[Federal Register Volume 85, Number 116 (Tuesday, June 16, 2020)]
[Notices]
[Pages 36428-36432]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2020-12961]
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NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION
[Docket Nos. 50-331; 50-445; 50-446; 50-341; 50-261; 50-354; 50-272;
50-311; 50-284; 50-166; 50-020; 50-184; 50-277; 50-278; 50-186; 50-424;
50-425; NRC-2020-0110]
Issuance of Multiple Exemptions in Response to COVID-19; Public
Health Emergency
AGENCY: Nuclear Regulatory Commission.
ACTION: Exemptions; issuance.
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SUMMARY: The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) issued 16
exemptions in response to requests from 12 licensees. The exemptions
allow these licensees temporary relief from certain requirements under
NRC regulations. The exemptions are in response to the COVID-19 public
health emergency (PHE). The NRC is issuing a single notice to announce
the issuance of the exemptions.
DATES: The 16 exemptions were issued between May 7, 2020, and May 29,
2020.
ADDRESSES: Please refer to Docket ID NRC-2020-0110 when contacting the
[[Page 36429]]
NRC about the availability of information regarding this document. You
may obtain publicly-available information related to this document
using any of the following methods:
Federal Rulemaking Website: Go to https://www.regulations.gov and search for Docket ID NRC-2020-0110. Address
questions about NRC 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.
NRC's Agencywide Documents Access and Management System
(ADAMS): You may obtain publicly-available documents online in the
ADAMS Public Documents collection at https://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].
For the convenience of the reader, instructions about obtaining
materials referenced in this document are provided in the
``Availability of Documents'' section.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: James Danna, Office of Nuclear Reactor
Regulation, U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission, Washington DC 20555-
0001; telephone: 301-415-7422, email: [email protected].
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
I. Introduction
The NRC issued 16 exemptions to 12 licensees in response to
requests dated between April 30, 2020, and May 21, 2020. These
exemptions temporarily allow the licensees to deviate from certain
requirements (as cited below) of various parts of chapter I of Title 10
of the Code of Federal Regulations (10 CFR).
The exemption from certain requirements of 10 CFR part 20 for the
University of Missouri-Columbia (for its research reactor) allows the
licensee temporary relief from the respirator fit-testing requirements
of 10 CFR 20.1703(c)(6). This temporary exemption does not conflict
with practices recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and
Prevention to limit the spread of COVID-19. The licensee has committed
to implement a licensee-specific process to manage any personnel with
overdue respiratory protection fit-tests while ensuring the safety of
its workers.
The exemption from certain requirements of 10 CFR part 26 for DTE
Electric Company (for Fermi 2) allows the licensee temporary relief
from the work-hour controls under 10 CFR 26.205(d)(1) through (d)(7).
The licensee stated that its staffing levels are affected or are
expected to be affected by the COVID-19 PHE, and it can no longer meet
or likely will not meet the work-hour controls of 10 CFR 26.205(d)(1)
through (d)(7). The licensee has committed to implementing site-
specific administrative controls for COVID-19 PHE fatigue-management
for personnel specified in 10 CFR 26.4(a). This temporary exemption
from certain requirements of 10 CFR part 26 ensures that the licensee's
control of work hours and management of worker fatigue do not unduly
limit licensee flexibility in using personnel resources to most
effectively manage the impacts of the COVID-19 PHE on maintaining the
safe operation of this facility.
The exemptions from certain requirements of 10 CFR part 55 for
Idaho State University (for its research reactor); Massachusetts
Institute of Technology (for its research reactor); National Institute
of Standards and Technology (for its test reactor); PSEG Nuclear LLC
(for the Hope Creek Generating Station and Salem Nuclear Generating
Station, Units 1 and 2); and University of Maryland (for its training
reactor) allow these licensees temporary exemptions from requirements
related to licensed operator requalification program scheduling (under
10 CFR 55.59(a)(1), 10 CFR 55.59(a)(2), and 10 CFR 55.59(c)(1));
licensed operator active status for research and test reactors (under
10 CFR 55.53(e)); and delays in completion of biennial medical
examinations of licensed operators and senior operators (under 10 CFR
55.21 and 10 CFR 55.53(i)). These licensees have committed to
compensatory measures to address the delay in receipt of
recommendations from a licensed physician concerning their licensed
operator's health. These licensees have also committed to implement a
program to evaluate operator performance in the facility and control
room to identify and correct operator performance issues in a timely
manner. Lastly, the research, training, and test reactor licensees
committed to use alternative measures for the hours under the 4-hour
minimum of 10 CFR 55.53(e).
The exemptions from certain requirements of 10 CFR part 73 for Duke
Energy Progress, LLC (for the H. B. Robinson Steam Electric Plant, Unit
2); Exelon Generation Company, LLC (for the Peach Bottom Atomic Power
Station, Units 2 and 3); PSEG Nuclear LLC (for the Hope Creek
Generating Station and Salem Nuclear Generating Station, Units 1 and
2); NextEra Energy Duane Arnold, LLC (for the Duane Arnold Energy
Center); Southern Nuclear Operating Company, Inc. (for the Vogtle
Electric Generating Plant, Units 1 and 2); and Vistra Operations
Company, LLC (for the Comanche Peak Nuclear Power Plant, Units 1 and
2), allow these licensees temporary exemptions from certain
requirements of 10 CFR part 73, Appendix B, ``General Criteria for
Security Personnel,'' Section VI. The exemptions will help to ensure
that these regulatory requirements do not unduly limit licensee
flexibility in using personnel resources in a manner that most
effectively manages the impacts of the COVID-19 PHE on maintaining the
safe and secure operation of these facilities and the implementation of
a licensee's NRC-approved security plans, protective strategy, and
implementing procedures. These licensees have committed to certain
security measures to ensure response readiness and for their security
personnel to maintain performance capability.
The NRC is providing compiled tables of exemptions using a single
Federal Register notice for COVID-19-related exemptions instead of
issuing individual Federal Register notices for each exemption. The
compiled tables below provide transparency regarding the number of
exemptions the NRC is issuing. Additionally, the NRC publishes tables
of approved regulatory actions related to the COVID-19 PHE on its
public website at https://www.nrc.gov/about-nrc/covid-19/reactors/licensing-actions.html.
II. Availability of Documents
The tables below provide the facility name, docket number, document
title, and ADAMS accession number for each exemption issued. Additional
details on each exemption issued, including the exemption request
submitted by the respective licensee and the NRC's decision, are
provided in each exemption approval listed on the tables below. For
additional directions on accessing information in ADAMS, see the
ADDRESSES section of this document.
[[Page 36430]]
Duane Arnold Energy Center--Docket No. 50-331
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Document title ADAMS accession No.
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Duane Arnold Energy Center--Exemption Request ML20122A130 (non-
for Security Training Requirements Due to COVID- public, withheld
19 Pandemic, dated May 1, 2020. under 10 CFR 2.390).
Duane Arnold Energy Center--Response to Request ML20141L497.
for Additional Information Regarding Exemption
Request for Security Training Requirements Due
to COVID-19 Pandemic, dated May 20, 2020.
Duane Arnold Energy Center--Exemption Request ML20139A006.
from Certain Requirements of 10 CFR Part 73,
Appendix B, ``General Criteria for Security
Personnel,'' Section VI (EPID L-2020-LLE-0042
to L-2020-LLE-0045 and L-2020-LLE-0051 [COVID-
19]), dated May 26, 2020.
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Comanche Peak Nuclear Power Plant, Units 1 and 2--Docket Nos. 50-445 and
50-446
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Document title ADAMS accession No.
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CPNPP COVID-19 Part 73 Security Training ML20135H233 (non-
Exemption Request, dated May 14, 2020. public, withheld
under 10 CFR 2.390).
Comanche Peak Nuclear Power Plant, Units 1 and ML20136A141.
2--Exemption Request from Certain Requirements
of 10 CFR Part 73, Appendix B, ``General
Criteria for Security Personnel,'' Section VI
(EPID L-2020-LLE-0061) [COVID-19], dated May
29, 2020.
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Fermi 2--Docket No. 50-341
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Document title ADAMS accession No.
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Fermi 2 Work Hour Limits Exemption Request Due ML20132A239.
to COVID-19, dated May 11, 2020.
Fermi 2--Exemption from Select Requirements of ML20133K055.
10 CFR Part 26 (EPID L-2020-LLE-0056 [COVID-
19]), dated May 14, 2020.
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H. B. Robinson Steam Electric Plant, Unit No. 2--Docket No. 50-261
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Document title ADAMS accession No.
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H. B. Robinson Steam Electric Plant, Unit 2, ML20121A191 (non-
Response in Related to the NRC Plan[n]ed public, withheld
Actions Requirements for Part 73, Appendix B, under 10 CFR 2.390).
Section VI During the Coronavirus Disease 2019
Public Health Emergency, dated April 30, 2020.
H. B. Robinson Steam Electric Plant, Unit 2-- ML20129J867.
Temporary Exemption from Certain Requirements
of 10 CFR Part 73, Appendix B, ``General
Criteria for Security Personnel,'' Section VI
(EPID L-2020-LLE-0041 [COVID-19]), dated May
14, 2020.
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Hope Creek Generating Station--Docket No. 50-354
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Document title ADAMS accession No.
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Hope Creek Generating Station--Part 55 Exemption ML20126G379.
Request (COVID-19) (Redacted), dated May 4,
2020.
Hope Creek Generating Station--Exemption from ML20125A379.
Select Requirements of 10 CFR Part 55,
``Operators' Licenses'' (EPID L-2020-LLE-0049
[COVID-19]), dated May 7, 2020.
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Hope Creek Generating Station--Docket No. 50-354
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Document title ADAMS accession No.
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Hope Creek Generating Station--Part 55 Exemption ML20142A512.
Request for Power Reactors (COVID-19)
(Redacted), dated May 21, 2020.
Hope Creek Generating Station--Exemption from ML20148M318.
Select Requirements of 10 CFR Part 55,
``Operators' Licenses'' (EPID L-2020-LLE-0066
[COVID-19]), dated May 29, 2020.
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Hope Creek Generating Station and Salem Nuclear Generating Station, Unit
Nos. 1 and 2--Docket Nos. 50-354, 50-272, and 50-311
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Document title ADAMS accession No.
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Salem Generating Station, Units 1 and 2, and ML20133K163 (non-
Hope Creek Generating Station--Request a public, withheld
Temporary Exemption from the Identified under 10 CFR 2.390).
Security Training Requalification Requirements
listed in the Table, dated May 12, 2020.
[[Page 36431]]
Hope Creek Generating Station and Salem Nuclear ML20134J083.
Generating Station, Unit Nos. 1 and 2--
Temporary Exemptions from Certain Requirements
of 10 CFR Part 73, Appendix B, ``General
Criteria for Security Personnel,'' Section VI
(EPID L-2020-LLE-0058 [COVID-19]), dated May
19, 2020.
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Idaho State University Research Reactor--Docket No. 50-284
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Document title ADAMS accession No.
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Idaho State University--Request for Exemption to ML20135G765.
License R-110 Requirements, dated May 13, 2020.
E-mail from ISU, COVID-19 Part 55 Exemption ML20142A492.
Supplement, dated May 21, 2020.
Idaho State University--Approval of Exemption ML20142A499.
from Select Requirements of 10 CFR Part 55,
``Operators' Licenses,'' dated May 22, 2020.
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University of Maryland Training Reactor--Docket No. 50-166
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Document title ADAMS accession No.
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University of Maryland--Part 55 Exemption ML20142A271.
Request for Research and Test Reactors/Non-
Power Reactors'' REDACTED, dated May 13, 2020.
University of Maryland--Approval of Exemption ML20142A288.
from Select Requirements of 10 CFR Part 55,
``Operators' Licenses,'' dated May 22, 2020.
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Massachusetts Institute of Technology Research Reactor--Docket No. 50-
020
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Document title ADAMS accession No.
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10 CFR [Part] 55 Requirement Exemption Request ML20135H166.
for the Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Research Reactor, Facility Operating License
No. R-37, dated May 11, 2020.
Massachusetts Institute of Technology--Approval ML20135H188.
of Exemption from Select Requirements of 10 CFR
Part 55, ``Operators' Licenses,'' dated May 15,
2020.
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National Bureau of Standards Test Reactor--Docket No. 50-184
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Document title ADAMS accession No.
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E-mail COVID-19 Part 55 Exemption Request NIST-- ML20136A442.
REDACTED, dated May 11, 2020.
National Institute of Standards and Technology-- ML20133J915.
Approval of Exemption from Select Requirements
of 10 CFR Part 55, ``Operators' Licenses,''
dated May 18, 2020.
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Peach Bottom Atomic Power Station, Units 2 and 3--Docket Nos. 50-277 and
50-278
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Document title ADAMS accession No.
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Peach Bottom Atomic Power Station, Units 2 and ML20129K011 (non-
3, Request for Exemption from Certain 10 CFR public, withheld
Part 73 Training Requirements Due to under 10 CFR 2.390).
Coronavirus 2019 Public Health Emergency, dated
May 8, 2020.
Peach Bottom Atomic Power Station, Units 2, and ML20132A285.
3--Exemption Request from Certain Requirements
of 10 CFR Part 73, Appendix B, ``General
Criteria for Security Personnel'' (EPID L-2020-
LLE-0055), dated May 20, 2020.
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Salem Nuclear Generating Station, Unit Nos. 1 and 2--Docket Nos. 50-272
and 50-311
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Document title ADAMS accession No.
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Salem Nuclear Generating Station, Units Nos. 1 ML20126G378.
and 2--Part 55 Exemption Request (COVID-19)
(Redacted), dated May 4, 2020.
Salem Nuclear Generating Station, Unit Nos. 1 ML20122A140.
and 2--Exemption from Select Requirements of 10
CFR Part 55, ``Operators' Licenses'' (EPID
L[dash]220-LLE-0048 [COVID-19]), dated May 7,
2020.
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Salem Nuclear Generating Station, Unit Nos. 1 and 2--Docket Nos. 50-272
and 50-311
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Document title ADAMS accession No.
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Salem Nuclear Generating Station, Units Nos. 1 ML20142A513.
and 2--Part 55 Exemption Request for Power
Reactors (COVID-19) (Redacted), dated May 21,
2020.
[[Page 36432]]
Salem Nuclear Generating Station, Unit Nos. 1 ML20148M329.
and 2--Exemption from Select Requirements of 10
CFR Part 55, ``Operators' Licenses'' (EPID L-
220-LLE-0065 [COVID-19]), dated May 29, 2020.
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University of Missouri--Columbia Research Reactor--Docket No. 50-186
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Document title ADAMS accession No.
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University of Missouri-Columbia--Applying for ML20126G458.
Respirator Exemption Signed, dated May 4,2020.
The University of Missouri at Columbia-- ML20128J494.
Exemption from Select Requirements of Title 10
of the Code of Federal Regulations Part 20,
``Standards for Protection Against Radiation''
(EPID L-2020-LLL-0008 [COVID-19]), dated May
18, 2020.
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Vogtle Electric Generating Plant, Units 1 and 2--Docket Nos. 50-424 and
50-425
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Document title ADAMS accession No.
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Vogtle Electric Generating Plant Units 1 and 2 ML20129J923 (non-
(VEGP) Requests a Temporary Exemption from the public, withheld
Identified Security Training Requalification under 10 CFR 2.390).
Requirements, dated May 8, 2020.
Vogtle Electric Generating Plant, Units 1 and 2-- ML20126G266.
Exemption Request from Certain Requirements of
10 CFR Part 73, Appendix B, ``General Criteria
for Security Personnel,'' Section VI (EPID L-
2020-LLE-0047), dated May 14, 2020.
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The NRC may post additional materials to the Federal rulemaking
website at https://www.regulations.gov under Docket ID NRC-2020-0110.
The Federal rulemaking website allows you to receive alerts when
changes or additions occur in a docket folder. To subscribe: (1)
Navigate to the docket folder (NRC-2020-0110); (2) click the ``Sign up
for Email Alerts'' link; and (3) enter your email address and select
how frequently you would like to receive emails (daily, weekly, or
monthly).
Dated: June 11, 2020.
For the Nuclear Regulatory Commission.
Jennifer C. Tobin,
Project Manager, Plant Licensing Branch I, Division of Operating
Reactor Licensing, Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation.
[FR Doc. 2020-12961 Filed 6-15-20; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 7590-01-P