In a new rulemaking action this week, the Nuclear Regulatory Commission announced that it had is considering an extension on design certifications for a spent fuel storage cask design used at nuclear power plants, according to a Federal Register Notice.
The 40-year Certificate of Compliance (CoC) renewal amends Holtec International’s cask design certification to include “conditions and technical specifications to address aging management activities related to the structures, systems, and components important to safety of the dry storage system,” NRC said in the notice dated Monday.
The aging management program ensures that safety functions in the Holtec International Storage Module (HI-STORM 100) spent fuel cask system will remain in good condition during a period of “extended storage operations,” the agency said.
NRC issued the renewal as a “direct final rule,” because the agency viewed it as “a limited and routine change to an existing certificate of compliance that is expected to be non-controversial.” Despite that, the commission said it would until March 15 accept comments from the public, but only a “significant adverse comment” — that is, concerns from stakeholders that could cause NRC staff to reevaluate the final rule — would trigger a withdrawal.
According to Camden, N.J.-based Holtec, the HI-STORM 100 system is made up of vertically-oriented multipurpose canisters installed either above or below-ground. The company uses its cask systems at several nuclear decommissioning sites across the country, such as California’s San Onofre Nuclear Generating Station.
Holtec is also responsible for spent fuel management at its five decommissioning sites, including Palisades Nuclear Generating Station in Michigan and the Plymouth, Mass., Pilgrim Nuclear Power Station.
Updated 02/17/2023 12:38 p.m. Eastern time to clarify the direct final rule is under consideration by NRC, and that the agency is accepting public comment.
