[Federal Register Volume 89, Number 121 (Monday, June 24, 2024)]
[Notices]
[Pages 52514-52517]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2024-13768]
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NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION
[Docket Nos. 50-237 and 50-249; NRC-2024-0080]
Constellation Energy Generation, LLC; Dresden Nuclear Power
Station, Units 2 and 3; Subsequent License Renewal Application
AGENCY: Nuclear Regulatory Commission.
ACTION: Opportunity to request a hearing and to petition for leave to
intervene.
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SUMMARY: The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) is considering an
application for the subsequent license renewal of Renewed Facility
Operating License Nos. DPR-19 and DPR-25, which authorize Constellation
Energy Generation, LLC (CEG, the applicant) to operate Dresden Nuclear
Power Station (Dresden), Units 2 and 3. The subsequent renewed licenses
would authorize CEG to operate Dresden for an additional 20 years
beyond the period specified in each of the current licenses. The
current operating license for Dresden, Unit 2, expires December 22,
2029. The current operating license for Dresden, Unit 3, expires
January 12, 2031.
DATES: A request for a hearing or petition for leave to intervene must
be filed by August 23, 2024.
ADDRESSES: Please refer to Docket ID NRC-2024-0080 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-2024-0080. 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
[[Page 52515]]
(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, at 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.
Public Library: A copy of the subsequent license renewal
application for Dresden, Units 2 and 3, can be accessed at the
following public libraries: Morris Area Public Library, 604 Liberty St,
Morris, IL 60450, and Coal City Public Library District, 85 N Garfield
St, Coal City, IL 60416.
NRC's PDR: The PDR, where you may examine and order copies
of publicly available documents, is open by appointment. To make an
appointment to visit the PDR, please send an email to
[email protected] or call 1-800-397-4209 or 301-415-4737, between 8
a.m. and 4 p.m. eastern time (ET), Monday through Friday, except
Federal holidays.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mark Yoo, Office of Nuclear Reactor
Regulation, U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission, Washington, DC 20555-
0001; telephone: 301-415-8583; email: [email protected].
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
I. Introduction
The NRC received a subsequent license renewal application (SLRA)
from CEG, dated April 17, 2024 (ADAMS Package Accession No.
ML24108A007), filed pursuant to section 103 of the Atomic Energy Act of
1954, as amended (the Act), and part 54 of title 10 of the Code of
Federal Regulations (10 CFR), ``Requirements for Renewal of Operating
Licenses for Nuclear Power Plants,'' requesting the renewal of the
operating licenses for Dresden, Units 2 and 3, at 2,957 megawatts
thermal for each unit. The Dresden units are boiling-water reactors
located in Morris, Illinois. A notice of receipt of the SLRA was
published in the Federal Register on May 7, 2024, (89 FR 38197).
The NRC staff has determined that CEG has submitted sufficient
information in accordance with 10 CFR 54.19, 54.21, 54.22, 54.23,
51.45, and 51.53(c), to enable the staff to undertake a review of the
application, and that the application is, therefore, acceptable for
docketing. The current docket nos. 50-237 and 50-249 for the Renewed
Facility Operating License Nos. DPR-19 and DPR-25 will be retained. The
determination to accept the SLRA for docketing does not constitute a
determination that a subsequent renewed license should be issued and
does not preclude the NRC staff from requesting additional information
as the review proceeds.
Before issuance of the requested subsequent renewed licenses, the
NRC will have made the findings required by the Act and the
Commission's rules and regulations. In accordance with 10 CFR 54.29,
the NRC may issue a subsequent renewed license on the basis of its
review if it finds that actions have been identified and have been or
will be taken with respect to: (1) managing the effects of aging during
the period of extended operation on the functionality of structures and
components that have been identified as requiring aging management
review; and (2) time-limited aging analyses that have been identified
as requiring review, such that there is reasonable assurance that the
activities authorized by the renewed license will continue to be
conducted in accordance with the current licensing basis and that any
changes made to the plant's current licensing basis will comply with
the Act and the Commission's regulations.
In Florida Power & Light Co. (Turkey Point Nuclear Generating Units
3 and 4), CLI-22-2 (ADAMS Accession No. ML22055A496), the Commission
found that 10 CFR 51.53(c)(3), which at the time allowed applicants for
``initial'' license renewal to rely on the 2013 Generic Environmental
Impact Statement for License Renewal (GEIS) in their environmental
reports for ``Category 1'' issues, does not apply to applications for
subsequent license renewal. The Commission further found that the GEIS
itself does not describe the environmental impacts of operation during
the period of subsequent license renewal. In CLI-22-2 the Commission
found that because the 2013 GEIS did not consider the impacts from
operations during the subsequent license renewal period, applicants for
subsequent license renewal must evaluate on a site-specific basis
``Category 1'' impacts. Separately, in Staff Requirements Memorandum
(SRM)--SECY--21--0066--Rulemaking Plan for Renewing Nuclear Power Plant
Operating Licenses--Environmental Review (RIN 3150-AK32; NRC-2018-
0296), dated February 24, 2022, (ADAMS Accession No. ML22053A308), the
Commission directed the staff to review and update the 2013 GEIS so
that it covers operation during the subsequent license renewal period.
In SRM-M240516A: Affirmation Session--SECY-24-0017: Final Rule--
Renewing Nuclear Power Plant Operating Licenses--Environmental Review
(RIN 3150-AK32; NRC-2018-0296), dated May 16, 2024, (ADAMS Package
Accession No. ML24137A213), the Commission approved a final rule that
will amend 10 CFR part 51, ``Environmental Protection Regulations for
Domestic Licensing and Related Regulatory Functions'' by, among other
things, updating Table B-1, ``Summary of Findings on NEPA [National
Environmental Policy Act] Issues for License Renewal of Nuclear Power
Plants,'' in appendix B, ``Environmental Effect of Renewing the
Operating License of a Nuclear Power Plant,'' to 10 CFR part 51,
subpart A, ``National Environmental Policy Act-Regulations Implementing
Section 102(2).'' The updates to Table B-1 are supported by the revised
NUREG-1437, Revision 2, ``Generic Environmental Impact Statement for
License Renewal of Nuclear Plants'' (LR GEIS). The updates fully
account for one term of subsequent license renewal (SLR) by reflecting
a thorough evaluation of the environmental impacts of SLR in the LR
GEIS; the staff has also updated associated guidance. Additionally, the
final rule will remove the word ``initial'' from 10 CFR 51.53(c)(3) and
make conforming changes in 10 CFR 51.53(c)(3)(ii) and 10 CFR 51.95(c).
The final Federal Register notice for the updated rule has not yet been
published. The licensee's environmental report evaluated ``Category 1''
impacts via site-specific analyses because the GEIS rulemaking was not
complete when the licensee submitted its SLR application.
II. Opportunity To Request a Hearing and Petition for Leave To
Intervene
Within 60 days after the date of publication of this notice, any
person (petitioner) whose interest may be affected by this action may
file a request for a hearing and petition for leave to intervene
(petition) with respect to the action. Petitions shall be filed in
accordance with the Commission's ``Agency Rules of Practice and
Procedure'' in 10 CFR part 2. Interested persons should consult 10 CFR
2.309. If a petition is filed, the presiding officer will rule on the
petition and, if appropriate, a notice of a hearing will be issued.
Petitions must be filed no later than 60 days from the date of
publication of this notice in accordance with the filing instructions
in the ``Electronic
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Submissions (E-Filing)'' section of this document. Petitions and
motions for leave to file new or amended contentions that are filed
after the deadline will not be entertained absent a determination by
the presiding officer that the filing demonstrates good cause by
satisfying the three factors in 10 CFR 2.309(c)(1)(i) through (iii).
A State, local governmental body, Federally recognized Indian
Tribe, or designated agency thereof, may submit a petition to the
Commission to participate as a party under 10 CFR 2.309(h) no later
than 60 days from the date of publication of this notice.
Alternatively, a State, local governmental body, Federally recognized
Indian Tribe, or agency thereof may participate as a non-party under 10
CFR 2.315(c).
For information about filing a petition and about participation by
a person not a party under 10 CFR 2.315, see ADAMS Accession No.
ML20340A053 (https://adamswebsearch2.nrc.gov/webSearch2/main.jsp?AccessionNumber=ML20340A053) and the NRC's public website at
https://www.nrc.gov/about-nrc/regulatory/adjudicatory/hearing.html#participate.
III. Electronic Submissions (E-Filing)
All documents filed in NRC adjudicatory proceedings including
documents filed by an interested State, local governmental body,
Federally recognized Indian Tribe, or designated agency thereof that
requests to participate under 10 CFR 2.315(c), must be filed in
accordance with 10 CFR 2.302. The E-Filing process requires
participants to submit and serve all adjudicatory documents over the
internet, or in some cases, to mail copies on electronic storage media,
unless an exemption permitting an alternative filing method, as further
discussed, is granted. Detailed guidance on electronic submissions is
located in the ``Guidance for Electronic Submissions to the NRC''
(ADAMS Accession No. ML13031A056) and on the NRC's public website at
https://www.nrc.gov/site-help/e-submittals.html.
To comply with the procedural requirements of E-Filing, at least 10
days prior to the filing deadline, the participant should contact the
Office of the Secretary by email at [email protected], or by
telephone at 301-415-1677, to (1) request a digital identification (ID)
certificate, which allows the participant (or its counsel or
representative) to digitally sign submissions and access the E-Filing
system for any proceeding in which it is participating; and (2) advise
the Secretary that the participant will be submitting a petition or
other adjudicatory document (even in instances in which the
participant, or its counsel or representative, already holds an NRC-
issued digital ID certificate). Based upon this information, the
Secretary will establish an electronic docket for the proceeding if the
Secretary has not already established an electronic docket.
Information about applying for a digital ID certificate is
available on the NRC's public website at https://www.nrc.gov/site-help/e-submittals/getting-started.html. After a digital ID certificate is
obtained and a docket created, the participant must submit adjudicatory
documents in Portable Document Format. Guidance on submissions is
available on the NRC's public website at https://www.nrc.gov/site-help/electronic-sub-ref-mat.html. A filing is considered complete at the
time the document is submitted through the NRC's E-Filing system. To be
timely, an electronic filing must be submitted to the E-Filing system
no later than 11:59 p.m. ET on the due date. Upon receipt of a
transmission, the E-Filing system time-stamps the document and sends
the submitter an email confirming receipt of the document. The E-Filing
system also distributes an email that provides access to the document
to the NRC's Office of the General Counsel and any others who have
advised the Office of the Secretary that they wish to participate in
the proceeding, so that the filer need not serve the document on those
participants separately. Therefore, applicants and other participants
(or their counsel or representative) must apply for and receive a
digital ID certificate before adjudicatory documents are filed to
obtain access to the documents via the E-Filing system.
A person filing electronically using the NRC's adjudicatory E-
Filing system may seek assistance by contacting the NRC's Electronic
Filing Help Desk through the ``Contact Us'' link located on the NRC's
public website at https://www.nrc.gov/site-help/e-submittals.html, by
email to [email protected], or by a toll-free call at 1-866-672-
7640. The NRC Electronic Filing Help Desk is available between 9 a.m.
and 6 p.m., ET, Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.
Participants who believe that they have good cause for not
submitting documents electronically must file an exemption request, in
accordance with 10 CFR 2.302(g), with their initial paper filing
stating why there is good cause for not filing electronically and
requesting authorization to continue to submit documents in paper
format. Such filings must be submitted in accordance with 10 CFR
2.302(b)-(d). Participants filing adjudicatory documents in this manner
are responsible for serving their documents on all other participants.
Participants granted an exemption under 10 CFR 2.302(g)(2) must still
meet the electronic formatting requirement in 10 CFR 2.302(g)(1),
unless the participant also seeks and is granted an exemption from 10
CFR 2.302(g)(1).
Documents submitted in adjudicatory proceedings will appear in the
NRC's electronic hearing docket, which is publicly available at https://adams.nrc.gov/ehd, unless excluded pursuant to an order of the
presiding officer. If you do not have an NRC-issued digital ID
certificate as previously described, click ``cancel'' when the link
requests certificates and you will be automatically directed to the
NRC's electronic hearing docket where you will be able to access any
publicly available documents in a particular hearing docket.
Participants are requested not to include personal privacy information
such as social security numbers, home addresses, or personal phone
numbers in their filings unless an NRC regulation or other law requires
submission of such information. With respect to copyrighted works,
except for limited excerpts that serve the purpose of the adjudicatory
filings and would constitute a Fair Use application, participants
should not include copyrighted materials in their submission.
Information about the license renewal process can be found under
the Reactor License Renewal section on the NRC's public website at
https://www.nrc.gov/reactors/operating/licensing/renewal.html. Copies
of the application to renew the operating licenses for Dresden, Units 2
and 3, are available for public inspection at the NRC's PDR, and on the
NRC's public website at https://www.nrc.gov/reactors/operating/licensing/renewal/applications.html while the application is under
review. The application may be accessed in ADAMS through the NRC
Library on the internet at https://www.nrc.gov/reading-rm/adams.html
under ADAMS Package Accession No. ML24108A007. As previously stated,
persons who do not have access to ADAMS or who encounter problems in
accessing the documents located in ADAMS may contact the NRC's PDR
reference staff by telephone at 1-800-397-4209 or 301-415-4737, or by
email to [email protected].
A copy of the subsequent license renewal application for Dresden,
Units 2 and 3, is also available to local residents near the site at
the public
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libraries listed in the ADDRESSES section of this document.
Dated: June 17, 2024.
For the Nuclear Regulatory Commission.
Lauren Gibson,
Chief, License Renewal Project Branch, Division of New and Renewed
Licenses, Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation.
[FR Doc. 2024-13768 Filed 6-21-24; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 7590-01-P