List of Approved Spent Fuel Storage Casks: (TN-68) Addition

NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION

10 CFR Part 72

RIN 3150-AG 30

List of Approved Spent Fuel Storage Casks: (TN-68) Addition

AGENCY: Nuclear Regulatory Commission.

ACTION: Proposed rule.

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SUMMARY: The Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) is proposing to amend

its regulations to add the Transnuclear TN-68 cask system to the list

of approved spent fuel storage casks. This amendment will allow the

holders of power reactor operating licenses to store spent fuel in the

Transnuclear TN-68 cask system under a general license.

DATES: The comment period expires November 8, 1999. Comments received

after this date will be considered if it is practical to do so, but the

NRC is able to assure consideration only for comments received on or

before this date.

ADDRESSES: Comments may be sent to: Secretary, U.S. Nuclear Regulatory

Commission, Washington, DC 20555-0001, Attn: Rulemakings and

Adjudications Staff. Hand deliver comments to 11555 Rockville Pike,

Rockville, MD, between 7:30 a.m. and 4:15 p.m. on Federal workdays.

You may also provide comments via the NRC's interactive rulemaking

website (http://ruleforum.llnl.gov). This site provides the

availability to upload comments as files (any format) if your web

browser supports that function. For information about the interactive

rulemaking site, contact Ms. Carol Gallagher (301) 415-5905; e-mail

[email protected].

Certain documents related to this rulemaking, including comments

received by the NRC, may be examined at the NRC Public Document Room,

2120 L Street NW. (Lower Level), Washington, DC. These documents also

may be viewed and downloaded electronically via the interactive

rulemaking website established by NRC for this rulemaking.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Stan Turel, telephone (301) 415-6234,

e-mail, [email protected] of the Office of Nuclear Material Safety and

Safeguards, U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission, Washington, DC 20555-

0001.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

, DC. These documents also

may be viewed and downloaded electronically via the interactive

rulemaking website established by NRC for this rulemaking.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Stan Turel, telephone (301) 415-6234,

e-mail, [email protected] of the Office of Nuclear Material Safety and

Safeguards, U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission, Washington, DC 20555-

0001.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background

Section 218(a) of the Nuclear Waste Policy Act of 1982, as amended

(NWPA), requires, ``for the dry storage of spent nuclear fuel at

civilian power reactor sites, with the objective of establishing one or

more technologies the (Nuclear Regulatory) Commission may, by rule,

approve for use at the sites of civilian nuclear power reactors

without, to the maximum extent practicable, the need for additional

site-specific approvals by the Commission.'' Section 133 of the NWPA

states, in part, ``[t]he Commission shall, by rule, establish

procedures for the licensing of any technology approved by the

Commission under Section 218(a) for use at the site of any civilian

nuclear power reactor.''

To implement this mandate, the Commission approved dry storage of

spent nuclear fuel in NRC-approved

casks under a general license, publishing on July 18, 1990, a final

rule in 10 CFR part 72 entitled, ``General License for Storage of Spent

Fuel at Power Reactor Sites'' (55 FR 29181). This rule also established

a new Subpart L within 10 CFR Part 72 entitled ``Approval of Spent Fuel

Storage Casks,'' containing procedures and criteria for obtaining NRC

approval of dry storage cask designs.

Discussion

der a general license, publishing on July 18, 1990, a final

rule in 10 CFR part 72 entitled, ``General License for Storage of Spent

Fuel at Power Reactor Sites'' (55 FR 29181). This rule also established

a new Subpart L within 10 CFR Part 72 entitled ``Approval of Spent Fuel

Storage Casks,'' containing procedures and criteria for obtaining NRC

approval of dry storage cask designs.

Discussion

This proposed rule would add the Transnuclear TN-68 cask system to

the list of NRC-approved casks for spent fuel storage in 10 CFR 72.214.

Following the procedures specified in 10 CFR 72.230 of subpart L,

Transnuclear, Inc., submitted an application for NRC approval with the

Safety Analysis Report (SAR): ``Final Safety Analysis Report for the

TN-68 Dry Storage Cask,'' dated January 23, 1998. The NRC evaluated the

Transnuclear, Inc., submittal and issued a preliminary Safety

Evaluation Report (SER) on the Transnuclear, Inc., SAR and proposed

Certificate of Compliance (CoC) for the Transnuclear TN-68 cask system

on August 9, 1999.

The NRC is proposing to approve the Transnuclear TN-68 cask system

for storage of spent fuel under the conditions specified in the

proposed CoC. This cask system, when used in accordance with the

conditions specified in the CoC and NRC regulations, will meet the

requirements of 10 CFR part 72; thus, adequate protection of the public

health and safety would be ensured. This cask system is being proposed

for listing under 10 CFR 72.214, ``List of approved spent fuel storage

casks,'' to allow holders of power reactor operating licenses to store

spent fuel in this cask system under a general license. The CoC would

terminate 20 years after the effective date of the final rule listing

this cask in 10 CFR 72.214, unless the cask system's CoC is renewed.

The certificate contains conditions for use which are specific for this

cask system and addresses issues such as operating procedures, training

exercises, and spent fuel specification

e

spent fuel in this cask system under a general license. The CoC would

terminate 20 years after the effective date of the final rule listing

this cask in 10 CFR 72.214, unless the cask system's CoC is renewed.

The certificate contains conditions for use which are specific for this

cask system and addresses issues such as operating procedures, training

exercises, and spent fuel specification.

The proposed CoC for the Transnuclear TN-68 cask system and the

underlying preliminary SER, dated August 9, 1999, are available for

inspection and comment at the NRC Public Document Room, 2120 L Street,

NW. (Lower Level), Washington, DC. Single copies of the proposed CoC

and preliminary SER may be obtained from Stan Turel, Office of Nuclear

Material Safety and Safeguards, U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission,

Washington, DC 20555, telephone (301) 415-6234, email [email protected].

Discussion of Proposed Amendments by Section

Section 72.214 List of approved spent fuel storage casks.

Certificate Number 1027 would be added indicating that:

(1) The title of the SAR submitted by Transnuclear, Inc., is

``Final Safety Analysis Report for the TN-68 Dry Storage Cask'';

(2) The certificate expiration date would be 20 years after final

rule effective date; and

(3) The model number affected is TN-68.

Finding of No Significant Environmental Impact: Availability

Under the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969, as amended,

and the NRC regulations in subpart A of 10 CFR part 51, the NRC has

determined that this rule, if adopted, would not be a major Federal

action significantly affecting the quality of the human environment

and, therefore, an environmental impact statement is not required. The

rule is mainly administrative in nature. It would not have significant

environmental impacts

y Act of 1969, as amended,

and the NRC regulations in subpart A of 10 CFR part 51, the NRC has

determined that this rule, if adopted, would not be a major Federal

action significantly affecting the quality of the human environment

and, therefore, an environmental impact statement is not required. The

rule is mainly administrative in nature. It would not have significant

environmental impacts. The proposed rule would add the Transnuclear TN-

68 cask system to the list of approved spent fuel storage casks that

power reactor licensees can use to store spent fuel at reactor sites

without additional site-specific approvals by the NRC. The

environmental assessment and finding of no significant impact on which

this determination is based are available for inspection at the NRC

Public Document Room, 2120 L Street NW. (Lower Level), Washington, DC.

Single copies of the environmental assessment and finding of no

significant impact are available from Stan Turel, Office of Nuclear

Material Safety and Safeguards, U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission,

Washington, DC 20555, Telephone (301) 415-6234, email [email protected].

Agreement State Compatibility

Under the ``Policy Statement on Adequacy and Compatibility of

Agreement State Programs'' approved by the Commission on June 30, 1997,

and published in the Federal Register on September 3, 1997 (62 FR

46517), this rule is classified as compatibility Category ``NRC.''

Compatibility is not required for Category ``NRC'' regulations. The NRC

program elements in this category are those that relate directly to

areas of regulation reserved to the NRC by the Atomic Energy Act of

1954, as amended (AEA), or the provisions of the Title 10 of the Code

of Federal Regulations. Although an Agreement State may not adopt

program elements reserved to NRC, it may wish to inform its licensees

of certain requirements via a mechanism that is consistent with the

particular State's administrative procedure laws, but does not confer

regulatory authority on the State.

c Energy Act of

1954, as amended (AEA), or the provisions of the Title 10 of the Code

of Federal Regulations. Although an Agreement State may not adopt

program elements reserved to NRC, it may wish to inform its licensees

of certain requirements via a mechanism that is consistent with the

particular State's administrative procedure laws, but does not confer

regulatory authority on the State.

Paperwork Reduction Act Statement

This proposed rule does not contain a new or amended information

collection requirement subject to the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995

(44 U.S.C. 3501 et seq.). Existing requirements were approved by the

Office of Management and Budget, approval number 3150-0132.

Public Protection Notification

If a means to impose an information collection does not display a

currently valid OMB control number, the NRC may not conduct or sponsor,

and a person is not required to respond to, the information collection.

Voluntary Consensus Standards

The National Technology Transfer Act of 1995 (Pub. L. 104-113)

requires that Federal agencies use technical standards that are

developed or adopted by voluntary consensus standards bodies unless the

use of such a standard is inconsistent with applicable law or otherwise

impractical. In this proposed rule, the NRC would add the Transnuclear

TN-68 cask system to the list of NRC approved casks for spent fuel

storage in 10 CFR 72.214. This action does not constitute the

establishment of a standard that establishes generally-applicable

requirements.

Plain Language

The Presidential Memorandum dated June 1, 1998, entitled ``Plain

Language in Government Writing,'' directed that the Government's

writing be in plain language. The NRC requests comments on this

proposed rule specifically with respect to the clarity and

effectiveness of the language used. Comments should be sent to the

address listed under the heading ADDRESSES above.

Regulatory Analysis

ge

The Presidential Memorandum dated June 1, 1998, entitled ``Plain

Language in Government Writing,'' directed that the Government's

writing be in plain language. The NRC requests comments on this

proposed rule specifically with respect to the clarity and

effectiveness of the language used. Comments should be sent to the

address listed under the heading ADDRESSES above.

Regulatory Analysis

On July 18, 1990 (55 FR 29181), the NRC issued an amendment to 10

CFR part 72 to provide for the storage of spent nuclear fuel under a

general license. Any nuclear power reactor licensee can use NRC-

certified casks to store spent nuclear fuel if it notifies the NRC in

advance, spent fuel is stored under the conditions specified in the

cask's CoC, and the conditions of the general license are met. In that

rule, four spent fuel storage casks were approved for use at reactor

sites and were listed in 10 CFR 72.214. That rule envisioned that

storage casks certified in the future could be added to the listing in

10 CFR 72.214 through rulemaking procedures. Procedures and criteria

for obtaining NRC approval of new spent fuel storage cask designs were

provided in 10 CFR part 72, subpart L. Subsequently, additional casks

have been added to the listing in 10 CFR 72.214.

The alternative to this proposed action is not to certify these new

designs and give a site-specific license to each utility that proposes

to use the casks. This would cost the NRC more time and money for site-

specific reviews. Using site-specific reviews would ignore the

procedures and criteria currently in place for the addition of new cask

designs and would be in conflict with the NWPA direction to the

Commission to approve technologies for the use of spent fuel storage at

the sites of civilian nuclear power reactors without, to the extent

practicable, the need for additional site reviews

broad to encompass multiple nuclear power plant

sites in the United States without the need for further site-specific

approval by NRC. Vendors with cask designs already listed may be

adversely impacted because power reactor licensees may choose a newly

listed design over an existing one. However, the NRC is required by its

regulations and the NWPA direction to certify and list approved casks.

This proposed rule would have no significant identifiable impact or

benefit on other Government agencies.

Based on the above discussion of the benefits and impacts of the

alternatives, the NRC concludes that the requirements of the proposed

rule are commensurate with the NRC's responsibilities for public health

and safety and the common defense and security. No other available

alternative is believed to be as satisfactory, and thus, this action is

recommended.

Regulatory Flexibility Certification

In accordance with the Regulatory Flexibility Act of 1980 (5 U.S.C.

605(b)), the NRC certifies that this rule will not, if promulgated,

have a significant economic impact on a substantial number of small

entities. This proposed rule affects only the licensing and operation

of nuclear power plants, independent spent fuel storage facilities, and

cask vendors. The companies that own these plants do not fall within

the scope of the definition of ``small entities'' set forth in the

Regulatory Flexibility Act or the Small Business Size Standards set out

in regulations issued by the Small Business Administration at 13 CFR

part 121.

Backfit Analysis

The NRC has determined that the backfit rule (10 CFR 50.109 or 10

CFR 72.62) does not apply to this proposed rule because this amendment

does not involve any provisions that would impose backfits as defined

in the backfit rule. Therefore, a backfit analysis is not required.

List of Subjects In 10 CFR Part 72

s issued by the Small Business Administration at 13 CFR

part 121.

Backfit Analysis

The NRC has determined that the backfit rule (10 CFR 50.109 or 10

CFR 72.62) does not apply to this proposed rule because this amendment

does not involve any provisions that would impose backfits as defined

in the backfit rule. Therefore, a backfit analysis is not required.

List of Subjects In 10 CFR Part 72

Criminal penalties, Manpower training programs, Nuclear materials,

Occupational safety and health, Reporting and recordkeeping

requirements, Security measures, Spent fuel.

For the reasons set out in the preamble and under the authority of

the Atomic Energy Act of 1954, as amended; the Energy Reorganization

Act of 1974, as amended; and 5 U.S.C. 553; the NRC is proposing to

adopt the following amendments to 10 CFR Part 72.

PART 72--LICENSING REQUIREMENTS FOR THE INDEPENDENT STORAGE OF

SPENT NUCLEAR FUEL AND HIGH-LEVEL RADIOACTIVE WASTE

1. The authority citation for part 72 continues to read as follows:

Authority: Secs. 51, 53, 57, 62, 63, 65, 69, 81, 161, 182, 183,

184, 186, 187, 189, 68 Stat. 929, 930, 932, 933, 934, 935, 948, 953,

954, 955, as amended, sec. 234, 83 Stat. 444, as amended (42 U.S.C.

2071, 2073, 2077, 2092, 2093, 2095, 2099, 2111, 2201, 2232, 2233,

2234, 2236, 2237, 2238, 2282); sec. 274, Pub. L. 86-373, 73 Stat.

688, as amended (42 U.S.C. 2021); sec. 201, as amended, 202, 206, 88

Stat. 1242, as amended, 1244, 1246 (42 U.S.C. 5841, 5842, 5846);

Pub. L. 95-601, sec. 10, 92 Stat. 2951 as amended by Pub. L. 10d--

48b, sec. 7902, 10b Stat. 31b3 (42 U.S.C. 5851); sec. 102, Pub. L.

91-190, 83 Stat. 853 (42 U.S.C. 4332); secs. 131, 132, 133, 135,

137, 141, Pub. L. 97-425, 96 Stat. 2229, 2230, 2232, 2241, sec. 148,

Pub. L. 100-203, 101 Stat. 1330-235 (42 U.S.C. 10151, 10152, 10153,

10155, 10157, 10161, 10168).

Section 72.44(g) also issued under secs. 142(b) and 148(c), (d),

Pub. L. 100-203, 101 Stat. 1330-232, 1330-236 (42 U.S.C. 10162(b),

10168(c),(d))

ec. 102, Pub. L.

91-190, 83 Stat. 853 (42 U.S.C. 4332); secs. 131, 132, 133, 135,

137, 141, Pub. L. 97-425, 96 Stat. 2229, 2230, 2232, 2241, sec. 148,

Pub. L. 100-203, 101 Stat. 1330-235 (42 U.S.C. 10151, 10152, 10153,

10155, 10157, 10161, 10168).

Section 72.44(g) also issued under secs. 142(b) and 148(c), (d),

Pub. L. 100-203, 101 Stat. 1330-232, 1330-236 (42 U.S.C. 10162(b),

10168(c),(d)). Section 72.46 also issued under sec. 189, 68 Stat.

955 (42 U.S.C. 2239); sec. 134, Pub. L. 97-425, 96 Stat. 2230 (42

U.S.C. 10154). Section 72.96(d) also issued under sec. 145(g), Pub.

L. 100-203, 101 Stat. 1330-235 (42 U.S.C. 10165(g)). Subpart J also

issued under secs. 2(2), 2(15), 2(19), 117(a), 141(h), Pub. L. 97-

425, 96 Stat. 2202, 2203, 2204, 2222, 2244, (42 U.S.C. 10101,

10137(a), 10161(h)). Subparts K and L are also issued under sec.

133, 98 Stat. 2230 (42 U.S.C. 10153) and sec. 218(a), 96 Stat. 2252

(42 U.S.C. 10198).

2. In Sec. 72.214, Certificate of Compliance 1027 is added to read

as follows:

Sec. 72.214 List of approved spent fuel storage casks.

* * * * *

Certificate Number: 1027

SAR Submitted by: Transnuclear, Inc.

SAR Title: Final Safety Analysis Report for the TN-68 Dry Storage

Cask

Docket Number: 72-1027

Certification Expiration Date: [insert 20 years after the effective

date of the final rule] Model Number: TN-68

* * * * *

Dated at Rockville, Maryland, this 9th day of August, 1999.

For the Nuclear Regulatory Commission.

William D. Travers,

Executive Director for Operations.

[FR Doc. 99-21798 Filed 8-20-99; 8:45 am]

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