5062 Federal Register / Vol. 62, No. 22 / Monday, February 3, 1997 / Notices

unnecessary burden on plant operators

to ensure safety limits are maintained.

The licensee has requested the use of

the American Society of Mechanical

Engineers Boiler and Pressure Vessel

Code (ASME Code) Case N–514, ‘‘Low

Temperature Overpressure Protection,’’

which allows exceeding the pressure of

the P/T limits of 10 CFR Part 50,

Appendix G, by 10 percent. ASME Code

Case N–514, the proposed alternate

methodology, is consistent with

guidelines developed by the ASME

Working Group on Operating Plant

Criteria to define pressure limits during

LTOP events that avoid certain

unnecessary operational restrictions,

provide adequate margins against failure

of the reactor pressure vessel, and

reduce the potential for unnecessary

activation of pressure-relieving devices

used for LTOP. ASME Code Case N–514

has been approved by the ASME Code

Committee. The content of this code

case has been incorporated into

Appendix G of Section XI of the ASME

Code and published in the 1993

Addenda to Section XI.

III

Pursuant to 10 CFR 50.12, the

Commission may, upon application by

any interested person or upon its own

initiative, grant exemptions from the

requirements of 10 CFR Part 50 when (1)

the exemptions are authorized by law,

will not present an undue risk to public

health or safety, and are consistent with

the common defense and security and

(2) when special circumstances are

present. Special circumstances are

present whenever, according to 10 CFR

50.12(a)(2)(ii), ‘‘Application of the

regulation in the particular

circumstances would not serve the

underlying purpose of the rule or is not

necessary to achieve the underlying

purpose of the rule.’’

The underlying purpose of 10 CFR

50.60, Appendix G, is to establish

fracture toughness requirements for

ferritic materials of pressure-retaining

components of the reactor coolant

pressure boundary to provide adequate

margins of safety during any condition

of normal operation, including

anticipated operational occurrences, to

which the pressure boundary may be

subjected over its service lifetime.

Section IV.A.2 of this appendix requires

that the reactor vessel be operated with

P/T limits at least as conservative as

those obtained by following the

methods of analysis and the required

margins of safety of Appendix G of the

ASME Code, Section XI.

Appendix G of Section XI of the

ASME Code requires that the P/T limits

be calculated (a) using a safety factor of

2 on the principal membrane (pressure)

stresses, (b) assuming a flaw at the

surface with a depth of one-quarter (1⁄4)

of the vessel wall thickness and a length

of 6 times its depth, and (c) using a

conservative fracture toughness curve

that is based on the lower bound of

static, dynamic, and crack arrest fracture

toughness tests on material similar to

the Point Beach reactor vessel material.

In determining the setpoint for LTOP

events, the licensee proposed to use

safety margins based on an alternate

methodology consistent with the ASME

Code Case N–514 guidelines. The ASME

Code Case N–514 allows determination

of the setpoint for LTOP events such

that the maximum pressure in the vessel

would not exceed 110 percent of the

P/T limits of the existing ASME Code,

Section XI, Appendix G. This approach

results in a safety factor of 1.8 on

pressure. All other factors, including

assumed flaw size and fracture

toughness, remain the same. Although

this methodology would reduce the

safety factor on pressure, it was

demonstrated in the Bases of the ASME

Code Case N–514 that due to the

isothermal nature of LTOP events, the

margin with respect to toughness for

LTOP transients is within the range

provided by ASME, Section XI,

Appendix G for normal heatup and

cooldown in the low temperature range.

Thus, applying Code Case N–514 will

satisfy the underlying purpose of 10

CFR 50.60 for fracture toughness

requirements. Further, by relieving the

operational restrictions, the potential for

undesirable lifting of the PORV would

be reduced, thereby improving plant

safety.

IV

For the foregoing reasons, the NRC

staff has concluded that the licensee’s

proposed use of the alternate

methodology in determining the

acceptable setpoint for LTOP events will

not present an undue risk to public

health and safety and is consistent with

the common defense and security. The

NRC staff has determined that there are

special circumstances present, as

specified in 10 CFR 50.12(a)(2)(ii), in

that application of 10 CFR 50.60 is not

necessary in order to achieve the

underlying purpose of this regulation.

Accordingly, the Commission has

determined that, pursuant to 10 CFR

50.12(a), an exemption is authorized by

law, will not endanger life or property

or common defense and security, and is

otherwise in the public interest.

Therefore, the Commission hereby

grants an exemption from the

requirements of 10 CFR 50.60 such that

in determining the setpoint for LTOP

events, the Appendix G curves for P/T

limits are not exceeded by more than 10

percent. This exemption is applicable

only to LTOP conditions during normal

operation.

Pursuant to 10 CFR 51.32, the

Commission has determined that the

granting of this exemption will not have

a significant effect on the quality of the

human environment (61 FR 66062).

This exemption is effective upon

issuance.

For the Nuclear Regulatory Commission.

Dated at Rockville, Maryland, this 27th day

of January 1997.

Frank J. Miraglia

Acting Director, Office of Nuclear Reactor

Regulation.

[FR Doc. 97–2537 Filed 1–31–97; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 7590–01–P

OFFICE OF PERSONNEL

MANAGEMENT

Federal Prevailing Rate Advisory

Committee; Open Committee Meeting

According to the provisions of section

10 of the Federal Advisory Committee

Act (Pub. L. 92–463), notice is hereby

given that meetings of the Federal

Prevailing Rate Advisory Committee

will be held on Wednesday, February 5,

1997.

The meeting will start at 10:45 a.m.

and will be held in Room 5A06A, Office

of Personnel Management Building,

1900 E Street, NW., Washington, DC.

The Federal Prevailing Rate Advisory

Committee is composed of a Chair, five

representatives from labor unions

holding exclusive bargaining rights for

Federal blue-collar employees, and five

representatives from Federal agencies.

Entitlement to membership on the

Committee is provided for in 5 U.S.C.

5347.

The Committee’s primary

responsibility is to review the Prevailing

Rate System and other matters pertinent

to establishing prevailing rates under

subchapter IV, chapter 53, 5 U.S.C., as

amended, and from time to time advise

the Office of Personnel Management.

These scheduled meetings will start

in open session with both labor and

management representatives attending.

During the meeting either the labor

members or the management members

may caucus separately with the Chair to

devise strategy and formulate positions.

Premature disclosure of the matters

discussed in these caucuses would

unacceptably impair the ability of the

Committee to reach a consensus on the

matters being considered and would

disrupt substantially the disposition of
Federal Register / Vol. 62, No. 22 / Monday, February 3, 1997 / Notices 5063

1 15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(1).

2 17 CFR 240.19b–4.

3See Securities Exchange Act Release No. 37653

(September 6, 1996), 61 FR 48185 (September 12,

1996).

4See letter from James E. Buck, Senior Vice

President and Secretary, New York Stock Exchange,

Inc. (‘‘NYSE’’), to Jonathan G. Katz, Secretary,

Commission, dated October 10, 1996.

its business. Therefore, these caucuses

will be closed to the public because of

a determination made by the Director of

the Office of Personnel Management

under the provisions of section 10(d) of

the Federal Advisory Committee Act

(Pub. L. 92–463) and 5 U.S.C.

552b(c)(9)(B). These caucuses may,

depending on the issues involved,

constitute a substantial portion of the

meeting.

Annually, the Chair compiles a report

of pay issues discussed and concluded

recommendations. These reports are

available to the public, upon written

request to the Committee’s Secretary.

The public is invited to submit

material in writing to the Chair on

Federal Wage System pay matters felt to

be deserving of the Committee’s

attention. Additional information on

these meetings may be obtained by

contacting the Committee’s Secretary,

Office of Personnel Management,

Federal Prevailing Rate Advisory

Committee, Room 5559, 1900 E Street

NW., Washington, DC 20415 (202) 606–

1500.

Dated: January 27, 1997.

Phyllis G. Foley,

Chair, Federal Prevailing Rate Advisory

Committee.

[FR Doc. 97–2614 Filed 1–31–97; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 6325–01–M

The National Partnership Council;

Meeting

AGENCY: Office of Personnel

Management.

ACTION: Notice of meeting.

TIME AND DATE: 1 p.m., February 12,

1997.

PLACE: OPM Conference Center, Room

1350, Theodore Roosevelt Building,

1900 E Street, NW., Washington, DC

20415–0001. The conference center is

located on the first floor.

STATUS: This meeting will be open to the

public. Seating will be available on a

first-come, first-served basis.

Individuals with special access needs

wishing to attend should contact OPM

at the number shown below to obtain

appropriate accommodations.

MATTERS TO BE CONSIDERED: The

National Partnership Council (NPC) will

receive a briefing on the status of career

transition services to Federal

employees. Also, there will be a

presentation of the NPC Project Team

plan for working with labormanagement partnerships that are facing

difficulties, and a presentation on the

findings of the Senior Executives

Association survey of senior executives

in the Federal Government.

CONTACT PERSON FOR MORE INFORMATION:

Michael Cushing, Director, Center for

Partnership and Labor-Management

Relations, Office of Personnel

Management, Theodore Roosevelt

Building, 1900 E Street, NW., Room

7H28, Washington, DC 20415–0001,

(202) 606–0010.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: We invite

interested persons and organizations to

submit written comments. Mail or

deliver your comments to Michael

Cushing at the address shown above. To

be considered at the February 12

meeting, written comments should be

received by February 7.

Office of Personnel Management.

James B. King,

Director.

[FR Doc. 97–2615 Filed 1–31–97; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 6325–01–M

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE

COMMISSION

[File No. 1–9307]

Issuer Delisting; Notice of Application

To Withdraw From Listing and

Registration; (Gundle/SLT

Environmental, Inc., Common Stock,

$0.01 Par Value)

January 28, 1997.

Gundle/SLT Environmental, Inc.

(‘‘Company’’) has filed an application

with the Securities and Exchange

Commission (‘‘Commission’’), pursuant

to Section 12(d) of the Securities

Exchange Act of 1934 (‘‘Act’’) and Rule

12d2–2(d) promulgated thereunder, to

withdraw the above specified security

(‘‘Security’’) from listing and

registration on the American Stock

Exchange, Inc. (‘‘Amex’’).

The reasons alleged in the application

for withdrawing the Security from

listing and registration include the

following:

According to the Company, it has

complied with Rule 18 of the Amex by

filing with such Exchange a certified

copy of preambles and resolutions

adopted by the Company’s Board of

Directors authorizing the withdrawal of

its security from listing on the Amex

and by setting forth in detail to such

Exchange the reasons for such proposed

withdrawal, and the facts in support

thereof. The Security of the Company

has been listed on the New York Stock

Exchange, Inc. (‘‘NYSE’’) as of December

10, 1996. In making the decision to

withdraw the Security from listing on

the Amex, the Company considered the

sufficient liquidity provided by its

listing on the NYSE and the

corresponding reduction in benefits

provided by the costs associated with

maintaining the Amex listing.

Any interested person may, on or

before February 19, 1997, submit by

letter to the Secretary of the Securities

and Exchange Commission, 450 Fifth

Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20549,

facts bearing upon whether the

application has been made in

accordance with the rules of the

exchanges and what terms, if any,

should be imposed by the Commission

for the protection of investors. The

Commission, based on the information

submitted to it, will issue an order

granting the application after the date

mentioned above, unless the

Commission determines to order a

hearing on the matter.

For the Commission, by the Division of

Market Regulation, pursuant to delegated

authority.

Jonathan G. Katz,

Secretary.

[FR Doc. 97–2560 Filed 1–31–97; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 8010–01–M

[Release No. 34–38211; File No. SR–CSE–

96–05]

Self-Regulatory Organizations; Order

Approving Proposed Rule Change and

Amendment No. 1 Thereto by the

Cincinnati Stock Exchange Relating to

Day Trading Margin Requirements

January 28, 1997.

On August 15, 1996, the Cincinnati

Stock Exchange (‘‘CSE’’ or ‘‘Exchange’’)

submitted to the Securities and

Exchange Commission (‘‘SEC’’ or

‘‘Commission’’), pursuant to Section

19(b)(1) of the Securities Exchange Act

of 1934 (‘‘Act’’),1 and Rule 16b–4

thereunder,2 a proposed rule change to

implement Rule 6.2, Day Trading

Margin. Notice of the proposed rule

change was published for comment and

appeared in the Federal Register on

September 12, 1996.3 One comment

letter was received on the proposal.4 In

response to the comment letter, the

Exchange filed Amendment No. 1 to the

proposal which was published in the

Federal Register on December 19,