FINAL RULE: GENERIC ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT STATEMENT FOR LICENSING OF NEW NUCLEAR REACTORS
The current submission is a request for a new clearance number, to be discontinued once the burden and associated information collections can be transferred into 3150-0021 (10 CFR Part 51). The final rule amends the regulations that govern the NRC's environmental reviews of new nuclear reactor applications under NEPA. The NRC's regulations in §â51.45, âEnvironmental report,â require each applicant to prepare and submit an environmental report which includes, among other things, a description of the proposed action, a statement of its purposes, a description of the environment affected, and a discussion of the environmental impacts of the proposed action and alternatives. The rulemaking codifies the generic findings of NUREG-2249, âGeneric Environmental Impact Statement for Licensing of New Nuclear Reactorsâ (NR GEIS), which presents impact analyses for the environmental issues common to many new nuclear reactors that can be addressed generically, thereby eliminating the need to repeatedly reproduce the same analyses each time a licensing application is submitted. The rule reduces burden on an applicant based on potential simplifications in the environmental report that an applicant must submit to the NRC associated with a new nuclear reactor licensing application. The applicantâs environmental report must assess the environmental impacts of constructing and operating a new nuclear reactor and of alternatives that meet the purpose and need. The applicant is not required to assess the environmental impacts of NR GEIS Category 1 issues (i.e., issues for which a generic analysis is possible) if (1) the applicant has demonstrated that its project is bounded by the applicable nuclear power plant parameter envelope and site parameter envelope values and assumptions, and (2) the applicant has not identified any new and significant information that would change the conclusions in the NR GEIS. If a value or assumption is not met or bounded, then the applicant may be able to limit its analysis to just the impact of not meeting the value or assumption. Similarly, if the applicant identifies new and significant information that would change the conclusions in this NR GEIS, then the applicant may be able to limit its analysis to just the impact of the new and significant information.
Due to ROCIS limitations for new clearances, the burden worksheet shows an increase of one hour and one response; however, burden for the 10 CFR Part 51 information collection will be reduced by 53,788 hours. The NR GEIS and associated rulemaking incorporate text to improve the effectiveness and efficiency of the environmental review for new nuclear reactor applications by codifying the NR GEIS findings in Table C 1 in Appendix C to Subpart A of 10 CFR Part 51. Improving the effectiveness and efficiency of new nuclear reactor environmental reviews will reduce the cost to industry in preparing environmental reports for new nuclear reactor applications and focuses resources on project specific analyses.
On behalf of this Federal agency, I certify that the collection of information encompassed by this request complies with 5 CFR 1320.9 and the related provisions of 5 CFR 1320.8(b)(3).
The following is a summary of the topics, regarding the proposed collection of information, that the certification covers:
(i) Why the information is being collected;
(ii) Use of information;
(iii) Burden estimate;
(iv) Nature of response (voluntary, required for a benefit, or mandatory);
(v) Nature and extent of confidentiality; and
(vi) Need to display currently valid OMB control number;
If you are unable to certify compliance with any of these provisions, identify the item by leaving the box unchecked and explain the reason in the Supporting Statement.
Regulatory Analysis-Generic Environmental Impact Statement for Licensing of New Nuclear Reactors Final Rule (RIN 3150-AK55; NRC-2020-0101)_3-24-26.docx
Information collections for 10 CFR Part 51 contained in Generic Environmental Impact Statement for Licensing of New Nuclear Reactors final rule