[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 23 (Friday, February 2, 1996)]
[Notices]
[Pages 3953-3955]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-2205]



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NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION
[Docket No. 50-331]


IES Utilities, Inc; Notice of Consideration of Issuance of 
Amendment to Facility Operating License, Proposed No Significant 
Hazards Consideration Determination, and Opportunity for a Hearing

    The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (the Commission) is 
considering issuance of an amendment to Facility Operating License No. 
DPR-49 issued to IES Utilities Inc. for operation of the Duane Arnold 
Energy Center (DAEC) located in Palo, Iowa.
    The proposed amendment would modify the requirements for testing an 
emergency diesel generator (EDG) when the other is inoperable. The 
amendment would correct an editorial error in the DAEC Operating 
License and would correct an erroneous reference in the Technical 
Specifications (TS).
    Before issuance of the proposed license amendment, the Commission 
will have made findings required by the Atomic Energy Act of 1954, as 
amended (the Act) and the Commission's regulations.
    The Commission has made a proposed determination that the amendment 
request involves no significant hazards consideration. Under the 
Commission's regulations in 10 CFR 50.92, this means that operation of 
the facility in accordance with the proposed amendment would not (1) 
involve a significant increase in the probability or consequences of an 
accident previously evaluated; or (2) create the possibility of a new 
or different kind of accident from any accident previously evaluated; 
or (3) involve a significant reduction in a margin of safety. As 
required by 10 CFR 50.91(a), the licensee has provided its analysis of 
the issue of no significant hazards consideration, which is presented 
below:

    1. The proposed revision does not involve a significant increase 
in the probability or consequences of an accident previously 
evaluated. The changes are administrative in nature and are 
consistent with previously-published NRC guidance. The proposed 
revision does not change any accident analysis, plant safety 
analysis or calculations; degrade existing plant programs; or modify 
any functions of safety related systems or accident mitigation 
functions for which the DAEC has previously been credited. The 
proposed revision to the Surveillance Requirements will continue to 
assure OPERABILITY as required, but eliminate unnecessary operation 
of an EDG and is consistent with the requirements of the Improved 
Standard TS, NUREG-1433.
    2. The proposed revision does not create the possibility of a 
new or different kind of accident from any accident previously 
evaluated. The proposed revision does not 

[[Page 3954]]
alter any plant parameters, revise any safety limit setpoint, or 
provide any new release pathways. In addition, the proposed revision 
does not modify the operation or function of any safety-related 
equipment, nor introduce any new modes of operation, failure modes, 
or physical changes to the plant.
    3. The proposed revision does not involve a significant 
reduction in a margin of safety. The proposed revision does not 
alter any plant parameters, revise any safety limit setpoint, or 
provide any new release pathways. In addition, the proposed revision 
does not modify the operation or function of any safety-related 
equipment, nor introduce any new modes of operation, failure modes, 
or physical changes to the plant.

    The NRC staff has reviewed the licensee's analysis and, based on 
this review, it appears that the three standards of 10 CFR 50.92(c) are 
satisfied. Therefore, the NRC staff proposes to determine that the 
amendment request involves no significant hazards consideration.
    The Commission is seeking public comments on this proposed 
determination. Any comments received within 30 days after the date of 
publication of this notice will be considered in making any final 
determination.
    Normally, the Commission will not issue the amendment until the 
expiration of the 30-day notice period. However, should circumstances 
change during the notice period such that failure to act in a timely 
way would result, for example, in derating or shutdown of the facility, 
the Commission may issue the license amendment before the expiration of 
the 30-day notice period, provided that its final determination is that 
the amendment involves no significant hazards consideration. The final 
determination will consider all public and State comments received. 
Should the Commission take this action, it will publish in the Federal 
Register a notice of issuance and provide for opportunity for a hearing 
after issuance. The Commission expects that the need to take this 
action will occur very infrequently.
    Written comments may be submitted by mail to the Rules Review and 
Directives Branch, Division of Freedom of Information and Publications 
Services, Office of Administration, U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission, 
Washington, DC 20555, and should cite the publication date and page 
number of this Federal Register notice. Written comments may also be 
delivered to Room 6D22, Two White Flint North, 11545 Rockville Pike, 
Rockville, Maryland, from 7:30 a.m. to 4:15 p.m. Federal workdays. 
Copies of written comments received may be examined at the NRC Public 
Document Room, the Gelman Building, 2120 L Street, NW., Washington, DC.
    The filing of requests for hearing and petitions for leave to 
intervene is discussed below.
    By March 4, 1996, the licensee may file a request for a hearing 
with respect to issuance of the amendment to the subject facility 
operating license and any person whose interest may be affected by this 
proceeding and who wishes to participate as a party in the proceeding 
must file a written request for a hearing and a petition for leave to 
intervene. Requests for a hearing and a petition for leave to intervene 
shall be filed in accordance with the Commission's ``Rules of Practice 
for Domestic Licensing Proceedings'' in 10 CFR Part 2. Interested 
persons should consult a current copy of 10 CFR 2.714 which is 
available at the Commission's Public Document Room, the Gelman 
Building, 2120 L Street, NW., Washington, DC, and at the local public 
document room located at the Cedar Rapids Public Library, 500 First 
Street SE, Cedar Rapids, Iowa. If a request for a hearing or petition 
for leave to intervene is filed by the above date, the Commission or an 
Atomic Safety and Licensing Board, designated by the Commission or by 
the Chairman of the Atomic Safety and Licensing Board Panel, will rule 
on the request and/or petition; and the Secretary or the designated 
Atomic Safety and Licensing Board will issue a notice of hearing or an 
appropriate order.
    As required by 10 CFR 2.714, a petition for leave to intervene 
shall set forth with particularity the interest of the petitioner in 
the proceeding, and how that interest may be affected by the results of 
the proceeding. The petition should specifically explain the reasons 
why intervention should be permitted with particular reference to the 
following factors: (1) the nature of the petitioner's right under the 
Act to be made party to the proceeding; (2) the nature and extent of 
the petitioner's property, financial, or other interest in the 
proceeding; and (3) the possible effect of any order which may be 
entered in the proceeding on the petitioner's interest. The petition 
should also identify the specific aspect(s) of the subject matter of 
the proceeding as to which petitioner wishes to intervene. Any person 
who has filed a petition for leave to intervene or who has been 
admitted as a party may amend the petition without requesting leave of 
the Board up to 15 days prior to the first prehearing conference 
scheduled in the proceeding, but such an amended petition must satisfy 
the specificity requirements described above.
    Not later than 15 days prior to the first prehearing conference 
scheduled in the proceeding, a petitioner shall file a supplement to 
the petition to intervene which must include a list of the contentions 
which are sought to be litigated in the matter. Each contention must 
consist of a specific statement of the issue of law or fact to be 
raised or controverted. In addition, the petitioner shall provide a 
brief explanation of the bases of the contention and a concise 
statement of the alleged facts or expert opinion which support the 
contention and on which the petitioner intends to rely in proving the 
contention at the hearing. The petitioner must also provide references 
to those specific sources and documents of which the petitioner is 
aware and on which the petitioner intends to rely to establish those 
facts or expert opinion. Petitioner must provide sufficient information 
to show that a genuine dispute exists with the applicant on a material 
issue of law or fact. Contentions shall be limited to matters within 
the scope of the amendment under consideration. The contention must be 
one which, if proven, would entitle the petitioner to relief. A 
petitioner who fails to file such a supplement which satisfies these 
requirements with respect to at least one contention will not be 
permitted to participate as a party.
    Those permitted to intervene become parties to the proceeding, 
subject to any limitations in the order granting leave to intervene, 
and have the opportunity to participate fully in the conduct of the 
hearing, including the opportunity to present evidence and cross-
examine witnesses.
    If a hearing is requested, the Commission will make a final 
determination on the issue of no significant hazards consideration. The 
final determination will serve to decide when the hearing is held.
    If the final determination is that the amendment request involves 
no significant hazards consideration, the Commission may issue the 
amendment and make it immediately effective, notwithstanding the 
request for a hearing. Any hearing held would take place after issuance 
of the amendment.
    If the final determination is that the amendment request involves a 
significant hazards consideration, any hearing held would take place 
before the issuance of any amendment.
    A request for a hearing or a petition for leave to intervene must 
be filed with the Secretary of the Commission, U.S. Nuclear Regulatory 
Commission, Washington, DC 20555, Attention: 

[[Page 3955]]
Docketing and Services Branch, or may be delivered to the Commission's 
Public Document Room, the Gelman Building, 2120 L Street, NW., 
Washington, DC, by the above date. Where petitions are filed during the 
last 10 days of the notice period, it is requested that the petitioner 
promptly so inform the Commission by a toll-free telephone call to 
Western Union at 1-(800) 248-5100 (in Missouri 1-(800) 342-6700). The 
Western Union operator should be given Datagram Identification Number 
N1023 and the following message addressed to Gail H. Marcus: 
petitioner's name and telephone number, date petition was mailed, plant 
name, and publication date and page number of this Federal Register 
notice. A copy of the petition should also be sent to the Office of the 
General Counsel, U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission, Washington, DC 
20555, and to Jack Newman, Kathleen H. Shaw; Morgan, Lewis & Bockius, 
P.C.; 1800 M Street NW., Washington, DC 20036, attorneys for the 
licensee.
    Nontimely filings of petitions for leave to intervene, amended 
petitions, supplemental petitions and/or requests for hearing will not 
be entertained absent a determination by the Commission, the presiding 
officer or the presiding Atomic Safety and Licensing Board that the 
petition and/or request should be granted based upon a balancing of the 
factors specified in 10 CFR 2.714(a)(1)(i)-(v) and 2.714(d).
    For further details with respect to this action, see the 
applications for amendment dated July 21, 1995, August 8, 1995, and 
December 15, 1995, which are available for public inspection at the 
Commission's Public Document Room, the Gelman Building, 2120 L Street, 
NW., Washington, DC, and at the local public document room located at 
the Cedar Rapids Public Library, 500 First Street SE, Cedar Rapids, 
Iowa.

    Dated at Rockville, Maryland, this 29th day of January 1996.

    For the Nuclear Regulatory Commission.
Glenn B. Kelly,
Project Manager,
Project Directorate III-3 Division of Reactor Projects--III/IV Office 
of Nuclear Reactor Regulation.
[FR Doc. 96-2205 Filed 2-1-96; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 7590-01-P