[Federal Register Volume 65, Number 210 (Monday, October 30, 2000)]
[Notices]
[Page 64725]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 00-27808]



[[Page 64725]]

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NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION

[Docket No. 50-391]


In the Matter of Tennessee Valley Authority (Watts Bar Nuclear 
Plant, Unit 2); Order

    Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA, the permittee) is the current 
holder of Construction Permit No. CPPR-92, issued by the Atomic Energy 
Commission on January 23, 1973, for construction of the Watts Bar 
Nuclear Plant (WBN), Unit 2. (CPPR-91 for construction of WBN Unit 1 
was also issued on January 23, 1973, and Facility Operating License 
NPF-90 was issued for operation of Unit 1 on February 7, 1996.) Unit 2 
is currently partially completed and is being maintained in a 
construction layup status. These facilities are at the permittee's site 
on the west branch of the Tennessee River approximately 50 miles 
northeast of Chattanooga, Tennessee.
    On October 13, 1999, the Tennessee Valley Authority filed a request 
pursuant to 10 CFR 50.55(b) for an extension of the completion date for 
Unit 2 to December 31, 2010. This request was supplemented by letter 
dated July 14, 2000. The permittee requested this extension for Unit 2 
for the following reasons, as stated in its application:

    At this time, WBN Unit 2 is being maintained in a construction 
layup status. TVA plans to maintain the unit in this status pending 
the determination of new generation (supply-side) options to meet 
future electric power demands. TVA's integrated resource plan--
Energy Vision 2020--identified the need for a flexible range of 
options and alternatives required to meet, among other things, the 
Tennessee Valley region's new base-load power supply needs through 
the year 2020. Recent record breaking energy demand in the Tennessee 
Valley reinforced TVA's obligation to provide ample safe, economic, 
reliable, and environmentally responsible sources of electric power. 
Fulfilling this responsibility in light of the many uncertainties 
associated with the future electric utility industry makes it 
imperative that TVA maintain a robust and flexible range of 
generating options. The extension of WBN Unit 2's construction 
permit will help TVA maintain a full scope of competitive energy 
production choices.

    In support of this request, the permittee stated that

    [WBN Unit 2 meets] * * * NRC's definition for deferred nuclear 
plant units as described in Generic Letter (GL) 87-15, ``Policy 
Statement on Deferred Plants.'' Consideration of these units in a 
deferred status does not constitute a reduction in commitment in 
accordance with 10 CFR 50.55(f)(3)(i).
    The current quality assurance requirements applicable to the 
subject units, particularly the maintenance, preservation, and 
documentation requirements, will continue in accordance with the 
Nuclear Quality Assurance Plan * * * (NQA Plan). Future changes to 
the NQA Plan may be submitted commensurate with the site activities 
and expected length of delay, in accordance with 10 CFR 50.55(f)(3).
    TVA has established maintenance and lay-up programs that are 
described and controlled in accordance with approved plant 
procedures. No changes have been made to these programs as a result 
of considering these units in accordance with GL 87-15. These 
programs have been inspected periodically since their inception. NRC 
conducted the last inspection of * * * WBN Unit 2 in July 1999* * *, 
and no findings or violations were identified.
    Consistent with GL 87-15 * * * and 10 CFR 2.109, ``Effect of 
Timely Renewal Application,'' TVA is maintaining * * * [the WBN Unit 
2] construction permit * * * . At this time, no projected date for 
the resumption of construction activities for * * * [WBN Unit 2] is 
available.

    The NRC's Policy Statement on Deferred Plants addresses extension 
of construction permits for plants in deferred status and states that 
the staff will consider such extensions in accordance with 10 CFR 
50.55(b). Section 50.55(b) does not specify any limit on the duration 
of an extension that the staff may grant, but states that ``Upon good 
cause shown the Commission will extend the completion date for a 
reasonable period of time.'' The staff has concluded that the 
permitee's stated bases for the requested duration of the extension 
represent good cause and are reasonable, and that this action involves 
no significant hazards consideration.
    Pursuant to 10 CFR 51.32, the Commission has determined that 
extending the construction completion date will have no significant 
impact on the environment.
    The NRC staff has prepared an environmental assessment and finding 
of no significant impact which was published in the Federal Register on 
October 10, 2000.
    For further details with respect to this action, see the 
application dated October 13, 1999, as supplemented by letter dated 
July 14, 2000, and the NRC staff's letter and Safety Evaluation of the 
request for extension of the construction permit, dated October 24, 
2000. Documents may be examined, and/or copied for a fee, at the NRC's 
Public Document Room, located at One White Flint North, 11555 Rockville 
Pike (first floor), Rockville, Maryland, and are accessible 
electronically through the ADAMS public Electronic Reading Room link at 
the NRC Web site (http://www.nrc.gov).
    It Is Hereby Ordered That the latest completion date for 
Construction Permit No. CPPR-92 is extended from December 31, 1999, to 
December 31, 2010.

    Dated at Rockville, Maryland, this 24th day of October 2000.

    For the Nuclear Regulatory Commission.
Brian W. Sheron,
 Acting Director, Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation.
[FR Doc. 00-27808 Filed 10-27-00; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 7590-01-P