E7-16675. Agency Information Collection Activities: Submission for the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) Review; Comment Request

AGENCY:

U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC).

ACTION:

Notice of the OMB review of information collection and solicitation of public comment.

SUMMARY:

The NRC has recently submitted to OMB for review the following proposal for the collection of information under the provisions of the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44 U.S.C. Chapter 35). The NRC hereby informs potential respondents that an agency may not conduct or sponsor, and that a person is not required to respond to, a collection of information unless it displays a currently valid OMB control number.

1. Type of submission, new, revision, or extension: Revision.

2. The title of the information collection: 10 CFR Part 21, “Reporting of Defects and Noncompliance.”

3. The form number if applicable: Not Applicable.

4. How often the collection is required: On occasion, as necessary in order for NRC to meet its responsibilities to conduct a detailed review of defects in basic components of nuclear power plants or failures to comply that could create a substantial safety hazard.

5. Who will be required or asked to report: All directors and responsible officers of firms and organizations building, operating, or owning NRC licensed facilities as well as directors and responsible officers of firms and organizations supplying basic components and safety related design, analysis, testing, inspection, and consulting services of NRC licensed facilities or activities.

6. An estimate of the number of annual responses: 105 (70 plus 35 recordkeepers).

7. The estimated number of annual respondents: 35.

8. An estimate of the total number of hours needed annually to complete the requirement or request: 7,579 hours (4,970 hours for reporting and 2,609 hours for recordkeeping).

9. An indication of whether section 3507(d), Public Law 104-13 applies:N/A.

10. Abstract: Reports submitted under 10 CFR 21 are reviewed by the NRC staff to determine whether the reported defects or failures to comply in basic components at NRC licensed facilities or activities are potentially generic safety problems.

These reports have been the basis for the issuance of numerous NRC Information Notices, Generic Letters, and Bulletins that have contributed to the improved safety of the nuclear industry.

The records required to be maintained in accordance with 10 CFR 21.51 are subject to inspection by the NRC to determine compliance with the subject regulation. These records fall into four categories: Records relating to evaluations defined by 10 CFR 21.3, records of previously submitted reports pursuant to 10 CFR 21.21, records of procedures required to assure compliance with 10 CFR 21, and procurement documents necessary to ensure that background specifications are available to evaluate potential defects and failures to comply.

Industry organizations, such as the Institute for Nuclear Power Operations (INPO) and the Nuclear Energy Institute (NEI), are urged to share and distribute such information to all affected parties as it becomes available. The NRC further disseminates significant generic information to all affected parties via NRC Information Notices, Generic Letters, and Bulletins, and encourages the elimination of duplicate reporting. Computer databases are used extensively by the NRC and the nuclear industry for tracking these reports.

A copy of the final supporting statement may be viewed free of charge at the NRC Public Document Room, One White Flint North, 11555 Rockville Pike, Room O-1 F21, Rockville, MD 20852. OMB clearance requests are available at the NRC worldwide Web site: http://www.nrc.gov/​public-involve/​doc-comment/​omb/​index.html. The document will be available on the NRC home page site for 60 days after the signature date of this notice.

Comments and questions should be directed to the OMB reviewer listed below by September 24, 2007. 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. Nathan Frey, Desk Officer, Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs (3150-0035), NEOB-10202, Office of Management and Budget, Washington, DC 20503.

Comments can also be submitted to [e-mail] or submitted by telephone at [phone].

The NRC Clearance Officer is Margaret A. Janney, 301-415-7245.

Dated at Rockville, Maryland, this 16th day of August, 2007.

For the Nuclear Regulatory Commission.

Margaret A. Janney,

NRC Clearance Officer, Office of Information Services.