October 3, 2013 

 

Charles Maguire, Director 

Radioactive Materials Division 

Texas Commission on Environmental Quality 

P.O. Box 13087 

Austin, TX 78711-3087 

Dear Mr. Maguire: 

We have reviewed the August 26, 2013, letter sent by you in response to the U.S. Nuclear 

Regulatory Commission (NRC) comment on revised Texas Commission on Environment Quality 

(TCEQ) rules dated August 13, 2013. These regulations were reviewed by comparison to the 

equivalent NRC rules in 10 CFR Parts 40 and 61 and our comment on the TCEQ assumed 

interest rate of 2 percent for the funding of long-term care for uranium milling facilities (30 TAC 

336.1129). We discussed our review of the regulations with you on September 25, 2013. 

As a result of our review, our one comment stands from the August 13, 2013, letter. Please 

note that we have limited our review to regulations required for compatibility and/or health and 

safety. The adoption of a 2 percent assumed interest rate for low-level radioactive waste 

disposal sites may be reasonable; however, it is inconsistent with the NRC regulatory 

requirements for long-term care funding for uranium milling disposal sites. The Compatibility 

Category C designation requires the State to adopt requirements to be equivalent to or more 

stringent than the NRC requirements. The 2 percent rate is less stringent than the more 

conservative 1 percent rate in the NRC regulations. The 2 percent rate does not meet the 

Category C compatibility designation. 

Since the timeframes for the use of the funding are different for uranium milling disposal longterm care and the institutional period for a low-level waste disposal facility, the assumed interest 

rates are different. TCEQ needs to adopt an assumed interest rate for uranium mills that is 

different from the low-level waste disposal site criteria so that the TCEQ program can have 

financial regulations that meet the Compatibility Category C designation for uranium mills in the 

State of Texas. 

We request that when you revise your regulations to address our comment, a copy of the “as 

published” regulations be provided to us for review. As requested in FSME Procedure SA-201, 

“Review of State Regulatory Requirements,” please highlight the location of any changes made 

by Texas, in response to our comment, and provide a copy to Division of Materials Safety and 

State Agreements, FSME. 
C. Magurie -2- 

The SRS Data Sheet summarizes our knowledge of the status of other TCEQ regulations, as 

indicated. Please let us know if you note any inaccuracies, or have any comments on the 

information contained in the SRS Data Sheet. This letter, including the SRS Data Sheet, is 

posted on the FSME website: http://nrc-stp.ornl.gov/rulemaking.html. 

If you have any questions regarding the comment, the compatibility and health and safety 

categories, or any of the NRC regulations used in the review, please contact Kathleen 

Schneider, State Regulation Review Coordinator, at (301) 415-2320 

(kathleen.schneider@nrc.gov) or Dennis Sollenberger at (301) 415-2819 

(dennis.sollenberger@nrc.gov). 

Sincerely, 

 /RA/ 

Christian E. Einberg, Acting Deputy Director 

Division of Materials Safety and State Agreements 

Office of Federal and State Materials 

 and Environmental Management Programs 

Enclosures: 

1. Compatibility Comment Table 

2. TCEQ SRS Data Sheet 
C. Magurie -2- 

The SRS Data Sheet summarizes our knowledge of the status of other TCEQ regulations, as 

indicated. Please let us know if you note any inaccuracies, or have any comments on the 

information contained in the SRS Data Sheet. This letter, including the SRS Data Sheet, is 

posted on the FSME website: http://nrc-stp.ornl.gov/rulemaking.html. 

If you have any questions regarding the comments, the compatibility and health and safety 

categories, or any of the NRC regulations used in the review, please contact Kathleen 

Schneider, State Regulation Review Coordinator, at (301) 415-2320 

(kathleen.schneider@nrc.gov) or Dennis Sollenberger at (301) 415-2819 

(dennis.sollenberger@nrc.gov). 

Sincerely, 

 /RA/

Christian E. Einberg, Acting Deputy Director 

Division of Materials Safety and State Agreements 

Office of Federal and State Materials 

 and Environmental Management Programs 

Enclosures: 

1. Compatibility Comment Table 

2. TCEQ SRS Data Sheet 

Distribution: (SP08) 

TX CEQ File, 13-35 

BTharakan, RIV/RSAO 

RErickson, RIV 

JKatanic, FSME 

Incoming Document: ML13240A300 

OFFICE ASPB ASPB OGC ASPB:BC MSSA:DD 

NAME DSollenberger KSchneider BJones DWhite CEinberg 

DATE 09/17/13 09/17/13 09/20/13 10/02/13 10/03/13 

ML13260A121 OFFICIAL RECORD COPY Package ML13240A299 
COMPATIBILITY COMMENT ON TEXAS FINAL REGULATIONS 

STATE 

SECTION 

NRC SECTION RATS ID CATEGORY SUBJECT and COMMENTS 

1 30 TAC 

336.1127 

Part 40 

Appendix A 

N/A C Appendix A: Criterion 10 

Texas Commission on Environmental 

Quality (TCEQ) revised its regulation in 

§336.1127 to change the assumed annual 

real interest rate to 2.0 percent for longterm care funds for uranium mill sites. 

NRC’s regulations use a 1.0 percent 

assumed annual real interest rate. The 

lower assumed annual real interest rate is a 

more conservative approach to ensure 

there are sufficient funds to cover the 

annual costs of site care, surveillance, and 

maintenance during long-term care. These 

sites are generally turned over to the U.S. 

Department of Energy (DOE) for long-term 

care, conducted under an NRC license. 

Sufficient funding is essential for adequate 

care, surveillance, and maintenance of the 

site after DOE takes ownership. The 2.0 

percent interest rate could underfund 

DOE’s long-term care activities at the site. 

TCEQ needs to adopt the 1.0 percent 

assumed annual real interest rate 

established in Criterion 10 of 10 CFR 40 

Appendix A to meet the essential objective 

of this requirements and to meet the 

Compatibility Category C assigned to 10 

CFR 40 Appendix A, Criterion 10. 

Comment Stands From letter dated 

August 13, 2013.
STATE REGULATION STATUS

State: Texas Commission on Environmental Quality 

Tracking Ticket Number: 13-35 

[ 1 amendment(s) reviewed is identified by a * Date: October 3, 2013 at the beginning of the equivalent NRC requirement.] 

RATS ID NRC Chronology Identification Date Due for 

State Adoption 

Incoming Package 

Outgoing Package 

Notes 

1991-1 Safety Requirements for Radiographic Equipment 

Part 34 55 FR 843 (Superceded by 1997-5) 

01/10/1994 Not Applicable Not Applicable TX DSHS Responsibility 

1991-2 ASNT Certification of Radiographers 

Part 34 56 FR 11504 (Superceded by 1997-5) 

none Not Applicable Not Applicable TX DSHS Responsibility 

1991-3 Standards for Protection Against Radiation 

Part 20 56 FR 23360; 56 FR 61352; 57 FR 38588; 57 FR 57877; 58 FR 67657; 59 FR 41641; 60 FR 20183 

01/01/1994 Final No Comments 

11/06/1997 

1991-4 Notification of Incidents 

Parts 20, 30, 31, 34, 39, 40, 70 56 FR 64980 

10/15/1994 Final No Comments 

01/07/1998 

1992-1 Quality Management Program and 

Misadministrations Part 35 56 FR 34104 (Superceded by 2002-2)

01/27/1995 Not Applicable Not Applicable TX DSHS Responsibility 
RATS ID NRC Chronology Identification Date Due for 

State Adoption 

Incoming Package 

Outgoing Package 

Notes 

1992-2 Eliminating the Recordkeeping Requirements 

for Departures from Manufacturer's Instructions Parts 30, 35 57 FR 45566 

none Not Required Not Required These regulation changes are not 

required to be adopted for purposes of Compatibility. 

1993-1 Decommissioning Recordkeeping and License 

Termination: Documentation Additions [Restricted areas and spill sites] Parts 30, 40 58 FR 39628 

10/25/1996 Final No Comments 

01/07/1998 

1993-2 Licensing and Radiation Safety Requirements for 

Irradiators Part 36 58 FR 7715 

07/01/1996 Not Applicable Not Applicable TX DSHS Responsibility 

1993-3 Definition of Land Disposal and Waste Site QA 

Program Part 61 58 FR 33886 

07/22/1996 Final No Comments 

01/07/1998 

1994-1 Self-Guarantee as an Additional Financial 

Mechanism Parts 30, 40, 70 58 FR 68726; 59 FR 1618 

none Final No Comments 

01/07/1998 

1994-2 Uranium Mill Tailings Regulations: Conforming 

NRC Requirements to EPA Standards Part 40 59 FR 28220 

07/01/1997 Final No Comments 

01/07/1998 
RATS ID NRC Chronology Identification Date Due for 

State Adoption 

Incoming Package 

Outgoing Package 

Notes 

1994-3 Timeliness in Decommissioning Material Facilities 

Parts 30, 40, 70 59 FR 36026 

08/15/1997 Final No Comments 

01/07/1998 

1995-1 Preparation, Transfer for Commercial Distribution, 

and Use of Byproduct Material for Medical Use Parts 30, 32, 35 59 FR 61767; 59 FR 65243; 60 FR 322 

01/01/1998 Not Applicable Not Applicable TX DSHS Responsibility 

1995-2 Frequency of Medical Examinations for Use of 

Respiratory Protection Equipment Part 20 60 FR 7900 

03/13/1998 Final No Comments 

01/07/1998 

1995-3 Low-Level Waste Shipment Manifest Information 

and Reporting Parts 20, 61 60 FR 15649; 60 FR 25983 

03/01/1998 Final No Comments 

01/07/1998 

1995-4 Performance Requirements for Radiography 

Equipment Part 34 60 FR 28323 (Superceded by 1997-5) 

06/30/1998 Not Applicable Not Applicable TX DSHS Responsibility 

1995-5 Radiation Protection Requirements: Amended 

Definitions and Criteria Parts 19, 20 60 FR 36038 

08/14/1998 Final No Comments 

01/07/1998 
RATS ID NRC Chronology Identification Date Due for 

State Adoption 

Incoming Package 

Outgoing Package 

Notes 

1995-6 Clarification of Decommissioning Funding 

Requirements Parts 30, 40, 70 60 FR 38235 

11/24/1998 Final No Comments 

01/07/1998 

1995-7 Medical Administration of Radiation and Radioactive 

Materials Parts 20, 35 60 FR 48623 (Superceded by 2002-2 and 2005-2) 

10/20/1998 Not Applicable Not Applicable TX DSHS Responsibility 

1996-1 Compatibility with the International Atomic Energy 

Agency Part 71 60 FR 50248; 61 FR 28724 (Superceded by 2004-1) 

04/01/1999 Not Applicable Not Applicable TX DSHS Responsibility 

1996-2 One Time Extension of Certain Byproduct, Source 

and Special Nuclear Materials Licenses Parts 30, 40, 70 61 FR 1109 

02/15/1999 Not Required Not Required 

These regulation changes are not required to be adopted for purposes of Compatibility. 

1996-3 Termination or Transfer of Licensed Activities: 

Record keeping Requirements Parts 20, 30, 40, 61, 70 61 FR 24669 

06/17/1999 Final No Comments 

01/07/1998 

1997-1 Resolution of Dual Regulation of Airborne Effluents 

of Radioactive Materials; Clean Air Act Part 20 61 FR 65120 

01/9/2000 Final 

ML012610092 

No Comments 11/26/01 ML013330250 
RATS ID NRC Chronology Identification Date Due for 

State Adoption 

Incoming Package 

Outgoing Package 

Notes 

1997-2 Recognition of Agreement State Licenses in Areas 

Under Exclusive Federal Jurisdiction Within an Agreement State Part 150 62 FR 1662 

02/27/2000 Not Applicable Not Applicable TX DSHS Responsibility 

1997-3 Criteria for the Release of Individuals Administered 

Radioactive Material Parts 20, 35 62 FR 4120 

05/29/2000 Not Applicable TX DSHS Responsibility 

1997-4 Fissile Material Shipments and Exemptions 

Part 71 62 FR 5907 (Superceded by 2004-1) 

02/10/2000 Not Required Not Required 

These regulation changes are not required to be adopted for purposes of Compatibility. (See STP-97-078) 

1997-5 Licenses for Industrial Radiography and Radiation 

Safety Requirements for Industrial Radiography Operations Parts 30, 34, 71, 150 62 FR 28947 

06/27/2000 Not Applicable Not Applicable TX DSHS Responsibility 

1997-6 Radiological Criteria for License Termination 

Parts 20, 30, 40, 70 62 FR 39057 

08/20/2000 Final 

ML063450071 

No Comments 01/09/2007 ML070090204 

1997-7 Exempt Distribution of a Radioactive Drug 

Containing One Micro curie of Carbon-14 Urea Part 30 62 FR 63634 

01/02/2001 Not Applicable Not Applicable TX DSHS Responsibility 
RATS ID NRC Chronology Identification Date Due for 

State Adoption 

Incoming Package 

Outgoing Package 

Notes 

1998-1 Deliberate Misconduct by Unlicensed Persons 

Parts 30, 40, 61, 70, 71, 150 63 FR 1890; 63 FR 13773 

02/12/2001 Final 

ML063450071 

No comments 1/09/07 ML070090204 

1998-2 Self-Guarantee of Decommissioning Funding by 

Nonprofit and Non-Bond-Issuing Licensees Parts 30, 40, 70 63 FR 29535 

07/01/2001 Not Required Not Required These regulation changes are not 

required to be adopted for purposes of Compatibility. 

1998-3 License Term for Medical Use Licenses 

Part 35 63 FR 31604 (Superceded by 2002-2) 

07/10/2001 Not Required Not Required These regulation changes are not 

required to be adopted for purposes of Compatibility. (See STP-98-074) 

1998-4 Licenses for Industrial Radiography and Radiation 

Safety Requirements for Industrial Radiographic Operations Part 34 63 FR 37059 

07/09/2001 Not Applicable Not Applicable TX DSHS Responsibility 

1998-5 Minor Corrections, Clarifying Changes, and a Minor 

Policy Change Parts 20, 32, 35, 36, 39 63 FR 39477; 63 FR 45393 

10/26/2001 Final 

ML012610092 

No Comments 11/26/2001 ML013330250 

1998-6 Transfer for Disposal and Manifests: Minor 

Technical Conforming Amendment Part 20 63 FR 50127 

11/20/2001 Final 

ML063450071 

No Comments 01/09/2007 ML070090204 
RATS ID NRC Chronology Identification Date Due for 

State Adoption 

Incoming Package 

Outgoing Package 

Notes 

*1999-1 Radiological Criteria for License Termination of 

Uranium Recovery Facilities Part 40 64 FR 17506 

06/11/2002 R1

ML13240A300 

Comments 10/03/2013 ML13240A299 

1999-2 Requirements for Those Who Possess Certain 

Industrial Devices Containing Byproduct Material to Provide Requested Information Part 31 64 FR 42269 

10/04/2002 Not Required Not Required These regulation changes are not 

required to be adopted for purposes of Compatibility. 

1999-3 Respiratory Protection and Controls to Restrict 

Internal Exposure Part 20 64 FR 54543; 64 FR 55524 

02/02/2003 Final 

ML012610092 

No Comments 11/26/2001 ML013330250 

2000-1 Energy Compensation Sources for Well Logging 

and Other Regulatory Clarifications Part 39 65 FR 20337 

05/17/2003 Not Applicable Not Applicable TX DSHS Responsibility 

2000-2 New Dosimetry Technology 

Parts 34, 36, 39 65 FR 63750 

01/08/2004 Not Applicable Not Applicable TX DSHS Responsibility 

2001-1 Requirements for Certain Generally Licensed 

Industrial Devices Containing Byproduct Material Parts 30, 31, 32 65 FR 79162 

02/16/2004 Not Applicable Not Applicable TX DSHS Responsibility 

2002-1 Revision of the Skin Dose Limit 04/05/2005 Final No Comments 
RATS ID NRC Chronology Identification Date Due for 

State Adoption 

Incoming Package 

Outgoing Package 

Notes 

Part 20 67 FR 16298 

ML063450071 01/09/2007 

ML070090204 

2002-2 Medical Use of Byproduct Material 

Parts 20, 32, 35 67 FR 20249 

10/24/2005 Not Applicable Not Applicable TX DSHS Responsibility 

2003-1 Financial Assurance for Materials Licensees 

Parts 30, 40, 70 68 FR 57327 

12/03/2006 Final 

ML063450071 

No Comments 01/09/2007 ML070090204 

2004-1 Compatibility With IAEA Transportation Safety 

Standards and Other Transportation Safety Amendments Part 71 69 FR 3697 

10/01/2007 Not Applicable Not Applicable TX DSHS Responsibility 

2005-1 Security Requirements for Portable Gauges 

Containing Byproduct Material Part 30 70 FR 2001 

07/11/2008 Not Applicable Not Applicable TX DSHS Responsibility 

2005-2 Medical Use of Byproduct Material - Recognition of 

Specialty Boards Part 35 70 FR 16336; 71 FR 1926 

04/29/2008 Not Applicable Not Applicable TX DSHS Responsibility 
RATS ID NRC Chronology Identification Date Due for 

State Adoption 

Incoming Package 

Outgoing Package 

Notes 

2005-3 Increased Controls for Risk-Significant Radioactive 

Sources (NRC Order EA-05-090)

70 FR 72128 

12/01/2005 Proposed 

ML111880217 License Condition ML052240226 

Comments 08/18/2011 ML112060277 No Comments 12/12/2005 ML053420404 

2006-1 Minor Amendments 

Parts 20, 30, 32, 35, 40 and 70 71 FR 15005 

03/27/2009 

2006-2 National Source Tracking System - Serialization 

Requirements Part 32 with reference to Part 20 Appendix E 71 FR 65685 

02/06/2007 Not Applicable Not Applicable TX DSHS Responsibility 

2006-3 National Source Tracking System 

Part 20 71 FR 65685, 72 FR 59162 

01/31/2009 Proposed 

ML111880217 

Comments 08/18/2011 ML112060277 

Note: Because of the upcoming licensee for a LLW site, TCEQ is adopting this provision prior to the LLW site becoming operational and receiving waste. 

2007-1 Medical Use of Byproduct Material - Minor 

Corrections and Clarifications Parts 32 and 35 72 FR 45147, 54207 

10/29/2010 Not Applicable Not Applicable TX DSHS Responsibility 

2007-2 Exemptions From Licensing, General Licenses, and 

Distribution of Byproduct Material: Licensing and 

12/17/2010 Not Applicable Not Applicable TX DSHS Responsibility 
RATS ID NRC Chronology Identification Date Due for 

State Adoption 

Incoming Package 

Outgoing Package 

Notes 

Reporting Requirements Parts 30, 31, 32, 150 72 FR 58473 

2007-3 Requirements for Expanded Definition of Byproduct 

Material Parts 20, 30, 31, 32, 33, 35, 61, 150 72 FR 55864 

11/30/2010 Proposed 

ML111880217 

Comments 08/18/2011 ML112060277 

2007-4 Order Imposing Fingerprinting Requirements and 

Criminal History Records Check Requirements for Unescorted Access to Certain Radioactive Material NRC Order EA-07-305 72 FR 70901 

06/05/2008 License 

Condition ML082100350 

No Comments 09/11/2008 ML082410019 

2008-1 Occupational Dose Records, Labeling Containers, 

and Total Effective Dose Equivalent Parts 19, 20 72 FR 68043 

02/15/2011 Proposed 

ML111880217 

No Comments 08/18/2011 ML112060277 

2009-1 Medical Use of Byproduct Material – Authorized 

User Clarification Part 35 74 FR 33901 

09/28/2012 TX DSHS Responsibility 

2011-1 Decommissioning Planning 

Parts 20, 30, 40, 70 76 FR 35512 

12/17/2015 

2011-2 Licenses, Certifications, and Approvals for Materials 

Licensees 

11/14/2014 
RATS ID NRC Chronology Identification Date Due for 

State Adoption 

Incoming Package 

Outgoing Package 

Notes 

Parts 30, 36, 39, 40, 70, and 150 76 FR 56951 

2012-1 Change of Compatibility of 10 CFR 31.5 and 31.6 

(See RATS ID: 2001-1 for Rule text) 77 FR 3640 

01/25/2015 TX DSHS Responsibility 

2012-2 Advance Notification to Native American Tribes of 

Transportation of Certain Types of Nuclear Waste Part 71 77 FR 34194 

08/10/2015 

2012-3 Technical Corrections 

Part 30, 34, 40 and 70 77 FR 39899 

08/06/2015 

2012-4 Requirements for Distribution of Byproduct Material 

Parts 30, 31, 32, 40 and 70 77 FR 43666 

10/23/2015 

2013-1 Physical Protection of Byproduct Material, 10 CFR 

Parts 20, 30, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 39, and 71 78 FR 16922 

03/19/2016 

2013-2 Distribution of Source Material to Exempt Persons 

and to General Licensees and Revision of General License and Exemptions, 10 CFR Parts 30, 40, and 70 78 FR 32310 

08/27/2016 
RATS ID NRC Chronology Identification Date Due for 

State Adoption 

Incoming Package 

Outgoing Package 

Notes 

N/A Compact Waste Disposal Facility and Commingling 

of Waste Part 61 

N/A Final 

ML121230326 

No Comments 06/29/2012 ML12152A150 

*N/A 10 CFR Part 40 N/A R1

ML13240A300 

Comments 10/03/2013 ML13240A299 

N/A Exemption for Radioactive Substances from 

Disposal Requirements 

N/A Final 

ML13176A107 

No Comments 08/15/2013 ML13176A104 

N/A Legislation on Production Area Authorizations and 

Compact Waste 

N/A Final 

ML13178A064 

No Comments 08/23/2013 ML13178A059 

1R Stands for proposed revisions to a final rule