Production and utilization facilities; domestic licensing: Nuclear power plants— power operations; withdrawn,

[Federal Register: February 4, 1999 (Volume 64, Number 23)]

[Proposed Rules]

[Page 5623]

From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

[DOCID:fr04fe99-15]

Proposed Rules Federal Register

This section of the FEDERAL REGISTER contains notices to the public of the proposed issuance of rules and regulations. The purpose of these notices is to give interested persons an opportunity to participate in the rule making prior to the adoption of the final rules.

[[Page 5623]]

NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION

10 CFR Part 50

RIN 3150-AE97

Shutdown and Low-Power Operations for Nuclear Power Reactors

AGENCY: U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission.

ACTION: Proposed rule: withdrawal.

SUMMARY: The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission is withdrawing a proposed rule for Shutdown and Low-Power Operations for Nuclear Power Reactors. The proposed rule would have required licensees to ensure that the following safety functions were maintained during shutdown and low-power operations. These safety functions were reactivity control, inventory control, decay heat removal, and containment integrity.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. Eric Weiss, U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission, Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation, MS O-8 E23, Washington, DC 20555-0001, Telephone 301-415-3264.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: On October 19, 1994, the Commission published the proposed rule, ``Shutdown and Low-Power Operations for Nuclear Power Reactors'' (59 FR 52707-52714). In this Federal Register document, the Commission proposed regulatory requirements that would set minimum standards for shutdown and low-power operations.

The comment period expired on February 3, 1995. The Commission received a significant number of comments from the nuclear industry and a few comments from the public on the proposed rule, the majority of which were negative.

The Commission has decided not to proceed with a final rule at this time. In view of current industry performance and the regulatory controls in the area of maintenance generally, the Commission does not believe that regulatory requirements specifically addressed to low- power and shutdown operations are needed at this time. However, the Commission will continue to monitor industry performance and may take further action if any adverse trends are identified.

Dated at Rockville, Maryland, this 29th day of January, 1999.

For the Nuclear Regulatory Commission. Annette L. Vietti-Cook, Secretary of the Commission.

[FR Doc. 99-2627Filed2-3-99; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 7590-01-P