ML20045B067
| ML20045B067 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Issue date: | 05/17/1993 |
| From: | Rathbun D NRC OFFICE OF CONGRESSIONAL AFFAIRS (OCA) |
| To: | Lehman R, Lieberman J, Sharp P HOUSE OF REP., ENERGY & COMMERCE, HOUSE OF REP., ENVIRONMENT & PUBLIC WORKS, HOUSE OF REP., INTERIOR & INSULAR AFFAIRS |
| Shared Package | |
| ML20045B068 | List: |
| References | |
| FRN-58FR29366, RULE-PR-55 CCS, NUDOCS 9306160209 | |
| Download: ML20045B067 (6) | |
Text
{{#Wiki_filter:g U ![p3 EICg]o UNITED STATES g ),,7 g NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION p WASHINGTON, D. C. 20555 0, \\..... *#,a May 17, 1993 The Honorable Joseph Lieberman, Chairman Subcommittee on Clean Air and Nuclear Regulation Committee on Environment and Public Works United States Senate Washington, DC 20510
Dear Mr. Chairman:
Enclosed for the information of the subcommittee is a copy of a proposed rule to be published in the Federal Reoister that contains additions to 10 CFR Part 55. Section 306 of the Nuclear Waste Policy Act (NWPA) of 1982 directed the NRC to promulgate regulations or other appropriate guidance to establish " simulator training requirements... and ... requirements governing NRC administration of requalification examinations." On May 26, 1987, the NRC amended 10 CFR Part 55 to require each licensed operator to pass a comprehen-sive requalification written examination and an operating test administered by_ the NRC during the term of the operator's 6-year license as a prerequisite for license renewal. At the time the regulation was amended, the Commission did not have suff'icient confidence that each facility would conduct its annual operating tests and written examinations in accordance with the Comission's expectations. The lack of confidence was due to the implementation of new aspects of the operator requalification program with which neither the NRC nor the industry had very much experience. Therefore, the Commission determined that during the term of a 6-year license, the staff would conduct individual operator requalification examinations for the purpose of license renewal. As a result of conducting these examinations, the staff has determined that the NRC examiners are largely duplicating tasks already required of, and routinely performed by, the facility licensees. The proposed rule will delete the requirement that each licensed operator at power, test, and research reactors pass a comprehensive requalification written examination and an operating test conducted by the NRC during the term of the operator's 6-year license as a prerequisite for license renewal. The proposed amendment will require facility licensees to submit copies of the annual operating test or comprehensive written examination used for operator requalification for review by the Commission at least 30 days prior to conducting the examination or the test. In addition, the proposed rule will amend the " Scope" provisions of the regulations pertaining to operators' licenses to include facility licensees. QO 9306160209 930517 t i PDR ORG NRCCO d PDR
V 'The Honorable Joseph Lieberman 2 r The staff believes that it could ensure and improve operational safety at each facility by directing its examiners to inspect and oversee facility requalifi-cation programs rather than conducting requalification examinations. By redirecting the examiner resources, the staff expects to find and correct programmatic weaknesses earlier and thus improve operational safety. Sincerely, >~ f Dennis K. Rathbun, Director Office of Congressional Affairs
Enclosure:
Notice of Proposed Rulemaking cc: Senator Alan K. Simpson e h
'o UNITED STATES ~g .E' NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION n WASHINGTON, D, C. 20555 l -{ ,E %,**.../ i May 17, 1993 l The Honorable Philip R. Sharp, Chairman Subcommittee on Energy and Power Committee on Energy and Commerce i United States House of Representatives j Washington, DC 20515 ^ l
Dear Mr. Chairman:
Enclosed for the information of the subcommittee is a copy of a proposed rule to be published in the Federal Reaister that contains additions to 10 CFR I Part 55. Section 306 of the Nuclear Waste Policy Act (NWPA) of 1982 directed the NRC to promulgate regulations or other appropriate guidance to establish " simulator training requirements... and... requirements governing NRC administration of requalification examinations." On May 26, 1987, the NRC amended 10 CFR Part 55 to require each licensed operator to pass a comprehen _ sive requalification written examination and an operating test administered by the NRC during the term of the operator's 6-year license as a prerequisite for, i license renewal. .l At the time the regulation was amended, the Commission-did not have sufficient confidence that each facility would conduct its annual operating tests and-written _ examinations in accordance with the Commission's expectations. -The lack of confidence was due to the implementation of new aspects of the-operator requalification program with which neither the NRC nor the industry had very much experience. Therefore, the Commission determined that during the term of a 6-year license, the staff would conduct individual operator requalification examinations for the purpose of license renewal. As a result of conducting these examinations, the staff has determined that the NRC examiners are largely duplicating tasks already required of, and routinely performed by, the facility licensees. The proposed rule will delete the requirement that each licensed operator at power, test, and research reactors pass a comprehensive requalification written examination and an operating test conducted by the NRC during the term i of the operator's 6-year license as a prerequisite for license renewal. The proposed amendment will require facility licensees to submit copies of. the .e annual operating test or comprehensive written examination used for operator i requalification for review by the Commission at least 30 days prior to conducting the examination or the_ test. In addition, the proposed rule will amend the " Scope" provisions of the regulations pertaining to operators' licenses to include facility licensees.
' The Honorable Philip R. Sharp 2 i The staff believes that it could ensure and improve operational safety at each facility by directing its examiners to inspect and oversee facility requalifi-cation programs rather than conducting requalification examinations. By redirecting the examiner resources, the staff expects to find and correct programmatic weaknesses earlier and thus improve operational safety. Sincerely, mX v~ ennis K. Rathbun, Director Office of Congressional Affairs
Enclosure:
Notice of Proposed Rulemaking cc: Representative Michael Bilirakis b f t-l
'o UNITED STATES ~g NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION n { E WASHINGTON, D. C. 20555 \\, / May 17, 1993 The Honorable Richard H. Lehman, Chairman Subcommittee on Energy and Mineral Resources Committee on Interior and Insular Affairs United States House of Representatives Washington, DC 20515
Dear Mr. Chairman:
Enclosed for the information of the subcommittee is a copy of a proposed rule to be published in the Federal Reaister that contains additions to 10 CFR Part 55. Section 306-of the Nuclear Waste Policy Act (NWPA) of 1982 directed the NRC to promulgate regulations or other appropriate guidance to establish " simulator training requirements... and ... requirements governing NRC administration of requalification examinations." On May 26, 1987, the NRC amended 10 CFR Part 55 to require each licensed operator to pass a comprehen-sive requalification written examination and an operating test administered by the NRC during the term of the operator's 6-year license as a prerequisite for license renewal. At the time the regulation was amended, the' Commission did not have sufficient confidence that each facility would conduct its annual operating tests and written examinations in accordance with the Commission's expectations. The lack of confidence was due to the implementation of new aspects of the operator requalification program with which neither the NRC nor the industry had very much experience. Therefore, the Commission determined that during the term of a 6-year license, the staff would conduct individual operator-requalification examinations for the purpose of license renewal. As a result-of conducting these examinations, the staff has determined that the NRC examiners are largely duplicating tasks already required of, and routinely performed by, the facility licensees. The proposed rule will delete the requirement that each licensed operator at power, test, and research reactors pass a comprehensive requalification written examination and an operating test conducted by the NRC during the term of the operator's 6-year license as a prerequisite for license renewal. The proposed amendment will require facility licensees to submit copies of the annual operating test or comprehensive written examination used for operator requalification for review by the Commission at least 30 days prior to conducting the examination or the test. In addition, the proposed rule will amend the " Scope" provisions of the regulations pertaining to operators' licenses to include facility licensees.
The Honorable Richard H. Lehman 2 The staff believes that it could ensure and improve operational safety at each facility by directing its examiners to inspect and oversee facility requalifi-cation programs rather than conducting requalification examinations. By redirecting the examiner resources, the staff expects to find and correct programmatic weaknesses earlier and thus improve operational safety. Sincerely, Dennis K. Rathbun, Director Office of Congressional Affairs
Enclosure:
Notice of Proposed Rulemaking cc: Representative Barbara Vucanovich ..}}