Safety Evaluation Report for the International Isotopes Fluorine Products, Inc. Fluorine Extraction Process and Depleted Uranium Deconversion Plant in Lea County, New Mexico (NUREG–2116)

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Publication Information

Manuscript Completed: May 2012
Date Published: May 2012

Office of Nuclear Material Safety and Safeguards
U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission
Washington DC 20555-0001

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Abstract

This report documents the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission’s (NRC’s) staff review and safety and safeguards evaluation of International Isotopes Fluorine Products, Inc.'s (IIFP), application for a license to construct a Fluorine Extraction Process & Depleted Uranium Deconversion Plant (FEP/DUP) and possess and use source materials. INIS proposes that the FEP/DUP be located in Lea County, New Mexico, approximately 24 kilometers (15 miles) west of the city of Hobbs. The facility will possess natural and depleted uranium, and significant quantities of hazardous chemicals derived from licensed material, e.g., hydrogen fluoride.

The objective of this review is to evaluate the facility's potential adverse impacts on worker and public health and safety, under both normal operations and accident conditions. The review also considers the management organization, administrative programs, and financial qualifications provided to ensure safe design and operation of the facility.

The NRC staff concludes, in this safety evaluation report, that the applicant's descriptions, specifications, and analyses provide an adequate basis for safety of facility operations and that operation of the facility does not pose an undue risk to the worker and public health and safety.

Potential environmental impacts associated with the proposed facility and its reasonable alternatives are addressed in a separate document, “Environmental Impact Statement for the Proposed Fluorine Extraction Process and Depleted Uranium Deconversion Plant in Lea County, New Mexico,” NUREG-2116. The draft Environmental Impact Statement was published in the Federal Register, Vol. 77, dated Friday, January 13, 2012, see pages 2096-2098 and the final EIS is scheduled to be published in the fall of 2012.