Federal Register #2026-08219

NRC Exemption for MAGNASTOR Canisters and License Renewal for H.B. Robinson Nuclear Plant

This regulatory notice from the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) addresses exemptions and license renewals for nuclear fuel storage and reactor operation: - Government Buyer: - U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) - Offices: Office of Nuclear Material Safety and Safeguards; Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation - OEMs and Vendors: - NAC International (MAGNASTOR storage system) - 3M (neutron absorber panels) - Products/Services Requested: - MAGNASTOR Transportable Storage Canisters (TSCs) for dry storage of spent nuclear fuel - Part numbers: MAGTSC418155, MAGTSC418156, MAGTSC418157, MAGTSC418158, MAGTSC418159, MAGTSC418160, MAGTSC418161, MAGTSC418162, MAGTSC418166, MAGTSC418167 - Quantity: 10 canisters (1 already loaded, 9 to be loaded) - Subsequent Renewed Facility Operating License No. DPR23 for H.B. Robinson Steam Electric Plant, Unit 2 (service authorization) - Unique or Notable Requirements: - Exemption allows storage and loading of TSCs that do not meet all specifications in Certificate of Compliance No. 1031, Amendment No. 15, due to a fabrication deficiency in neutron absorber panels supplied by 3M and installed by NAC International - NRC determined the exemption is legally authorized and does not compromise safety or security - License renewal authorizes continued operation of H.B. Robinson Steam Electric Plant, Unit 2 at up to 2,339 MW thermal - Places of Performance and Key Locations: - Catawba Nuclear Station Independent Spent Fuel Storage Installation (South Carolina) - H.B. Robinson Steam Electric Plant, Unit 2 (Hartsville, South Carolina) - NRC Headquarters and Commissioners Hearing Room (Rockville, Maryland) - No procurement or contract award is announced; this is a regulatory exemption and license renewal notice.

Description

The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) issued an exemption to Duke Energy Carolinas, LLC, permitting Catawba Nuclear Station to maintain one loaded transportable storage canister (TSC) and to load nine new TSCs in the MAGNASTOR storage system at the CNS Units 1 and 2 independent spent fuel storage installation. This exemption allows storage beginning July 6, 2026, in a condition where the terms, conditions, and specifications in the Certificate of Compliance No. 1031, Amendment No. 15, are not met due to a fabrication deficiency in neutron absorber panels. The NRC concluded that the exemption is authorized by law, will not endanger life or property or the common defense and security, and is otherwise in the public interest.

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