Federal Register #NRC-2025-0677

NRC Regulatory Actions: UF6 Transport Exemption, ASME OM-2 Code Endorsement, and Palo Verde License Transfer Review

This summary covers recent actions and regulatory updates from the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC): - Government Buyer: - U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC), Office of Nuclear Material Safety and Safeguards - OEMs and Vendors Mentioned: - American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME) (OEM for OM-2 Code) - Urenco USA (UF6 cylinder user/holder) - Products/Services Requested or Approved: - Exemption granted for domestic transport of 40 to 50 30B cylinders of uranium hexafluoride (UF6), enriched between 5 and 10 wt. percent U235 - Each cylinder: up to 2,277 kg UF6 - Transported using DN30 transportation package (Certificate of Compliance No. 9362, Revision No. 5) - Issuance of Regulatory Guide 1.220, endorsing ASME OM-2 Code (2024 Edition) for component testing at nuclear facilities - Consideration of indirect license transfer for Palo Verde Nuclear Generating Station Units 1, 2, and 3 - Unique or Notable Requirements: - NRC formally endorses the ASME OM-2 Code as the standard for Inservice Testing (IST) Programs at nuclear facilities - Exemption for UF6 transport is limited to 2026-2027 and applies only to cylinders enriched above 5% but below 10% U235 - Regulatory Guide 1.220 is open for public comment for 30 days after issuance - License transfer application for Palo Verde is under review, with public comment and hearing request periods - No procurement of commercial products or services is being solicited; actions are regulatory and approval-based

Description

The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) is issuing Regulatory Guide (RG) 1.220, Revision 0, which endorses the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME) Operation and Maintenance OM-2 Code, Component Testing Requirements at Nuclear Facilities, 2024 Edition. This guide provides an acceptable approach for the development and implementation of an Inservice Testing (IST) Program for all types of nuclear facilities. The guide is effective on June 4, 2026, with a 30-day post-promulgation comment period ending July 6, 2026. Comments and suggestions are encouraged at any time, although the formal comment period closes on July 6, 2026.

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