[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]
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