ML20128D231

Summary of ACRS Subcommittee on Long Range Plan for NRC 850405 Meeting Re Technical & Administrative Issues on Regulation of Nuclear Power Plant Safety Over Next 5-10 Yrs

ML20128D231
Person / Time
Issue date:	04/09/1985
From:	Advisory Committee on Reactor Safeguards
To:	Advisory Committee on Reactor Safeguards
References
ACRS-2301, NUDOCS 8505280535
Download: ML20128D231 (6)

Text

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SUMMARY

/ MINUTES OF THE APRIL 5, 1985 MEETING OF THE ACRS SUBCOMMITTEE ON THE LONG RANGE PLAN FOR NRC A meeting was held by the ACRS Subcommittee on the Long Range Plan for NRC on April 5,1985. The purpose of the meeting was to continue discussions on developing a long range plan for the NRC. Topics under discussion are technical and administrative issues related to the regulation of nuclear power plant safety and safety regulation over the next five to ten years. Notice of the meeting was published in the Federal Register on March 19, 1985 (Attachment A). The meeting was entirely open to the public. Richard Major was the cognizant staff member for this meeting.

Participants:

M. Carbon, Chairman D. Moeller, Member Richard Major, Staff F. Remick, Member R. Fraley, Staff C. Wylie, Member M. Libarkin, Staff H. Lewis, Member R. Cushman, Fellow R. Axtmann, Member C. Siess, Member This was the Subcommittee's second session. The Subcommittee continued discussions among itself of topics discussed during the March 1, 1985 Subcommittee meeting. The goal was to continue to scope a course of action to be presented to the full Committee in April.

Currently the end product of this effort is seen as a Committee report I to the Comission suggesting elements which could be included in a long i range plan for the agency. A long range plan would contain goals that l the agency should try to attain over the next five to ten years.

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The Subcommittee discussed the breadth of topics to be included for discussion. The overall focus of discussions will be on how to attain ,

safety for the nuclear power enterprise. Topics will address the strategy for attaining safety as well as technical topics which must be ,

considered in meeting the agency's safety mission.

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.LONG RANGE PLAN FOR NRC 2 April 5, 1985 Meeting The agency's Policy Planning Guidance 1985 document, number 4 (NUREG-0885) was thought to be' a good model for the Subcomittee. It was noted, however. that the PPG document is limited to a one-year scope.

Subcomittee members comented that there is a need to allow utilities more leeway regarding self-regulation. Utility and industry expertise should be brought.to bear on the problems of the technology. The majority of technical expertise is found in the industry, not the , s Comission's staff. It was suggested that the NRC's adversarial role in the industry is a major problem. It was thought greater self-regulation by:the industry is possible; however, a stumbling block to this progress would be whether or not the Congress, the public, and the NRC itself-still perceives the. agency as a credible regulator.

The Subcommittee discussed the hearing process. It was felt that the process was too long, costly and did not contribute substantially to safety. Dr. Remick, who has served on hearing panels, explained that the hearing process does indeed address technical issues of safety significance. It was suggested that the length of time necessary to get a plant licensed is precluding the nuclear option in this country. .

It was suggested that the Subcomittee look into forecasts of the need for electric power over the next fifteen years. The need for new generating capacity will affect long range planning.

I The Subcomittee decided that sabotage should be added to the list of topics for the Subcomittee's consideration. A discussion took place in

- which the sense of the Subcomittee indicated the design basis for-l i sabotage should be expanded. .

The types of licenses the NRC issues were discussed. In the future, as g.

standard plant designs become more the nonn issuance of a license to a L manufacturer in a manner similar to the FAA's " air worthiness" l' -

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LONG RANGE PLAN FOR NRC 3 April 5, 1985 Meeting certificate should be considered. The present standardization policy is currently moving in this direction.

Since the Office of Policy Evaluation is performing a separate, but parallel effort, in developing a long range plan, the Subcomittee decided to meet periodically with OPE. These sessions will allow an exchange of ideas.

The form that future NRC regulation should take was discussed. The question of should NRC regulation move in the direction of performance-based rules, rather than prescriptive rules was asked. It was noted that the law in the U.S. is basically performance based; it is backed up by the experience of specific case reviews. It was suggested that the General Design Criteria are somewhat performance based. The Standard Review Plan adds the case wisdom in specific plant reviews.

There was some concern expressed over whether or not utilities could easily comply with performance based criteria. Past experience, it was felt, indicated utilities would not take any initiative until a prescriptive requirement was issued.

The Subcommittee reviewed a modified draft review plan prepared by Dr. Carbon. This document will focus the full Comittee's attention during the April 1985 full Comittee meeting. Advice and coments from the full Committee will be factored into the review plan prior to further Subcomittee action.

The review plan is currently divided into two categories, technical issues and issues concerning the regulatory process! Below is a listing of subtopics under the two main headings. ,

'o LONG RANGE PLAN FOR NRC 4 April 5,1985 Meeting A. Technical Issues

1. Regulatory Simplification

2. Safety Philosophy

3. Safety Research

4. Attitudes Adverse to Safety

5. Automation of NPP Operation

6. Entire Question of Quality Assurance

7. Standardization

8. Excessive Conservatism

9. Appropriately Safe B. Regulatory Process 1._ Public Participation

2. Personnel and Organization

3. International Safety

4. Early Site Approval

5. Combined CP-OL License ,

6. Backfitting'(Process)

The Subcommittee reviewed a list of people with whom it would like to discuss, over the course of the summer, the topics raised in the review plan. Dr. Carbon will redraft the review plan based on the Subcommittee's advice. Richard Major was asked to provide the names of the regulatory reform task force groups (see Attachment B).

Future meetings will be scheduled on the Wednesday before the full Committee meetings starting in July 1985.

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11030 Feder:1 Register [ Vcl. 50, No. 53 / Tuesdry. Mirch 19, 1985 / N:tices /

M BasId en cur evzlustion, we find thzt v consultzots, and stiff. Persons desiring review the resolution of the RCP trip the existing fire protection features in to make oral statements should notify issues given a small break LDCA.

1 conjunction with alternate shutdown the ACRS staff member named below as

, capability for Fire Area 25 provide a Oral statements may be presented by far in advance as is practicable so that members of the public with the level of hre protection equivalent to the appropriate arrangements can be made.

technical requirements of Subsection concunence of the Subcoramittee During the initial portion of the Chairman; written statements will be Ill.G.3 of Appendix R. and therefore the meeting. the Subcommittee, along with accepted and made available to the '

exemption should be granted. any of its consultants who may be Committee. Recordinas will be penaitted IV present may exchange preliminary only during those portions of the views regarding matters to be According'ly, the Commission has meeting when a transcript is being kept.

considered during the balance of the determined that, pursuant to to CFR and questions may be asked only by meeting. members of the Subcommittee,its 50.12 the exemptions requested by the ne Subcommittee will then hear licensee's letters as referenced and consultanta and Staff. Persons desiring presentations by and hold discussions

. discussed in 11. and III. above are to make oral statements should notify with representatives of the NRC Staff.

authorized by law will not endanger hfe its consultants and other interested the ACRS staff member named below as or property or the common defense and far in advance as is practicable so that persons regarding this review. appropriate arrangementa can be made.

security, are otherwise in the public Further information regarding topics interest. and are hereby granted. During the initial portion of the to be discussed. whether the meeting meeting. the Subcommittee, along with Pursuant to 10 CFR 51.32 the has been cancelled or rescheduled the Commission has determined that the any ofits consultants who may be Chairman's ruling on requests for the issuance of the exemption will have no opportunity to present oral statements present. may exchange preliminary significant impact on the environment views regarding matters to be and the time allotted therefor can be considered during the balance of the (50 FR 9735). obtained by a prepaid telephone call to meeting.

This Exemption is effective upon the cognizant ACRS staff member. Mr.

issuance. The Subcommittee wiIl then hear Richard Major (telephone 202/634-1414) presentations by and hold discussions Dated at E.cthesda. Md., this 13th day og between 8:15 a.m. and 520 p.m EST.

March 1985.

with representatives of the NRC Staff.

Persons planning to allend this meeting - its consuliants, and other interesled For the Nuclear Regulatory Commission. are urged to contact the above named j H4 hpm individual one or two days before the persons regarding this review.

Further information regarding topics

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scheduled niceting to be advised of any to be discussed. whether the meeting uc orRe changes in schedule, etc., which raay i have occurred. has been cancelled or rescheduled. the

[Rt Doc. 85-655o Fded 3-18-8% 345 am) Chairman's ruling on requests for the 31 anass coce rsee ew D.ted March 14.1981 ' opportunity to present oral statements Morton W. IJbarkin, and the time allotted therefor can be

'- Assistant Earcutive DirestorforPrviect obtained by a prepaid telephone call to Advisory Committee on Reactor Rericw. the cognizant ACRS staff member. Mr.

Safeguarda, Subcommittee on Long (FR Doc. 85 4547 Faed 3-18-as, a45 am) Paul Boehnert (telephone 202/634-3267)

! Mange Plan for the NRC; Meeting . a coes rsse4,-as between 8:15 a.m. and 5 00 p.m EST.

. The ACRS Subcommittee on Long Persons planning to attend this meeting l Range Plan for the NRC will hold a are urged to contact the above named -

, meeting on April 5.1985. Room 1046. Advisory Committee on Reactor individual one or two days before the

t. 1717 H Street. NW., Washington, DC. Safeguards; Subcommittee on scheduled meeting to be advised of any The entire meeting will be open to the Emergency Core Cooling Systema; changes in schedule, etc, which may j) public attendance. Meeting have occurred. .

The agenda fo'r subject meeting shall De ACRS S bcommittee on Dated. March 14 1985.

be as follows: Emergency Core Cooling Systems will M*"** *' N Friday. Aprils,1965-&30 0.at untilthe hold a meeting on April 3.1985, Room j conclusion ofbusiness 1 6.1717 H Street NW., Washington.

lsistant Executive Directorfor Project j Subcodw wW conunue "{

discussions on developing a long range To the extent practical the meeting a u sse come rsso4 m

~ plan for the NRC. Topics under will be open to public attendance.

discussion are technical and However, portions ofIhe meeting may cdministrative issues related to the C I dis ss Statement of Policy: Handling of 1. ate regulation of nuclear power plant safety n r ,) 8 de ails f the Allegations '

nd sa ty regulation over the next 5 to mb sti n n8 8 g , , A

• R'I' 1 uc[: uclear Regulatory Oral statement may be presented by

,, members of the public with the hydrau c codes ( $r the subject meeting AcTioet Statement of Policy: Handling of shall be as follows. Late Allegations.

c:ncurrence of the Subcommittee .

..' Chairman: written statements will be Wednesday. April 3.1965-8.30 a.m.

cceepted and made available to the suuuaw.This policy atatement until the conclusion of business presents the criteria the Commission Committee. Recordings will be permitteds De Subcommittee will discuss the following:(1)ne WBART/ BASH ECCS. will follow in addressing late a!!egations

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only during those portions of the 8

meeting when a transcript is being kept, received from sources outside the ,

4 codes. (2) review the resolution of nfl Commission. in the context of licensing cnd questions may be asked only by Item II.K.3.30, revision of small break members of the Subcommittes,its. reviews. it also directs that the staff's

.. LOCA ECCS Evaluation Models; and (3) procedures for notifying Atomic Safety I s ATTACHMENT A I

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4/9/85 MEMBERSHIP OF THE REGULATORY REFORM TASK FORCE (RRTF)

J. Tourtellotte, RRTF G. Eysymontt, OPE F. Miraglia, NRR P. Crone, OGC J. Fry, ASLB S. Wanner, ASLB J. Gray, ELD R. Paulus, ORPB SENIOR ADVISORY GROUP TO THE RRTF W. Dircks, EDO A. Rosenthal, ASLAP J. Tourtellotte, RRTF H. Plaine. 0GC J. Zerbe OPE ATTACHMENT n i

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