[Federal Register Volume 85, Number 167 (Thursday, August 27, 2020)]
[Notices]
[Pages 53025-53029]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2020-18815]


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NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION

[Docket Nos. 50-456; 50-457; 50-259; 50-260; 50-296; 50-275; 50-323; 
50-315; 50-316; 50-331; 50-341; 50-263; 50-282; 50-306; 72-010; 50-184; 
50-266; 50-301; 50-335; 50-389; 50-443; 50-395; 50-250; 50-251; 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 13 
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 coronavirus 
disease 2019 (COVID-19) public health emergency (PHE). The NRC is 
issuing a single notice to announce the issuance of the exemptions.

DATES: The 13 exemptions were issued between July 6, 2020, and July 30, 
2020.

ADDRESSES: Please refer to Docket ID NRC-2020-0110 when contacting the 
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 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 13 exemptions to 12 licensees in response to 
requests dated between June 11, 2020, and July 23, 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).

[[Page 53026]]

    The exemptions from certain requirements of 10 CFR part 26, 
``Fitness for Duty Programs,'' for NextEra Energy Duane Arnold, LLC 
(for Duane Arnold Energy Center); NextEra Energy Point Beach, LLC (for 
Point Beach Nuclear Plant, Units 1 and 2); NextEra Energy Seabrook, LLC 
(for Seabrook Station, Unit 1); and Florida Power & Light Company (for 
St. Lucie Plant, Unit Nos. 1 and 2; and Turkey Point Nuclear Generating 
Units 3 and 4) support the continued effectiveness of licensees' 
fitness for duty programs during the COVID-19 PHE. For 10 CFR 
26.119(a), 26.165(b)(5), 26.169(a), 26.185(d)(3), and 26.185(p), 
flexibility is afforded by permitting a reasonable increase in the time 
to complete required activities. For 10 CFR 26.189(c), flexibility is 
afforded by permitting the use of an alternative method to conduct a 
determination of fitness for cause. The limited scope of the exemptions 
from these requirements, relatively short duration of the exemption 
period, licensee controls, and NRC conditions provide reasonable 
assurance that the above licensees will continue to meet the fitness 
for duty performance objectives described in the regulations in 10 CFR 
part 26.
    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). 
This temporary exemption is an extension of a previous NRC-approved 
exemption (letter dated May 14, 2020, ADAMS Accession No. ML20133K055). 
The NRC determined that, because of the impacts the COVID-19 PHE has 
had on the licensee's ability to comply with the work-hour controls of 
10 CFR 26.205(d), the importance of maintaining the operations of Fermi 
2, and the controls the licensee has established, granting the 
requested exemption, as extended, was in the public interest.
    The exemption from certain requirements of 10 CFR part 50, appendix 
E, ``Emergency Planning and Preparedness for Production and Utilization 
Facilities,'' section VI.F.2.b, related to biennial emergency 
preparedness exercises for the National Institute of Standards and 
Technology (for the National Bureau of Standards Test Reactor) does not 
adversely affect the emergency response capability of the test reactor 
facility because all personnel are currently qualified for all tasks, 
and the proposed compensatory measures will maintain their knowledge, 
skills, and abilities without the conduct of the biennial emergency 
preparedness exercise during the exemption term. The exemption also 
allows the affected licensee personnel to continue to be available to 
perform their functions during the COVID-19 PHE.
    The exemptions from certain requirements of 10 CFR part 73 for 
Exelon Generation Company, LLC (for Braidwood Station, Units 1 and 2); 
Tennessee Valley Authority (for Browns Ferry Nuclear Plant, Units 1, 2, 
and 3); Pacific Gas and Electric Company (for Diablo Canyon Nuclear 
Power Plant, Units 1 and 2); Indiana Michigan Power Company (for Donald 
C. Cook Nuclear Plant, Units 1 and 2); Northern States Power Company 
(for Monticello Nuclear Generating Plant; Prairie Island Nuclear 
Generating Plant, Units 1 and 2, and Prairie Island Independent Spent 
Fuel Storage Installation (ISFSI)); and Dominion Energy South Carolina, 
Inc. (for Virgil C. Summer Nuclear Station, Unit 1) 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 exemption from certain requirements of 10 CFR part 73 for 
Northern States Power Company (for the Prairie Island ISFSI) allows 
this licensee temporary exemption from certain requirements of 10 CFR 
part 73, appendix B, sections I, II, and IV. This licensee has 
committed to certain measures to ensure its security forces maintain 
their proficiency and readiness to adequately implement the licensee's 
protective strategies and protect the site.
    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 has issued. 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 in the tables below. For 
additional directions on accessing information in ADAMS, see the 
ADDRESSES section of this document.

     Braidwood Station, Units 1 and 2--Docket Nos. 50-456 and 50-457
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                 Document title                     ADAMS accession No.
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Braidwood Station, Units 1 and 2, Request for     ML20167A321 (non-
 Exemption from Certain 10 CFR [part] 73           public, withheld
 Training Requirements Due to Coronavirus 2019     under 10 CFR 2.390).
 Public Health Emergency, dated June 15, 2020.
Braidwood Station, Units 1 and 2--Exemption       ML20169A348.
 Request From Certain Requirements of 10 CFR
 [p]art 73, Appendix B, ``General Criteria for
 Security Personnel'' [COVID-19] (EPID L-2020-
 LLE-0100), dated July 9, 2020.
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 Browns Ferry Nuclear Plant, Units 1, 2, and 3--Docket Nos. 50-259, 50-
                             260, and 50-296
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                 Document title                     ADAMS accession No.
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Browns Ferry Nuclear Plant, Units 1, 2, and 3,    ML20174A281.
 Request for Exemption from the Annual Force on
 Force Training Requirements of 10 CFR [part]
 73, Appendix B, Section VI, Due to the COVID-19
 Public Health Emergency, dated June 19, 2020.

[[Page 53027]]

 
Browns Ferry Nuclear Plant, Units 1, 2 and 3--    ML20175A198.
 Exemption Request from Certain Requirements of
 10 CFR [p]art 73, Appendix B, ``General
 Criteria from Security Personnel,'' Section VI
 (EPID L-2020-LLE-0105 [COVID-19]), dated July
 6, 2020.
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Diablo Canyon Nuclear Power Plant, Units 1 and 2--Docket Nos. 50-275 and
                                 50-323
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                 Document title                     ADAMS accession No.
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Diablo Canyon Power Plant, Units 1 and 2--        ML20203M197 (non-
 Request for Exemption from Specific               public, withheld
 Requirements of 10 CFR [part] 73, Firearms        under 10 CFR 2.390).
 Requalification, dated July 21, 2020.
Diablo Canyon Nuclear Power Plant, Units 1 and    ML20209A050.
 2, Exemption from Certain Requirements of 10
 CFR [p]art 73, Appendix B, ``General Criteria
 For Security Personnel,'' Section VI (EPID L-
 2020-LLE-0117 [COVID-19]), dated July 30, 2020.
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 Donald C. Cook Nuclear Plant, Units 1 and 2--Docket Nos. 50-315 and 50-
                                   316
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                 Document title                     ADAMS accession No.
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Donald C. Cook Nuclear Plant Units 1 and 2,       ML20177A375 (non-
 Temporary Exemption Request from Security         public, withheld
 Training Requalification Requirements of 10 CFR   under 10 CFR 2.390).
 [p]art 73, Appendix B, Section VI, dated June
 18, 2020.
Donald C. Cook Nuclear Plant, Unit 1 and Unit 2-- ML20191A170.
 Supplement to Temporary Request from Security
 Training Requalification Requirements of 10 CFR
 [p]art 73, Appendix B, Section VI, dated July
 6, 2020.
Donald C. Cook Nuclear Plant, Units 1 and 2--     ML20171A686.
 Temporary Exemption from Certain Requirements
 of 10 CFR [p]art 73, Appendix B, ``General
 Criteria For Security Personnel,'' Section VI
 (EPID L-2020-LLE-0104 [COVID-19]), dated July
 21, 2020.
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              Duane Arnold Energy Center--Docket No. 50-331
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                 Document title                     ADAMS accession No.
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NextEra Energy Duane Arnold, LLC Exemption        ML20142A192 (non-
 Request for Access Authorization and Fitness      public, withheld
 for Duty Requirements due to COVID-19 Pandemic,   under to 10 CFR
 dated May 21, 2020 (this letter was superseded    2.390).
 and replaced with the letter dated June 15,
 2020).
Duane Arnold Energy Center--Supplement to         ML20167A262.
 Exemption Request for Access Authorization and
 Fitness for Duty Requirements Due to COVID-19
 Pandemic, dated June 15, 2020.
Duane Arnold Energy Center--Approval of           ML20202A594.
 Exemption from Certain Requirements of 10 CFR
 [p]art 26, Fitness for Duty Programs (EPID L-
 2020-LLE-0079 [COVID-19]), dated July 24, 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 Unit 2 Work Hour Limits Exemption Request   ML20188A339.
 Due to COVID-19 Supplement, dated July 6, 2020.
Fermi 2 Work Hour Limits Exemption Request due    ML20193A003.
 to COVID-19 Revised Second Supplement, dated
 July 11, 2020.
Fermi, Unit 2--Extension of Exemption from        ML20192A180.
 Select Requirements of 10 CFR [p]art 26 (EPID L-
 2020-LLE-0109 [COVID-19]), dated July 14, 2020.
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                   Monticello Nuclear Generating Plant
         Prairie Island Nuclear Generating Plant, Units 1 and 2
  Prairie Island ISFSI--Docket Nos. 50-263, 50-282, 50-306, and 72-010
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                 Document title                     ADAMS accession No.
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Monticello and Prairie Island, Units 1 and 2 and  ML20177A372 (non-
 Prairie Island ISFSI, COVID-19 10 CFR [part] 73   public, withheld
 Security Training and Requalification Exemption   under 10 CFR 2.390).
 Request, dated June 25, 2020.
Monticello and Prairie Island, Units 1 and 2 and  ML20197A005 (non-
 Prairie Island ISFSI, NSPM COVID-19 Security      public, withheld
 Exemption Supplement, dated July 14, 2020.        under 10 CFR 2.390).
Monticello and Prairie Island, Units 1 and 2 and  ML20184A013.
 Prairie Island ISFSI--Exemption Request from
 Certain Requirements of 10 CFR [p]art 73,
 Appendix B, ``General Criteria for Security
 Personnel,'' Sections I, II, IV, and VI (EPID L-
 2020-LLE-0108 [COVID-19]), dated July 22, 2020.
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[[Page 53028]]


      National Bureau of Standards Test Reactor--Docket No. 50-184
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                 Document title                     ADAMS accession No.
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National Institute of Standards and Technology--  ML20206K842 (package).
 Exemption Request for Emergency Exercise Final,
 dated July 23, 2020.
National Institute of Standards and Technology--  ML20210M006 (package)
 Exemption [Request] for Emergency Exercise        (non-public, withheld
 Supplement to [July 23, 2020] Letter Final,       under 10 CFR 2.390).
 dated July 24, 2020.
National Institute of Standards and Technology;   ML20209A326.
 Approval of Exemption from Requirements of 10
 CFR [p]art 50, Appendix E, Section IV.F.2
 Related to Biennial Emergency Exercises [COVID-
 19], dated July 29, 2020.
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 Point Beach Nuclear Plant, Units 1 and 2--Docket Nos. 50-266 and 50-301
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                 Document title                     ADAMS accession No.
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Point Beach Nuclear Plant, Units 1 and 2--        ML20142A369 (non-
 Exemption Request for Access Authorization and    public, withheld
 Fitness for Duty Requirements due to COVID-19     under 10 CFR 2.390).
 Pandemic, dated May 21, 2020 (this letter was
 superseded and replaced with the letter dated
 June 12, 2020).
Point Beach Nuclear Plant, Units 1 and 2,         ML20164A187.
 Supplement to Exemption Request for Access
 Authorization and Fitness for Duty Requirements
 due to COVID-19 Pandemic, dated June 12, 2020.
Point Beach Nuclear Plant, Units 1 and 2--        ML20202A531.
 Approval of Exemption from Certain Requirements
 of 10 CFR Part 26, Fitness for Duty Programs
 (EPID L-2020-LLE-0080 [COVID-19]), dated July
 24, 2020.
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    St. Lucie Plant, Unit Nos. 1 and 2--Docket Nos. 50-335 and 50-389
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                 Document title                     ADAMS accession No.
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St. Lucie Nuclear Plant, Units 1 and 2,           ML20142A477 (non-
 Exemption Request for Access Authorization and    public, withheld
 Fitness for Duty Requirements due to COVID-19     under 10 CFR 2.390).
 Pandemic, dated May 21, 2020 (this letter was
 superseded and replaced with the letter dated
 June 12, 2020).
St. Lucie Nuclear Plant, Units 1 and 2--          ML20164A055.
 Exemption Request for Access Authorization and
 Fitness for Duty Requirements due to COVID-19
 Pandemic, dated June 12, 2020.
St. Lucie Nuclear Plant, Unit Nos. 1 and 2        ML20190A157.
 Exemption Request from Certain Requirements of
 Title 10 Code of Federal Regulations part 26,
 Fitness-for-Duty Programs (EPID L-2020-LLE-0078
 [COVID-19]), dated July 23, 2020.
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               Seabrook Station, Unit 1--Docket No. 50-443
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                 Document title                     ADAMS accession No.
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Seabrook Station--Exemption Request for Access    ML20149K615 (non-
 Authorization and Fitness for Duty Requirements   public, withheld
 due to COVID-19 Pandemic, dated May 27, 2020      under 10 CFR 2.390.
 (this letter was superseded and replaced with
 the letter dated June 16, 2020).
Seabrook Station--Supplement to Exemption         ML20169A728.
 Request for Access Authorization and Fitness
 for Duty Requirements Due to COVID-19 Pandemic,
 dated June 16, 2020.
Seabrook Station, Unit No. 1--Approval of         ML20202A509.
 Exemption from Certain Requirements of 10 CFR
 [p]art 26, ``Fitness for Duty Programs'' (EPID
 L-2020-LLE-0091 [COVID-19]), dated July 30,
 2020.
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       Virgil C. Summer Nuclear Station, Unit 1--Docket No. 50-395
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                 Document title                     ADAMS accession No.
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Virgil C. Summer (VCS), Unit 1--Request for       ML20181A188 (non-
 Exemption from Select Requirements of 10 CFR      public, withheld
 [p]art 73, Appendix B, Section B, dated June      under 10 CFR 2.390).
 25, 2020.
Virgil C. Summer Nuclear Station, Unit 1--        ML20182A718.
 Temporary Exemption from Certain Requirements
 of 10 CFR [p]art 73, Appendix B, ``General
 Criteria for Security Personnel,'' Section VI
 (EPID L-2020-LLE-0106 [COVID-19]), dated July
 10, 2020.
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  Turkey Point Nuclear Generating Unit Nos. 3 and 4--Docket Nos. 50-250
                               and 50-251
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                 Document title                     ADAMS accession No.
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Turkey Point Nuclear Plant, Units 3 and 4--       ML20142A272.
 Exemption Request for Access Authorization and
 Fitness for Duty Requirements due to COVID-19
 Pandemic, dated May 21, 2020 (this letter was
 superseded and replaced with the letter dated
 June 11, 2020).
Turkey Point Nuclear Plant, Units 3 and 4,        ML20163A226.
 Supplement to Exemption Request for Access
 Authorization and Fitness for Duty Requirements
 due to COVID-19 Pandemic, dated June 11, 2020.

[[Page 53029]]

 
Turkey Point Nuclear Plant, Units 3 and 4--       ML20204A765.
 Approval of Exemption from Certain Requirements
 of 10 CFR [p]art 26, ``Fitness For Duty
 Programs'' (EPID L-2020-LLE-0068 [COVID-19]),
 dated July 30, 2020.
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    Dated: August 21, 2020.

    For the Nuclear Regulatory Commission.
James G. Danna,
Chief, Plant Licensing Branch I, Division of Operating Reactor 
Licensing, Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation.
[FR Doc. 2020-18815 Filed 8-26-20; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 7590-01-P