[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 10 (Tuesday, January 16, 1996)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 1109-1115]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-346]



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NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION

10 CFR Parts 30, 40, and 70

RIN 3150-AF38


One-Time Extension of Certain Byproduct, Source, and Special 
Nuclear Materials Licenses

AGENCY: Nuclear Regulatory Commission.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: The Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) is amending its 
regulations to implement, on a one-time basis, a five-year extension of 
certain byproduct, source, and special nuclear materials licenses. The 
provisions of the licenses under extension provide the same 
authorizations and limits on licensee activities as they do now. The 
final rule specifies the licenses that are not extended.

EFFECTIVE DATE: February 15, 1996.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: John M. Pelchat, NRC, Region II, 101 
Marietta Street, N.W., Suite 2900, Atlanta, GA 30323, telephone (404) 
331-5083; or C. W. Nilsen, Office of Nuclear Regulatory Research, NRC, 
Washington, DC 20555, telephone (301) 415-6209.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background

    The NRC has completed the preliminary phases of an effort to 
redesign the process for licensing medical, academic, and industrial 
users of byproduct materials as well as some small scope users of 
source and special nuclear materials. To make resources available to 
expedite the development, design, and testing of the new materials 
licensing process, the Commission is extending certain specific 
materials licenses (``licenses'') by five years from the current 
expiration dates of those licenses. Resources that would have otherwise 
been used to renew these licenses will be devoted to the redesign 
project. The extension will be a one-time occurrence. The Commission 
does not envision that any similar extensions will be granted in the 
future.
    The extension granted by this rulemaking does not apply to the 
licenses for power and non-power reactors, uranium milling and 
processing facilities, or fuel production facilities. The extended 
licenses are not considered to be the equivalent of a renewed license 
because they provide the same authorizations and limits on licensee 
activities as are currently applicable to each licensee. Accordingly, 
the extended licenses will not be based on nor reference pending 
renewal applications, including requests, if any, in those renewal 
applications, for NRC approval of changes in current operations. The 
frequency of licensee inspections will not change as a result of this 
final rule.
    The Commission concludes that it may take this action because no 
legislative mandate requires that materials licenses have a five-year 
term. Many years ago, materials licenses were issued for two-year 
periods. As the uses of radioactive materials became more stable and 
predictable, the typical duration of licenses was changed to five 
years. The Commission has concluded that certain specific materials 
licenses may be extended once by rule for an additional five years 
beyond their stated expiration date without the normal renewal review 
and without adverse effect on public health and safety. The 
Commission's conclusion is based upon three factors. First, certain 
specific licenses for which the Commission believes that a renewal 
review should not be delayed five years will not be affected by this 
rule. Licenses that may present, in the Commission's view, a greater 
potential risk from a health and safety standpoint will not be 
generically 

[[Page 1110]]
extended by this rulemaking. Second, the extended licenses will not 
change the authorized activities nor regulatory requirements. Third, 
the NRC will continue its normal inspection program of licensed 
activities, including inspections of those licenses that will be 
extended by this final rule. Significant inspection findings will be 
resolved through the issuance of Notices of Violations that require 
written responses describing corrective actions, Confirmatory Action 
Letters (CALs), or Orders that would modify, suspend, or revoke the 
license and that would impose civil penalties, as appropriate. 
Accordingly, the Commission has concluded that there would be 
reasonable assurance of public health and safety under this rule.

Summary of Requirements and Analysis of Public Comments

    The NRC is amending Parts 30, 40, and 70 of its regulations to 
extend, on a one-time basis, certain byproduct, source, and special 
nuclear materials licenses. These regulations specify the licenses that 
are not extended by this rulemaking. The NRC received 28 letters of 
public comment: twenty-one from licensees; one from an Agreement State; 
none from non-Agreement States; two from consulting firms; two from 
private citizens; and two from trade associations. Eighteen commenters 
supported the proposed rule and one was opposed. Eight commenters 
supported the rulemaking to varying degrees, but offered suggestions 
for modification of the rules. One comment addressed issues to be 
considered by the NRC should the rulemaking be implemented, without 
stating support or opposition for the proposed rule.
    Commenters supporting the proposed rule cited the cost savings to 
taxpayers, affected licensees, and the general public. Some of these 
commenters also supported the redesign effort of the materials 
licensing process.
    One commenter supported the proposed rule and suggested that the 
rulemaking be amended to include the Quality Assurance program 
requirements in 10 CFR Part 71. The suggested amendment is outside of 
the scope of the proposed rulemaking.
    Another commenter supported the proposed rule but noted there was 
no mention of specific cost reductions to the licensee as a result of 
this extension and stated that this point should be addressed. The NRC 
recognizes that, on a one-time basis, many licensees will save the 
renewal fee required by 10 CFR 170.31 as well as the costs associated 
with the preparation of the renewal application. The NRC staff did not 
attempt to quantify these costs, recognizing the significant 
variability among licensees as to the effort required to prepare 
license renewal applications. In addition, the NRC staff believes these 
savings will be offset to some extent by the need for those licensees 
to prepare and submit license amendment requests (and associated fees) 
to request necessary changes in their programs that may have been 
included in the license renewal application.
    Another commenter supported the proposed rulemaking but also 
suggested that the NRC reevaluate its fee structure. The fees structure 
and questions relating to the assessment of fees are outside the scope 
of this rulemaking.
    Another commenter expressed general support for the effort to 
redesign the licensing process and stated that the renewal process was 
redundant, and served no useful purpose that could not otherwise be 
achieved more effectively through the license amendment and inspection 
processes. The commenter urged the NRC to reconsider the proposed rule 
and remove the license renewal process from the regulations. The issue 
of deleting the license renewal process from the regulations is beyond 
the scope of this rulemaking. However, this comment will be considered 
as part of the Office of Nuclear Material Safety and Safeguards' 
(NMSS') initiative to review the appropriate duration of the licenses 
and the certificates that it issues. In addition, for uranium recovery 
facilities, the Commission staff is currently analyzing the possibility 
of extending the duration of licenses for that class of licensees. Once 
the staff has completed its analysis and consulted with the Commission, 
the NRC will determine what, if any action it will take in extending 
the duration of uranium recovery facility licenses. This final rule 
extends certain materials licenses on a one-time basis and NMSS' 
consideration of the appropriate duration of materials licenses is a 
separate issue being considered by the NRC.
    A commenter who objected to the proposed rulemaking stated that the 
renewal process is valuable because it forces licensees to examine 
their programs and bring records up to date. The commenter also noted 
that the proposed rulemaking was indicative of the NRC's `` * * * 
arrogant, deficient attitude toward safety.'' In response to the 
comment, the NRC staff notes that 10 CFR 20.1101 requires all specific 
licensees to develop, document, and implement a radiation protection 
program commensurate with the scope and extent of licensed activities. 
The regulation further requires that licensees periodically (at least 
annually) review the content and the implementation of the radiation 
protection program. The Commission believes that this requirement, the 
criteria set out in this rulemaking, and the NRC's ongoing inspection 
program are sufficient to ensure that licensees develop and implement 
radiation programs and periodically review them to assess the program's 
effectiveness. It must also be recognized that the NRC is not 
eliminating the need to file for a renewal but is only changing the 
time frame for renewal of licenses affected by this rulemaking.
    An Agreement State submitted a comment concerning provisions that 
the NRC should have available to ensure that persons could determine 
that a specific license was extended as a result of this rulemaking. 
The NRC staff is developing procedures to implement this rule, 
including providing prompt notification to licensees whose licenses 
have been extended by the final rule.
    The Commission also sought public comments on the issue of license 
duration. Ten of the persons who commented on the one-time extension 
also provided specific comments regarding the appropriate duration of 
material licenses. Several commenters suggested that a license term of 
ten years would be appropriate. One commenter specifically suggested 
that medical licenses be issued for seven years. Three commenters 
suggested licenses have a term of twenty years. Another commenter 
suggested that a license be initially issued for two to four years, to 
allow a new licensee to demonstrate its stability. The terms of 
subsequent license renewals could then be extended for up to twenty 
years. The NRC will consider these comments in the development of its 
policy concerning the duration of material licenses.
    Other comments addressed specific components of the proposed rule. 
Those comments and their resolutions are discussed below and, to the 
extent possible, are arranged under the identified section of the rule 
to which they are related. For the purpose of clarity, the common 
elements of the comment discussion will be grouped by the nature of the 
requirements, because the new regulatory requirements in 10 CFR Parts 
30, 40, and 70 closely parallel each other.

Description of Rulemaking and Analysis of Specific Public Comments

    The final rule was based on and mainly derived from the current 
provisions in 10 CFR Parts 30, 40, and 70. Parts 30, 40, and 70 contain 
the 

[[Page 1111]]
general requirements used by the Commission to license the possession 
and use of byproduct, source, and special nuclear materials. Specific 
sections being added or amended by this final rulemaking include the 
following:

10 CFR 30.36(a)(2), 40.42(a)(2), and 70.38(a)(2)

    These paragraphs state that each specific license that has an 
expiration date after July 1, 1995, has an expiration date that is 5 
years after the expiration date stated in the current license, unless 
it is specifically excluded by the final amendments contained in this 
rule. This extends all licenses, that are not otherwise disqualified by 
the regulations, by five years without the requirement for the licensee 
to prepare and submit a license renewal application 30 days before the 
expiration date in the current license. Licensees holding licenses that 
are extended by this rule would not be required to take any action to 
renew the license until 30 days before the end of the extension which 
will end five years after the date currently specified on the license.
    Licensees who hold licenses that are not extended by this rule will 
continue to be required to either file for license renewal 30 days 
before the expiration date currently specified in the license or comply 
with the applicable license termination requirements specified in 10 
CFR 30.36, 40.42, and 70.38.
    No specific comments were received on these paragraphs.

Paragraphs 30.36(a)(3)(i), 40.42(a)(3)(j), and 70.38(a)(3)(i)

    These paragraphs delineate the specific licenses that are not 
extended by the final rule because an evaluation or an emergency plan 
is required in accordance with 10 CFR 30.32(i), 40.31(j), or 70.22(i), 
respectively. This excludes those licenses that require an evaluation 
or an emergency plan, because these licenses authorize activities 
involving large quantities of unsealed licensed materials that the 
Commission believes may pose a significant potential for release of 
radioactive materials that may result in potential exposure to the 
public and contamination of the environment. Therefore, the Commission 
believes that it would be prudent to review these licenses individually 
during the renewal process before making a determination to extend 
these licenses.
    One commenter took exception to the NRC's statements, in the 
proposed rule, which it believed implied that its member organizations, 
many of whom are ineligible for the one-time extension based on the 
size and the scope of their licensed programs and the regulatory 
requirement for an emergency plan, pose relatively greater safety 
risks. The commenter indicated that it did not believe these licensees 
have a significant potential for release of licensed material and 
public exposure. The commenter further noted that there have been no 
incidents where members of the public received significant exposures 
from licensed materials, that the licensees' controls were sufficient 
to contain licensed materials, and that maximum credible release 
scenarios showed insignificant offsite impacts.
    In developing its criteria to disqualify certain material licenses 
from the extension, the NRC staff considered its licensees' operations 
on a scale of relative hazard. The NRC used previously-established 
criteria (i.e., the need to have emergency plans, the need to have 
adequate financial assurance to fund decommissioning, etc.) to 
determine which licensed operations were relatively more hazardous, 
thus deserving closer NRC oversight. The NRC believes that licenses 
authorizing possession and use of large quantities of unsealed high-
activity radionuclides pose a greater potential for hazard than do 
licenses authorizing use of sealed sources with engineered safety 
features or licenses authorizing smaller quantities of lower activity 
radionuclides. The NRC did not state or suggest that this group of 
licensees has released licensed materials, exposed the public, or 
contaminated the environment. The NRC only indicated that the scope of 
activities carried out by this group of licensees, using previously 
established standards, has the potential for such releases and, 
accordingly, should not be generically extended by this rule. The NRC 
believes that a licensee possessing sufficient quantities of licensed 
materials to be subject to the requirements of 10 CFR 30.32(i), 
40.31(j), or 70.22(i) should file renewal applications so the NRC staff 
can review the licensee's overall operations before granting an 
extended license term.
    Another commenter objected to the disqualification for an extension 
based on need for an evaluation or an emergency plan as required in 10 
CFR 30.32(i), 40.31(j), or 70.22(i). The commenter suggested that the 
disqualifier for extension based on the need for contingency planning 
be structured similarly to the disqualifier based on the need for 
financial assurance. In other words, amend the rule to not extend any 
license whose holder is required to provide an evaluation or an 
emergency plan ``. . . and who has not submitted such a plan.'' The 
commenter indicated that the NRC acceptance of the required evaluation 
or emergency plan should be sufficient to allow a license to be 
eligible for extension. The commenter alternatively suggested that its 
particular situation be evaluated on a case-by-case basis.
    The NRC has concluded that licensees required to submit either an 
evaluation or an emergency plan are authorized to possess and use 
sufficient quantities of licensed materials to warrant closer NRC 
oversight to ensure that conditions related to the evaluation have not 
changed or that the emergency plan continues to be appropriate and 
adequate with regard to the scope of the licensee's activities. The NRC 
believes that holders of this type of license should continue to submit 
this type of information in renewal applications and that these 
licenses should not be subject to the one-time license extension. The 
one-time extension of licenses is being pursued through rulemaking, 
rather than on a case-by-case basis, so as to free the maximum amount 
of NRC resources to revise the current materials licensing process. The 
NRC is in the process of reviewing the appropriate duration for 
materials licensees. After completing the case-by-case review that will 
take place during the renewal process for those licenses not extended 
by this rulemaking, the NRC may decide to grant license renewals for 
periods exceeding the five-year duration typical under current practice 
depending on the results of the ongoing review of license duration.

Paragraphs 30.36(a)(3)(ii), 40.42(a)(3)(ii), and 70.38(a)(3)(ii)

    These paragraphs delineate the specific licenses that are not 
extended under the final rule because the licenses are subject to the 
financial assurance requirements specified in 10 CFR 30.35, 40.36, or 
70.25; and either: (a) have not submitted a decommissioning funding 
plan or certification of financial assurance for decommissioning; or 
(b) have not received written notice as of February 15, 1996 that the 
decommissioning funding plan or certification of financial assurance 
for decommissioning is acceptable. These licenses authorize possession 
of quantities and forms of licensed materials that the Commission 
believes pose a potential need for extensive decontamination before 
termination of the license and release of decommissioned facilities. 
Therefore, the Commission believes that renewals of these licenses 
should continue to be reviewed under existing procedures to 

[[Page 1112]]
ensure that appropriate resources are available to support 
decommissioning activity.
    No specific comments were received on these paragraphs.

Paragraphs 30.36(a)(3)(iii), 40.42(a)(3)(iii), and 70.38(a)(3)(iii)

    These paragraphs delineate the specific licenses that are not 
extended under the final rule because the licenses are listed in the 
Site Decommissioning Management Plan (SDMP). Generally, licenses on the 
SDMP list are no longer actively using licensed materials. The 
Commission believes that it is necessary in the interest of public 
health and safety to review the licensee's procedures to ensure proper 
evaluation of site remediation activities at facilities where the 
licensee's radiation safety program may be inactive or scaled back.
    No specific comments were received on these paragraphs.

Paragraphs 30.36(a)(3)(iv), 40.42(a)(3)(iv), and 70.38(a)(3)(iv)

    These paragraphs delineate the specific licenses that are not 
extended because the issuance, amendment, or renewal of this type of 
license is not a categorical exclusion under 10 CFR 51.22(c)(14). This 
excludes licenses that include activities requiring the preparation of 
an environmental assessment or environmental impact statement, before 
the Commission's specific authorization of that activity, from the 
five-year extension. Generally, these licenses authorize the release of 
licensed materials to the environment under highly controlled 
conditions in conjunction with scientific research activities. The 
Commission has concluded that it is important to continue reviewing 
licenses that may have a greater potential for adversely impacting the 
environment before making decisions on to whether to grant these 
licensees' licenses with longer durations.
    No specific comments were received on these paragraphs.

Paragraphs 30.36(a)(3)(v), 40.42(a)(3)(v), and 70.38(a)(3)(v)

    These paragraphs delineate the specific licenses that are not 
extended under the final rule because the holders of these specific 
licenses have not had a prior NRC inspection as of February 15, 1996. 
This ensures that the Commission has verified the effectiveness of the 
licensees' radiation safety programs by onsite inspections of the 
licensees' equipment and procedures used to safely possess and use 
licensed materials, as a precondition to allowing five-year extensions 
of licenses, under these amendments to the regulations.
    No specific comments were received on these paragraphs.

Paragraphs 30.36(a)(3)(vi), 40.42(a)(3)(vi), and 70.38(a)(3)(vi)

    These paragraphs delineate the specific licenses that are not 
extended under the final rule if, as the result of the most recent 
inspections, the holders of these specific licenses have been:
    (a) Cited for a Severity Level I, II, or III violation;
    (b) Subject to an Order issued by the NRC; or
    (c) Subject to a Confirmatory Action Letter (CAL) issued by the 
NRC.
    This excludes licenses from the five-year extensions, after the NRC 
has identified significant safety concerns or other regulatory issues. 
Typically, these licensees are reinspected within six months, to verify 
that effective corrective actions have been taken and to ensure that 
the licensees' facilities, equipment, and procedures have been 
adequately modified to prevent a recurrence of the identified 
violations. The Commission expects its licensees to operate in strict 
compliance with its regulatory requirements. Therefore, the Commission 
believes that it is prudent to review license renewal applications of 
licensees with recent safety-significant findings so that the NRC can 
verify that the licensees have adequate personnel, facilities, and 
procedures to enable them to operate at the expected level of 
compliance.
    A commenter objected to use of the issuance of a CAL as a 
disqualifier from the one-time license extension. The NRC chose to 
disqualify from the one-time extension those licenses that have 
exhibited significantly declining or poor performance with regard to 
compliance with the NRC regulations as documented at the time of the 
most recent NRC inspection. One such indicator of significantly 
declining or poor performance is the issuance of a CAL. NRC recognizes 
that licensees receiving a CAL usually take the necessary corrective 
actions. The NRC expects that licensees will take timely and effective 
corrective actions. CALs specifically state that the failure to do so 
may result in the NRC's issuance of an order modifying, suspending, or 
revoking the subject license. The NRC does not believe that it should 
extend these licenses without having first verified, by direct 
observation as well as other evaluations, during follow-up inspections, 
that the licensees' corrective actions were, in fact, effective.
    Another commenter noted that a modest improvement in program safety 
can be expected as a result of this rulemaking because the rule bestows 
a tangible, public, and previously unexpected reward on those licensees 
that have maintained programs free of significant violations.

Paragraphs 30.36(a)(3)(vii), 40.42(a)(3)(vii), and 70.38(a)(3)(vii)

    These paragraphs delineate the specific licenses that are not 
extended under the final rule because the Commission intends to 
continue to review the submissions of these licensees who have already 
submitted applications and paid fees for timely license renewal. 
Renewal requests will be granted after the NRC completes its review of 
those applications and determines that the applications satisfy NRC 
requirements. The July 1, 1995, expiration date was chosen based on 
resource considerations. The NRC staff has begun the review of many 
applications for renewal of licenses with expiration dates before July 
1, 1995, and believes that it is not appropriate to waste the resources 
already expended in that effort. However, the NRC has not begun the 
review of most of the applications for renewal of licenses with 
expiration dates after July 1, 1995, and resources will be conserved by 
extending those licenses.
    No specific comments were received on these paragraphs.

Paragraph 70.38(a)(3)(viii)

    This paragraph delineates the specific licenses that are not 
extended under the final rule because the licenses authorize possession 
of sufficient quantities of special nuclear material to be subject to 
the criticality accident requirements of 10 CFR 70.24. This excludes 
those licenses from the five-year extension because the Commission 
believes that it is prudent to continue reviewing the licensees' 
existing programs before granting licenses for longer durations to 
ensure the adequacy of the licensees' criticality safety procedures.
    No specific comments were received on this paragraph.

Paragraphs 30.37(b), 40.43(b), and 70.33(b)

    These paragraphs specify that any pending license renewal 
applications for specific licenses that are extended under the final 
rule are automatically withdrawn. Any paid license renewal fees for 
withdrawn applications will be refunded.
    Two comments generally supportive of the rule expressed concern 
about licensees who had already prepared 

[[Page 1113]]
license renewal applications for submission to the NRC. One commenter 
suggested that licensees whose licenses expired after July 1, 1995, and 
who have prepared complete renewal applications without reference to 
previously submitted documents should have the option of: (1) Having 
their new renewal application reviewed and the license renewed; or (2) 
having the existing license extended. The other commenter had prepared 
complete license renewal applications, for its clients, that included 
descriptions of the radiation safety programs updated to reflect the 
revisions to 10 CFR part 20 that became effective January 1, 1994. The 
commenter suggested that these applications be reviewed and the 
licenses renewed, rather than extended.
    The NRC believes that as many eligible licenses as possible should 
be extended, to achieve the maximum resource savings possible for use 
in redesigning the materials licensing process. However, the NRC also 
recognizes that some licensees may want the NRC to review part or all 
of their license renewal applications. Licensees whose license renewal 
applications are automatically withdrawn by this rulemaking but whose 
renewal applications contain revisions that they need to have 
incorporated in their licenses, should submit those changes as an 
amendment request accompanied by the appropriate amendment fees.

Environmental Impact: Categorical Exclusion

    The NRC has determined that these regulations are the type of 
actions described in the categorical exclusion in 10 CFR 51.22(c)(3). 
Therefore, neither an environmental impact statement nor an 
environmental assessment has been prepared for this regulation.

Paperwork Reduction Act

    This final rule does not contain a new or amended information 
collection requirement subject to the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 
(44 U.S.C. 3501, et seq.). Existing requirements were approved by the 
Office of Management and Budget (OMB) approval number 3150-0009 (Part 
70) and 3150-0120 (Parts 30 and 40). The NRC may not conduct nor 
sponsor, and a person is not required to respond to, a collection of 
information unless it displays a currently valid OMB control number.

Regulatory Analysis

    A regulatory analysis has not been prepared for this rule because 
it is not expected to have any adverse impact on licensees subject to 
the final rule. These licensees will be postponing the submission of 
license renewal applications and the associated fees for five years.

Regulatory Flexibility Analysis

    As required by the Regulatory Flexibility Act of 1980, 5 U.S.C. 
605(b), the Commission certifies that these rules will not have a 
significant economic impact on a substantial number of small entities. 
These rules merely extend, on a one-time basis, certain existing 
byproduct, source, and special nuclear materials licenses that meet 
specified criteria by five years and therefore, will not result in any 
adverse impact.

Backfit Analysis

    The NRC has determined that the backfit rule, 10 CFR 50.109, does 
not apply to this final rule and, therefore, that a backfit analysis is 
not required for this rulemaking because these amendments do not 
involve any provisions that would impose backfits as defined in 10 CFR 
50.109(a)(1).

List of Subjects

10 CFR Part 30

    Byproduct material, Criminal penalties, Government contracts, 
Intergovernmental relations, Isotopes, Nuclear materials, Radiation 
protection, Reporting and recordkeeping requirements.

10 CFR Part 40

    Criminal penalties, Government contracts, Hazardous materials 
transportation, Nuclear materials, Reporting and recordkeeping 
requirements, Source material, Uranium.

10 CFR Part 70

    Criminal penalties, Hazardous materials transportation, Material 
control and accounting, Nuclear materials, Packaging and containers, 
Radiation protection, Reporting and recordkeeping requirements, 
Scientific equipment, Security measures, Special nuclear material.

    For the reasons set out in the preamble and under the authority of 
the Atomic Energy Act of 1954, as amended; the Energy Reorganization 
Act of 1974, as amended; and 5 U.S.C. 552 and 553; the Nuclear 
Regulatory Commission is adopting the following amendments to 10 CFR 
Parts 30, 40, and 70.

PART 30--RULES OF GENERAL APPLICABILITY TO DOMESTIC LICENSING OF 
BYPRODUCT MATERIAL

    1. The authority citation for 10 CFR Part 30 continues to read as 
follows:

    Authority: Secs. 81, 82, 161, 182, 183, 186, 68 Stat. 935, 948, 
953, 954, 955, as amended, sec. 234, 83 Stat. 444, as amended (42 
U.S.C. 2111, 2112, 2201, 2232, 2233, 2236, 2282); secs. 201, as 
amended, 202, 206, 88 Stat. 1242, as amended, 1244, 1246 (42 U.S.C. 
5841, 5842, 5846).

    Section 30.7 also issued under Pub. L. 95-601, sec. 10, 92 Stat. 
2951 as amended by Pub. L. 102-486, sec. 2902, 106 Stat. 3123 (42 
U.S.C. 5851). Section 30.34(b) also issued under sec. 184, 68 Stat. 
954, as amended (42 U.S.C. 2234). Section 30.61 also issued under sec. 
187, 68 Stat. 955 (42 U.S.C. 2237).

    2. In 10 CFR 30.36, paragraph (a) is revised to read as follows:


Sec. 30.36  Expiration and termination of licenses and decommissioning 
of sites and separate buildings or outdoor areas.

    (a)(1) Except as provided in paragraph (a)(2) of this section, each 
specific license expires at the end of the day on the expiration date 
stated in the license unless the licensee has filed an application for 
renewal under Sec. 30.37 not less than 30 days before the expiration 
date stated in the existing license (or, for those licenses subject to 
paragraph (a)(2) of this section, 30 days before the deemed expiration 
date in that paragraph). If an application for renewal has been filed 
at least 30 days before the expiration date stated in the existing 
license (or, for those licenses subject to paragraph (a)(2) of this 
section, 30 days before the deemed expiration date in that paragraph), 
the existing license expires at the end of the day on which the 
Commission makes a final determination to deny the renewal application 
or, if the determination states an expiration date, the expiration date 
stated in the determination.
    (2) Each specific license that has an expiration date after July 1, 
1995, and is not one of the licenses described in paragraph (a)(3) of 
this section, shall be deemed to have an expiration date that is five 
years after the expiration date stated in the current license.
    (3) The following specific licenses are not subject to, or 
otherwise affected by, the provisions of paragraph (a)(2) of this 
section:
    (i) Specific licenses for which, on February 15, 1996, an 
evaluation or an emergency plan is required in accordance with 
Sec. 30.32(i);
    (ii) Specific licenses whose holders are subject to the financial 
assurance 

[[Page 1114]]
requirements specified in 10 CFR 30.35, and on February 15, 1996, the 
holders either:
    (A) Have not submitted a decommissioning funding plan or 
certification of financial assurance for decommissioning; or
    (B) Have not received written notice that the decommissioning 
funding plan or certification of financial assurance for 
decommissioning is acceptable;
    (iii) Specific licenses whose holders are listed in the SDMP List 
published in NUREG 1444, Supplement 1 (November 1995);
    (iv) Specific licenses whose issuance, amendment, or renewal, as of 
February 15, 1996, is not a categorical exclusion under 10 CFR 
51.22(c)(14) and, therefore, need an environmental assessment or 
environmental impact statement pursuant to Subpart A of Part 51 of this 
chapter;
    (v) Specific licenses whose holders have not had at least one NRC 
inspection of licensed activities before February 15, 1996;
    (vi) Specific licenses whose holders, as the result of the most 
recent NRC inspection of licensed activities conducted before February 
15, 1996, have been:
    (A) Cited for a Severity Level I, II, or III violation in a Notice 
of Violation;
    (B) Subject to an Order issued by the NRC; or
    (C) Subject to a Confirmatory Action Letter issued by the NRC.
* * * * *
    (vii) Specific licenses with expiration dates before July 1, 1995, 
for which the holders have submitted applications for renewal under 10 
CFR 30.37 of this part.
    3. In 10 CFR 30.37, a new paragraph (b) is added to read as 
follows:


Sec. 30.37  Application for renewal of licenses.

* * * * *
    (b) If any licensee granted the extension described in 10 CFR 
30.36(a)(2) has a currently pending renewal application for the 
extended license, that application will be considered withdrawn by the 
licensee and any renewal fees paid by the licensee for that application 
will be refunded.

PART 40--DOMESTIC LICENSING OF SOURCE MATERIAL

    4. The authority citation for 10 CFR Part 40 continues to read as 
follows:

    Authority: Secs. 62, 63, 64, 65, 81, 161, 182, 183, 186, 68 
Stat. 932, 933, 935, 948, 953, 954, 955, as amended, secs. 11e(2), 
83, 84, Pub. L. 95-604, 92 Stat. 3033, as amended, 3039, sec. 234, 
83 Stat. 444, as amended (42 U.S.C. 2014(e)(2), 2092, 2093, 2094, 
2095, 2111, 2113, 2114, 2201, 2232, 2233, 2236, 2282); sec. 274, 
Pub. L. 86-373, 73 Stat. 688 (42 U.S.C. 2021); secs. 201, as 
amended, 202, 206, 88 Stat. 1242, as amended, 1244, 1246 (42 U.S.C. 
5841, 5842, 5846); sec. 275, 92 Stat. 3021, as amended by Pub. L. 
97-415, 96 Stat. 2067 (42 U.S.C. 2022).

    Section 40.7 also issued under Public Law 95-601, sec. 10, 92 Stat. 
2951 as amended by Pub. L. 102-486, sec. 2902, 106 Stat. 3123, (42 
U.S.C. 5851). Section 40.31(g) also issued under sec. 122, 68 Stat. 939 
(42 U.S.C. 2152). Section 40.46 also issued under sec. 184, 68 Stat. 
954, as amended (42 U.S.C. 2234). Section 40.71 also issued under sec. 
187, 68 Stat. 955 (42 U.S.C. 2237).
    5. In Sec. 40.42, paragraph (a) is revised to read as follows:


Sec. 40.42  Expiration and termination of licenses and decommissioning 
of sites and separate buildings or outdoor areas.

    (a)(1) Except as provided in paragraph (a)(2) of this section, each 
specific license expires at the end of the day on the expiration date 
stated in the license unless the licensee has filed an application for 
renewal under Sec. 40.43 not less than 30 days before the expiration 
date stated in the existing license (or, for those licenses subject to 
paragraph (a)(2) of this section, 30 days before the deemed expiration 
date in that paragraph). If an application for renewal has been filed 
at least 30 days before the expiration date stated in the existing 
license (or, for those licenses subject to paragraph (a)(2) of this 
section, 30 days before the deemed expiration date in that paragraph), 
the existing license expires at the end of the day on which the 
Commission makes a final determination to deny the renewal application 
or, if the determination states an expiration date, the expiration date 
stated in the determination.
    (2) Each specific license that has an expiration date after July 1, 
1995, and is not one of the licenses described in paragraph (a)(3) of 
this section, shall be deemed to have an expiration date that is five 
years after the expiration date stated in the current license.
    (3) The following specific licenses are not subject to, or 
otherwise affected by, the provisions of paragraph (a)(2) of this 
section:
    (i) Specific licenses for which, on February 15, 1996, an 
evaluation or an emergency plan is required in accordance with 
Sec. 40.31(j);
    (ii) Specific licenses whose holders are subject to the financial 
assurance requirements specified in 10 CFR 40.36, and on February 15, 
1996, the holders either:
    (A) Have not submitted a decommissioning funding plan nor 
certification of financial assurance for decommissioning; or
    (B) Have not received written notice that the decommissioning 
funding plan or certification of financial assurance for 
decommissioning is acceptable;
    (iii) Specific licenses whose holders are listed in the SDMP List 
published in NUREG 1444, Supplement 1 (November 1995);
    (iv) Specific licenses whose issuance, amendment, or renewal, as of 
February 15, 1996, is not a categorical exclusion under 10 CFR 
51.22(c)(14) and, therefore, need an environmental assessment or 
environmental impact statement pursuant to Subpart A of Part 51 of this 
chapter;
    (v) Specific licenses whose holders have not had at least one NRC 
inspection of licensed activities before February 15, 1996;
    (vi) Specific licenses whose holders, as the result of the most 
recent NRC inspection of licensed activities conducted before February 
15, 1996, have been:
    (A) Cited for a Severity Level I, II, or III violation in a Notice 
of Violation;
    (B) Subject to an Order issued by the NRC; or
    (C) Subject to a CAL issued by the NRC.
    (vii) Specific licenses with expiration dates before July 1, 1995, 
for which the holders have submitted applications for renewal under 10 
CFR 40.43 of this part.
* * * * *
    6. In 10 CFR 40.43, a new paragraph (b) is added to read as 
follows:


Sec. 40.43  Renewal of licenses.

* * * * *
    (b) If any licensee granted the extension described in 10 CFR 
40.42(a)(2) has a currently pending renewal application for the 
extended license, that application will be considered to be withdrawn 
by the licensee and any renewal fees paid by the licensee for that 
application will be refunded.

PART 70--DOMESTIC LICENSING OF SPECIAL NUCLEAR MATERIAL

    7. The authority citation for 10 CFR Part 70 continues to read as 
follows:

    Authority: Secs. 51, 53, 161, 182, 183, 68 Stat. 929, 930, 948, 
953, 954, as amended, sec. 234, 83 Stat. 444, as amended, sec. 1701, 
106 Stat. 2951, 2952, 2953 (42 U.S.C. 2071, 2073, 2201, 2232, 2233, 
2282, 2297f); secs. 201, as amended, 202, 204, 206, 88 Stat. 1242, 
as amended, 1244, 1245, 1246 (42 U.S.C. 5841, 5842, 5845, 5846).

    Sections 70.1(c) and 70.20a(b) also issued under secs. 135, 141, 
Public Law 97-425, 96 Stat. 2232, 2241 (42 U.S.C. 

[[Page 1115]]
10155, 10161). Section 70.7 also issued under Public Law 95-601, sec. 
10, 92 Stat. 2951 (42 U.S.C. 5851). Section 70.21(g) also issued under 
sec. 122, 68 Stat. 939 (42 U.S.C. 2152). Section 70.31 also issued 
under sec. 57d, Public Law 93-377, 88 Stat. 475 (42 U.S.C. 2077). 
Sections 70.36 and 70.44 also issued under sec. 184, 68 Stat. 954, as 
amended (42 U.S.C. 2234). Section 70.61 also issued under secs. 186, 
187, 68 Stat. 955 (42 U.S.C. 2236, 2237). Section 70.62 also issued 
under sec. 108, 68 Stat. 939, as amended (42 U.S.C. 2138).
    8. In 10 CFR 70.38, paragraph (a) is revised to read as follows:


Sec. 70.38  Expiration and termination of licenses and decommissioning 
of sites and separate buildings or outdoor areas.

    (a)(1) Except as provided in paragraph (a)(2) of this section, each 
specific license expires at the end of the day on the expiration date 
stated in the license unless the licensee has filed an application for 
renewal under Sec. 70.33 not less than 30 days before the expiration 
date stated in the existing license (or, for those licenses subject to 
paragraph (a)(2) of this section, 30 days before the deemed expiration 
date in that paragraph). If an application for renewal has been filed 
at least 30 days before the expiration date stated in the existing 
license (or, for those licenses subject to paragraph (a)(2) of this 
section, 30 days before the deemed expiration date in that paragraph), 
the existing license expires at the end of the day on which the 
Commission makes a final determination to deny the renewal application 
or, if the determination states an expiration date, the expiration date 
stated in the determination.
    (2) Each specific license that has an expiration date after July 1, 
1995, and is not one of the licenses described in paragraph (a)(3) of 
this section, shall be deemed to have an expiration date that is five 
years after the expiration date stated in the current license.
    (3) The following specific licenses are not subject to, nor 
otherwise affected by, the provisions of paragraph (a)(2) of this 
section:
    (i) Specific licenses for which, on February 15, 1996, an 
evaluation or an emergency plan is required in accordance with 
Sec. 70.22(i);
    (ii) Specific licenses whose holders are subject to the financial 
assurance requirements specified in 10 CFR 70.25, and on February 15, 
1996, the holders either:
    (A) Have not submitted a decommissioning funding plan or 
certification of financial assurance for decommissioning; or
    (B) Have not received written notice that the decommissioning 
funding plan or certification of financial assurance for 
decommissioning is acceptable;
    (iii) Specific licenses whose holders are listed in the SDMP List 
published in NUREG 1444, Supplement 1 (November 1995);
    (iv) Specific licenses whose issuance, amendment or renewal, as of 
February 15, 1996, is not a categorical exclusion under 10 CFR 
51.22(c)(14) and, therefore, need an environmental assessment or 
environmental impact statement pursuant to Subpart A of Part 51 of this 
chapter;
    (v) Specific licenses whose holders have not had at least one NRC 
inspection of licensed activities before February 15, 1996;
    (vi) Specific licenses whose holders, as the result of the most 
recent NRC inspection of licensed activities conducted before February 
15, 1996, have been:
    (A) Cited for a Severity Level I, II, or III violation in a Notice 
of Violation:
    (B) Subject to an Order issued by the NRC; or
    (C) Subject to a CAL issued by the NRC.
    (vii) Specific licenses with expiration dates before July 1, 1995, 
for which the holders have submitted applications for renewal under 10 
CFR 70.33 of this part.
    (viii) Specific licenses issued pursuant to 10 CFR 70.31 that, as 
of February 15, 1996, are also subject to the requirements in 
Sec. 70.24.
* * * * *
    9. In 10 CFR 70.33, a new paragraph (b) is added to read as 
follows:


Sec. 70.33  Renewal of licenses.

* * * * *
    (b) If any licensee granted the extension described in 10 CFR 
70.38(a)(2) has a currently pending renewal application for that 
extended license, that application will be considered withdrawn by the 
licensee and any renewal fees paid by the licensee for that application 
will be refunded.

    Dated at Rockville, Maryland, this 20th day of December, 1995.

    For the Nuclear Regulatory Commission.
James M. Taylor,
Executive Director for Operations.
[FR Doc. 96-346 Filed 1-11-96; 2:00 pm]
BILLING CODE 7590-01-P