[Federal Register Volume 83, Number 233 (Tuesday, December 4, 2018)]
[Notices]
[Pages 62609-62617]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2018-25452]


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NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION

[NRC-2018-0267]


Applications and Amendments to Facility Operating Licenses and 
Combined Licenses Involving Proposed No Significant Hazards 
Considerations and Containing Sensitive Unclassified Non-Safeguards 
Information and Order Imposing Procedures for Access to Sensitive 
Unclassified Non-Safeguards Information

AGENCY: Nuclear Regulatory Commission.

ACTION: License amendment request; notice of opportunity to comment, 
request a hearing, and petition for leave to intervene; order imposing 
procedures.

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SUMMARY: The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) received and is 
considering approval of four amendment requests. The amendment requests 
are for North Anna Power Station, Unit Nos. 1 and 2; Shearon Harris 
Nuclear Power Plant, Unit 1; H. B. Robinson Steam Electric Plant Unit 
No. 2; and Virgil C. Summer Nuclear Station, Unit No. 1. For each 
amendment request, the NRC proposes to determine that they involve no 
significant hazards consideration. Because each amendment request 
contains sensitive unclassified non-safeguards information (SUNSI) an 
order imposes procedures to obtain access to SUNSI for contention 
preparation.

DATES: Comments must be filed by January 3, 2019. A request for a 
hearing must be filed by February 4, 2019. Any potential party as 
defined in section 2.4 of title 10 of the Code of Federal Regulations 
(10 CFR), who believes access to SUNSI is necessary to respond to this 
notice must request document access by December 14, 2018.

ADDRESSES: You may submit comments by any of the following methods:
     Federal Rulemaking Website: Go to http://www.regulations.gov and search for Docket ID NRC-2018-0267. Address 
questions about Docket IDs in Regulations.gov to Jennifer Borges; 
telephone: 301-287-9127; email: [email protected]. For technical 
questions, contact the individual listed in the FOR FURTHER INFORMATION 
CONTACT section of this document.
     Mail comments to: May Ma, Office of Administration, Mail 
Stop: TWFN-7-A60M, U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission, Washington, DC 
20555-0001.

[[Page 62610]]

    For additional direction on obtaining information and submitting 
comments, see ``Obtaining Information and Submitting Comments'' in the 
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION section of this document.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Lynn Ronewicz, Office of Nuclear 
Reactor Regulation, U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission, Washington, DC 
20555-0001; telephone: 301-415-1927, email: [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

I. Obtaining Information and Submitting Comments

A. Obtaining Information

    Please refer to Docket ID NRC-2018-0267, facility name, unit 
number(s), plant docket number, application date, and subject when 
contacting the NRC about the availability of information for this 
action. You may obtain publicly-available information related to this 
action by any of the following methods:
     Federal Rulemaking Website: Go to http://www.regulations.gov and search for Docket ID NRC-2018-0267.
     NRC's Agencywide Documents Access and Management System 
(ADAMS): You may obtain publicly-available documents online in the 
ADAMS Public Documents collection at http://www.nrc.gov/reading-rm/adams.html. To begin the search, select ``Begin Web-based ADAMS 
Search.'' For problems with ADAMS, please contact the NRC's Public 
Document Room (PDR) reference staff at 1-800-397-4209, 301-415-4737, or 
by email to [email protected]. The ADAMS accession number for each 
document referenced (if it is available in ADAMS) is provided the first 
time that it is mentioned in this document.
     NRC's PDR: You may examine and purchase copies of public 
documents at the NRC's PDR, Room O1-F21, One White Flint North, 11555 
Rockville Pike, Rockville, Maryland 20852.

B. Submitting Comments

    Please include Docket ID NRC-2018-0267, facility name, unit 
number(s), plant docket number, application date, and subject in your 
comment submission.
    The NRC cautions you not to include identifying or contact 
information that you do not want to be publicly disclosed in your 
comment submission. The NRC will post all comment submissions at http://www.regulations.gov as well as enter the comment submissions into 
ADAMS. The NRC does not routinely edit comment submissions to remove 
identifying or contact information.
    If you are requesting or aggregating comments from other persons 
for submission to the NRC, then you should inform those persons not to 
include identifying or contact information that they do not want to be 
publicly disclosed in their comment submission. Your request should 
state that the NRC does not routinely edit comment submissions to 
remove such information before making the comment submissions available 
to the public or entering the comment into ADAMS.

II. Background

    Pursuant to Section 189a.(2) of the Atomic Energy Act of 1954, as 
amended (the Act), the NRC is publishing this notice. The Act requires 
the Commission to publish notice of any amendments issued, or proposed 
to be issued and grants the Commission the authority to issue and make 
immediately effective any amendment to an operating license or combined 
license, as applicable, upon a determination by the Commission that 
such amendment involves no significant hazards consideration, 
notwithstanding the pendency before the Commission of a request for a 
hearing from any person.
    This notice includes notices of amendments containing SUNSI.

III. Notice of Consideration of Issuance of Amendments to Facility 
Operating Licenses and Combined Licenses, Proposed No Significant 
Hazards Consideration Determination, and Opportunity for a Hearing

    The Commission has made a proposed determination that the following 
amendment requests involve no significant hazards consideration. Under 
the Commission's regulations in 10 CFR 50.92, this means that operation 
of the facility in accordance with the proposed amendment would not (1) 
involve a significant increase in the probability or consequences of an 
accident previously evaluated, or (2) create the possibility of a new 
or different kind of accident from any accident previously evaluated, 
or (3) involve a significant reduction in a margin of safety. The basis 
for this proposed determination for each amendment request is shown 
below.
    The Commission is seeking public comments on this proposed 
determination. Any comments received within 30 days after the date of 
publication of this notice will be considered in making any final 
determination.
    Normally, the Commission will not issue the amendment until the 
expiration of 60 days after the date of publication of this notice. The 
Commission may issue the license amendment before expiration of the 60-
day period provided that its final determination is that the amendment 
involves no significant hazards consideration. In addition, the 
Commission may issue the amendment prior to the expiration of the 30-
day comment period if circumstances change during the 30-day comment 
period such that failure to act in a timely way would result, for 
example, in derating or shutdown of the facility. If the Commission 
takes action prior to the expiration of either the comment period or 
the notice period, it will publish a notice of issuance in the Federal 
Register. If the Commission makes a final no significant hazards 
consideration determination, any hearing will take place after 
issuance. The Commission expects that the need to take this action will 
occur very infrequently.

A. Opportunity To Request a Hearing and Petition for Leave To Intervene

    Within 60 days after the date of publication of this notice, any 
persons (petitioner) whose interest may be affected by this action may 
file a request for a hearing and petition for leave to intervene 
(petition) with respect to the action. Petitions shall be filed in 
accordance with the Commission's ``Agency Rules of Practice and 
Procedure'' in 10 CFR part 2. Interested persons should consult a 
current copy of 10 CFR 2.309. The NRC's regulations are accessible 
electronically from the NRC Library on the NRC's website at http://www.nrc.gov/reading-rm/doc-collections/cfr/. Alternatively, a copy of 
the regulations is available at the NRC's Public Document Room, located 
at One White Flint North, Room O1-F21, 11555 Rockville Pike (First 
Floor), Rockville, Maryland 20852. If a petition is filed, the 
Commission or a presiding officer will rule on the petition and, if 
appropriate, a notice of a hearing will be issued.
    As required by 10 CFR 2.309(d) the petition should specifically 
explain the reasons why intervention should be permitted with 
particular reference to the following general requirements for 
standing: (1) The name, address, and telephone number of the 
petitioner; (2) the nature of the petitioner's right under the Act to 
be made a party to the proceeding; (3) the nature and extent of the 
petitioner's property, financial, or other interest in the proceeding; 
and (4) the possible effect of any decision or order which may be 
entered in the proceeding on the petitioner's interest.
    In accordance with 10 CFR 2.309(f), the petition must also set 
forth the

[[Page 62611]]

specific contentions which the petitioner seeks to have litigated in 
the proceeding. Each contention must consist of a specific statement of 
the issue of law or fact to be raised or controverted. In addition, the 
petitioner must provide a brief explanation of the bases for the 
contention and a concise statement of the alleged facts or expert 
opinion which support the contention and on which the petitioner 
intends to rely in proving the contention at the hearing. The 
petitioner must also provide references to the specific sources and 
documents on which the petitioner intends to rely to support its 
position on the issue. The petition must include sufficient information 
to show that a genuine dispute exists with the applicant or licensee on 
a material issue of law or fact. Contentions must be limited to matters 
within the scope of the proceeding. The contention must be one which, 
if proven, would entitle the petitioner to relief. A petitioner who 
fails to satisfy the requirements at 10 CFR 2.309(f) with respect to at 
least one contention will not be permitted to participate as a party.
    Those permitted to intervene become parties to the proceeding, 
subject to any limitations in the order granting leave to intervene. 
Parties have the opportunity to participate fully in the conduct of the 
hearing with respect to resolution of that party's admitted 
contentions, including the opportunity to present evidence, consistent 
with the NRC's regulations, policies, and procedures.
    Petitions must be filed no later than 60 days from the date of 
publication of this notice. Petitions and motions for leave to file new 
or amended contentions that are filed after the deadline will not be 
entertained absent a determination by the presiding officer that the 
filing demonstrates good cause by satisfying the three factors in 10 
CFR 2.309(c)(1)(i) through (iii). The petition must be filed in 
accordance with the filing instructions in the ``Electronic Submissions 
(E-Filing)'' section of this document.
    If a hearing is requested, and the Commission has not made a final 
determination on the issue of no significant hazards consideration, the 
Commission will make a final determination on the issue of no 
significant hazards consideration. The final determination will serve 
to establish when the hearing is held. If the final determination is 
that the amendment request involves no significant hazards 
consideration, the Commission may issue the amendment and make it 
immediately effective, notwithstanding the request for a hearing. Any 
hearing would take place after issuance of the amendment. If the final 
determination is that the amendment request involves a significant 
hazards consideration, then any hearing held would take place before 
the issuance of the amendment unless the Commission finds an imminent 
danger to the health or safety of the public, in which case it will 
issue an appropriate order or rule under 10 CFR part 2.
    A State, local governmental body, Federally-recognized Indian 
Tribe, or agency thereof, may submit a petition to the Commission to 
participate as a party under 10 CFR 2.309(h)(1). The petition should 
state the nature and extent of the petitioner's interest in the 
proceeding. The petition should be submitted to the Commission no later 
than 60 days from the date of publication of this notice. The petition 
must be filed in accordance with the filing instructions in the 
``Electronic Submissions (E-Filing)'' section of this document, and 
should meet the requirements for petitions set forth in this section, 
except that under 10 CFR 2.309(h)(2) a State, local governmental body, 
or Federally-recognized Indian Tribe, or agency thereof does not need 
to address the standing requirements in 10 CFR 2.309(d) if the facility 
is located within its boundaries. Alternatively, a State, local 
governmental body, Federally-recognized Indian Tribe, or agency thereof 
may participate as a non-party under 10 CFR 2.315(c).
    If a hearing is granted, any person who is not a party to the 
proceeding and is not affiliated with or represented by a party may, at 
the discretion of the presiding officer, be permitted to make a limited 
appearance pursuant to the provisions of 10 CFR 2.315(a). A person 
making a limited appearance may make an oral or written statement of 
his or her position on the issues but may not otherwise participate in 
the proceeding. A limited appearance may be made at any session of the 
hearing or at any prehearing conference, subject to the limits and 
conditions as may be imposed by the presiding officer. Details 
regarding the opportunity to make a limited appearance will be provided 
by the presiding officer if such sessions are scheduled.

B. Electronic Submissions (E-Filing)

    All documents filed in NRC adjudicatory proceedings, including a 
request for hearing and petition for leave to intervene (petition), any 
motion or other document filed in the proceeding prior to the 
submission of a request for hearing or petition to intervene, and 
documents filed by interested governmental entities that request to 
participate under 10 CFR 2.315(c), must be filed in accordance with the 
NRC's E-Filing rule (72 FR 49139; August 28, 2007, as amended at 77 FR 
46562; August 3, 2012). The E-Filing process requires participants to 
submit and serve all adjudicatory documents over the internet, or in 
some cases to mail copies on electronic storage media. Detailed 
guidance on making electronic submissions may be found in the Guidance 
for Electronic Submissions to the NRC and on the NRC website at http://www.nrc.gov/site-help/e-submittals.html. Participants may not submit 
paper copies of their filings unless they seek an exemption in 
accordance with the procedures described below.
    To comply with the procedural requirements of E-Filing, at least 10 
days prior to the filing deadline, the participant should contact the 
Office of the Secretary by email at [email protected], or by 
telephone at 301-415-1677, to (1) request a digital identification (ID) 
certificate, which allows the participant (or its counsel or 
representative) to digitally sign submissions and access the E-Filing 
system for any proceeding in which it is participating; and (2) advise 
the Secretary that the participant will be submitting a petition or 
other adjudicatory document (even in instances in which the 
participant, or its counsel or representative, already holds an NRC-
issued digital ID certificate). Based upon this information, the 
Secretary will establish an electronic docket for the hearing in this 
proceeding if the Secretary has not already established an electronic 
docket.
    Information about applying for a digital ID certificate is 
available on the NRC's public website at http://www.nrc.gov/site-help/e-submittals/getting-started.html. Once a participant has obtained a 
digital ID certificate and a docket has been created, the participant 
can then submit adjudicatory documents. Submissions must be in Portable 
Document Format (PDF). Additional guidance on PDF submissions is 
available on the NRC's public website at http://www.nrc.gov/site-help/electronic-sub-ref-mat.html. A filing is considered complete at the 
time the document is submitted through the NRC's E-Filing system. To be 
timely, an electronic filing must be submitted to the E-Filing system 
no later than 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time on the due date. Upon receipt of 
a transmission, the E-Filing system time-stamps the document and sends 
the submitter an email notice confirming receipt of the document. The 
E-Filing system also distributes an email notice that provides access 
to the

[[Page 62612]]

document to the NRC's Office of the General Counsel and any others who 
have advised the Office of the Secretary that they wish to participate 
in the proceeding, so that the filer need not serve the document on 
those participants separately. Therefore, applicants and other 
participants (or their counsel or representative) must apply for and 
receive a digital ID certificate before adjudicatory documents are 
filed so that they can obtain access to the documents via the E-Filing 
system.
    A person filing electronically using the NRC's adjudicatory E-
Filing system may seek assistance by contacting the NRC's Electronic 
Filing Help Desk through the ``Contact Us'' link located on the NRC's 
public website at http://www.nrc.gov/site-help/e-submittals.html, by 
email to [email protected]">MSHD.[email protected], or by a toll-free call at 1-866-672-
7640. The NRC Electronic Filing Help Desk is available between 9 a.m. 
and 6 p.m., Eastern Time, Monday through Friday, excluding government 
holidays.
    Participants who believe that they have a good cause for not 
submitting documents electronically must file an exemption request, in 
accordance with 10 CFR 2.302(g), with their initial paper filing 
stating why there is good cause for not filing electronically and 
requesting authorization to continue to submit documents in paper 
format. Such filings must be submitted by: (1) First class mail 
addressed to the Office of the Secretary of the Commission, U.S. 
Nuclear Regulatory Commission, Washington, DC 20555-0001, Attention: 
Rulemaking and Adjudications Staff; or (2) courier, express mail, or 
expedited delivery service to the Office of the Secretary, 11555 
Rockville Pike, Rockville, Maryland 20852, Attention: Rulemaking and 
Adjudications Staff. Participants filing adjudicatory documents in this 
manner are responsible for serving the document on all other 
participants. Filing is considered complete by first-class mail as of 
the time of deposit in the mail, or by courier, express mail, or 
expedited delivery service upon depositing the document with the 
provider of the service. A presiding officer, having granted an 
exemption request from using E-Filing, may require a participant or 
party to use E-Filing if the presiding officer subsequently determines 
that the reason for granting the exemption from use of E-Filing no 
longer exists.
    Documents submitted in adjudicatory proceedings will appear in the 
NRC's electronic hearing docket which is available to the public at 
https://adams.nrc.gov/ehd, unless excluded pursuant to an order of the 
Commission or the presiding officer. If you do not have an NRC-issued 
digital ID certificate as described above, click cancel when the link 
requests certificates and you will be automatically directed to the 
NRC's electronic hearing dockets where you will be able to access any 
publicly available documents in a particular hearing docket. 
Participants are requested not to include personal privacy information, 
such as social security numbers, home addresses, or personal phone 
numbers in their filings, unless an NRC regulation or other law 
requires submission of such information. For example, in some 
instances, individuals provide home addresses in order to demonstrate 
proximity to a facility or site. With respect to copyrighted works, 
except for limited excerpts that serve the purpose of the adjudicatory 
filings and would constitute a Fair Use application, participants are 
requested not to include copyrighted materials in their submission.

South Carolina Electric & Gas Company, South Carolina Public Service 
Authority, Docket No. 50-395, Virgil C. Summer Nuclear Station, Unit 
No. 1, Fairfield County, South Carolina

    Date of amendment request: August 29, 2018. A publicly-available 
version is in ADAMS under Accession No. ML18242A658.
    Description of amendment request: This amendment request contains 
sensitive unclassified non-safeguards information (SUNSI). The 
amendment would revise license conditions and approve changes to plant 
modifications evaluated using fire probabilistic risk assessment 
methods and approaches that have been accepted previously in Amendment 
No. 199 or that have been accepted for another nuclear power plant 
station and approve performance-based alternatives for Chapter 3, 
National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) 805 (10 CFR 
50.48(c)(2)(vii)), specifically, NFPA 805, Section 3.3.4, ``Insulation 
Materials,'' and NFPA 805, Section 3.3.5.1, ``Wiring above Suspended 
Ceilings.''
    Basis for proposed no significant hazards consideration 
determination: As required by 10 CFR 50.91(a), the licensee has 
provided its analysis of the issue of no significant hazards 
consideration, which is presented below:

    1. Does the proposed change involve a significant increase in 
the probability or consequences of an accident previously evaluated?
    Response: No.
    The purpose of this amendment is to provide updated information 
associated with the modifications that were described and committed 
to in the VCSNS [Virgil C. Summer Nuclear Station] License Amendment 
Request and subsequently approved by the NRC. This amendment also 
provides updated information related to Nuclear Safety Compliance 
Strategies (including recovery actions). The NRC considers that NFPA 
805 provides an acceptable methodology and performance criteria for 
licensees to identify fire protection requirements that are an 
acceptable alternative to the 10 CFR part 50, Appendix R, fire 
protection features (69 FR 33536; June 16, 2004).
    Operation of VCSNS in accordance with the proposed amendment 
does not result in a significant increase in the probability or 
consequences of accidents previously evaluated. The proposed 
amendment does not affect accident initiators or precursors as 
described in the VCSNS Safety Analysis Report (SAR), nor does it 
adversely alter design assumptions, conditions, or configurations of 
the facility, and it does not adversely impact the ability of 
structures, systems, or components (SSCs) to perform their intended 
function to mitigate the consequences of accidents described and 
evaluated in the SAR. The proposed amendment does not adversely 
alter safety-related systems nor affect the way in which safety-
related systems perform their functions as required by the accident 
analysis. The SSCs required to safely shut down the reactor and to 
maintain it in a safe shutdown condition will remain capable of 
performing the associated design functions.
    Therefore, this change does not involve a significant increase 
in the probability or consequences of an accident previously 
evaluated.
    2. Does the proposed change create the possibility of a new or 
different kind of accident from any accident previously evaluated?
    Response: No.
    Implementation of the new risk-informed, performance-based fire 
protection licensing basis, with the revised modifications and 
Nuclear Safety Compliance Strategies complies with the requirements 
in 10 CFR 50.48(a) and 10 CFR 50.48(c), as well as the guidance 
contained in RG [Regulatory Guide] 1.205, and does not result in new 
or different kinds of accidents. The requirements in NFPA 805 
address only fire protection and the impacts of fire effects on the 
plant have been evaluated. The proposed amendment does not involve 
new failure mechanisms or malfunctions that could initiate a new or 
different kind of accident beyond those already analyzed in the SAR.
    Therefore, this change does not create the possibility of a new 
or different kind of accident from an accident previously evaluated.
    3. Does the proposed change involve a significant reduction in a 
margin of safety?
    Response: No.
    The proposed amendment has been evaluated to ensure that risk 
and safety margins are maintained within acceptable limits. The risk 
evaluations for plant changes

[[Page 62613]]

in relation to the potential for reducing a safety margin, were 
measured quantitatively for acceptability using the delta risk 
(i.e., change in core damage frequency and change in large early 
release frequency) criteria from Section 5.3.5, ``Acceptance 
Criteria,'' of Nuclear Energy Institute 04-02, ``Guidance for 
Implementing a Risk-Informed, Performance-based Fire Protection 
Program under 10 CFR 50.48(c),'' as well as the guidance contained 
in RG 1.205. Engineering analyses, which may include engineering 
evaluations, probabilistic safety assessments, and fire modeling 
calculations, have been performed to demonstrate that the 
performance-based methods of NFPA 805 do not result in a significant 
reduction in the margin of safety.
    Therefore, this change does not involve a significant reduction 
in a margin of safety.

    The NRC staff has reviewed the licensee's analysis and, based on 
this review, it appears that the three standards of 10 CFR 50.92(c) are 
satisfied. Therefore, the NRC staff proposes to determine that the 
amendment request involves no significant hazards consideration.
    Attorney for licensee: Kathryn M. Sutton, Morgan, Lewis & Bockius 
LLP, 1111 Pennsylvania Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20004.
    NRC Branch Chief: Michael T. Markley.

Duke Energy Progress, LLC, Docket No. 50-400, Shearon Harris Nuclear 
Power Plant, Unit 1 (Shearon Harris or HNP), Wake and Chatham Counties, 
North Carolina

Duke Energy Progress, LLC, Docket No. 50-261, H. B. Robinson Steam 
Electric Plant Unit No. 2 (Robinson or RNP), Darlington County, South 
Carolina

    Date of amendment request: October 19, 2017, as supplemented by 
letters dated June 5, 2018; October 15, 2018; and November 6, 2018. 
Publicly-available versions are in ADAMS under Accession Nos. 
ML17292A040, ML18156A209, ML18288A276, and ML18310A131, respectively.
    Description of amendment request: The supplement dated June 5, 
2018, contains sensitive unclassified non-safeguards information 
(SUNSI). The NRC staff previously made a proposed determination that 
the license amendment request dated October 19, 2017, involves no 
significant hazards consideration (83 FR 166; January 2, 2018). 
Subsequently, by letter dated November 6, 2018, the licensee provided 
additional information that expanded the scope of the amendment request 
as originally noticed. Accordingly, this notice supersedes the previous 
notice in its entirety. The proposed amendment request consists of five 
changes that would revise the Technical Specifications (TSs) to support 
the allowance of Duke Energy to self-perform core reload design and 
safety analyses. These changes would (1) add the NRC-approved COPERNIC 
Topical Report (TR) to the list of TRs for Shearon Harris and Robinson 
and revise the peak fuel centerline temperature equation in Robinson TS 
2.1.1.2 and Shearon Harris TS 2.1.1.b to be the equation used by 
COPERNIC; (2) relocate several TS parameters to the Core Operating 
Limits Reports for Shearon Harris and Robinson; (3) revise the Robinson 
TS moderator temperature coefficient maximum upper limit, (4) revise 
the Sharon Harris TS definition of shutdown margin consistent with 
Technical Specifications Task Force (TSTF) Traveler TSTF-248, Revision 
0 (ADAMS Accession No. ML040611010), ``Revise Shutdown Margin 
Definition for Stuck Rod Exception''; and (5) revise the Robinson and 
Shearon Harris power distribution limits limiting condition for 
operation actions and surveillance requirements, as well as the 
Robinson Reactor Protection System Instrumentation Table 3.3.1-1 to 
allow operation of a reactor core designed using the DPC-NE-2011-P 
[proprietary], ``Nuclear Design Methodology Report for Core Operating 
Limits of Westinghouse Reactors,'' methodology. (A redacted version, 
designated as DPC-NE-2011, is publicly-available under ADAMS Accession 
No. ML16125A420.)
    Basis for proposed no significant hazards consideration 
determination: As required by 10 CFR 50.91(a), the licensee has 
provided its analysis of the issue of no significant hazards 
consideration, which is presented below:

    1. Does the proposed change involve a significant increase in 
the probability or consequences of an accident previously evaluated?
    Response: No.

COPERNIC

    The proposed change adds a topical report for an NRC-reviewed 
and approved fuel performance code to the list of topical reports in 
RNP and HNP Technical Specifications (TS), which is administrative 
in nature and has no impact on a plant configuration or system 
performance relied upon to mitigate the consequences of an accident. 
The list of topical reports in the TS used to develop the core 
operating limits does not impact either the initiation of an 
accident or the mitigation of its consequences.
    The proposed change also revises a limit on peak fuel centerline 
temperature in the RNP and HNP TS that is based on a NRC reviewed 
and approved fuel performance code, and does not require a physical 
change to plant systems, structures, or components. Plant operations 
and analysis will continue to be in accordance with the licensing 
basis. The peak fuel centerline temperature limit provides 
protection to the fuel and is consistent with the safety analysis.

Relocate TS Parameters to the COLR

    The proposed change relocates certain cycle-specific core 
operating limits from the RNP and HNP TS to the Core Operating 
Limits Report (COLR). The cycle-specific values must be calculated 
using the NRC approved methodologies listed in the COLR section of 
the TS. Because the parameter limits are determined using the NRC 
methodologies, they will continue to be within the limit assumed in 
the accident analysis. As a result, neither the probability nor the 
consequences of any accident previously evaluated will be affected.

RNP MTC TS Change

    The proposed change revises the RNP Technical Specification 
maximum upper Moderator Temperature Coefficient (MTC) limit. 
Revision of the MTC limit does not affect the performance of any 
equipment used to mitigate the consequences of an analyzed accident. 
There is no impact on the source term or pathways assumed in 
accidents previously assumed. No analysis assumptions are violated 
and there are no adverse effects on the factors that contribute to 
offsite or onsite dose as the result of an accident.

HNP TSTF-248

    The proposed change revises the HNP Technical Specification 
definition of Shutdown Margin (SDM) consistent with existing NRC-
approved definition. The proposed revision to the SDM definition 
will result in analytical flexibility for determining SDM. Revision 
of the SDM definition does not affect the performance of any 
equipment used to mitigate the consequences of an analyzed accident. 
There is no impact on the source term or pathways assumed in 
accidents previously assumed. No analysis assumptions are violated 
and there are no adverse effects on the factors that contribute to 
offsite or onsite dose as the result of an accident.

DPC-NE-2011-P TS Changes

    The proposed change revises the RNP and HNP TS to allow 
operation of a reactor core designed using the DPC-NE-2011-P 
methodology. The DPC-NE-2011-P methodology has already been approved 
by the NRC for use at RNP and HNP. Revision of the TS to align with 
the NRC-approved methodology does not affect the performance of any 
equipment used to mitigate the consequences of an analyzed accident. 
There is no impact on the source term or pathways assumed in 
accidents previously assumed. No analysis assumptions are violated 
and there are no adverse effects on the factors that contribute to 
offsite or onsite dose as the result of an accident.
    Therefore, the proposed changes do not involve a significant 
increase in the probability or consequences of an accident 
previously evaluated.
    2. Does the proposed change create the possibility of a new or 
different kind of

[[Page 62614]]

accident from any accident previously evaluated?
    Response: No.

COPERNIC

    The proposed change adds a topical report for an NRC-reviewed 
and approved fuel performance code to the list of topical reports in 
HNP and RNP TS, which is administrative in nature and has no impact 
on a plant configuration or on system performance. The proposed 
change updates the list of NRC-approved topical reports used to 
develop the core operating limits. There is no change to the 
parameters within which the plant is normally operated. The 
possibility of a new or different kind of accident is not created.
    The proposed change also revises a limit on peak fuel centerline 
temperature in the RNP and HNP TS that is based on a NRC reviewed 
and approved fuel performance code, and does not require physical 
changes to plant systems, structures, or components. Specifying peak 
fuel centerline temperature ensures that the fuel design limits are 
met. Operations and analysis will continue to be in compliance with 
NRC regulations. Revising the peak fuel centerline temperature limit 
does not affect any accident initiators that would create a new 
accident.

Relocate TS Parameters to the COLR

    The proposed change relocates certain cycle-specific core 
operating limits from the RNP and HNP TS to the COLR. No new or 
different accidents result from utilizing the proposed change. The 
changes do not involve a physical alteration of the plant (i.e., no 
new or different type of equipment will be installed) or a change in 
the methods governing normal plant operation. In addition, the 
changes do not impose any new or different requirements or eliminate 
any existing requirements. The changes do not alter assumptions made 
in the safety analyses. The proposed changes are consistent with the 
safety analyses assumptions and current plant operating practice.

RNP MTC TS Change

    The proposed change revises the RNP Technical Specification 
maximum upper MTC limit. The proposed change does not physically 
alter the plant; that is, no new or different type of equipment will 
be installed. Therefore the proposed change could also not initiate 
an equipment malfunction that would result in a new or different 
type of accident from any previously evaluated. This change does not 
create new failure modes or mechanisms which are not identifiable 
during testing, and no new accident precursors are generated.

HNP TSTF-248

    Revising the HNP Technical Specification definition of SDM would 
not require revision to any SDM boron calculations. Rather, it would 
afford the analytical flexibility for determining SDM for a 
particular circumstance. The proposed change does not physically 
alter the plant; that is, no new or different type of equipment will 
be installed. Therefore the proposed change could also not initiate 
an equipment malfunction that would result in a new or different 
type of accident from any previously evaluated. This change does not 
create new failure modes or mechanisms which are not identifiable 
during testing, and no new accident precursors are generated.

DPC-NE-2011-P TS Changes

    The proposed change revises the RNP and HNP TS to allow 
operation of a reactor core designed using the DPC-NE-2011-P 
methodology. The DPC-NE-2011-P methodology has already been approved 
by the NRC for use at RNP and HNP. The proposed change does not 
physically alter the plant, that is, no new or different type of 
equipment will be installed. Therefore the proposed change could 
also not initiate an equipment malfunction that would result in a 
new or different type of accident from any previously evaluated. 
Operating the reactor in accordance with the NRC-approved 
methodology will ensure that the core will operate within safe 
limits. This change does not create new failure modes or mechanisms 
which are not identifiable during testing, and no new accident 
precursors are generated.
    Therefore, the proposed changes do not create the possibility of 
a new or different kind of accident from any accident previously 
evaluated.
    3. Does the proposed change involve a significant reduction in a 
margin of safety?
    Response: No.
    Margin of safety is related to the confidence in the ability of 
the fission product barriers to perform their design functions 
during and following an accident. These barriers include the fuel 
cladding, the reactor coolant system, and the containment system.

COPERNIC

    The proposed change adds a topical report for an NRC-reviewed 
and approved fuel performance code to the list of topical reports in 
HNP and RNP TS, which is administrative in nature and does not amend 
the cycle specific parameters presently required by the TS. The 
individual TS continue to require operation of the plant within the 
bounds of the limits specified in the COLR. The proposed change to 
the list of analytical methods referenced in the COLR does not 
impact the margin of safety.
    The proposed change also revises a limit on peak fuel centerline 
temperature in the RNP and HNP TS that is based on a NRC reviewed 
and approved fuel performance code, and does not require physical 
changes to plant systems, structures, or components. Plant 
operations and analysis will continue to be in accordance with the 
licensing basis. Revising the peak fuel centerline temperature limit 
defined by the NRC reviewed and approved fuel performance code will 
continue to ensure that applicable design and safety limits are 
satisfied such that the fission product barriers will continue to 
perform their design functions and thereby margin of safety is not 
reduced.

Relocate TS Parameters to the COLR

    The proposed change relocates certain cycle-specific core 
operating limits from the RNP and HNP TS to the COLR. This change 
will have no effect on the margin of safety. The relocated cycle-
specific parameters will continue to be calculated using NRC-
approved methodologies and will provide the same margin of safety as 
the values currently located in the TS.

RNP MTC TS Change

    The proposed change revises the RNP Technical Specification 
maximum upper MTC limit. The MTC limit change does not impact the 
reliability of the fission product barriers to function.
    Radiological dose to plant operators or to the public will not 
be impacted as a result of the proposed change. The current Updated 
Final Safety Analysis Report (UFSAR) Chapter 15 analyses of record 
remain bounding with the proposed change to the maximum upper MTC 
limit. Therefore, all of the applicable acceptance criteria continue 
to be met for each of the analyses with the revised maximum upper 
MTC limit.

HNP TSTF-248

    The proposed revision to the HNP Technical Specification 
definition of SDM does not impact the reliability of the fission 
product barriers to function. Radiological dose to plant operators 
or to the public will not be impacted as a result of the proposed 
change. Adequate SDM will continue to be ensured for all operational 
conditions.

DPC-NE-2011-P TS Changes

    The proposed change revises the RNP and HNP TS to allow 
operation of a reactor core designed using the DPC-NE-2011-P 
methodology. As a portion of the overall Duke Energy methodology for 
cycle reload safety analyses, DPC-NE-2011-P has already been 
approved by the NRC for use at RNP and HNP. The proposed change will 
continue to ensure that applicable design and safety limits are 
satisfied such that the fission product barriers will continue to 
perform their design functions. Operation of the reactor in 
accordance with the DPC-NE-2011-P methodology will ensure the margin 
of safety is not reduced.
    Therefore, the proposed changes do not involve a significant 
reduction in a margin of safety.

    The NRC staff has reviewed the licensee's analysis and, based on 
this review, it appears that the three standards of 10 CFR 50.92(c) are 
satisfied. Therefore, the NRC staff proposes to determine that the 
amendment request involves no significant hazards consideration.
    Attorney for licensee: Kathryn B. Nolan, Deputy General Counsel, 
Duke Energy Corporation, 550 South Tryon Street, Mail Code DEC45A, 
Charlotte, NC 28202.
    NRC Branch Chief: Undine Shoop.

Virginia Electric and Power Company, Docket Nos. 50-338 and 50-339, 
North Anna Power Station (North Anna), Units No. 1 and No. 2, Louisa 
County, Virginia

    Date of amendment request: July 12, 2018. A publicly-available 
version is in ADAMS under Package Accession No. ML18198A133.

[[Page 62615]]

    Description of amendment request: This amendment request contains 
sensitive unclassified non-safeguards information (SUNSI). The 
amendments would revise the Technical Specification (TS) requirements 
to add Framatome Topical Report EMF-2328(P)(A), Revision 0, ``PWR Small 
Break [loss-of-coolant accident] LOCA Evaluation Model, S-RELAP5 
Based,'' as supplemented by the North Anna-specific application report 
ANP-3467P, Revision 0, ``North Anna Fuel-Vendor Independent Small Break 
LOCA Analysis Licensing Report,'' to the list of methodologies approved 
for reference in the Core Operating Limits Report (COLR) in TS 5.6.5.b 
at North Anna, Unit Nos. 1 and 2. Framatome Topical Report EMF-
2328(P)(A), as supplemented by the North Anna-specific application 
report, replaces two existing COLR references for the current 
Westinghouse Small Break LOCA Evaluation Model. The amendments would 
also remove one obsolete COLR reference in TS 5.6.5.b that supported 
use of the Advanced Mark-BW (AMBW) fuel product, since the AMBW fuel 
product is not planned to be used in future North Anna cores.
    Basis for proposed no significant hazards consideration 
determination: As required by 10 CFR 50.91(a), the licensee has 
provided its analysis of the issue of no significant hazards 
consideration, which is presented below:

    1. Does the proposed amendment involve a significant increase in 
the probability or consequences of an accident previously evaluated?
    Response: No.
    The proposed change to TS 5.6.5.b permits the use of an NRC-
approved methodology for analysis of the Small Break Loss of Coolant 
Accident (SBLOCA) to determine if North Anna Power Station (NAPS) 
Units 1 and 2 continue to meet the applicable design and safety 
analysis acceptance criteria. The proposed change to the list of 
NRC-approved methodologies in TS 5.6.5.b has no direct impact upon 
plant operation or configuration. The list of methodologies in TS 
5.6.5.b does not impact either the initiation of an accident or the 
mitigation of its consequences.
    The results of the revised SBLOCA transient analysis and 
existing pre-transient oxidation limits demonstrate that NAPS Units 
1 and 2 continue to satisfy the 10 CFR 50.46(b)(1-3) Emergency Core 
Cooling System performance acceptance criteria using an NRC-approved 
evaluation model.
    Therefore, the proposed change does not involve a significant 
increase in the probability or consequences of an accident 
previously evaluated.
    2. Does the proposed amendment create the possibility of a new 
or different kind of accident from any accident previously 
evaluated?
    Response: No.
    The proposed change will not create the possibility of a new or 
different accident due to credible new failure mechanisms, 
malfunctions, or accident initiators not previously considered. 
There is no change to the parameters within which the plant is 
normally operated, and thus, the possibility of a new or different 
type of accident is not created.
    Therefore, the proposed change does not create the possibility 
of a new or different kind of accident from any accident previously 
evaluated.
    3. Does the proposed amendment involve a significant reduction 
in a margin of safety?
    Response: No.
    No design basis or safety limits are exceeded or altered by this 
change. Approved methodologies have been used to ensure that the 
plant continues to meet applicable design criteria and safety 
analysis acceptance criteria.
    Therefore, the proposed change does not involve a significant 
reduction in a margin of safety.

    The NRC staff has reviewed the licensee's analysis and, based on 
this review, it appears that the three standards of 10 CFR 50.92(c) are 
satisfied. Therefore, the NRC staff proposes to determine that the 
amendment request involves no significant hazards consideration.
    Attorney for licensee: Lillian M. Cuoco, Senior Counsel, Dominion 
Resources Services, Inc., 120 Tredegar Street, RS-2, Richmond, VA 
23219.
    Branch Chief: Undine Shoop.

Order Imposing Procedures for Access to Sensitive Unclassified Non-
Safeguards Information for Contention Preparation

South Carolina Electric & Gas Company, South Carolina Public Service 
Authority, Docket No. 50-395, Virgil C. Summer Nuclear Station, Unit 
No. 1, Fairfield County, South Carolina

Duke Energy Progress, LLC, Docket No. 50-400, Shearon Harris Nuclear 
Power Plant, Unit 1, Wake and Chatham Counties, North Carolina

Duke Energy Progress, LLC, Docket No. 50-261, H. B. Robinson Steam 
Electric Plant Unit No. 2, Darlington County, South Carolina

Virginia Electric and Power Company, Docket Nos. 50-338 and 50-339, 
North Anna Power Station, Units No. 1 and No. 2, Louisa County, 
Virginia

    A. This Order contains instructions regarding how potential parties 
to this proceeding may request access to documents containing Sensitive 
Unclassified Non-Safeguards Information (SUNSI).
    B. Within 10 days after publication of this notice of hearing and 
opportunity to petition for leave to intervene, any potential party who 
believes access to SUNSI is necessary to respond to this notice may 
request access to SUNSI. A ``potential party'' is any person who 
intends to participate as a party by demonstrating standing and filing 
an admissible contention under 10 CFR 2.309. Requests for access to 
SUNSI submitted later than 10 days after publication of this notice 
will not be considered absent a showing of good cause for the late 
filing, addressing why the request could not have been filed earlier.
    C. The requester shall submit a letter requesting permission to 
access SUNSI to the Office of the Secretary, U.S. Nuclear Regulatory 
Commission, Washington, DC 20555-0001, Attention: Rulemakings and 
Adjudications Staff, and provide a copy to the Deputy General Counsel 
for Hearings and Administration, Office of the General Counsel, U.S. 
Nuclear Regulatory Commission, Washington, DC 20555-0001. The expedited 
delivery or courier mail address for both offices is: U.S. Nuclear 
Regulatory Commission, 11555 Rockville Pike, Rockville, Maryland 20852. 
The email address for the Office of the Secretary and the Office of the 
General Counsel are [email protected] and RidsOgcMailCenter. 
[email protected], respectively.\1\ The request must include the 
following information:
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \1\ While a request for hearing or petition to intervene in this 
proceeding must comply with the filing requirements of the NRC's 
``E-Filing Rule,'' the initial request to access SUNSI under these 
procedures should be submitted as described in this paragraph.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    (1) A description of the licensing action with a citation to this 
Federal Register notice;
    (2) The name and address of the potential party and a description 
of the potential party's particularized interest that could be harmed 
by the action identified in C.(1); and
    (3) The identity of the individual or entity requesting access to 
SUNSI and the requester's basis for the need for the information in 
order to meaningfully participate in this adjudicatory proceeding. In 
particular, the request must explain why publicly available versions of 
the information requested would not be sufficient to provide the basis 
and specificity for a proffered contention.
    D. Based on an evaluation of the information submitted under 
paragraph C.(3) the NRC staff will determine within 10 days of receipt 
of the request whether:
    (1) There is a reasonable basis to believe the petitioner is likely 
to

[[Page 62616]]

establish standing to participate in this NRC proceeding; and
    (2) The requestor has established a legitimate need for access to 
SUNSI.
    E. If the NRC staff determines that the requestor satisfies both 
D.(1) and D.(2) above, the NRC staff will notify the requestor in 
writing that access to SUNSI has been granted. The written notification 
will contain instructions on how the requestor may obtain copies of the 
requested documents, and any other conditions that may apply to access 
to those documents. These conditions may include, but are not limited 
to, the signing of a Non-Disclosure Agreement or Affidavit, or 
Protective Order \2\ setting forth terms and conditions to prevent the 
unauthorized or inadvertent disclosure of SUNSI by each individual who 
will be granted access to SUNSI.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \2\ Any motion for Protective Order or draft Non-Disclosure 
Affidavit or Agreement for SUNSI must be filed with the presiding 
officer or the Chief Administrative Judge if the presiding officer 
has not yet been designated, within 30 days of the deadline for the 
receipt of the written access request.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    F. Filing of Contentions. Any contentions in these proceedings that 
are based upon the information received as a result of the request made 
for SUNSI must be filed by the requestor no later than 25 days after 
receipt of (or access to) that information. However, if more than 25 
days remain between the petitioner's receipt of (or access to) the 
information and the deadline for filing all other contentions (as 
established in the notice of hearing or opportunity for hearing), the 
petitioner may file its SUNSI contentions by that later deadline.
    G. Review of Denials of Access.
    (1) If the request for access to SUNSI is denied by the NRC staff 
after a determination on standing and requisite need, the NRC staff 
shall immediately notify the requestor in writing, briefly stating the 
reason or reasons for the denial.
    (2) The requester may challenge the NRC staff's adverse 
determination by filing a challenge within 5 days of receipt of that 
determination with: (a) The presiding officer designated in this 
proceeding; (b) if no presiding officer has been appointed, the Chief 
Administrative Judge, or if he or she is unavailable, another 
administrative judge, or an Administrative Law Judge with jurisdiction 
pursuant to 10 CFR 2.318(a); or (c) if another officer has been 
designated to rule on information access issues, with that officer.
    (3) Further appeals of decisions under this paragraph must be made 
pursuant to 10 CFR 2.311.
    H. Review of Grants of Access. A party other than the requester may 
challenge an NRC staff determination granting access to SUNSI whose 
release would harm that party's interest independent of the proceeding. 
Such a challenge must be filed within 5 days of the notification by the 
NRC staff of its grant of access and must be filed with: (a) The 
presiding officer designated in this proceeding; (b) if no presiding 
officer has been appointed, the Chief Administrative Judge, or if he or 
she is unavailable, another administrative judge, or an Administrative 
Law Judge with jurisdiction pursuant to 10 CFR 2.318(a); or (c) if 
another officer has been designated to rule on information access 
issues, with that officer.
    If challenges to the NRC staff determinations are filed, these 
procedures give way to the normal process for litigating disputes 
concerning access to information. The availability of interlocutory 
review by the Commission of orders ruling on such NRC staff 
determinations (whether granting or denying access) is governed by 10 
CFR 2.311.\3\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \3\ Requesters should note that the filing requirements of the 
NRC's E-Filing Rule (72 FR 49139; August 28, 2007, as amended at 77 
FR 46562; August 3, 2012) apply to appeals of NRC staff 
determinations (because they must be served on a presiding officer 
or the Commission, as applicable), but not to the initial SUNSI 
request submitted to the NRC staff under these procedures.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    I. The Commission expects that the NRC staff and presiding officers 
(and any other reviewing officers) will consider and resolve requests 
for access to SUNSI, and motions for protective orders, in a timely 
fashion in order to minimize any unnecessary delays in identifying 
those petitioners who have standing and who have propounded contentions 
meeting the specificity and basis requirements in 10 CFR part 2. The 
attachment to this Order summarizes the general target schedule for 
processing and resolving requests under these procedures.
    It is so ordered.

    Dated at Rockville, Maryland, on November 16, 2018.

    For the Nuclear Regulatory Commission.
Annette L. Vietti-Cook,
Secretary of the Commission.

   Attachment 1--General Target Schedule for Processing and Resolving
Requests for Access to Sensitive Unclassified Non-Safeguards Information
                           in This Proceeding
------------------------------------------------------------------------
              Day                            Event/activity
------------------------------------------------------------------------
0.............................  Publication of Federal Register notice
                                 of hearing and opportunity to petition
                                 for leave to intervene, including order
                                 with instructions for access requests.
10............................  Deadline for submitting requests for
                                 access to Sensitive Unclassified Non-
                                 Safeguards Information (SUNSI) with
                                 information: Supporting the standing of
                                 a potential party identified by name
                                 and address; describing the need for
                                 the information in order for the
                                 potential party to participate
                                 meaningfully in an adjudicatory
                                 proceeding.
60............................  Deadline for submitting petition for
                                 intervention containing: (i)
                                 Demonstration of standing; and (ii) all
                                 contentions whose formulation does not
                                 require access to SUNSI (+25 Answers to
                                 petition for intervention; +7
                                 petitioner/requestor reply).
20............................  U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC)
                                 staff informs the requester of the
                                 staff's determination whether the
                                 request for access provides a
                                 reasonable basis to believe standing
                                 can be established and shows need for
                                 SUNSI. (NRC staff also informs any
                                 party to the proceeding whose interest
                                 independent of the proceeding would be
                                 harmed by the release of the
                                 information.) If NRC staff makes the
                                 finding of need for SUNSI and
                                 likelihood of standing, NRC staff
                                 begins document processing (preparation
                                 of redactions or review of redacted
                                 documents).
25............................  If NRC staff finds no ``need'' or no
                                 likelihood of standing, the deadline
                                 for petitioner/requester to file a
                                 motion seeking a ruling to reverse the
                                 NRC staff's denial of access; NRC staff
                                 files copy of access determination with
                                 the presiding officer (or Chief
                                 Administrative Judge or other
                                 designated officer, as appropriate). If
                                 NRC staff finds ``need'' for SUNSI, the
                                 deadline for any party to the
                                 proceeding whose interest independent
                                 of the proceeding would be harmed by
                                 the release of the information to file
                                 a motion seeking a ruling to reverse
                                 the NRC staff's grant of access.
30............................  Deadline for NRC staff reply to motions
                                 to reverse NRC staff determination(s).
40............................  (Receipt +30) If NRC staff finds
                                 standing and need for SUNSI, deadline
                                 for NRC staff to complete information
                                 processing and file motion for
                                 Protective Order and draft Non-
                                 Disclosure Affidavit. Deadline for
                                 applicant/licensee to file Non-
                                 Disclosure Agreement for SUNSI.

[[Page 62617]]

 
A.............................  If access granted: Issuance of presiding
                                 officer or other designated officer
                                 decision on motion for protective order
                                 for access to sensitive information
                                 (including schedule for providing
                                 access and submission of contentions)
                                 or decision reversing a final adverse
                                 determination by the NRC staff.
A + 3.........................  Deadline for filing executed Non-
                                 Disclosure Affidavits. Access provided
                                 to SUNSI consistent with decision
                                 issuing the protective order.
A + 28........................  Deadline for submission of contentions
                                 whose development depends upon access
                                 to SUNSI. However, if more than 25 days
                                 remain between the petitioner's receipt
                                 of (or access to) the information and
                                 the deadline for filing all other
                                 contentions (as established in the
                                 notice of opportunity to request a
                                 hearing and petition for leave to
                                 intervene), the petitioner may file its
                                 SUNSI contentions by that later
                                 deadline.
A + 53........................  (Contention receipt +25) Answers to
                                 contentions whose development depends
                                 upon access to SUNSI.
A + 60........................  (Answer receipt +7) Petitioner/
                                 Intervenor reply to answers.
>A + 60.......................  Decision on contention admission.
------------------------------------------------------------------------

[FR Doc. 2018-25452 Filed 12-3-18; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 7590-01-P