Nuclear Plant Changes So Secret They Need Special Procedures
Published Date: 1/14/2025
Notice
Summary
The Nuclear Regulatory Commission is reviewing requests to update operating licenses for the Palo Verde Nuclear Generating Station’s three units. These changes are considered safe and won’t cause major hazards. If you want to comment or get involved, act fast—deadlines for comments and hearing requests are coming up soon, and some info is sensitive, so special access rules apply.
Analyzed Economic Effects
4 provisions identified: 0 benefits, 1 costs, 3 mixed.
Amendments may take effect quickly
The NRC has proposed a 'no significant hazards consideration' (NSHC) for the Palo Verde amendments, and could issue the amendments before the normal 60-day waiting period or before the 30-day comment period ends if it finds NSHC or if delay would cause derating or shutdown. If the NRC issues amendments early, any hearing would occur after issuance.
Special SUNSI access rules and tight timeline
If you believe you need access to Sensitive Unclassified Non-Safeguards Information (SUNSI) to prepare a contention, you must request access within 10 days of publication (by January 24, 2025 per the DATES) and include: (1) a description of the licensing action with a citation to this notice, (2) your name/address and particularized interest, and (3) the identity of who needs access and why public versions are insufficient. The NRC staff will decide within 10 days whether you likely have standing and a need for SUNSI; if granted, access may require a Non-Disclosure Agreement or Protective Order.
Public comment and hearing deadlines
You can submit comments on the Palo Verde license amendment request by February 13, 2025. If you want to request a hearing or intervene, you must file a hearing request or petition for leave to intervene by March 17, 2025.
Technical changes proposed for Palo Verde
The license amendment would revise safety injection tank (SIT) pressure bands in Technical Specifications Section 3.5.1 and 3.5.2 and would allow use of the GOTHIC code to calculate containment pressure and temperature response to postulated pipe breaks. The NRC has proposed these amendments as involving no significant hazards consideration (NSHC).
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