Overview
Title
Monthly Notice; Applications and Amendments to Facility Operating Licenses and Combined Licenses Involving No Significant Hazards Considerations
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ELI5 AI
The Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) is letting people know that they are making small changes to nuclear plant rules that are safe and don’t need big meetings. People can share their thoughts about these changes through internet comments until early next year.
Summary AI
The Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) has issued a regular monthly notice under the Atomic Energy Act, allowing amendments to nuclear facility licenses that pose no significant hazards. The period covered for these amendments is from November 7, 2024, to December 5, 2024. The public can comment on these amendments until January 22, 2025, and request hearings until February 21, 2025. For additional information and to make comments, the NRC encourages using electronic submissions through the federal rulemaking website.
Abstract
Pursuant to section 189a.(2) of the Atomic Energy Act of 1954, as amended (the Act), the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) is publishing this regular monthly notice. The Act requires the Commission to publish notice of any amendments issued, or proposed to be issued, and grants the Commission the authority to issue and make immediately effective any amendment to an operating license or combined license, as applicable, upon a determination by the Commission that such amendment involves no significant hazards consideration (NSHC), notwithstanding the pendency before the Commission of a request for a hearing from any person
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AnalysisAI
The document from the Federal Register details the Nuclear Regulatory Commission's (NRC) monthly notice involving amendments to facility operating licenses and combined licenses related to nuclear reactors. These amendments are those considered to have no significant hazards. The issuance or proposal of these amendments took place from November 7, 2024, to December 5, 2024. This notice allows the public to comment on these amendments until January 22, 2025, and to request hearings until February 21, 2025. The NRC encourages electronic submissions for comments to be made efficiently.
General Summary
In essence, the document provides a procedural update on how the NRC manages amendments to nuclear facility licenses that are deemed to not significantly impact hazards. The notice is part of the NRC's regulatory obligations under the Atomic Energy Act of 1954. Through this notice, the NRC communicates the issuance of such amendments and provides a timeline for public interaction, including comments and requests for hearings.
Significant Issues or Concerns
A significant challenge presented by the notice is the use of complex regulatory language and references to the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR). For individuals not versed in legal or technical terminology, this might render the document difficult to understand. Moreover, the reliance on electronic submissions for comments and access to related documents via online platforms could disadvantage individuals without reliable internet access. While the document does mention that exemptions from electronic filing are possible, it lacks clear criteria for establishing what constitutes 'good cause' for such exemptions.
Impact on the Public
This document can broadly impact the public by shaping the regulatory environment surrounding nuclear safety, which is of significant public interest. Ensuring that nuclear facilities operate without increasing hazards is a concern for both safety and environmental standards. Public participation is encouraged through comments and hearings, but barriers such as technological access and complex legal jargon may limit effective public input.
Impact on Specific Stakeholders
For stakeholders such as nuclear facility operators, this notice outlines essential regulatory expectations and deadlines for obtaining necessary amendments to licenses. By simplifying the process for amendments deemed to pose no significant hazards, operators may benefit from reduced administrative delays. Environmental groups and public advocacy organizations may find it crucial to engage during the comment and hearing period, as these are opportunities to influence regulatory decisions that might affect public health or environmental safety.
The notice also impacts state and local governments, and federally recognized Indian Tribes, by affording them opportunities to intervene or participate non-contentiously. For these parties, the document sets administrative timelines and details the procedural avenues available for participation.
Overall, while the notice fulfills its regulatory role, the barriers posed by complex language and an assumption of internet access could detract from its accessibility to the intended public audience.
Issues
• The document uses complex regulatory language and references to specific Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) sections that might be difficult for laypersons to understand.
• The document refers to several URLs, and reliance on electronic submissions and access might exclude individuals without internet access.
• The document mentions potential exemptions for electronic filing but does not specify what constitutes 'good cause,' which could lead to unclear application criteria.