[Federal Register Volume 91, Number 164 (Wednesday, August 26, 2026)]
[Notices]
[Pages 55125-55127]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2026-17408]
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NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION
[Docket No. 50-498; NRC-2026-4192]
STP Nuclear Operating Company; South Texas Project, Unit 1;
License Amendment Application
AGENCY: Nuclear Regulatory Commission.
ACTION: Opportunity to comment, request a hearing, and petition for
leave to intervene.
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SUMMARY: The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC, the Commission)
is considering issuance of an amendment to Renewed Facility Operating
License No. NPF-76, issued to STP Nuclear Operating Company (STPNOC);
Constellation South Texas, LLC; City Public Service Board of San
Antonio; and City of Austin, Texas, for operation of South Texas
Project, Unit 1 (STP). The proposed license amendment would, if
granted, make a one-time exigent change to the technical specifications
(TS) to extend the allowed outage time (AOT) for TS 3.7.1.7, ``Main
Feedwater System''. This proposed amendment is being requested to
facilitate repairs to the Unit 1 train D main feedwater isolation valve
(MFIV). This proposed amendment is being requested under exigent
circumstances pursuant to NRC regulations.
DATES: Submit comments by September 9, 2026. Comments received after
this date will be considered if it is practical to do so, but the
Commission is able to ensure consideration only for comments received
before this date. Requests for a hearing or petitions for leave to
intervene must be filed by October 26, 2026.
ADDRESSES: You may submit comments by any of the following methods;
however, the NRC encourages electronic comment submission through the
Federal rulemaking website.
Federal rulemaking website: Go to https://www.regulations.gov and search for Docket ID NRC-2026-4192. Address
questions about Docket IDs in Regulations.govto Bridget Curran;
telephone: 301-415-1003; email: [email protected]. For technical
questions, contact the individual(s) listed in the FOR FURTHER
INFORMATION CONTACT section of this document.
Mail comments to: Office of Nuclear Material Safety and
Safeguards, Mail Stop: TWFN-5-A85, U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission,
Washington, DC 20555-0001, ATTN: Guidance and Publications Branch.
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: Thomas Byrd, Office of Nuclear Reactor
Regulation, U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission, Washington, DC 20555-
0001; telephone: 301-415-3719; email: [email protected]
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
I. Obtaining Information and Submitting Comments
A. Obtaining Information
Please refer to Docket ID NRC-2026-4192 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-2026-4192.
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 ADAMS Public 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 license amendment application Request
Proposed One-Time Exigent Change to Technical Specification 3.7.1.7,
``Main Feedwater System,'' is available in ADAMS under Accession No.
ML26218A279.
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.
B. Submitting Comments
The NRC encourages electronic comment submission through the
Federal rulemaking website (https://www.regulations.gov). Please
include Docket ID NRC-2026-4192 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 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. Introduction
The NRC is considering issuance of an amendment to Renewed Facility
Operating License No. NPF-76, issued to STP Operating Company (STPNOC
or the licensee); City Public Service Board of San Antonion; City of
Austin, Texas; and Constellation South Texas, LLC, for operation of the
South Texas Project,
[[Page 55126]]
Unit 1 (STP-1) located in Matagorda County, Texas.
The proposed amendment would extend, for one time, the allowed
outage time (AOT) for TS 3.7.1.7, ``Main Feedwater System,'' from 4
hours to 24 hours to allow sufficient time for the repair of the system
while the plant maintains operations.
Pursuant to the requirements of sections 50.91 and 50.92 of title
10 of the Code of Federal Regulations (10 CFR), the licensee requested
approval of the amendment under exigent circumstances. In its
application, the licensee stated that the degraded condition of the
main feedwater isolation valve (MFIV) and the further degradation of
the current repair could not reasonably be foreseen or anticipated.
Therefore, STPNOC requested approval of this license amendment request
at the earliest possible date because the conditions of the leak could
degrade to the point where a Unit 1 shutdown would be required.
Before any issuance of the proposed license amendment, the NRC will
need to make the findings required by the Atomic Energy Act of 1954, as
amended (the Act), and NRC's regulations.
Pursuant to 10 CFR 50.91(a)(6), for amendments to be granted under
exigent circumstances, the NRC has made a proposed determination that
the license amendment request involves no significant hazards
consideration (NSHC). Under the NRC's regulations in 10 CFR 50.92, this
means that operation of the facility in accordance with the proposed
amendment would not (1) involve a significant increase in the
probability or consequences of an accident previously evaluated; (2)
create the possibility of a new or different kind of accident from any
accident previously evaluated; or (3) involve a significant reduction
in a margin of safety. As required by 10 CFR 50.91(a), the licensee has
provided its analysis of the issue of NSHC, which is presented below:
1. Does the proposed amendment involve a significant increase in
the probability or consequences of an accident previously evaluated?
Response: No. The proposed change extends the action completion
time for Unit 1 Train D MFIV from 4 hours to 24 hours. Extending the
completion time is not an accident initiator and thus does not change
the probability that an accident will occur. However, it could
potentially affect the consequences of an accident if an accident
occurred during the extended unavailability of the inoperable MFIV. The
increase in time that the MFIV is unavailable is small and the
probability of an event occurring during this time period, which would
require isolation of the main feedwater flow paths, is low.?>
2. Does the proposed amendment create the possibility of a new or
different kind of accident from any accident previously evaluated?
Response: No. The proposed change does not involve any physical
alteration of plant equipment and does not change the method by which
any safety-related structure, system, or component performs its
function or is tested. Closure of the MFIVs is required to mitigate the
consequences of the Main Steam Line Break and Main Feedwater Line Break
accidents. Therefore, the proposed change does not involve a
significant increase in the probability or consequences of an accident
previously evaluated.
3. Does the proposed amendment involve a significant reduction in a
margin of safety?
Response: No. The proposed change does not adversely affect
existing plant safety margins or the reliability of the equipment
assumed to operate in the safety analysis. There are no changes being
made to safety analysis assumptions, safety limits or safety system
settings that would adversely affect plant safety as a result of the
proposed change.
Therefore, the proposed change does not involve a significant
reduction in a margin of safety.
The NRC staff has reviewed the licensee's analysis and, based on
this review, it appears that the three standards of 10 CFR 50.92(c) are
satisfied. Therefore, the NRC staff proposes to determine that the
license amendment request involves NSHC.
In accordance with 10 CFR 50.91(a)(6), where the Commission finds
that exigent circumstances exist, in that a licensee and the Commission
must act quickly and that time does not permit the Commission to
publish a Federal Register notice allowing 30 days for prior public
comment, and it also determines that the amendment involves NSHCs, it
can issue a Federal Register notice providing notice of an opportunity
for hearing and allowing at least two weeks from the date of the notice
for prior public comment. Therefore, in accordance with 10 CFR
50.91(a)(6)(i)(A), the NRC staff is providing a 14-day notice period
for public comment.
The NRC is seeking public comments on this proposed determination
that the license amendment request involves NHSC. Any comments received
within 14 days after the date of publication of this notice will be
considered in making any final determination.
Normally, the Commission will not issue the license amendment until
the expiration of the 14-day notice period. However, if circumstances
change during the notice period, such that failure to act in a timely
way would result, for example, in derating or shutdown of the facility,
the Commission may issue the license amendment before the expiration of
the notice period, provided that its final determination is that the
amendment involves NSHC. The final determination will consider all
public and State comments received. If the Commission takes this
action, it will publish in the Federal Register a notice of issuance.
The Commission expects that the need to take this action will occur
very infrequently.
III. 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 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).
If a hearing is requested, and the Commission has not made a final
determination on the issue of NSHC, the Commission will make a final
determination on the issue of NSHC, which will serve to establish when
the hearing is held. If the final determination is that the license
amendment request involves NSHC, the Commission may issue the amendment
and make it immediately effective, notwithstanding the request for a
hearing. Any hearing would take place after issuance of the amendment.
If the final determination is that the license amendment request
involves a
[[Page 55127]]
significant hazards consideration, then any hearing held would take
place before the issuance of the amendment unless the Commission finds
an imminent danger to the health or safety of the public, in which case
it will issue an appropriate order or rule under 10 CFR part 2.
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 designated 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
(https://www.nrc.gov/about-nrc/regulatory/adjudicatory/hearing.html#participate).
IV. 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
(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 their 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 their 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 (https://www.nrc.gov/site-help/e-submittals/getting-started.html). After a digital ID certificate is
obtained and a docket is created, the participant must submit
adjudicatory documents in the Portable Document Format. Guidance on
submissions is available on the NRC's public website (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 in order 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 (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 on the
NRC's public website (https://ehd.nrc.gov), unless otherwise 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.
For further details with respect to this action, see the
application for license amendment dated August 6, 2026 (ADAMS Accession
No. ML26218A279).
Attorney for licensee: Rachel L. Jackson-Owens, VP, Chief Legal
Officer, STP Nuclear Operating Company, P.O. Box 289, Wadsworth, TX
77483.
NRC Branch Chief: Hip[oacute]lito Gonz[aacute]lez.
Authority: 42 U.S.C. 2011 et seq.
Dated: August 24, 2026.
For the Nuclear Regulatory Commission.
Thomas Byrd,
Project Manager, Operating Reactor Licensing Branch 4, Division of
Licensing Project I, Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation.
[FR Doc. 2026-17408 Filed 8-25-26; 8:45 am]
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