitted: 1. The title of the information collection: Generic Customer Satisfaction Surveys and NRC Form 671, Request for Review of a Customer Satisfaction Survey under Generic Clearance. 2. Current OMB approval number: 3150-0197. 3. How often the collection is required: On occasion. 4. Who is required or asked to report: NRC licensees and the public will be asked to report voluntarily. 5. The number of annual respondents: 3,884. 6. The number of hours needed annually to complete the requirement or request: 1,614 hours. 7. Abstract: Voluntary customer satisfaction surveys will be used to contact users of NRC's services and products to determine how the Commission can improve its services and products to better meet their needs. In addition, focus groups will be conducted to discuss questions concerning those services and products. Results from the surveys will provide insight into how the NRC can make its services and products more effective, efficient and responsive to customer needs. Each survey will be submitted to the OMB for its review. Submit, by March 17, 2014, comments that address the following questions: 1. Is the proposed collection of information necessary for the NRC to properly perform its functions? Does the information have practical utility? 2. Is the burden estimate accurate? 3. Is there a way to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to be collected? 4. How can the burden of the information collection be minimized, including the use of automated collection techniques or other forms of information technology? The public may examine and have copied for a fee publicly available documents, including the draft supporting statement, at the NRC's Public Document Room, Room O-1F21, One White Flint North, 11555 Rockville Pike, Rockville, Maryland 20852. The OMB clearance requests are available at the NRC's Web site: https://www.nrc.gov/public-involve/ doc-comment/omb/. The document will be available on the NRC's home page site for 60 days after the signature date of this notice. Comments submitted in writing or in electronic form will be made available for public inspection. Because your comments will not be edited to remove any identifying or contact information, the NRC cautions you against including any information in your submission that you do not want to be publicly disclosed. Comments submitted should reference Docket No. NRC-2014- 0003. You may submit your comments by any of the following methods: Electronic comments go to https://www.regulations.gov and search for Docket No. NRC-2014-0003. Mail comments to the NRC Clearance Officer, Tremaine Donnell (T-5 F53), U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission, Washington, DC 20555-0001. Questions about the information collection requirements may be directed to the NRC Clearance Officer, Tremaine Donnell (T-5 F53), U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission, Washington, DC 20555-0001; telephone: 301-415-6258, or by email to INFOCOLLECTS.Resource@NRC.GOV.

The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) is issuing an exemption in response to an October 14, 2013, request from Exelon Generation Company (the licensee) for a one-time exemption from the requirement to participate in the biennial Emergency Preparedness (EP) exercise. The licensee requested to delay conduct of the exercise from October 8, 2013, to March 18, 2014.

The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) is soliciting public comment on its draft Interim Staff Guidance (ISG) NSIR/DPR-ISG- 02, ``Emergency Planning Exemption Requests for Decommissioning Nuclear Power Plants.'' This document would provide guidance for NRC staff to ensure clear and consistent reviews of requests for exemptions from emergency preparedness regulations and license amendments for defueled station emergency plans submitted by nuclear power plant licensees after permanent cessation of plant operations. Nuclear power plants that have ceased operating and are permanently defueled provide less risk of radiological releases than operating nuclear power plants. Licensees of these decommissioning plants have historically submitted exemption requests based on this lower risk. The ISG also could be used by nuclear power plant licensees when drafting these exemption requests.

The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) is extending the public comment period on the document entitled, ``White Paper on a Conceptual Example of a Proposed Risk Management Regulatory Framework Policy Statement (the white paper),'' from January 10, 2014, to February 28, 2014. The NRC also plans to hold a public meeting to discuss and receive comments on the white paper.