[Federal Register Volume 74, Number 111 (Thursday, June 11, 2009)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 27724-27725]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E9-13713]
========================================================================
Proposed Rules
Federal Register
________________________________________________________________________
This section of the FEDERAL REGISTER contains notices to the public of
the proposed issuance of rules and regulations. The purpose of these
notices is to give interested persons an opportunity to participate in
the rule making prior to the adoption of the final rules.
========================================================================
Federal Register / Vol. 74, No. 111 / Thursday, June 11, 2009 /
Proposed Rules
[[Page 27724]]
NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION
10 CFR Parts 50 and 52
[NRC-2008-0122]
RIN 3150-AI10
Enhancements to Emergency Preparedness Regulations
AGENCY: Nuclear Regulatory Commission.
ACTION: Proposed rule: Extension of comment period.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: On May 18, 2009 (74 FR 23254), the Nuclear Regulatory
Commission (NRC) published for public comment a proposed rule that
would amend certain emergency preparedness (EP) requirements in its
regulations that govern domestic licensing of production and
utilization facilities. A conforming provision would also be added in
the regulations that govern licenses, certifications, and approvals for
new nuclear power plants. The proposed amendments would codify certain
voluntary protective measures contained in NRC Bulletin 2005-02,
``Emergency Preparedness and Response Actions for Security-Based
Events,'' and other generically applicable requirements similar to
those previously imposed by Commission orders. They would also amend
other licensee emergency plan requirements based on a comprehensive
review of the NRC's EP regulations and guidance. The proposed
requirements would enhance the ability of licensees in preparing to
take and taking certain emergency preparedness and protective measures
in the event of a radiological emergency; address, in part, security
issues identified after the terrorist events of September 11, 2001;
clarify regulations to effect consistent emergency plan implementation
among licensees; and modify certain EP requirements to be more
effective and efficient. Also, the NRC published for public comment
three guidance documents related to the EP proposed rule: DG-1237,
``Guidance on Making Changes to Emergency Response Plans for Nuclear
Power Reactors'' (74 FR 23220); ``NUREG/CR-XXXX, Criteria for
Development of Evacuation Time Estimate Studies'' (74 FR 23219); and
Interim Staff Guidance (ISG) NSIR/DPR-ISG-01, ``Emergency Planning for
Nuclear Power Plants'' (74 FR 23221). A 75-day comment period was
provided for the proposed rule and guidance documents, set to expire on
August 3, 2009. Comments specific to the information collection aspects
of the proposed rule were due on June 17, 2009.
The proposed rule and related guidance documents comment submittal
deadline is extended from the original August 3, 2009, deadline to
October 19, 2009, and the information collections analysis deadline is
extended from the original June 17, 2009, deadline to August 17, 2009.
DATES: The comment period for the proposed rule and related guidance
documents has been extended and now expires on October 19, 2009. The
comment period for the information collection aspects of this proposed
rulemaking has been extended by 60 days and now expires on August 17,
2009. Comments received after this date will be considered if it is
practical to do so, but the Commission is able to ensure consideration
only for comments received before this date.
ADDRESSES: You may submit comments by any one of the following methods.
Comments submitted in writing or in electronic form will be made
available for public inspection. Because your comments will not be
edited to remove any identifying or contact information, the NRC
cautions you against including any information in your submission that
you do not want to be publicly disclosed.
Federal e-Rulemaking Portal: Go to http://www.regulations.gov and
search for documents filed under Docket ID [NRC-2008-0122]. Address
questions about NRC dockets to Carol Gallagher, telephone (301) 492-
3668; e-mail [email protected].
Mail comments to: Secretary, U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission,
Washington, DC 20555-0001, Attn: Rulemakings and Adjudications Staff.
E-mail comments to: [email protected]. If you do not
receive a reply e-mail confirming that we have received your comments,
contact us directly at (301) 415-1677.
Fax comments to: Secretary, U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission at
(301) 492-3446.
You can access publicly available documents related to this
document using the following methods:
NRC's Public Document Room (PDR): The public may examine and have
copied for a fee publicly available documents at the NRC's PDR, Public
File Area O-1F21, One White Flint North, 11555 Rockville Pike,
Rockville, Maryland.
NRC's Agencywide Documents Access and Management System (ADAMS):
Publicly available documents created or received at the NRC are
available electronically at the NRC's Electronic Reading Room at http://www.nrc.gov/reading-rm/adams.html. From this page, the public can gain
entry into ADAMS, which provides text and image files of NRC's public
documents. If you do not have access to ADAMS or if there are problems
in accessing the documents located in ADAMS, contact the NRC's PDR
reference staff at 1-800-397-4209, or (301) 415-4737, or by e-mail to
[email protected].
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Lauren Qui[ntilde]ones, Office of
Nuclear Reactor Regulation, U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission,
Washington, DC 20555-0001, telephone (301) 415-2007, e-mail
[email protected]; or Don Tailleart, Office of Nuclear Security
and Incident Response, U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission, Washington,
DC 20555-0001, telephone (301) 415-2966, e-mail [email protected].
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: During the period of May 18-May 29, 2009,
the NRC received seven letters from nuclear power industry
representatives and various state agencies requesting that the comment
period for the proposed rulemaking be extended. Five of the requests
asked for an extension of 75 days for a total of 150 days, and two of
the requests asked for an extension of 105 days for a total of 180
days. Nuclear power industry representatives and state agencies stated
various reasons to support their request (listed below):
(1) This is a substantive amendment to the NRC EP requirements;
(2) The proposed amendments and guidance documents cover many
significant legal, regulatory, and policy
[[Page 27725]]
issues that will require extensive review;
(3) Additional time is needed to discuss possible consequences of
proposed changes with affected State and/or local jurisdictions; and
(4) Extending the public comment period will allow for a more
comprehensive review and result in more meaningful comments.
In view of the NRC's desire to receive high quality comments from
external stakeholders, and recognizing the quantity of information to
be analyzed and the coordination efforts needed by and among
stakeholders, the comment period for the proposed rulemaking and
related guidance documents will be extended for an additional 75 days.
The comment period for the information collection aspects of this
proposed rulemaking will be extended by 60 days. Based on feedback from
stakeholders, the NRC believes that a 75-day extension will allow
sufficient time for all stakeholders to develop and provide meaningful
comments on the proposed rule and draft guidance.
The proposed rule and related guidance documents comment submittal
deadline is extended from the original August 3, 2009, deadline to
October 19, 2009, and the information collections analysis deadline is
extended from the original June 17, 2009, deadline to August 17, 2009.
Dated at Rockville, Maryland, this 5th day of June 2009.
For the Nuclear Regulatory Commission.
Annette L. Vietti-Cook,
Secretary of the Commission.
[FR Doc. E9-13713 Filed 6-10-09; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 7590-01-P