[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
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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