Federal Register #NRC-2026-2476

NRC Regulatory Amendment for Holtec HI-STORM Flood/Wind System Spent Fuel Storage Casks

This regulatory amendment from the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) updates requirements for spent nuclear fuel storage casks manufactured by Holtec International. - Government Buyer: - U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) - Office of Nuclear Material Safety and Safeguards - OEM Highlight: - Holtec International is the sole OEM affected by this amendment - Products/Systems Affected: - HI-STORM Flood/Wind (FW) System spent fuel storage casks - Specific canister models: MPC32ML, MPC37, MPC37P, MPC44, MPC89 - Certificate of Compliance (CoC) No. 1032, Amendment No. 10 - Key Regulatory Changes: - Introduction of the HI-STORM FW Extended Configuration - New methodology for site-specific loading patterns with higher heat-load limits - Incorporation of radiological fuel-qualification methodology - Reduced minimum cooling-time requirements for certain canister models - Refined missile-impact analysis methodology, allowing site-specific credit for the HI-TRAC VW water-jacket shell - Editorial clarifications to regulatory text - Notable Requirements: - Applies to nuclear power plant licensees storing spent nuclear fuel under a general license at reactor sites - Amendment applies to new casks fabricated and used under Amendment No. 10; existing users remain under previous amendments unless they opt in - No procurement of products or services is requested; this is a regulatory update impacting compliance and use of Holtec International's cask systems

Description

The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) is amending its spent fuel storage regulations by revising the Holtec International HI-STORM Flood/Wind (FW) System listing within the List of approved spent fuel storage casks to include Amendment No. 10 to Certificate of Compliance (CoC) No. 1032. Amendment No. 10 revises the CoC for the HI-STORM FW dry storage system to incorporate several enhancements including the introduction of the HI-STORM FW Extended Configuration, adoption of a methodology for developing site-specific loading patterns with higher allowable per-canister and per-cell heat-load limits, incorporation of a radiological fuel-qualification methodology, reduction of minimum cooling-time requirements for certain multi-purpose canister models, and refinement of the missile-impact analysis methodology to allow site-specific credit for the HI-TRAC VW water-jacket shell. The amendment also includes a minor editorial clarification. This direct final rule is effective October 6, 2026, unless significant adverse comments are received by August 24, 2026.

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