[Federal Register Volume 90, Number 143 (Tuesday, July 29, 2025)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 35589-35594]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2025-14294]



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Rules and Regulations
                                                Federal Register
________________________________________________________________________

This section of the FEDERAL REGISTER contains regulatory documents 
having general applicability and legal effect, most of which are keyed 
to and codified in the Code of Federal Regulations, which is published 
under 50 titles pursuant to 44 U.S.C. 1510.

The Code of Federal Regulations is sold by the Superintendent of Documents. 

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Federal Register / Vol. 90, No. 143 / Tuesday, July 29, 2025 / Rules 
and Regulations

[[Page 35589]]



NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION

10 CFR Part 72

[NRC-2025-0070]
RIN 3150-AL33


List of Approved Spent Fuel Storage Casks: TN Americas LLC, 
NUHOMS[supreg] EOS Dry Spent Fuel Storage System, Certificate of 
Compliance No. 1042, Amendment No. 4

AGENCY: Nuclear Regulatory Commission.

ACTION: Direct final rule.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) is amending its 
spent fuel storage regulations by revising the TN Americas LLC, 
NUHOMS[supreg] EOS Dry Spent Fuel Storage System listing within the 
``List of approved spent fuel storage casks'' to include Amendment No. 
4 to Certificate of Compliance No. 1042. Amendment No. 4 changes the 
certificate of compliance to incorporate a method to determine new 
loading patterns, introduce a steel plate composite option, introduce 
the use of MAVRIC software for a confirmatory run of the HSM-MX dose 
rates, make technical specification changes for consistency and 
terminology clarification, make various updated final safety analysis 
report editorial corrections for consistency and clarification, add 
measured exposures from past loading campaigns, allow use of a blended 
Portland cement, change the use of the MX-Loading Crane, and clarify 
the scenarios under which the maximum heat loads can be reduced.

DATES: This direct final rule is effective October 14, 2025, unless 
significant adverse comments are received by August 28, 2025. If this 
direct final rule is withdrawn as a result of such comments, timely 
notice of the withdrawal will be published in the Federal Register. 
Comments received after this date will be considered if it is practical 
to do so, but the NRC is able to ensure consideration of only comments 
received on or before this date. Comments received on this direct final 
rule will also be considered to be comments on a companion proposed 
rule published in the Proposed Rules section of this issue of the 
Federal Register.

ADDRESSES: Submit your comments, identified by Docket ID NRC-2025-0070, 
at https://www.regulations.gov. If your material cannot be submitted 
using https://www.regulations.gov, call or email the individual listed 
in the FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT section of this document for 
alternate instructions.
    You can read a plain language description of this direct final rule 
at https://www.regulations.gov/docket/NRC-2025-0070. For additional 
direction on obtaining information and submitting comments, see 
``Obtaining Information and Submitting Comments'' in the SUPPLEMENTARY 
INFORMATION section of this document.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: George Tartal, U.S. Nuclear Regulatory 
Commission, Washington, DC 20555-0001; telephone: 301-415-0016, email: 
[email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Table of Contents

I. Obtaining Information and Submitting Comments
II. Rulemaking Procedure
III. Background
IV. Discussion of Changes
V. Voluntary Consensus Standards
VI. Agreement State Compatibility
VII. Plain Writing
VIII. Environmental Assessment and Finding of No Significant Impact
IX. Paperwork Reduction Act Statement
X. Regulatory Flexibility Certification
XI. Regulatory Analysis
XII. Backfitting and Issue Finality
XIII. Regulatory Planning and Review
XIV. Congressional Review Act
XV. Availability of Documents

I. Obtaining Information and Submitting Comments

A. Obtaining Information

    Please refer to Docket ID NRC-2025-0070 when contacting the NRC 
about the availability of information for this action. You may obtain 
publicly available information related to this action by any of the 
following methods:
     Federal Rulemaking Website: Go to https://www.regulations.gov and search for Docket ID NRC-2025-0070. Address 
questions about NRC dockets to Helen Chang, telephone: 301-415-3228, 
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]. For the convenience of the reader, 
instructions about obtaining materials referenced in this document are 
provided in the ``Availability of Documents'' section.
     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, Monday through Friday, except Federal 
holidays.

B. Submitting Comments

    The NRC encourages electronic comment submission through the 
Federal rulemaking website (https://www.regulations.gov). Please 
include Docket ID NRC-2025-0070 in your comment submission.
    The NRC cautions you not to include identifying or contact 
information that you do not want to be publicly disclosed in your 
comment submission. The NRC will post all comment submissions at 
https://www.regulations.gov as well as enter the comment submissions 
into ADAMS. The NRC does not routinely edit comment submissions to 
remove identifying or contact information.
    If you are requesting or aggregating comments from other persons 
for submission to the NRC, then you should inform those persons not to 
include identifying or contact information that they do not want to be 
publicly disclosed in their comment submission. Your request should 
state that the NRC

[[Page 35590]]

does not routinely edit comment submissions to remove such information 
before making the comment submissions available to the public or 
entering the comment into ADAMS.

II. Rulemaking Procedure

    The NRC is using the ``direct final rule procedure'' to issue this 
amendment because this action represents a limited and routine change 
to an existing certificate of compliance (CoC) that is expected to be 
non-controversial and, accordingly, is unlikely to result in 
significant adverse public comments. Adequate protection of public 
health and safety continues to be reasonably assured. The amendment to 
the rule will become effective on October 14, 2025. However, if the NRC 
receives significant adverse comments on this direct final rule by 
August 28, 2025, then the NRC will publish a document that withdraws 
this action and will subsequently address the comments received in a 
final rule as a response to the companion proposed rule published in 
the Proposed Rules section of this issue of the Federal Register or as 
otherwise appropriate. In general, absent significant modifications to 
the proposed revisions requiring republication, the NRC will not 
initiate a second comment period on this action.
    A significant adverse comment is a comment where the commenter 
explains why the rule would be inappropriate, including challenges to 
the rule's underlying premise or approach, or would be ineffective or 
unacceptable without a change. A comment is adverse and significant if:
    (1) The comment opposes the rule and provides a reason sufficient 
to require a substantive response in a notice-and-comment process. For 
example, a substantive response is required when:
    (a) The comment causes the NRC to reevaluate (or reconsider) its 
position or conduct additional analysis;
    (b) The comment raises an issue serious enough to warrant a 
substantive response to clarify or complete the record; or
    (c) The comment raises a relevant issue that was not previously 
addressed or considered by the NRC.
    (2) The comment proposes a change or an addition to the rule, and 
it is apparent that the rule would be ineffective or unacceptable 
without incorporation of the change or addition.
    (3) The comment causes the NRC to make a change (other than 
editorial) to the rule, CoC, or technical specifications (TS).
    For detailed instructions on filing comments, please see the 
ADDRESSES section of this document.

III. Background

    Section 218(a) of the Nuclear Waste Policy Act of 1982, as amended, 
requires that ``[t]he Secretary [of the Department of Energy] shall 
establish a demonstration program, in cooperation with the private 
sector, for the dry storage of spent nuclear fuel at civilian nuclear 
power reactor sites, with the objective of establishing one or more 
technologies that the [Nuclear Regulatory] Commission may, by rule, 
approve for use at the sites of civilian nuclear power reactors 
without, to the maximum extent practicable, the need for additional 
site-specific approvals by the Commission.'' Section 133 of the Nuclear 
Waste Policy Act states, in part, that ``[t]he Commission shall, by 
rule, establish procedures for the licensing of any technology approved 
by the Commission under section 219(a) [sic: 218(a)] for use at the 
site of any civilian nuclear power reactor.''
    To implement this mandate, the Commission approved dry storage of 
spent nuclear fuel in NRC-approved casks under a general license by 
publishing a final rule that added a new subpart K in part 72 of title 
10 of the Code of Federal Regulations (10 CFR) entitled ``General 
License for Storage of Spent Fuel at Power Reactor Sites'' (55 FR 
29181; July 18, 1990). This rule also established a new subpart L in 10 
CFR part 72 entitled ``Approval of Spent Fuel Storage Casks,'' which 
contains procedures and criteria for obtaining NRC approval of spent 
fuel storage cask designs. The NRC subsequently issued a final rule on 
March 24, 2017 (82 FR 14987), that approved the TN Americas LLC, 
NUHOMS[supreg] EOS Dry Spent Fuel Storage System design and added it to 
the list of NRC-approved cask designs in Sec.  72.214 as CoC No. 1042.
    This rule is limited to the changes contained in Amendment No. 4 to 
CoC No. 1042 and does not include other aspects of the TN Americas LLC, 
NUHOMS[supreg] EOS Dry Spent Fuel Storage System design.

IV. Discussion of Changes

    On September 29, 2022, TN Americas LLC submitted a request to the 
NRC to amend CoC No. 1042. TN Americas LLC supplemented its request on 
the following dates: March 30, 2023, June 28, 2023, April 22, 2024, 
November 6, 2024, and February 12, 2025. Amendment No. 4 amends the CoC 
to make the following changes:
     For the EOS-37PTH, similar to the EOS-89BTH concept 
submitted under Amendment No. 3, incorporate a method to determine new 
loading patterns based on the maximum allowable heat load per dry 
shielded canister (DSC), identified as the maximum allowable heat load 
configuration (MHLC). The MHLC is applicable to the EOS-37PTH 
transferred in the EOS-TC125 and stored in the EOS-horizontal storage 
module (HSM). Two new heat load zone configurations (HLZCs) are 
applicable to this MHLC.
     Introduce a steel plate composite option for the EOS-HSM. 
The steel plate composite option allows for the HSM components to be 
constructed from concrete-filled integrated steel wall forms. The walls 
are tied together with tie bars and studs that are welded to the inside 
of the walls to provide concrete reinforcement. When used without 
distinction, EOS-HSM-SC refers to both the segmented and one-piece 
base. The EOS-HSM-SC is used only with the flat plate support 
structure.
     Introduce the use of MAVRIC software for a confirmatory 
run of the HSM-MX dose rates.
     Technical specification changes for consistency among DSC 
types and terminology clarification.
     Various updated final safety analysis report (UFSAR) 
editorial corrections for consistency and clarification.
     Add measured exposures from past loading campaigns to 
highlight that measured exposures are significantly less than 
calculated exposures.
     Add an additional scope item to allow use of a blended 
Portland cement that would be certified to the requirements of American 
Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) C595. The reason for this 
change is that the cement supplier will no longer provide cement in 
accordance with ASTM C150 since the supplier is transitioning to a 
cement with a smaller carbon footprint that includes 10 percent 
limestone. This change supports continued EOS-HSM and EOS HSM-MX 
fabrication activities. In support of this additional scope, revise 
UFSAR sections 8.2.1.3, EOS HSM Horizontal Storage Module; 8.7, 
References; A.8.2.1.3, HSM-MX Horizontal Storage Module; and A.8.7, 
References. Also add an editorial clarification to UFSAR chapters 8 and 
A.8 regarding the use of a blended Portland cement that would be 
certified to the requirements of ASTM C595.
     Add an additional scope item related to the use of the MX-
Loading Crane (LC) for the 61BTH Type 2 DSCs. The reason for this 
change is that, under Amendment No. 3, TN Americas LLC added detail to 
demonstrate the single failure proof capability of the MX-LC. That 
information was provided to demonstrate compliance with CoC No.

[[Page 35591]]

1042, Amendment No. 3, Condition 5 for lifts of the DSC and transfer 
cask above heights not analyzed for an accidental drop, and to comply 
with CoC No. 1042, Amendment No. 3, TS 5.2.1 for transfer cask/DSC 
lifting height limits. However, TN Americas LLC omitted addressing use 
of the MX-LC for the 61BTH DSCs. This change supports the continued use 
of the HSM-MX in conjunction with the MX-LC for 61BTH DSCs. In support 
of this additional scope, revise UFSAR sections B.9.1.6, DSC Transfer 
to the HSM-MX; B.9.2.1, DSC Retrieval from the HSM-MX; B.9.3, 
References; B.12.3.1, OS197 Transfer Cask (TC) Drop; and B.12.4, 
References.
     Add an additional scope item to clarify the scenarios 
under which the maximum heat loads can be reduced for EOS-37PTH. The 
reason for this change is to clarify the different site-specific 
conditions that could result in a reduction in the maximum heat load 
for existing HLZCs and to also note that one could develop new HLZCs 
based on the MHLC methodology described in UFSAR section 2.4.3.1. Add 
this clarifying language to the fourth paragraph on UFSAR page 2-10 and 
to page 2-2 of the TS.
    The changes to the aforementioned documents are identified with 
revisions bars in the margin of each document.
    As documented in the preliminary safety evaluation report, the NRC 
performed a safety evaluation of the proposed CoC amendment request. 
The NRC determined that this amendment does not reflect a significant 
change in design or fabrication of the cask. Specifically, the NRC 
determined that the design of the cask would continue to maintain 
confinement, shielding, and criticality control in the event of each 
evaluated accident condition. In addition, any resulting occupational 
exposure or offsite dose rates from the implementation of Amendment No. 
4 would remain well within the limits specified by 10 CFR part 20, 
``Standards for Protection Against Radiation.'' Thus, the NRC found 
there will be no significant change in the types or amounts of any 
effluent released, no significant increase in the individual or 
cumulative radiation exposure, and no significant increase in the 
potential for or consequences from radiological accidents.
    The NRC determined that the amended TN Americas LLC, NUHOMS[supreg] 
EOS Dry Spent Fuel Storage System cask design, when used under the 
conditions specified in the CoC, the TS, and the NRC's regulations, 
will meet the requirements of 10 CFR part 72; therefore, adequate 
protection of public health and safety will continue to be reasonably 
assured. This direct final rule changes the TN Americas LLC, 
NUHOMS[supreg] EOS Dry Spent Fuel Storage System listing in Sec.  
72.214 by adding Amendment No. 4 to CoC No. 1042. The amendment 
consists of the changes previously described, as set forth in the 
referenced CoC and TS. The referenced TS are identified in the 
preliminary safety evaluation report. When this direct final rule 
becomes effective, persons who hold a general license under Sec.  
72.210 may, consistent with the license conditions under Sec.  72.212, 
load spent nuclear fuel into TN Americas LLC, NUHOMS[supreg] EOS Dry 
Spent Fuel Storage System casks that meet the criteria of Amendment No. 
4 to CoC No. 1042.

V. Voluntary Consensus Standards

    The National Technology Transfer and Advancement Act of 1995 (Pub. 
L. 104-113) requires that Federal agencies use technical standards that 
are developed or adopted by voluntary consensus standards bodies unless 
the use of such a standard is inconsistent with applicable law or 
otherwise impractical. In this direct final rule, the NRC revises the 
TN Americas LLC, NUHOMS[supreg] EOS Dry Spent Fuel Storage System 
design listed in Sec.  72.214, ``List of approved spent fuel storage 
casks.'' This action does not constitute the establishment of a 
standard that contains generally applicable requirements; therefore, 
the National Technology Transfer and Advancement Act is not applicable.

VI. Agreement State Compatibility

    Under the ``Agreement State Program Policy Statement'' approved by 
the Commission on October 2, 2017, and published in the Federal 
Register on October 18, 2017 (82 FR 48535), this rule is classified as 
Compatibility Category NRC--Areas of Exclusive NRC Regulatory 
Authority. The NRC program elements in this category are those that 
relate directly to areas of regulation reserved to the NRC by the 
Atomic Energy Act of 1954, as amended, or the provisions of 10 CFR 
chapter I. Therefore, compatibility is not required for program 
elements in this category.

VII. Plain Writing

    The Plain Writing Act of 2010 (Pub. L. 111-274) requires Federal 
agencies to write documents in a clear, concise, and well-organized 
manner. The NRC has written this document to be consistent with the 
Plain Writing Act as well as the Presidential Memorandum, ``Plain 
Language in Government Writing,'' published June 10, 1998 (63 FR 
31885). The NRC requests comment on this document with respect to the 
clarity and effectiveness of the language used.

VIII. Environmental Assessment and Finding of No Significant Impact

    Under the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969, as amended, 
and the NRC's regulations in 10 CFR part 51, ``Environmental Protection 
Regulations for Domestic Licensing and Related Regulatory Functions,'' 
the NRC has determined that this direct final rule, if adopted, would 
not be a major Federal action significantly affecting the quality of 
the human environment and, therefore, an environmental impact statement 
is not required. The NRC has made a finding of no significant impact on 
the basis of this environmental assessment. This environmental 
assessment and finding of no significant impact can be tracked with 
identification number NEPA ID EAXX-429-00-000-1743148474.

A. The Action

    The action is to amend Sec.  72.214 to change the TN Americas LLC, 
NUHOMS[supreg] EOS Dry Spent Fuel Storage System listing within the 
``List of approved spent fuel storage casks'' to include Amendment No. 
4 to CoC No. 1042.

B. The Need for the Action

    This direct final rule amends the CoC for the TN Americas LLC, 
NUHOMS[supreg] EOS Dry Spent Fuel Storage System design within the list 
of approved spent fuel storage casks to allow power reactor licensees 
to store spent fuel at reactor sites in casks with the approved 
modifications under a general license. Specifically, Amendment No. 4 
changes the CoC to incorporate a method to determine new loading 
patterns, introduce a steel plate composite option, introduce the use 
of MAVRIC software for a confirmatory run of the HSM-MX dose rates, 
make TS changes for consistency and terminology clarification, make 
various UFSAR editorial corrections for consistency and clarification, 
add measured exposures from past loading campaigns, allow use of a 
blended Portland cement, change the use of the MX-LC, and clarify the 
scenarios under which the maximum heat loads can be reduced.

C. Environmental Impacts of the Action

    On July 18,1990 (55 FR 29181), the NRC issued an amendment to 10 
CFR part 72 to provide for the storage of spent fuel under a general 
license in cask designs approved by the NRC. The potential 
environmental impact of using NRC-approved storage casks was

[[Page 35592]]

analyzed in the environmental assessment for the 1990 final rule. The 
environmental assessment for this Amendment No. 4 tiers off of the 
environmental assessment for the July 18, 1990, final rule. Tiering on 
past environmental assessments is a standard process under the National 
Environmental Policy Act of 1969, as amended.
    The TN Americas LLC, NUHOMS[supreg] EOS Dry Spent Fuel Storage 
System is designed to mitigate the effects of design basis accidents 
that could occur during storage. Design basis accidents account for 
human-induced events and the most severe natural phenomena reported for 
the site and surrounding area. Postulated accidents analyzed for an 
independent spent fuel storage installation, the type of facility at 
which a holder of a power reactor operating license would store spent 
fuel in casks in accordance with 10 CFR part 72, can include tornado 
winds and tornado-generated missiles, a design basis earthquake, a 
design basis flood, an accidental cask drop, lightning effects, fire, 
explosions, and other incidents.
    This amendment does not reflect a significant change in design or 
fabrication of the cask. Because there are no significant design or 
process changes, any resulting occupational exposure or offsite dose 
rates from the implementation of Amendment No. 4 would remain well 
within the 10 CFR part 20 limits.
    The NRC has also determined that the design of the cask as modified 
by this rule would continue to maintain confinement, shielding, and 
criticality control in the event of an accident. Therefore, the 
proposed changes will not result in any radiological or non-
radiological environmental impacts that significantly differ from the 
environmental impacts evaluated in the environmental assessment 
supporting the July 18, 1990, final rule. There will be no significant 
change in the types or significant revisions in the amounts of any 
effluent released, no significant increase in the individual or 
cumulative radiation exposures, and no significant increase in the 
potential for, or consequences from, radiological accidents. The NRC 
documented its safety findings in the preliminary safety evaluation 
report.

D. Alternative to the Action

    The alternative to this action is to deny approval of Amendment No. 
4 and not issue the direct final rule. Consequently, any 10 CFR part 72 
general licensee that seeks to load spent nuclear fuel into the TN 
Americas LLC, NUHOMS[supreg] EOS Dry Spent Fuel Storage System in 
accordance with the changes described in proposed Amendment No. 4 would 
have to request an exemption from the requirements of Sec. Sec.  72.212 
and 72.214. Under this alternative, interested licensees would have to 
prepare, and the NRC would have to review, a separate exemption 
request, thereby increasing the administrative burden upon the NRC and 
the costs to each licensee. The environmental impacts would be the same 
as the proposed action.

E. Alternative Use of Resources

    Approval of Amendment No. 4 to CoC No. 1042 would result in no 
irreversible and irretrievable commitments of Federal resources.

F. Agencies and Persons Contacted

    No agencies or persons outside the NRC were contacted in connection 
with the preparation of this environmental assessment.

G. Finding of No Significant Impact

    The environmental impacts of the action have been reviewed under 
the requirements in the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969, as 
amended, and the NRC's regulations in subpart A of 10 CFR part 51, 
``Environmental Protection Regulations for Domestic Licensing and 
Related Regulatory Functions.'' Based on the foregoing environmental 
assessment, the NRC concludes that this direct final rule, ``List of 
Approved Spent Fuel Storage Casks: TN Americas LLC, NUHOMS[supreg] EOS 
Dry Spent Fuel Storage System, Certificate of Compliance No. 1042, 
Amendment No. 4,'' will not have a significant effect on the human 
environment. Therefore, the NRC has determined that an environmental 
impact statement is not necessary for this direct final rule.

IX. Paperwork Reduction Act Statement

    This direct final rule does not contain any new or amended 
collections of information subject to the Paperwork Reduction Act of 
1995 (44 U.S.C. 3501 et seq.). Existing collections of information were 
approved by the Office of Management and Budget, approval number 3150-
0132.

Public Protection Notification

    The NRC may not conduct or sponsor, and a person is not required to 
respond to, a request for information or an information collection 
requirement unless the requesting document displays a currently valid 
Office of Management and Budget control number.

X. Regulatory Flexibility Certification

    Under the Regulatory Flexibility Act of 1980 (5 U.S.C. 605(b)), the 
NRC certifies that this direct final rule will not, if issued, have a 
significant economic impact on a substantial number of small entities. 
This direct final rule affects only nuclear power plant licensees and 
TN Americas LLC. These entities do not fall within the scope of the 
definition of small entities set forth in the Regulatory Flexibility 
Act or the size standards established by the NRC (Sec.  2.810).

XI. Regulatory Analysis

    On July 18, 1990 (55 FR 29181), the NRC issued an amendment to 10 
CFR part 72 to provide for the storage of spent nuclear fuel under a 
general license in cask designs approved by the NRC. Any nuclear power 
reactor licensee can use NRC-approved cask designs to store spent 
nuclear fuel if (1) it notifies the NRC in advance; (2) the spent fuel 
is stored under the conditions specified in the cask's CoC; and (3) the 
conditions of the general license are met. A list of NRC-approved cask 
designs is contained in Sec.  72.214. On March 24, 2017 (82 FR 14987), 
the NRC issued an amendment to 10 CFR part 72 that approved the TN 
Americas LLC, NUHOMS[supreg] EOS Dry Spent Fuel Storage System by 
adding it to the list of NRC-approved cask designs in Sec.  72.214.
    On September 29, 2022, and as supplemented on March 30, 2023, June 
28, 2023, April 22, 2024, November 6, 2024, and February 12, 2025, TN 
Americas LLC submitted a request to amend the NUHOMS[supreg] EOS Dry 
Spent Fuel Storage System as described in section IV, ``Discussion of 
Changes,'' of this document.
    The alternative to this action is to withhold approval of Amendment 
No. 4 and to require any 10 CFR part 72 general licensee seeking to 
load spent nuclear fuel into TN Americas LLC, NUHOMS[supreg] EOS Dry 
Spent Fuel Storage System under the changes described in Amendment No. 
4 to request an exemption from the requirements of Sec. Sec.  72.212 
and 72.214. Under this alternative, each interested 10 CFR part 72 
licensee would have to prepare, and the NRC would have to review, a 
separate exemption request, thereby increasing the administrative 
burden upon the NRC and the costs to each licensee.
    Approval of this direct final rule is consistent with previous NRC 
actions. Further, as documented in the preliminary safety evaluation 
report and environmental assessment, this direct final rule will have 
no adverse effect on

[[Page 35593]]

public health and safety or the environment. This direct final rule has 
no significant identifiable impact or benefit on other government 
agencies. Based on this regulatory analysis, the NRC concludes that the 
requirements of this direct final rule are commensurate with the NRC's 
responsibilities for public health and safety and the common defense 
and security. No other available alternative is believed to be as 
satisfactory; therefore, this action is justified.

XII. Backfitting and Issue Finality

    The NRC has determined that this direct final rule does not 
constitute backfitting under Sec.  72.62. This direct final rule adds 
an amendment to CoC No. 1042 for the TN Americas LLC, NUHOMS[supreg] 
EOS Dry Spent Fuel Storage System, as currently listed in Sec.  72.214. 
The amendment consists of the changes in Amendment No. 4 previously 
described, as set forth in the amended CoC and TS.
    Amendment No. 4 to CoC No. 1042 for the TN Americas LLC, 
NUHOMS[supreg] EOS Dry Spent Fuel Storage System was initiated by TN 
Americas LLC and was not submitted in response to new NRC requirements 
or an NRC request for amendment. Certificate of compliance holders like 
TN Americas LLC are not within the scope of the backfit rule in Sec.  
72.62 because they do not hold a 10 CFR part 72 license. Additionally, 
Amendment No. 4 applies only to new casks fabricated and used under 
Amendment No. 4. These changes do not affect existing users of the TN 
Americas LLC, NUHOMS[supreg] EOS Dry Spent Fuel Storage System, and the 
previous Amendment No. 3 continues to be effective for existing users. 
Although current users of this storage system may comply with the new 
requirements in Amendment No. 4, this would be a voluntary decision on 
the part of current users. Therefore, Amendment No. 4 does not meet the 
definition of backfitting in Sec.  72.62.
    For these reasons, Amendment No. 4 to CoC No. 1042 does not 
constitute backfitting under Sec.  72.62.

XIII. Regulatory Planning and Review

    Executive Order (E.O.) 12866, as amended by E.O. 14215, provides 
that the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs (OIRA) will 
determine whether a regulatory action is significant as defined by E.O. 
12866 and will review significant regulatory actions. OIRA determined 
that this direct final rule is not a significant regulatory action 
under E.O. 12866.

XIV. Congressional Review Act

    This direct final rule is not a rule as defined in the 
Congressional Review Act.

XV. Availability of Documents

    The documents identified in the following table are available to 
interested persons as indicated.

------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                  ADAMS Accession No./
                   Document                         Federal Register
                                                        Citation
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                   Proposed Certificate of Compliance
------------------------------------------------------------------------
``Proposed CoC No.1042--EOS Amendment No. 4''  ML25078A250
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                  Preliminary Safety Evaluation Report
------------------------------------------------------------------------
``PSER--EOS Amendment No. 4''................  ML25078A252
------------------------------------------------------------------------
      Proposed Conditions for Cask Use and Technical Specifications
------------------------------------------------------------------------
``Proposed Technical Specifications--EOS       ML25078A251
 Amendment No. 4''.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                         Environmental Documents
------------------------------------------------------------------------
``Storage of Spent Fuel In NRC-Approved        55 FR 29181
 Storage Casks at Power Reactor Sites'' Final
 Rule (July 18, 1990).
------------------------------------------------------------------------
    TN Americas LLC, NUHOMS[supreg] EOS Dry Spent Fuel Storage System
                     Amendment Application Documents
------------------------------------------------------------------------
``Application for Amendment 4 to NUHOMS EOS    ML22272A575
 Certificate of Compliance No. 1042, Revision
 0 (Docket 72-1042),'' September 29, 2022.
``TN Americas LLC Application for Amendment 4  ML23089A175
 to NUHOMS EOS Certificate of Compliance No.
 1042, Revision 1--Response to Request for
 Supplemental Information,'' March 30, 2023.
``Application for Amendment 4 to NUHOMS EOS    ML23179A120
 Certificate of Compliance No. 1042, Revision
 2 (Docket 72-1042, CAC No. 001028, EPID: L-
 2022-LLA-0017)--Supplemental Responses to
 Request for Supplemental Information,'' June
 28, 2023.
``TN Americas LLC, Application for Amendment   ML24113A307
 4 to NUHOMS EOS Certificate of Compliance
 No. 1042, Revision 3 (Docket 72-1042, CAC
 No. 001028, EPID: L-2022-LLA-0017)--Response
 to Request for Additional Information,''
 April 22, 2024.
``Application for Amendment 4 to NUHOMS EOS    ML24311A209
 Certificate of Compliance No. 1042, Revision
 4 (Docket 72-1042, CAC No. 001028, EPID: L-
 2022-LLA-0017)--Revised Response to Request
 for Additional Information,'' November 6,
 2024.
``Application for Amendment 4 to NUHOMS EOS    ML25043A122
 Certificate of Compliance No. 1042, Revision
 5 (Docket 72-1042, CAC No. 001028, EPID: L-
 2022-LLA-0017)--Supplemental Responses to
 Request for Additional Information,''
 February 12, 2025.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                             Other Documents
------------------------------------------------------------------------
``Agreement State Program Policy Statement;    82 FR 48535
 Correction.'' (October 18, 2017).
Presidential Memorandum, ``Plain Language in   63 FR 31885
 Government Writing.'' (June 10, 1998).
List of Approved Spent Fuel Storage Casks: TN  82 FR 14987
 Americas LLC, NUHOMS[supreg] EOS Dry Spent
 Fuel Storage System, Certificate of
 Compliance No. 1042: Direct Final Rule,
 March 24, 2017.
List of Approved Spent Fuel Storage Casks: TN  88 FR 27397
 Americas LLC, NUHOMS[supreg] EOS Dry Spent
 Fuel Storage System, Certificate of
 Compliance No. 1042, Amendment 3: Direct
 Final Rule, May 2, 2023.
------------------------------------------------------------------------


[[Page 35594]]

    The NRC may post materials related to this document, including 
public comments, on the Federal rulemaking website at https://www.regulations.gov under Docket ID NRC-2025-0070. In addition, the 
Federal rulemaking website allows members of the public to receive 
alerts when changes or additions occur in a docket folder. To 
subscribe: (1) navigate to the docket folder NRC-2025-0070; (2) click 
the ``Subscribe'' link; and (3) enter an email address and click on the 
``Subscribe'' link.

List of Subjects in 10 CFR Part 72

    Administrative practice and procedure, Hazardous waste, Indians, 
Intergovernmental relations, Nuclear energy, Penalties, Radiation 
protection, Reporting and recordkeeping requirements, Security 
measures, Spent fuel, Whistleblowing.

    For the reasons set out in the preamble and under the authority of 
the Atomic Energy Act of 1954, as amended; the Energy Reorganization 
Act of 1974, as amended; the Nuclear Waste Policy Act of 1982, as 
amended; and 5 U.S.C. 552 and 553; the NRC is adopting the following 
amendments to 10 CFR part 72:

PART 72--LICENSING REQUIREMENTS FOR THE INDEPENDENT STORAGE OF 
SPENT NUCLEAR FUEL, HIGH-LEVEL RADIOACTIVE WASTE, AND REACTOR-
RELATED GREATER THAN CLASS C WASTE

0
1. The authority citation for part 72 continues to read as follows:

    Authority: Atomic Energy Act of 1954, secs. 51, 53, 57, 62, 63, 
65, 69, 81, 161, 182, 183, 184, 186, 187, 189, 223, 234, 274 (42 
U.S.C. 2071, 2073, 2077, 2092, 2093, 2095, 2099, 2111, 2201, 2210e, 
2232, 2233, 2234, 2236, 2237, 2238, 2273, 2282, 2021); Energy 
Reorganization Act of 1974, secs. 201, 202, 206, 211 (42 U.S.C. 
5841, 5842, 5846, 5851); National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 
(42 U.S.C. 4332); Nuclear Waste Policy Act of 1982, secs. 117(a), 
132, 133, 134, 135, 137, 141, 145(g), 148, 218(a) (42 U.S.C. 
10137(a), 10152, 10153, 10154, 10155, 10157, 10161, 10165(g), 10168, 
10198(a)); 44 U.S.C. 3504 note.


0
2. In Sec.  72.214, Certificate of Compliance No. 1042 is revised to 
read as follows:


Sec.  72.214  List of approved spent fuel storage casks.

* * * * *
    Certificate Number: 1042.
    Initial Certificate Effective Date: June 7, 2017.
    Amendment Number 1 Effective Date: June 17, 2020.
    Amendment Number 2 Effective Date: October 26, 2021.
    Amendment Number 3 Effective Date: July 17, 2023.
    Amendment Number 4 Effective Date: October 14, 2025.
    SAR Submitted by: TN Americas LLC.
    SAR Title: Final Safety Analysis Report for the NUHOMS[supreg] EOS 
Dry Spent Fuel Storage System.
    Docket Number: 72-1042.
    Certificate Expiration Date: June 7, 2037.
    Model Number: EOS-37PTH, EOS-89BTH, 61BTH Type 2.
* * * * *

    Dated: July 17, 2025.

    For the Nuclear Regulatory Commission.
Michael King,
Acting Executive Director for Operations.
[FR Doc. 2025-14294 Filed 7-28-25; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 7590-01-P