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§ 53.1502 Specific terms and conditions of licenses.

10 CFR 53.1502

Citation10 CFR 53.1502
CorpusDaily eCFR
Displayed edition2026-05-07
Last updated2026-05-07

§ 53.1502 Specific terms and conditions of licenses.

(a) Each license issued under this part is subject to the provisions of the Atomic Energy Act of 1954, as amended, (the Act) and to all rules, regulations, and orders of the Commission. The terms and conditions of the license will be subject to amendment, revision, or modification, by reason of amendments of the Act or by reason of rules, regulations, and orders issued in accordance with the terms of the Act.

(b) Each license issued under this part must be subject to all conditions imposed as a matter of law by sections 401(a)(2) and 401(d) of the Federal Water Pollution Control Act, as amended (33 U.S.C.A. 1341(a)(2) and (d)).

(c) A holder of an operating license (OL) or combined license (COL) under this part may take reasonable action that departs from a license condition or a technical specification included in a license issued under this part in a national security emergency established by a law enacted by the Congress or by an order or directive issued by the President pursuant to statutes or the Constitution of the United States. The authority under this paragraph (c) must be exercised in accordance with law, including section 57e of the Act, and is in addition to the authority granted under § 53.740(h), which remains in effect unless otherwise directed by the Commission during a national security emergency. The authority under this paragraph (c) may be exercised—

(1) When this action is immediately needed to implement national security objectives as designated by the national command authority through the Commission; and

(2) No action consistent with license conditions and technical specifications that can satisfy national security objectives is immediately apparent.

(d)(1) If the NRC finds that the state of emergency preparedness does not provide reasonable assurance that adequate protective measures can and will be taken in the event of a radiological emergency (including findings based on requirements of 10 CFR part 50, appendix E, section IV.D.3) and if the deficiencies (including deficiencies based on requirements of 10 CFR part 50, appendix E, section IV.D.3) are not corrected within 4 months of that finding, the Commission will determine whether the facility must be shut down or cease operations until such deficiencies are remedied or whether other enforcement action is appropriate. In determining whether a shutdown or other enforcement action is appropriate, the Commission will take into account, among other factors, whether the licensee can demonstrate to the Commission's satisfaction that the deficiencies in the plan are not significant for the plant in question, or that adequate interim compensating actions have been or will be taken promptly, or that that there are other compelling reasons for continued operation.

(2) If the planning standards for radiological emergency preparedness apply to offsite emergency response plans, or if the planning activities in § 50.160(b)(1)(iv)(B) apply, then the NRC will base its finding on a review of the Federal Emergency Management Agency findings and determinations as to whether State, participating Tribal, and local emergency plans are adequate and capable of being implemented, and on the NRC assessment as to whether the licensee's emergency plans are adequate and capable of being implemented. Nothing in this paragraph (d)(2) must be construed as limiting the authority of the Commission to take action under any other regulation or authority of the Commission or at any time other than that specified in this paragraph (d)(2).