The Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) is withdrawing a direct final rule that would have broadened the scope of the regulations to include persons who may need access to classified information in connection with licensing and regulatory activities under the regulations that govern the disposal of high-level radioactive waste in geologic repositories, and persons who may need access to classified information in connection with other activities as the Commission may determine, such as vendors of advanced reactor designs. In addition, this direct final rule would have broadened the scope of the regulations applicable to procedures for obtaining facility security clearances. The NRC is withdrawing this direct final rule because it has received significant adverse comments in response to an identical proposed rule which was published concurrently with the direct final rule.