[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 232 (Friday, December 3, 1999)]
[Notices]
[Page 67955]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-31378]



[[Page 67955]]

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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 and update to previous notice of public meeting (64 FR 56525).

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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. 
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 study design considers these 
issues.
    NRC will conduct a public meeting on this topic in Henderson, 
Nevada, on December 8, 1999. This meeting was noticed at 64 FR 56525 
along with a November 17, 1999, meeting in Bethesda, Maryland. Based on 
the lessons learned in Bethesda and discussions with stakeholders, the 
agenda for Henderson has been revised and an additional seminar session 
(similar to the Henderson evening seminar) has been scheduled for 
December 9, 1999, in Pahrump, Nevada.
    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: The meeting will be: (1) in Henderson, NV, on December 8, 1999, 
from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.; followed by (2) an evening seminar in the 
same room from 7:00 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.; and (3) a seminar in Pahrump, 
NV, on December 9, 1999, from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon.

ADDRESSES: On December 8, all meetings will be in the Grand Ballroom at 
the Henderson Convention Center, 200 Water Street, Henderson, NV. On 
December 9, the meeting will be held at the Mountain View Casino and 
Bowl, 1750 Pahrump Valley Road, Pahrump, 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 risks from accidents while 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 
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.
    During the morning and afternoon of December 8 in Henderson, 
representatives of the interests affected by the study will 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.
    On December 8 in Henderson, and on December 9 in Pahrump, seminars 
will be conducted. At these seminars, the NRC staff will briefly 
present the NRC's role in ensuring transportation safety and its views 
regarding the upcoming study. A moderated discussion will then be held 
to discuss the study's proposed content or approach with those in the 
audience. The NRC staff will then be available to further discuss 
issues or public concerns regarding transportation safety.
    The meeting and seminars 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 and seminars is to hear the views of the 
participants on the issues and options to resolve the issues for the 
forthcoming study. The agenda is set forth below.

Roundtable Meeting, December 8, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Henderson, NV

Introductions and Ground Rules
Welcome and Overview
NRC Spent Fuel Transportation Studies
Use of Physical Testing and Computer Simulation
    Roundtable Discussion; Audience Comments
Highway and Railway Accidents Likelihoods
    Roundtable Discussion; Audience Comments
Container Performance During Collisions and Fires
    Roundtable Discussion; Audience Comments
Spent Nuclear Fuel Assembly Behavior in Accidents
    Roundtable Discussion; Audience Comments
Other Transportation Safety Issues
    Roundtable Discussion; Audience Comments
Wrap-up and Adjourn

Seminars, December 8, 7:00 p.m. to 9:30 p.m., Henderson, NV and 
December 9, 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon, Pahrump, NV

Welcome and Overview
NRC Role and Regulatory Framework
NRC Spent Fuel Transportation Studies
Overview of Upcoming Study
Discussion Forum
Wrap-up and Adjourn

    Dated at Rockville, Maryland, this 26th day of November 1999.

    For the Nuclear Regulatory Commission.
M. Wayne Hodges,
Deputy Director, Technical Review Directorate, Spent Fuel Project 
Office, Office of Nuclear Material Safety and Safeguards.
[FR Doc. 99-31378 Filed 12-2-99; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 7590-01-P