Nuclear Spent Fuel Storage Cask Approval Update

Summary

The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) is amending its spent fuel storage regulations by revising the TN Americas LLC, NUHOMS[supreg] EOS Dry Spent Fuel Storage System listing within the "List of approved spent fuel storage casks" to include Amendment No. 4 to Certificate of Compliance No. 1042. Amendment No. 4 changes the certificate of compliance to incorporate a method to determine new loading patterns, introduce a steel plate composite option, introduce the use of MAVRIC software for a confirmatory run of the HSM-MX dose rates, make technical specification changes for consistency and terminology clarification, make various updated final safety analysis report editorial corrections for consistency and clarification, add measured exposures from past loading campaigns, allow use of a blended Portland cement, change the use of the MX-Loading Crane, and clarify the scenarios under which the maximum heat loads can be reduced.

Compliance Requirements

1. #1

   Persons who hold a general license under § 72.210 may, consistent with the license conditions under § 72.212, load spent nuclear fuel into TN Americas LLC, NUHOMS® EOS Dry Spent Fuel Storage System casks that meet the criteria of Amendment No. 4 to CoC No. 1042; Spent fuel must be stored under the conditions specified in the cask's Certificate of Compliance; Nuclear power reactor licensees must notify the NRC in advance before using NRC-approved cask designs to store spent nuclear fuel; Comments on this direct final rule must be submitted by [INSERT DATE 30 DAYS AFTER DATE OF PUBLICATION IN THE FEDERAL REGISTER]; Submit comments identified by Docket ID NRC-2025-0070 at https://www.regulations.gov; Occupational exposure or offsite dose rates must remain well within the limits specified by 10 CFR part 20, 'Standards for Protection Against Radiation'; The design of the cask must maintain confinement, shielding, and criticality control in the event of each evaluated accident condition

Market Impacts

• Amendment No. 4 introduces new technical capabilities including steel plate composite option for HSM construction, MAVRIC software for dose rate confirmation, and new loading pattern methodologies, creating competitive advantages for TN Americas LLC; Nuclear power plant licensees gain access to improved storage technology with enhanced safety features and operational flexibility under general license provisions; NRC approval creates regulatory barrier for competing storage system manufacturers who must undergo similar certification process; Creates demand for specialized consulting services to help nuclear facilities implement new storage system requirements and compliance measures

Estimated Monetary Impact

Basis: The regulation explicitly states it contains no new or amended collections of information subject to the Paperwork Reduction Act, has no significant economic impact on small entities, and does not constitute backfitting. The NRC determined this amendment does not reflect significant design or fabrication changes and maintains existing safety standards. No monetary amounts, cost estimates, or penalty structures are mentioned in the document. The regulation affects only nuclear power plant licensees and TN Americas LLC, with voluntary adoption for existing users.Confidence: 20%

Validated Company Impacts