ML090350297
| ML090350297 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Issue date: | 04/06/2009 |
| From: | Galloway M NRC/NRR/DRA |
| To: | Bradley B Nuclear Energy Institute |
| Wong S, NRR/DRA, 415-1125 | |
| References | |
| Download: ML090350297 (2) | |
Text
April 6, 2009 Mr. Biff Bradley Director, Risk Assessment Nuclear Generation Division Nuclear Energy Institute 1776 I St NW, Suite 400 Washington, DC. 20006-3708
SUBJECT:
INDUSTRY COMMENTS ON RISK ASSESSMENT STANDARDIZATION PROJECT (RASP) HANDBOOK
Dear Mr. Bradley:
We acknowledge receiving your letter dated November 4, 2008, to the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) providing Nuclear Energy Institute (NEI) and industry suggestions for revisions to the Risk Assessment Standardization Project (RASP) Handbook that would address comments provided at the NRC public meeting held on September 18, 2008. The NRC appreciates the NEI and industry initiatives to provide specific suggestions to facilitate a better understanding of the RASP Handbook methods and guidance used by NRC staff when performing risk assessments of operational events and licensee performance issues.
Enclosed are the NRC responses to each specific NEI and industry comment on the RASP Handbook. As shown in the responses to each comment, NRC seeks to provide clarifications on the rigorous NRC process for significance determination of licensee performance issues in concert with our intent to seek best-estimate and realistic assessments in the implementation of the Reactor Oversight Process (ROP). We are currently using state-of-the-art risk assessment methodologies in ongoing ROP work. As described in the enclosed responses, we will continue to improve our RASP Handbook guidance, document our technical bases, and when necessary, improve our methodology.
The NRC is committed to improving the contents of the RASP Handbook on a periodic and as-needed basis, based on user comments and insights gained from field application of the document. Current plans for future revisions of the Handbook will include additional method guides and tutorials on topics such as common-cause failure (CCF) analysis and human reliability analysis (HRA) of operational events. As scheduled for issuance by July 31, 2009, Revision 1.02 of the Handbook will include revisions to provide clearer language on definitions of operator recovery and recovery credit. Revision 2 of the Handbook will address revised guidance for CCF analysis, while Revision 3 of the Handbook will address revised guidance for HRA methods. Revision 2 is currently scheduled for issuance by December 2009, and Revision 3 will be available in early 2011.
Please contact me or See-Meng Wong of the NRC staff (See-Meng.Wong@nrc.gov, 301 415-1125) if you have any questions regarding this subject.
Sincerely,
/RA/
Melanie A. Galloway Deputy Director, Division of Risk Assessment Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission Washington, D.C. 20555-0001
Enclosure:
NRC Response to NEI Comments on the RASP Handbook, Volume 1, Internal Events cc:
Mark Cunningham, U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission Michael Cheok, U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission See-Meng Wong, U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission
Please contact me or See-Meng Wong of the NRC staff (See-Meng.Wong@nrc.gov, 301 415-1125) if you have any questions regarding this subject.
Sincerely,
/RA/
Melanie A. Galloway Deputy Director, Division of Risk Assessment Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission Washington, D.C. 20555-0001
Enclosure:
NRC Response to NEI Comments on the RASP Handbook, Volume 1, Internal Events cc:
Mark Cunningham, U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission Michael Cheok, U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission See-Meng Wong, U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission ADAMS ACCESSION No: ML090350297 NRR-106 OFFICE NRR/DRA/APOB NRR/DIRS NRR/DRA NAME SWong MCheok MGalloway DATE 03/26/09 03/26/09 04/06/09