[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 158 (Tuesday, August 17, 1999)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 44645-44650]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-21306]


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NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION

10 CFR Part 76

RIN 3150-AF85


Certification Renewal and Amendment Processes

AGENCY: Nuclear Regulatory Commission.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: The Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) is amending the 
regulations governing the U.S. Enrichment Corporation's (USEC or the 
Corporation) gaseous diffusion plants to modify the certification 
renewal and amendment processes. The amendments are intended to improve 
these processes so that they are more effective and efficient. The 
final rule modifies the process for certificate renewals, establishes a 
process for certificate amendments comparable to the process currently 
used to amend a fuel cycle license, revises the appeal process for 
amendments, eliminates the ``significant'' designation for amendments, 
simplifies the criteria for persons who are eligible to file a petition 
for review of an amendment action, removes references to the initial 
application because the initial certificates have been issued, and 
lengthens the time periods associated with filing a petition for 
review.

EFFECTIVE DATE: September 16, 1999.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. John L. Telford, Office of Nuclear 
Material Safety and Safeguards, U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission, 
Washington, DC 20555-0001, telephone (301) 415-6229, e-mail 
[email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background

    The regulations establishing NRC's requirements for USEC's Paducah 
and Portsmouth gaseous diffusion plants (GDPs) were published on 
September 23, 1994 (59 FR 48960). Subsequently, the Atomic Energy Act 
(AEA) of 1954 was modified to increase the period for certificate 
renewals from 1 year to up to 5 years. The regulations implementing 
this modification to the AEA were published on February 12, 1997 (62 FR 
6670). On March 3, 1997, the GDP's came under NRC's oversight. Since 
1997, the NRC has implemented the initial certification and numerous 
certificate amendments. As a result, the NRC staff identified several 
areas where changes would improve the effectiveness and efficiency of 
the certificate renewal and amendment processes.
    On September 15, 1998 (63 FR 49301), the NRC published a proposed 
rule that presented amendments to 10 CFR Part 76 intended to make the 
certification renewal and amendment processes more effective and 
efficient.

Comments on the Proposed Rule

    The Commission received one letter commenting on the proposed rule. 
A copy of the letter is available for public inspection and copying for 
a fee at the

[[Page 44646]]

Commission's Public Document Room, located at 2120 L Street, NW (Lower 
Level), Washington, D.C. This letter came from USEC, which leases and 
operates the GDPs. The Corporation supported the proposed rule, but had 
two specific comments.
    Comment 1: ``The proposed wording states that a certificate 
amendment will be effective when issued by the NRC staff. Immediate 
implementation upon issuance of the amendment may be possible in some 
cases; however, in most cases some implementation time will be 
required. USEC anticipates that in submitting amendment requests, it 
will continue the current practice of requesting that site 
implementation occur within a certain period of time (e.g., 30 days) or 
after completion of certain activities (e.g., equipment installation, 
testing) after the staff's issuance of the amendment. USEC assumes that 
the NRC, in granting an immediately effective certificate amendment, 
will continue to provide the requisite flexibility and time for 
effective implementation.''
    Response: The Commission agrees with the comment. When granting an 
amendment, the NRC staff intends to allow an appropriate implementation 
period (e.g., 30 days). To clarify this intent further, the regulatory 
text has been modified to make an amendment effective on a date 
specified by the NRC staff.
    Comment 2: ``These paragraphs [76.45 (d) and (e)] specify 
requirements for obtaining the Director's review of the staff's 
determination and the Commission's review of a Director's decision on 
an amendment application. These paragraphs state that if the Director 
or Commission does not issue a decision or otherwise act after 
receiving a petition for review, the determination on the amendment 
application remains in effect. However, the ability of the Corporation 
to implement an effective amendment should a petition be received is 
unclear. Therefore, USEC requests that the proposed wording in 
Sec. 76.45(d) and Sec. 76.45(e) be clarified to indicate that, should a 
petition on an effective amendment be received, implementation of the 
amendment at the gaseous diffusion plants may continue, unless and 
until the Director modifies or sets aside the findings, conclusions, 
conditions or terms in the staff's amendment determination or the 
Commission modifies or sets aside the findings, conclusions, conditions 
or terms in the Director's amendment review decision. Should either the 
staff's decision or the Director's decision be modified or set aside, 
upon NRC notification, the Corporation would take the required actions 
with respect to implementation of the effective amendment. USEC's 
comments in this regard could be addressed with the addition of the 
following language to Secs. 76.45 (d) and (e):
    The pendency of a petition [for review] under this subsection shall 
not delay the effective date of the amendment as issued by the staff 
under Sec. 76.45(c) above.''
    Response: The language of Sec. 76.45 (d) and (e) does not need to 
be revised. If a petition for review is pending, the Commission 
believes that the Corporation may implement an effective certificate 
amendment because of the statements in Sec. 76.45 (c), (d), and (e). In 
particular, if a petition for review is pending, it would not delay the 
effective date of the certificate amendment. The Corporation may 
continue implementation of an effective certificate amendment unless 
and until it is modified or set aside by either the Director or the 
Commission.

The Final Rule

    This final rule makes the following changes:
    Currently, Sec. 76.37 specifies that the Director of the Office of 
Nuclear Material Safety and Safeguards (the Director) shall publish a 
Federal Register notice of receipt of an application for renewal. This 
final rule replaces ``shall'' with ``may, at his or her discretion,'' 
and inserts ``for renewal'' after the first occurrence of the word 
``application'' in paragraphs (a), (b), and (c). Replacing ``shall'' 
with ``may, at his or her discretion,'' allows the Director to 
determine if a Federal Register notice is warranted for an application 
for renewal on a case-by-case basis. There are two reasons for this 
action. First, if the application does not address any new safety 
issues or there have not been any major changes to the facility or its 
operating procedures that would substantially increase the risk 
associated with the facility, the Director may decide that a Federal 
Register notice is not necessary. This flexibility allows the NRC to 
focus its resources on safety issues that have significant potential 
risk. Second, there is no requirement in the AEA to notice an 
application for certificate renewal. Furthermore, similar actions for 
10 CFR Parts 30, 40, and 70 facilities are not noticed. Adding ``for 
renewal'' clarifies that the application is specifically for renewal.
    In Sec. 76.39, the phrase ``for renewal'' is being inserted after 
each occurrence of the word ``application.'' This clarifies that the 
application being discussed in Sec. 76.39 is specifically for renewal.
    Section 76.45(a) is being changed to remove the responsibility for 
making the initial decision on an amendment application from the 
Director. This change allows the decision to grant or deny an amendment 
application to be delegated to the branch chief. This action 
contributes to a more efficient use of NRC resources and is comparable 
to the process used for facilities regulated by the Commission under 10 
CFR Parts 30, 40, and 70.
    Section 76.45(b) is being deleted. The first sentence currently 
requires that the Director determine whether the proposed activities 
are ``significant'' and, if so, follow the procedures specified in 
Secs. 76.37 and 76.39. This sentence is being deleted because the 
procedures specified in Sec. 76.37 to be followed by the Director will 
be discretionary, and the procedures specified in Sec. 76.39 are 
currently discretionary. Accordingly, it would not be logical to compel 
the Director to follow either of them. This action eliminates the 
current distinction between ``significant'' and not significant 
proposed activities. This action also provides a more flexible and 
efficient regulatory process. However, the public's opportunity to 
follow each amendment remains the same because licensing documents are 
placed in the Commission's Public Document Room, and in the near 
future, the NRC plans to place these documents on NRC's website. 
Accordingly, the public will have an opportunity to file a petition for 
review of an amendment as described in revised Sec. 76.45(d). In 
addition, the last sentence in Sec. 76.45(b) is being deleted because 
decisions on certificate amendment applications will be delegated to 
the branch chief. This delegation is comparable to the process 
currently used for 10 CFR Parts 30, 40, and 70 facilities.
    The current Sec. 76.45(c) is being redesignated as paragraph (b) 
because the current paragraph (b) is being deleted.
    In a new Sec. 76.45(c), the first sentence provides that a 
certificate amendment will be effective on a date specified by the NRC 
staff. This allows the NRC staff to handle issues that need to be 
addressed quickly to avoid an unnecessary operational upset of a GDP, 
ensure adequate protection of public health and safety from 
radiological hazards, and/or provide for the common defense and 
security. The second sentence of Sec. 76.45(c) provides that the NRC 
staff may, at its discretion, publish a notice of its decision on an 
amendment application in the Federal Register. The NRC staff will take 
this action when publication of a notice is

[[Page 44647]]

warranted on a case-by-case basis. If the application does not address 
any new safety issues or there have not been any major changes to the 
facility or its operating procedures that would substantially increase 
the risk associated with the facility, the NRC staff may decide that a 
Federal Register notice is not necessary. This flexibility allows the 
NRC to devote its resources to safety issues that have significant 
potential risk. The AEA does not require that a certificate amendment 
application be noticed. Furthermore, the Commission does not notice 
similar actions for 10 CFR Parts 30, 40, and 70 facilities.
    Currently, a decision on an amendment application may be appealed 
by filing a request for the Commission's review. A new Sec. 76.45(d), 
concerning the NRC staff's determination on an amendment application, 
establishes procedures for the Corporation, or any person whose 
interests may be affected, to file a petition for the Director's 
review. Because the initial determination on a certificate amendment 
application may be delegated to the branch chief, it is logical for the 
Director to be the first level of review. This process contributes to a 
more efficient use of agency resources because an appeal issue may be 
resolved by the Director and not require the Commission's review.
    A new Sec. 76.45(e), concerning the Director's decision, 
establishes procedures for either the Corporation, or any person whose 
interests may be affected and who filed a petition for review or filed 
a response to a petition for review under Sec. 76.45(d), to file a 
petition for the Commission's review. Because the initial review of an 
NRC staff determination on an amendment application is rendered by the 
Director, it is logical for the Commission to be the final level of 
review.
    In revised Sec. 76.62(c), the phrase, ``who submitted written 
comments in response to the Federal Register notice on the application 
or compliance plan under Sec. 76.37, or provided oral comments at any 
meeting held on the application or compliance plan conducted under 
Sec. 76.39,'' is removed. This action eliminates restrictions that 
limit those entities who may file a petition requesting review of the 
Director's decision regarding issuance of a certificate and/or approval 
of a compliance plan. Eliminating these restrictions is consistent with 
the Commission's practice for 10 CFR Parts 30, 40, and 70 facilities. 
Further, if a Federal Register notice is not issued for a certificate 
renewal, a notice of the Director's decision will provide the first 
published opportunity for a person whose interest may be affected to be 
aware of the action.
    The number of days specified in Sec. 76.62(c) is being increased 
from 15 to 30 days. This provides more time for the Corporation or 
other members of the public whose interests may be affected to file a 
petition for review on a certificate renewal action. Because the time 
period for a certificate renewal was recently extended from annually to 
up to 5 years, the need to act within 15 days because of the time 
constraint formerly associated with annual renewals is removed.
    The sentence, ``Unless the Commission grants the petition for 
review or otherwise acts within 60 days after the publication of the 
Federal Register notice, the Director's initial decision on the 
certificate application or compliance plan becomes effective and 
final,'' is being revised to read: ``If the Commission does not issue a 
decision or take other appropriate action within 90 days after the 
publication of the Federal Register notice, the Director's decision 
remains in effect.'' This change clarifies that the Director's decision 
is effective upon issuance and, if a petition for review is filed, 
eliminates a potential 60-day suspension of the effectiveness of the 
Director's decision. The Director's decision remains in effect unless 
it is changed by the Commission. This procedure is also more consistent 
with the process for license renewals pursuant to 10 CFR Parts 30, 40, 
and 70. In addition, to accommodate the increased time for both filing 
a petition for review and responding to a petition, the time provided 
for the Commission to act is being increased from 60 to 90 days 
following publication of the Federal Register notice.
    The changes made in Sec. 76.62(c) are also being made in 
Sec. 76.64(d) for the same reasons.
    In the introductory text of Sec. 76.91, reference to Sec. 76.35(d) 
is being changed to Sec. 76.35(f) to correct a typographical error.
    In addition, Part 76 is being modified to remove references to the 
initial certification application or initial certification decision 
that are no longer relevant because the initial certificates have been 
issued. In Secs. 76.33(a)(1), (b), (c), (d), and (e), and 76.35, 
references to ``initial'' are being removed. Section 76.9(c) is being 
removed as no longer relevant because the condition of effectiveness at 
the time of the initial certification application has been satisfied. 
Phrases in Secs. 76.21(a), 76.36(a), 76.60(e)(2), and 76.91(n) 
concerning initial certification are being removed. References in 
Secs. 76.7(e)(1), 76.60(c)(2), 76.60(d)(2), and 76.60(e)(1) to the NMSS 
Director's decision on the initial certificate are also being removed.
    Section 76.33 is being amended to correct a printing error in the 
regulatory text. In Sec. 76.33(a)(2), the redundant phrase ``the names, 
addresses, and citizenship of its principal office,'' is being removed.

Compatibility of Agreement State Regulations

    Under the ``Policy Statement on Adequacy and Compatibility of 
Agreement State Programs'' that was approved by the Commission on June 
30, 1997, and published in the Federal Register on September 3, 1997 
(62 FR 46517), Part 76 is classified as compatibility Category ``NRC''. 
The NRC program elements in this category are those that relate 
directly to areas of regulation reserved to the NRC by the AEA or 
provisions of Title 10 of the Code of Federal Regulations.

Plain Language

    The Presidential Memorandum dated June 1, 1998, entitled, ``Plain 
Language in Government Writing,'' directed that the government's 
writing be in plain language. This memorandum was published June 10, 
1998 (63 FR 31883). In complying with this directive, editorial changes 
have been made in the final revisions to improve the organization and 
readability of the existing language of the paragraphs being revised. 
These types of changes are not discussed further in this notice.

Voluntary Consensus Standards

    The National Technology Transfer and Advancement Act of 1995, Pub. 
L. 104-113, requires that agencies use technical standards that are 
developed or adopted by voluntary consensus standard bodies unless the 
use of such a standard is inconsistent with applicable law or otherwise 
impractical. In this final rule, the NRC is amending the regulations 
governing the gaseous diffusion plants to modify the process used to 
renew or amend a certificate of compliance. The amended regulations are 
procedural and apply to a specific entity. Therefore, this action does 
not establish a technical standard of generally applicable 
requirements.

Environmental Impact: Categorical Exclusion

    The NRC has determined that this regulation is the type of action 
described as a categorical exclusion in 10 CFR 51.22(c)(2). Therefore, 
neither an environmental impact statement nor an environmental 
assessment has been prepared for this final rule.

[[Page 44648]]

Paperwork Reduction Act Statement

    The information collection requirements contained in this final 
rule of limited applicability affect fewer than ten respondents. 
Therefore, Office of Management and Budget approval is not required 
pursuant to the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44 U.S.C. 3501 et 
seq.).

Regulatory Analysis

    This final rule modifies the process for certificate renewals, 
establishes a process for certificate amendments comparable to the 
process currently used to amend a fuel cycle license, revises the 
appeal process for amendments, eliminates the ``significant'' 
designation for amendments, simplifies the criteria for persons who are 
eligible to file a petition for review of an amendment action, removes 
references to the initial application because the initial certificates 
have been issued, and lengthens the time periods associated with filing 
a petition for review.
    Part 76 contains a process for amending a certificate and the GDP 
certificates have been amended several times. These actions identified 
several deficiencies in the Sec. 76.45 process that should be 
corrected. The NRC staff examined how the process could be revised and 
improved so that it is more effective and efficient. The amendment 
process for GDP certificates as modified by this final rule parallels 
the process currently used for 10 CFR Parts 30, 40, and 70 facilities. 
This final rule also removes the ambiguity associated with determining 
who can petition the NRC for review of an amendment application 
decision.
    Because the statute has been amended to allow up to a 5-year 
certificate renewal period instead of an annual certificate renewal 
requirement, the lengthened certificate period has permitted 
consideration of improvements to the certificate renewal process. 
Because the annual certification time constraint has been removed, the 
final rule makes appropriate changes to the time for appeals and lifts 
restrictions on who may appeal a certification decision. As a result, 
the certificate renewal process more closely resembles the process for 
renewal of materials and fuel cycle facility licenses under 10 CFR 
Parts 30, 40, and 70.
    A no-change option retains the deficiencies and ambiguities 
identified in the current certification renewal and amendment processes 
and precludes an improved process that is more effective and efficient.

Impacts on the Corporation

    An uncomplicated certificate amendment process provides a more 
timely regulatory process. If the identified deficiencies and 
ambiguities in the amendment process are not corrected, there is a 
potential for expense due to plant operational delays and reduced 
efficiencies that may be related to amendment requests.
    Clarification of who can petition the Director for review of an NRC 
staff determination on an amendment application and/or extension of the 
period for requesting a review may result in additional petitions. 
Similarly, lifting restrictions on who can petition for review of a 
certification renewal decision and lengthening the time for this type 
of petition may result in additional petitions. This rulemaking is not 
expected to have any adverse economic impacts on the Corporation.

Benefit

    An uncomplicated process for certificate amendment will result in a 
more effective and efficient NRC review process. This, in turn, 
provides for more timely completion of amendment reviews. Clarification 
of who can petition the Director for review of a certificate amendment 
determination will remove undesirable ambiguities. Specifically, the 
final rule removes a restriction on who can petition for review by 
eliminating the current requirement that a petition for review may only 
be filed by a person who had previously provided comments. The final 
rule will allow anyone whose interests may be affected to file a 
petition for review. The extension of the time periods associated with 
filing a petition for review provides more time for the public to 
participate in the amendment process. The final rule also removes the 
same restrictions on who may petition for review of a certification 
renewal decision and extends the time period for accepting petitions 
for review of a certification renewal decision. The final rule also 
provides for NRC staff discretion in publishing the Federal Register 
notice of receipt of the application for Certificate renewal. This 
discretion permits the NRC staff to use its resources in the most 
effective and efficient manner.

Preferred Option

    The preferred option is amending the regulations to eliminate 
ambiguities, reduce inefficiencies, better define the processes for 
certificate renewals and amendments, allow immediately effective 
amendments, and allow more time for public participation, while 
continuing to ensure adequate protection of public health and safety.
    This constitutes the regulatory analysis for the final rule.

Regulatory Flexibility Certification

    In accordance with the Regulatory Flexibility Act, 5 U.S.C. 605(b), 
the Commission certifies that this final rule does not have a 
significant economic impact on a substantial number of small entities 
because it only addresses USEC or its successor. The Corporation does 
not fall within the scope of the definition of ``small entities'' set 
forth in 10 CFR 2.810 or the Small Business Size Standards set out in 
regulations issued by the Small Business Administration at 13 CFR part 
121.

Backfit Analysis

    The NRC has determined that these amendments do not involve any 
provisions that would impose backfits as defined in 10 CFR 76.76. 
Therefore, a backfit analysis is not required for this final rule.

Small Business Regulatory Enforcement Fairness Act

    In accordance with the Small Business Regulatory Enforcement 
Fairness Act of 1996, the NRC has determined that this action is not a 
major rule and has verified this determination with the Office of 
Information and Regulatory Affairs of OMB.

List of Subjects in 10 CFR Part 76

    Certification, Criminal penalties, Radiation protection, Reporting 
and recordkeeping requirements, Security measures, Special nuclear 
material, Uranium enrichment by gaseous diffusion.
    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 NRC is adopting 
the following amendments to 10 CFR Part 76.

PART 76--CERTIFICATION OF GASEOUS DIFFUSION PLANTS

    1. The authority citation for Part 76 continues to read as follows:

    Authority: Secs. 161, 68 Stat. 948, as amended, secs. 1312, 
1701, as amended, 106 Stat. 2932, 2951, 2952, 2953, 110 Stat. 1321-
349 (42 U.S.C. 2201, 2297b-11, 2297f); secs. 201, as amended, 204, 
206, 88 Stat. 1244, 1245, 1246 (42 U.S.C. 5841, 5842, 5845, 5846); 
sec. 234(a), 83 Stat. 444, as amended by Pub. L. 104-134, 110 Stat. 
1321, 1321-349 (42 U.S.C. 2243(a)).
    Sec. 76.7 also issued under Pub. L. 95-601, sec. 10, 92 Stat. 
2951 (42 U.S.C. 5851). Sec.

[[Page 44649]]

76.22 is also issued under sec. 193(f), as amended, 104 Stat. 2835, 
as amended by Pub. L. 104-134, 110 Stat. 1321, 1321-349 (42 U.S.C. 
2243(f)). Sec. 76.35(j) also issued under sec. 122, 68 Stat. 939 (42 
U.S.C. 2152).

    2. In Sec. 76.7, paragraph (e)(1) is revised to read as follows:


Sec. 76.7  Employee protection.

* * * * *
    (e)(1) The Corporation shall prominently post the revision of NRC 
Form 3, ``Notice to Employees,'' referenced in 10 CFR 19.11(c). This 
form must be posted at locations sufficient to permit employees 
protected by this section to observe a copy on the way to or from their 
place of work. Premises must be posted during the term of the 
certificate and for 30 days following certificate termination.
* * * * *


Sec. 76.9  [Amended]

    3. In Sec. 76.9, paragraph (c) is removed.
    4. In Sec. 76.21, paragraph (a) is revised to read as follows:


Sec. 76.21  Certificate required.

    (a) The Corporation or its contractors may not operate the gaseous 
diffusion plants at Piketon, Ohio, and Paducah, Kentucky, unless an 
appropriate certificate of compliance, and/or an approved compliance 
plan is in effect under this part. Unless authorized by the NRC under 
other provisions of this chapter, a person other than the Corporation 
or its contractors may not acquire, deliver, receive, possess, use, or 
transfer radioactive material at the gaseous diffusion plants at 
Piketon, Ohio, and Paducah, Kentucky.
* * * * *
    5. Section 76.33 is revised to read as follows:


Sec. 76.33  Application procedures.

    (a) Filing requirements. (1) An application for a certificate of 
compliance must be tendered by filing 20 copies of the application with 
the Director, Office of Nuclear Material Safety and Safeguards, with 
copies sent to the NRC Region III Office and appropriate resident 
inspector, in accordance with Sec. 76.5.
    (2) The application must include the full name, address, age (if an 
individual), and citizenship of the applicant. If the applicant is a 
corporation or other entity, the application must indicate the State 
where it was incorporated or organized; the location of the principal 
office; and the names, addresses, and citizenship of its principal 
officers. The applicant shall include any known information concerning 
the control or ownership, if any, exercised over the applicant by any 
alien, foreign corporation, or foreign government.
    (b) Oath or affirmation. An application for a certificate of 
compliance must be executed in a signed original by a duly authorized 
officer of the Corporation under oath or affirmation.
    (c) Pre-filing consultation. The Corporation may confer with the 
Commission's staff before filing an application.
    (d) Additional information. At any time during the review of an 
application, the Corporation may be required to supply additional 
information to the Commission's staff to enable the Commission or the 
Director, as appropriate, to determine whether the certificate should 
be issued or denied, or to determine whether a compliance plan should 
be approved.
    (e) Withholdable information. If an application contains Restricted 
Data, National Security Information, Safeguards Information, 
Unclassified Controlled Nuclear Information, proprietary data, or other 
withholdable information, the applicant shall ensure that the 
withholdable information is separate from the information to be made 
publicly available.
    6. In Sec. 76.35, the section heading and introductory paragraph 
are revised to read as follows:


Sec. 76.35  Contents of application.

    The application for a certificate of compliance must include the 
information identified in this section.
* * * * *
    7. In Sec. 76.36, paragraph (a) is revised to read as follows:


Sec. 76.36  Renewals.

    (a) The Corporation shall file periodic applications for renewal, 
as required by Sec. 76.31.
* * * * *
    8. Section 76.37 is revised to read as follows:


Sec. 76.37  Federal Register notice.

    The Director may, at his or her discretion, publish in the Federal 
Register:
    (a) A notice of the filing of an application for renewal 
(specifying that copies of the application, except for Restricted Data, 
Unclassified Controlled Nuclear Information, Classified National 
Security Information, Safeguards Information, Proprietary Data, or 
other withholdable information will be made available for public 
inspection in the Commission's Public Document Room at 2120 L Street, 
NW. (Lower Level), Washington, DC, and in the local public document 
room at or near the location of the plant);
    (b) A notice of opportunity for written public comment on the 
application for renewal; and
    (c) The date of any scheduled public meeting regarding the 
application for renewal.
    9. In Sec. 76.39, paragraph (a), and paragraphs (b)(1) and (b)(4) 
are revised to read as follows:


Sec. 76.39  Public meeting.

    (a) A public meeting will be held on an application for renewal if 
the Director, in his or her discretion, determines that a meeting is in 
the public interest with respect to a decision on the application for 
renewal.
    (b) * * *.
    (1) The Director shall conduct any public meeting held on the 
application for renewal.
* * * * *
    (4) Members of the public will be given an opportunity during a 
public meeting to make their views regarding the application for 
renewal known to the Director.
* * * * *
    10. Section 76.45 is revised to read as follows:


Sec. 76.45  Application for amendment of certificate.

    (a) Contents of an amendment application. In addition to the 
application for certification submitted under Sec. 76.31, the 
Corporation may at any time apply for an amendment of the certificate 
to cover proposed new or modified activities. The amendment application 
should contain sufficient information for the NRC to make findings of 
compliance or acceptability for the proposed activities in the same 
manner as was required for the original certificate.
    (b) Oath or affirmation. An application for an amendment of the 
certificate of compliance must be executed in a signed original by the 
Corporation under oath or affirmation.
    (c) Amendment application determinations. If the NRC staff approves 
an application for a certificate amendment, it will be effective on a 
date specified by the NRC staff. If an application for a certificate 
amendment is not approved by the NRC staff, the Corporation will be 
informed in writing. The NRC staff may, at its discretion, publish 
notice of its determination on an amendment application in the Federal 
Register.
    (d) Request for review of staff's determination on an amendment 
application. The Corporation, or any person whose interest may be 
affected,

[[Page 44650]]

may file a petition requesting the Director's review of an NRC staff 
determination on an amendment application. A petition requesting the 
Director's review may not exceed 30 pages and must be filed within 30 
days after the date of the NRC staff's determination. Any person 
described in this paragraph may file a written response to a petition 
requesting the Director's review. This response may not exceed 30 pages 
and must be filed within 15 days after the filing date of the petition 
requesting the Director's review. The Director may adopt, modify, or 
set aside the findings, conclusions, conditions, or terms in the NRC 
staff's amendment determination by providing a written basis for the 
action. If the Director does not issue a decision or take other 
appropriate action within 60 days after receiving the petition for 
review, the NRC staff's determination on the amendment application 
remains in effect.
    (e) Request for review of a Director's decision. The Corporation, 
or any person whose interest may be affected and who filed a petition 
for review or filed a response to a petition for review under 
Sec. 76.45(d), may file a petition requesting the Commission's review 
of a Director's decision on an amendment application.
    (1) A petition requesting the Commission's review may not exceed 30 
pages and must be filed within 30 days after the date of the Director's 
decision. A petition requesting the Commission's review may be either:
    (i) Delivered to the Rulemakings and Adjudications Staff of the 
Office of the Secretary at One White Flint North, 11555 Rockville Pike, 
Rockville, MD 20852; or
    (ii) Sent by mail or telegram to the Secretary, U.S. Nuclear 
Regulatory Commission, Washington, DC 20555-0001, Attention: 
Rulemakings and Adjudications Staff.
    (2) Any person described in paragraph (e) of this section may file 
a written response to a petition requesting the Commission's review. 
This response may not exceed 30 pages and must be filed within 15 days 
after the filing date of the petition requesting the Commission's 
review.
    (3) The Commission may adopt, by order, further procedures that, in 
its judgment, would serve the purpose of review of the Director's 
decision. The Commission may adopt, modify, or set aside the findings, 
conclusions, conditions, or terms in the Director's amendment review 
decision and will state the basis of its action in writing. If the 
Commission does not issue a decision or take other appropriate action 
within 90 days after receiving the petition for review, the Director's 
decision, under Sec. 76.45(d), on the amendment application remains in 
effect.
    11. In Sec. 76.60, paragraphs (c)(2), (d)(2), (e)(1), and (e)(2) 
are revised to read as follows:


Sec. 76.60  Regulatory requirements which apply.

* * * * *
    (c) * * *
    (2) The Corporation shall post NRC Form 3 during the term of the 
certificate and for 30 days following certificate termination.
    (d) * * *
    (2) The Corporation shall comply with the requirements in this part 
or as specified in an approved plan for achieving compliance.
    (e) * * *
    (1) The Corporation shall comply with the requirements in 
Secs. 21.6 and 21.21.
    (2) Under Sec. 21.31, procurement documents issued by the 
Corporation must specify that the provisions of 10 CFR Part 21 apply.
* * * * *
    12. In Sec. 76.62, paragraph (c) is revised to read as follows:


Sec. 76.62  Issuance of certificate and/or approval of compliance plan.

* * * * *
    (c) The Corporation, or any person whose interest may be affected, 
may file a petition, not to exceed 30 pages, requesting review of the 
Director's decision. This petition must be filed with the Commission 
not later than 30 days after publication of the Federal Register 
notice. Any person described in this paragraph may file a response to 
any petition for review, not to exceed 30 pages, within 15 days after 
the filing of the petition. If the Commission does not issue a decision 
or take other appropriate action within 90 days after the publication 
of the Federal Register notice, the Director's decision remains in 
effect. The Commission may adopt, by order, further procedures that, in 
its judgment, would serve the purpose of review of the Director's 
decision.
* * * * *
    13. In Sec. 76.64, paragraph (d) is revised to read as follows:


Sec. 76.64  Denial of certificate or compliance plan.

* * * * *
    (d) The Corporation, or any person whose interest may be affected, 
may file a petition for review, not to exceed 30 pages, requesting 
review of the Director's decision. This petition for review must be 
filed with the Commission not later than 30 days after publication of 
the Federal Register notice. Any person described in this paragraph may 
file a response to any petition for review, not to exceed 30 pages, 
within 15 days after the filing of the petition for review. If the 
Commission does not issue a decision or take other appropriate action 
within 90 days after the publication of the Federal Register notice, 
the Director's decision remains in effect. The Commission may adopt, by 
order, further procedures that, in its judgment, would serve the 
purpose of review of the Director's decision.
* * * * *
    14. In Sec. 76.91, the introductory paragraph and paragraph (n) are 
revised to read as follows:


Sec. 76.91  Emergency planning.

    The Corporation shall establish, maintain, and be prepared to 
follow a written emergency plan. The emergency plan submitted under 
Sec. 76.35(f) must include the following information:
* * * * *
    (n) Comment from offsite response organizations. The Corporation 
shall allow the offsite response organizations that are expected to 
respond in case of an accident 60 days to comment on the emergency plan 
before submitting it to NRC. The Corporation shall provide any comments 
received within the 60 days to the NRC with the emergency plan.
* * * * *

    Dated at Rockville, Maryland, this 11th day of August, 1999.

    For the Nuclear Regulatory Commission.
Annette L. Vietti-Cook,
Secretary of the Commission.
[FR Doc. 99-21306 Filed 8-16-99; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 7590-01-P