ML19322B637

Summary of August 15, 2019, Public Meeting to Discuss Regulatory Improvements for Advanced Reactors

ML19322B637
Person / Time
Issue date:	11/20/2019
From:	Vechioli L NRC/NRR/DANU/UARL
To:	Benjamin Beasley NRC/NRR/DANU/UARL
Vechioli L,NRR/DANU/UARL,415-6035
References
Download: ML19322B637 (5)

Text

November 20, 2019 MEMORANDUM TO: Benjamin Beasley, Chief Advanced Reactor Licensing Branch Division of Advanced Reactors and Non-Power Production and Utilization Facilities Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation FROM: Lucieann Vechioli, Project Manager /RA/

Advanced Reactor Licensing Branch Division of Advanced Reactors and Non-Power Production and Utilization Facilities Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation

SUMMARY

OF AUGUST 15, 2019, PUBLIC MEETING TO DISCUSS REGULATORY IMPROVEMENTS FOR ADVANCED REACTORS On August 15, 2019, the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) held a Category 2 public meeting with stakeholders, including the Nuclear Energy Institute (NEI), to discuss ongoing initiatives related to the development and licensing of non-light-water reactors (non-LWRs or advanced reactors). The staff has posted the meeting notice in the NRCs Agencywide Documents Access and Management System (ADAMS) at Accession No. ML19220A116 and the presentation slides at Accession No. ML19228A263. Enclosure 1 lists the meeting attendees.

The meeting began with NRC updates on preapplication activities, drop-in meetings, and reviews of technical and topical reports. The discussion also touched briefly on the action plan for reviewing and endorsing the non-LWR probabilistic risk assessment standard.

Thomas Sowinski, from the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), discussed the status of DOE-led activities such as those underway at DOE laboratories, implementation of the Nuclear Energy Innovation Capabilities Act, and coordination efforts with commercial vendors. Rebecca Onuschak will formally take over as the DOE Office of Nuclear Energy lead for the advanced reactor regulatory area, replacing Trevor Cook, who recently retired.

Amir Afzali from Southern Company discussed the Technology Inclusive Content Application Project. The team had a kickoff meeting on July 18, 2019 and met again in early August.

Upcoming activities included developing the project plan by September 30 and proposing a set of fundamental safety functions by December 2019.

CONTACT: Lucieann Vechioli, NRR/DANU 301-415-6035

B. Benjamin 2 Marc Nichol from NEI presented on regulatory issues related to microreactors. NEI is currently working on a white paper that should be available by fall 2019 about micro-reactor licensing activities scope and level of effort. Additional priority issues include aircraft impacts, autonomous operations, resident inspectors, and physical security. Siting and environmental issues will require broader efforts.

Mallecia Sutton and Donald Palmrose from the NRC presented on environmental topics. The NRC staff is seeking stakeholder input on the draft interim staff guidance on environmental considerations associated with micro-reactors. The NRC staff is also interested in stakeholder feedback on developments related to the associated generic environmental impact statement, including appropriate scope acceptance criteria, need for supporting studies, and suggested rulemaking schedule.

Madhumita Sircar from the NRC led the discussion about the effect of high temperatures on concrete, covering prevention and the need to meet code limits.

Participants also discussed the proposed Title 10 of the Code of Federal Regulations (10 CFR)

Part 53: Risk-informed, Technology Inclusive Regulatory Framework for Advanced Reactors.

William Reckley from the NRC discussed the requirements under the Nuclear Energy Innovation and Modernization Act (NEIMA) that call for the NRC to complete rulemaking to establish a technology-inclusive and regulatory framework for optional use by applicants for advanced reactors. The staff needs to complete the rulemaking by December 31, 2027. A more detailed discussion focused on soliciting feedback will take place during the next stakeholder meeting scheduled for October 10, 2019.

Cyril Draffin, from the U.S. Nuclear Industry Council provided a statement and expressed the councils satisfaction with the NRCs focus on NEIMA implementation.

Participants also discussed non-LWR computer code reports on modeling and simulating non-LWRs. Steven Bajorek from the NRC explained that a combination of NRC and DOE codes will provide a technically superior product than can be attained with further development of only the NRCs conventional LWR codes. The NRCs Hossein Esmaili, Don Algama, and Jon Barr presented on non-LWR computer code development plans for severe accident progression and source term and consequence analysis.

Stewart Magruder from the NRC presented on how to protect sensitive information. He explained the different categories of sensitive unclassified nonsafeguards information, the markings requirements, and export-controlled information.

The meeting ended with an open discussion. The NRC requested feedback about how these meetings can be more engaging and how to increase participation by prospective applicants.

The next advanced reactors stakeholder meeting was scheduled for October 10, 2019.

Anticipated topics include further discussion on developing an advanced reactor regulatory framework as part of NEIMA implementation, technical challenges with microreactors, and designating export-controlled information.

Enclosure:

1. List of Attendees

ML19322B637 *Via Email NRR-106 OFFICE NRO/DANU NRO/DANU NAME LVechioli BBeasley DATE 11/18/2019 11/20/19 List of Attendees (in person)

Name Organization Benjamin Beasley U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC)

Madhumita Sircar NRC Ata Istar NRC Kati Austgen Nuclear Energy Institute (NEI)

Jan Mazza NRC Cristian Marciulescu Electric Power Research Institute Casper Sun NRC Andy Kugler AJK-NEPATECH Nicole LaHaye Pacific Northwest National Laboratory Alan Levin NEI N.P. Kadambi Self Andrew Yeshnik NRC Clint Medlock Southern Company Nanette Valliere NRC John Segala NRC Donald Chung NRC Cyril Draffin U.S. Nuclear Industry Council Farshid Shahrokhi Framatome Marc Nichol NEI Steve Kline Bechtel Daniel Carleton Terrestrial Energy USA Nicholas McMurray NRC Adrian Muniz NRC Robert Beall NRC Robert Lanza ICF Peter Hastings Kairos Power Stewart Magruder NRC Boyce Travis NRC Everett Redmond NEI Christian Rabiti Idaho National Laboratory Reza Zarghamee Pillsbury Andrea Jennetta S&P Global Platts Chris Nolan Duke Energy Antonio Barrett NRC Hanh Phan NRC David Diamond Brookhaven National Laboratory Wendy Simon-Pearson NRC Donald Palmrose NRC Mallecia Sutton NRC Steve Lynch NRC Hossein Esmaili NRC Jason Schaperow NRC Don Algama NRC Steven Bajorek NRC Enclosure

Lucieann Vechioli NRC William Reckley NRC Amir Afzali Southern Company Jon Barr NRC 2