35208 Federal Register / Vol. 74, No. 137 / Monday, July 20, 2009 / Notices 

CALCULATIONS USED TO ESTIMATE OVERALL RESPONSE BURDEN FOR THE ISE ONLINE COLLECTION 1

Respondent type Number of 

respondents 

Hours per 

respondent 

type 

Annual person 

hour total 

Initial submission: 

PIs—Full-scale and Broad Implementation .............................................................. 23 24 552 

PIs—Research, Pathways, CRPA ............................................................................ 17 16 272 

PIs—Conferences, EAGER, RAPID ......................................................................... 15 16 240 

Annual report: 

PIs—Full-scale and Broad Implementation .............................................................. 69 8 552 

PIs—Research, Pathways, CRPA ............................................................................ 51 4 204 

PIs—Conferences, EAGER, RAPID ......................................................................... 0 N/A 0 

Closeout report: 

PIs—Full-scale and Broad Implementation .............................................................. 23 16 368 

PIs—Research, Pathways, CRPA ............................................................................ 17 10 170 

PIs—Conferences, EAGER, RAPID ......................................................................... 15 10 150 

Total ................................................................................................................... 230 ............................ 2,508 

1Estimates are provided for a typical annual collection cycle. Hours per respondent type figures and annual person hour totals are based on 

an average duration of 3.5 years for all award types excluding Conference, EAGER, and RAPID awards (i.e., 40 awards per year). Conference, 

EAGER, and RAPID awards each have an average duration of 1 year. Therefore, the 69 Full-scale and Broad Implementation respondents listed 

as completing an annual report are comprised of those projects who received Full-scale and Broad Implementation awards (23 each year) during 

the prior three years. Similarly, the 51 Research, Pathways, and CRPA respondents listed as completing an annual report are comprised of 

those projects who received these types of awards (17 each year) over the prior three years. 

Dated: July 14, 2009. 

Suzanne H. Plimpton, 

Reports Clearance Officer, National Science 

Foundation. 

[FR Doc. E9–17102 Filed 7–17–09; 8:45 am] 

BILLING CODE 7555–01–P 

NUCLEAR REGULATORY 

COMMISSION 

Sunshine Federal Register Notice 

AGENCY HOLDING THE MEETINGS: Nuclear 

Regulatory Commission. 

DATE: Week of July 20, 2009. 

PLACE: Commissioners’ Conference 

Room, 11555 Rockville Pike, Rockville, 

Maryland. 

STATUS: Public and Closed. 

ADDITIONAL ITEMS TO BE CONSIDERED: 

Week of July 20, 2009 

Thursday, July 23, 2009 

1:25 p.m. Affirmation Session (Public 

Meeting) (Tentative). 

a. Southern Nuclear Operating Co. 

(Vogtle Electric Generating Plant, 

Units 3 and 4), LBP–09–3 (Ruling 

on Standing and Contention 

Admissibility); Virginia Electric and 

Power Co. (North Anna Unit 3), 

LBP–08–15 (Ruling on Standing 

and Contention Admissibility) 

(Tentative). 

b. Draft Notice and Order for Areva 

Enrichment Services, LLC 

(Tentative). 

* * * * * 

*The schedule for Commission 

meetings is subject to change on short 

notice. To verify the status of meetings, 

call (recording)—(301) 415–1292. 

CONTACT PERSON FOR MORE INFORMATION: 

Rochelle Bavol, (301) 415–1651. 

* * * * * 

The NRC Commission Meeting 

Schedule can be found on the Internet 

at: http://www.nrc.gov/about-nrc/policymaking/schedule.html. 

* * * * * 

The NRC provides reasonable 

accommodation to individuals with 

disabilities where appropriate. If you 

need a reasonable accommodation to 

participate in these public meetings, or 

need this meeting notice or the 

transcript or other information from the 

public meetings in another format (e.g. 

braille, large print), please notify the 

NRC’s Disability Program Coordinator, 

Rohn Brown, at 301–492–2279, TDD: 

301–415–2100, or by e-mail at 

rohn.brown@nrc.gov. Determinations on 

requests for reasonable accommodation 

will be made on a case-by-case basis. 

* * * * * 

This notice is distributed 

electronically to subscribers. If you no 

longer wish to receive it, or would like 

to be added to the distribution, please 

contact the Office of the Secretary, 

Washington, DC 20555 (301–415–1969), 

or send an e-mail to 

darlene.wright@nrc.gov. 

Dated: July 15, 2009. 

Rochelle C. Bavol, 

Office of the Secretary. 

[FR Doc. E9–17260 Filed 7–16–09; 4:15 pm] 

BILLING CODE 7590–01–P 

NUCLEAR REGULATORY 

COMMISSION 

[NRC–2009–0317] 

Proposed Generic Communication; 

Emergency Response Data System 

Upgrade From Modem to Virtual 

Private Network Appliance 

AGENCY: Nuclear Regulatory 

Commission. 

ACTION: Notice of opportunity for public 

comment. 

SUMMARY: The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory 

Commission (NRC) is proposing to issue 

a regulatory issue summary (RIS) to 

notify current and future power reactor 

licensees of pending changes to the 

technology used to transmit data from 

power reactor facility sites to the 

emergency response data system (ERDS) 

server at NRC Headquarters (HQ) and to 

solicit licensees to transition voluntarily 

to the new technology. 

The RIS is available through the 

NRC’s Agencywide Documents Access 

and Management System (ADAMS) 

under accession number ML091350153. 

DATES: Comment period expires 

September 3, 2009. Comments 

submitted after this date will be 

considered if it is practical to do so, but 

assurance of consideration cannot be 

given except for comments received on 

or before this date. 

ADDRESSES: Submit written comments 

to the Chief, Rulemaking and Directives 

Branch, Division of Administrative 

Services, Office of Administration, U.S. 

Nuclear Regulatory Commission, Mail 

Stop TWB 5B01M, Washington, DC 

20555–0001, and cite the publication 


erowe on DSK5CLS3C1PROD with NOTICES
Federal Register / Vol. 74, No. 137 / Monday, July 20, 2009 / Notices 35209 

date and page number of this Federal 

Register notice. 

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: 

Robert Stransky, Senior Emergency 

Response Coordinator, Operations 

Branch, Division of Preparedness and 

Response, Office of Nuclear Security 

and Incident Response, U.S. Nuclear 

Regulatory Commission, Washington, 

DC 20555. Telephone: (301) 415–6411; 

fax number: (301) 415–6382; e-mail: 

Robert.Stransky@nrc.gov. 

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

NRC Regulatory Issue Summary 2009– 

XX; Emergency Response Data System 

Upgrade From Modem to Virtual 

Private Network Appliance 

Addressees 

All holders of operating licenses for 

nuclear power reactors under the 

provisions of Title 10 of the Code of 

Federal Regulations (10 CFR) Part 50, 

‘‘Domestic Licensing of Production and 

Utilization Facilities,’’ except those that 

have ceased operations and have 

certified that fuel has been permanently 

removed from the reactor vessel. 

All holders of, and applicants for, 

nuclear power plant construction 

permits under the provisions of 10 CFR 

Part 50, ‘‘Domestic Licensing of 

Production and Utilization Facilities.’’ 

All holders of, and applicants for, 

combined licenses under the provisions 

of 10 CFR Part 52, ‘‘Licenses, 

Certifications, and Approvals for 

Nuclear Power Plants.’’ 

Intent 

The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory 

Commission (NRC) is issuing this 

regulatory issue summary (RIS) to notify 

current and future power reactor 

licensees of pending changes to the 

technology used to transmit data from 

power reactor facility sites to the 

emergency response data system (ERDS) 

server at NRC Headquarters (HQ) and to 

solicit licensees to transition voluntarily 

to the new technology. 

Background 

In Appendix E to 10 CFR Part 50, the 

NRC requires power reactor licensees to 

transmit ERDS data to a server at NRC 

HQ. Licensees currently use analog 

modulator/demodulators (modems) to 

establish point-to-point data 

connections. Although this technology 

was state of the art when ERDS was first 

implemented, it is now obsolete, and 

replacement equipment is no longer 

readily available. In addition, the use of 

modems inherently introduces a cyber 

security vulnerability to the systems to 

which they are attached. 

As part of the NRC’s current effort to 

modernize the ERDS infrastructure, the 

NRC has been working with individual 

licensees to develop an acceptable 

solution to replace the existing modems. 

The most promising technology 

explored was virtual private network 

(VPN) technology used to create a 

secure point-to-point data pathway 

between the licensee site and NRC HQ. 

This VPN technology is a current, 

stable, and reliable information 

technology industry standard. In 

addition, this technology will permit all 

ERDS-enabled facilities to connect to 

NRC HQ simultaneously, thus, 

enhancing the NRC’s ability to respond 

to incidents that may affect multiple 

licensees simultaneously, such as grid 

instability events. 

From September 2008 through 

December 2008, the NRC conducted 

prototype testing with several licensees 

(i.e., Exelon Nuclear Corporation, 

Progress Energy, and the Tennessee 

Valley Authority) to investigate the 

viability of using a VPN for the secure 

transmission of data from power reactor 

facilities to the ERDS server located at 

NRC HQ. The NRC provided VPN 

appliances and configuration support to 

these licensees. All major test objectives 

were met. Based on the success of the 

prototype testing and on the interest 

expressed by numerous licensees, the 

NRC intends to proceed with the 

replacement of existing analog modems 

with VPN devices. The purpose of this 

RIS is to solicit licensees to transition 

voluntarily to the VPN technology. 

Summary of Issues 

This RIS informs licensees of a 

voluntary program that they can 

participate in to upgrade the technology 

used to transmit plant information to 

the ERDS server in order to address the 

following two issues: 

(1) The modem technology currently 

employed to transmit ERDS data from 

power reactor sites to NRC HQ is 

obsolete. In addition, replacement 

modems are no longer readily available. 

(2) The use of modems inherently 

introduces cyber security vulnerabilities 

to the systems to which they are 

attached. 

Based on the success of the prototype 

testing, the NRC has decided to enter 

into a voluntary program with 

individual licensees to replace the 

current NRC-supplied modem with an 

NRC supplied VPN appliance. As of 

May 1, 2009, licensees representing 19 

sites have already expressed interest in 

transitioning to the VPN solution. 

Although ongoing implementation of 

the ERDS modernization project will 

change the device used to transmit data, 

it does not affect the criteria for 

transmitting ERDS data, the 

transmission frequency, the data point 

library, or any other aspect of ERDS 

implementation as described in 10 CFR 

50.72(a)(4); Appendix E, ‘‘Emergency 

Planning and Preparedness for 

Production and Utilization Facilities,’’ 

to 10 CFR Part 50; and NUREG–1394, 

Revision 1, ‘‘Emergency Response Data 

System Implementation,’’ published in 

June 1991. The NRC staff also notes that 

the use of an NRC-provided VPN 

appliance, when properly configured, is 

consistent with guidance provided in 

Regulatory Guide 5.71, ‘‘Cyber Security 

Programs for Nuclear Facilities,’’ 

(Official Use Only-Security Related 

Information) 

Licensees interested in participating 

in the voluntary program to replace 

their modems with an NRC-supplied 

VPN appliance are encouraged to 

contact the ERDS support desk by 

telephone at (301) 415–0467 or through 

e-mail at ERDS.Resource@nrc.gov. The 

NRC will support licensee requests in 

the order in which they are received. 

Backfit Discussion 

The intent of this RIS is to inform 

stakeholders of a change to the data 

transmission technology for ERDS 

information. This change is a part of the 

continuing ERDS modernization project, 

and it will provide improved technology 

and cyber security for both licensees 

and the NRC. This RIS informs 

stakeholders of the change to the 

technology to transmit ERDS data to the 

NRC in accordance with 10 CFR Part 50 

and to solicit voluntary participation by 

licensees in a program to replace 

obsolete technology with modern 

equipment. 

This RIS provides licensees an 

opportunity to schedule a replacement 

of NRC-provided obsolete modems with 

NRC-provided VPN technology. The 

staff is not imposing any new positions 

on licensees. This RIS is not providing 

any new regulatory requirements. This 

RIS only conveys the NRC’s plan to 

address issues with the current ERDS 

modem technology. No action is 

required on the part of any licensee; 

therefore, this document does not 

constitute a backfit under 10 CFR 

50.109, ‘‘Backfitting.’’ Consequently, the 

staff did not perform a backfit analysis. 

Federal Register Notification 

Although this RIS is informational 

and does not represent a departure from 

current regulatory requirements, a 

notice of opportunity for public 

comment on this RIS was published in 

the Federal Register (74 FR xxxxx). 


erowe on DSK5CLS3C1PROD with NOTICES
35210 Federal Register / Vol. 74, No. 137 / Monday, July 20, 2009 / Notices 

1Request of the United States Postal Service for 

an Advisory Opinion on Changes in Postal Services, 

July 2, 2009; and Notice of the United States Postal 

Service of Filing Erratum to Request [Erratum], July 

2, 2009 (Request). 

2USPS–LR–N2009–1/1 Official Record to Close 

the Buhl, PA Classified Station, Docket No. 16146 

(Public Version); and USPS–LR–N2009–1/NP1 

Official Record to Close the Buhl, PA Classified 

Station, Docket No. 16146 (Non-Public Version). 

The public version excludes the names of 

customers and postal patrons providing comments 

to the Postal Service. 

3USPS–LR–N2009–1/2 Official Record to Close 

the Washburn, IA Classified Branch, Docket No. 

50706 (Public Version); and USPS–LR–N2009–1/ 

NP2 Official Record to Close the Washburn, IA 

Classified Branch, Docket No. 50706 (Non-Public 

Version). The public version excludes the names of 

customers and postal patrons providing comments 

to the Postal Service. 

Congressional Review Act 

This RIS is not a rule as designated by 

the Congressional Review Act (5 U.S.C. 

801–808) and, therefore, is not subject to 

the Act. 

Paperwork Reduction Act Statement 

This RIS does not contain information 

collections and, therefore, is not subject 

to the requirements of the Paperwork 

Reduction Act of 1995 (44 U.S.C. 3501, 

et seq.). 

Public Protection Notification 

The NRC may not conduct or sponsor, 

and a person is not required to respond 

to, a request for information or an 

information collection requirement 

unless the requesting document 

displays a current valid Office of 

Management and Budget control 

number. 

Contact 

Please direct any questions about this 

matter to one of the technical contacts 

listed below: 

Glenn M. Tracy, Director, Division of 

Construction Inspection and 

Operational Programs, Office of New 

Reactors; 

Timothy J. McGinty, Director, Division 

of Policy and Rulemaking, Office of 

Nuclear Reactor Regulation. 

Technical Contacts: 

Roberto Figueroa, (301) 415–6075, Email: roberto.figueroa@nrc.gov. 

Robert Stransky, (301) 415–6411, Email: robert.stransky@nrc.gov. 

End of Draft Regulatory Issue Summary 

Documents may be examined, and/or 

copied for a fee, at the NRC’s Public 

Document Room at One White Flint 

North, 11555 Rockville Pike (first floor), 

Rockville, Maryland. Publicly available 

records will be accessible electronically 

from the Agencywide Documents 

Access and Management System 

(ADAMS) Public Electronic Reading 

Room on the Internet at the NRC Web 

site, http://www.nrc.gov/NRC/ADAMS/ 

index.html. If you do not have access to 

ADAMS or if you have problems in 

accessing the documents in ADAMS, 

contact the NRC Public Document Room 

(PDR) reference staff at 1–800–397–4209 

or 301–415–4737 or by e-mail to 

pdr@nrc.gov. 

Dated at Rockville, Maryland, this 13th day 

of July 2009. 

For the Nuclear Regulatory Commission. 

Martin C. Murphy, 

Chief, Generic Communications Branch, 

Division of Policy and Rulemaking, Office 

of Nuclear Reactor Regulation. 

[FR Doc. E9–17164 Filed 7–17–09; 8:45 am] 

BILLING CODE 7590–01–P 

POSTAL REGULATORY COMMISSION 

[Docket No. N2009–1; Order No. 244] 

Postal Retail Network Consolidation 

AGENCY: Postal Regulatory Commission. 

ACTION: Notice related to postal retail 

network consolidation initiative. 

SUMMARY: This document addresses a 

recent Postal Service filing seeking 

Commission action on matters related to 

a retail network consolidation plan 

affecting certain postal stations and 

branches and postal patrons, primarily 

through consolidation of facilities. It 

includes information on several related 

procedural steps, including intervention 

and a prehearing conference. 

DATES: Deadline for notices of 

intervention, requests for hearings, and 

required statements: July 28, 2009; 

prehearing conference (9:30 a.m.): July 

30, 2009. 

ADDRESSES: Submit filings electronically 

via the Commission’s Filing Online 

system at http://www.prc.gov. 

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: 

Stephen L. Sharman, general counsel, 

202–789–6820. 

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: On July 2, 

2009, the United States Postal Service 

(Postal Service) filed a request with the 

Postal Regulatory Commission 

(Commission) asking for a 

determination whether a plan to 

optimize the postal retail network by 

consolidating the operations of some 

retail stations and branches into nearby 

facilities constitutes a change in the 

nature of postal services, substantially 

on a nationwide basis, within the 

meaning of 39 U.S.C. 3661(c).1 The 

Postal Service describes the plan as the 

Postal Service Station and Branch 

Optimization and Consolidation 

Initiative (Initiative). Request at 1. 

If the Commission determines that the 

Initiative will likely generate changes in 

the nature of postal services on a 

substantially nationwide basis, the 

Postal Service then requests that the 

Commission issue an advisory opinion 

under section 3661(c) which concurs 

that such service changes would 

conform to the policies reflected in title 

39 of the United States Code. Id. at 2. 

The Postal Service states that the 

Initiative already began in May with the 

examination of the portion of the retail 

network consisting of stations and 

branches that report to Postmasters at or 

above the USPS Executive & 

Administrative Schedule level 24 pay 

grade. USPS–T–2 at 8. It asserts that the 

stations and branches that meet this 

criterion are located primarily in urban 

and suburban population centers and 

comprise approximately two-thirds of 

the over 4,800 stations and branches 

nationwide. Request at 5–6. The stated 

objective of the Initiative is to ‘‘realign 

the postal retail network with current 

and future postal customer service 

needs, to reduce inefficiency and 

redundancy, and to capture the 

resulting cost savings.’’ Id. at 6. The 

results will be used to inform any 

decisions on whether to expand the 

Initiative to a broader pool of stations 

and branches. Id. The Postal Service 

states that if the Initiative results in a 

decision to change the nature of any 

postal service provided at any postal 

facility, such changes will not be 

implemented before October 2, 2009. Id. 

at 7. 

The Postal Service’s Request is 

accompanied and supported by two 

pieces of testimony and four library 

references. The Postal Service states that 

the reasons underlying the pursuit of 

the objectives contained within the 

Initiative are described in the Direct 

Testimony of Alice M. VanGorder on 

Behalf of United States Postal Service 

(USPS–T–1), July 2, 2009. It states that 

the process to be employed in making 

decisions to achieve the objectives are 

described in the Direct Testimony of 

Kimberly I. Matalik on Behalf of United 

States Postal Service (USPS–T–2), July 

2, 2009. The library references provide 

public and non-public versions of the 

official records for the closings of the 

Buhl, PA classified station 2 and the 

Washburn, IA classified branch.3

The Request and all supporting public 

materials are on file in the 


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