Nuclear Regulators Redefine Cask Lids and Bodies in Rule Tweak
Published Date: 2/27/2025
Rule
Summary
The Nuclear Regulatory Commission is updating the rules for the NAC Multi-Purpose Canister system used to store spent nuclear fuel. They’re adding a new amendment and tweaking older ones to clearly separate rules for the canister’s concrete body and lid. These changes take effect May 13, 2025, and mainly affect companies managing nuclear fuel storage, with no big cost changes expected.
Analyzed Economic Effects
5 provisions identified: 3 benefits, 2 costs, 0 mixed.
Certificate change lets licensees use modified casks
The rule adds Amendment No. 9 and revises Amendment Nos. 6, 7, and 8 to Certificate of Compliance No. 1025 so that, when effective May 13, 2025, persons who hold a general license under 10 CFR 72.210 may load spent nuclear fuel into NAC-MPC systems that meet the new amendment and revisions. This allows power reactor licensees to store spent fuel at reactor sites in casks with the approved modifications under the general license.
New concrete-lid fabrication rules and 140 pcf density
The amendments distinguish the vertical concrete cask (VCC) body from the VCC lid and state that ACI 349 and ACI 318 govern design and construction only of the VCC body. New text adds fabrication requirements for the concrete in the VCC lid including the minimum concrete density of 140 pounds per cubic foot (pcf), allowable methods to measure density, and requirements for concrete mix, placement, and curing.
Six-month deadline to adopt the revised certificate
The NRC added a condition requiring general licensees to implement the revised Certificate of Compliance and perform written evaluations in accordance with 10 CFR 72.212(b)(5) within six months after the adopted revision (the effective date is May 13, 2025).
NRC finds no safety or environmental change
The NRC determined the amendments do not reflect a significant change in cask design or fabrication and that any occupational or offsite radiation exposures would remain within the limits in 10 CFR part 20. The NRC also found no significant environmental impact and issued a Finding of No Significant Impact.
No significant impact on small entities
Under the Regulatory Flexibility Act, the NRC certified that this direct final rule will not have a significant economic impact on a substantial number of small entities. The rule affects only nuclear power plant licensees and NAC International, Inc., which the NRC states do not fall within the definition of small entities.
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