REGULATIONS AND AMENDMENTS PUT INTO EFFECT - FY 1995 

NRC Library; Address Change - Parts 34, 35, 50, 73, and 110

On October 5, 1994 (59 FR 50688), the NRC published an amendment to regulations

that reference the availability of materials that the Director of the Federal Register has

approved for incorporation by reference. This amendment, effective immediately, gives the

current location where this material is available for inspection.

Change in Organizational Title and Telephone Numbers - Part 2

On November 25, 1994 (59 FR 60551), the NRC published an amendment to its

regulations, effective immediately, to provide the current title of the organization within the NRC

and the current telephone numbers for a prospective petitioner to contact before filing a petition

for rulemaking.

Preparation, Transfer for Commercial Distribution, and Use of Byproduct Material for

Medical Use - Parts 30, 32, and 35

On December 2, 1994 (59 FR 61767), the NRC published an amendment to its

regulations, effective January 1, 1995. This amendment allows properly qualified nuclear

pharmacists and authorized physicians to use greater discretion in preparing radioactive drugs

containing byproduct material for medical use. This action is in response to a petition for

rulemaking submitted by the American College of Nuclear Physicians and the Society of

Nuclear Medicine (PRM-35-9).

Statement of Organization and General Information; Agency Consolidation and Minor

Amendments - Part 1

On December 12, 1994 (59 FR 63881), the NRC published an amendment to its

regulations, effective immediately, reflecting the completion of the NRC headquarters

consolidation effort. Specifically, this consolidation included merger of the Office of

Administration and the Office of Consolidation, and reconstitution of the Office of the Licensing

Support System Administrator as an organizational unit of the Office of Information Resources

Management. The consolidation also transferred responsibility for administering the licensing

support system from the Commission staff to the Office of the Executive Director for

Operations.

Notification of Events - Part 72

On December 14, 1994 (59 FR 64283), the NRC published an amendment to its

regulations to revise licensee reporting requirements regarding the notification of events related

to radiation safety at independent spent fuel storage installations and a monitored retrievable

storage installation. This amendment, effective January 13, 1995, is necessary to ensure that

significant occurrences at these licensed facilities are promptly reported to the NRC. Such

timely reporting enables the Commission to evaluate whether the licensee has taken

appropriate actions to protect the public health and safety, and whether prompt NRC action is

necessary to address generic safety concerns.

List of Approved Spent Fuel Storage Casks: Addition - Part 72

On December 22, 1994 (59 FR 56898), the NRC published an amendment to its

regulations to add the standardized NUHOMS horizontal modular system to the list of approved

spent fuel storage casks. This amendment, effective January 23, 1995, allows the holders of

power reactor operating licenses to store spent fuel in this approved cask under a general

license.
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Preparation, Transfer for Commercial Distribution, and Use of Byproduct Material for

Medical Use - Part 32

On January 4, 1995 (60 FR 322), the NRC published an amendment to its regulations to

clarify the final rule, "Preparation, Transfer for Commercial Distribution, and Use of Byproduct

Material for Medical Use," published in the Federal Register on December 2, 1994. This

amendment, effective January 1, 1995, reduces the requirements for the information to be

included on labels for radioactive drugs to be transferred for commercial distribution. 

Requirement To Report Transfers of Devices to Generally Licensed Persons - Part 32

On January 19, 1995 (60 FR 3735), the NRC published an amendment to its regulations

governing the reporting of device transfers to generally licensed persons. This amendment,

effective December 31, 1994, relieves initial distributors of the devices from the requirement to

provide copies of the transfer reports to each appropriate NRC regional office. 

Frequency of Medical Examinations for Use of Respiratory Protection Equipment - Part

20

On February 10, 1995 (60 FR 7900), the NRC published an amendment to its

regulations, effective March 13, 1995, to reduce the frequency at which medical fitness

determinations are required to ensure the safe use of respiratory protection equipment. 

Reduction of Reporting Requirements Imposed on NRC Licensees - Parts 50, 55, and 73

On March 14, 1995 (60 FR 13615), the NRC published an amendment to its regulations,

effective April 13, 1995, to reduce the reporting requirements currently imposed on licensees of

water-cooled nuclear power reactors, research and test reactors, and nuclear materials. 

Low-Level Waste Shipment Manifest Information and Reporting - Parts 20 and 61

On March 27, 1995 (60 FR 15649), the NRC published an amendment to its regulations

to improve the quality and uniformity of information contained in manifests that are required to

control transfers of low-level waste (LLW) ultimately intended for disposal at a land disposal

facility. This amendment, effective March 1, 1998, will establish a set of forms to allow LLW to

be tracked from its origin, and to serve as a national uniform low-level radioactive waste

manifest to meet NRC, Department of Transportation, and State and Compact information

requirements. This amendment also requires LLW disposal site operators to electronically

store container-specific manifest information, and requires the disposal site operators to be

capable of reporting the stored uniform manifest information on a computer-readable medium.

NRC Size Standards; Revision - Part 2

On April 11, 1995 (60 FR 18344), the NRC published an amendment to the size

standards used to qualify an NRC licensee as a "small entity" under the Regulatory Flexibility

Act. This amendment, effective May 11, 1995, establishes a separate standard to be used to

determine whether a manufacturing licensee would qualify as a small entity, adjusts the

receipts-based standard to account for the effects of inflation since 1985, and eliminates the

separate $1 million size standard for private practice physicians, applying the revised receiptsbased size standard of $5 million to this class of licensees.

Standards for Protection Against Radiation; Clarification - Part 20

On April 25, 1995 (60 FR 20183), the NRC published an amendment to its regulations,

effective immediately, that reinstates requirements to retain records generated under the

previously existing provisions of Part 20 that were inadvertently omitted in a Federal Register
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notice published in the Federal Register on December 22, 1993 (58 FR 67657). 

Interim Storage of Spent Fuel in an Independent Spent Fuel Storage Installation at a

Reactor Site; Site-Specific License to a Qualified Applicant Parts 2 and 72

On April 28, 1995 (60 FR 20879), the NRC published an amendment to its regulations to

permit the Director of Nuclear Material Safety and Safeguards to issue a site-specific license to

a qualified applicant. Such licenses permit interim storage of spent fuel in an independent

spent fuel storage installation (ISFSI) at a reactor site following satisfactory completion of NRC

safety and environmental reviews and after any public hearing on the application. This

amendment, effective May 30, 1995, eliminates the need for express Commission authorization

for each ISFSI license. However, the amendment does not affect the scope of NRC review of

an ISFSI license application, or the present opportunity for public hearing provided for in the

NRC rules of practice.

Nuclear Power Plant License Renewal; Revisions - Parts 2, 51, and 54

On May 8, 1995 (60 FR 22461), the NRC published an amendment to its regulations to

revise the requirements that an applicant must meet for obtaining the renewal of a nuclear

power plant operating license. This amendment, effective June 7, 1995, also clarifies the

required information that must be submitted for review so that the NRC can determine whether

those requirements have been met and changes the administrative requirements that a holder

of a renewed license must meet.

Changes to NRC Addresses and Telephone Numbers - Parts 2, 19, 20, 30, 32, 40, 50, 51,

60, 61, 70, 71, 72, 73, 74, 76, and 150

On May 9, 1995 (60 FR 24549), the NRC published an amendment to its regulations,

effective immediately, to reflect the current addresses, telephone numbers, and organizational

titles within the NRC, following consolidation of headquarters employees to Rockville, Maryland.

NRC Licensee Renewal/Reinvestigation Program - Parts 11 and 25

On May 17, 1995 (60 FR 26355), the NRC published an amendment to its regulations to

eliminate the 5-year expiration date for licensee "U" and "R" special nuclear material access

authorizations and "Q" and "L" access authorizations. This amendment, effective June 16,

1995, also requires the licensee to submit NRC renewal application paperwork only for an

individual who has not been reinvestigated by the Department of Energy or another Federal

agency within the 5- to 7-year span permitted in the regulations.

Performance Requirements for Radiography Equipment - Part 34

On May 31, 1995 (60 FR 28323), the NRC published an amendment to its regulations

pertaining to performance requirements for radiography equipment. This amendment, effective

June 30, 1995, permits a licensee to use an alternative torque value for the performance testing

criteria.

Revision of Fee Schedules; 100% Fee Recovery, FY 1995 - Parts 170 and 171

On June 20, 1995 (60 FR 32218), the NRC published an amendment to its regulations

to change the licensing, inspection, and annual fees charged to its applicants and licensees.

This amendment, effective July 20, 1995, is necessary to implement the Omnibus Budget

Reconciliation Act of 1990, which mandates that the NRC recover approximately 100 percent of

its budget authority in fiscal year 1995, less amounts appropriated from the Nuclear Waste

Fund.
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Emergency Planning Licensing Requirements for Independent Spent Fuel Storage

Facilities (ISFSI) and Monitored Retrievable Storage Facilities (MRS) - Part 72

On June 22, 1995 (60 FR 32430), in accordance with the Nuclear Waste Policy Act of

1982, the NRC published an amendment to its regulations regarding the emergency planning

licensing requirements for independent spent fuel storage facilities and monitored retrievable

storage facilities. This amendment, effective September 20, 1995, ensures that local authorities

will be notified in the event of an accident so that they may take appropriate action.

Radiation Protection Requirements: Amended Definitions and Criteria - Parts 19 and 20

On July 13, 1995 (60 FR 36038), the NRC published an amendment to its regulations to

revise the radiation protection training requirement so that it applies to workers who are likely to

receive an occupational dose in excess of 10 mrem (1 mSv) in a year. This amendment,

effective August 14, 1995, also revises the definition of "member of the public" to include

anyone who is not a worker receiving an occupational dose, "occupational" dose to delete

reference to location so that the occupational dose limit applies only to workers whose assigned

duties involve exposure to radiation and not to members of the public, and "public dose" to

apply to dose received by members of the public from material released by a licensee or from

any other source of radiation under the control of the licensee. In addition, the amendment

ensures that prior dose is determined for anyone subject to the monitoring requirements in 10

CFR Part 20 and retains a requirement that known overexposed individuals receive copies of

any reports of the overexposure that are required to be submitted to the NRC. 

Technical Specifications - Part 50

On July 19, 1995 (60 FR 36953), the NRC published an amendment to its regulations,

effective August 18, 1995, to codify criteria for determining the content of technical

specifications for nuclear power reactors.

Import and Export of Radioactive Waste - Part 110

On July 21, 1995 (60 FR 37556), the NRC published an amendment to its regulations to

establish specific licensing requirements for importing and exporting radioactive waste, and to

clarify the requirements for importing and exporting incidental radioactive material coming into

or leaving the United States. This amendment, effective August 21, 1995, conforms the policies

of the United States to the guidelines of the International Atomic Energy Agency Code of

Practice on the International Transboundary Movement of Radioactive Waste.

Clarification of Decommissioning Funding Requirements - Parts 30, 40, 70, and 72

On July 26, 1995 (60 FR 38235), the NRC published an amendment to its regulations,

effective November 24, 1995, requiring that nonreactor licensees who have been in timely

renewal since the promulgation of the earlier decommissioning funding rule or who have

ceased operation without having adequate decommissioning funding arrangements in place

must provide the NRC with certification of adequate financial assurance for decommissioning

by November 24, 1995.

Changes to Nuclear Power Plant Security Requirements Associated With Containment

Access Control - Part 73

On September 7, 1995 (60 FR 46497), the NRC published an amendment to its

regulations, effective October 10, 1995, relieving nuclear power plant licensees of the security

requirement to separately control access of personnel and materials to reactor containments

during periods of high traffic, such as refueling and major maintenance.
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Procurement of Commercial Grade Items by Nuclear Power Plant Licensees - Part 21

On September 19, 1995 (60 FR 48369), the NRC published an amendment to its

regulations to provide added flexibility in procuring commercial grade items for safety-related

service by nuclear power plant licensees. This amendment, effective October 19, 1995,

provides the requirements for the procurement of basic components, which will be procured

initially as commercial grade items with subsequent dedication for safety-related service, in a

manner that avoids unnecessary delay and expense while maintaining an adequate level of

plant safety.

Medical Administration of Radiation and Radioactive Materials - Parts 20 and 35

On September 20, 1995 (60 FR 48623), the NRC published an amendment to its

regulations, effective October 20, 1995, to clarify that the medical administration of radiation or

radioactive materials to any individual, even an individual not supposed to receive a medical

administration, is regulated by the NRC's provisions governing the medical use of byproduct

material. Further, the amendment clarifies that such administration is not regulated by the dose

limits in the NRC's regulations concerning standards for protection against radiation. 

Primary Reactor Containment Leakage Testing for Water-Cooled Power Reactors - Part

50

On September 26, 1995 (60 FR 49495), the NRC published an amendment to its

regulations to provide a performance-based option for leakage-rate testing of containments of

light-water-cooled nuclear power plants. This amendment, effective October 26, 1995, allows

test intervals to be based on system and component performance, and gives licensees greater

flexibility for cost-effective implementation methods of regulatory safety objectives.

Compatibility With the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) - Part 71

On September 28, 1995 (60 FR 50248), the NRC published an amendment to its

regulations, effective April 1, 1996, to ensure that NRC regulations governing the transportation

of radioactive material reflect accepted international standards and comply with current

legislative requirements.

REGULATIONS AND AMENDMENTS PROPOSED

Fracture Toughness Requirements for Light-Water Reactor Pressure Vessels - Part 50

On October 4, 1994 (59 FR 50513), the NRC published a proposed amendment to its

regulations that would clarify the pressurized thermal shock requirements, change the fracture

toughness requirements and reactor vessel material surveillance program requirements, and

provide new requirements for thermal annealing of a reactor pressure vessel.

Reactor Site Criteria Including Seismic and Earthquake Engineering Criteria for Nuclear

Power Plants and Proposed Denial of Petition From Free Environment, Inc., et al. - Parts

50, 52, and 100

On October 17, 1994 (59 FR 52255), the NRC published a proposed amendment to its

regulations that would update the criteria used in decisions regarding power reactor siting,

including geologic, seismic, and earthquake engineering considerations for future nuclear

power plants. The proposed rule would also deny the remaining issue in a petition filed by Free

Environment, Inc., et al. (PRM-50-20).
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Shutdown and Low-Power Operations for Nuclear Power Reactors - Part 50

On October 19, 1994 (59 FR 52707), the NRC published a proposed amendment to its

regulations to establish substantial additional protection against the risk of a core-melt accident.

The proposed amendment would require power reactor licensees to ensure coolant inventory

when the plant was in either shutdown or low-power condition, and to preclude a loss of

subcooled state in the reactor coolant system when subcooled conditions are normally being

maintained. In addition, the proposed amendment would require licensees to ensure that

containment integrity would be maintained or reestablished in a timely manner to prevent

releases in excess of the current regulatory limits. Further, the proposed amendment would

require licensees to establish controls in technical specifications or plant procedures for

equipment that the licensee identified as necessary to perform safety functions during plant

shutdown or low-power operation. The amendment would also require licensees to realistically

evaluate the effect of fires stemming from activities conducted during cold shutdown or

refueling conditions to determine whether these fires could prevent the normal decay heat

removal capability, and if so, either provide measure to prevent loss of normal decay heat

removal or establish a contingency plan that would ensure that an alternate decay heat removal

capability existed. For licensees of pressurized-water reactors only, it would require the

provision of instrumentation for monitoring the water level in the reactor coolant system during

midloop operation.

Procurement of Commercial Grade Items by Nuclear Power Plant Licensees - Part 21

On October 24, 1994 (59 FR 53372), the NRC published a proposed amendment to its

regulations that would clarify and add flexibility to the process of procuring commercial grade

items for safety-related service by nuclear power plant licensees. The proposed rule responds

to a petition for rulemaking (PRM-21-2) from the Nuclear Management and Resources Council,

which is now incorporated into the Nuclear Energy Institute.

Reduction of Reporting Requirements Imposed on NRC Licensees - Parts 50, 55, and 73

On November 2, 1994 (59 FR 54843), the NRC published a proposed amendment to its

regulations that would reduce reporting requirements currently imposed on licensees of watercooled nuclear power reactors, research and test reactors, and nuclear materials.

NRC Size Standards; Proposed Revision - Part 2

On November 30, 1994 (59 FR 61293), the NRC published a proposed amendment to

its regulations that would amend the size standards used to qualify an NRC licensee as a small

entity under the Regulatory Flexibility Act.

NRC Licensee Renewal/Reinvestigation Program - Parts 11 and 25

On December 28, 1994 (59 FR 66812), the NRC published a proposed amendment to

its regulations that would eliminate the 5-year expiration date for licensee "U" and "R" special

nuclear material access authorizations and "Q" and "L" access authorizations. In addition, the

amendment would require the licensee to submit NRC renewal application paperwork only for

an individual who has not been reinvestigated by the Department of Energy or another Federal

agency within the 5- to 7-year span permitted in the regulations.

Termination or Transfer of Licensed Activities: Recordkeeping Requirements - Parts 20,

30, 40, 61, 70, and 72

On December 28, 1994 (59 FR 66814), the NRC published a proposed amendment to

its regulations that would require a licensee to transfer records pertaining to effectively

decommissioning the facility and pertaining to public dose and waste disposal to the new
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licensee, if licensed activities were to continue at the same location. Similarly, the amendment

would require the licensee to forward records pertaining to public dose and waste disposal to

the NRC before the license is terminated.

Medical Administration of Radiation and Radioactive Materials - Parts 20 and 35

On January 25, 1995 (60 FR 4872), the NRC published a proposed amendment to its

regulations that would clarify that the medical administration of radiation or radioactive materials

to any individual, even an individual not supposed to receive a medical administration, is

regulated by the NRC's provisions governing the medical use of byproduct material rather than

the dose limits in the NRC's regulations concerning standards for protection against radiation.

Primary Reactor Containment Leakage Testing for Water-Cooled Power Reactors - Part

50

On February 21, 1995 (60 FR 9634), the NRC published a proposed amendment to its

regulations that would provide a performance-based option for leakage rate testing of

containments of light-water-cooled nuclear power plants. This amendment would allow test

intervals to be based on system and component performance, and would give licensees greater

flexibility for cost-effective implementation methods of regulatory safety objectives.

Revision of Fee Schedules; 100% Fee Recovery, FY 1995 - Parts 170 and 171

On March 20, 1995 (60 FR 14670), the NRC published a proposed amendment to its

regulations to change the licensing, inspection, and annual fees charged to its applicants and

licensees. The proposed amendment would implement the Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act

of 1990, which mandates that the NRC recover approximately 100 percent of its budget

authority in fiscal year 1995, less amounts appropriated from the Nuclear Waste Fund.

Disposal of High-Level Radioactive Wastes in Geologic Repositories; Design Basis

Events - Part 60

On March 22, 1995 (60 FR 15180), the NRC published a proposed amendment to its

regulations that would change the NRC's policy on the protection of public health and safety

from activities conducted at a geologic repository operations area before permanent closure.

Petition for Rulemaking; Procedure for Submission - Part 2

On March 28, 1995 (60 FR 15878), the NRC published a proposed amendment to its

regulations that would provide an incentive to submit sufficient supporting information in

petitions for rulemaking to facilitate more expeditious disposition by the NRC, and would

improve openness within the process by delineating priorities for review of the petitions.

Standard Design Certification for the U.S. Advanced Boiling Water Reactor Design - Part

52

On April 7, 1995 (60 FR 17902), the NRC published a proposed amendment to its

regulations to approve a standard design certification for the U.S. advanced boiling water

reactor design.

Standard Design Certification for the System 80+ Design - Part 52

On April 7, 1995 (60 FR 17924), the NRC published a proposed amendment to its

regulations that would approve a standard design certification for the System 80+ design.
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Production and Utilization Facilities; Emergency Planning and Preparedness Exercise

Requirements - Part 50

On April 14, 1995 (60 FR 19002), the NRC published a proposed amendment to its

regulations governing domestic licensing of production and utilization facilities, as necessary. 

This amendment would facilitate greater flexibility in the licensee's emergency preparedness

training activities, during the off-year, for implementing the current requirement for annual

exercise of the onsite emergency plan, which is conducted to evaluate major portions of

licensees' emergency response capabilities.

Physical Security Plan Format Changes - Parts 50 and 70

On April 17, 1995 (60 FR 19170), the NRC published a proposed amendment to its

regulations that would eliminate the requirement for applicants for power reactor and Category I

fuel cycle licenses to submit physical security plans in two parts. As a result, the amendment

would facilitate a quicker and more efficient review of the physical security plans.

Changes to Nuclear Power Plant Security Requirements Associated With Containment

Access Control - Part 73

On May 10, 1995 (60 FR 24803), the NRC published a proposed amendment to its

regulations that would relieve nuclear power plant licensees of the security requirement to

separately control access of personnel and materials to reactor containments during periods of

high traffic, such as refueling and major maintenance.

Decommissioning of Nuclear Power Reactors - Parts 2, 50, and 51

On July 20, 1995 (60 FR 37374), the NRC published a proposed amendment to its

regulations on the decommissioning procedures that lead to the termination of an operating

license for nuclear power reactors and release of the property. This amendment would clarify

ambiguities in the current rule and codify practices that have been used for other licensees on a

case-by-case basis.

Revision of Specific Exemptions Under the Privacy Act - Part 9

On July 26, 1995 (60 FR 38282), the NRC published a proposed amendment to its

regulations that would implement the Privacy Act of 1974, as amended, to reflect the addition of

exemptions in subsections (j)(2) and (k)(5) to an existing system of records and to update the

list of exemptions that apply to specific NRC systems of records.

Safeguards for Spent Nuclear Fuel or High-Level Radioactive Waste - Parts 60, 72, 73,

and 75

On August 15, 1995 (60 FR 42079), the NRC published a proposed amendment to its

regulations that would clarify safeguard requirements for spent nuclear fuel or high-level

radioactive waste stored at independent spent fuel storage installations, power reactors that

have permanently ceased reactor operations, monitored retrievable storage installations, and

geologic repository operations areas.

One-Time Extension of Certain Byproduct, Source, and Special Nuclear Materials

Licenses - Parts 30, 40, and 70

On September 8, 1995 (60 FR 46784), the NRC published a proposed amendment to its

regulations that would, on a one-time basis, provide a 5-year extension of certain byproduct,

source, and special nuclear materials licenses. The proposed amendment also requests

comments on the appropriate duration of materials licenses.
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ADVANCE NOTICES OF PROPOSED RULEMAKING

Land Ownership Requirements for Low-level Waste Sites - Part 61

On July 18, 1995 (60 FR 36744), the NRC published a notice of withdrawal regarding an

advance notice of proposed rulemaking that presented a possible change to the NRC Federal

or State land ownership requirements for low-level waste facility sites.

Acceptance of Products Purchased for Use in Nuclear Power Plant Structures, Systems,

and Components; Withdrawal - Part 50

On September 19, 1995 (60 FR 48427), the NRC published a notice of withdrawal

regarding an advance notice of proposed rulemaking that requested public comment on the

need for additional regulatory requirements and for obtaining an improved understanding of

alternatives to regulatory requirements.