Source: https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2020/04/30/2020-08349/list-of-approved-spent-fuel-storage-casks-holtec-international-hi-storm-floodwind-multipurpose
Timestamp: 2020-07-13 22:22:39
Document Index: 460572620

Matched Legal Cases: ['art 72', 'art 72', '§\u200972', 'art 20', 'art 72', '§\u200972', '§\u200972', '§\u200972', 'art 20', 'art 72', '§\u200972', 'art 51', 'art 72', '§\u200972', 'art 72', '§\u200972', '§\u200972', '§\u200972', '§\u200950', 'art 52']

Federal Register :: List of Approved Spent Fuel Storage Casks: Holtec International HI-STORM Flood/Wind Multipurpose Canister Storage System, Certificate of Compliance No. 1032, Amendment No. 4
A Rule by the Nuclear Regulatory Commission on 04/30/2020
This direct final rule is effective July 14, 2020, unless significant adverse comments are received by June 1, 2020. If this direct final rule is withdrawn as a result of such comments, timely notice of the withdrawal will be published in the Federal Register. Comments received after this date will be considered if it is practical to do so, but the NRC is able to ensure consideration only for comments received on or before this date. Comments received on this direct final rule will also be considered to be comments on a companion proposed rule published in the Proposed Rules section of this issue of the Federal Register.
85 FR 23904
23904-23909 (6 pages)
NRC-2019-0250
3150-AK41
2020-08349
https://www.federalregister.gov/d/2020-08349
The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) is amending its spent fuel storage regulations by revising the Holtec International HI-STORM Flood/Wind Multipurpose Canister Storage System listing within the “List of approved spent fuel storage casks” to include Amendment No. 4 to Certificate of Compliance No. 1032. Amendment No. 4 revises the certificate of compliance to: Add multipurpose canister (MPC)-32ML for storage and allow the fuel assembly class 16x16D as content for MPC-32ML; add the fuel assembly class 16X16E as content for MPC-37; and make changes to the final safety analysis report to separate the design pressure for the short-term operation from the off-normal condition (to provide clarity in Table 2.2.1), add cautionary notes to Sections 9.2.1 and 9.2.3, update a definition, and replace a test program. These changes are discussed in more detail in the “Discussion of Changes” section of this direct final rule.
Federal Rulemaking website: Go to https://www.regulations.gov and search for Docket ID NRC-2019-0250. Address questions about NRC dockets to Carol Gallagher; telephone: 301-415-3463; email: Carol.Gallagher@nrc.gov. For technical questions contact the individuals listed in the FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT section of this document.
Please refer to Docket ID NRC-2019-0250 when contacting the NRC about the availability of information for this action. You may obtain publicly-available information related to this action by any of the following methods:
Federal Rulemaking website: Go to https://www.regulations.gov and search for Docket ID NRC-2019-0250.
Please include Docket ID NRC-2019-0250 in your comment submission.
If you are requesting or aggregating comments from other persons for submission to the NRC, you should inform those persons not to include identifying or contact information that they do not want to be publicly disclosed in their comment submission. You should inform those persons that the NRC does not routinely edit comment submissions to remove such information before making the comment submissions available to the public or entering the comment into ADAMS.
This rule is limited to the changes contained in Amendment No. 4 to Certificate of Compliance No. 1032 and does not include other aspects of the Holtec International HI-STORM Flood/Wind Multipurpose Canister Storage System design. The NRC is using the “direct final rule procedure” to issue this amendment because it represents a limited change to an existing certificate of compliance that is expected to be non-controversial. The NRC has determined that, with the requested change, adequate protection of public health and safety will continue to be ensured. The amendment to the rule will become effective on July 14, 2020. However, if the NRC receives any significant adverse comment on this direct final rule by June 1, 2020, then the NRC will publish a document that withdraws this action and will subsequently address the comments received in a final rule as a response to the companion proposed rule published in the Proposed Rules section of this issue of the Federal Register. Absent significant modifications to the proposed revisions requiring republication, the NRC will not initiate a second comment period on this action.
To implement this mandate, the Commission approved dry storage of Start Printed Page 23906spent nuclear fuel in NRC-approved casks under a general license by publishing a final rule which added a new subpart K in part 72 of title 10 of the Code of Federal Regulations (10 CFR) entitled “General License for Storage of Spent Fuel at Power Reactor Sites” (55 FR 29181; July 18, 1990). This rule also established a new subpart L in 10 CFR part 72 entitled “Approval of Spent Fuel Storage Casks,” which contains procedures and criteria for obtaining NRC approval of spent fuel storage cask designs. The NRC subsequently issued a final rule on March 28, 2011 (76 FR 17019), that approved the Holtec International HI-STORM Flood/Wind Multipurpose Canister Storage System design and added it to the list of NRC-approved cask designs in § 72.214 as Certificate of Compliance No. 1032.
On March 11, 2016, as supplemented on September 16, 2016, January 31, 2017, April 27, 2018, July 27, 2018, April 12, 2019, June 11, 2019, and July 5, 2019, Holtec International submitted a request to amend Certificate of Compliance No. 1032 for the HI-STORM Flood/Wind Multipurpose Canister Storage System. Amendment No. 4 revises the certificate of compliance as follows:
1. Adds multipurpose canister (MPC)-32ML for storage in the HI-STORM flood/wind system and allows fuel assembly class 16x16D as content for MPC-32ML.
2. Adds fuel assembly class 16x16E as content for MPC-37.
3. Separates the design pressure for the short-term operation from the off-normal condition to provide clarity in Table 2.2.1 of the final safety analysis report (FSAR).
4. Adds a cautionary note in FSAR Section 9.2.1 that states fuel cladding is not exposed to air during loading operations.
5. Updates the definition of “undamaged fuel assembly” in the FSAR Glossary to be aligned with the definition in Appendix A and Table 2.1.3 of the FSAR (Note 14).
6. Replaces the Charpy test program with the fracture toughness test program from the revised Metamic-HT Sourcebook in FSAR Sections 1.2.1.4.1 and 3.4.
7. Adds a cautionary note in FSAR Section 9.2.3 that states low-enriched fuel must be shown to be without known or suspected grossly breached rods.
As documented in the preliminary safety evaluation report, the NRC performed a safety evaluation of the proposed certificate of compliance amendment request. The NRC determined that this amendment does not reflect a significant change in design or fabrication of the cask. Specifically, the NRC determined that the design of the cask would continue to prevent loss of containment, shielding, and criticality control in the event of each evaluated accident condition. In addition, any resulting occupational exposure or offsite dose rates from the implementation of Amendment No. 4 would remain well within the limits specified by 10 CFR part 20, “Standards for Protection Against Radiation.” Thus, the NRC found there will be no significant change in the types or amounts of any effluent released, no significant increase in the individual or cumulative radiation exposure, and no significant increase in the potential for or consequences from radiological accidents.
The NRC staff has determined that the amended Holtec International HI-STORM Flood/Wind Multipurpose Canister Storage System cask design, when used under the conditions specified in the certificate of compliance, the technical specifications, and the NRC's regulations, will meet the requirements of 10 CFR part 72; therefore, adequate protection of public health and safety will continue to be reasonably assured. When this direct final rule becomes effective, persons who hold a general license under § 72.210 may, consistent with the license conditions under § 72.212, load spent nuclear fuel into Holtec International HI-STORM Flood/Wind Multipurpose Canister Storage System casks that meet the criteria of Amendment No. 4 to Certificate of Compliance No. 1032.
The action is to amend § 72.214 to revise the Holtec International HI-STORM Flood/Wind Multipurpose Canister Storage System listing within the “List of approved spent fuel storage casks” to include Amendment No. 4 to Certificate of Compliance No. 1032.
This direct final rule amends the certificate of compliance for the Holtec International HI-STORM Flood/Wind Multipurpose Canister Storage System design within the list of approved spent fuel storage casks to allow power reactor licensees to store spent fuel at reactor Start Printed Page 23907sites in casks with the approved modifications under a general license. Specifically, Amendment No. 4 revises the certificate of compliance to: Add multipurpose canister (MPC)-32ML for storage and allow the fuel assembly class 16x16D as content for MPC-32ML; add the fuel assembly class 16X16E as content for MPC-37; and make changes to the final safety analysis report to separate the design pressure for the short-term operation from the off-normal condition (to provide clarity in Table 2.2.1), add cautionary notes to Sections 9.2.1 and 9.2.3, update a definition, and replace a test program.
This amendment does not reflect a significant change in design or fabrication of the cask. Because there are no significant design or process changes, any resulting occupational exposure or offsite dose rates from the implementation of Amendment No. 4 would remain well within the 10 CFR part 20 limits. The NRC has also determined that the design of the cask as modified by this rule would still prevent loss of confinement, shielding, and criticality control in the event of an accident. Therefore, the proposed changes will not result in any radiological or non-radiological environmental impacts that significantly differ from the environmental impacts evaluated in the staff's finding in the environmental assessment supporting the July 18, 1990, final rule that the environmental impacts would not be significant. Therefore, the NRC concludes that there will be no significant change in the types or significant revisions in the amounts of any effluent released, no significant increase in the individual or cumulative radiation exposures, and no significant increase in the potential for or consequences from, radiological accidents. The NRC documented its safety findings in the preliminary safety evaluation report.
The alternative to this action is to deny approval of Amendment No. 4 and not issue the direct final rule. Consequently, any 10 CFR part 72 general licensee that seeks to load spent nuclear fuel into the Holtec International HI-STORM Flood/Wind Multipurpose Canister Storage System in accordance with the changes described in proposed Amendment No. 4 would have to request an exemption from the requirements of §§ 72.212 and 72.214. Under this alternative, interested licensees would have to prepare, and the NRC would have to review, a separate exemption request, thereby increasing the administrative burden upon the NRC and the costs to each licensee. The environmental impacts would be the same as the proposed action.
Approval of Amendment No. 4 to Certificate of Compliance No. 1032 would result in no irreversible commitment of resources.
The environmental impacts of the action have been reviewed under the requirements in National Environmental Policy Act of 1969, as amended, and the NRC's regulations in in subpart A of 10 CFR part 51, “Environmental Protection Regulations for Domestic Licensing and Related Regulatory Functions.” Based on the foregoing environmental assessment, the NRC concludes that this direct final rule entitled “List of Approved Spent Fuel Storage Casks: Holtec International HI-STORM Flood/Wind Multipurpose Canister Storage System, Certificate of Compliance No. 1032, Amendment No. 4” will not have a significant effect on the human environment. Therefore, the NRC has determined that an environmental impact statement is not necessary for this direct final rule.
On March 11, 2016, as supplemented on September 16, 2016, January 31, 2017, April 27, 2018, July 27, 2018, April 12, 2019, June 11, 2019, and July 5, 2019, Holtec International submitted a request to amend the HI-STORM Flood/Wind Multipurpose Canister Storage System as described in Section IV, “Discussion of Changes,” of this document.
The alternative to this action is to withhold approval of Amendment No. 4 and to require any 10 CFR part 72 general licensee seeking to load spent nuclear fuel into the Holtec International HI-STORM Flood/Wind Multipurpose Canister Storage System under the changes described in Start Printed Page 23908Amendment No. 4 to request an exemption from the requirements of §§ 72.212 and 72.214. Under this alternative, each interested 10 CFR part 72 licensee would have to prepare, and the NRC would have to review, a separate exemption request, thereby increasing the administrative burden upon the NRC and the costs to each licensee.
The NRC has determined that the backfit rule (§ 72.62) does not apply to this direct final rule. Therefore, a backfit analysis is not required. This direct final rule revises Certificate of Compliance No. 1032 for the Holtec International HI-STORM Flood/Wind Multipurpose Canister Storage System, as currently listed in § 72.214. The revision consists of the changes in Amendment No. 4 previously described, as set forth in the revised certificate of compliance and technical specifications.
Amendment No. 4 to Certificate of Compliance No. 1032 for the Holtec International HI-STORM Flood/Wind Multipurpose Canister Storage System was initiated by Holtec International and was not submitted in response to new NRC requirements, or an NRC request for amendment. Amendment No. 4 applies only to new casks fabricated and used under Amendment No. 4. These changes do not affect existing users of the Holtec International HI-STORM Flood/Wind Multipurpose Canister Storage System, and the current Amendment No. 3 continues to be effective for existing users. While current users of this storage system may comply with the new requirements in Amendment No. 4, this would be a voluntary decision on the part of current users.
For these reasons, Amendment No. 4 to Certificate of Compliance No. 1032 does not constitute backfitting under § 72.62 or § 50.109(a)(1), or otherwise represent an inconsistency with the issue finality provisions applicable to combined licenses in 10 CFR part 52. Accordingly, the NRC has not prepared a backfit analysis for this rulemaking.
Holtec International HI-STORM Flood/Wind Multipurpose Canister Storage System, Amendment Request 1032-4 dated March 11, 2016 ML16190A158 (package).
Holtec International—Transmittal of Amendment 4 Response to Request for Supplemental Information dated September 16, 2016 ML16265A519 (package).
Holtec International—HI-STORM Flood/Wind Multipurpose Canister Storage System, Amendment 4 Supplemental Response to Request for Supplemental Information dated January 31, 2017 ML17032A414 (package).
Holtec International—HI-STORM Flood/Wind Multipurpose Canister Storage System, Amendment 4 Response to Request for Additional Information dated April 27, 2018 ML18117A471 (package).
Supplement to HI-STORM Flood/Wind Multipurpose Canister Storage System, Amendment 4 Requests for Additional Information Responses dated July 27, 2018 ML18208A636 (package).
Holtec International—HI-STORM Flood/Wind Multipurpose Canister Storage System, Amendment 4 Response to Second Request for Additional Information dated April 12, 2019 ML19109A181.
Supplement to HI-STORM Flood/Wind Multipurpose Canister Storage System, Amendment 4 Second Round Request for Additional Information Response dated June 11, 2019 ML19162A102 (package).
Holtec International HI-STORM Flood/Wind Multipurpose Canister Storage System, Amendment 4 Second Supplement to 2nd Round Requests for Additional Information dated July 5, 2019 ML19186A209 (package).
Memorandum to J. Cai re: User Need for Rulemaking for the Holtec International HI-STORM Flood-Wind Multipurpose Canister Storage System, Amendment No. 4 dated December 20, 2019 ML19158A272.
Proposed Certificate of Compliance 1032 Amendment No. 4 [Memorandum to J. Cai re: User Need for Rulemaking for the Holtec International HI-STORM Flood/Wind Multipurpose Canister Storage System, Amendment No. 4] ML19158A273.
Proposed Certificate of Compliance 1032 Amendment No. 4 Appendix A [Memorandum to J. Cai re: User Need for Rulemaking for the Holtec International HI-STORM Flood/Wind Multipurpose Canister Storage System, Amendment No. 4] ML19158A274.
Proposed Certificate of Compliance 1032 Amendment No. 4 Appendix B [Memorandum to J. Cai re: User Need for Rulemaking for the Holtec International HI-STORM Flood/Wind Multipurpose Canister Storage System, Amendment No. 4] ML19158A275.
Preliminary Certificate of Compliance 1032 Amendment No. 4 Safety Evaluation Report [Memorandum to J. Cai re: User Need for Rulemaking for the Holtec International HI-STORM Flood/Wind Multipurpose Canister Storage System, Amendment No. 4] ML19158A276.
The NRC may post materials related to this document, including public comments, on the Federal Rulemaking website at https://www.regulations.gov under Docket ID NRC-2019-0250. The Federal Rulemaking website allows you to receive alerts when changes or additions occur in a docket folder. To subscribe: (1) Navigate to the docket folder NRC-2019-0250; (2) click the “Sign up for Email Alerts” link; and (3) enter your email address and select how frequently you would like to receive emails (daily, weekly, or monthly).
[FR Doc. 2020-08349 Filed 4-29-20; 8:45 am]