[Federal Register Volume 86, Number 52 (Friday, March 19, 2021)]
[Notices]
[Pages 14960-14963]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2021-05694]


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NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION

[Docket No. 50-331; NRC-2021-0066]


NextEra Energy Duane Arnold, LLC; Duane Arnold Energy Center

AGENCY: Nuclear Regulatory Commission.

ACTION: Environmental assessment and finding of no significant impact; 
issuance.

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SUMMARY: The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) is considering 
issuance of exemptions that would permit the licensee to reduce its 
emergency planning (EP) activities at the Duane Arnold Energy Center 
(DAEC). Specifically, the licensee is seeking exemptions that would 
eliminate the requirements for the licensee to maintain offsite 
radiological emergency plans, as well as reduce some of the onsite EP 
activities based on the reduced risks at DAEC, which is permanently 
shut down and defueled. However, requirements for certain onsite 
capabilities to communicate and coordinate with offsite response 
authorities would be retained. In addition, offsite EP provisions would 
still exist through State and local government use of a comprehensive 
emergency management plan process, in accordance with the Federal 
Emergency Management Agency's (FEMA's) Comprehensive Preparedness Guide 
(CPG) 101, ``Developing and Maintaining Emergency Operations Plans.'' 
The NRC staff is issuing a final Environmental Assessment (EA) and 
final Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI) associated with the 
proposed exemptions.

DATES: The EA and FONSI referenced in this document are available on 
March 19, 2021.

ADDRESSES: Please refer to Docket ID NRC-2021-0066 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-2021-0066. Address 
questions about Docket IDs in Regulations.gov to Stacy Schumann; 
telephone: 301-415-0624; 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]. The ADAMS accession number for each 
document referenced (if it is available in ADAMS) is provided the first 
time that it is mentioned in this document. In addition, for the 
convenience of the reader, instructions about obtaining materials 
referenced in this document are provided in the AVAILABILITY OF 
DOCUMENTS section of this document.
     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 or 
301-415-4737, between 8:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. (EST), Monday through 
Friday, except Federal holidays.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Marlayna V. Doell, Office of Nuclear 
Material Safety and Safeguards, U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission, 
Washington, DC 20555-0001; telephone: 301-415-3178; email: 
[email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Introduction

    By letter dated January 18, 2019 (ADAMS Accession No. ML19023A196), 
NextEra Energy Duane Arnold, LLC (NEDA, the licensee) certified to the 
NRC that it planned to permanently cease power operations at DAEC in 
the fourth quarter of 2020. By letter dated March 2, 2020 (ADAMS 
Accession No. ML20062E489), NEDA updated its timeline and certified to 
the NRC that it planned to permanently cease power operations at DAEC 
on October 30, 2020. By letter dated August 27, 2020 (ADAMS Accession 
No. ML20240A067), NEDA certified to the NRC that power operations 
permanently ceased at DAEC on August 10, 2020, and, by letter dated 
October 12, 2020 (ADAMS Accession No. ML20286A317), that the fuel was 
permanently removed from the DAEC reactor vessel and placed in the 
spent

[[Page 14961]]

fuel pool (SFP) as of October 12, 2020. Accordingly, pursuant to 
section 50.82(a)(2) of title 10 of the Code of Federal Regulations (10 
CFR), the DAEC renewed facility operating license no longer authorizes 
operation of the reactor or emplacement or retention of fuel in the 
reactor vessel. The facility is still authorized to possess and store 
irradiated (i.e., spent) nuclear fuel. Spent fuel is currently stored 
onsite at the DAEC facility in the SFP and in a dry cask independent 
spent fuel storage installation.
    By letter dated April 2, 2020 (ADAMS Accession No. ML20101M779), as 
supplemented by letter dated October 7, 2020 (ADAMS Accession No. 
ML20282A595), NEDA requested exemptions from certain EP requirements in 
10 CFR part 50 for DAEC.
    The NRC regulations concerning EP do not recognize the reduced 
risks after a reactor is permanently shut down and defueled. As such, a 
permanently shutdown and defueled reactor must continue to maintain the 
same EP requirements as an operating power reactor under the existing 
regulatory requirements. To establish a level of EP commensurate with 
the reduced risks of a permanently shutdown and defueled reactor, the 
licensee requires exemptions from certain EP regulatory requirements 
before it can change its emergency plans.
    The NRC is considering issuing to the licensee exemptions from 
portions of 10 CFR 50.47, ``Emergency plans,'' and appendix E to 10 CFR 
part 50, ``Emergency Planning and Preparedness for Production and 
Utilization Facilities,'' which would eliminate the requirements for 
the licensee to maintain offsite radiological emergency plans in 
accordance with 44 CFR, ``Emergency Management and Assistance,'' part 
350, ``Review and Approval of State and Local Radiological Emergency 
Plans and Preparedness,'' and reduce some of the onsite EP activities 
based on the reduced risks 10 months after DAEC has permanently ceased 
power operations.
    Consistent with 10 CFR 51.21, the NRC has determined that an EA is 
the appropriate form of environmental review for the requested action. 
Based on the results of the EA, which is provided in Section II of this 
document, the NRC has determined not to prepare an environmental impact 
statement for the proposed action and is issuing a FONSI.

II. Environmental Assessment

Description of the Proposed Action

    The proposed action would exempt the licensee from: (1) Certain 
standards as set forth in 10 CFR 50.47(b) regarding onsite and offsite 
emergency response plans for nuclear power reactors; (2) requirements 
in 10 CFR 50.47(c)(2) to establish plume exposure and ingestion pathway 
emergency planning zones (EPZs) for nuclear power reactors; and (3) 
certain requirements in 10 CFR part 50, appendix E, section IV, 
``Content of Emergency Plans,'' which establishes the elements that 
make up the content of emergency plans. The proposed action of granting 
these exemptions would eliminate the requirements for the licensee to 
maintain offsite radiological emergency plans in accordance with 44 CFR 
part 350 and reduce some of the onsite EP activities at DAEC, based on 
the reduced risks once the reactor has been permanently shut down for a 
period of 10 months. However, requirements for certain onsite 
capabilities to communicate and coordinate with offsite response 
authorities would be retained to an extent consistent with the approved 
exemptions.
    Additionally, if necessary, offsite protective actions could still 
be implemented using a comprehensive emergency management plan (CEMP) 
process. A CEMP in this context, also referred to as an emergency 
operations plan (EOP), is addressed in FEMA's CPG 101. The CPG 101 is 
the foundation for State, territorial, tribal, and local EP in the 
United States under the National Preparedness System. It promotes a 
common understanding of the fundamentals of risk-informed planning and 
decision making and assists planners at all levels of government in 
their efforts to develop and maintain viable, all-hazards, all-threats 
emergency plans. An EOP is flexible enough for use in all emergencies. 
It describes how people and property will be protected; details who is 
responsible for carrying out specific actions; identifies the 
personnel, equipment, facilities, supplies, and other resources 
available; and outlines how all actions will be coordinated. A CEMP is 
often referred to as a synonym for ``all-hazards'' planning. The 
proposed action is in accordance with the licensee's application dated 
April 2, 2020, as supplemented by letter dated October 7, 2020.

Need for the Proposed Action

    The proposed action is needed for the licensee to revise the DAEC 
Emergency Plan once the reactor has been permanently shut down for a 
period of 10 months. The EP requirements currently applicable to DAEC 
are for an operating power reactor. Since the certifications for 
permanent cessation of operations and permanent removal of fuel from 
the reactor vessel have been docketed, pursuant to 10 CFR 50.82(a)(2), 
the DAEC license no longer authorizes use of the facility for power 
operation or emplacement or retention of fuel into the reactor vessel 
and, therefore, the occurrence of postulated accidents associated with 
DAEC reactor operation is no longer credible. However, there are no 
explicit regulatory provisions distinguishing EP requirements for a 
power reactor that has been permanently shut down and defueled from 
those for an operating power reactor.
    In its exemption request, the licensee identified three possible 
radiological accidents at DAEC in its permanently shutdown and defueled 
condition. These are: (1) A fuel-handling accident; (2) a complete loss 
of SFP inventory; and (3) an adiabatic heat up of the hottest fuel 
assembly. The NRC staff evaluated these possible radiological accidents 
in the Commission Paper (SECY) 21-0006, ``Request by NextEra Energy 
Duane Arnold, LLC for Exemptions from Certain Emergency Planning 
Requirements for the Duane Arnold Energy Center,'' dated January 15, 
2021 (ADAMS Package Accession No. ML20218A875).
    In SECY-21-0006, the NRC staff verified that the licensee's 
analyses and calculations provided reasonable assurance that if the 
requested exemptions were granted, then: (1) For a design-basis 
accident (DBA), an offsite radiological release will not exceed the 
early phase protective action guides (PAGs) at the site boundary, as 
detailed in Table 1-1, ``Summary Table for PAGs, Guidelines, and 
Planning Guidance for Radiological Incidents,'' to the U.S. 
Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA's), ``PAG Manual: Protective 
Action Guides and Planning Guidance for Radiological Incidents,'' EPA-
400/R-17/001, dated January 2017; (2) in the highly unlikely event of a 
beyond DBA resulting in a loss of all SFP cooling, there is sufficient 
time to initiate appropriate mitigating actions; and (3) in the event a 
radiological release has or is projected to occur, there would be 
sufficient time for offsite agencies to take protective actions using a 
CEMP to protect the health and safety of the public if offsite 
governmental officials determine that such action is warranted. The 
Commission approved the NRC staff's recommendation to grant the 
exemptions based on this evaluation

[[Page 14962]]

in its Staff Requirements Memorandum to SECY-21-0006, dated February 
11, 2021 (ADAMS Accession No. ML21042A030).
    Based on these analyses, the licensee states that complete 
application of the EP rule to DAEC 10 months after its permanent 
cessation of power operations would not serve the underlying purpose of 
the rule or is not necessary to achieve the underlying purpose of the 
rule. The licensee also states that it would incur undue costs in the 
application of operating plant EP requirements for the maintenance of 
an emergency response organization in excess of that actually needed to 
respond to the diminished scope of credible accidents for DAEC 10 
months after its permanent cessation of power operations.

Environmental Impacts of the Proposed Action

    The NRC staff has completed its evaluation of the environmental 
impacts of the proposed action.
    The proposed action consists mainly of changes related to the 
elimination of requirements for the licensee to maintain offsite 
radiological emergency plans in accordance with 44 CFR part 350 and 
reduce some of the onsite EP activities at DAEC, based on the reduced 
risks once the reactor has been permanently shut down for a period of 
10 months. However, requirements for certain onsite capabilities to 
communicate and coordinate with offsite response authorities will be 
retained and offsite EP provisions to protect public health and safety 
will still exist through State and local government use of a CEMP.
    With regard to potential nonradiological environmental impacts, the 
proposed action would have no direct impacts on land use or water 
resources, including terrestrial and aquatic biota, as it involves no 
new construction or modification of plant operational systems. There 
would be no changes to the quality or quantity of nonradiological 
effluents and no changes to the plants' National Pollutant Discharge 
Elimination System permits would be needed. In addition, there would be 
no noticeable effect on socioeconomic conditions in the region, no 
environment justice impacts, no air quality impacts, and no impacts to 
historic and cultural resources from the proposed action. Therefore, 
there are no significant nonradiological environmental impacts 
associated with the proposed action.
    With regard to potential radiological environmental impacts, as 
previously stated, the proposed action would not increase the 
probability or consequences of radiological accidents. Additionally, 
the NRC staff has concluded that the proposed action would have no 
direct radiological environmental impacts. There would be no change to 
the types or amounts of radioactive effluents that may be released and, 
therefore, no change in occupational or public radiation exposure from 
the proposed action. Moreover, no changes would be made to plant 
buildings or the site property from the proposed action. Therefore, 
there are no significant radiological environmental impacts associated 
with the proposed action.

Environmental Impacts of the Alternatives to the Proposed Action

    As an alternative to the proposed action, the NRC staff considered 
the denial of the proposed action (i.e., the ``no-action'' 
alternative). The denial of the application would result in no change 
in current environmental impacts. Therefore, the environmental impacts 
of the proposed action and the alternative action are similar.

Alternative Use of Resources

    There are no unresolved conflicts concerning alternative uses of 
available resources under the proposed action.

Agencies or Persons Consulted

    No additional agencies or persons were consulted regarding the 
environmental impact of the proposed action. On February 23, 2021, the 
State of Iowa representative was notified of this EA and FONSI.

III. Finding of No Significant Impact

    The licensee has proposed exemptions from: (1) Certain standards in 
10 CFR 50.47(b) regarding onsite and offsite emergency response plans 
for nuclear power reactors; (2) the requirements in 10 CFR 50.47(c)(2) 
to establish plume exposure and ingestion pathway EPZs for nuclear 
power reactors; and (3) certain requirements in 10 CFR part 50, 
appendix E, section IV, which establishes the elements that make up the 
content of emergency plans. The proposed action of granting these 
exemptions would eliminate the requirements for the licensee to 
maintain offsite radiological emergency plans in accordance with 44 CFR 
part 350 and reduce some of the onsite EP activities at DAEC, based on 
the reduced risks once the reactor has been permanently shut down for a 
period of 10 months. However, requirements for certain onsite 
capabilities to communicate and coordinate with offsite response 
authorities will be retained and offsite EP provisions to protect 
public health and safety will still exist through State and local 
government use of a CEMP.
    The NRC is considering issuing the exemptions. The proposed action 
would not significantly affect plant safety, would not have a 
significant adverse effect on the probability of an accident occurring, 
and would not have any significant radiological or nonradiological 
impacts. This FONSI incorporates by reference the EA in Section II of 
this document. Therefore, the NRC concludes that the proposed action 
will not have a significant effect on the quality of the human 
environment. Accordingly, the NRC has determined not to prepare an 
environmental impact statement for the proposed action.
    The related environmental document is the ``Generic Environmental 
Impact Statement for License Renewal of Nuclear Plants: Regarding Duane 
Arnold Energy Center, Final Report,'' NUREG-1437, Supplement 42, dated 
October 2010 (ADAMS Accession No. ML102790308), which provides the 
latest environmental review of current operations and description of 
environmental conditions at DAEC.

IV. Availability of Documents

    The documents identified in the following table are available to 
interested persons through one or more of the following methods, as 
indicated.

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                  Document description                                 ADAMS accession No./web link
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Federal Emergency Management Agency, Developing and      https://www.fema.gov/media-library-data/20130726-1828-
 Maintaining Emergency Operations Plans, Comprehensive    25045-0014/
 Preparedness Guide (CPG) 101, Version 2.0, November      cpg_101_comprehensive_preparedness_guide_developing_an
 2010.                                                    d_maintaining_emergency_operations_plans_2010.pdf.
Curtland, D., NextEra Energy Duane Arnold, LLC, letter   ML20101M779.
 to U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission, ``Request for
 Exemption from Portions of 10 CFR 50.47 and 10 CFR 50,
 Appendix E,'' April 2, 2020.

[[Page 14963]]

 
Curtland, D., NextEra Energy Duane Arnold, LLC, letter   ML20282A595.
 to U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission, ``Response to
 Request for Additional Information Relating to Request
 for Exemption from Portions of 10 CFR 50.47 and 10 CFR
 50, Appendix E,'' October 7, 2020.
Nazar, M., NextEra Energy Duane Arnold, LLC, letter to   ML19023A196.
 U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission, ``Certification of
 Permanent Cessation of Power Operations,'' January 18,
 2019.
Curtland, D., NextEra Energy Duane Arnold, LLC, letter   ML20062E489.
 to U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission, ``Certification
 of Permanent Cessation of Power Operations,'' March 2,
 2020.
Curtland, D., NextEra Energy Duane Arnold, LLC, letter   ML20240A067.
 to U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission, ``Certification
 of Permanent Cessation of Power Operations,'' August
 27, 2020.
Curtland, D., NextEra Energy Duane Arnold, LLC, letter   ML20286A317.
 to U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission, ``Certification
 of Permanent Removal of Fuel from the Reactor Vessel
 for Duane Arnold Energy Center,'' October 12, 2020.
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, PAG Manual:        https://www.epa.gov/sites/production/files/2017-01/
 Protective Action Guides and Planning Guidance for       documents/epa_pag_manual_final_revisions_01-11-
 Radiological Incidents, January 2017.                    2017_cover_disclaimer_8.pdf.
SECY-21-0006, ``Request by NextEra Energy Duane Arnold,  ML20218A875 (Package).
 LLC for Exemptions from Certain Emergency Planning
 Requirements for the Duane Arnold Energy Center,''
 January 15, 2021.
Staff Requirements Memorandum to                         ML21042A030.
 SECY[dash]21[dash]0006, ``Request by NextEra Energy
 Duane Arnold, LLC for Exemptions from Certain
 Emergency Planning Requirements for the Duane Arnold
 Energy Center,'' February 11, 2021.
NUREG-1437, Supplement 42, ``Generic Environmental       ML102790308.
 Impact Statement for License Renewal of Nuclear
 Plants: Regarding Duane Arnold Energy Center, Final
 Report,'' October 2010.
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    Dated: March 16, 2021.

    For the Nuclear Regulatory Commission.
Bruce A. Watson,
Chief, Reactor Decommissioning Branch, Division of Decommissioning, 
Uranium Recovery and Waste Programs, Office of Nuclear Material Safety 
and Safeguards.
[FR Doc. 2021-05694 Filed 3-18-21; 8:45 am]
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