99-2627. Shutdown and Low-Power Operations for Nuclear Power Reactors

[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 23 (Thursday, February 4, 1999)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Page 5623]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-2627]


      
========================================================================
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.

========================================================================


Federal Register / Vol. 64, No. 23 / Thursday, February 4, 1999 / 
Proposed 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 [phone].

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. 99-2627 Filed 2-3-99; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 7590-01-P