[Federal Register Volume 59, Number 96 (Thursday, May 19, 1994)]
[Unknown Section]
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From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 94-12190]


  Federal Register / Vol. 59, No. 96 / Thursday, May 19, 1994 /
  
[[Page Unknown]]

[Federal Register: May 19, 1994]


                                                    VOL. 59, NO. 96

                                             Thursday, May 19, 1994

NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION

10 CFR Part 171

RIN 3150-AE99

 

Establishment of Revised FY 1991 and FY 1992 Annual Fee 
Surcharges

AGENCY: Nuclear Regulatory Commission.

ACTION: Final rule.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: On July 20, 1993 (58 FR 38666), the Nuclear Regulatory 
Commission (``NRC'' or ``Commission'') published a final rule as a 
result of the U.S. Court of Appeals decision dated March 16, 1993. The 
final rule changed the method of allocating low-level waste costs for 
FY 1993 in response to the court's decision. In its FY 1993 final rule, 
the NRC indicated that it was adopting the FY 1993 approach for FY 1991 
and FY 1992 and would separately publish a final rule revising the FY 
1991 and FY 1992 surcharges. This final rule establishes those revised 
surcharges for NRC licensees for FY 1991 and FY 1992. The NRC will make 
refunds to certain materials licensees based on the amounts of the 
revised surcharges.

EFFECTIVE DATE: May 19, 1994.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: C. James Holloway, Jr., Office of the 
Controller, U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission, Washington, DC 20555, 
telephone 301-492-4301.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
I. Background.
II. Final action--revised FY 1991 and FY 1992 annual fee surcharges.
III. Administrative Procedure Act: Waiver.
IV. Environmental Impact: Categorical Exclusion.
V. Paperwork Reduction Act Statement.
VI. Regulatory Analysis.
VII. Regulatory Flexibility Analysis.
VIII. Backfit Analysis.

I. Background

    On March 16, 1993, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of 
Columbia Circuit decided Allied-Signal, Inc., v. U.S. Nuclear 
Regulatory Commission and the United States of America, 988 F.2d 146 
(D.C. Cir. 1993). The court questioned the NRC's decision to allocate 
generic costs associated with low-level waste (LLW) disposal by classes 
of licensees, rather than by individual licensee. The Court remanded 
only the FY 1991 rule; however, the FY 1992 rule raised identical 
questions and a challenge to that rule was subsequently remanded by the 
court.
    In response to the Court's opinion, the NRC, in its final fee rule 
for FY 1993 published on July 20, 1993 (58 FR 38669), changed its 
method of allocating LLW costs to NRC licensees after providing for 
notice and comment on four alternative methods of LLW cost allocation 
and possible variations of those alternatives. Based on the comments 
received, the NRC, for FY 1993, created two groups--large waste 
generators and small waste generators. Licensees within each group are 
charged a uniform flat fee. In its final FY 1993 rule, the NRC also 
adopted this approach for FY 1991 and FY 1992, indicating that it would 
publish separately final revised FY 1991 and FY 1992 surcharge 
schedules resulting from changes in the allocations of NRC LLW budgeted 
generic costs. This rulemaking notice completes agency action on the 
proposed rule issued for public comment on April 23, 1993 (58 FR 21662) 
and implements the ministerial calculations called for in the July 20, 
1993 final rule.
    The agency workpapers that support these final changes to 10 CFR 
part 171 for FY 1991 and FY 1992 are available in the Public Document 
Room at 2120 L Street, NW., Washington, DC, in the lower level of the 
Gelman Building.

II. Final Action--Revised FY 1991 and 1992 Fee Surcharges

    This final rule establishes the revised FY 1991 and FY 1992 
surcharges for NRC licensees based on the allocation method of low-
level waste costs described and used in the FY 1993 final rule.
    The revised method of allocation, described in detail in the FY 
1993 final rule published on July 20, 1993 (58 FR 38669), allocates the 
LLW costs between two groups: large generators (power reactors and 
large fuel facilities), and small generators (all other LLW-producing 
licensees). Waste generators in the large group are each expected to 
generate more than 1,000 cubic feet of LLW per year. The allocation of 
LLW costs to the two groups is based on the historical average amount 
of waste disposed by the two groups. The result is that 82 percent and 
18 percent of the costs are allocated to the large and small generator 
groups, respectively. Within each of the two groups, all licensees pay 
the same LLW fee (surcharge).
    The amounts of the surcharges for the two groups using the revised 
method for FY 1991 are shown in Secs. 171.15(c)(3) and 171.16(f) of 
this final rule. For FY 1992, the amounts of the surcharges for the 
various fee categories using the FY 1993 method are shown in 
Secs. 171.15(c)(4) and 171.16(g) of this final rule. The revised LLW 
surcharges for small generators of LLW are $1,400 for FY 1991 and 
$1,500 for FY 1992. The surcharge for FY 1991 is the same for small 
generators ($1,400) as that assessed in FY 1991. For FY 1992, the LLW 
surcharge of $1,500 is $100 less than the $1,600 paid by the small 
generators in FY 1992. The revised surcharges for large generators of 
LLW for FY 1991 and FY 1992 are $62,300 and $61,700, respectively. 
These surcharges are lower than the $143,400 and $155,100 paid in FY 
1991 and FY 1992, respectively, by some large fuel facilities. Based on 
the FY 1993 LLW allocation method, the revised surcharges for FY 1991 
and FY 1992 for operating power reactors and small fuel facilities (fee 
Category 1.A.(2)) are greater than those paid in FY 1991 and FY 1992. 
The increase will not be assessed because no additional charges 
established under this final rule (i.e., a later enacted rule) can be 
retroactively assessed due to applicable judicial precedent. However, 
refunds will be made for certain large generators because their fee 
burden is lower under the revised allocations. The amount of the refund 
for individual licensees will represent the difference between the 
amount paid under the previous rules and the revised amounts for FY 
1991 and FY 1992. The NRC expects the refunds to the large generators 
to be made by June 30, 1994. For the approximately 1,000 small 
generators who paid a FY 1992 LLW surcharge, each will receive a $100 
credit on their FY 1994 bill for cost effectiveness reasons. The total 
amount of the refunds and credits for both fiscal years is estimated to 
be approximately $2.2 million. If any entity no longer holds an NRC 
license, but is eligible for a refund or credit, it should write to the 
U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission, Office of the Controller, License 
Fee and Debt Collection Branch, Washington, DC 20555.

III. Administrative Procedure Act: Waiver

    No additional charges will be assessed for FY 1991 and FY 1992; 
instead certain licensees are eligible to receive either refunds or 
credits based on the difference in the amount of the revised surcharges 
and the amounts initially paid in FY 1991 and FY 1992. To expedite the 
issuance of refunds and credits, the NRC has determined that good cause 
exists to waive the 30-day deferred effective date provisions of the 
Administrative Procedures Act (5 U.S.C. 553(d)(3)). This final rule 
will therefore become effective immediately upon publication.

IV. Environmental Impact: Categorical Exclusion

    The NRC has determined that this final rule is the type of action 
described in categorical exclusion 10 CFR 51.22(c)(1). Therefore, 
neither an environmental assessment nor an environmental impact 
statement has been prepared for the final regulation.

V. Paperwork Reduction Act Statement

    This final rule contains no information collection requirements 
and, therefore, is not subject to the requirements of the Paperwork 
Reduction Act of 1980 (44 U.S.C. 3501 et seq.).

VI. Regulatory Analysis

    With respect to 10 CFR Part 171, on November 5, 1990, the Congress 
passed Public Law No. 101-508, the Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 
1990 (OBRA-90). OBRA-90, as amended, requires that for FYs 1991 through 
1998 approximately 100 percent of the NRC's budget authority be 
recovered through the assessment of fees. To accomplish this statutory 
requirement for FY 1991 and FY 1992, the NRC on July 10, 1991 (56 FR 
31472), and on July 23, 1992 (57 FR 32691), in accordance with 
Sec. 171.13, published in the Federal Register schedules of the FY 1991 
and FY 1992 annual fees for operating reactor licensees, fuel cycle 
licensees, materials licensees, holders of Certificates of Compliance, 
registrations of sealed source and devices and QA program approvals, 
and Government agencies.
    In FY 1991 and FY 1992, the NRC allocated low-level waste (LLW) 
costs by the amount of waste disposed per class of licensee, dividing 
the costs equally within each class. This method of cost allocation was 
challenged in court.
    On March 16, 1993, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of 
Columbia Circuit decided Allied-Signal, Inc., v. U.S. Nuclear 
Regulatory Commission and the United States of America, 988 F.2d 146 
(DC Cir. 1993). The court questioned the Commission's decision to 
allocate generic costs associated with low-level waste (LLW) disposal 
by classes of licensees, rather than by individual licensees. The Court 
remanded only the FY 1991 rule; however, the FY 1992 rule raised 
identical questions. The same petitioners who challenged the FY 1991 
rule in court also brought a judicial challenge to the FY 1992 rule.
    In response to the court decision, the NRC in its proposed FY 1993 
annual fee rule published on April 23, 1993 (58 FR 21662), requested 
comments on four alternative methods of LLW cost allocation and 
possible variations of those alternatives. A number of comments were 
received. There was no consensus among the commenters regarding a 
preferred option.
    In response to the Court's directive, the NRC, in its final fee 
rule for FY 1993, published on July 20, 1993 (58 FR 38669), changed its 
method of allocating LLW costs to NRC licensees. The NRC, for FY 1993, 
created two groups--large waste generators and small waste generators. 
Licensees within each group are charged a uniform flat fee. In the 
final FY 1993 rule, the NRC also adopted this approach for FY 1991 and 
FY 1992, indicating that it would separately publish a final rule 
revising the FY 1991 and FY 1992 surcharges resulting from the changed 
allocation of NRC LLW budgeted generic costs. This final rule 
establishes the revised surcharges for FY 1991 and FY 1992.

VII. Regulatory Flexibility Analysis

    As required by the Regulatory Flexibility Act, 5 U.S.C. 605(b), the 
Commission certifies that this final rule as adopted does not have a 
significant economic impact on a substantial number of small entities. 
This final rule establishes revised surcharges for FY 1991 and FY 1992. 
These revised surcharges will not impose new financial burdens on any 
class of licensees for FY 1991 and FY 1992. Rather, certain licensees 
will be eligible for either refunds or credits based on the differences 
between the amount of the revised surcharges and the amounts initially 
paid in FY 1991 and FY 1992.

VIII. Backfit Analysis

    The NRC has determined that the backfit rule, 10 CFR 50.109, does 
not apply to this final rule and that a backfit analysis is not 
required for this final rule. The backfit analysis is not required 
because these amendments do not require the modification of or 
additions to systems, structures, components, or design of a facility 
or the design approval or manufacturing license for a facility or the 
procedures or organization required to design, construct or operate a 
facility.

List of Subjects in 10 CFR Part 171

    Annual charges, Byproduct material, Holders of certificates, 
registrations, and approvals, Intergovernmental relations, Non-payment 
penalties, Nuclear materials, Nuclear power plants and reactors, Source 
material, Special nuclear material.

    For the reasons set out in the preamble and under the authority of 
the Atomic Energy Act of 1954, as amended, and 5 U.S.C. 552 and 553, 
the NRC hereby adopts the following amendments to 10 CFR Part 171.

PART 171--ANNUAL FEES FOR REACTOR OPERATING LICENSES, AND FUEL 
CYCLE LICENSES AND MATERIALS LICENSES, INCLUDING HOLDERS OF 
CERTIFICATES OF COMPLIANCE, REGISTRATIONS, AND QUALITY ASSURANCE 
PROGRAM APPROVALS AND GOVERNMENT AGENCIES LICENSED BY THE NRC

    1. The authority citation for part 171 continues to read as 
follows:

    Authority: Sec. 7601, Pub. L. 99-272, 100 Stat. 146, as amended 
by sec. 5601, Pub. L. 100-203, 101 Stat. 1330, as amended by sec. 
3201, Pub. L. 101-239, 103 Stat. 2106 as amended by sec. 6101, Pub. 
L. 101-508, 104 Stat. 1388 (42 U.S.C. 2213); sec. 301, Pub. L. 92-
314, 86 Stat. 222 (42 U.S.C. 2201(w)); sec. 201, 88 Stat. 1242, as 
amended (42 U.S.C. 5841); sec. 2903, Pub. L. 102-486, 106 Stat. 3125 
(42 U.S.C. 2214 note).

    2. In Sec. 171.15, paragraphs (c)(3) and (c)(4) are added to read 
as follows:


Sec. 171.15  Annual fees: reactor operating licenses.

* * * * *
    (c) * * *
    (3) The FY 1991 surcharge to be added to each operating power 
reactor is $266,000. This amount is calculated by dividing the total 
cost for these activities ($29.0 million) by the number of operating 
power reactors (109).
    (4) The FY 1992 surcharge to be added to each operating power 
reactor is $281,000. This amount is calculated by dividing the total 
cost for these activities ($30.6 million) by the number of operating 
power reactors (109).
* * * * *
    3. In Sec. 171.16, paragraphs (f) and (g) are added to read as 
follows:


Sec. 171.16  Annual Fees: Materials Licensees, Holders of Certificates 
of Compliance, Holders of Sealed Source and Device Registrations, 
Holders of Quality Assurance Program Approvals and Government agencies 
licensed by the NRC.

* * * * *
    (f) To recover FY 1991 costs relating to LLW disposal generic 
activities, an additional charge of $62,300 has been added to fee 
Categories 1.A.(1), 1.A.(2) and 2.A.(1); an additional charge of $1,400 
has been added to fee Categories 1.B., 1.D., 2.C., 3.A., 3.B., 3.C., 
3.L., 3.M., 3.N., 4.A., 4.B., 4.C., 5.B., 6.A., and 7.B., and an 
additional charge of $21,000 has been added to fee Category 17. For 
comparative purposes the table following shows, for each materials fee 
category, the total surcharge assessed in FY 1991, the FY 1991 amended 
surcharges and the amount of overpayment resulting in a refund due or a 
credit given certain categories of materials licensees. 

                                  Schedule of Materials Annual Fee Surcharges                                   
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                      FY 1991         FY 1991                   
                         Fee category\1\                             surcharge        amended        Amount of  
                                                                    assessed\2\    surcharge\2\     overpayment 
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Special nuclear material:                                                                                       
    1.A.(1).....................................................        $143,500         $62,400         $81,100
    1.A.(2).....................................................          35,900          62,400                
    1.B.........................................................           1,500           1,500                
    1.C.........................................................             100             100                
    1.D.........................................................           1,500           1,500                
Source material:                                                                                                
    2.A.(1).....................................................        $143,500         $62,400         $81,100
    2.A.(2).....................................................             100             100                
    2.B.........................................................             100             100                
    2.C.........................................................           1,500           1,500                
Byproduct material:                                                                                             
    3.A.........................................................          $1,500          $1,500                
    3.B.........................................................           1,500           1,500                
    3.C.........................................................           1,500           1,500                
    3.D.........................................................             100             100                
    3.E.........................................................             100             100                
    3.F.........................................................             100             100                
    3.G.........................................................             100             100                
    3.H.........................................................             100             100                
    3.I.........................................................             100             100                
    3.J.........................................................             100             100                
    3.K.........................................................             100             100                
    3.L.........................................................           1,500           1,500                
    3.M.........................................................           1,500           1,500                
    3.N.........................................................           1,500           1,500                
    3.O.........................................................             100             100                
    3.P.........................................................             100             100                
Waste disposal and processing:                                                                                  
    4.A.........................................................         $35,900           1,500         $34,400
    4.B.........................................................           1,500           1,500                
    4.C.........................................................           1,500           1,500                
Well logging:                                                                                                   
    5.A.........................................................            $100            $100                
    5.B.........................................................           1,500           1,500                
Nuclear laundries:                                                                                              
    6.A.........................................................          $1,500          $1,500                
Medical--human use:                                                                                             
    7.A.........................................................            $100            $100                
    7.B.........................................................           1,500           1,500                
    7.C.........................................................             100             100                
Civil defense:                                                                                                  
    8.A.........................................................            $100            $100                
Device/sealed source evaluation:                                                                                
    9.A.........................................................            $100            $100                
    9.B.........................................................             100             100                
    9.C.........................................................             100             100                
    9.D.........................................................             100             100                
Transportation:                                                                                                 
    10.B........................................................            $100            $100                
Spent fuel storage:                                                                                             
    13.B........................................................            $100            $100                
Master licenses:                                                                                                
    17..........................................................         $22,500         $21,000         $1,500 
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\A full description of the various fee categories is found in Sec. 171.16(d).                                 
\2\Includes $100 surcharge to recover costs not paid by small entities.                                         

    (g) To recover FY 1992 costs relating to LLW disposal generic 
activities, an additional charge of $61,700 has been added to fee 
categories 1.A.(1), 1.A.(2), and 2.A.(1); an additional charge of 
$1,500 has been added to fee Categories 1.B., 1.D., 2.C., 3.A., 3.B., 
3.C., 3.L., 3.M., 3.N., 4.N., 4.A., 4.B., 4.C., 5.B., 6.A., and 7.B., 
and an additional charge of $23,100 has been added to fee Category 17. 
For comparative purposes the following table shows, for each materials 
fee category, the total surcharge assessed in FY 1992, the FY 1992 
amendment surcharges and the amount of overpayment resulting in a 
refund due or a credit given for certain categories of materials 
licensees.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                      FY 1992         FY 1992                   
                         Fee category\1\                             surcharge        amended        Amount of  
                                                                    assessed\2\    surcharge\2\     overpayment 
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Special nuclear material:                                                                                       
    1.A.(1).....................................................        $155,250         $61,850         $93,400
    1.A.(2).....................................................          38,950          61,850                
    1.B.........................................................           1,750           1,650             100
    1.C.........................................................             150             150                
    1.D.........................................................           1,750           1,650             100
Source material:                                                                                                
    2.A.(1).....................................................         155,250          61,850          93,400
    2.A.(2).....................................................             150             150                
    2.B.........................................................             150             150                
    2.C.........................................................           1,750           1,650             100
Byproduct material:                                                                                             
    3.A.........................................................           1,750           1,650             100
    3.B.........................................................           1,750           1,650             100
    3.C.........................................................           1,750           1,650             100
    3.D.........................................................             150             150                
    3.E.........................................................             150             150                
    3.F.........................................................             150             150                
    3.G.........................................................             150             150                
    3.H.........................................................             150             150                
    3.I.........................................................             150             150                
    3.J.........................................................             150             150                
    3.K.........................................................             150             150                
    3.L.........................................................           1,750           1,650             100
    3.M.........................................................           1,750           1,650             100
    3.N.........................................................           1,750           1,650             100
    3.O.........................................................             150             150                
    3.P.........................................................             150             150                
Waste disposal and processing:                                                                                  
    4.A.........................................................          38,950           1,650          37,300
    4.B.........................................................           1,750           1,650             100
    4.C.........................................................           1,750           1,650             100
Well logging:                                                                                                   
    5.A.........................................................             150             150                
    5.B.........................................................           1,750           1,650             100
Nuclear laundries:                                                                                              
    6.A.........................................................           1,750           1,650             100
Medical--human use:                                                                                             
    7.A.........................................................             150             150                
    7.B.........................................................           1,750           1,650             100
    7.C.........................................................             150             150                
Civil defense:                                                                                                  
    8.A.........................................................             150             150                
Device/sealed source evaluation:                                                                                
    9.A.........................................................             150             150                
    9.B.........................................................             150             150                
    9.C.........................................................             150             150                
    9.D.........................................................             150             150                
Transportation:                                                                                                 
    10.B........................................................             150             150                
Spent fuel storage:                                                                                             
    13.B........................................................             150             150                
Master licenses:                                                                                                
    17..........................................................          36,150          23,250          12,900
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\A full description of the various fee categories is found in Sec. 171.16(d).                                 
\2\Includes $150 surcharge to recover costs not paid by small entities.                                         

    Dated at Rockville, MD this 6th day of May 1994.

    For the Nuclear Regulatory Commission.
James M. Taylor,
Executive Director for Operations.
[FR Doc. 94-12190 Filed 5-18-94; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 7590-01-P