[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 202 (Wednesday, October 20, 1999)]
[Notices]
[Pages 56525-56526]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-27362]


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NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION


NRC To Hold Public Meetings on Spent Fuel Shipping Cask Accident 
Studies

AGENCY: Nuclear Regulatory Commission.

ACTION: Notice of public meeting on spent nuclear fuel transportation 
studies.

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SUMMARY: The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission is initiating a study 
on spent nuclear fuel cask responses to severe transportation 
accidents. NRC previously studied this issue in the 1980s (see NUREG/
CR-4829 and NUREG/BR-0111, called the ``modal study''). The modal study 
looked at possible rail and highway accidents and concluded that spent 
nuclear fuel cask designs would survive nearly all transportation 
accidents without releasing radioactive material to the environment. 
Over the next few years NRC will revisit the conclusions of the 1987 
modal study to assure their continued validity. Risk insights obtained 
using modern analysis techniques, physical testing, and through 
interaction with stakeholders and the public, will support NRC's 
ongoing efforts to assure that its regulatory actions are risk-informed 
and effective. Ongoing public interactions throughout this project will 
help ensure that public concerns are effectively identified and 
understood, and that the project is designed considering these issues.
    As the first step, NRC will conduct public meetings with the 
general public with the goal of having open, constructive discussions 
by stakeholders so that the NRC can listen to and better understand any 
public concerns regarding spent nuclear fuel transport package safety. 
Francis X. Cameron, Special Counsel for Public Liaison, in the 
Commission's Office of the General Counsel, will be the convenor and 
facilitator for the meetings.

DATES: Two public meetings will be held. The first will be held in 
Bethesda, MD, on November 17, 1999, from 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. The 
second will be held in Henderson, NV, on December 8, 1999, from 8:00 
a.m. to 4:30 p.m. with an evening session from 6:30 p.m. to 10:00 p.m.

ADDRESSES: The location of the first meeting is the Bethesda Hyatt 
Hotel, One Bethesda Metro (7400 Wisconsin Avenue), Bethesda, MD. The 
second meeting will be held at the Henderson Convention Center, 200 
Water Street, Henderson, NV.

INFORMATION: Contact Francis X. Cameron, Special Counsel for Public 
Liaison, Office of the General Counsel, Nuclear Regulatory Commission, 
Washington DC, 20555-0001, Telephone: 301-415-1642.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The risk of transporting highly radioactive 
spent nuclear fuel from nuclear power plants to a centralized storage 
facility or to an underground repository is an issue that has recently 
received increased NRC and public attention because of the increase in 
the number of shipments that will occur if and when such facilities 
begin operating. Risk to the public from transportation accidents 
depends on accident rates, number of

[[Page 56526]]

shipments, and the likely consequences and severity of the accidents. 
About 1300 shipments of spent nuclear fuel have been made in NRC-
certified packages, with an exceptional safety record of no releases 
from accidents. Despite the previous studies and safety record, some 
stakeholders may have questions or concerns regarding spent nuclear 
fuel transport package safety. Several groups have criticized NRC's 
cask standards and the modal study as being insufficient to adequately 
demonstrate safety during severe transportation accidents.
    The objective of the public meetings is to bring together 
representatives of the interests affected by the study to discuss their 
views on the issues in a ``roundtable'' format. In order to have a 
manageable discussion, the number of participants around the table 
will, of necessity, be limited. The Commission, through the facilitator 
for the meeting, will attempt to ensure participation by the broad 
spectrum of interests at the meetings, including citizen and 
environmental groups, nuclear industry interests, state, tribal, and 
local governments, experts from academia, or other agencies. Other 
members of the public are welcome to attend, and the public will have 
the opportunity to comment on each of the agenda items slated for 
discussion by the roundtable participants. Questions about 
participation may be directed to the facilitator, Francis X. Cameron.
    The meetings will have a pre-defined scope and agenda focused on 
the major technical issues in regard to spent nuclear fuel cask 
performance during transportation accidents. However, the meeting 
format will be sufficiently flexible to allow for the introduction of 
additional related issues that the participants may wish to raise. The 
purpose of the meetings is to hear the views of the participants on the 
issues and options to resolve the issues for the forthcoming study. The 
agenda for the meetings is set forth below.

Agenda

Introductions and Welcome
    E. William Brach, Director, Spent Fuel Project Office, NRC
    Susan F. Shankman, Deputy Director, Spent Fuel Project Office, NRC
Ground Rules, Agenda Overview, Introduction of Participants
    Francis X. Cameron, Facilitator
Overview of NRC Studies on Transportation Risk
    NRC Staff
NRC Plans for the Modal Study Update
    Robert Lewis, NRC
General Overview of the Study Updates
    Sandia National Laboratories
Discussion of Issues
    Participants and Audience
Summary and Closing Remarks

    Dated at Rockville, Maryland, this 14th day of October, 1999.

    For the Nuclear Regulatory Commission.
Susan F. Shankman,
Deputy Director, Licensing and Inspection Directorate, Spent Fuel 
Project Office, Office of Nuclear Material Safety and Safeguards.
[FR Doc. 99-27362 Filed 10-19-99; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 7590-01-P