In accordance with 5 CFR 1320, OMB is filing comment and withholding approval at this time. The agency shall examine public comment in response to the proposed rulemaking and will include in the supporting statement of the next ICRâwhich is to be submitted to OMB at the final rule stageâa description of how the agency has responded to any public comments on the ICR, including comments on maximizing the practical utility of the collection and minimizing the burden.
table that charts list comparision
Inventory as of this Action
Requested
Previously Approved
08/31/2020
08/31/2020
01/31/2021
1,075
0
1,075
243,854
0
243,854
2,485
0
2,485
PROPOSED RULE: Emergency Preparedness for Small Modular Reactors and Other New Technologies
The proposed rule would provide SMR, non-LWR, and NPUF applicants or licensees that are regulated by 10 CFR part 50 or 10 CFR part 52, the alternative to submit for NRC approval a performance-based EP program to include a scalable EPZ and licensee-defined performance objectives and metrics data. If the EP program is approved by the NRC, the proposed rule would require the applicants or licensees to develop and maintain at the beginning of each calendar quarter a list of performance objectives for that calendar quarter. Each licensee would also maintain records showing the implemented performance objectives and associated metrics during each calendar quarter for the previous eight calendar quarters. The reports and recordkeeping requirements allow the NRC to evaluate the adequacy of the proposed EP program for approval and to assess the ongoing adequacy once implemented. The recordkeeping requirements allow the NRC to determine whether to take actions, such as to conduct inspections or to alert other licensees to prevent similar events that may have generic implications. The information is also used to update information in the NRC Emergency Operations Center used in support of an NRC response to an actual emergency, drill, or exercise.
The proposed rule would allow applicants and licensees to reduce their emergency plan information collection requirements compared to the current framework based on the potential for smaller EPZs and the reduction in license amendments and exemptions. The submission of emergency plans to the NRC is required in order to allow the NRC to determine that the emergency plans and EP continue to provide reasonable assurance that adequate protective measures can and will be taken in the event of a radiological emergency.
The proposed rule would reduce the burden for the Part 52 information collection by 740 hours, from 243,854 hours to 243,114 hours.
The proposed ruleâs changes to 10 CFR Part 50 and Part 52 would affect 10 CFR Part 52 applicants during the period of this clearance. The annual estimated burden reduction due to the proposed rule is 740 hours covering one respondent annually (three respondents expected for the clearance period).
The proposed rule provides performance-based standards for planning and implementing. Having a performance-based framework compared to a deterministic framework that is prescribed in the CFR is expected to allow for fewer LARs as the performance-based program detailed requirements reside outside of the CFR. Therefore, if a licensee wanted to make changes to the detailed requirements, a license amendment request would not be required. However, this burden reduction is captured in the 10 CFR Part 50 supporting statement since LARs for both 10 CFR Part 50 and Part 52 licenses are submitted under 10 CFR 50.90.
The proposed rule would decrease the information collection burden for SMR and ONT licensees and applicants that would be permitted to have a performance-based EPZ less than 10 miles assuming they meet the proposed eligibility requirements. Under this proposed new alternative framework, a smaller EPZ could reside within the facilityâs site boundary, which would allow the licensee or applicant to forego the offsite emergency planning activities. The proposed rule also eliminates a predetermined ingestion response pathway EPZ (also known as IPZ). Therefore, the information collection would be reduced. Contrastingly, the current framework prescriptively requires a 50-mile IPZ and a 10-mile EPZ for plume exposure, which has similar planning activities but with the same or additional considerations, and typically requires offsite emergency planning activities. This estimated burden reduction from the proposed rule covers one 10 CFR Part 52 respondent annually.
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.
Part 52 EPSMR supporting statement REVISED.docx
10 CFR Part 52, Early Site Permits; Standard Design Certifications; and Combined Licenses for Nuclear Plants