Certification

10 C.F.R. Part ..., Subpart C
in effectEffective: 2024-07-01

10 C.F.R. § 76.51 Conditions of certification.

The Corporation shall comply with the certificate of compliance, any approved compliance plan, and the requirements set forth and referenced in this part, except as may be modified by the certificate or approved compliance plan.

10 C.F.R. § 76.53 Consultation with Environmental Protection Agency.

In reviewing an application for a certificate, including the provisions of any compliance plan, the Director shall consult with the Environmental Protection Agency and solicit the Environmental Protection Agency's written comments on the application.

10 C.F.R. § 76.55 Timely renewal.

In any case in which the Corporation has timely filed a sufficient application for a certificate of compliance, the existing certificate of compliance or approved compliance plan does not expire until the application for a certificate of compliance has been finally determined by the NRC. For purposes of this rule, a sufficient application is one that addresses all elements of § 76.36.

10 C.F.R. § 76.60 Regulatory requirements which apply.

The Nuclear Regulatory Commission will use the following requirements for certification of the Corporation for operation of the gaseous diffusion plants: (a) The Corporation shall provide for adequate protection of the public health and safety and common defense and security. (b) The Corporation shall comply with the provisions of this part. (c) The Corporation shall comply with the applicable provisions of 10 CFR part 19, “Notices, Instructions and Reports to Workers: Inspection and Investigations,” with the following modifications: (1) [Reserved] (2) The Corporation shall post NRC Form 3 during the term of the certificate and for 30 days following certificate termination. (d) The Corporation shall comply with the applicable provisions of 10 CFR part 20, “Standards for Protection Against Radiation,” with the following modifications: (1) [Reserved] (2) The Corporation shall comply with the requirements in this part or as specified in an approved plan for achieving compliance. (e) The Corporation shall comply with the applicable provisions of 10 CFR part 21, “Reporting of Defects and Noncompliance,” with the following modifications: (1) The Corporation shall comply with the requirements in §§ 21.6 and 21.21. (2) Under § 21.31, procurement documents issued by the Corporation must specify that the provisions of 10 CFR Part 21 apply. (f) The Corporation shall comply with the applicable provisions of 10 CFR Part 26, “Fitness-for-Duty Programs.” The requirements of this section apply only if the Corporation elects to engage in activities involving formula quantities of strategic special nuclear material. When applicable, the requirements apply only to the Corporation and personnel carrying out the activities specified in § 26.4(d)(1) through (5), of this chapter. (g) The Corporation shall comply with the applicable provisions of 10 CFR part 71, “Packaging and Transportation of Radioactive Material.” (h) The Corporation shall comply with the applicable provisions for physical security and material control and accounting as specified in subpart E to this part and contained in 10 CFR part 70, “Domestic Licensing of Special Nuclear Material,” part 73, “Physical Protection of Plants and Materials,” and part 74, “Material Control and Accounting of Special Nuclear Material.” The requirements in these parts address safeguards for three different kinds of nuclear material: Special nuclear material of low strategic significance (Category III), special nuclear material of moderate strategic significance (Category II), and formula quantities of strategic special nuclear material (Category I). The requirements for Category III material apply to the production of low enriched uranium. The requirements for Category II and Category I material apply only if the Corporation elects to engage in activities that involve these kinds of material and then only to the situations and locations that involve these kinds of material. (i) The Corporation shall comply with the applicable provisions of 10 CFR part 95, “Security Facility Approval and Safeguarding of National Security Information and Restricted Data,” as specified in subpart E to this part.

10 C.F.R. § 76.62 Issuance of certificate and/or approval of compliance plan.

(a) Upon a finding of compliance with the Commission's regulations for issuance of a certificate and/or approval of a compliance plan, the Director shall issue a written decision explaining the decision. The Director may issue a certificate of compliance covering those areas where the Corporation is in compliance with applicable Commission requirements and approve a compliance plan for the remaining areas, if any, of noncompliance. The Director may impose any appropriate terms and conditions. (b) The Director shall publish notice of the decision in the Federal Register. (c) The Corporation, or any person whose interest may be affected, may file a petition, not to exceed 30 pages, requesting review of the Director's decision. This petition must be filed with the Commission not later than 30 days after publication of the Federal Register notice. Any person described in this paragraph may file a response to any petition for review, not to exceed 30 pages, within 15 days after the filing of the petition. If the Commission does not issue a decision or take other appropriate action within 90 days after the publication of the Federal Register notice, the Director's decision remains in effect. The Commission may adopt, by order, further procedures that, in its judgment, would serve the purpose of review of the Director's decision. (d) The Commission may adopt, modify, or set aside the findings, conclusions, conditions, or terms in the Director's decision and will state the basis of its action in writing.

10 C.F.R. § 76.64 Denial of certificate or compliance plan.

(a) The Director may deny an application for a certificate of compliance or not approve a compliance plan upon a written finding that the application is in noncompliance with one or more of the Commission's requirements for the plant, or that the compliance plan is inadequate to protect the public health and safety or the common defense and security. (b) The Director shall publish notice of the decision in the Federal Register. (c) Before a denial of an application for a certificate of compliance, the Director shall advise the Corporation and the Department in writing of any areas of noncompliance with the Commission's regulations and offer the Department or the Corporation an opportunity to submit a proposed compliance plan prepared by the Department regarding the identified areas of noncompliance. The Director shall take this action even if the Department or the Corporation has previously submitted a proposed compliance plan addressing in whole or in part the identified areas of noncompliance. (d) The Corporation, or any person whose interest may be affected, may file a petition for review, not to exceed 30 pages, requesting review of the Director's decision. This petition for review must be filed with the Commission not later than 30 days after publication of the Federal Register notice. Any person described in this paragraph may file a response to any petition for review, not to exceed 30 pages, within 15 days after the filing of the petition for review. If the Commission does not issue a decision or take other appropriate action within 90 days after the publication of the Federal Register notice, the Director's decision remains in effect. The Commission may adopt, by order, further procedures that, in its judgment, would serve the purpose of review of the Director's decision. (e) The Commission may adopt, modify, or set aside the findings, conclusions, conditions, or terms in the Director's decision and will state the basis of its action in writing.

10 C.F.R. § 76.65 Inalienability of certificates.

The certificate granted under the regulations in this part may not be transferred, assigned, or in any manner disposed of, either voluntarily or involuntarily, directly or indirectly, through transfer of control of any certificate to any person unless the Commission, after securing full information, finds that the transfer is in accordance with the provisions of the Act, and consents in writing.

10 C.F.R. § 76.66 Expiration and termination of certificates.

(a) Except as provided in § 76.55, each certificate or approval issued pursuant to this part expires at the end of the day, in the month and year stated in the certificate or approval. (b) The Corporation shall notify the Commission promptly, in writing under § 76.5, when the Corporation decides to terminate operation at either of the gaseous diffusion plants and other activities authorized under the certificate. (c) If the Corporation does not submit a renewal application under § 76.36, the Corporation shall, on or before the expiration date specified in the existing certificate, terminate operation of the gaseous diffusion plants.

10 C.F.R. § 76.68 Plant changes.

(a) The Corporation may make changes to the plant or to the plant's operations as described in the safety analysis report without prior Commission approval provided all the provisions of this section are met: (1) The Corporation shall conduct a written safety analysis which demonstrates that the changes would not result in undue risk to public health and safety, the common defense and security, or to the environment. (2) The changes must be authorized by responsible management and approved by a safety review committee. (3) The changes may not decrease effectiveness of the plant's safety, safeguards, and security programs. (4) The changes may not involve a change in any condition to the certificate of compliance. (5) The changes may not involve a change to any condition to the approved compliance plan. (6) The changes may not involve an unreviewed safety question. (b) To ensure that the approved application remains current with respect to the actual site description and that the plant's programs, plans, policies, and operations are in place, the Corporation shall submit revised pages to the approved application and safety analysis report, marked and dated to indicate each change. The Corporation shall evaluate any as-found conditions that do not agree with the plant's programs, plans, policies, and operations in accordance with paragraph (a) of this section. These revisions must be submitted before April 15 of each calendar year, or at a shorter interval as may be specified in the certificate. If a renewal application for a certificate is filed in accordance with § 76.36 of this part, the revisions shall be incorporated into the application. (c) The Corporation shall maintain records of changes in the plant and of changes in the programs, plans, policies, procedures and operations described in the approved application, and copies of the safety analyses on which the changes were based. The records of plant changes must be retained until the end of the duration of the lease. The records of changes in programs, plans, policies, procedures, and operations and copies of the safety analysis on which the changes were based must be retained for a period of 2 years. (d) The Corporation may at any time apply under § 76.45 for amendment of the certificate to cover proposed new or modified activities not permitted by paragraph (a) of this section.

10 C.F.R. § 76.70 Post issuance.

(a) Amendment of certificate terms and conditions. The terms and conditions of a certificate of compliance or an approved compliance plan are subject to modification by reason of amendments to the Act, or by reason of rules, regulations, or orders issued in accordance with the Act. (b) Revocation, suspension, or amendments for cause. A certificate of compliance or a compliance plan may be revoked, suspended, or amended, in whole or in part for: (1) Any material false statement in the application or statement of fact required by the Commission in connection with the application; (2) Conditions revealed by the application, or any report, record, inspection, or other means which would warrant the Commission to refuse to grant a certificate or approve a compliance plan on an original application; and (3) Violation of, or failure to observe any of, the applicable terms and conditions of the Act, or the certificate of compliance, the compliance plan, or any rule, regulation, or order of the Commission. (c) Procedures governing amendment, revocation, suspension, or imposing requirements by order. (1) Except in cases of willfulness or those in which the public health interest, common defense and security, or safety requires otherwise, no certificate of compliance or compliance plan may be amended, suspended, or revoked unless before the institution of proceedings therefore, facts or conduct which may warrant the action must have been called to the attention of the Corporation in writing and the Corporation shall have been accorded an opportunity to demonstrate or achieve compliance with the lawful requirements related to such action. (2) The Commission may institute a proceeding to modify, suspend, or revoke a certificate or take such other action as may be proper by serving on the Corporation or other person subject to the jurisdiction of the Commission an order that will: (i) Allege the violations with which the Corporation or other person subject to the Commission's jurisdiction is charged, or the potentially hazardous conditions or other facts deemed to be sufficient ground for the proposed action, and specify the action proposed; (ii) Provide that the Corporation or other person who is charged must, and other interested persons may, submit a written response to the order within a reasonable period after publication of the order as may be specified in the order; (iii) Specify the issues for resolution should the order be contested; (iv) State the effective date of the order; if the Commission finds the public health, common defense and security, or safety, so require or that the violation or conduct causing the violation is willful, the order may provide that the proposed action be immediately effective pending further order and include a statement of reasons for making the proposed action immediately effective; (v) Provide that the Commission may make a final decision after consideration of the written submissions or may in its discretion adopt by order, upon the Commission's own initiative or at the request of the Corporation or an interested person, further procedures for a hearing of the issues before making a final enforcement decision. These procedures may include requirements for further participation in the proceeding, such as the requirements for intervention under Part 2, subparts C, G or L of this chapter. Submission of written comments by interested persons do not constitute entitlement to further participation in the proceeding. Further procedures will not normally be provided for at the request of an interested person unless the person is adversely affected by the order. (3) The Corporation or other person to whom the Commission has issued an immediately effective order may, in addition to submitting a written response, move the Commission to set aside the immediate effectiveness of the order on the ground that the order, including the need for immediate effectiveness, is not based on adequate evidence but on mere suspicion, unfounded allegations, or error. The motion must state with particularity the reasons why the order is not based on adequate evidence and must be accompanied by affidavits or other evidence relied on. The NRC staff shall respond within 5 days of the receipt of the motion. (d) Notice of violation. (1) In response to an alleged violation of any provision of the Act or NRC regulations or the conditions of a certificate, compliance plan, or an order issued by the Commission, the Commission may serve on the Corporation or other person subject to the jurisdiction of the Commission a written notice of violation. A separate notice may be omitted if an order or demand for information pursuant to this section is issued that otherwise identifies the apparent violation. The notice of violation will concisely state the alleged violation and will require the Corporation or other person subject to it, within twenty (20) days of the date of the notice or other specified time, to submit a written explanation or statement in reply including: (i) Corrective steps which have been taken by the Corporation or other person and the results achieved; (ii) Corrective steps which will be taken; and (iii) The date when full compliance will be achieved. (2) The notice may require the Corporation or other person subject to the jurisdiction of the Commission to admit or deny the violation and to state the reasons for the violation, if admitted. It may provide that, if an adequate reply is not received within the time specified in the notice, the Commission may issue an order or a demand for information as to why the certificate should not be modified, suspended, or revoked or why such other action as may be proper should not be taken. (e) Additional information. At any time after the granting of a certificate of compliance or approval of a compliance plan, the Commission may require further statements from the Corporation, signed under oath or affirmation, in order to enable the Commission to determine whether the certificate or approved compliance plan should be modified or revoked.

10 C.F.R. § 76.72 Miscellaneous procedural matters.

(a) The filing of any petitions for review or any responses to these petitions are governed by the procedural requirements set forth in 10 CFR 2.302(a) and (c), 2.304, 2.305, 2.306, and 2.307. Additional guidance regarding the filing and service of petitions for review of the Director's decision and responses to these petitions may be provided in the Director's decision or by order of the Commission. (b) The Secretary of the Commission has the authority to rule on procedural matters set forth in 10 CFR 2.346. (c) There are no restrictions on ex parte communications or on the ability of the NRC staff and the Commission to communicate with one another at any stage of the regulatory process, with the exception that the rules on ex parte communications and separation of functions set forth in 10 CFR 2.347 and 2.348 apply to proceedings under 10 CFR Part 2 for imposition of a civil penalty. (d) The procedures set forth in 10 CFR 2.205, and in 10 CFR part 2, subparts C, G, L and N will be applied in connection with NRC action to impose a civil penalty pursuant to Section 234 of the Atomic Energy Act of 1954, as amended, or Section 206 of the Energy Reorganization Act of 1974 and the implementing regulations in 10 CFR part 21 (Reporting of Defects and Noncompliance), as authorized by section 1312(e) of the Atomic Energy Act of 1954, as amended. (e) The procedures set forth in 10 CFR 2.206 apply to a request by any person to institute a proceeding pursuant to § 76.70 to amend, revoke, or suspend a certificate of compliance or approved compliance plan, or for such other action as may be proper.

10 C.F.R. § 76.74 Computation and extension of time.

(a) In computing any period of time, the day of the act, event or default after which the designated period of time begins to run is not included. The last day of the period so computed is included unless it is a Saturday, Sunday, or legal holiday at the place where the action or event is to occur, in which event the period runs until the end of the next day which is neither a Saturday, Sunday, nor holiday. (b) Except as otherwise provided by law, whenever an act is required or allowed to be done at or within a specified time, the time fixed or the period of time prescribed may for good cause be extended or shortened by the Commission.

10 C.F.R. § 76.76 Backfitting.

(a)(1) Backfitting is defined as the modification of, or addition to, systems, structures, or components of a plant; or to the procedures or organization required to operate a plant; any of which may result from a new or amended provision in the Commission rules or the imposition of a regulatory staff position interpreting the Commission rules that is either new or different from a previous NRC staff position. (2) Except as provided in paragraph (a)(4) of this section, the Commission shall require a systematic and documented analysis pursuant to paragraph (b) of this section for backfits which it seeks to impose. (3) Except as provided in paragraph (a)(4) of this section, the Commission shall require the backfitting of a plant only when it determines, based on the analysis described in paragraph (b) of this section, that there is a substantial increase in the overall protection of the public health and safety or the common defense and security to be derived from the backfit and that the direct and indirect costs of implementation for that plant are justified in view of this increased protection. (4) The provisions of paragraphs (a)(2) and (a)(3) of this section are inapplicable and, therefore, backfit analysis is not required and the standards in paragraph (a)(3) of this section do not apply where the Commission or staff, as appropriate, finds and declares, with appropriately documented evaluation for its finding, any of the following: (i) That a modification is necessary to bring a plant into compliance with a certificate or the rules or orders of the Commission, or into conformance with written commitments by the Corporation; or (ii) That regulatory action is necessary to ensure that the plant provides adequate protection to the health and safety of the public and is in accord with the common defense and security; or (iii) That the regulatory action involves defining or redefining what level of protection to the public health and safety or common defense and security should be regarded as adequate. (5) The Commission shall always require the backfitting of a plant if it determines that the regulatory action is necessary to ensure that the plant provides adequate protection to the health and safety of the public and is in accord with the common defense and security. (6) The documented evaluation required by paragraph (a)(4) of this section must include a statement of the objectives of and reasons for the modification and the basis for invoking the exception. If immediate effective regulatory action is required, then the documented evaluation may follow, rather than precede, the regulatory action. (7) If there are two or more ways to achieve compliance with a certificate or the rules or orders of the Commission, or with written Corporation commitments, or there are two or more ways to reach a level of protection which is adequate, then ordinarily the Corporation is free to choose the way which best suits its purposes. However, should it be necessary or appropriate for the Commission to prescribe a specific way to comply with its requirements or to achieve adequate protection, then cost may be a factor in selecting the way, provided that the objective of compliance or adequate protection is met. (b) In reaching the determination required by paragraph (a)(3) of this section, the Commission will consider how the backfit should be scheduled in light of other ongoing regulatory activities at the plant and, in addition, will consider information available concerning any of the following factors as may be appropriate and any other information relevant and material to the proposed backfit: (1) Statement of the specific objectives that the proposed backfit is designed to achieve; (2) General description of the activity that would be required by the Corporation in order to complete the backfit; (3) Potential change in the risk to the public from the accidental release of radioactive material; (4) Potential impact on radiological exposure of facility employees; (5) Installation and continuing costs associated with the backfit, including the cost of plant downtime; (6) The potential safety impact of changes in plant or operational complexity, including the relationship to proposed and existing regulatory requirements; (7) The estimated resource burden on the NRC associated with the proposed backfit and the availability of such resources; (8) The potential impact of differences in plant type, design, or age on the relevancy and practicality of the proposed backfit; and (9) Whether the proposed backfit is interim or final and, if interim, the justification for imposing the proposed backfit on an interim basis. (c) No certificate will be withheld during the pendency of backfit analyses required by the Commission's rules. (d) The Executive Director for Operations shall be responsible for implementation of this section, and all analyses required by this section shall be approved by the Executive Director for Operations or his or her designee.

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