ML20125A374
| ML20125A374 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Issue date: | 11/02/2020 |
| From: | Margaret Doane NRC/EDO |
| To: | Institute of Nuclear Power Operations (INPO) |
| Thomas E, NRR/DRO | |
| Shared Package | |
| ML20125A370 | List: |
| References | |
| OEDO-20-0126 | |
| Download: ML20125A374 (21) | |
Text
MEMORANDUM OFAGREEMENT BETWEEN THEINSTITUTE OFNUCLEARPOWEROPERATIONS AND THEU.S.NUCLEARREGULATORY COMMISSION ThisMemorandum ofAgreement (MOA) between theU.S.Nuclear Regulatory Commission (the NRC) andtheInstitute of Nuclear PowerOperations (INPO) reflects thedesire foracontinuing andcooperative relationship in theexchange ofexperience, information, anddatarelated tothe safety andsecurity ofnuclearpower plants.
TheNRChasstatutory responsibility for licensing andregulating nuclear facilities andmaterials andforconducting research insupport of the licensing andregulatory
- process, asmandated by theAtomic Energy Actof1954,asamended; theEnergyReorganizationActof1974,as amended;theNuclear Nonproliferation Actof 1978; theEnergy Policy Actof2005;andin accordance with theNational EnvironmentalPolicy Actof1969,asamended, andother applicable statutes.
NRCresponsibilities include licensing andregulating thenation's civilian use ofbyproduct,
- source, andspecial nuclear materials to provide reasonable assurance ofadequate protection ofpublic health andsafety; promoting thecommon defense andsecurity; and protecting theenvironment.
INPOisanorganization sponsored bythenuclear utility industry whose missionistopromote the highest levels ofsafety andreliability-to promote excellence-in the operation ofnuclear electric generating plants.
Assuch,NRCandINPOundertake complementary butindependent activities, asdefined inappendices tothis Agreement.
Theseappendices will help ensure that thegoals of bothorganizations areachieved inthemostefficient andeffective manner without diminishing or interfering with theresponsibilities andauthorities oftheNRCandthegoals of INPO.
ThisMOAisnotintended tobeanenforceable agreement orcontract oneitherparty, notwithstanding theoccasional useoftheterm"agree" ortheuseofmandatory language suchas "shall" or"will" ineither theMOAorits appendices.
Since this MOAisnotlegally
- binding, the NRCmaydepart fromits termswhenever itdeemsitnecessary orappropriate todosoin the discharge ofitsregulatory responsibilities.
Intheinterest ofcooperation, theNRCwill, if appropriate andpractical, advise INPOofanyintention todepart fromthetermsofthis MOAprior todoing so.ThisMOAdoesnotobligate anyfunds andisnotsubject totheavailability of appropriated funds.
Itisintended that this MOAandits companion appendices complement oneanother.
Appendices areutilized todelineate detailed andspecific areas forcooperative agreements thatexist between theparties tothis MOAandmaybeamended fromtime totime.
Theappendices arenot interpreted asrestrictive toonlythose areasspecified inthedocument butserve askeystones of theMOAfortheexchange ofinformation tosupport thecommongoals ofboththeNRCand-INPO.
INPOandtheNRCagree toconsult witheachother with regard totheavailability oftechnical information that wouldbeuseful inareas ofmutual interest andtopromote andencourage the sharing ofsuchinformation.
Inthis
- regard, INPOwill provide plant-specific information ona case-by-case basis consistent withtheother provisions ofthis MOA.INPOandtheNRC recognize theneedforexcluding fromthis MOAincomplete information related toworkin Page1of3
progress and/or that hasbeenreceived onaprivileged basis.
However,asinformation isverified andfound tobenecessary orimportant tofindings uponwhichsignificant safety-related conclusions and recommendations
- arebased, theparty holding suchinformation will take appropriate and timely stepstoshare that information with theother party.
TheNRCprotects proprietary, confidential information frompublic disclosure.
INPOrecognizes that theNRC generally cannotprovide information toINPOthat iswithheld frompublic disclosure.
Eachparty recognizes theneed to beabletoaccept andprotect privileged information that isprovided verbally wheresuch information could notbemadeavailable otherwise (e.g.,
anevolving incident).
Itisrecognized that theparties tothis MOAmaynotbefully awareoftheextent ofeach other's knowledge;
- thus, this MOA requires onlytheparties' bestefforts.
TheNRCandINPOwill meetperiodically toexchangeinformation andkeepeachother apprised ofthemajor activities underwayand planned ineachareaofagreement.
Themeetings arean effort toshareprogram information, discuss newinitiatives,andavoid unnecessary and unintentional duplication ofactivities.
Coordination meetings arefor information exchange only.Meetings arenottobeconstrued as requests oropportunities for(or usedbytheNRC for) obtaining theadvice orrecommendations of INPOorits personnel onpolicy orregulatory issues within thescope'oftheNRC'sresponsibilities.
INPOadvice orrecommendations totheNRConregulatory orpolicy
- matters, ifany, aretobe madethrough established NRCprocedures andwill beconsidered bytheNRCinthesame manner asother offers ofadvice orrecommendations made through established NRC procedures.
Minutes ofall coordination meetings will beplaced intheNRCAgencywide Documents AccessandManagement System(ADAMS).
These need notbeverbatim transcripts ofcoordination
- meetings, buttheyshould include alist ofthemeeting participants andagenda items discussed atmeetings, withbrief summaries ofthediscussions among meeting participants.
Inaddition tomeetings, itisexpected that theparties will engage infrequent, informal communications that will belimited toexchanging information andprovidingupdates onthestatus ofactivities inprogress orplanned.
Theappendices tothis MOAprovide for the NRC tohave electronic access toselected INPOproprietary, confidential documents andinformation.
Such documents andinformation provided totheNRCwill beappropriately identified asproprietary and confidential.1 INPOhasprovided totheNRCanaffidavit covering theelectronic documents,
- reports, andinformation that INPOdiscloses totheNRC,andjustifying INPO's marking ofsuch documents,
- reports, andinformation asproprietary andconfidential.
Theaffidavit containsa statement ofthebasis forwithholding theINPOdocuments,
- reports, andinformation frompublic disclosure, including inresponse toanyFreedom ofInformation Actrequest.
Totheextent permitted bylaw,theNRCwill control distribution ofINPOproprietary, confidential documents and information within theagency, andwill exert bestefforts toprotect themfromunauthorized disclosure.
TheNRCunderstands that INPOproprietary, confidential documents areall integral parts ofINPO's
- private, routine interactions withits members.AnyNRCrequest topublicly release INPOproprietary orconfidential information will beaddressed bytheNRCandINPOona case-by-case basis.
1TheNRCacknowledges that INPOoften usesdifferent document
- markings, including "Restricted Distribution,"
"Limited Distribution,"
andsimilar terminology, whendesignating INPOdocuments that contain proprietary, confidential information.
TheNRCwill treat INPOdocuments withsuchmarkings as"proprietary" information consistent withhowthat termisusedinthis MOAandtheaccompanying appendices.
Page2of3
This MOA supersedes theprevious Memorandum ofAgreement dated September 11,2013.The Appendices tothis MOAareasfollows:
Appendix Number One,Coordination PlanforNRC/lNPOExchangeofOperating andConstruction ExperienceData Appendix Number Two,Observation andCoordination PlanforNRC/INPO inspection and Evaluation Activities Appendix Number
- Three, Observation andCoordination PlanforNRC/INPO Training-related Activities Appendix NumberFour, Coordination PlanforINPO/industry Participation inNRC Incident Investigation Teams Appendix Number Five,Coordination ofInternational Activities Appendix NumberSix, Emergency Preparedness andResponse Coordination Digitally signed byMargaret M.
Margaret M.Doane Doane Date:
2020.11.0209:25:41
-05'00' Date:
2 ate:
262o Executive Director forOperations President andChief Executive Officer U.S.Nuclear Regulatory Commission Institute ofNuclear PowerOperations Page3of3
APPENDIXNUMBERONE COORDINATION PLANFORNRC/INPO EXCHANGE OFOPERATING ANDCONSTRUCTION EXPERIENCE DATA 1.
BACKGROUND Thepurposeof this planistocoordinate selected NRCandINPOactivities related tothecollection of, and feedback on,operating andconstruction experience information anddata related tothesafety andreliability ofnuclear powerplants.
Thereareseveral underlying assumptions fortheplan, including thefollowing:
a.
TheNRC,asagovernment entity,hasstatutory responsibilities and authorities that areparamount.
Nothinginthis plandilutes that responsibility andauthority totakeaction inaccordance withapplicable statutes.
b.
Operating andconstruction experience dataarevital components for thefulfillment ofINPO's andNRC's respective safety missions.
c.
Recognizing theability ofINPOtocontribute tosafeandreliable operation andconstruction ofnuclear power plants with aresulting benefit topublic health andsafety, thefollowing statements apply:
(1) TheNRCandINPOshare thecommonobjectives that reporting ofoperating andconstruction experience information and performance databeefficient, that duplicative orinconsistent reporting beminimized, andthat consistent industry-wide overall performance indicators beusedbytheNRCandINPO to the extent practical.
(2) TheNRCandINPOagree that thevalidity ofanalysis results may dependonthecompleteness andquality ofinput information.
(3) TheNRCandINPOagree that theeffectiveness offeedback is dependent onaproper understanding ofthesignificant lessons learned fromindustry operating andconstruction experience.
2.
OVERALLCOORDINATION a.
TheNRCandINPOwill regularly
- exchange, onatimely
- basis, theresults ofcompleted andformally documented generic analysis and-event evaluation ofoperating andconstruction data.
b.
INPOandNRCstaffs involved inevent evaluation, andoperating and construction experience activities will conduct periodic conference calls to discuss thefacts relating torecent events atnuclear powerplants.
No advice orrecommendations onpolicy orregulatory issues shall be discussed during these conference calls.
During these conference
- calls, INPOwill notify theNRCofeventsandsafety issues ithasdetermined to besignificant through theINPOS Operating andConstruction Experience PageA1-1
screeningprocess andwhatINPO*Operating andConstruction Experience productsarebeing developed.
Similarly, theNRCwill generally notify INPOofoperating andconstruction experience issues under review and anygenericcommunications, temporary instructions, orother products being considered orunder development, totheextent theNRCmakesthis information publicly available.
INPOwill makefin'al INPOS Operating and Construction Experience products available totheNRCstaff, andthestaff will place these documents into ADAMS.Thesedocuments will be marked'proprietary' byINPOand,totheextent permitted
- bylaw, protectedby the NRCfrompublic disclosure.
NRCgeneric communication documents will continue tobepublished ontheNRCpublic Website accessible toINPOandthepublic.
c.
Information anddatathat theNRCobtains fromforeign
- sources, andthat donotinclude restrictions on further distribution,will bemadeavailable to INPOiftheinformation isnot available toINPOthrough theWorld Association ofNuclear Operators (WANO). Foreign information anddata that INPOobtains andthat does not include restrictionsonfurther dissemination will similarly bemade available forNRCanalysis activities.
d.
INPOwill provide theNRCaccess toand use oftheIndustry Reporting andInformation System(IRIS)
Database operated andmaintainedby INPO.Information intheIRISDatabase is proprietary andwill be,tothe extent permitted bylaw,protected bytheNRCfrom public disclosure.
IRISisthebasis ofanindustry reliability andavailability datasystemand isusedbytheNRCtoobtain operating andconstruction experience information.
INPOagrees toprovide theNRCwith theopportunity to participate inthedefinition ofproposed changes that could significantly affect thevoluntarily submitted operating andconstruction experience information.
Additional agreements regarding IRISaccess anduse are contained inacontract between theNRCandINPOthat isseparate from this MOA.
e.
INPOwill provide totheNRCselected performance indicator results and datafromU.S.andnon-U.S.
utilities fromtheproprietary, confidential WANOperformance indicator database.
Datawill beprovided onan as-requested
- basis, except forcumulative radiation exposure data,which will beprovided quarterly.
AIIdataisprovided subject tothefollowing practical conditions andagreements:
NOTE:Forpurposes ofthis paragraph, thefollowing termsand definitions apply:
o P.lant/unjit-sp.ecjfic
- Refers toinformation forwhichthe submitting station nameisincluded.
o Data
- Refers torawperformance indicator information asopposed tocomputed indicator results.
PageA1-2
o W
- Refers to computed indicator final values.
o Broo.ad in@stry.resujts
- Refers toindicator results frommanyU.S.
stations orU.S.industry summary
- values, suchasresults byplantgroups.
(1) To theextentpermitted bylaw,all WANOplant/unit-specific data or indicator results that areprovided totheNRCwill bemarked
'proprietary' byINPOandprotected bytheNRCfrompublic disclosure.
(2) intheeventthat theNRCdetermines that itisobligated bylawto disclose WANO plant/unit-specific datatothepublic ortoathird
- party, thenthe NRC will giveINPOthebestadvance notice possible under thecircumstances topermit INPOtoprotect its interests asitsees fit.
(3) TheNRCrecognizes that INPO makes reasonable efforts to identify andfollow uponquestionable data,butthat ultimate responsibility fordata reporting accuracy rests withthesubmitting plant.
Accordingly, theNRCagrees to verify all plant-specific data andplant-specific indicator results with the applicable plant(s) before anysuchdataisusedfor plant-specific regulatory decisions.
(4) TheNRCwill continue tooffer INPOtheopportunity toprovide commentsondocuments orreports containing information derived fromplant-specific orbroaddataorindicatorresults provided byINPO.Thisprovision applies onlytodocuments and reports that theNRCintends tomakeavailable external tothe NRCandthat contain information provided byINPO.
(5) Because changes toimprove theWANOPerformance indicator Program areexpected tooccur overtime,INPO agrees toprovide theNRCanopportunity tocommenton proposed changes that could affect data/indicator results voluntarily submitted totheNRC.
(6) Asanexception totheproprietary information provision
- above, INPOgrants theNRCtheright topublish inNRCreports U.S.
domestic plant/unit-specific cumulative radiation exposure data.
f.
INPOwill makeavailable totheNRCselected Monthly Operating Report information about U.S.plant operation andshutdowns fromits proprietary IRIS system.
Datawill bemadeavailable onaquarterly
- basis, assoon aspracticable (i.e.,
normally within 45days) after theendofthequarter, subject tothefollowing conditions andagreements:
PageA1-3
(1) Thescopewill bethat datadescribed inNRCGeneric Letter 97-02, asdefined inf(4) below.
(2) TheNRCrecognizes thatINPOmakesreasonable efforts to correctlystore andreproduce thedataelement values entered by licensees, butthat ultimate responsibility fordata reporting accuracy rests withthelicensees thatenter thedata.
Accordingly, the NRCagrees todirect questions about plant specific data values totheapplicable licensees.
(3) TheNRC recognizes that INPOmakesreasonable efforts to reliablystore andreproduce datavalues basedonthedata entered bylicensees, butthat inrareinstances, network unreliabilityorsoftware errors mayresult inthelate availability of datafromINPOto the NRCorinthetransfer ofincorrect values fromINPOtotheNRC.
TheNRCagrees tonotholdthe licensees responsible for late receiptofdataorincorrect data values that aremadeavailable directly totheNRCbyINPOand aretheresult ofnetwork orsoftware problemsencountered by INPO.Accordingly, INPOagrees toinformtheNRCassoonas practical ifitbecomesaware ofwhen suchinstancesresult in delayed orincorrect datatothe NRC.
(4) Thescopeofthedataprovided will bethe data described inNRC Generic Letter 97-02.
Specifically, monthly values ofthefollowing dataelements will bemadeavailable forall U.S.
units that have revised their technical specifications toremovethe monthly operating report requirement:
Unit Name UnitDocket Number Contact Name ContactTelephone Number Design Electrical Rating MaximumDependable Capacity (Net MWe)
Narrative Summary ofMonthly Operating Experience Critical Hours Cumulative Reactor Critical Hours
- Life ofPlant Cumulative Reactor Critical Hours
- YeartoDate Generator On-line Hours
-Month Cumulative Generator On-line HoursYeartoDate Cumulative Generator On-line HoursLife ofPlant NetElectrical Energy Cumulative NetElectrical Energy
- Life ofPlant(MWHrs)
Cumulative NetElectrical Energy
- YeartoDate(MWHrs)
Reserve Shutdown Hours Reserve Shutdown Hours
- Life ofPlant Reserve Shutdown Hours
- YeartoDate Sequential NumberofShutdown forCalendar Year Shutdown Type Reactor Shutdown Reason PageA1-4
Reactor ShutdownMethod Shutdown Start Date Shutdown Duration Shutdown Corrective Actions andComments g.
The NRC andINPOintend tohaveperiodic informal technical discussions ongeneric orevent-related studies inprogress that areof mutual interest.
h.
While avoiding duplication ofoperating andconstruction experience products is desirable, theNRC'sdecision onwhether toissue ageneric communicationcannot bebasedsolely onINPOhaving addressed the issue inanINPOSOperating Experience product.
- However, this maybe afactor intheNRC'sdecision-makingprocess.
PageA1-5
APPENDIX NUMBERTWO OBSERVATIONANDCOORDINATION PLANFOR NRC/INPOINSPECTION ANDEVALUATION ACTIVITIES 1,
BACKGROUND Thepurposeof this planistwofold:
- First, tomaintain NRCandINPO awareness ofinspection andevaluation activities.
Second,tocoordinate selected NRCinspection andINPOevaluation activities tominimize theimpact placed onutility personnel.
Thisappendixaddresses activities fornuclear powerplants inoperation and thoseunder construction.
Thereareseveral underlying assumptions, including thefollowing:
a.
INPOrecognizes theNRC's regulatory responsibilities andauthority.
b.
TheNRCrecognizes INPO's efforts topromote excellence in nuclear plant operations.
c.
Tolessen theburden imposed ontheindustry byduplicative oversight activities, theNRCrecognizes INPOevaluation activities totheextent that these activities areeffective inhelping meet theNRC's responsibilities.
d.
Inorder togivecredit forINPOactivities andthereby avoid duplication
- ofeffort, theNRCrequires access toselected INPOdocuments and information andtheopportunity toobserve selected INPOactivities.
2.
INPOACTIVITIES Thissection outlines INPOevaluation activities.
Forthepurposes ofthis Appendix andtheMOA,WANOpeerreview reports shall betreated andhandled bytheNRCasINPOplant evaluation reports.
a.
INPOwill conduct evaluations ofoperating nuclear plants and performance-oriented reviews ofnuclear plant construction programs and processes onaperiodic basis.
b.
INPOwill alsoconduct periodic reviews orassistance visits related to corporate support ofnuclear stations either onutility request oras scheduled byINPO.This phaseofINPOactivities will usually be conducted coincident with(in close timeproximity to) anevaluation ofthe utility's nuclear plant(s).
c.
INPOwill prepare awritten report foreachevaluation.
Theutility provides written responses toINPOineachareaidentified byINPOas needing improvement.
PageA2-1
d.
Eachsucceeding evaluation will include follow-up ontheresponses developed during thepreceding evaluation.
e.
INPO intendstoconduct appropriate visits tonewplants under construction andtheir corporate organizations, toassist intheir preparation for operation.
3.
NRCOBSERVATION OFINPOACTIVITIES a.
INPOexpects itsmember utilities tomakeoperating plant evaluation reports andreports related tonuclear plant construction available tothe NRCinspectorsand appropriate managementpersonnel forreview or reading
- onsite, when available.
- Further, INPOwill makefinal evaluation reports andreports related tonuclear plant construction available tothe NRCforgeneric reviewor reading byappropriateNRCmanagement personnel attheINPOoffices inAtlanta, GA,aspartofanongoing exchange ofinformation concerning theevaluation program.
Such reports areproprietary, andtheinformation reflectedtherein will be,tothe extent permitted bylaw,protectedby the NRCfrompublic disclosure.
b.
Current copies of,andanychanges to, INPO evaluation performance objectives andcriteria will beprovided tothe NRC.
Suchinformation will bemarked proprietary byINPOand,tothe extent permitted
- bylaw, protected bytheNRCfrompublic disclosure.
c.
TheNRCmay,onrequest, havearepresentative observe anINPO evaluation ofanoperating plant oraperformance-oriented review ofa nuclear plant construction program.
INPOwill obtain the necessary concurrence fromthehost utility.
Whilespecifying amaximum number to beobserved isnotconsidered necessary byeither
- party, itisanticipated that anNRCrepresentative mayobserve INPOactivities several times annually.
WhereNRCregional personnel participate asobservers of INPOevaluations, they wouldnotnormally accompany anINPOteamon anevaluation intheir ownregion.
d.
INPOwill brief NRCpersonnel uponrequest onanyorall aspects of INPO's evaluation andassistance program.
e.
Because INPOpursues correction ofINPO-identified deficiencies and low-level event trends frommembercorrective action program documents, theNRCwill notpursue corrective action for INPO-identified deficiencies except asnecessary tocarry outits statutory dutytoprovide reasonable assurance ofadequate protection ofpublic health andsafety, promote thecommondefense andsecurity, andprotect theenvironment.
f.
TheNRCandINPOwill coordinate NRCinspections (involving twoormore inspectors),
INPOevaluations, andconstruction-related activities to minimize theimpact ontheutility involved.
Wherefeasible, theNRCand INPOwill coordinate event-related orother emergency on-site activities suchasNRCspecial inspections, augmented inspection teams,incident PageA2-2
investigation teams(IITs),
andINPOeventinvestigations, although each party recognizes that itmaynotbepossible tocoordinate allofthese efforts. TheNRCandINPOwill share their respective inspection schedules inatimely manner toprovide sufficient timeforplanning and preparation.
g.
TheNRC willapply theestablished NRCenforcement policy for licensee-identified non-compliances tothose non-compliances identifiedby utilities asaresult ofINPOevaluations.
4.
INPOOBSERVATION OF NRC INSPECTION ACTIVITIES a.
INPOmay,onrequest, have arepresentative observe anNRC inspection (typicallyateam inspection).
Whilespecifying amaximum number tobeobservedis not considered necessary byeither
- party, itis anticipated that anINPOrepresentative mayobserve NRCinspections several times annually.
TheNRC willobtainconcurrencefromthehost utility.
b.
INPOobservation ofNRCinspectionactivities will becoordinatedbythe NRCOffice ofNuclear Reactor Regulation (NRR).
PageA2-3
APPENDIXNUMBERTHREE OBSERVATIONANDCOORDINATION PLANFOR NRC/INPO TRAINING-RELATED ACTIVITIES I.
BACKGROUND Thepurposeof this planistocoordinate selected NRCandINPOactivities related tonuclear power industry training.Itisalsointended toprovide amechanism andabasis for information sharingandNRCrecognition ofINPOandNational Academyfor NuclearTraining
("National Academy")
efforts inthis area.
Thereareseveral underlying assumptions:
a.
INPOrecognizes theNRC's regulatory responsibilityandauthority.
b.
TheNRCandINPOshare the goal ofimproving andmaintaining the quality ofnuclear utility training.
c.
TheNRCrecognizes theindustry's initiative andcommitment toINPO programs that promote high-quality training through development of integrated training andqualification
- systems, including accreditation ofkeytraining programs through theNational Academy.
d.
TheNRCrecognizes National Academy accreditation and associated training evaluation activities (seealso Appendix Number
- Two, "Observation andCoordination PlanforNRC/INPO Inspection and Evaluation Activities")
asanacceptable meansofself-improvement in training.
Suchrecognition encourages industry initiative andreduces evaluation andinspection activities.
TheNRCrecognizes that accreditation isameansbutnotarequirement formeeting the requirements of10CFRPart50.120, "Training andqualification of nuclear powerplant personnel,"
and10CFRPart 55,"Operators' licenses."
e.
INPOrecognizes that theNRCrequires access toselected INPO documents andinformation, aswellastheopportunity toobserve selected INPOactivities related totraining andaccreditation, inorder to ensure that theNRCmeetsits obligations tothepublic andtoCongress.
f.
Coordination ofNRCandINPOtraining-related activities andsharing of information will increase overall effectiveness, aswell aslessen the burden imposed ontheindustry byduplication ofactivities.
2.
OVERALLCOORDINATION Inorder topromote overall coordination ofNRCandINPOtraining-related activities, the following actions will betaken:
a.
NRC/INPOCoordination Meetings will beheldperiodically with representativesfrom theNRC/NRRandINPO's Training andAccreditation PageA3-1
organization. Atthese
- meetings, information onongoing
- projects, plans, andselected INPOandNational Academy documents undergoing revision will bediscussed.
Written reports ofprogress andresults maybe exchanged.
b.
INPO willprovidetheNRCwithaccess toselected INPOandNational Academy documents andinformation andwill provide updated copies of theINPO and National Academytraining guidelines andtheTraining SystemDevelopment Manual.
Suchdocuments will bemarked proprietaryby INPO and,totheextent permitted bylaw,protected bythe NRCfrom public disclosure.
3.
INPOACTIVITIES This section outlines INPOandNational Academy activities related tothe accreditation ofperformance-based programs forthetraining andqualification of nuclear powerplant personnel.
TheINPO pointofcoordinationforthe implementation ofthis planistheSenior Vice President, Workforce Training Education
&Proficiency.
a.
INPOwill continue tomanagethe accreditation ofutility training programs through theNational Academy. These include:
(1) self-evaluations bymember utilities, withassistance fromtheINPO staff; (2) on-site evaluations oftraining andqualification programs by teamsofINPOandutility personnel; (3) preparation ofareport foreachaccreditation teamvisit; (4) follow-up onrecommendations developed duringthe accreditation process; and (5) review oftraining programs bytheNational Nuclear Accrediting Board forthepurpose ofawarding, deferring,
- renewing, placing onprobation, orwithdrawing of accreditation.
b.
INPOwill continue toconduct periodic performance-oriented evaluations ofpersonnel training andqualifications aspartofits accreditation and plant evaluations.
Thisprovides another meansofindependent feedback onthequality oftraining.
c.
INPOwill provide updated copies oftheaccreditation objectives and criteria document asitisrevised.
Thisdocument will bemarked proprietary byINPOand,totheextent permitted bylaw,protected bythe NRCfrompublic disclosure.
d.
INPOwillreview andconsider NRCrecommendations regarding INPO-managed training-related
- programs, documents, andcriteria.
PageA3-2
e.
INPOwill provide periodic detailed briefings onaccreditation to appropriate NRCmanagementpersonnel, including review ofthe activities described in3.aaboveanddocumentation ofindustry-wide accreditation status.
f.
INPO intends tobrief theNRCperiodically onNational Academy activities.
4.
NRCACTIVITIES Thissection outlines the NRC's continuing efforts tomonitor INPOactivities as partofNRC's assessment,of the effectiveness oftheindustry's training and qualification program improvements.
NRC'sefforts inthis areawill be coordinated bytheDirector, Division ofReactor Oversight, NRR.
a.
Toavoid "codifying" ortheappearance of"codifying"INPOdocuments, theNRCwill notissue documents that duplicate INPOandNational Academytraining documents andwill not refertoINPOandNational Academydocuments asameansofsatisfying NRCrequirements.
Exceptions tothis policy forcontrol ofproprietary andconfidentialINPO andNational Academydocuments will beaddressed bytheNRCand INPOonacase-by-case basis.
b.
TheNRCwill assess theeffectiveness ofthe industry's training and qualification program improvements asfollows:
(1) conduct operator initial licensing exams; (2) audit,
- monitor, and/or conduct operator requalification
- exams, consistent with10CFRPart 55; (3) monitor plant andindustry trends andevents involving personnel errors; and (4) conduct performance-based inspections oftraining and qualification program effectiveness, asnecessary and consistent with10CFR50.120 andtheNRCInspection Manual.
c.
TheNRCwill monitor INPOactivities intraining andaccreditation as follows:
(1) receive periodic briefings and/or reports fromINPOandreview asampleofapplicable INPOandNational Academy documents; (2) provide alist ofprestigious andappropriately experienced individuals whoareformer NRCstaff forconsideration as membersoftheNational Nuclear Accrediting Board with full voting privileges; PageA3-3
(3) haveanNRCstaff memberattend andobserve selected National Nuclear Accrediting Boardmeetings (not toinclude executive sessiondecision-makingdeliberations);
(4) onrequest, haveanNRCrepresentative observe INPO accreditation teamsite visits for thepurpose ofmonitoring the effectiveness oftheaccreditation process.
TheNRCwill observe atleast one accreditation teamvisit
- annually, normally sending only one observer.
Inrare instances, morethanoneobserver may beincluded onavisit withprior mutual agreement between the NRCandINPO.
INPOwill obtain thenecessary concurrence from thehost utility.
Where NRCregional personnel participate as observers, theywould notnormallyaccompany anINPO accreditation teamon avisitintheir assigned region; and (5) benotified ofanymodifications intheprogram objectives and criteria.
d.
TheNRCrecognizes that training program probation doesnotmeanthe lossofaccreditation andwill allow theutility to correct theweaknessesin training while being held accountable bytheNational Academy.
A utility will berequested tonotify theNRCpromptly when accreditation status haschanged.
e.
Because INPOpursues correction ofINPO-identified deficiencies and low-level event trends frommembercorrective action program documents, theNRCwill notpursue corrective action for training and qualifications INPO-identified deficiencies except asnecessaryto carry outitsstatutory dutytoprovide reasonable assurance ofadequate public health andsafety, promote thecommondefense andsecurity, andprotect theenvironment.
INPOexpects itsmemberutilities tomake accreditation reports available totheNRCinspectors andappropriate management personnel forreview orreading onsite.
- Likewise, INPO will makeaccreditation reports available inits Atlanta offices forgeneric review byNRCmanagers.
f.
TheNRC'sperformance-oriented inspection program documents, including applicable inspection guidelines, areavailable toINPOfrom theNRC'spublic Website.
g.
TheNRCwill coordinate anyteaminspections withINPOaccreditation teamvisits andevaluations tominimize theimpact ontheutility involved.
Onrequest andwithconcurrence oftheutility, anINPOemployee may observe anNRCtraining inspection.
Itisanticipated thatINPOwould observe suchinspections occasionally, sending only oneobserver onany visit.
Inrareinstances, morethanoneobserver maybeincluded ona visit with prior mutual agreement between theNRCandINPO.
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APPENDIXNUMBERFOUR COORDINATION PLANFORINPO/lNDUSTRY PARTICIPATION INNRC INCIDENT INVESTIGATION TEAMS 1
Thepurpose ofthis planistoestablish guidance forINPO's coordination of industry representatives' participationonNRCIITs.
Anyindustry representatives participating onNRCIITs will dosoasobservers.
Thisplanis also intended tominimize duplication ofeventinvestigation efforts toreduce theimpact ontheaffected utilityandtopromote dissemination ofaccurate operating experienceinformation totheindustry.
2.
TheNRCandINPOrecognize the importance oftheNRC'sincident investigation activities inidentifying significant operating experience information.
Observation ofanIIT by industry representatives should result in amorecomplete andthorough understanding ofthefactors contributing to theincident andactions needed topreventrecurrence.
Incarrying outthis
- plan, INPOrecognizes theNRC's responsibility andauthority.
3.
inviewofthese considerations, INPOandtheNRC agree onthefollowing:
a.
Theselection ofindustry representatives toobserve anIIT will be coordinated between NRC'sOffice oftheExecutive Director for Operations andINPO's Executive Vice President. A request foroneor moreindustry representatives toobserve anIIT canbe initiated byeither theNRCorINPO.
b.
TheNRCwill notify INPOpromptly whenanIITisbeing activated andwill provide allnecessary information toenable INPOtofacilitateindustry observation.
c.
INPOwill serve asthecentral point ofcontact forcoordination ofall issues andprocedures regarding industry observation ofilTs.
d.
INPOwill recommend industry observers totheNRC.
e.
INPOwill request eachindustry nominee tosign astatement regarding proprietary information, conflicts ofinterest, andwaiver ofcompensation.
Inaddition, eachindustry nominee will berequested tocomply withthe procedures established fortheoperation
- ofIITs, which include procedures forhandling differences inprofessional opinion andthe release ofinvestigation information.
Thissigned statement will be provided totheNRCaspartofthenomination process.
f.
INPOwill provide assistance incoordinating with theaffected utility to obtain site access fortheindustry representatives.
PageA4-1
APPENDIX NUMBERFIVE COORDINATION OFINTERNATIONAL ACTIVITIES 1.
BACKGROUND This appendix establishes thebasic framework forcooperation andcoordination ofselectedNRC andINPOactivities related tointernational activities.
Thegoal ofthis cooperation istoenhancepublic health andsafety andtoeffectively utilize limited resources insupportofinternational outreach efforts.
a.
TheNRC,asa government
- entity, hasstatutory responsibilities and authorities whichare paramount.
Nothing inthis appendix isintended to affect orinterfere with the NRC's responsibility andauthority totake action inaccordance with applicable
- statutes, conventions, andother legal requirements.
b.
INPO,asoneofthe recognized independent nuclear safety entities for theU.S.
commercial
- industry, has the ability tocontribute tosafe and reliable operation andconstructionof nuclear powerplants with a
resulting benefit topublic health andsafety.
c.
TheNRCandINPOhavethecommongoal of sharing operating information andpractices inorder tobenefit both the U.S.industry and theinternational nuclearcommunity.
d.
Therearemanyinternational nuclear safety andsecurity/safety interface issues wherebothregulatory andindustry involvement is needed toeffectively represent U.S.interests.
INPOmaybe positioned torepresent theindustry inthese engagements.
2.
OVERALLCOORDINATION Inorder tocoordinate NRCandINPOinternational activities, thefollowing actions will betaken:
a.
Withrespect tointernational engagements that bothparties agree are "key,"
theparties will endeavor todirectly communicate andcoordinate activities suchthat effective participation bybothparties isaccomplished.
b.
NRC/lNPO coordination meetings will beheldperiodically with representativesfrom theNRCOffice ofInternational Programs and INPO's international organization along withtheNRCOffice ofthe Executive Director forOperations andother appropriate NRCOffices.
c.
Whereappropriate, theNRCandINPOwill consider information sharing opportunities toinclude international meeting andactivity schedules.
PageA5-1
APPENDIXNUMBERSIX EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS ANDRESPONSE COORDINATION 1
BACKGROUND This appendix establishes thebasic framework forcooperation andcoordination ofselected NRC andINPOactivities related toemergency preparedness and response.
The goal ofthis cooperationistoensure eachlicensee's emergency preparedness program enables thelicensee toimplement adequate measures to protect public health and safety.
a.
TheNRC,asagovernment
- entity, hasstatutory responsibilities and authorities which are paramount.
Nothing inthis planisintended toaffect orinterfere withtheNRC's responsibility andauthority totakeaction in accordance with applicable
- statutes, conventions, andother legal requirements.
b.
INPO,asoneoftherecognizedindependent nuclear safety entities for theU.S.commercial
- industry, hasthe ability tocoordinatetechnical information
- flow, coordinate deliveryof equipment andsupplies, locate personnel withtechnical expertise, facilitate vendor andsupplier
- support, andobtain technical andindustry operating experience information.
c.
Therearemanyinterface issues wherebothregulatory andindustry involvement areneeded toeffectively represent U.S. interests.
INPOmay bepositioned torepresent theindustry inthese engagements.
2.
OVERALLCOORDINATION Thecoordination andinformation sharing activities defined inthis Appendix will beimplemented inasimilar fashion tothosedefined inAppendices 1-5.
Inorder topromote overall coordination ofNRCandINPOactivities, the following actions will betaken:
a.
NRC/INPOcoordination meetingswill beheldperiodically with representatives fromtheNRCOffice ofNuclear Security andIncident
Response
(NSIR) andINPO's Emergency Management organization.
Atthese
- meetings, information onongoing
- projects, plans, and selected INPOandNRCdocuments undergoing revision will be discussed.
Written reports ofprogress andresults maybe exchanged.
Additionally,
- routine, ongoing sharing ofnon-regulatory working level information will beencouraged.
Anyproprietary information shared byINPOshould bemarkedassuchandwill be,to theextent permitted bylaw,protected bytheNRCfrompublic disclosure.
b.
INPOandtheNRCmayshare emergency eventinformation electronically (actual orexercise-related) using web-based event management applications.
Anysuchinformation that INPOshares with theNRCwill bemarkedproprietary byINPOand,totheextent permitted bylaw,treated bytheNRCasproprietary andprotected bytheNRCfrom public disclosure.
PageA6-1
3.
INPO ACTIVITIES This section outlines INPOactivities related toemergency preparedness and response.
TheINPOpoint ofcoordination fortheimplementation ofthis planis theDirector, PlantOperations.
a.
INPO will periodically sharewiththeNRCgeneric results ofemergency preparedness andresponseoperating experiencereceived byINPO.
b.
INPOwill conduct periodic performance-oriented reviews ofemergency preparednessand response programs andprocesses.
Thisprovides another meansof independent feedback onthe.readiness forhandling an emergency.
c.
INPOwill makeavailable, for theNRCtoreview intheINPOoffices in
- Atlanta, GA,copies ofdocuments related tonuclear emergency preparedness andresponse exercises developed byINPO.
d.
INPOwill provide periodic briefingson emergency preparednessand response activities toappropriate NRC management personnel.
e.
INPOwill makeemergency preparednessand response site visit reports available toNRCinspectors andappropriate management personnelfor review orreading onsite.
- Further, INPOwill make these reportsavailable totheNRCforreview byappropriate managementpersonnel attheINPO offices inAtlanta, GA.
f.
INPOrepresentatives may,uponrequest, observe NRCemergency preparedness exercises.
Thenumber ofINPOobservers ona visit will bebasedonprior mutual agreement between theNRCandINPO.
The NRCwill obtain thenecessary concurrence fromthehost utility.
g.
TheNRC'sevaluation oflicensee performance inemergency preparedness exercises anddrills includes anassessment ofthe licensee's ability toidentify weaknesses during theperformance ofthe exercise ordrill.
Accordingly, INPOobservers will notdiscuss their observations regarding licensee exercise ordrill performance withthe licensee until after thelicensee hascompleted their critique.
4.
NRCACTIVITIES Thissection outlines theNRC'sefforts tocoordinate emergency preparedness andresponse activities withINPOandshare certain related information.
TheNRC point ofcoordination forimplementation ofthis planistheDirector, Division of Preparedness andResponse, NSIR.
a.
Toavoid "codifying" ortheappearance of"codifying" INPOdocuments, theNRCwill notissue documents that duplicate INPOandNational Academy training documents andwill notrefer toINPOandNational Academydocuments asameansofsatisfying NRCrequirements.
PageA6-2
Exceptionstothis policy forcontrol ofproprietary andconfidential INPO andNational Academy documents will beaddressed bytheNRCand INPOonacase-by-case basis.
b.
The NRCmaymonitor INPOemergency preparedness andresponse activities, asfollows:
(1) receive periodicbriefings and/or reports fromINPOandreview asample ofapplicableINPOandNational Academy documents; and (2) NRCrepresentatives may,uponrequest, observe INPO emergencypreparedness site visits.
ThenumberofNRC observers willbe based onprior mutual agreement between the NRCandINPO.INPO will obtain thenecessary concurrence from thehost utility/applicant.
c.
BecauseINPOpursues correction ofINPO-identified deficiencies and
'low-level eventtrends from member corrective action program documents, theNRCwill notpursue corrective actionforemergency preparedness andresponse INPO-identified deficiencies except as necessary tocarry outits statutory duty toprovide reasonable assurance ofadequate protection ofpublic health andsafety, promote thecommondefense andsecurity, andprotect the environment.
d.
TheNRC'sinspection program documents, includingapplicable inspection guidelines, areavailable toINPOfromtheNRC's public Web site.
e.
Totheextent
- feasible, INPOandtheNRCwill coordinate emergency preparedness inspection activities tominimize theimpact onthe utility/applicant.
Thiscould beaccomplished bynotifying theapplicable NRCregional branch chief prior toscheduling theobservation ofa licensee's drill orexercise.
- However, bothparties acknowledge that situations mayoccur whenNRCandINPOteamswill beconducting activities simultaneously.
Totheextent that this
- occurs, eachparty will strive tominimize its impact ontheother.
f.
During anincident atacommercial nuclear powerplant deemed sufficiently significant bytheNRC(e.g.,
anAlert level withdegrading conditions),
theNRCwill grant INPOaccess totheEmergency
Response
DataSystem(ERDS) fortheaffected unit(s).
TheNRCmaintains ERDS.ERDSisasystemdesign toreceive,
- store, andretransmit datafromin-plant datasystems atnuclear power plants during emergencies.
TheNRCwill provide INPOwithuptosix digital certificates forusebyINPO-designated personnel inaccessing ERDSdataduring emergencies atnuclear powerplants.
TheNRC reserves theright torevoke digital certificates atanytime.
Topreclude thepremature release ofsensitive information, the NRCwill protect sensitive information totheextent permitted by PageA6-3
theFreedom ofinformation Act,5U.S.C.
@552,10CFR2.390, andall other applicable authority.
INPOwill protect information gathered fromERDStotheextent permitted bylaw.
TheNRCconducts periodic tests oflicensee ERDSdatalinks.
INPOmaytestits ability toaccess ERDSdataduring these scheduled tests ormayschedule independent tests with theNRC.
Upon INPO request, theNRCwill provide INPOaccess toERDS data for emergency exercises withreactor units capable of transmitting exercise datatoERDS.Forexercises inwhich the NRCisnot participating, INPOwill coordinate with theNRCin advance to ensure ERDSavailability.
TheNRCreserves the right topreempt ERDS useforanexercise intheevent ofan actual event ata nuclear powerplan PageA6-4