[Federal Register Volume 59, Number 96 (Thursday, May 19, 1994)]
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From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 94-12190]
Federal Register / Vol. 59, No. 96 / Thursday, May 19, 1994 /
[[Page Unknown]]
[Federal Register: May 19, 1994]
VOL. 59, NO. 96
Thursday, May 19, 1994
NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION
10 CFR Part 171
RIN 3150-AE99
Establishment of Revised FY 1991 and FY 1992 Annual Fee
Surcharges
AGENCY: Nuclear Regulatory Commission.
ACTION: Final rule.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: On July 20, 1993 (58 FR 38666), the Nuclear Regulatory
Commission (``NRC'' or ``Commission'') published a final rule as a
result of the U.S. Court of Appeals decision dated March 16, 1993. The
final rule changed the method of allocating low-level waste costs for
FY 1993 in response to the court's decision. In its FY 1993 final rule,
the NRC indicated that it was adopting the FY 1993 approach for FY 1991
and FY 1992 and would separately publish a final rule revising the FY
1991 and FY 1992 surcharges. This final rule establishes those revised
surcharges for NRC licensees for FY 1991 and FY 1992. The NRC will make
refunds to certain materials licensees based on the amounts of the
revised surcharges.
EFFECTIVE DATE: May 19, 1994.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: C. James Holloway, Jr., Office of the
Controller, U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission, Washington, DC 20555,
telephone 301-492-4301.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
I. Background.
II. Final action--revised FY 1991 and FY 1992 annual fee surcharges.
III. Administrative Procedure Act: Waiver.
IV. Environmental Impact: Categorical Exclusion.
V. Paperwork Reduction Act Statement.
VI. Regulatory Analysis.
VII. Regulatory Flexibility Analysis.
VIII. Backfit Analysis.
I. Background
On March 16, 1993, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of
Columbia Circuit decided Allied-Signal, Inc., v. U.S. Nuclear
Regulatory Commission and the United States of America, 988 F.2d 146
(D.C. Cir. 1993). The court questioned the NRC's decision to allocate
generic costs associated with low-level waste (LLW) disposal by classes
of licensees, rather than by individual licensee. The Court remanded
only the FY 1991 rule; however, the FY 1992 rule raised identical
questions and a challenge to that rule was subsequently remanded by the
court.
In response to the Court's opinion, the NRC, in its final fee rule
for FY 1993 published on July 20, 1993 (58 FR 38669), changed its
method of allocating LLW costs to NRC licensees after providing for
notice and comment on four alternative methods of LLW cost allocation
and possible variations of those alternatives. Based on the comments
received, the NRC, for FY 1993, created two groups--large waste
generators and small waste generators. Licensees within each group are
charged a uniform flat fee. In its final FY 1993 rule, the NRC also
adopted this approach for FY 1991 and FY 1992, indicating that it would
publish separately final revised FY 1991 and FY 1992 surcharge
schedules resulting from changes in the allocations of NRC LLW budgeted
generic costs. This rulemaking notice completes agency action on the
proposed rule issued for public comment on April 23, 1993 (58 FR 21662)
and implements the ministerial calculations called for in the July 20,
1993 final rule.
The agency workpapers that support these final changes to 10 CFR
part 171 for FY 1991 and FY 1992 are available in the Public Document
Room at 2120 L Street, NW., Washington, DC, in the lower level of the
Gelman Building.
II. Final Action--Revised FY 1991 and 1992 Fee Surcharges
This final rule establishes the revised FY 1991 and FY 1992
surcharges for NRC licensees based on the allocation method of low-
level waste costs described and used in the FY 1993 final rule.
The revised method of allocation, described in detail in the FY
1993 final rule published on July 20, 1993 (58 FR 38669), allocates the
LLW costs between two groups: large generators (power reactors and
large fuel facilities), and small generators (all other LLW-producing
licensees). Waste generators in the large group are each expected to
generate more than 1,000 cubic feet of LLW per year. The allocation of
LLW costs to the two groups is based on the historical average amount
of waste disposed by the two groups. The result is that 82 percent and
18 percent of the costs are allocated to the large and small generator
groups, respectively. Within each of the two groups, all licensees pay
the same LLW fee (surcharge).
The amounts of the surcharges for the two groups using the revised
method for FY 1991 are shown in Secs. 171.15(c)(3) and 171.16(f) of
this final rule. For FY 1992, the amounts of the surcharges for the
various fee categories using the FY 1993 method are shown in
Secs. 171.15(c)(4) and 171.16(g) of this final rule. The revised LLW
surcharges for small generators of LLW are $1,400 for FY 1991 and
$1,500 for FY 1992. The surcharge for FY 1991 is the same for small
generators ($1,400) as that assessed in FY 1991. For FY 1992, the LLW
surcharge of $1,500 is $100 less than the $1,600 paid by the small
generators in FY 1992. The revised surcharges for large generators of
LLW for FY 1991 and FY 1992 are $62,300 and $61,700, respectively.
These surcharges are lower than the $143,400 and $155,100 paid in FY
1991 and FY 1992, respectively, by some large fuel facilities. Based on
the FY 1993 LLW allocation method, the revised surcharges for FY 1991
and FY 1992 for operating power reactors and small fuel facilities (fee
Category 1.A.(2)) are greater than those paid in FY 1991 and FY 1992.
The increase will not be assessed because no additional charges
established under this final rule (i.e., a later enacted rule) can be
retroactively assessed due to applicable judicial precedent. However,
refunds will be made for certain large generators because their fee
burden is lower under the revised allocations. The amount of the refund
for individual licensees will represent the difference between the
amount paid under the previous rules and the revised amounts for FY
1991 and FY 1992. The NRC expects the refunds to the large generators
to be made by June 30, 1994. For the approximately 1,000 small
generators who paid a FY 1992 LLW surcharge, each will receive a $100
credit on their FY 1994 bill for cost effectiveness reasons. The total
amount of the refunds and credits for both fiscal years is estimated to
be approximately $2.2 million. If any entity no longer holds an NRC
license, but is eligible for a refund or credit, it should write to the
U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission, Office of the Controller, License
Fee and Debt Collection Branch, Washington, DC 20555.
III. Administrative Procedure Act: Waiver
No additional charges will be assessed for FY 1991 and FY 1992;
instead certain licensees are eligible to receive either refunds or
credits based on the difference in the amount of the revised surcharges
and the amounts initially paid in FY 1991 and FY 1992. To expedite the
issuance of refunds and credits, the NRC has determined that good cause
exists to waive the 30-day deferred effective date provisions of the
Administrative Procedures Act (5 U.S.C. 553(d)(3)). This final rule
will therefore become effective immediately upon publication.
IV. Environmental Impact: Categorical Exclusion
The NRC has determined that this final rule is the type of action
described in categorical exclusion 10 CFR 51.22(c)(1). Therefore,
neither an environmental assessment nor an environmental impact
statement has been prepared for the final regulation.
V. Paperwork Reduction Act Statement
This final rule contains no information collection requirements
and, therefore, is not subject to the requirements of the Paperwork
Reduction Act of 1980 (44 U.S.C. 3501 et seq.).
VI. Regulatory Analysis
With respect to 10 CFR Part 171, on November 5, 1990, the Congress
passed Public Law No. 101-508, the Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of
1990 (OBRA-90). OBRA-90, as amended, requires that for FYs 1991 through
1998 approximately 100 percent of the NRC's budget authority be
recovered through the assessment of fees. To accomplish this statutory
requirement for FY 1991 and FY 1992, the NRC on July 10, 1991 (56 FR
31472), and on July 23, 1992 (57 FR 32691), in accordance with
Sec. 171.13, published in the Federal Register schedules of the FY 1991
and FY 1992 annual fees for operating reactor licensees, fuel cycle
licensees, materials licensees, holders of Certificates of Compliance,
registrations of sealed source and devices and QA program approvals,
and Government agencies.
In FY 1991 and FY 1992, the NRC allocated low-level waste (LLW)
costs by the amount of waste disposed per class of licensee, dividing
the costs equally within each class. This method of cost allocation was
challenged in court.
On March 16, 1993, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of
Columbia Circuit decided Allied-Signal, Inc., v. U.S. Nuclear
Regulatory Commission and the United States of America, 988 F.2d 146
(DC Cir. 1993). The court questioned the Commission's decision to
allocate generic costs associated with low-level waste (LLW) disposal
by classes of licensees, rather than by individual licensees. The Court
remanded only the FY 1991 rule; however, the FY 1992 rule raised
identical questions. The same petitioners who challenged the FY 1991
rule in court also brought a judicial challenge to the FY 1992 rule.
In response to the court decision, the NRC in its proposed FY 1993
annual fee rule published on April 23, 1993 (58 FR 21662), requested
comments on four alternative methods of LLW cost allocation and
possible variations of those alternatives. A number of comments were
received. There was no consensus among the commenters regarding a
preferred option.
In response to the Court's directive, the NRC, in its final fee
rule for FY 1993, published on July 20, 1993 (58 FR 38669), changed its
method of allocating LLW costs to NRC licensees. The NRC, for FY 1993,
created two groups--large waste generators and small waste generators.
Licensees within each group are charged a uniform flat fee. In the
final FY 1993 rule, the NRC also adopted this approach for FY 1991 and
FY 1992, indicating that it would separately publish a final rule
revising the FY 1991 and FY 1992 surcharges resulting from the changed
allocation of NRC LLW budgeted generic costs. This final rule
establishes the revised surcharges for FY 1991 and FY 1992.
VII. Regulatory Flexibility Analysis
As required by the Regulatory Flexibility Act, 5 U.S.C. 605(b), the
Commission certifies that this final rule as adopted does not have a
significant economic impact on a substantial number of small entities.
This final rule establishes revised surcharges for FY 1991 and FY 1992.
These revised surcharges will not impose new financial burdens on any
class of licensees for FY 1991 and FY 1992. Rather, certain licensees
will be eligible for either refunds or credits based on the differences
between the amount of the revised surcharges and the amounts initially
paid in FY 1991 and FY 1992.
VIII. Backfit Analysis
The NRC has determined that the backfit rule, 10 CFR 50.109, does
not apply to this final rule and that a backfit analysis is not
required for this final rule. The backfit analysis is not required
because these amendments do not require the modification of or
additions to systems, structures, components, or design of a facility
or the design approval or manufacturing license for a facility or the
procedures or organization required to design, construct or operate a
facility.
List of Subjects in 10 CFR Part 171
Annual charges, Byproduct material, Holders of certificates,
registrations, and approvals, Intergovernmental relations, Non-payment
penalties, Nuclear materials, Nuclear power plants and reactors, Source
material, Special nuclear material.
For the reasons set out in the preamble and under the authority of
the Atomic Energy Act of 1954, as amended, and 5 U.S.C. 552 and 553,
the NRC hereby adopts the following amendments to 10 CFR Part 171.
PART 171--ANNUAL FEES FOR REACTOR OPERATING LICENSES, AND FUEL
CYCLE LICENSES AND MATERIALS LICENSES, INCLUDING HOLDERS OF
CERTIFICATES OF COMPLIANCE, REGISTRATIONS, AND QUALITY ASSURANCE
PROGRAM APPROVALS AND GOVERNMENT AGENCIES LICENSED BY THE NRC
1. The authority citation for part 171 continues to read as
follows:
Authority: Sec. 7601, Pub. L. 99-272, 100 Stat. 146, as amended
by sec. 5601, Pub. L. 100-203, 101 Stat. 1330, as amended by sec.
3201, Pub. L. 101-239, 103 Stat. 2106 as amended by sec. 6101, Pub.
L. 101-508, 104 Stat. 1388 (42 U.S.C. 2213); sec. 301, Pub. L. 92-
314, 86 Stat. 222 (42 U.S.C. 2201(w)); sec. 201, 88 Stat. 1242, as
amended (42 U.S.C. 5841); sec. 2903, Pub. L. 102-486, 106 Stat. 3125
(42 U.S.C. 2214 note).
2. In Sec. 171.15, paragraphs (c)(3) and (c)(4) are added to read
as follows:
Sec. 171.15 Annual fees: reactor operating licenses.
* * * * *
(c) * * *
(3) The FY 1991 surcharge to be added to each operating power
reactor is $266,000. This amount is calculated by dividing the total
cost for these activities ($29.0 million) by the number of operating
power reactors (109).
(4) The FY 1992 surcharge to be added to each operating power
reactor is $281,000. This amount is calculated by dividing the total
cost for these activities ($30.6 million) by the number of operating
power reactors (109).
* * * * *
3. In Sec. 171.16, paragraphs (f) and (g) are added to read as
follows:
Sec. 171.16 Annual Fees: Materials Licensees, Holders of Certificates
of Compliance, Holders of Sealed Source and Device Registrations,
Holders of Quality Assurance Program Approvals and Government agencies
licensed by the NRC.
* * * * *
(f) To recover FY 1991 costs relating to LLW disposal generic
activities, an additional charge of $62,300 has been added to fee
Categories 1.A.(1), 1.A.(2) and 2.A.(1); an additional charge of $1,400
has been added to fee Categories 1.B., 1.D., 2.C., 3.A., 3.B., 3.C.,
3.L., 3.M., 3.N., 4.A., 4.B., 4.C., 5.B., 6.A., and 7.B., and an
additional charge of $21,000 has been added to fee Category 17. For
comparative purposes the table following shows, for each materials fee
category, the total surcharge assessed in FY 1991, the FY 1991 amended
surcharges and the amount of overpayment resulting in a refund due or a
credit given certain categories of materials licensees.
Schedule of Materials Annual Fee Surcharges
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
FY 1991 FY 1991
Fee category\1\ surcharge amended Amount of
assessed\2\ surcharge\2\ overpayment
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Special nuclear material:
1.A.(1)..................................................... $143,500 $62,400 $81,100
1.A.(2)..................................................... 35,900 62,400
1.B......................................................... 1,500 1,500
1.C......................................................... 100 100
1.D......................................................... 1,500 1,500
Source material:
2.A.(1)..................................................... $143,500 $62,400 $81,100
2.A.(2)..................................................... 100 100
2.B......................................................... 100 100
2.C......................................................... 1,500 1,500
Byproduct material:
3.A......................................................... $1,500 $1,500
3.B......................................................... 1,500 1,500
3.C......................................................... 1,500 1,500
3.D......................................................... 100 100
3.E......................................................... 100 100
3.F......................................................... 100 100
3.G......................................................... 100 100
3.H......................................................... 100 100
3.I......................................................... 100 100
3.J......................................................... 100 100
3.K......................................................... 100 100
3.L......................................................... 1,500 1,500
3.M......................................................... 1,500 1,500
3.N......................................................... 1,500 1,500
3.O......................................................... 100 100
3.P......................................................... 100 100
Waste disposal and processing:
4.A......................................................... $35,900 1,500 $34,400
4.B......................................................... 1,500 1,500
4.C......................................................... 1,500 1,500
Well logging:
5.A......................................................... $100 $100
5.B......................................................... 1,500 1,500
Nuclear laundries:
6.A......................................................... $1,500 $1,500
Medical--human use:
7.A......................................................... $100 $100
7.B......................................................... 1,500 1,500
7.C......................................................... 100 100
Civil defense:
8.A......................................................... $100 $100
Device/sealed source evaluation:
9.A......................................................... $100 $100
9.B......................................................... 100 100
9.C......................................................... 100 100
9.D......................................................... 100 100
Transportation:
10.B........................................................ $100 $100
Spent fuel storage:
13.B........................................................ $100 $100
Master licenses:
17.......................................................... $22,500 $21,000 $1,500
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\A full description of the various fee categories is found in Sec. 171.16(d).
\2\Includes $100 surcharge to recover costs not paid by small entities.
(g) To recover FY 1992 costs relating to LLW disposal generic
activities, an additional charge of $61,700 has been added to fee
categories 1.A.(1), 1.A.(2), and 2.A.(1); an additional charge of
$1,500 has been added to fee Categories 1.B., 1.D., 2.C., 3.A., 3.B.,
3.C., 3.L., 3.M., 3.N., 4.N., 4.A., 4.B., 4.C., 5.B., 6.A., and 7.B.,
and an additional charge of $23,100 has been added to fee Category 17.
For comparative purposes the following table shows, for each materials
fee category, the total surcharge assessed in FY 1992, the FY 1992
amendment surcharges and the amount of overpayment resulting in a
refund due or a credit given for certain categories of materials
licensees.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
FY 1992 FY 1992
Fee category\1\ surcharge amended Amount of
assessed\2\ surcharge\2\ overpayment
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Special nuclear material:
1.A.(1)..................................................... $155,250 $61,850 $93,400
1.A.(2)..................................................... 38,950 61,850
1.B......................................................... 1,750 1,650 100
1.C......................................................... 150 150
1.D......................................................... 1,750 1,650 100
Source material:
2.A.(1)..................................................... 155,250 61,850 93,400
2.A.(2)..................................................... 150 150
2.B......................................................... 150 150
2.C......................................................... 1,750 1,650 100
Byproduct material:
3.A......................................................... 1,750 1,650 100
3.B......................................................... 1,750 1,650 100
3.C......................................................... 1,750 1,650 100
3.D......................................................... 150 150
3.E......................................................... 150 150
3.F......................................................... 150 150
3.G......................................................... 150 150
3.H......................................................... 150 150
3.I......................................................... 150 150
3.J......................................................... 150 150
3.K......................................................... 150 150
3.L......................................................... 1,750 1,650 100
3.M......................................................... 1,750 1,650 100
3.N......................................................... 1,750 1,650 100
3.O......................................................... 150 150
3.P......................................................... 150 150
Waste disposal and processing:
4.A......................................................... 38,950 1,650 37,300
4.B......................................................... 1,750 1,650 100
4.C......................................................... 1,750 1,650 100
Well logging:
5.A......................................................... 150 150
5.B......................................................... 1,750 1,650 100
Nuclear laundries:
6.A......................................................... 1,750 1,650 100
Medical--human use:
7.A......................................................... 150 150
7.B......................................................... 1,750 1,650 100
7.C......................................................... 150 150
Civil defense:
8.A......................................................... 150 150
Device/sealed source evaluation:
9.A......................................................... 150 150
9.B......................................................... 150 150
9.C......................................................... 150 150
9.D......................................................... 150 150
Transportation:
10.B........................................................ 150 150
Spent fuel storage:
13.B........................................................ 150 150
Master licenses:
17.......................................................... 36,150 23,250 12,900
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\A full description of the various fee categories is found in Sec. 171.16(d).
\2\Includes $150 surcharge to recover costs not paid by small entities.
Dated at Rockville, MD this 6th day of May 1994.
For the Nuclear Regulatory Commission.
James M. Taylor,
Executive Director for Operations.
[FR Doc. 94-12190 Filed 5-18-94; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 7590-01-P
