ML101090357
| ML101090357 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Issue date: | 04/19/2010 |
| From: | Freeland M NRC/OIP |
| To: | |
| References | |
| NRC-2018-000095, NRC-2018-000103 | |
| Download: ML101090357 (2) | |
Text
NRC FOREIGN TRIP REPORT Subject This serves as the Final Report for the trip to India as part of the US Delegation to the US-India Civil Nuclear Power Working Group.
Dates of Travel and Countries/Organizations Visited Jan 29 - Feb 5, 2010 India, Department of Atomic Energy and Atomic Energy Regulatory Board Author, Title, and Agency Affiliation Mickey Freeland Senior International Relations Officer Office of International Programs Mickey.Freeland@nrc.gov (301)-415-6175 Background/Purpose The purpose of the trip was to attend, with Jim Lyons, Deputy Director, Office of Research, the meeting of the US India Civil Nuclear Working Group, led by Warren (Pete) Miller, Assistant Secretary for Nuclear Energy, Department of Energy. The meeting was composed of a series of briefings from the U.S. and Indian Representatives on topics of common interest. Additionally there were meetings with Atomic Energy Regulatory Board (AERB) and a meeting on the margins led by Joyce Connolly, National Security Council, with the Indian Department of Atomic Energy, to discuss an Indian Center of Excellence for Nuclear Security. Copies of briefings are available.
Summary of Pertinent Points/Issues Our initial meeting was with the AERB on 1 February and consisted of the following topics:
Introduction of new Chairman - S.S. Bajaj; review of the status of the on-going Standard Problem Exercise on Containment Ultimate Load Strength and Leak Behavior; a discussion on the possibility of having 2 AERB officers assigned to the NRC for a period of 1 year; participation in cooperative research programs related to thermal hydraulic and severe accidents research through CAMP and CSARP codes; current status on both US and India commercial nuclear power programs; location for next meeting and potential topics; and AERB participation in the RIC. It is noted that the AERB indicated they were not in receipt of an invitation and immediate action was taken to ensure that an invitation would be provided.
The US India Civil Nuclear Energy Group met from 2-4 February. Led by Pete Miller, DOE, this meeting consisted of a series of briefings from both sides on topics ranging from current construction and licensing status to thorium fuel. Copies of the briefings will be made available to all attendees. Meetings were initially delayed due to late arrival of main US participants which precluded the team from visiting an Indian power plant.
The final meeting was led by Joyce Connolly, NSC, to discuss the Indian proposal for an International Training Center for Nuclear Security. The Indian proposal was met with some concern by the US delegation as it seemed to advocate for Indian technologies and did not include any regulatory framework. The Indians pointed out that they were not seeking any US direct involvement and felt that this program worked best for them. The US delegation laid out its concerns, and I focused on the point that, if this center was to have a comprehensive curriculum, then a section on regulatory framework would be essential. The Indians disagreed.
They did however, agree to relook their overall position, especially as regards to specific technologies that might be advanced by the center and would provide NSC a revised proposal.
I will continue to monitor until we see the revised proposal.
Pending Actions/Planned Next Steps for NRC: Desk officer needs to continue to follow up on Standard Problem Number 3 to ensure we remain within budgetary constraints. I will work with Jack Ramsey. I will also be coordinating with program offices and Mary Carter to determine the feasibility of hosting 2 AERB staff officers in our international assignees program.
Finally, I will follow up with NSC for all changes to the Indian proposal for a center of excellence on Nuclear Security and ensure that NRC interests are maintained.
Points for Commission Consideration/Items of Interest: None