REGULATIONS AND AMENDMENTS PUT INTO EFFECT - FY 2000

Changes, Tests, and Experiments - Parts 50 and 72

On October 4, 1999 (64 FR 53582), the NRC published an amendment to its regulations

to clarify the specific types of changes, tests, and experiments conducted at a licensed facility

or by a certificate holder that require evaluation and to revise the criteria that licensees and

certificate holders must use to determine when NRC approval is needed before these changes,

tests, and experiments can be implemented. The amendment also adds definitions for terms

that have been subject to different interpretations and reorganizes the rule language for clarity. 

Additionally, the amendment grants, in part, and denies, in part, a petition for rulemaking (PRM72-3) submitted by Ms. Fawn Shillinglaw on December 9, 1995. The amendments to §§ 72.3,

72.9, 72.24, 72.56, 72.70, 72.80, 72.86, 72.244, 72.246, and 72.248 were effective on February

1, 2000. Sections 50.59, 50.66, 50.71(e), and 50.90 become effective 90 days after issuance

of applicable regulatory guidance. Sections 72.48 and 72.212 are effective April 5, 2001.

Respiratory Protection and Controls to Restrict Internal Exposures - Part 20

On October 7, 1999 (64 FR 54543), the NRC published an amendment to its regulations

regarding the use of respiratory protection and other controls to restrict intake of radioactive

material. The amendment makes the regulations more consistent with the philosophy of

controlling the sum of internal and external radiation exposure and reflects current guidance on

respiratory protection from the American National Standards Institute. This amendment,

effective on February 4, 2000, is consistent with recently effective revisions to the Occupational

Safety and Health Administration respiratory protection rule and makes NRC requirements for

radiological protection less prescriptive while reducing unnecessary regulatory burden without

reducing worker protection.

Expand Applicability of Part 72 to Holders of, and Applicants for, Certificates of

Compliance - Part 72

On October 15, 1999 (64 FR 56114), the NRC published an amendment to its

regulations to clarify the obligations of holders of, and applicants for, Certificates of Compliance

(CoC). This amendment, effective December 14, 1999, enhances the Commission’s ability to

take enforcement action against these persons when legally binding requirements are violated. 

This amendment also includes a new section that identifies recordkeeping and reporting

requirements for certificate holders and applicants for a CoC.

Use of Alternative Source Terms at Operating Reactors - Parts 21, 50, and 54

On December 23, 1999 (64 FR 71990), the NRC published an amendment to its

regulations to allow holders of operating licenses for nuclear power plants to voluntarily replace

the traditional source term used in design basis accident analyses with alternative source

terms. This amendment, effective January 24, 2000, allows interested licensees to pursue

cost-beneficial licensing actions to reduce unnecessary regulatory burden without

compromising the margin of safety of the facility.
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AP600 Design Certification - Part 52

On December 23, 1999 (64 FR 72002), the NRC published an amendment to its

regulations, effective January 24, 2000, to certify the AP600 standard plant design under

Subpart B of 10 CFR Part 52. 

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

On March 9, 2000 (65 FR 12444), the NRC published an amendment to its regulations

to add the NAC International Multi-Purpose Canister cask system to the list of approved spent

fuel storage casks. This amendment, effective April 10, 2000, allows the holders of power

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

license.

List of Approved Spent Fuel Storage Casks: TN-32 Addition - Part 72

On March 20, 2000 (65 FR 14790), the NRC published an amendment to its regulations

to add the Transnuclear TN-32 cask system to the list of approved spent fuel storage casks. 

This amendment, effective April 19, 2000, allows the holders of power reactor operating

licenses to store spent fuel in this approved cask system under a general license.

List of Approved Spent Fuel Storage Casks; Revision, NUHOMS 24-P and NUHOMS 52-B

- Part 72

On March 28, 2000 (65 FR 16299), the NRC published an amendment to its regulations

containing the list of approved spent fuel storage cask designs by adding an amended version

of Certificate of Compliance Number 1004 to this list. This amendment, effective April 27,

2000, reflects a change of ownership of this certificate from VECTRA Technologies, Inc., to

Transnuclear West, Inc., as well as an amendment to the certificate.

Energy Compensation Sources for Well Logging and Other Regulatory Clarifications -

Part 39

On April 17, 2000 (65 FR 20337), the NRC published an amendment to its regulations

dealing with low activity energy compensation sources; tritium neutron generator target

sources; specific abandonment procedures in the event of an immediate threat; changes to

requirements for inadvertent intrusion on an abandoned source; the codification of an existing

generic exemption; and the removal of an obsolete date. This amendment, effective May 17,

2000, also updates the regulations to be consistent with the Commission’s metrication policy.

List of Approved Spent Fuel Storage Casks: PSNA VSC-24 Revision - Part 72

On April 27, 2000 (65 FR 24623), the NRC published an amendment to its regulations,

effective May 30, 2000, to revise the Pacific Sierra Nuclear Associates VSC-24 cask system

listing within the list of approved spent fuel storage casks to include Amendment No. 1 to the

Certificate of Compliance. Amendment No. 1 modifies the present cask system design to

permit a licensee to store burnable poison rod assemblies in the VSC-24 cask system with the

spent fuel under a general license.
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List of Approved Spent Fuel Storage Casks: TN-68 Addition - Part 72

On April 28, 2000 (65 FR 24855), the NRC published an amendment to its regulations to

add the Transnuclear TN-68 cask system to the list of approved spent fuel storage casks. This

amendment, effective May 30, 2000, allows the holders of power reactor operating licenses to

store spent fuel in this approved cask system under a general license.

List of Approved Spent Fuel Storage Casks: Holtec HI-STORM 100 Addition - Part 72

On May 1, 2000 (65 FR 25241), the NRC published an amendment to its regulations to

add the HI-STORM 100 cask system to the list of approved spent fuel storage casks. This

amendment, effective May 31, 2000, allows the holders of power reactor operating licenses to

store spent fuel in this approved cask system under a general license.

Emergency Core Cooling System Evaluation Models - Part 50

On June 1, 2000 (65 FR 34913), the NRC published an amendment to its regulations to

allow holders of operating licenses for nuclear power plants to reduce the assumed reactor

power level used in evacuations of emergency core cooling system performance. This

amendment, effective July 31, 2000, allows interested licensees to pursue small, but costbeneficial, power uprates and reduces unnecessary regulatory burden without compromising

the margin of safety of a facility.

Revision of Fee Schedules; 100% Fee Recovery, FY 2000 - Parts 170 and 171

On June 12, 2000 (65 FR 36946), the NRC published an amendment to its regulations

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

amendment, effective August 11, 2000, is necessary to implement the Omnibus Budget

Reconciliation Act of 1990, as amended, which mandates that the NRC recover approximately

100 percent of its budget authority in Fiscal Year 2000, less amounts appropriated from the

Nuclear Waste Fund and the General Fund. 

Elimination of the Requirement for Noncombustible Fire Barrier Penetration Seal

Materials and Other Minor Changes - Part 50

On June 20, 2000 (65 FR 38182), the NRC published an amendment to its regulations

to remove the requirement that fire barrier penetration seal materials be noncombustible. This 

amendment, effective July 20, 2000, removes a requirement that has a negligible contribution

to safety and includes editorial changes designed to meet the intent of the Presidential

memorandum dated June 1, 1998, entitled “Plain Language in Government Writing.”

List of Approved Spent Fuel Storage Casks: Standardized NUHOMS-24P and NUHOMS52B Revision - Part 72

On June 22, 2000 (65 FR 38715), the NRC published an amendment to its regulations,

effective September 5, 2000, revising the Transnuclear West, Inc., Standardized NUHOMS24P and NUHOMS-52B cask system listing within the list of approved spent fuel storage casks
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to include Amendment No. 2 to the Certificate of Compliance. The companion proposed rule

was published in the Federal Register on June 22, 2000 (65 FR 38794).

List of Approved Spent Fuel Storage Casks: VSC-24 Revision - Part 72

On June 22, 2000 (65 FR 38718), the NRC published an amendment to its regulations,

effective September 5, 2000, revising the Pacific Sierra Nuclear Associates VSC-24 cask

system listing within the list of approved spent fuel storage casks to include Amendment No. 2

to the Certificate of Compliance. The companion proposed rule was published in the Federal

Register on June 22, 2000 (65 FR 58795).

Antitrust Review Authority: Clarification - Parts 2 and 50

On July 19, 2000 (65 FR 44649), the NRC published an amendment to its regulations,

effective August 18, 2000, to limit the types of applications that must include antitrust

information. Specifically, because the Commission is not authorized to conduct antitrust

reviews of post-operating license transfer applications, or at least is not required to conduct this

type of review and has decided that it no longer will conduct them, no antitrust information is

required as part of a post-operating license transfer application. This amendment brings the

regulations into conformance with the Commission’s limited statutory authority to conduct

antitrust reviews.

Clarification and Addition of Flexibility - Part 72

On August 21, 2000 (65 FR 50606), the NRC published an amendment to its regulations

on spent fuel storage to specify those sections of the regulations that apply to general

licensees, specific licensees, applicants for a specific license, certificate holders, and applicants

for a certificate of compliance. This amendment eliminates the necessity for repetitive reviews

of cask design issues in a licensing proceeding on applications for specific licenses, where

previously approved cask designs, or designs under Commission review, have been

incorporated by reference into the application.

Nondiscrimination on the Basis of Sex in Education Programs or Activities Receiving

Federal Financial Assistance - Part 5

On August 30, 2000 (65 FR 52858), the NRC published an amendment to its

regulations, effective September 29, 2000, to provide for the enforcement of Title IX of the

Education Amendments of 1972, as amended, by certain Federal agencies. This amendment

provides guidance to recipients of Federal financial assistance who administer education

programs or activities.

Revision of References to Section 202 of the Energy Reorganization Act - Parts 1, 2, 19,

30, 40, 50, 51, and 70

On September 12, 2000 (65 FR 54948), the NRC published an amendment to its

regulations, effective immediately, removing the footnotes that describe the provisions of

Section 202 in order for all such references in the regulations to be consistent and complete. 

This amendment also corrects a typographical error in Part 19, makes other minor changes to
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conform Part 51 to other parts of 10 CFR Chapter 1, and reflects the abolishment of the Office

for Analysis and Evaluation of Operational Data.

Domestic Licensing of Special Nuclear Material; Possession of a Critical Mass of Special

Nuclear Material - Part 70

On September 18, 2000 (65 FR 56211), the NRC published an amendment to its

regulations that govern the domestic licensing of special nuclear material (SNM) for licensees

authorized to possess a critical mass of SNM that are engaged in one of the following activities: 

enriched uranium processing; fabrication of uranium fuel or fuel assemblies; uranium

enrichment (other than certified existing gaseous diffusion plants); enriched uranium

hexafluoride conversion; plutonium processing; fabrication of mixed-oxide fuel or fuel

assemblies; scrap recovery of SNM; or any other activity involving a critical mass of SNM that

the Commission determines could significantly affect public health and safety or the

environment. The amendment (except §70.76) is effective on October 18, 2000. Section 70.76

will become effective after the issuance of staff guidance for the implementation of that

provision. Once this guidance has been developed, the NRC will publish a Federal Register

notice specifying the effective date of §70.76.

REGULATIONS AND AMENDMENTS PROPOSED

Emergency Core Cooling System Evaluation Models - Part 50

On October 1, 1999 (64 FR 53270), the NRC published an amendment to its regulations

that would allow holders of operating licenses for nuclear power plants to reduce the assumed

reactor power level used in evaluations of emergency core cooling system performance. This

amendment would allow interested licensees to pursue small, but cost-beneficial, power uprates

and would reduce unnecessary regulatory burden without compromising the margin of safety of

the facility.

Nondiscrimination on the Basis of Sex in Education Programs and Activities Receiving

Federal Financial Assistance - Part 5

On October 29, 1999 (64 FR 58568), the NRC published an amendment to its

regulations that would provide for the enforcement of Title IX of the Education Amendments of

1972, as amended, by certain Federal agencies. This amendment would provide guidance to

recipients of Federal financial assistance who administer education programs or activities.

Antitrust Review Authority: Clarification - Parts 2 and 50

On November 3, 1999 (64 FR 59671), the NRC published an amendment to its

regulations that would reflect more clearly its limited antitrust review authority by explicitly

limiting the types of applications that must include antitrust information.
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Clarification and Addition of Flexibility - Part 72

On November 3, 1999 (64 FR 59677), the NRC published an amendment to its spent

fuel storage regulations that would specify those sections in 10 CFR Part 72 that apply to

general licensees, specific licensees, applicants for a specific license, certificate holders, and

applicants for a certificate.

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

On January 21, 2000 (65 FR 3397), the NRC published an amendment to its regulations

that would add the NAC UMS Universal Storage System to the list of approved spent fuel

storage casks.

Revision of Fee Schedules; 100% Fee Recovery, FY 2000 - Parts 170 and 171

On March 27, 2000 (65 FR 16250), the NRC published an amendment to its regulations

that would amend the licensing, inspection, and annual fees charged to its applicants and

licensees. This amendment is necessary to implement the Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act

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

budget authority in Fiscal Year 2000, less amounts appropriated from the Nuclear Waste Fund

and the General Fund.

Interim Storage for Greater Than Class C Waste - Parts 72 and 150

On June 16, 2000 (65 FR 37712), the NRC published an amendment to its regulations

that would grant, in part, and deny, in part, a petition for rulemaking submitted by Portland

General Electric Company (PRM-72-2) by amending its regulations dealing with greater than

class C (GTCC) waste. This amendment would apply only to the interim storage of GTCC

waste generated or used by commercial nuclear power plants. The amendment would allow

licensing for interim storage of GTCC waste in a manner that is consistent with licensing the

interim storage of spent fuel and would maintain Federal jurisdiction for storage of reactorrelated GTCC waste. 

List of Approved Spent Fuel Storage Casks: Standardized NUHOMS-24P and NUHOMS52B Revision - Part 72

On June 22, 2000 (65 FR 38794), the NRC published an amendment to its regulations

that would revise the Transnuclear West , Inc., Standardized NUHOMS-24P and NUHOMS-52B

cask system listing within the list of approved spent fuel storage casks to include Amendment

No. 2 to Certificate of Compliance No. 1004. The companion final rule was published in the

Federal Register on June 22, 2000 (65 FR 38715).

List of Approved Spent Fuel Storage Casks: VSC-24 Revision - Part 72

On June 22, 2000 (65 FR 38795), the NRC published an amendment to its regulations

that would revise the Pacific Sierra Nuclear Associates VSC-24 cask system listing within the

list of approved spent fuel storage casks to include Amendment No. 2 to Certificate of
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Compliance No. 1007. The companion final rule was published in the Federal Register on June

22, 2000 (65 FR 38718).

Operator License Eligibility and Use of Simulation Facilities in Operator Licensing - 

Part 55

On July 3, 2000 (65 FR 41021), the NRC published an amendment to its regulations

that would allow applicants for operator and senior operator licenses to fulfill a portion of the

experience prerequisites for license eligibility by manipulating a plant-reference simulator as an

alternative to use of the actual plant. The amendment would also remove current requirements

for certification of simulation facilities and routine submittal of simulator performance test

reports to the NRC for review.

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

On July 11, 2000 (65 FR 42647), the NRC published an amendment to its regulations to

add the FuelSolutionsTM cask system to the list of approved spent fuel storage casks. This

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

the FuelSolutionsTM cask system under a general license.

Licensing Proceedings for the Receipt of High-Level Radioactive Waste at a Geologic

Repository: Licensing Support Network, Design Standards for Participating Websites -

Part 2

On August 22, 2000 (65 FR 50937), the NRC published an amendment to its regulations

that would establish the basic data structure and transfer standards (design standards) that

Licensing Support Network (LSN) participant websites must use to make documentary material

available. The amendment would clarify the authority of the LSN Administrator to establish

guidance for LSN participants on how best to meet the design standards and to review

participant designs for compliance with the standards. Also, the amendment would clarify the

timing of participant compliance certifications.

ADVANCE NOTICES OF PROPOSED RULEMAKING

Advance Notification to Native American Tribes of Transportation of Certain Types of

Nuclear Waste - Parts 71 and 73

On December 21, 1999 (64 FR 71331), the NRC published an ANPRM that requested

comments on issuance of new regulations that would require NRC licensees to notify Native

American Tribes of shipments of certain types of high-level radioactive waste, including spent

nuclear fuel, before transport to or across the boundary of Tribal lands.

Risk-Informing Special Treatment Requirements - Parts 21, 50, 52, 54, and 100

On March 3, 2000 (65 FR 11488), the NRC published an ANPRM that requested

comments on issuance of new regulations that would provide an alternative risk-informed

approach for special treatment requirements in the current regulations.