NRC Issues Final Environmental Study for Proposed Spent Nuclear Fuel Storage Facility in Andrews, Texas

Nuclear Regulatory Commission - News Release

No: 21-029 July 29, 2021

CONTACT: David McIntyre, 301-415-8200

NRC Issues Final Environmental Study for Proposed Spent Nuclear Fuel Storage Facility in Andrews, Texas

The Nuclear Regulatory Commission has issued its final environmental impact statement on an application by Interim Storage Partners, LLC, to construct and operate a consolidated interim storage facility for spent nuclear fuel in Andrews County, Texas. After considering the environmental impacts of the proposed action, the NRC staff recommend granting the proposed license.

Interim Storage Partners is a joint venture of Waste Control Specialists, LLC, and Orano CIS, LLC, a subsidiary of Orano USA, LLC. If granted, the license would authorize ISP to construct a facility to store up to 5,000 metric tons of spent commercial nuclear fuel as well as Greater-Than-Class C waste for a period of 40 years. ISP plans to expand the facility to a total capacity of 40,000 metric tons of spent fuel. The facility would be built adjacent to the Waste Control Specialists low-level radioactive waste disposal site.

The NRC published a draft environmental impact statement on the project in May 2020. Agency staff held four public meetings by webinar to present the draft findings and receive public comments. To complete the final document, the staff received and evaluated approximately 2,500 unique comments submitted by nearly 10,600 members of the public.

The NRC will provide the final environmental impact statement to the Environmental Protection Agency for filing. Once the EPA publishes in the Federal Register a notice that it has received the document, the NRC must wait at least 30 days before issuing a licensing decision. When it announces its licensing decision, the NRC will also publish its final safety evaluation report detailing its technical review of the ISP application.

More information about the NRC staff’s review of the Interim Storage Partners application is available on the NRC website.

21-029.pdf

NRC Launches Special Inspection at Davis-Besse Nuclear Power Plant

Nuclear Regulatory Commission - News Release
No: III-21-017 July 27, 2021
Contact: Viktoria Mitlyng, 630-829-9662 Prema Chandrathil, 630-829-9663

NRC Launches Special Inspection at Davis-Besse Nuclear Power Plant

The Nuclear Regulatory Commission has launched a special inspection at the Davis-Besse nuclear power plant that will focus on two separate issues: multiple diesel generator failures during testing and maintenance; and a complicated reactor trip on July 8.

The six-person inspection team will review the company’s response to each diesel generator failure, including the company’s cause analysis, extent of condition reviews, maintenance practices and system design. The team will also focus on the circumstances affecting the recent complicated automatic reactor shutdown, which was triggered by a turbine trip, assessing equipment performance and operator response.

In the past 24 months, Davis-Besse experienced four failures of emergency diesel generators to operate in accordance with specifications during NRC-required testing and one failure of a station blackout diesel generator during maintenance. Davis-Besse has two emergency diesel generators, which would provide emergency power during the loss of offsite power, and one station blackout diesel generator, which would provide power in case both emergency diesel generators failed. One diesel generator is sufficient to enable the plant to safely shut down and remain in a stable condition. Normal plant operations were not affected by the diesel failures during testing and maintenance, and public safety was maintained.

While the NRC was planning the special inspection on diesel failures, Davis-Besse experienced an unplanned reactor trip. During the plant’s response to the trip, certain pieces of equipment did not function as designed. Operators took action to address the equipment issues, and the reactor was shut down safely and placed in a stable condition. After making the necessary repairs, the reactor returned to power. Based on the complications of the trip, the agency chose to expand the special inspection to better understand equipment performance issues and operator response.

Upon completion of the special inspection, NRC inspectors will document their findings on both issues in a publicly available inspection report, which will be distributed electronically to listserv subscribers and be available on theNRC website.

The plant, located in Oak Harbor, Ohio, is operated by Energy Harbor Corp.

21-017-iii.pdf

Peach Bottom LER Safety Relief Valve Inoperable

Hello Eric, This placed into ADAMS today of May 18, 2921 Event. N2 MJK ML21196A485 https://adamswebsearch2.nrc.gov/webSearch2/main.jsp?AccessionNumber=ML21196A485  Document Title:  LER 2-2021-002-00 for Peach Bottom Atomic Power Station, Unit 2, Safety Relief Valve Inoperability Due to Nitrogen Leakage from Braided Hose Wear Document Type:  Letter Licensee Event Report (LER) Document Date:  07/16/2021

 

Three Mile Island: Three Mile Island Nuclear Generating Station - Unit 1 - NRC Independent Spent Fuel Storage Security Inspection Report No. 07200077/2021401

Three Mile Island:  Three Mile Island Nuclear Generating Station - Unit 1 - NRC Independent Spent Fuel Storage Security Inspection Report No. 07200077/2021401

ML21194A076

TMI I INI ISFSI 2021401_signed.pdf

TAKE ACTION NOW: Who's Protecting Us? Stop environmental exclusions

Dear Diane, Who's protecting us from the dangers of nuclear energy and radioactive waste?   NOT the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC)!!! NRC is trying to make over a dozen actions that could endanger people and the environment exempt from environmental and safety reviews. That means NRC could approve projects that affect our health while ignoring the impacts—and preventing communities from even having a say.   Tell NRC: Protect our health and safety—no environmental exemption These are just a few of the bad ideas the Nuclear Regulatory Commission is trying to exempt from environmental and safety reviews: Deregulating nuclear wast to make radioactive belt buckles, baby toys, and building supplies Nuclear waste casks that are not designed for real-world storage and transport conditions Uranium mills, nuclear power reactors, and other nuclear sites closed and released without environmental review Review of funds needed for decommissioning nuclear power reactors, irradiated (“spent”) fuel storage, and nuclear fuel facilities Excluding uranium mills, nuclear sites, radioactive wastes, and more from environmental and safety regulations Take Action Now NRC is only accepting comments from the public until July 21.  Weigh in NOW to STOP more deregulation, exemptions and exclusions from nuclear regulations! Thanks for all you do! The NIRS Team Diane D’Arrigo Denise Jakobsberg Tim Judson Ann McCann Hannah Smay  Donate Connect with us! Nuclear Information and Resource Service 6930 Carroll Avenue Suite 340 | Takoma Park, Maryland 20912 3012706477 | nirs@nirs.org | nirs.org Having trouble viewing this email? View it in your web browser

REPORT: $50 BILLION NUCLEAR BAILOUT WOULD UNDERMINE BIDEN CLIMATE AND INFRASTRUCTURE GOALS

REPORT: $50 BILLION NUCLEAR BAILOUT WOULD UNDERMINE BIDEN
CLIMATE AND INFRASTRUCTURE GOALS

Economic Analysis Shows $10-50 Billion In Proposed Nuclear Subsidies Would Subvert Biden’s Infrastructure Plans; Best Investment for Jobs, Climate and the Economy is in Rapid Transition to Renewable Energy and Smart Electricity Grid, According to Expert

For immediate release_ Cooper Report.docx

PA DEP News Release : Environmental Quality Board Adopts Final CO2 Budget Trading Program Rulemaking

DEP Newsroom

COMMONWEALTH OF PENNSYLVANIA

Dept. of Environmental Protection
Commonwealth News Bureau
Room 308, Main Capitol Building
Harrisburg PA., 17120

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

07/13/2021

CONTACT:

Jamar Thrasher, DEP

717-319-1758

 

Environmental Quality Board Adopts Final CO2 Budget Trading Program Rulemaking

Board adopts RGGI regulation by vote of 15 to 4

Harrisburg, PA – Today, members of Pennsylvania’s Environmental Quality Board (EQB), voted to adopt the final-form rulemaking of the multistate CO2 budget trading program, also known as the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI), a regional CO2 Budget Trading Program. The vote was 15 to 4.

“This is a milestone in helping Pennsylvanians get one step closer to combating the ills of climate change,” said DEP Secretary Patrick McDonnell.

Pennsylvania’s participation in RGGI would establish a program to limit CO2 emissions from fossil fuel-fired electric power plants located in Pennsylvania. Emissions of CO2 is a greenhouse gas and is a major contributor to climate change, which is detrimental to public health and welfare in Pennsylvania. Following this EQB meeting, the next step in the regulatory process is review by the Independent Regulatory Review Commission (IRRC).

Pennsylvania has the fifth leading CO2 emitting electricity generation sector in the United States, and RGGI is a significant component in achieving Pennsylvania’s goals to reduce net GHG emissions from 2005 levels by 26% by 2025 and 80% by 2050.

RGGI is a “cap and invest” program that sets a regulatory limit on CO2 emissions from fossil fuel-fired electric generating units (EGU) and permits trading of CO2 allowances to effect cost efficient compliance with the regulatory limit. RGGI provides a ''two-prong'' approach to reducing CO2 emissions from fossil fuel-fired EGUs. The first prong is a declining CO2 emissions budget and the second prong involves investment of the proceeds resulting from the auction of CO2 allowances to further reduce CO2 emissions. Each participating state establishes its own annual CO2 emissions budget which sets the total amount of CO2 emitted from fossil fuel-fired EGUs in a year.

This final-form rulemaking is authorized under the Air Pollution Control Act (APCA), which grants the Board the authority to adopt rules and regulations for the prevention, control, reduction, and abatement of air pollution in Pennsylvania. This final-form rulemaking would effectuate least cost CO2 emission reductions for the years 2022 through 2030.

What is commonly referred to as the ''RGGI cap'' on emissions is a reference to the total of all the state CO2 emissions budgets. This final-form rulemaking includes a declining annual CO2 emissions budget, which starts at 78 million tons in 2022 and ends at 58 million tons in 2030. This is anticipated to reduce CO2 emissions in Pennsylvania by 31% compared to 2019. The declining annual CO2 emissions budget is equivalent to the CO2 allowance budget, which is the number of CO2 allowances available each year.

Spinco: Exelon's Opposition to EDF and TMI-Alert's Petitions

Exelon Answer Opposing EDF Hearing Request.pdf

Exelon Answer Opposing Epstein and TMIA Hearing Request.pdf

TMI-2's Answer to TMIA's Motion on Water Use at Three Mile Island

TMI-2 SOLUTIONS, LLC’S ANSWER OPPOSING THREE MILE ISLAND ALERT’S PETITION FOR RECONSIDERATION OF CLI-21-08

Answer to TMIA Petition for Reconsideration (07.12.21).pdf

[decomm_wkg] FRN Re: Categorical Exclusions from Environmental Review

Dated 4/30/2021 Docketed 5/10/2021
Categorical Exclusions from Environmental Review
N2
Michael J.  Keegan
Don't Waste Michigan

ML21028A663
https://adamswebsearch2.nrc.gov/webSearch2/main.jsp?AccessionNumber=ML21028A663 

Document Title:    Federal Register Notice Re: Categorical Exclusions from Environmental Review
Document Type:    Federal Register NoticeRulemaking- Proposed Rule
Document Date:    04/30/2021

Summary of June 15, 2021, Meeting with Exelon Generation Company, LLC Vessel Nozzle Repair Related To A Planned Request For An Alternative Related To Reactor Pressure (EPID L-2021-LRM-0056)

Subject:  Summary of June 15, 2021, Meeting with Exelon Generation Company, LLC Vessel Nozzle Repair Related To A Planned Request For An Alternative Related To Reactor Pressure (EPID L-2021-LRM-0056)

ADAMS Accession No. ML21176A082

ML21176A082.pdf

NRC Begins Environmental Justice Review of Agency Programs

 Nuclear Regulatory Commission - News Release

No: 21-027 July 8, 2021

CONTACT: David McIntyre, 301-415-8200

NRC Begins Environmental Justice Review of Agency Programs

The Nuclear Regulatory Commission is conducting a systematic review of how the agency’s programs, policies and activities address environmental justice. As part of the review, agency staff will seek public comment related to how the NRC addresses environmental justice, given its mission of protecting people and the environment.

“We anticipate that these meetings will invite a wide range of useful perspectives, from community groups, non-governmental organizations, labor unions, and nuclear power plant operators,” said NRC Chairman Christopher T. Hanson. “What we learn will help enhance the staff’s reviews of license applications and other activities that we regulate.”

The Commission directed the review in a staff requirements memorandum dated April 23, giving the staff nine months to conduct the review. An Environmental Justice Review Team has been established within the NRC Office of the Executive Director for Operations and has begun reviewing recent Executive Orders and assessing practices of other federal, state and tribal governments. The team will also review the adequacy of the NRC’s 2004 Policy Statement on the Treatment of Environmental Justice Matters in NRC Regulatory and Licensing Actions. The team will evaluate whether the NRC should incorporate environmental justice beyond implementation through the National Environmental Policy Act, as set out in the policy statement, and consider whether there may be benefits from establishing formal mechanisms to gather external stakeholder input.

The Environmental Justice Review Team will hold two public meetings by webinar July 15 to provide an overview of its review and receive public comment. The webinars will be held from 1:30-3p.m. and 8-9:30p.m., both Eastern Time. Details for accessing the webinars are available in the public meetings notices linked above.

A notice will be published on July 9 in the Federal Register asking specific questions to inform the team’s review and describing other means to provide public comment.

21-027.pdf

PA DEP News Release : ADVISORY – JULY 13 – HARRISBURG – Environmental Quality Board to Consider Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative Final Regulation

COMMONWEALTH OF PENNSYLVANIA

Dept. of Environmental Protection

Commonwealth News Bureau

Room 308, Main Capitol Building

Harrisburg PA., 17120

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

07/8/2021

CONTACT:

Jamar Thrasher, DEP

717-787-1323

 

ADVISORY – JULY 13 – HARRISBURG – Environmental Quality Board to Consider Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative Final Regulation

Harrisburg, PA – The Pennsylvania Environmental Quality Board will hold a meeting on Tuesday July 13, 2021 to consider the final form rulemaking for Pennsylvania to take part in the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI). The meeting will be held at 9:00 AM and will be streamed at pacast.com/live/dep. The Rachel Carson State Office Building remains closed to the public.

The final RGGI regulation takes into account the thousands of comments received across 10 virtual public hearings and 60 day comment period. The final version of the regulation, along with supporting documents, can be found at dep.pa.gov/rggi under “Consideration of Final Rulemaking: CO2 Budget Trading Program (25 Pa. Code Chapter 145).”

Benefits of the regulation, if enacted, include:

• Less air pollution – RGGI would eliminate more than 188 million tons of carbon pollution over 10 years

• Improved health by preventing $6.3 billion of health care costs due to cleaner air

• Up to 30,000 new jobs created and an increase in Gross State Product by $2 billion

More information about RGGI and Pennsylvania can be found at dep.pa.gov/rggi

WHAT: Environmental Quality Board Meeting

WHEN: Tuesday, July 13, 2021, at 9:00 AM

WHERE: Streaming at pacast.com/live/dep

New Mexico Congressional Delegation, Governor Send Letter To Energy Secretary Opposing Nuclear Waste Interim Site

 Sen. Heinrich & Lujan, new Rep. Melanie Stansbury, and Gov. Lujan Grisham to DOE Secretary Granholm:

We are strongly opposed to the interim storage of spent nuclear fuel (SNF) and high-level waste (HLW) in New Mexico.

Letter attached.

New post on Los Alamos Reporter

Congressional Delegation, Governor Send Letter To Energy Secretary Opposing Nuclear Waste Interim Site by Los Alamos Reporter CONGRESSIONAL DELEGATION NEWS U.S. Senators Martin Heinrich and Ben Ray Luján, and U.S. Representative Melanie Stansbury and New Mexico Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham sent a letter to U.S. Department of Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm opposing the interim storage of spent nuclear fuel (SNF) and high-level waste (HLW) in New Mexico. “We are strongly opposed to the interim storage of spent nuclear fuel (SNF) and high-level waste (HLW) in New Mexico.  There is currently no permanent disposal strategy for SNF and HLW in place at the Department of Energy.  This leaves us extremely concerned that ‘interim’ storage sites with initial 40-year leases, like one proposed for Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) licensing in New Mexico, will become the country’s de facto permanent nuclear waste storage facilities.  We cannot accept that result,” they wrote. There are currently two pending applications before the NRC for licenses to construct and operate consolidated interim storage facilities (CISFs) - one in Andrews, Texas, and one in Lea County, New Mexico.  “Without a strategy in place at the Department of Energy for permanent waste disposal, any CISF constructed in or near New Mexico could become a waste storage site that is, in essence, permanent.  New Mexico has not and will not consent to such a situation,” they continued. The New Mexico lawmakers cautioned that, “We cannot repeat such harms by establishing interim nuclear waste storage sites, especially without a permanent waste disposal strategy.  We would welcome collaborative work to establish a coherent, consent-based federal policy on managing and disposing of SNF and HLW, and look forward to engaging in that work with you.”   Last month, Senator Heinrich raised his concerns about interim storage directly with Secretary Granholm during a Senate Energy and Natural Resources hearing to review the President’s Fiscal Year 2022 budget request for the U.S. Department of Energy. The full text of the letter is available here and below: Dear Secretary Granholm, We are strongly opposed to the interim storage of spent nuclear fuel (SNF) and high-level waste (HLW) in New Mexico.  There is currently no permanent disposal strategy for SNF and HLW in place at the Department of Energy.  This leaves us extremely concerned that “interim” storage sites with initial 40-year leases, like one proposed for Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) licensing in New Mexico, will become the country’s de facto permanent nuclear waste storage facilities.  We cannot accept that result.   As you have recognized, the consent of those affected is a critical component of any approach to nuclear waste storage.  There are currently two pending applications before the NRC for licenses to construct and operate consolidated interim storage facilities (CISFs) - one in Andrews, Texas, and one in Lea County, New Mexico.  Without a strategy in place at the Department of Energy for permanent waste disposal, any CISF constructed in or near New Mexico could become a waste storage site that is, in essence, permanent.  New Mexico has not and will not consent to such a situation.  New Mexico is proud to host Los Alamos and Sandia National Laboratories and the Waste Isolation Pilot Plant.  The people of New Mexico have long been at the forefront of our national security mission and the discovery of nuclear science and technologies.  Unfortunately, in some cases, this has resulted in situations that have harmed the health and wellbeing of New Mexicans. We cannot repeat such harms by establishing interim nuclear waste storage sites, especially without a permanent waste disposal strategy.  We would welcome collaborative work to establish a coherent, consent-based federal policy on managing and disposing of SNF and HLW, and look forward to engaging in that work with you.

Letter to Sec. Granholm-Nuclear Waste and Holtec.pdf

Petition for Reconsideration, TMI-2 License Transfer, (Docket No. 50-320 LT, July 1, 2021)

 Petition for Reconsdieration, Docket No. 50-320 LT, TMI-2, July 1, 2021).pdf