Nuclear Regulatory Commission 2012 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC or the Commission) will periodically make publicly available a series of documents related to the ongoing proposed rulemaking effort to amend its regulations regarding Fitness-for-Duty Programs. The NRC does not plan to institute a public comment period for these materials when making them publicly available. This document announces the availability of two rulemaking documents: The regulatory basis and preliminary proposed rule language for requiring personnel performing certain quality control and quality verification (QC/QV) duties to comply with the work hour provisions. The availability of these documents provides increased awareness to interested stakeholders and provides preparatory material for future public meetings.

The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) is issuing for public comment the draft Japan Lessons-Learned Project Directorate Interim Staff Guidance (JLD-ISG), JLD-ISG-2012-04, ``Guidance on Performing a Seismic Margin Assessment in response to the March 2012 Request for Information Letter.'' This draft JLD-ISG provides guidance on an acceptable method for licensees to carry out a Seismic Margins Analysis (SMA) method referred to in the seismic portion of a letter requiring recipients (licensees) to submit information under oath and affirmation to the NRC.

The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC or the Commission) is issuing the Final Japan Lessons-Learned Project Directorate Interim Staff Guidance (JLD-ISG), JLD-ISG-2012-02, ``Compliance with Order EA- 12-050, Order Modifying Licenses With Regard to Reliable Hardened Containment Vents'' (Agencywide Documents Access and Management System (ADAMS) Accession No. ML12229A475). This JLD-ISG provides guidance and clarification to assist nuclear power reactors applicants and licensees with the identification of measures needed to comply with requirements to mitigate challenges to key safety functions. These requirements are contained in Order EA-12-050, ``Order Modifying Licenses with Regard to Reliable Hardened Containment Vents'' (ADAMS Accession No. ML12054A696).

The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC or the Commission) is issuing the Final Japan Lessons-Learned Project Directorate Interim Staff Guidance (JLD-ISG), JLD-ISG-2012-01, ``Compliance with Order EA- 12-049, Order Modifying Licenses with Regard to Requirements for Mitigation Strategies for Beyond-Design-Basis External Events,'' Agencywide Documents Access and Management System (ADAMS) Accession No. ML12229A174. This JLD-ISG provides guidance and clarification to assist nuclear power reactor applicants and licensees with the identification of measures needed to comply with requirements to mitigate challenges to key safety functions. These requirements are contained in Order EA- 12-049, ``Order Modifying Licenses with Regard to Requirements for Mitigation Strategies for Beyond-Design-Basis External Events,'' (ADAMS Accession No. ML12054A736).

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: NRC Form 171, ``Duplication Request.'' 2. Current OMB approval number: 3150-0066. 3. How often the collection is required: Weekly. 4. Who is required or asked to report: Individuals, companies, or organizations requesting document duplication. 5. The number of annual respondents: 200. 6. The number of hours needed annually to complete the requirement or request: 16.67. 7. Abstract: This form is utilized by the Public Document Room (PDR) staff members who collect information from the public requesting reproduction of publicly available documents in NRC Headquarters' Public Document Room. Copies of the form are utilized by the reproduction contractor to accompany the orders. One copy of the form is kept by the contractor for their records, one copy is sent to the public requesting the documents, and the third copy (with no credit card data) is kept by the PDR staff for 90 calendar days, and then securely discarded. Submit, by November 5, 2012, 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. 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 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- 2012-0135. 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-2012-0135. Mail comments to the NRC's 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's Clearance Officer, Tremaine Donnell (T-5 F53), U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission, Washington, DC 20555-0001; telephone at 301-415-6258, or by email: INFOCOLLECTS.Resource@NRC.GOV.

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: 10 CFR Part 150, ``Exemptions and Continued Regulatory Authority in Agreement States and in Offshore Waters Under Section 274.'' 2. Current OMB approval number: 3150-0032. 3. How often the collection is required: 10 CFR 150.16(b), 150.17(c), and 150.19(c) require the submission of reports following specified events, such as the theft or unlawful diversion of licensed radioactive material. The source material inventory reports required under 10 CFR 150.17(b) must be submitted annually by certain licensees. 4. Who is required or asked to report: Agreement State licensees authorized to possess source or special nuclear material at certain types of facilities, or at any one time and location in greater than specified amounts. In addition, persons engaging in activities in non- Agreement States, in areas of exclusive Federal jurisdiction within Agreement States, or in offshore waters. 5. The number of annual respondents: 15. 6. The number of hours needed annually to complete the requirement or request: 190. 7. Abstract: Part 150 of Title 10 of the Code of Federal Regulations (10 CFR), provides certain exemptions from NRC regulations for persons in Agreement States. Part 150 also defines activities in Agreement States and in offshore waters over which the NRC regulatory authority continues, including certain information collection requirements. The information is needed to permit the NRC to make reports to other governments and the International Atomic Energy Agency in accordance with international agreements. The information is also used to carry out the NRC's safeguards and inspection programs. Submit, by November 5, 2012, 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. 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- 2012-0148. 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-2012-0148. Mail comments to NRC's 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's Clearance Officer, Tremaine Donnell (T-5 F53), U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission, Washington, DC 20555-0001; telephone at 301-415-6258, or by email: INFOCOLLECTS.Resource@NRC.GOV.

The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) is confirming the effective date of August 22, 2012, for the direct final rule that appeared in the Federal Register of July 3, 2012 (77 FR 39385). This direct final rule amended the size standard that the NRC uses to qualify an NRC licensee as a ``small entity'' under the Regulatory Flexibility Act of 1980, as amended. The NRC is increasing its receipts-based, small business size standard from $6.5 million to $7 million to conform to the standard set by the Small Business Administration (SBA). This document confirms the effective date.

Notice is hereby given that the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC or the Commission) has published the Final Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for the proposed International Isotopes Fluorine Extraction Process and Depleted Uranium Deconversion Plant (INIS) in Lea County, New Mexico. On December 30, 2009, International Isotopes Fluorine Products, Inc. (IIFP), a wholly-owned subsidiary of International Isotopes, Inc., submitted a license application that proposes the construction, operation, and decommissioning of a fluorine extraction and depleted uranium deconversion facility (the ``proposed action''). IIFP proposes to locate the facility near Hobbs, New Mexico.

The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC or the Commission) is issuing for public comment draft regulatory guide (DG), DG-1209, ``Software Requirement Specifications for Digital Computer Software and Complex Electronics used in Safety Systems of Nuclear Power Plants.'' The DG-1209 is proposed Revision 1 of RG 1.172, dated September 1997. This revision endorses, with clarifications, the enhanced consensus practices for testing of computer software as described in the American National Standards Institute and Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (ANSI/IEEE) Standard 830-1998, ``IEEE Recommended Practice for Software Requirements Specifications.''

The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC or the Commission) is issuing for public comment draft regulatory guide (DG), DG-1207, ``Test Documentation for Digital Computer Software used in Safety Systems of Nuclear Power Plants.'' The DG-1207 is proposed Revision 1 of RG 1.170, dated September 1997. This revision endorses, with clarifications, the enhanced consensus practices for test documentation for software and computer systems as described in the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) Standard 829-2008, ``IEEE Standard for Software and System Test Documentation.''

The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC or the Commission) is issuing for public comment draft regulatory guide (DG), DG-1267, ``Verification, Validation, Reviews, and Audits for Digital Computer Software used in Safety Systems of Nuclear Power Plants.'' The DG-1210 is proposed Revision 2 of Regulatory Guide (RG) 1.168, dated February 2004. This revision endorses, with clarifications and exceptions, the consensus practices for complying with NRC regulations promoting the development of, and compliance with, software verification and validation reviews and audits described in the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) Standard 1012- 2004, ``IEEE Standard for Software Verification and Validation'' and IEEE Standard 1028-2008, ``IEEE Standard for Software Reviews and Audits.'' The NRC is soliciting stakeholder feedback on the following questionShould RG 1.168 be revised to endorse IEEE Std. 1012-2012 rather than IEEE Std. 1012-2004? IEEE Std. 1012-2012 expands the scope of IEEE Std. 1012-2004 to include verification and validation (V&V) task guidance for systems, software and hardware while IEEE Std. 1012- 2004 only provides software V&V task guidance.

The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (the Commission or NRC) has granted the request of STP Nuclear Operating Company (the licensee) to withdraw its application dated June 2, 2011 (ADAMS Accession No. ML11161A143), as supplemented by letters dated August 1, 2011, March 8, 2012, March 22, 2012, April 3, 2012 (ADAMS Accession Nos. ML11221A230, ML12079A038, ML12089A023, and ML12101A223, respectively), and May 3, 2012,\1\ for proposed amendment to Facility Operating License Nos. NPF- 76 and NPF-80 for the South Texas Project (STP), Units 1 and 2, located in Matagorda County, Texas.

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: Nuclear Material Events Database (NMED) for the Collection of Event Report, Response, Analyses, and Follow-up Data on Events Involving the Use of Atomic Energy Act (AEA) Radioactive Byproduct Material. 2. Current OMB approval number: 3150-0178. 3. How often the collection is required: On occasion. Agreement States are requested to provide copies of licensee nuclear material event reports electronically or by hard copy to the NRC within 30 days of receipt from their licensee. In addition, Agreement States are requested to report events that may pose a significant health and safety hazard to the NRC Headquarters Operations Officer within 24 hours of notification by an Agreement State licensee. 4. Who is required or asked to report: Current Agreement States and any State receiving Agreement State status in the future. 5. The number of annual respondents: 37. 6. The number of hours needed annually to complete the requirement or request: 745.5 hours. 7. Abstract: NRC regulations require NRC licensees to report incidents and events involving the use, transportation and security of radioactive byproduct material, and source material, such as those involving radiation overexposures, leaking or contaminated sealed source(s), release of excessive contamination of radioactive material, lost or stolen radioactive material, equipment failures, abandoned well logging sources, and medical events. Agreement State licensees are also required to report these events to their individual Agreement State regulatory authorities under compatible Agreement State regulations. The NRC is requesting that the Agreement States provide information to NRC on the initial notification, response actions, and follow-up investigations on events involving the use (including suspected theft or terrorist activities) of nuclear materials regulated pursuant to the Atomic Energy Act. The event information should be provided in a uniform electronic format, for assessment and identification of any facilities/site specific or generic safety concerns that could have the potential to impact public health and safety. The identification and review of safety concerns may result in lessons learned, and may also identify generic issues for further study which could result in proposals for changes or revisions to technical or regulatory designs, processes, standards, guidance, or requirements. Submit, by October 16, 2012, 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 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-2012-0182. 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-2012-0182. 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, by telephone at 301- 415-6258, or by email to INFOCOLLECTS.Resource@NRC.GOV.

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: NRC's Policy Statement Cooperation with States at Commercial Nuclear Power Plants and Other Nuclear Production and Utilization Facilities 2. Current OMB approval number: 3150-0163. 3. How often the collection is required: On occasion, when a State wishes to observe NRC inspections or perform inspections for the NRC. 4. Who is required or asked to report: Nuclear Power Plant Licensees, Materials Security Licensees and those States interested in observing or performing inspections. 5. The number of annual respondents: 55. 6. The number of hours needed annually to complete the requirement or request: 1,000. 7. Abstract: States are involved and interested in monitoring the safety status of nuclear power plants and radioactive materials. This involvement is, in part, in response to the States' public health and safety responsibilities and, in part, in response to their citizens' desire to become more knowledgeable about the safety of nuclear power plants and radioactive materials. States have identified NRC inspections as one possible source of knowledge for their personnel regarding plant and materials licensee activities, and the NRC, through the policy statement on Cooperation with States, has been amenable to accommodating the States' needs in this regard. Additionally, the NRC has entered into reimbursable Agreements with certain States under Section 274i of the Act, as amended, to employ their resources to conduct radioactive materials security inspections against NRC Orders. Submit, by October 16, 2012, 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 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-2012-0166. 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-2012-0166. 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, by telephone at 301- 415-6258, or by email to INFOCOLLECTS.Resource@NRC.GOV.

The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC or the Commission) plans to conduct a workshop on performance assessments of near-surface low-level radioactive waste (LLW) disposal facilities. The workshop has been developed to facilitate communication among Federal and State agencies, industry representatives, contractors, and members of the public on three aspects of a performance assessment: (1) Features, Events, and Processes (FEPs) analysis, (2) the development of scenarios and conceptual models, and (3) the selection of computer codes. Information gathered from invited subject matter experts, stakeholders, and other interested members of the public will be used to improve guidance on performance assessments for near-surface disposal of LLW.