[Federal Register Volume 85, Number 248 (Monday, December 28, 2020)]
[Notices]
[Pages 84390-84393]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2020-28588]



[[Page 84390]]

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NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION

[Docket Nos. 50-334, 50-412, 50-483, 50-413, 50-414, 50-346, 50-331, 
50-341, 50-348, 50-364, 50-416, 50-354, 50-272, 50-311, 50-245, 50-336, 
50-423, 50-528, 50-529, 50-530, 50-440, 50-171, 50-277, 50-278, 72-29, 
50-282, 50-306, 50-254, 50-265, 50-458, 50-327, 50-328, 50-387, 50-388; 
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 20 
exemptions in response to requests from 14 licensees. The exemptions 
afford these licensees temporary or permanent relief from certain 
requirements under NRC regulations. The exemptions are in response to 
the licensees' requests for relief due 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: During the period from November 2, 2020, to November 25, 2020, 
the NRC granted 20 exemptions in response to requests submitted by 
licensees from September 17, 2020, to November 20, 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 (PDR) reference staff at 1-800-397-4209, 301-415-4737, or 
by email to [email protected].
     Attention: The PDR, where you may examine and order copies 
of public documents, is currently closed. You may submit your request 
to the PDR via email at [email protected] or call 1-800-397-4209 
between 8:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. (EST), Monday through Friday, except 
Federal holidays.
    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

    During the period from November 2, 2020, to November 25, 2020, the 
NRC granted 20 exemptions in response to requests submitted by 
licensees from September 17, 2020, to November 20, 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 exemptions from certain requirements of 10 CFR part 26, 
``Fitness for Duty Programs,'' for Energy Harbor Nuclear Corp. (for 
Beaver Valley Power Station, Units 1 and 2; Davis-Besse Nuclear Power 
Station, Unit No. 1; and Perry Nuclear Power Plant, Unit No. 1); Union 
Electric Company (for Callaway Plant, Unit No. 1); DTE Electric Company 
(for Fermi-2); and Arizona Public Service Company (for Palo Verde 
Nuclear Generating Station, Units 1, 2, and 3), afford these licensees 
temporary relief from the work-hour controls under 10 CFR 26.205(d)(1) 
through (d)(7). The exemptions from 10 CFR 26.205(d)(1) through (d)(7) 
ensure that the 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 these facilities. Specifically, these 
licensees have stated that their staffing levels are affected or are 
expected to be affected by the COVID-19 PHE, and they can no longer 
meet or likely will not meet the work-hour controls of 10 CFR 
26.205(d)(1) through (d)(7). These licensees have committed to 
effecting site-specific administrative controls for COVID-19 PHE 
fatigue management for personnel specified in 10 CFR 26.4(a).
    The exemptions from certain requirements of 10 CFR part 50, 
appendix E, ``Emergency Planning and Preparedness for Production and 
Utilization Facilities,'' section IV.F., ``Training,'' for Energy 
Harbor Nuclear Corp. (for Beaver Valley Power Station, Units 1 and 2); 
NextEra Energy Duane Arnold, LLC (for Duane Arnold Energy Center); 
Southern Nuclear Operating Company (for Joseph M. Farley Nuclear Plant, 
Units 1 and 2); Dominion Energy Nuclear Connecticut, Inc. (for 
Millstone Power Station, Unit Nos. 1, 2, and 3); Northern States Power 
Company (for Prairie Island Nuclear Generating Plant, Units 1 and 2); 
Exelon Generation Company, LLC (for Peach Bottom Atomic Power Station, 
Units 1, 2, and 3; and Quad Cities Nuclear Power Station, Units 1 and 
2); Entergy Operations, Inc. (for River Bend Station, Unit 1); 
Tennessee Valley Authority (for Sequoyah Nuclear Plant, Units 1 and 2); 
and Susquehanna Nuclear, LLC (for Susquehanna Steam Electric Station, 
Units 1 and 2), grant temporary exemptions from the biennial emergency 
preparedness exercise requirement. The exemptions allow a temporary 
exemption from the requirements of 10 CFR part 50, appendix E, 
regarding the conduct of the biennial emergency preparedness exercise. 
These exemptions will not adversely affect the emergency response 
capability of the facilities because affected licensee personnel are 
currently qualified, and the licensees' proposed compensatory measures 
will enable their staff to maintain their knowledge, skills, and 
abilities without the conduct of the biennial emergency preparedness 
exercise during the exemption term.
    The exemptions from certain requirements of 10 CFR part 73, 
appendix B, ``General Criteria for Security Personnel,'' section VI, 
``Nuclear Power Reactor Training and Qualification Plan for Personnel 
Performing Security Program Duties,'' for Duke Energy Carolinas, LLC 
(for Catawba Nuclear Station, Units 1 and 2); Entergy Operations, Inc. 
(for Grand Gulf Nuclear Station, Unit 1); and PSEG Nuclear LLC (for 
Hope Creek Generating Station and Salem Nuclear Generating Station, 
Unit Nos. 1 and 2), 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 the licensees' 
NRC approved security plans, protective strategy, and implementing 
procedures. These licensees have committed to certain security measures 
to ensure

[[Page 84391]]

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 and 
type 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 
description, 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.

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              Document description                  ADAMS accession No.
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               Beaver Valley Power Station, Units 1 and 2
                      Docket Nos. 50-334 and 50-412
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Beaver Valley Power Station, Units 1 and 2--      ML20328A006.
 COVID-19 Related Request for Exemption from
 part 26 Work Hours Requirements, dated November
 20, 2020.
Beaver Valley Power Station, Units 1 and 2--      ML20326A000.
 Exemption from Select Requirements of 10 CFR
 part 26 (EPID L-2020-LLE-0211 [COVID-19]),
 dated November 23, 2020.
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               Beaver Valley Power Station, Units 1 and 2
                      Docket Nos. 50-334 and 50-412
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Beaver Valley Power Station, Units 1 and 2--      ML20266G336.
 Request for One-Time Exemption from 10 CFR part
 50, appendix E, ``Biennial Emergency
 Preparedness Exercise Requirements,'' due to
 COVID-19 Pandemic, dated September 22, 2020.
Submittal of Pennsylvania Letter Requesting       ML20283A772.
 Exemption from Biennial Exercise Requirements
 for Pennsylvania Nuclear Power Plants in
 Calendar Year 2020, dated October 9, 2020.
Beaver Valley Power Station, Units 1 and 2--      ML20288A640.
 Temporary Exemption from Biennial Emergency
 Preparedness Exercise Frequency Requirements of
 10 CFR part 50, appendix E, section IV (EPID L-
 2020-LLE-0149), dated November 6, 2020.
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                       Callaway Plant, Unit No. 1
                            Docket No. 50-483
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Callaway Plant, Unit No. 1--Request for           ML20310A333.
 Exemption from Specific Requirements of 10 CFR
 part 26, ``Fitness for Duty Programs,'' dated
 November 5, 2020.
Callaway Plant, Unit No. 1--Exemption from        ML20317A153.
 Select Requirements of 10 CFR part 26 (EPID L-
 2020-LLE-0181 [COVID-19]), dated November 17,
 2020.
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                 Catawba Nuclear Station, Units 1 and 2
                      Docket Nos. 50-413 and 50-414
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Catawba Nuclear Station, Units 1 and 2--Response  non-public, withheld
 to ``U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission Planned   pursuant to 10 CFR
 Actions Related to the Requirements for 10 CFR    2.390.
 part 73, appendix B, section VI During the
 Coronavirus Disease 2019 Public Health
 Emergency,'' dated October 5, 2020.
Catawba Nuclear Station, Units 1 and 2--          non-public, withheld
 Supplement to Request for Temporary Exemption     pursuant to 10 CFR
 from 10 CFR part 73, appendix B, VI.C.3.(I)(1),   2.390.
 Force-on-Force Annual Exercises, dated October
 22, 2020.
Catawba Nuclear Station, Units 1 and 2--          ML20300A312.
 Temporary Exemption from Certain Requirements
 of 10 CFR part 73, appendix B, ``General
 Criteria for Security Personnel,'' section VI,
 dated November 2, 2020.
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              Davis-Besse Nuclear Power Station, Unit No. 1
                            Docket No. 50-346
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Davis-Besse Nuclear Power Station, Unit No. 1--   ML20323A169.
 COVID-19 Related Request for Exemption from
 part 26 Work Hours Requirement, dated November
 18, 2020.
Davis-Besse Nuclear Power Station, Unit No. 1--   ML20323A412.
 Exemption from Select Requirements of 10 CFR
 part 26 (EPID L-2020-LLE-0208 [COVID-19]),
 dated November 19, 2020.
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                       Duane Arnold Energy Center
                            Docket No. 50-331
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Duane Arnold--Request for One-Time Exemption      ML20266G292.
 from 10 CFR part 50, appendix E, ``Biennial
 Emergency Preparedness Evaluated Exercise
 Requirements,'' due to COVID-19 Pandemic, dated
 September 22, 2020.
Duane Arnold Energy Center--Temporary Exemption   ML20301A846.
 from Requirements of 10 CFR part 50, appendix
 E, sections IV.F.2.B and IV.F.2.C (EPID L-2020-
 LLE-0150 [COVID-19]), dated November 25, 2020.
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                                 Fermi-2
                            Docket No. 50-341
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Fermi-2--Work Hour Limits Exemption Request due   ML20315A373.
 to COVID-19, dated November 10, 2020.
Fermi-2--Exemption from Select Requirements of    ML20317A272.
 10 CFR part 26 (EPID L-2020-LLE-0187 [COVID-
 19]), dated November 18, 2020.
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[[Page 84392]]

 
              Joseph M. Farley Nuclear Plant, Units 1 and 2
                      Docket Nos. 50-348 and 50-364
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Joseph M. Farley Nuclear Plant, Units 1 and 2--   ML20265A353.
 Request for One-Time Exemption from 10 CFR part
 50, appendix E, ``Biennial Emergency
 Preparedness Exercise Requirements,'' due to
 COVID-19 Pandemic, dated September 21, 2020.
Joseph M. Farley Nuclear Plant, Units 1 and 2--   ML20295A502.
 Temporary Exemption from Requirements of 10 CFR
 part 50, appendix E, sections IV.F.2.B and
 IV.F.2.C (EPID L-2020-LLE-0148 [COVID-19]),
 dated November 10, 2020.
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                   Grand Gulf Nuclear Station, Unit 1
                            Docket No. 50-416
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Grand Gulf Nuclear Station, Unit 1--Request for   ML20318A386.
 a One-Time Exemption from 10 CFR part 73,
 appendix B, section VI, subsection C.3.(I)(1)
 Regarding Annual Force-on-Force (FOF)
 Exercises, due to COVID 19 Pandemic, dated
 November 13, 2020.
Grand Gulf Nuclear Station, Unit 1--Exemption     ML20323A047.
 from Annual Force-On-Force Exercise
 Requirements of 10 CFR part 73, appendix B,
 ``General Criteria for Security Personnel,''
 subsection VI.C.3(I)(1) (EPID L-2020-LLE-0196
 [COVID-19]), dated November 24, 2020.
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                      Hope Creek Generating Station
                            Docket No. 50-354
           Salem Nuclear Generating Station, Unit Nos. 1 and 2
                      Docket Nos. 50-272 and 50-311
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Salem Generating Station, Unit Nos. 1 and 2, and  ML20300A588.
 Hope Creek Generating Station--Request for a
 One-Time Exemption from 10 CFR part 73,
 appendix B, section VI, subsection C.3.(I)(1),
 Regarding Annual Force-on-Force (FOF)
 Exercises, due to COVID-19 Pandemic, dated
 October 26, 2020.
Hope Creek Generating Station and Salem Nuclear   ML20309A887.
 Generating Station, Unit Nos. 1 and 2--One-Time
 Exemption from Certain Requirements of 10 CFR
 part 73, appendix B, ``General Criteria for
 Security Personnel,'' section VI (EPID L-2020-
 LLE-0168 [COVID-19]), dated November 20, 2020.
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             Millstone Power Station, Unit Nos. 1, 2, and 3
                 Docket Nos. 50-245, 50-336, and 50-423
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Millstone Power Station Unit Nos. 1, 2, and 3--   ML20261H597.
 Request for Exemption from Biennial Emergency
 Preparedness Exercise Requirements in 10 CFR
 part 50, appendix E, sections IV.F.2.b and
 IV.F.2.c, dated September 17, 2020.
Millstone Power Station, Unit Nos. 1, 2, and 3--  ML20287A273.
 Temporary Exemption from Exercise Frequency
 Requirements of 10 CFR part 50, appendix E,
 sections IV.F.2.B and IV.F.2.C (EPID L-2020-LLE-
 0145 [COVID-19]), dated November 24, 2020.
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        Palo Verde Nuclear Generating Station, Units 1, 2, and 3
                 Docket Nos. 50-528, 50-529, and 50-530
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Palo Verde Nuclear Generating Station, Units 1,   ML20302A417.
 2, and 3, and Independent Spent Fuel Storage
 Installation--Request for Exemption from
 Specific Requirements of 10 CFR part 26,
 ``Fitness for Duty Programs,'' dated October
 28, 2020.
Palo Verde Nuclear Generating Station, Units 1,   ML20303A015.
 2, and 3--Exemption from Select Requirements of
 10 CFR part 26 (EPID L-2020-LLE-0170 [COVID-
 19]), dated November 2, 2020.
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                  Perry Nuclear Power Plant, Unit No. 1
                            Docket No. 50-440
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Perry Nuclear Power Plant, Unit No. 1--COVID-19   ML20325A070.
 Related Request for Exemption from 10 CFR part
 26 Work Hours Requirements, dated November 20,
 2020.
Perry Nuclear Power Plant, Unit No. 1--Exemption  ML20325A158.
 from Select Requirements of 10 CFR part 26
 (EPID L-2020-LLE-0209 [COVID-19]), dated
 November 23, 2020.
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          Peach Bottom Atomic Power Station, Units 1, 2, and 3
              Docket Nos. 50-171, 50-277, 50-278, and 72-29
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Peach Bottom Atomic Power Station, Units 1, 2,    ML20269A267.
 and 3--Request for One-Time Exemption from the
 Biennial Emergency Preparedness Exercise
 Requirements in 10 CFR part 50, appendix E,
 section IV.F.2.c, due to COVID-19 Public Health
 Emergency, dated September 25, 2020.
Submittal of Pennsylvania Letter Requesting       ML20283A772.
 Exemption from Biennial Exercise Requirements
 for Pennsylvania Nuclear Power Plants in
 Calendar Year 2020, dated October 9, 2020.
Peach Bottom Atomic Power Station, Independent    ML20288A718.
 Spent Fuel Storage Installation and Units 1, 2,
 and 3--Temporary Exemption from Biennial
 Emergency Preparedness Exercise Frequency
 Requirements of 10 CFR part 50, appendix E,
 section IV.F (EPID L-2020-LLE-0151 [COVID-19]),
 dated November 6, 2020.
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[[Page 84393]]

 
         Prairie Island Nuclear Generating Plant, Units 1 and 2
                      Docket No. 50-282 and 50-306
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Prairie Island Nuclear Generating Plant, Units 1  ML20281A665.
 and 2--Request for a One-Time Exemption from 10
 CFR part 50, appendix E, ``Biennial Emergency
 Preparedness Exercise Requirements,'' due to
 COVID-19 Pandemic, dated October 7, 2020.
Prairie Island Nuclear Generating Plant, Units 1  ML20297A239.
 and 2--Temporary Exemption Requirements of 10
 CFR part 50, appendix E, sections IV.F.2.B and
 IV.F.2.C (EPID L-2020-LLE-0162 [COVID-19]),
 dated November 9, 2020.
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            Quad Cities Nuclear Power Station, Units 1 and 2
                      Docket Nos. 50-254 and 50-265
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Quad Cities Nuclear Power Station, Units 1 and    ML20269A392.
 2--Renewed Facility Operating License Nos. DPR-
 29 and DPR-30, dated September 24, 2020.
Quad Cities Nuclear Power Station, Units 1 and    ML20288A142.
 2--Temporary Exemption from Requirements of 10
 CFR part 50, appendix E, section IV.F.2.C (EPID
 L-2020-LLE-0152), dated November 12, 2020.
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                       River Bend Station, Unit 1
                            Docket No. 50-458
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River Bend Station, Unit 1--Request for One-Time  ML20280A734.
 Exemption from 10 CFR part 50, appendix E,
 ``Biennial Emergency Preparedness Evaluated
 Offsite Exercise Requirements,'' due to COVID
 19 Pandemic, dated October 6, 2020.
River Bend Station, Unit 1--Temporary Exemption   ML20315A345.
 from Biennial Emergency Preparedness Exercise
 Frequency Requirements of 10 CFR part 50,
 appendix E, section IV.F.2.c (EPID L-2020-LLE-
 0163 [COVID-19]), dated November 25, 2020.
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                  Sequoyah Nuclear Plant, Units 1 and 2
                      Docket Nos. 50-327 and 50-328
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Sequoyah Nuclear Plant, Units 1 and 2--Request    ML20274A362.
 for One-Time Exemption from 10 CFR part 50,
 appendix E, ``Biennial Emergency Preparedness
 Evaluated Exercise Requirements due to COVID-19
 Pandemic,'' dated September 30, 2020.
Sequoyah Nuclear Plant, Units 1 and 2--Temporary  ML20288A546.
 Exemption from Exercise Frequency Requirements
 of 10 CFR part 50, appendix E, ``Emergency
 Planning and Preparedness for Production and
 Utilization Facilities,'' section IV.F (EPID L-
 2020-LLE-0157 [COVID-19]), dated November 10,
 2020.
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            Susquehanna Steam Electric Station, Units 1 and 2
                      Docket Nos. 50-387 and 50-388
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Susquehanna Steam Electric Station, Units 1 and   ML20272A020.
 2--Request for One-Time Exemption from 10 CFR
 part 50, appendix E, ``Biennial Emergency
 Preparedness Exercise Requirements,'' due to
 COVID-19 Pandemic (PLA-7893), dated September
 28, 2020.
Submittal of Pennsylvania Letter Requesting       ML20283A772.
 Exemption from Biennial Exercise Requirements
 for Pennsylvania Nuclear Power Plants in
 Calendar Year 2020, dated October 9, 2020.
Susquehanna Steam Electric Station, Units 1 and   ML20294A291.
 2--Temporary Exemption from Biennial Emergency
 Preparedness Exercise Frequency Requirements of
 10 CFR part 50, appendix E, section IV.F (EPID
 L-2020-LLE-0153 [COVID-19]), dated November 6,
 2020.
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    Dated: December 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. 2020-28588 Filed 12-23-20; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 7590-01-P