[Federal Register: August 11, 1999 (Volume 64, Number 154)]
[Notices]               
[Page 43785]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr11au99-150]                         

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NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION

 
Standard Review Plan: Licensee Requests To Delay initiation of 
Decommissioning Activities

    NRC's ``Timeliness in Decommissioning of Materials Facility'' rule 
(hereafter the Timeliness Rule), became effective on August 15, 1994. 
The Timeliness Rule established the criteria necessary to avoid future 
problems resulting from delayed decommissioning of contaminated 
inactive facilities, separate buildings, and outdoor areas.
    In May 1996, the Nuclear Energy Institute (NEI) filed a petition 
for rulemaking to amend the Timeliness Rule to allow licensees to delay 
decommissioning and operate in a ``standby'' mode. NRC denied NEI's 
petition for rulemaking because the Timeliness Rule contains provisions 
which allow licensees to request delays or postponement of 
decommissioning, provided they can demonstrate that the delay is not 
detrimental to the public health and safety and is otherwise in the 
public interest. However, along with denying the petition, the 
Commission requested that NRC prepare guidance to identify the 
acceptance criteria necessary to demonstrate that postponement of 
decommissioning activities will not be detrimental to the public 
interest.
    In response to the Commission request, NRC has developed the draft 
Standard Review Plan (SRP) titled, ``Licensee Requests to Delay 
Initiation of Decommissioning Activities.'' NRC has posted the draft 
SRP on the internet (www.nrc.gov/NMSS/DWM/DECOM/decomm.htm) to provide 
interested parties an opportunity to review and comment on NRC's 
acceptance criteria necessary to demonstrate that postponement of 
decommissioning activities will not be detrimental to the public health 
and safety and is otherwise in the public interest. NRC will consider 
all comments received in finalizing the SRP for implementation.
    The draft SRP is available for inspection at the NRC's Public 
Document Room, 2120 L Street NW, Washington, DC 20555.

    Dated at Rockville, Maryland, this 2nd day of August 1999.

    For the Nuclear Regulatory Commission.
Larry W. Camper,
Chief, Decommissioning Branch, Division of Waste Management, Office of 
Nuclear Material Safety and Safeguards.
[FR Doc. 99-20684 Filed 8-10-99; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 7590-01-M