ML20058N900
| ML20058N900 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Issue date: | 12/10/1993 |
| From: | Selin I, The Chairman NRC COMMISSION (OCM) |
| To: | Chia-Ling Lee EXPORT-IMPORT BANK OF UNITED STATES |
| Shared Package | |
| ML20058N903 | List: |
| References | |
| NUDOCS 9312220326 | |
| Download: ML20058N900 (1) | |
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UNITED STATES NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION WASHINGTON, D. C. 20555 r,,
g ta b. m, *#e December 10, 1993 CHAIRMAN 1
Ms. Carol Lee General Counsel Export-Import Bank of the United States Washington, D.C.
20571
Dear Ms. Lee:
I am writing in response to your letter of November 23, in which you asked for our perspective on supporting requests for providing simulators to operators of Soviet-designed VVER 440/230 and RBMK reactors. As you may know, current policy of the United States and the other G-7 countries is that operation of these facilities should be discontinued as soon as practicable. Accordingly, our assistance efforts are focused on short-term risk reduction measures and operational safety improvements, avoiding actions that could extend the life of these reactors indefinitely.
Recognizing that the existing economic conditions and shortage of electric generating capacity will presumably result in continued operation of these reactors, the Commission supports initiatives which, in the interim, contribute to the safe operation of these reactors until alternative energy sources can be provided.
Reactor simulators are vital to reactor operator training programs. We support the provision of such simulators for these Russian reactors as long as it is understood that these actions are in support of their operational safety in the short run.
The Nuclear Regulatory Commission's assistance to the Russian nuclear regulatory authority (GAN) includes providing analytical computer codes to help the Russian regulators simulate transients and accidents of their nuclear power facilities. These computer codes and the necessary manuals and related materials are necessary to support regulatory safety decisions, review of-emergency operating procedures, assessment of reactor events, establishment of regulations, and analysis of the spread of radioactive materials after an accident. These codes typically provide the basis upon which analytical simulators are developed. Our efforts, however, are focused on the newer VVER-1000 reactors.
In addition, NRC has committed to try to ensure that GAN is provided access to analytical simulators being developed by U.S. private companies through joint ventures with other Russian organizations as well as organizations within Central and Eastern Europenn Countries.
I hope this addresses your concerns.
If you have further inquiries, please do not hesitate to contact me.
Sincerely, i
Ivan Selin 9312220326 931210 PDR COMMS NRCC
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