[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 199 (Wednesday, October 15, 1997)] [Notices] [Page 53662] From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov] [FR Doc No: 97-27238] ----------------------------------------------------------------------- NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION Information to Licensees Regarding NRC Inspection Manual Section on Resolution of Degraded and Nonconforming Conditions; Issue AGENCY: Nuclear Regulatory Commission. ACTION: Notice of issuance. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- SUMMARY: The Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) has issued Generic Letter 91-18, Revision 1 to notify all holders of operating licenses for nuclear power reactors and non-power reactors, including those power reactor licensees who have permanently ceased operations and have certified that fuel has been permanently removed from the reactor vessel, and non-power reactor licensees whose licenses no longer authorize operation, of the issuance of a revised section of Part 9900, ``Technical Guidance,'' of the NRC inspection manual. This generic letter is for information only; no specific action or written response is required. Conformance with the guidance provided in the generic letter is voluntary. This generic letter is a ``rule'' for purposes of the Small Business Regulatory Enforcement Fairness Act (5 U.S.C., Chapter 8). The staff has received confirmation from the Office of Management and Budget that the generic letter is not a ``major rule''. The generic letter is available in the NRC Public Document Room under accession number 9710060322. DATES: The generic letter was issued on October 8, 1997. ADDRESSEES: Not applicable. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Eileen M. McKenna at (301) 415-2189. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The revised section of Part 9900 of the NRC inspection manual is entitled ``Resolution of Degraded and Nonconforming Conditions.'' The revisions to this section more explicitly discuss the role of the 10 CFR 50.59 evaluation process in the resolution of degraded and nonconforming conditions. In particular, a change in NRC staff guidance is addressed which states that the need to obtain NRC approval for the final resolution of a degraded or nonconforming condition does not affect the licensee's authority to continue facility operation (or effect a restart from a shutdown condition), provided that necessary equipment is operable and the degraded equipment is not in conflict with any technical specification. Nevertheless, it is noted that the NRC will take enforcement action if it determines that licensee corrective action (which may include the submittal of a license amendment request) is not prompt, or that operability determinations are not sound. Enforcement action may also be taken for the circumstances that led to the existence of the degraded or nonconforming condition. Dated at Rockville, Maryland, this 8th day of October 1997. For the Nuclear Regulatory Commission. Jack W. Roe, Acting Director, Division of Reactor Program Management, Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation. [FR Doc. 97-27238 Filed 10-14-97; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 7590-01-P