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NRC | RIN: 3150-AI42 | Publication ID: 2012 |
Title: Environmental Effect of Renewing the Operating License of a Nuclear Power Plant [NRC-2008-0608] | |
Abstract: The proposed rule would amend the Commission's regulations that provide the environmental protection requirements for renewing nuclear power plant operating licenses. The regulations require that licensees consider the impact that the licensing action could have on the human environment. | |
Agency: Nuclear Regulatory Commission(NRC) | Priority: Other Significant |
RIN Status: Previously published in the Unified Agenda | Agenda Stage of Rulemaking: Final Rule Stage |
Major: No | Unfunded Mandates: No |
CFR Citation: 10 CFR 51 | |
Legal Authority: 42 USC 2201 42 USC 5841 |
Legal Deadline:
None |
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Statement of Need: The Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) is amending its environmental protection regulations by updating the Commission's 1996 findings on the environmental effect of renewing the operating license of a nuclear power plant. The rule redefines the number and scope of the environmental impact issues which must be addressed by the NRC during license renewal environmental reviews. The rule also incorporates lessons learned and knowledge gained from license renewal environmental reviews conducted by the NRC since 1996. |
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Summary of the Legal Basis: NRC's environmental protection regulations are in 10 CFR part 51, and implement section 102(2) of the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA). |
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Alternatives: The alternative to this rulemaking is to do nothing. The NRC would not amend certain provisions of 10 CFR part 51 relating to the renewal of nuclear power plant licensees, including Table B-1, "Summary of Findings on NEPA Issues for License Renewal of Nuclear Power Plants." The NRC would continue to rely on the findings set forth in the current Table B 1 when evaluating the scope and magnitude of environmental impacts of renewing the operating license for a nuclear power plant. This is not the optimal regulatory approach and not consistent with the NRC's principles of good regulation. The NRC sees benefit in pursuing a rulemaking that both updates and re-evaluates the potential environmental impacts arising from the renewal of an operating license for a nuclear power reactor for an additional twenty years. This rulemaking improves the efficiency of the license renewal process by identifying and assessing impacts that are expected to be generic (the same or similar) at all nuclear power plants (or plants with specific plant or site characteristics), and defining the number and scope of environmental impact issues that need to be addressed in plant-specific supplemental environmental impact statements. Lessons learned and knowledge gained during previous environmental reviews provided a significant source of new information for this rulemaking (including changes to Federal laws). For example, the rulemaking would now require applicants to evaluate the potential impact to groundwater quality from the discharge of radionuclides from plant systems, piping, and tanks. |
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Anticipated Costs and Benefits: A detailed regulatory analysis was published with the proposed rule, and can be accessed in ADAMS at ML090260568. |
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Risks: There are no safety risks associated with the environmental review for renewal of nuclear power plant operating licenses. The NRC has determined that the promulgation of this rulemaking is a procedural action as it pertains to the procedures for filing and reviewing applications for renewals of licenses. |
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Timetable:
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Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: No | Government Levels Affected: None |
Small Entities Affected: No | |
Included in the Regulatory Plan: Yes | |
RIN Data Printed in the FR: No | |
Agency Contact: Stewart Schneider Nuclear Regulatory Commission Office of Nuclear Material Safety and Safeguards, Washington, DC 20555-0001 Phone:301 415-4123 Email: stewart.schneider@nrc.gov |