Radioactive Material Decommissioning Planning [42 Pa.B. 2103]
[Saturday, April 14, 2012]On June, 17, 2011, the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) published a final rule on ''decommissioning planning'' at 76 FR 35512 (June 17, 2011). This rule amends sections of 10 CFR Parts 20, 30, 40, 50, 70 and 72. The final rule is effective on December 17, 2012, for the Commonwealth and NRC radioactive materials users licensed under the previously noted regulations. Those NRC licensees subject to 10 CFR Part 50, compliance with the reporting provisions in 10 CFR 50.82(a)(8)(v) and (vii) (relating to termination of license), is required by March 31, 2013.
The NRC final rule is designed to improve decommissioning planning and prevent future ''legacy sites'' with insufficient funds for facility or site clean-up by requiring licensees to minimize the introduction of residual radioactivity at their sites during operations. A legacy site is a facility with an owner who cannot complete complex decommissioning work for technical or financial reasons.
Further, the final rule will require licensees to report additional details in their decommissioning cost estimate, eliminate the escrow account and line of credit as approved financial assurance mechanisms and modify other financial assurance requirements.
As an NRC Agreement State, the Commonwealth incorporates by reference most NRC regulations related to radiation protection and the licensing of byproduct material, source material and small quantities of special nuclear material. These reference citations are found throughout 25 Pa. Code Subpart D, Article V (relating to radiological health). Therefore, this final NRC rule will take effect for Commonwealth licensees on the same date as NRC licensees, December 17, 2012.
For additional information on radioactive material decommissioning, individuals may contact the Bureau of Radiation Protection at (717) 787-2480 or RA-EPDecommissioning@pa.gov. Persons in need of accommodations as provided for in the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 should contact the Department of Environmental Protection (Department) directly at (717) 787-2480 or through the Pennsylvania AT&T Relay Service at (800) 654-5984 (TDD) to discuss how the Department may accommodate their needs.
MICHAEL L. KRANCER,
Secretary[Pa.B. Doc. No. 12-659. Filed for public inspection April 13, 2012, 9:00 a.m.]
