[Federal Register Volume 65, Number 240 (Wednesday, December 13, 2000)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 77773-77774]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 00-31735]


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NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION

10 CFR Part 50

RIN 3150-AF94


Changes, Tests, and Experiments: Confirmation of Effective Date 
and Availability of Guidance

AGENCY: Nuclear Regulatory Commission.

ACTION: Final Rule: Confirmation of effective date and availability of 
guidance.

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SUMMARY: The Nuclear Regulatory Commission amended its regulation 
concerning changes, tests, and experiments for nuclear reactors on 
October 4, 1999 (64 FR 53582). The effective date of this amendment was 
deferred until guidance on implementation of the revised provisions of 
the rule was issued to reactor licensees. This document announces the 
availability of that guidance (Regulatory Guide 1.187, ``Guidance for 
Implementation of 10 CFR 50.59, Changes, Tests, and Experiments'') and 
specifies the effective date for the October 4, 1999, amendment to 
Sec. 50.59.

DATES: The effective date of the October 9, 1999 amendment to 10 CFR 
50.59 (64 FR 53613) is March 13, 2001.

ADDRESSES: Regulations, certain regulatory guides, and certain endorsed 
NEI documents are available for inspection or downloading at the NRC's 
web site, http://WWW.NRC.GOV. Single copies of regulatory guides may be 
obtained free of charge by writing the Reproduction and Distribution 
Services Section, U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission, Washington, DC 
20555-0001, or by fax to (301) 415-2289, or by email to 
[email protected]. Issued guides may also be purchased from the 
National Technical Information Service on a standing order basis. 
Details on this service may be obtained by writing NTIS, 5285 Port 
Royal Road, Springfield, VA 22161. Copies of regulations, regulatory 
guides, and endorsed NEI documents are available for inspection or 
copying for a fee from the NRC's Public Document Room at 11555 
Rockville Pike, Rockville, MD, 20852; the PDR's mailing address is 
Public Document Room, Washington DC 20555; telephone (301) 415-4737 or 
(800) 397-4209; fax (301) 415-3548; email [email protected].
    Comments and suggestions in connection with items for inclusion in 
regulations or regulatory guides are encouraged at any time. Written

[[Page 77774]]

comments may be submitted to the Rules and Directives Branch, Office of 
Administration, U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission, Washington DC 
20555.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: E. M. McKenna, Office of Nuclear 
Reactor Regulation, U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission, Washington DC 
20555; telephone (301) 415-2189; email [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background

    The Nuclear Regulatory Commission amended its rule, 10 CFR 50.59, 
``Changes, Tests, and Experiments'' on October 4, 1999 (64 FR 53582). 
This amendment clarified the rule requirements, and also provided 
licensees greater flexibility to make certain changes without NRC 
approval that involve only minimal increases in likelihood or 
consequences of events. The implementation date of this amendment was 
made dependent upon guidance being issued to nuclear reactor licensees 
on implementing the revised requirements.
    Regulatory Guide 1.187 endorses a document prepared by the Nuclear 
Energy Institute (NEI), NEI 96-07, Revision 1, dated November 2000. 
Regulatory Guide 1.187 was published for public comment (65 FR 24231) 
as DG-1095, ``Guidance for Implementation of 10 CFR 50.59, Changes, 
Tests, and Experiments''. The comments submitted by licensees and other 
commenters were addressed by revisions made by NEI to NEI 96-07, 
Revision 1, as submitted in November 2000; the NRC staff concurs in 
these revisions.
    Therefore, the effective date of the October 4, 1999, amendment to 
10 CFR 50.59 is March 13, 2001.

    Dated at Rockville, Maryland, this 6th day of December 2000.
    For the Nuclear Regulatory Commission.
Annette Vietti-Cook,
Secretary of the Commission.
[FR Doc. 00-31735 Filed 12-12-00; 8:45 am]
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