97-11203. Self-Guarantee of Decommissioning Funding by Non-Profit and Non- Bond Issuing Licensees  

  • [Federal Register Volume 62, Number 83 (Wednesday, April 30, 1997)]
    [Proposed Rules]
    [Pages 23394-23402]
    From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
    [FR Doc No: 97-11203]
    
    
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    NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION
    
    10 CFR Parts 30, 40, 50, 70, and 72
    
    RIN 3150-AF64
    
    
    Self-Guarantee of Decommissioning Funding by Non-Profit and Non-
    Bond Issuing Licensees
    
    AGENCY: Nuclear Regulatory Commission.
    
    
    [[Page 23395]]
    
    
    ACTION: Proposed rule.
    
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    SUMMARY: The Nuclear Regulatory Commission is proposing to amend its 
    regulations to allow additional materials licensees and non-electric 
    utility reactor licensees who meet certain financial criteria to self-
    guarantee funding for decommissioning. Certain commercial corporate 
    licensees who issue bonds are presently allowed to self-guarantee 
    funding if they meet stringent financial criteria. The proposed rule 
    would allow non-profit licensees, such as colleges, universities, and 
    hospitals, and also some commercial licensees who do not issue bonds, 
    to self-guarantee funding, provided they meet similarly stringent 
    financial criteria. Allowing qualified non-profit and non-bond-issuing 
    licensees to use self-guarantee would reduce the costs of complying 
    with NRC financial assurance requirements while providing adequate 
    confidence to the NRC that funds for decommissioning will be available 
    when needed.
    
    DATES: Submit comments by July 29, 1997. 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.
    
    ADDRESSES: Comments may be sent to the Secretary, U.S. Nuclear 
    Regulatory Commission, Washington, DC 20555-0001, Attn: Docketing and 
    Service Branch. Hand deliver comments to 11545 Rockville Pike, 
    Rockville, Maryland, between 7:45 a.m. and 4:15 p.m. on Federal 
    workdays.
        Single copies of this proposed rulemaking may be obtained by 
    written request to Distribution and Services Section, Printing, 
    Graphics and Mail Services Branch, Office of Administration, U.S. 
    Nuclear Regulatory Commission, Washington DC 20555-0001, or by telefax 
    to (301) 415-2260. For information on submitting comments 
    electronically see the discussion under Electronic Access in the 
    Supplementary Information section. Certain documents related to this 
    rulemaking, including comments received, may be examined at the NRC 
    Public Document Room, 2120 L Street NW. (Lower Level), Washington, DC. 
    These same documents also may be viewed and downloaded electronically 
    via the Electronic Bulletin Board established by NRC for this 
    rulemaking as indicated in the discussion under Electronic Access.
    
    FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Dr. Clark Prichard, Office of Nuclear 
    Regulatory Research, U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission, Washington, DC 
    20555, telephone (301)415-6203, e-mail cwp@nrc.gov.
    
    SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Licensees subject to 10 CFR Parts 30, 40, 
    70, and 72, whose operations involve the use of substantial amounts of 
    nuclear materials, and those subject to 10 CFR Part 50 who are 
    applicants for or holders of operating licenses for production or 
    utilization facilities must provide financial assurance for 
    decommissioning funding by selecting from a variety of mechanisms: 
    surety bond or letter of credit, prepayment, insurance, an external 
    sinking fund coupled with a surety or insurance,1 parent 
    company guarantee for licensees that have a qualifying corporate 
    parent, and, for certain financially strong corporations, self-
    guarantee. A statement of intent regarding obtaining funds to satisfy 
    decommissioning obligations may be used by some licensees that are 
    governmental entities (for example, public universities whose charter 
    provides for a direct link to the State Government).
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        \1\ Pursuant to 10 CFR 50.75(e)(3), an electric utility can 
    satisfy the decommissioning funding requirements with an external 
    sinking fund, standing alone. This rulemaking does not apply to 
    electric utilities, and does not affect the NRC's Advance Notice of 
    Proposed Rulemaking which addresses decommissioning funding 
    assurance issues associated with electric utility restructuring (see 
    Financial Assurance Requirements for Decommissioning Nuclear Power 
    Reactors--61 FR 15427 April 8, 1996).
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        Licensees currently using self-guarantee must pass a stringent 
    financial test that is given in Appendix C to 10 CFR Part 30. Self-
    guarantee is currently not available to non-profit licensees, such as 
    hospitals and universities, or to for-profit licensees who do not issue 
    bonds, because the financial test for self-guarantee uses the rating of 
    the bonds issued by the licensee as one measure of its financial 
    resources and ability to fund decommissioning.
        The NRC has determined that the use of self-guarantee, currently 
    limited to bond-issuing industrial corporations, could be made 
    available to additional categories of licensees without jeopardizing 
    the present high level of financial assurance that the decommissioning 
    obligation requires. Allowing qualified non-profit and non-bond issuing 
    licensees to use self-guarantee would reduce the costs of complying 
    with NRC financial assurance requirements for those who meet the 
    specified criteria.
    
    I. Background
    
        On December 29, 1993 (58 FR 68726), as corrected on January 12, 
    1994 (59 FR 1618), the NRC published a notice of final rulemaking that 
    allows financially strong corporations with A or better bond ratings 
    the option of using self-guarantee as a mechanism for complying with 
    the regulations on financial assurance for decommissioning. Self-
    guarantee was added to the list of financial assurance mechanisms as a 
    cost-saving option for those licensees able to meet the stringent 
    financial test required. The NRC's self-guarantee procedure requires 
    licensees to pass the financial test annually. In addition, NRC's 
    requirements for self-guarantee provide for early reporting by 
    licensees of any deterioration in financial condition.
        The NRC's decision to add self-guarantee by qualified licensees to 
    the list of approved financial assurance mechanisms came in response to 
    a petition for rulemaking filed by General Electric and Westinghouse 
    (PRM-30-59, notice of receipt published September 25, 1991 (56 FR 
    48445). The petition presented a case for allowing self-guarantee as a 
    cost-saving option for corporate licensees able to pass a stringent 
    financial test. The NRC published a notice of proposed rulemaking on 
    January 11, 1993 (58 FR 3515), in response to the petition. Several 
    comment letters were received from universities requesting that self-
    guarantee also be applied to non-profit entities able to pass a 
    financial test. At that time, the NRC had not conducted an analysis of 
    the feasibility of applying self-guarantee to non-profit entities. In 
    the final rule, the NRC stated that ``In order to extend the use of 
    self-guarantee to non-profit entities, new criteria would have to be 
    developed to assess the financial strength of the non-profit licensees. 
    Development of financial criteria to assess the qualifications of a 
    non-profit entity to provide a self-guarantee is likely to require 
    detailed consideration of the different financial accounting methods 
    used by medical institutions. The financial accounting and reporting of 
    non-profit entities are unique and substantially different from the 
    accounting and reporting of for-profit entities'' (58 FR 68728).
        Subsequent to the December 29, 1993, final rule, the Commission 
    initiated a study to determine whether criteria could be developed and 
    applied by NRC for non-profit licensees and non-bond issuing commercial 
    licensees to use self-guarantee while maintaining the required level of 
    confidence regarding the availability of decommissioning funds when 
    needed. The study, ``Analysis of Potential Self-Guarantee Tests for 
    Demonstrating Financial Assurance by Nonprofit Colleges and 
    Universities and Hospitals and by
    
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    Business Firms that Do Not Issue Bonds,'' NUREG/CR-6514,2 
    identified a variety of financial criteria that could be applied to 
    additional categories of licensees regarding the use of self-guarantee. 
    The financial criteria proposed here were selected by the NRC based on 
    information in this report. The NRC believes that the financial 
    criteria proposed in this notice would maintain the high level of 
    assurance of availability of decommissioning funding provided by the 
    present self-guarantee mechanism for bond-issuing licensees.
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        \2\ Copies are available for inspection or copying for a fee 
    from the NRC Public Document Room at 2120 L St. NW, Washington, DC; 
    the PDR's mailing address is Mail Stop LL-6, Washington, DC 20555-
    0001; telephone (202) 634-3273; fax (202) 634-3343. Single copies 
    are available from the NRC contact.
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    II. Analysis of Financial Criteria
    
        The NRC must have evidence of adequate financial strength on the 
    part of the licensee to ensure that decommissioning funding obligations 
    will be met when the need arises. If self-guarantee is permitted, the 
    applicant or licensee must submit a basis for concluding that 
    decommissioning financial assurance is still provided. Financial 
    strength does not necessarily depend on the type of licensee. Many 
    colleges and universities have very strong financial positions, with 
    large endowment funds that could be used, if needed, for 
    decommissioning funding. Some hospitals are also quite financially 
    strong. With respect to non-bond issuing commercial firms, their lack 
    of any bond issuance could reflect financial resources great enough to 
    preclude the need to issue debt.
        If a college, university, or hospital has an A or better bond 
    rating, the financial assurance risk of allowing it to self-guarantee 
    decommissioning funding is comparable to the financial assurance risk 
    of institutions currently allowed to self-guarantee. This risk is also 
    based on an A or better bond rating. The risk of default of industrial 
    bond issuers with an A or better bond rating has been estimated at less 
    than 1 percent annually.3 An A or better bond rating 
    indicates that the issuer has passed a stringent review by the 
    independent ratings agencies of its ability to meet financial 
    obligations. Bond ratings are reviewed often and changed in response to 
    changes in the issuer's financial condition. The A or better bond 
    rating should be for uninsured bonds. As discussed in NUREG/CR-6514, 
    insured bond ratings are in fact the rating of the insuring company and 
    may not apply to the institution that holds the NRC license.
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        \3\ Corporate Bond Defaults and Default Rates, Moodys Special 
    Report, January 1991, p. 32.
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        Regarding financial criteria that are based on factors other than 
    bond ratings, quantitative estimates of financial assurance risk are 
    not available because of the lack of a large financial database such as 
    that maintained by the bond-rating agencies on bond-issuing entities. 
    The NRC has deliberately chosen non-bond rating financial criteria that 
    are conservative. The NRC regulations have included a self-guarantee 
    mechanism for only a few years. It seems prudent to set the threshold 
    financial criteria at a high level. At some future time, as more 
    experience is gained with self-guarantee, the financial criteria can be 
    reviewed, and appropriate revisions can be proposed.
    
    A. Criteria for Colleges and Universities
    
        Approximately 75 percent of NRC's college and university licensees 
    issue bonds and have bond ratings. Bond rating can thus be used as a 
    basis for financial criteria for most college and university licensees. 
    Note that many college or university licensees are public institutions 
    and a large portion of these can use a governmental statement of intent 
    that funds for decommissioning will be obtained when necessary, a 
    mechanism which does not involve any significant cost to the licensee. 
    The NRC believes that the A or better bond rating (for uninsured bonds) 
    criterion used in the existing self-guarantee financial test can also 
    be used as the criterion in a financial test for use by colleges and 
    universities. Even if an applicant or licensee were a non-profit entity 
    or a for-profit firm that does not issue bonds, it may obtain a bond 
    rating from one of the major ratings agencies. This option would be 
    allowed. Having obtained a bond rating, the licensee would be subject 
    to the same requirements as the bond-issuing institutions.
        For licensees without a bond rating, a level of unrestricted 
    endowment of at least $50 million, or at least 30 times projected 
    decommissioning costs, whichever is larger, should be sufficient to 
    allow use of self-guarantee. This level of endowment is adequate to 
    generate annual income sufficient to cover the upper range of estimated 
    decommissioning costs. The multiple of 30 has been chosen because this 
    would mean that any level of decommissioning costs could be covered by 
    the annual return on an endowment invested at 3 percent.
    
    B. Criteria for Hospitals
    
        Approximately 50 percent of hospital licensees issue bonds and have 
    bond ratings. For the same reasons outlined above, a criterion of an A 
    or better bond rating could be used for hospital licensees. The A or 
    better rating should be for unguaranteed, uninsured, or 
    uncollateralized bonds.
        For hospital licensees without a bond rating, three financial 
    ratios are identified as most accurate indicators of financial 
    strength: (1) liquidity--(current assets and depreciation fund, divided 
    by current liabilities), (2) net revenue--(total revenue less total 
    expenses, divided by total revenue), and (3) leverage--(ratio of long 
    term debt to net fixed assets). Numerical values for these ratios have 
    been developed by reviewing the financial characteristics of hospitals. 
    The licensee must meet all three ratios. The proposed values are as 
    follows, and based upon the analysis performed for the NRC, represent a 
    level of financial risk comparable to an A bond rating:
        (a) Liquidity--(Current assets and depreciation fund, divided by 
    current liabilities) greater than or equal to 2.55.
        (b) Net revenue--(Total revenues less total expenditures divided by 
    total revenues) greater than or equal to .04.
        (c) Leverage--(Long term debt divided by net fixed assets) less 
    than or equal to .67.
        In addition, a hospital must be of a minimum size relative to 
    estimated decommissioning costs. The financial test calls for hospital 
    operating revenues to be at least 100 times decommissioning costs.
    
    C. Criteria For Non-Bond Issuing Industrial Corporations
    
        A financial ratios test is an alternative to bond rating which is 
    currently allowed by NRC regulations. The NRC parent guarantee test in 
    Appendix A to 10 CFR Part 30 includes a ratio test as an alternative to 
    a bond rating test. The proposed criterion is Cash Flow divided by 
    Total Liabilities greater than 0.15, Total Liabilities divided by Net 
    Worth less than 1.5, and Net Worth greater than $10 million or at least 
    10 times decommissioning costs, whichever is greater. The financial 
    assurance risk of using such a criterion is estimated to be comparable 
    to the risk associated with current regulations.4
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        \4\ ``Analysis of Potential Self-Guarantee Tests for 
    Demonstrating Financial Assurance by Nonprofit Colleges and 
    Universities and Hospitals and by Business Firms that do not Issue 
    Bonds'', NUREG/CR-6514, 1995, p. 47.
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    D. Cost Savings
    
        Cost savings would result because qualifying licensees would not 
    have to purchase other types of financial assurance instruments such as 
    letters of
    
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    credit or surety bonds. These types of financial assurance instruments 
    typically cost a licensee approximately 1.5 percent per annum of the 
    amount of financial assurance purchased.
        Estimates of the numbers of NRC licensees who could qualify for 
    self-guarantee under the proposed financial criteria and estimated 
    total cost savings on an annual basis are as follows, and for colleges 
    and universities includes estimates for the reactors licensed to them 
    as well as materials licenses:
    
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                                                               Total annual 
                Type of licensee                  Number       cost savings 
                                                qualifying      (thousands) 
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    College and University..................           25-30      $350--$400
    Hospital................................           10-14      $120--$150
    Non-Bond Issuing Industrial.............             2-4        $20--$40
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        The total cost savings for all licensees estimated to qualify for 
    self-guarantee could range from approximately $500K to $600K per annum. 
    Greater cost savings would result if Agreement States allow self-
    guarantee for their licensees.
        There would be no significant cost impact on NRC as review time for 
    the various financial assurance mechanisms is essentially the same.
    
    III. Section-by-Section Description of Changes
    
    10 CFR Part 30
    
        Section 30.35 is amended to permit self-guarantee for financial 
    assurance which can be used by qualified non-profit licensees and non-
    bond issuing licensees.
        Appendix D is added to 10 CFR Part 30 to establish requirements for 
    self-guarantee by non-bond issuing commercial licensees. Appendix E is 
    added to 10 CFR Part 30 to establish requirements for self-guarantee 
    for non-profit college, university, and hospital licensees.
    
    10 CFR Part 40
    
        Section 40.36 is amended to permit self-guarantee for financial 
    assurance which can be used by qualified non-profit licensees and non-
    bond issuing licensees.
    
    10 CFR Part 50
    
        Section 50.75 is amended to permit self-guarantee for financial 
    assurance which can be used by qualified non-profit licensees and non-
    bond issuing licensees.
    
    10 CFR Part 70
    
        Section 70.25 is amended to permit self-guarantee for financial 
    assurance which can be used by qualified non-profit licensees and non-
    bond issuing licensees.
    
    10 CFR Part 72
    
        Section 72.30 is amended to permit self-guarantee for financial 
    assurance which can be used by qualified non-bond issuing licensees.
    
    IV. Issues for Public Comment
    
    (A) Agreement State Implementation Issues
    
        Financial assurance mechanisms are a Division II compatibility 
    item. Agreement States may adopt regulations of equal or greater 
    stringency. States would therefore have the option to allow self-
    guarantee. An Agreement State does not need to change its financial 
    assurance regulations if this proposed rule becomes final. The existing 
    Agreement State regulations on financial assurance do not have to 
    include self-guarantee as a financial assurance mechanism. Agreement 
    States have the flexibility to allow self-guarantee as a financial 
    assurance mechanism or not to allow it. The NRC invites comments on the 
    general issue of the compatibility status of its financial assurance 
    regulations.
    
    (B) Financial Criteria for Non-Bond Issuing Entities
    
        As discussed, substantial data exist on the default risks 
    associated with various levels of bond rating. However, a quantitative 
    estimate is not available for the financial assurance risk associated 
    with the non-bond rating criteria proposed here. The NRC invites 
    comment on whether these proposed criteria are sufficiently rigorous 
    with respect to financial assurance risk, or conversely, whether they 
    are so stringent as to exclude licensees who should not be excluded 
    because their financial position is such that the financial assurance 
    risk is acceptable.
    
    Electronic Access
    
        Comments may be submitted electronically, in either ASCII text or 
    WordPerfect format (version 5.1 or later), by calling the NRC 
    Electronic Bulletin Board (BBS) on FedWorld. The bulletin board may be 
    accessed using a personal computer, a modem, and one of the commonly 
    available communications software packages, or directly via Internet. 
    Background documents on the rulemaking are also available, as 
    practical, for downloading and viewing on the bulletin board.
        If using a personal computer and modem, the NRC rulemaking 
    subsystem on FedWorld can be accessed directly by dialing the toll free 
    number (800) 303-9672. Communication software parameters should be set 
    as follows: parity to none, data bits to 8, and stop bits to 1 (N,8,1). 
    Using ANSI or VT-100 terminal emulation, the NRC rulemaking subsystem 
    can be accessed by selecting the ``Rules Menu'' option from the ``NRC 
    Main Menu.'' Users will find the ``FedWorld Online User's Guides'' 
    particularly helpful. Many NRC subsystems and data bases also have a 
    ``Help/Information Center'' option that is tailored to the particular 
    subsystem.
        The NRC subsystem on FedWorld can also be accessed by a direct dial 
    phone number for the main FedWorld BBS, (703) 321-3339, or by using 
    Telnet via Internet: fedworld.gov. If using (703) 321-3339 to contact 
    FedWorld, the NRC subsystem will be accessed from the main FedWorld 
    menu by selecting the ``Regulatory, Government Administration and State 
    Systems,'' then selecting ``Regulatory Information Mall.'' At that 
    point, a menu will be displayed that has an option ``U.S. Nuclear 
    Regulatory Commission'' that will take the user to the NRC online main 
    menu. The NRC online area also can be accessed directly by typing ``/go 
    NRC'' at a FedWorld command line. If the user accesses NRC from 
    FedWorld's main menu, he or she may return to FedWorld by selecting the 
    ``Return to FedWorld'' option from the NRC online Main Menu. However, 
    if the user accesses NRC at FedWorld by using NRC's toll-free number, 
    he or she will have full access to all NRC systems but will not have 
    access to the main FedWorld system.
        If the user contacts FedWorld using Telnet, he or she will see the 
    NRC area and menus, including the Rules Menu. Although the user will be 
    able to download documents and leave
    
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    messages, he or she will not be able to write comments or upload files 
    (comments). If the user contacts FedWorld using FTP, all files can be 
    accessed and downloaded but uploads are not allowed; all the user will 
    see is a list of files without descriptions (normal Gopher look). An 
    index file is available listing and describing all files within a 
    subdirectory. There is a 15-minute time limit for FTP access.
        Although FedWorld also can be accessed through the World Wide Web, 
    like FTP that mode only provides access for downloading files and does 
    not display the NRC Rules Menu.
        For more information on NRC bulletin boards call Mr. Arthur Davis, 
    Systems Integration and Development Branch, NRC, Washington, DC 20555, 
    telephone (301) 415-5780; e-mail AXD3@nrc.gov.
    
    Finding of No Significant Environmental Impact: Availability
    
        The proposed amendments would allow qualified non-profit and non-
    bond-issuing licensees the option of using self-guarantee as a 
    mechanism for financial assurance for decommissioning. For-profit 
    corporate licensees that issue bonds are already allowed to use self-
    guarantee if they meet the regulatory criteria. Other licensees may 
    currently elect to use a variety of financial assurance mechanisms, 
    such as surety bonds, letters of credit, and escrow accounts to comply 
    with decommissioning regulations. The proposed action is intended to 
    offer non-profit and non-bond-issuing nuclear materials licensees and 
    non-power reactor licensees greater flexibility by allowing an 
    additional mechanism for licensees that meet the financial criteria for 
    use of self-guarantee.
        This proposed revision to the NRC's regulations simply would add 
    one more financial assurance mechanism to the mechanisms currently 
    available. It would not affect the cost of decommissioning materials 
    and non-power reactor facilities. Allowing self-guarantee for 
    additional types of licensees would not lead to any increase in the 
    effect on the environment of the decommissioning activities considered 
    in the final rule published on June 27, 1988 (53 FR 24018), as analyzed 
    in the Final Generic Environmental Impact Statement on Decommissioning 
    of Nuclear Facilities (NUREG-0586, August, 1988). 5 
    Promulgation of this rule would not introduce any impacts on the 
    environment not previously considered by the NRC. Therefore, the 
    Commission has determined, under the National Environmental Policy Act 
    of 1969, as amended, and the Commission's regulations in subpart A of 
    10 CFR Part 51, that this proposed rule would not be a major Federal 
    action significantly affecting the quality of the human environment, 
    and therefore an environmental impact statement is not required. No 
    other agencies or persons were contacted in making this determination, 
    and the NRC staff is not aware of any other documents related to the 
    environmental impact of this action. The foregoing constitutes the 
    environmental assessment and finding of no significant impact for this 
    proposed rule.
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        \5\  Copies of NUREG-0586 are available for inspection or 
    copying for a fee from the NRC Public Document Room at 2120 L Street 
    NW (Lower Level), Washington, DC 20555-0001; telephone (202)634-
    3273; fax (202)634-3343. Copies may be purchased at current rates 
    from the U.S. Government Printing Office, P.O. Box 370892, 
    Washington, DC 20402-9328 (telephone (202)512-2249); or from the 
    National Technical Information Service by writing NTIS at 5285 Port 
    Royal Road, Springfield, VA 22161.
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    Paperwork Reduction Act Statement
    
        This proposed rule amends information collection requirements that 
    are subject to the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44 U.S.C. 3501 et 
    seq.). This rule has been submitted to the Office of Management and 
    Budget for review and approval of the information collection 
    requirements.
        The public reporting burden for this collection of information is 
    estimated to average 9-14 hours per response, including the time for 
    reviewing instructions, searching existing data sources, gathering and 
    maintaining the data needed, and completing and reviewing the 
    collection of information. The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission is 
    seeking public comment on the potential impact of the collection of 
    information contained in the proposed rule and on the following issues:
        1. Is the proposed collection of information necessary for the 
    proper performance of the functions of the NRC, including whether the 
    information will have practical utility?
        2. Is the estimate of the burden correct?
        3. Is there a way to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of 
    the information to be collected?
        4. How can the burden of the collection of information be 
    minimized, including the use of automated collection techniques?
        Send comments on any aspect of this proposed collection of 
    information, including suggestions for reducing the burden, to the 
    Information and Records Management Branch (T-6 F33), U.S. Nuclear 
    Regulatory Commission, Washington, DC 20555-0001, or by Internet 
    electronic mail at [email protected]; and to the Desk Officer, Office of 
    Information and Regulatory affairs, NEOB-10202, (3150-0017, -0020, -
    0011, -0009, and -01320, Office of Management and Budget, Washington, 
    DC 20503.
        Comments to OMB on the collections of information or on the above 
    issues should be submitted by May 30, 1997. Comments received after 
    this date will be considered if it is practical to do so, but assurance 
    of consideration cannot be given to comments received after this date.
    
    Public Protection Notification
    
        The NRC may not conduct or sponsor, and a person is not required to 
    respond to, a collection of information unless it displays a currently 
    valid OMB control number.
    
    Regulatory Analysis
    
        The NRC has prepared a draft regulatory analysis on this proposed 
    regulation. The analysis examines the costs and benefits of the 
    alternatives considered by the NRC. The draft analysis is available for 
    inspection in the NRC Public Document Room, 2120 L Street NW (Lower 
    Level), Washington, DC. Single copies of the analysis may be obtained 
    from Clark Prichard, Office of Nuclear Regulatory Research, U.S. 
    Nuclear Regulatory Commission, Washington, DC 20555, telephone (301) 
    415-6203.
        The NRC requests public comment on the draft analysis. Comments on 
    the draft analysis may be submitted to the NRC as indicated under the 
    ADDRESSES heading.
    
    Regulatory Flexibility Certification
    
        In accordance with the Regulatory Flexibility Act of 1980, (5 
    U.S.C. 605(b)), the Commission certifies that this rule will not, if 
    promulgated, have a significant economic impact on a substantial number 
    of small entities. This proposed rule would expand the number of 
    options available to licensees to comply with the Commission's 
    financial assurance requirements, thus enhancing the flexibility of 
    these regulations. It is estimated that this proposed rule, if 
    promulgated as final, would result in significant cost savings to 
    qualifying licensees.
    
    Backfit Analysis
    
        The NRC has determined that the backfit rule, 10 CFR 50.109, does 
    not apply to this proposed rule and, therefore, that a backfit analysis 
    is not
    
    [[Page 23399]]
    
    required for this proposed rule, because 10 CFR 50.109 addresses only 
    the process for controlling backfits of nuclear power reactors and this 
    proposed rule does not affect the Commission's decommissioning 
    financial assurance requirements regarding nuclear power reactors (see 
    Statement of Considerations: Final Rule--Revision of Backfitting 
    Process for Power Reactors, 50 FR 38097; September 20, 1985).
    
    List of Subjects
    
    10 CFR Part 30
    
        Byproduct material, Criminal penalties, Government contracts, 
    Intergovernmental relations, Isotopes, Nuclear materials, Radiation 
    protection, Reporting and recordkeeping requirements.
    
    10 CFR Part 40
    
        Criminal penalties, Government contracts, Hazardous materials 
    transportation, Nuclear materials, Reporting and recordkeeping 
    requirements, Source material, Uranium.
    
    10 CFR Part 50
    
        Antitrust, Classified information, Criminal penalties, Fire 
    protection, Intergovernmental relations, Nuclear power plants and 
    reactors, Radiation protection, Reactor siting criteria, Reporting and 
    recordkeeping requirements.
    
    10 CFR Part 70
    
        Criminal penalties, Hazardous materials transportation, Material 
    control and accounting, Nuclear materials, Packaging and containers, 
    Radiation protection, Reporting and recordkeeping requirements, 
    Scientific equipment, Security measures, Special nuclear material.
    
    10 CFR Part 72
    
        Manpower training programs, Nuclear materials, Occupational safety 
    and health, Reporting and recordkeeping requirements, Security 
    measures, Spent fuel.
        For the reasons set out in the preamble and under the authority of 
    the Atomic Energy Act of 1954, as amended, the Energy Reorganization 
    Act of 1974, as amended, and 5 U.S.C. 553, the NRC is proposing to 
    adopt the following amendments to 10 CFR Parts 30, 40, 50, 70, and 72.
    
    PART 30--RULES OF GENERAL APPLICABILITY TO DOMESTIC LICENSING OF 
    BYPRODUCT MATERIAL
    
        1. The authority citation for Part 30 continues to read as follows:
    
        Authority: Secs. 81, 82, 161, 182, 183, 186, 68 Stat. 935, 948, 
    953, 954, 955, as amended, sec. 234, 83 Stat. 444, as amended (42 
    U.S.C. 2111, 2112, 2201, 2232, 2233, 2236, 2282); secs. 201, as 
    amended, 202, 206, 88 Stat. 1242, as amended, 1244, 1246 (42 U.S.C. 
    5841, 5842, 5846).
        Section 30.7 also issued under Pub. L. 95-601, sec. 10, 92 Stat. 
    2951 (42 U.S.C. 5851). Section 30.34(b) also issued under sec. 184, 
    68 Stat. 954, as amended (42 U.S.C. 2234). Section 30.61 also issued 
    under sec. 187, 68 Stat. 955 (42 U.S.C. 2237).
    
        2. In Sec. 30.8 paragraph (b) is revised to read as follows:
    
    
    Sec. 30.8  Information collection requirements: OMB approval.
    
    * * * * *
        (b) The approved information collection requirements contained in 
    this part appear in Secs. 30.9, 30.11, 30.15, 30.19, 30.20, 30.32, 
    30.34, 30.35, 30.36, 30.37, 30.38, 30.50, 30.51, 30.55, 30.56, and 
    Appendices A, C, D, and E.
    * * * * *
        3. In Sec. 30.35, the introductory text of paragraph (f)(2) is 
    revised to read as follows:
    
    
    Sec. 30.35  Financial assurance and recordkeeping for decommissioning.
    
    * * * * *
        (f) * * *
        (2) A surety method, insurance, or other guarantee method. These 
    methods guarantee that decommissioning costs will be paid. A surety 
    method may be in the form of a surety bond, letter of credit, or line 
    of credit. A parent company guarantee of funds for decommissioning 
    costs based on a financial test may be used if the guarantee and test 
    are as contained in Appendix A to this Part. A parent company guarantee 
    may not be used in combination with other financial methods to satisfy 
    the requirements of this section. For commercial corporations that 
    issue bonds, a guarantee of funds by the applicant or licensee for 
    decommissioning costs based on a financial test may be used if the 
    guarantee and test are as contained in Appendix C to this Part. For 
    commercial companies that do not issue bonds, a guarantee of funds by 
    the applicant or licensee for decommissioning costs may be used if the 
    guarantee and test are as contained in Appendix D to this Part. For 
    non-profit entities, such as colleges, universities, and non-profit 
    hospitals, a guarantee of funds by the applicant or licensee may be 
    used if the guarantee and test are as contained in Appendix E to this 
    Part. A guarantee by the applicant or licensee may not be used in 
    combination with any other financial methods used to satisfy the 
    requirements of this section or in any situation where the applicant or 
    licensee has a parent company holding majority control of the voting 
    stock of the company. Any surety method or insurance used to provide 
    financial assurance for decommissioning must contain the following 
    conditions:
    * * * * *
        4. New Appendices D and E to Part 30 are added to read as follows:
    
    Appendix D to Part 30--Criteria Relating to Use of Financial Tests and 
    Self-Guarantee for Providing Reasonable Assurance of Funds for 
    Decommissioning by Commercial Companies That Have No Outstanding Rated 
    Bonds
    
    I. Introduction
    
        An applicant or licensee may provide reasonable assurance of the 
    availability of funds for decommissioning based on furnishing its 
    own guarantee that funds will be available for decommissioning costs 
    and on a demonstration that the company passes the financial test of 
    Section II of this appendix. The terms of the self-guarantee are in 
    Section III of this appendix. This appendix establishes criteria for 
    passing the financial test for the self-guarantee and establishes 
    the terms for a self-guarantee.
    
    II. Financial Test
    
        A. To pass the financial test a company must meet the following 
    criteria:
        (1) Tangible net worth greater than $10 million, or at least 10 
    times the total current decommissioning cost estimate (or the 
    current amount required if certification is used), whichever is 
    greater, for all decommissioning activities for which the company is 
    responsible as self-guaranteeing licensee and as parent-guarantor.
        (2) Assets located in the United States amounting to at least 90 
    percent of total assets or at least 10 times the total current 
    decommissioning cost estimate (or the current amount required if 
    certification is used) for all decommissioning activities for which 
    the company is responsible as self-guaranteeing licensee and as 
    parent-guarantor.
        (3) A ratio of cash flow divided by total liabilities greater 
    than 0.15, and a ratio of total liabilities divided by net worth 
    less than 1.5.
        B. In addition, to pass the financial test, a company must meet 
    all of the following requirements:
        (1) The company's independent certified public accountant must 
    have compared the data used by the company in the financial test, 
    which is required to be derived from the independently audited year 
    end financial statement based on United States generally accepted 
    accounting practices for the latest fiscal year, with the amounts in 
    such
    
    [[Page 23400]]
    
    financial statement. In connection with that procedure, the licensee 
    shall inform NRC within 90 days of any matters that may cause the 
    auditor to believe that the data specified in the financial test 
    should be adjusted and that the company no longer passes the test.
        (2) After the initial financial test, the company must repeat 
    passage of the test within 90 days after the close of each 
    succeeding fiscal year.
        (3) If the licensee no longer meets the requirements of 
    paragraph II. A of this appendix, the licensee must send notice to 
    the NRC of intent to establish alternate financial assurance as 
    specified in NRC regulations. The notice must be sent by certified 
    mail, return receipt requested, within 90 days after the end of the 
    fiscal year for which the year end financial data show that the 
    licensee no longer meets the financial test requirements. The 
    licensee must provide alternate financial assurance within 120 days 
    after the end of such fiscal year.
    
    III. Company Self-Guarantee
    
        The terms of a self-guarantee which an applicant or licensee 
    furnishes must provide that:
        A. The guarantee shall remain in force unless the licensee sends 
    notice of cancellation by certified mail, return receipt requested, 
    to the NRC. Cancellation may not occur until an alternate financial 
    assurance mechanism is in place.
        B. The licensee shall provide alternative financial assurance as 
    specified in the regulations within 90 days following receipt by the 
    NRC of a notice of cancellation of the guarantee.
        C. The guarantee and financial test provisions must remain in 
    effect until the Commission has terminated the license or until 
    another financial assurance method acceptable to the Commission has 
    been put in effect by the licensee.
        D. The applicant or licensee must provide to the Commission a 
    written guarantee (a written commitment by a corporate officer) 
    which states that the licensee will fund and carry out the required 
    decommissioning activities or, upon issuance of an order by the 
    Commission, the licensee will set up and fund a trust in the amount 
    of the current cost estimates for decommissioning.
    
    Appendix E to Part 30--Criteria Relating to Use of Financial Tests 
    and Self-Guarantee for Providing Reasonable Assurance of Funds for 
    Decommissioning by Non-Profit Colleges, Universities, and Hospitals
    
    I. Introduction
    
        An applicant or licensee may provide reasonable assurance of the 
    availability of funds for decommissioning based on furnishing its 
    own guarantee that funds will be available for decommissioning costs 
    and on a demonstration that the applicant or licensee passes the 
    financial test of Section II of this appendix. The terms of the 
    self-guarantee are in Section III of this appendix. This appendix 
    establishes criteria for passing the financial test for the self-
    guarantee and establishes the terms for a self-guarantee.
    
    II. Financial Test
    
        A. For colleges and universities, to pass the financial test a 
    college or university must meet either the criteria in Paragraph II. 
    A. (1) or the criteria in Paragraph II. A. (2) of this Appendix.
        (1) For applicants or licensees that issue bonds, a current 
    rating for its most recent uninsured, uncollateralized, and 
    unencumbered bond issuance of AAA, AA, or A as issued by Standard 
    and Poors (S&P) or Aaa, Aa, or A as issued by Moodys.
        (2) For applicants or licensees that do not issue bonds, 
    unrestricted endowment consisting of assets located in the United 
    States of at least $50 million, or at least 30 times the total 
    current decommissioning cost estimate (or the current amount 
    required if certification is used), whichever is greater, for all 
    decommissioning activities for which the college or university is 
    responsible as a self-guaranteeing licensee.
        B. For hospitals, to pass the financial test a hospital must 
    meet either the criteria in Paragraph II. B. (1) or the criteria in 
    Paragraph II. B. (2) of this Appendix:
        (1) For applicants or licensees that issue bonds, a current 
    rating for its most recent uninsured, uncollateralized, and 
    unencumbered bond issuance of AAA, AA, or A as issued by Standard 
    and Poors (S&P) or Aaa, Aa, or A as issued by Moodys.
        (2) For applicants or licensees that do not issue bonds, all of 
    the following tests must be met:
        (a) (Total Revenues less total expenditures) divided by total 
    revenues must be equal to or greater than .04.
        (b) Long term debt divided by net fixed assets must be less than 
    or equal to .67.
        (c) (Current assets and depreciation fund) divided by current 
    liabilities must be greater than or equal to 2.55.
        (d) Operating revenues must be at least 100 times the total 
    current decommissioning cost estimate (or the current amount 
    required if certification is used) for all decommissioning 
    activities for which the hospital is responsible as a self-
    guaranteeing license.
        C. In addition, to pass the financial test, a licensee must meet 
    all of the following requirements:
        (1) The licensee's independent certified public accountant must 
    have compared the data used by the licensee in the financial test, 
    which is required to be derived from the independently audited year 
    end financial statements, based on United States generally accepted 
    accounting practices, for the latest fiscal year, with the amounts 
    in such financial statement. In connection with that procedure, the 
    licensee shall inform NRC within 90 days of any matters coming to 
    the attention of the auditor that cause the auditor to believe that 
    the data specified in the financial test should be adjusted and that 
    the licensee no longer passes the test.
        (2) After the initial financial test, the licensee must repeat 
    passage of the test within 90 days after the close of each 
    succeeding fiscal year.
        (3) If the licensee no longer meets the requirements of Section 
    I. of this appendix, the licensee must send notice to the NRC of its 
    intent to establish alternate financial assurance as specified in 
    NRC regulations. The notice must be sent by certified mail, return 
    receipt requested, within 90 days after the end of the fiscal year 
    for which the year end financial data show that the licensee no 
    longer meets the financial test requirements. The licensee must 
    provide alternate financial assurance within 120 days after the end 
    of such fiscal year.
    
    III. The Terms of a Self-Guarantee Which an Applicant or Licensee 
    Furnishes Must Provide That--
    
        A. The guarantee shall remain in force unless the licensee sends 
    notice of cancellation by certified mail, and/or return receipt 
    requested, to the Commission. Cancellation may not occur unless an 
    alternate financial assurance mechanism is in place.
        B. The licensee shall provide alternative financial assurance as 
    specified in the Commission's regulations within 90 days following 
    receipt by the Commission of a notice of cancellation of the 
    guarantee.
        C. The guarantee and financial test provisions must remain in 
    effect until the Commission has terminated the license or until 
    another financial assurance method acceptable to the Commission has 
    been put in effect by the licensee.
        D. The applicant or licensee must provide to the Commission a 
    written guarantee (a written commitment by a corporate officer or 
    officer of the institution) which states that the licensee will fund 
    and carry out the required decommissioning activities or, upon 
    issuance of an order by the Commission, the licensee will set up and 
    fund a trust in the amount of the current cost estimates for 
    decommissioning.
        E. If, at any time, the licensee's most recent bond issuance 
    ceases to be rated in any category of ``A'' or above by either 
    Standard and Poors or Moodys, the licensee shall provide notice in 
    writing of such fact to the Commission within 20 days after 
    publication of the change by the rating service.
    
    PART 40--DOMESTIC LICENSING OF SOURCE MATERIAL
    
        5. The authority citation for Part 40 continues to read as follows:
    
        Authority: Secs. 62, 63, 64, 65, 81, 161, 182, 183, 186, 68 
    Stat. 932, 933, 935, 948, 953, 954, 955, as amended, secs. 11e(2), 
    83, 84, Pub. L. 95-604, 92 Stat. 3033, as amended, 3039, sec. 234, 
    83 Stat. 444, as amended (42 U.S.C. 2014(e)(2), 2092, 2093, 2094, 
    2095, 2111, 2113, 2114, 2201, 2232, 2233, 2236, 2282); sec. 274, 
    Pub. L. 86-373, 73 Stat. 688 (42 U.S.C. 2021); secs. 201, as 
    amended, 202, 206, 88 Stat. 1242, as amended, 1244, 1246 (42 U.S.C. 
    5841, 5842, 5846); sec. 275, 92 Stat. 3021, as amended by Pub. L. 
    97-415, 96 Stat. 2067 (42 U.S.C. 2022).
        Section 40.7 also issued under Pub. L. 95-601, sec. 10, 92 Stat. 
    2951 (42 U.S.C. 5851). Section 40.31(g) also issued under sec. 122, 
    68 Stat. 939 (42 U.S.C. 2152). Section 40.46 also issued under sec. 
    184, 68 Stat. 954, as amended (42 U.S.C. 2234). Section 40.71 also 
    issued under sec. 187, 68 Stat. 955 (42 U.S.C. 2237).
    
    
    [[Page 23401]]
    
    
        6. In Sec. 40.36 the introductory text of paragraph (e)(2) is 
    revised to read as follows:
    
    
    Sec. 40.36  Financial assurance and recordkeeping for decommissioning.
    
    * * * * *
        (e) * * *
        (2) A surety method, insurance, or other guarantee method. These 
    methods guarantee that decommissioning costs will be paid. A surety 
    method may be in the form of a surety bond, letter of credit, or line 
    of credit. A parent company guarantee of funds for decommissioning 
    costs based on a financial test may be used if the guarantee and test 
    are as contained in Appendix A to Part 30. A parent company guarantee 
    may not be used in combination with other financial methods to satisfy 
    the requirements of this section. For commercial corporations that 
    issue bonds, a guarantee of funds by the applicant or licensee for 
    decommissioning costs based on a financial test may be used if the 
    guarantee and test are as contained in Appendix C to Part 30. For 
    commercial companies that do not issue bonds, a guarantee of funds by 
    the applicant or licensee for decommissioning costs may be used if the 
    guarantee and test are as contained in Appendix D to Part 30. For non-
    profit entities, such as colleges, universities, and non-profit 
    hospitals, a guarantee of funds by the applicant or licensee may be 
    used if the guarantee and test are as contained in Appendix E to Part 
    30. A guarantee by the applicant or licensee may not be used in 
    combination with any other financial methods used to satisfy the 
    requirements of this section or in any situation where the applicant or 
    licensee has a parent company holding majority control of the voting 
    stock of the company. Any surety method or insurance used to provide 
    financial assurance for decommissioning must contain the following 
    conditions:
    * * * * *
    
    PART 50--DOMESTIC LICENSING OF PRODUCTION AND UTILIZATION 
    FACILITIES
    
        7. The authority citation for Part 50 continues to read as follows:
    
        Authority: Secs. 102, 103, 104, 105, 161, 182, 183, 186, 189, 68 
    Stat. 936, 937, 938, 948, 953, 954, 955, 956, as amended, sec. 234, 
    83 Stat. 1244, as amended (42 U.S.C. 2132, 2133, 2134, 2135, 2201, 
    2232, 2233, 2236, 2239, 2282); secs. 201, as amended, 202, 206, 88 
    Stat. 1242, as amended, 1244, 1246 (42 U.S.C. 5841, 5842, 5846).
        Section 50.7 also issued under Pub. L. 95-601, sec. 10, 92 Stat. 
    2951 (42 U.S.C. 5851). Section 50.10 also issued under secs. 101, 
    185, 68 Stat. 936, 955, as amended (42 U.S.C. 2131, 2235); sec. 102, 
    Pub. L. 91-190, 83 Stat. 853 (42 U.S.C. 4332). Sections 50.13, 
    50.54(dd), and 50.103 also issued under sec. 108, 68 Stat. 939, as 
    amended (42 U.S.C. 2138). Sections 50.23, 50.35, 50.55, and 50.56 
    also issued under sec. 185, 68 Stat. 955 (42 U.S.C. 2235). Sections 
    50.33a, 50.55a and Appendix Q also issued under sec. 102, Pub. L. 
    91-190, 83 Stat. 853 (42 U.S.C. 4332). Sections 50.34 and 50.54 also 
    issued under sec. 204, 88 Stat. 1245 (42 U.S.C. 5844). Sections 
    50.58, 50.91, and 50.92 also issued under Pub. L. 97-415, 96 Stat. 
    2073 (42 U.S.C. 2239). Section 50.78 also issued under sec. 122, 68 
    Stat. 939 (42 U.S.C. 2152). Sections 50.80-50.81 also issued under 
    sec. 184, 68 Stat. 954, as amended (42 U.S.C. 2234). Appendix F also 
    issued under sec. 187, 68 Stat. 955 (42 U.S.C 2237).
        8. In Sec. 50.75 the introductory text of paragraph (e)(2)(iii) is 
    revised to read as follows:
    
    
    Sec. 50.75  Reporting and recordkeeping for decommissioning planning.
    
    * * * * *
        (e) * * *
        (2) * * *
        (iii) A surety method, insurance, or other guarantee method. These 
    methods guarantee that decommissioning costs will be paid. A surety 
    method may be in the form of a surety bond, letter of credit, or line 
    of credit. A parent company guarantee of funds for decommissioning 
    costs based on a financial test may be used if the guarantee and test 
    are as contained in Appendix A to Part 30. A parent company guarantee 
    may not be used in combination with other financial methods to satisfy 
    the requirements of this section. For commercial corporations that 
    issue bonds, a guarantee of funds by the applicant or licensee for 
    decommissioning costs based on a financial test may be used if the 
    guarantee and test are as contained in Appendix C to Part 30. For 
    commercial companies that do not issue bonds, a guarantee of funds by 
    the applicant or licensee for decommissioning costs may be used if the 
    guarantee and test are as contained in Appendix D to Part 30. For non-
    profit entities, such as colleges, universities, and non-profit 
    hospitals, a guarantee of funds by the applicant or licensee may be 
    used if the guarantee and test are as contained in Appendix E to Part 
    30. A guarantee by the applicant or licensee may not be used in 
    combination with any other financial methods used to satisfy the 
    requirements of this section or in any situation where the applicant or 
    licensee has a parent company holding majority control of the voting 
    stock of the company. Any surety method or insurance used to provide 
    financial assurance for decommissioning must contain the following 
    conditions:
    * * * * *
    
    PART 70--DOMESTIC LICENSING OF SPECIAL NUCLEAR MATERIAL
    
        9. The authority citation for Part 70 continues to read as follows:
    
        Authority: Secs. 51, 53, 161, 182, 183, 68 Stat. 929, 930, 948, 
    953, 954, as amended, sec. 234, 83 Stat. 444, as amended (42 USC 
    2071, 2073, 2201, 2232, 2233, 2282); secs. 201, as amended, 202, 
    204, 206, 88 Stat. 1242, as amended, 1244, 1245, 1246 (42 USC 5841, 
    5842, 5845, 5846).
        Sections 70.1(c) and 70.20a(b) also issued under secs. 135, 141, 
    Pub. L. 97-425, 96 Stat. 2232, 2241 (42 USC 10155, 10161). Section 
    70.7 also issued under Pub. L. 95-601, sec. 10, 92 Stat. 2951 (42 
    USC 5851). Section 70.21(g) also issued under sec. 122, 68 Stat. 939 
    (42 USC 2152). Section 70.31 also issued under sec. 57d, Pub. L. 93-
    377, 88 Stat. 475 (42 USC 2077). Sections 70.36 and 70.44 also 
    issued under sec. 184, 68 Stat. 954, as amended (42 USC 2234). 
    Section 70.61 also issued under secs. 186, 187, 68 Stat. 955 (42 USC 
    2236, 2237). Section 70.62 also issued under sec. 108, 68 Stat. 939, 
    as amended (42 USC 2138).
    
        10. In Sec. 70.25, the introductory text of paragraph (f)(2) is 
    revised to read as follows:
    
    
    Sec. 70.25  Financial assurance and recordkeeping for decommissioning.
    
    * * * * *
        (f) * * *
        (2) A surety method, insurance, or other guarantee method. These 
    methods guarantee that decommissioning costs will be paid. A surety 
    method may be in the form of a surety bond, letter of credit, or line 
    of credit. A parent company guarantee of funds for decommissioning 
    costs based on a financial test may be used if the guarantee and test 
    are as contained in Appendix A to Part 30. A parent company guarantee 
    may not be used in combination with other financial methods to satisfy 
    the requirements of this section. For commercial corporations that 
    issue bonds, a guarantee of funds by the applicant or licensee for 
    decommissioning costs based on a financial test may be used if the 
    guarantee and test are as contained in Appendix C to Part 30. For 
    commercial companies that do not issue bonds, a guarantee of funds by 
    the applicant or licensee for decommissioning costs may be used if the 
    guarantee and test are as contained in Appendix D to Part 30. For non-
    profit
    
    [[Page 23402]]
    
    entities, such as colleges, universities, and non-profit hospitals, a 
    guarantee of funds by the applicant or licensee may be used if the 
    guarantee and test are as contained in Appendix E to Part 30. A 
    guarantee by the applicant or licensee may not be used in combination 
    with any other financial methods used to satisfy the requirements of 
    this section or in any situation where the applicant or licensee has a 
    parent company holding majority control of the voting stock of the 
    company. Any surety method or insurance used to provide financial 
    assurance for decommissioning must contain the following conditions:
    * * * * *
    
    PART 72--LICENSING REQUIREMENTS FOR THE INDEPENDENT STORAGE OF 
    SPENT NUCLEAR FUEL AND HIGH-LEVEL RADIOACTIVE WASTE
    
        11. The authority citation for Part 72 continues to read as 
    follows:
    
        Authority: Secs. 51, 53, 57, 62, 63, 65, 69, 81, 161, 182, 183, 
    184, 186, 187, 189, 68 Stat. 929, 930, 932, 933, 934, 935, 948, 953, 
    954, 955, as amended, sec. 234, 83 Stat. 444, as amended (42 USC 
    2071, 2073, 2077, 2092, 2093, 2095, 2099, 2111, 2201, 2232, 2233, 
    2234, 2236, 2237, 2238, 2282); sec. 274, Pub. L. 86-373, 73 Stat. 
    688, as amended (42 USC 2021); sec. 201, as amended, 202, 206, 88 
    Stat. 1242, as amended, 1244, 1246 (42 USC 5841, 5842, 5846); Pub. 
    L. 95-601, sec. 10, 92 Stat. 2951 (42 USC 5851); sec. 102, Pub. L. 
    91-190, 83 Stat. 853 (42 USC 4332); Secs. 131, 132, 133, 135, 137, 
    141, Pub. L. 97-425, 96 Stat. 2229, 2230, 2232, 2241, sec. 148, Pub. 
    L. 100-203, 101 Stat. 1330-235 (42 USC 10151, 10152, 10153, 10155, 
    10157, 10161, 10168).
        Section 72.44(g) also issued under secs. 142(b) and 148(c), (d), 
    Pub. L. 100-203, 101 Stat. 1330-232, 1330-236 (42 USC 10162(b), 
    10168(c), (d)). Section 72.46 also issued under sec. 189, 68 Stat. 
    955 (42 USC 2239); sec. 134, Pub. L. 97-425, 96 Stat. 2230 (42 USC 
    10154). Section 72.96(d) also issued under sec. 145(g), Pub. L. 100-
    203, 101 Stat. 1330-235 (42 USC 10165(g)). Subpart J also issued 
    under secs. 2(2), 2(15), 2(19), 117(a), 141(h), Pub. L. 97-425, 96 
    Stat. 2202, 2203, 2204, 2222, 2244 (42 USC 10101, 10137(a), 
    10161(h)). Subparts K and L are also issued under sec. 133, 98 Stat. 
    2230 (42 USC 10153) and sec. 218(a), 96 Stat. 2252 (42 USC 10198).
    
        12. In Sec. 72.30 the introductory text of paragraph (c)(2) is 
    revised to read as follows:
    
    
    Sec. 72.30  Decommissioning Planning including financing and 
    recordkeeping.
    
    * * * * *
        (c) * * *
        (2) A surety method, insurance, or other guarantee method. These 
    methods guarantee that decommissioning costs will be paid. A surety 
    method may be in the form of a surety bond, letter of credit, or line 
    of credit. A parent company guarantee of funds for decommissioning 
    costs based on a financial test may be used if the guarantee and test 
    are as contained in Appendix A to Part 30. A parent company guarantee 
    may not be used in combination with other financial methods to satisfy 
    the requirements of this section. For commercial corporations that 
    issue bonds, a guarantee of funds by the applicant or licensee for 
    decommissioning costs based on a financial test may be used if the 
    guarantee and test are as contained in Appendix C to Part 30. For 
    commercial corporations that do not issue bonds, a guarantee of funds 
    by the applicant or licensee for decommissioning costs may be used if 
    the guarantee and test are as contained in Appendix D to Part 30. A 
    guarantee by the applicant or licensee may not be used in combination 
    with any other financial methods used to satisfy the requirements of 
    this section or in any situation where the applicant or licensee has a 
    parent company holding majority control of the voting stock of the 
    company. Any surety method or insurance used to provide financial 
    assurance for decommissioning must contain the following conditions:
    * * * * *
        Dated at Rockville, Maryland, this 24th day of April, 1997.
    
        For the Nuclear Regulatory Commission.
    John C. Hoyle,
    Secretary of the Commission.
    [FR Doc. 97-11203 Filed 4-29-97; 8:45 am]
    BILLING CODE 7590-01-P
    
    
    

Document Information

Published:
04/30/1997
Department:
Nuclear Regulatory Commission
Entry Type:
Proposed Rule
Action:
Proposed rule.
Document Number:
97-11203
Dates:
Submit comments by July 29, 1997. 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.
Pages:
23394-23402 (9 pages)
RINs:
3150-AF64: Self-Guarantee of Decommissioning Funding by Non-Profit and Non-Bond Issuing Licensees
RIN Links:
https://www.federalregister.gov/regulations/3150-AF64/self-guarantee-of-decommissioning-funding-by-non-profit-and-non-bond-issuing-licensees
PDF File:
97-11203.pdf
CFR: (7)
10 CFR 184
10 CFR 30.8
10 CFR 30.35
10 CFR 40.36
10 CFR 50.75
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