Proposed Rules. Notice of availability of preliminary proposed rule language and public meeting

Agency: Nuclear Regulatory Commission
Action: Notice of availability of preliminary proposed rule language and public meeting
Citation: FR Doc. 2011-10711 · RIN 3150-AI92 · NRC-2011-0012 · 10 CFR 61

Summary

The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) is proposing to amend its regulations to require low-level radioactive waste disposal facilities to conduct site-specific analyses to demonstrate compliance with the performance objectives. While the existing regulatory requirements are adequate to protect public health and safety, these amendments would enhance the safe disposal of low-level radioactive waste. The NRC is proposing additional changes to the regulations to reduce ambiguity, facilitate implementation, and to better align the requirements with current health and safety standards. In addition, the NRC is making available the rulemaking's associated regulatory basis documents. The NRC will conduct a public meeting on May 18, 2011, to discuss the preliminary proposed rule language and its associated regulatory basis documents. The availability of the preliminary proposed rule language and its associated regulatory basis documents are intended to inform stakeholders of the current status of the NRC's activities and solicit early public comments.

Dates

Comments on the preliminary proposed rule language and the regulatory basis documents should be postmarked no later than June 18, 2011. Comments received after this date will be considered if it is practical to do so, but the NRC is able to assure consideration only for comments received on or before this date. See SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION section for public meeting information.

Supplementary Information

Discussion The NRC is proposing to amend its regulations to require low-level radioactive waste disposal facilities to conduct site-specific analyses to demonstrate compliance with the performance objectives in Title 10 of the Code of Federal Regulations (10 CFR) part 61. The purpose of these amendments would be to enhance the safe disposal of low-level radioactive waste. The NRC is also proposing additional changes to the regulations in 10 CFR part 61 to reduce ambiguity, facilitate implementation, and to better align the requirements with current health and safety standards. The NRC is making available a preliminary version of the proposed rule language and its associated regulatory basis documents to inform stakeholders of the current status of this proposed rulemaking. The NRC is inviting stakeholders to comment on the preliminary proposed rule language and its associated regulatory basis documents. The preliminary proposed rule language may be subject to additional significant revisions during the rulemaking process prior to publication for formal comment as a proposed rule. The NRC will review and consider any comments received on the preliminary proposed rule language and regulatory basis documents; however, the NRC will not formally respond to comments. As appropriate, the Statements of Consideration for the proposed rule may briefly discuss any substantive changes made to the proposed rule language as a result of comments received on this preliminary version. Stakeholders will also have an additional opportunity to comment on the rule language when it is published as a proposed rule in accordance with the provisions of the Administrative Procedures Act. The NRC will respond to any such comments in the Statements of Consideration for the final rule. The NRC may post updates to the preliminary rule language on the Federal rulemaking Web site under Docket ID NRC-2011-0012. The Regulations.gov Web site allows members of the public to set-up e-mail alerts so that they may be notified when documents are added to a docket. Users are notified via e-mail at an e-mail address provided at the time of registration for the notification. Directions for signing up for the e-mail alerts can be found at http://www.regulations.gov. To do so, navigate to a docket folder you are interested in and then click the “Sign up for E-mail Alerts” link. Public Meeting The NRC plans to conduct a public meeting on May 18, 2011, to discuss the preliminary proposed rule language and the regulatory basis documents. The public meeting will be held from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at The Legacy Hotel and Meeting Centre, 1775 Rockville Pike, Rockville, Maryland 20852. The meeting will provide an opportunity for stakeholders to ask clarifying questions to help formulate written comments. The meeting agenda can be viewed and downloaded electronically from the NRC's Public Meeting Web site. Attendees are requested to notify Mr. Andrew Carrera at (301) 415-1078 or e-mail Andrew.Carrera@nrc.gov of their planned attendance and if special services are necessary, such as for the hearing impaired. In addition, interested individuals may also request to participate via teleconference or Webinar by contacting Mr. Carrera prior to the meeting day. Dated at Rockville, Maryland, this 27th day of April, 2011. For the Nuclear Regulatory Commission. Deborah Jackson, Deputy Director, Division of Intergovernmental Liaison and Rulemaking, Office of Federal and State Materials and Environmental Management Programs. [FR Doc. 2011-10711 Filed 5-2-11; 8:45 am]