[Federal Register Volume 86, Number 96 (Thursday, May 20, 2021)]
[Notices]
[Pages 27485-27487]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2021-10596]


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NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION

[NRC-2021-0097]


Environmental Assessments and Findings of no Significant Impact 
of Independent Spent Fuel Storage Facilities Decommissioning Funding 
Plans

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 publishing 
this notice regarding the issuance of a final Environmental Assessment 
(EA) and a Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI) for its review and 
approval of the initial decommissioning funding plans (DFPs) submitted 
by independent spent fuel storage installation (ISFSI) licensees for 
ISFSIs listed in the ``Discussion'' section of this document.

DATES: The EA and FONSI referenced in this document are available on 
May 20, 2021.

ADDRESSES: Please refer to Docket ID NRC-2021-0097 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-2021-0097. Address 
questions about Docket IDs in Regulations.gov to Stacy Schumann: 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.
     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: Yen-Ju Chen, Office of Nuclear 
Material Safety and Safeguards, U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission, 
Washington, DC 20555-0001; telephone: 301-415-1018, email: [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Introduction

    The NRC is considering the approval of the initial DFPs submitted 
by ISFSI licensees. The NRC staff has prepared a final EA and FONSI 
determination for each of the initial ISFSI DFPs in accordance with the 
NRC regulations in part 51 of title 10 of the Code of Federal 
Regulations (10 CFR), ``Environmental Protection Regulations for 
Domestic Licensing and Related Regulatory Functions,'' which implement 
the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969, as amended (42 U.S.C. 
4321 et seq.).
    The NRC requires its licensees to plan for the eventual 
decommissioning of their licensed facilities prior to license 
termination. On June 17, 2011, the NRC published a final rule in the 
Federal Register amending its decommissioning planning regulations (76 
FR 35512). The final rule amended the NRC regulation, 10 CFR 72.30, 
which concerns financial assurance and decommissioning for ISFSIs. This 
regulation requires each holder of, or applicant for, a license under 
10 CFR part 72 to submit a DFP for the NRC's review and approval. The 
DFP is to demonstrate the licensee's financial assurance, i.e., that 
funds will be available to decommission the ISFSI. The NRC staff will 
later publish its financial analyses of the DFP submittals which will 
be available for public inspection in ADAMS.

II. Discussion

    The table in this notice includes the plant name, docket number, 
licensee, and ADAMS accession number for the

[[Page 27486]]

final EA and FONSI determination for each of the individual ISFSIs. The 
table also includes the ADAMS accession numbers for other relevant 
documents, including the initial and updated DFP submittals. For 
further details with respect to these actions, see the NRC staff's 
final EA and FONSI determinations which are available for public 
inspection in ADAMS and at https://www.regulations.gov under Docket ID 
NRC-2021-0097. For additional direction on accessing information 
related to this document, see the ADDRESSES section of this document.

                    Finding of No Significant Impact
------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Facility........................  Joseph M. Farley Nuclear Plant, Units
                                   1 and 2, ISFSI.
Docket No.......................  72-42.
Licensee........................  Southern Nuclear Operating Company,
                                   Inc. (SNC).
Proposed Action.................  The NRC's review and approval of SNC's
                                   initial DFP submitted in accordance
                                   with 10 CFR 72.30(b).
Environmental Impact of Proposed  The NRC staff has determined that the
 Action.                           proposed action, the review and
                                   approval of SNC's initial DFP,
                                   submitted in accordance with 10 CFR
                                   72.30(b), will not authorize changes
                                   to licensed operations or maintenance
                                   activities, or result in changes in
                                   the types, characteristics, or
                                   quantities of radiological or non-
                                   radiological effluents released into
                                   the environment from the ISFSI, or
                                   result in the creation of solid
                                   waste. Moreover, the approval of the
                                   initial DFP will not authorize any
                                   construction activity, facility
                                   modification, or other land-
                                   disturbing activity. The NRC staff
                                   has concluded that the proposed
                                   action is a procedural and
                                   administrative action that will not
                                   have a significant impact on the
                                   environment.
Finding of No Significant Impact  The proposed action does not require
                                   changes to the ISFSI's licensed
                                   routine operations, maintenance
                                   activities, or monitoring programs,
                                   nor does it require new construction
                                   or land-disturbing activities. The
                                   scope of the proposed action concerns
                                   only the NRC's review and approval of
                                   SNC's initial DFP. The scope of the
                                   proposed action does not include, and
                                   will not result in, the review and
                                   approval of decontamination or
                                   decommissioning activities or license
                                   termination for the ISFSI or for
                                   other parts of Joseph M. Farley
                                   Nuclear Plant, Units 1 and 2.
                                   Therefore, the NRC staff determined
                                   that approval of the initial DFP for
                                   the Farley ISFSI will not
                                   significantly affect the quality of
                                   the human environment, and
                                   accordingly, the staff has concluded
                                   that a FONSI is appropriate. The NRC
                                   staff further finds that preparation
                                   of an environmental impact statement
                                   (EIS) is not required.
Available Documents.............  Alabama Emergency Management Agency.
                                   Review of the Draft EA and FONSI for
                                   the Farley Nuclear Plant Units 1 and
                                   2 ISFSI DFP, dated March 18, 2021.
                                   ADAMS Accession No. ML21081A039.
                                  Southern Nuclear Operating Company,
                                   Inc. ISFSI DFP, dated March 31, 2014.
                                   ADAMS Accession No. ML14091A008.
                                  U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission. EA
                                   for Final Rule-Decommissioning
                                   Planning, dated February 1, 2009.
                                   ADAMS Accession No. ML090500648.
                                  U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission.
                                   Note to File, Re: ESA Section 7 No
                                   Effect Determination for ISFSI DFP
                                   Reviews, dated May 15, 2017. ADAMS
                                   Accession No. ML17135A062.
                                  U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission.
                                   Review of the Draft EA and FONSI for
                                   the Farley Nuclear Plant Units 1 and
                                   2 ISFSI DFP, dated March 9, 2021.
                                   ADAMS Accession No. ML21057A252.
                                  U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission.
                                   Final EA and FONSI for the Southern
                                   Nuclear Operating Company, Inc's
                                   Initial DFP Submitted in Accordance
                                   with 10 CFR 72.30(b) for Joseph M.
                                   Farley Nuclear Plant, Units 1 and 2,
                                   ISFSI, dated May 10, 2021. ADAMS
                                   Package Accession No. ML21085A675.
 
Facility........................  Edwin I. Hatch Nuclear Plant Unit Nos.
                                   1 and 2, ISFSI.
Docket No.......................  72-36.
Licensee........................  Southern Nuclear Operating Company,
                                   Inc. (SNC).
Proposed Action.................  The NRC's review and approval of SNC's
                                   initial DFP submitted in accordance
                                   with 10 CFR 72.30(b).
Environmental Impact of Proposed  The NRC staff has determined that the
 Action.                           proposed action, the review and
                                   approval of SNC's initial DFP,
                                   submitted in accordance with 10 CFR
                                   72.30(b), will not authorize changes
                                   to licensed operations or maintenance
                                   activities, or result in changes in
                                   the types, characteristics, or
                                   quantities of radiological or non-
                                   radiological effluents released into
                                   the environment from the ISFSI, or
                                   result in the creation of solid
                                   waste. Moreover, the approval of the
                                   initial DFP will not authorize any
                                   construction activity, facility
                                   modification, or other land-
                                   disturbing activity. The NRC staff
                                   has concluded that the proposed
                                   action is a procedural and
                                   administrative action that will not
                                   have a significant impact on the
                                   environment.
Finding of No Significant Impact  The proposed action does not require
                                   changes to the ISFSI's licensed
                                   routine operations, maintenance
                                   activities, or monitoring programs,
                                   nor does it require new construction
                                   or land-disturbing activities. The
                                   scope of the proposed action concerns
                                   only the NRC's review and approval of
                                   SNC's initial DFP. The scope of the
                                   proposed action does not include, and
                                   will not result in, the review and
                                   approval of decontamination or
                                   decommissioning activities or license
                                   termination for the ISFSI or for
                                   other parts of Edwin I. Hatch Nuclear
                                   Plant, Unit Nos. 1 and 2. Therefore,
                                   the NRC staff determined that
                                   approval of the initial DFP for the
                                   Hatch ISFSI will not significantly
                                   affect the quality of the human
                                   environment, and accordingly, the
                                   staff has concluded that a FONSI is
                                   appropriate. The NRC staff further
                                   finds that preparation of an
                                   environmental impact statement (EIS)
                                   is not required.
Available Documents.............  Southern Nuclear Operating Company,
                                   Inc. ISFSI DFP, dated March 31, 2014.
                                   ADAMS Accession No. ML14091A008.
                                  U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission. EA
                                   for Final Rule-Decommissioning
                                   Planning, dated February 1, 2009.
                                   ADAMS Accession No. ML090500648.
                                  U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission.
                                   Note to File, Re: ESA Section 7 No
                                   Effect Determination for ISFSI DFP
                                   Reviews, dated May 15, 2017. ADAMS
                                   Accession No. ML17135A062.
                                  U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission.
                                   Review of the Draft EA and FONSI for
                                   the Farley and Vogtle ISFSI DFP,
                                   dated March 9, 2021. ADAMS Accession
                                   No. ML21057A315.
                                  U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission.
                                   Final EA and FONSI for the Southern
                                   Nuclear Operating Company, Inc.'s
                                   Initial DFP Submitted in Accordance
                                   with 10 CFR 72.30(b) for Hatch
                                   Nuclear Plant Unit Nos. 1 and 2
                                   ISFSI, dated May 10, 2021. ADAMS
                                   Package Accession No. ML21085A829.
 
Facility........................  Vogtle Electric Generating Plant,
                                   Units 1 and 2, ISFSI.

[[Page 27487]]

 
Docket No.......................  72-1039.
Licensee........................  Southern Nuclear Operating Company,
                                   Inc. (SNC).
Proposed Action.................  The NRC's review and approval of SNC's
                                   initial DFP submitted in accordance
                                   with 10 CFR 72.30(b).
Environmental Impact of Proposed  The NRC staff has determined that the
 Action.                           proposed action, the review and
                                   approval of SNC's initial DFP,
                                   submitted in accordance with 10 CFR
                                   72.30(b), will not authorize changes
                                   to licensed operations or maintenance
                                   activities, or result in changes in
                                   the types, characteristics, or
                                   quantities of radiological or non-
                                   radiological effluents released into
                                   the environment from the ISFSI, or
                                   result in the creation of solid
                                   waste. Moreover, the approval of the
                                   initial DFP will not authorize any
                                   construction activity, facility
                                   modification, or other land-
                                   disturbing activity. The NRC staff
                                   has concluded that the proposed
                                   action is a procedural and
                                   administrative action that will not
                                   have a significant impact on the
                                   environment.
Finding of No Significant Impact  The proposed action does not require
                                   changes to the ISFSI's licensed
                                   routine operations, maintenance
                                   activities, or monitoring programs,
                                   nor does it require new construction
                                   or land-disturbing activities. The
                                   scope of the proposed action concerns
                                   only the NRC's review and approval of
                                   SNC's initial DFP. The scope of the
                                   proposed action does not include, and
                                   will not result in, the review and
                                   approval of decontamination or
                                   decommissioning activities or license
                                   termination for the ISFSI or for
                                   other parts of Vogtle Electric
                                   Generating Plant, Units 1 and 2.
                                   Therefore, the NRC staff determined
                                   that approval of the initial DFP for
                                   the Vogtle ISFSI will not
                                   significantly affect the quality of
                                   the human environment, and
                                   accordingly, the staff has concluded
                                   that a FONSI is appropriate. The NRC
                                   staff further finds that preparation
                                   of an environmental impact statement
                                   (EIS) is not required.
Available Documents.............  Southern Nuclear Operating Company,
                                   Inc. ISFSI DFP, dated March 31, 2014.
                                   ADAMS Accession No. ML14091A008.
                                  U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission. EA
                                   for Final Rule-Decommissioning
                                   Planning, dated February 1, 2009.
                                   ADAMS Accession No. ML090500648.
                                  U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission.
                                   Note to File, Re: ESA Section 7 No
                                   Effect Determination for ISFSI DFP
                                   Reviews, dated May 15, 2017. ADAMS
                                   Accession No. ML17135A062.
                                  U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission.
                                   Review of the Draft EA and FONSI for
                                   the Farley and Vogtle ISFSI DFP,
                                   dated March 9, 2021. ADAMS Accession
                                   No. ML21057A315.
                                  U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission.
                                   Final EA and FONSI for the Southern
                                   Nuclear Operating Company, Inc.'s
                                   Initial DFP Submitted in Accordance
                                   with 10 CFR 72.30(b) for Vogtle
                                   Electric Generating, Plant Units 1
                                   and 2, ISFSI, dated May 10, 2021.
                                   ADAMS Package Accession No.
                                   ML21089A221.
------------------------------------------------------------------------


    Dated: May 14, 2021.

    For the Nuclear Regulatory Commission.
John B. McKirgan,
Chief, Storage and Transportation Licensing Branch, Division of Fuel 
Management, Office of Nuclear Material Safety.
[FR Doc. 2021-10596 Filed 5-19-21; 8:45 am]
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