Federal Register #NRC20263895

NRC Exemption for Neutron Source Storage and Export License Renewal

This opportunity relates to regulatory actions by the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) concerning nuclear material storage and export licensing. - Government Buyer: - U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) - Office of Nuclear Material Safety and Safeguards - OEMs and Vendors: - Holtec International (manufacturer of HI-STORM 100S Version B dry storage system) - EnergySolutions Services Inc. (export licensee) - Southern Nuclear Operating Company (SNC) (facility operator) - Products/Services Requested: - Neutron Source Assembly (NSA), Californium-252 primary source, stored in multi-purpose canister MPC32 (serial MPC707) at Vogtle Units 1 & 2 - Export License Amendment and Renewal (XW018) for radioactive material export to Germany - Unique/Notable Requirements: - NRC exemption allows SNC to retain a single NSA in a peripheral basket cell, deviating from standard loading restrictions in Certificate of Compliance No. 1014, Amendment 11 for the HI-STORM 100S Version B system - Safety evaluation confirms compliance with criticality control, shielding, thermal performance, structural integrity, and confinement - The NSA has decayed for over 34 years, resulting in negligible neutron emission - EnergySolutions seeks a 10-year renewal and amendment of its export license, including an address update - No procurement of new products or services; this is a regulatory action and license renewal

Description

The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) has issued a one-time exemption to Southern Nuclear Operating Company (SNC) authorizing Vogtle Electric Generating Plant Units 1 and 2 to retain a single Neutron Source Assembly (NSA) in a peripheral basket cell within a multi-purpose canister (MPC-32, serial number MPC-707) at the Vogtle Independent Spent Fuel Storage Installation. This exemption deviates from the loading restrictions specified in Certificate of Compliance No. 1014, Amendment 11, for the HI-STORM 100S Version B dry storage system. The NRC's decision is based on SNC's safety evaluation demonstrating that the configuration continues to meet safety requirements for criticality control, shielding, thermal performance, structural integrity, and confinement.

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