ML20132A302
| ML20132A302 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Issue date: | 05/15/2020 |
| From: | Jordan Hoellman NRC/NRR/DANU/UARP |
| To: | John Segala NRC/NRR/DANU/UARP |
| Hoellman J, NRR/DANU/UARP, 301-415-5481 | |
| References | |
| Download: ML20132A302 (9) | |
Text
May 15, 2020 MEMORANDUM TO: John P. Segala, Chief Advanced Reactor Policy Branch Division of Advanced Reactors and Non-Power Production and Utilization Facilities Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation FROM: Jordan P, Hoellman, Project Manager /RA/
Advanced Reactor Policy Branch Division of Advanced Reactors and Non-Power Production and Utilization Facilities Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation
SUBJECT:
SUMMARY
OF APRIL 2, 2020, ADVANCED REACTOR STAKEHOLDER PUBLIC MEETING On April 2, 2020, the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) held a Category 2 public meeting with stakeholders, including the Nuclear Energy Institute (NEI) and the US Nuclear Industry Council (USNIC), 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. ML20092N362 and the presentation slides at Accession No. ML20092L465. Enclosure 1 lists the meeting attendees who participated remotely.
NRC staff provided an overview on the status of environmental activities in preparations for advanced reactor environmental reviews, including the interim staff guidance (ISG) for the environmental reviews of microreactors, the generic environmental impact statement (GEIS) for advanced reactors, guidance on addressing Table S-3 of Title 10 of the Code of Federal Regulations (10 CFR) 51.51 and Table S-4 of 10 CFR 51.51 for non-LWRs, and NRC comments on the NEI white paper on streamlining NRC environmental reviews. The staff noted that additional presentation material regarding the ISG can be found at ADAMS Accession No. ML20094G271. The staff discussed that SECY-20-0020, Results of Exploratory Process for Developing a Generic Environmental Impact Statement for the Construction and Operation of Advanced Nuclear Reactors (ADAMS Accession No. ML20052D175), dated February 28, 2020, informed the Commission that the staff would develop a GEIS for advanced reactors to define the scope of the environmental effects of the construction and operation of advanced reactors and identify generic and site-specific environmental impacts. The staff discussed the efficiencies that can be gained with an advanced reactor GEIS and that the tentative schedule for developing the GEIS is two years, with the Final GEIS being issued in May 2022.
Enclosure:
List of Attendees CONTACT: Jordan Hoellman, NRR/DANU 301-415-5481
J. Segala 2 The staff discussed the Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL) papers (ADAMS Accession Nos. ML20084L390 and ML20076G075) to address Table S-3 of 10 CFR 51.51 and Table S-4 of 10 CFR 51.51 for non-LWRs, which provide technology-neutral methodologies for use by an applicant and by NRC staff to determine the environmental impacts from the fuel cycle and from the transportation of fuel and wastes for all types of non-LWRs. The staff stated that these topics will continue to be discussed in future advanced reactor stakeholder meetings.
The staff noted that they encourage preapplication meetings under 10 CFR 51.40 to discuss these topics for a specific design or site. The staff discussed their comments on NEIs white paper regarding recommendations for streamlining NRC environmental reviews for advanced reactors. NEIs six recommendations discussed in the white paper are: (1) allow for the flexibility to use environmental assessments (EAs) and categorical exclusions, (2) increase the use of GEISs, (3) incorporate existing environmental analyses into a projects EA or EIS, (4) flexibility to use an applicants environmental report (ER) as the basis for the draft EA or EIS, (5) reduce unnecessary burden in alternative site analysis, and (6) increase efficiency of environmental reviews. The staff noted that they have been pursuing multiple ways to streamline environmental reviews, including the ISG for environmental reviews of microreactors and the GEIS for advanced reactors.
NEI provided an overview of their comments on the Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ) notice of proposed rulemaking on potential revisions to the implementing regulations for the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), which NEI noted are consistent with NEIs white paper regarding recommendations for streamlining NRC environmental reviews for advanced reactors. NEI discussed the estimated timeline for the CEQ final rule being issued in October 2020, which requires agencies, such as the NRC, to develop or revise proposed procedures to implement the regulations in Parts 1500 through 1508 within 12 months (i.e. October 2021).
USNIC provided a discussion of the results of the USNIC survey of advanced nuclear developers on policy issues conducted in March 2020. USNIC noted the policy issues that have changed in importance level since the last survey was conducted. USNIC discussed that advanced reactor developers who responded to the survey indicate that licensing is being pursued in both the US and Canada and that the industry supports the efforts of the NRC and the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission (CNSC) to align their regulatory review processes.
USNIC discussed the survey results of other policy issues, including appropriate emergency planning zones, control room operators, refueling, appropriate NRC fees, and creation of a GEIS for advanced reactors, and the survey results related to applying for and receiving US Department of Energy (DOE) program awards.
The staff discussed readiness for advanced reactor fuel cycle licensing and transportation certification, including enrichment, fuel fabrication, transportation package certification, spent fuel storage, and material control and accounting (MC&A). The staff discussed that the regulations in 10 CFR Part 70 are adequate for the review of fuel enrichment and fabrication for technologies being developed at higher enrichments and that the staff continues to assess the regulatory framework to identify challenges and/or data needs. Specifically, the staff discussed ongoing efforts to conduct technical evaluations to assess necessary updates to guidance, including MC&A for Category II fuel cycle facilities and possible MC&A approaches for pebble bed reactors. Regarding transportation and storage activities, the staff discussed that they are proactively identifying potential technical challenges and information needs associated with the safe use of advanced reactor fuels in the areas of enrichment, fabrication, transport and storage. The staff noted that they expect some of the efforts related to accident tolerant fuel will benefit the licensing and certification of advanced reactor fuels.
J. Segala 3 The staff discussed the draft instrumentation and controls (I&C) Design Review Guide (DRG),
which leverages the Design Specific Review Standard (DSRS) Chapter 7 framework while factoring in the lessons learned from new reactor reviews and provides guidance for the NRC staff to use in reviewing the I&C portions of applications for advanced non-LWRs within the bounds of existing regulations. The staff discussed that the DRG has been coordinated to align with the risk-informed, performance-based Licensing Modernization Project (LMP) framework and provides review guidance on all aspects of safety-significant I&C systems, which include safety-related I&C systems and I&C systems that are not safety-related but warrant special treatment. The staff noted that although the DRG aligns with the LMP framework, the DRG provides the flexibility for staff to perform I&C reviews for applications that do not implement the LMP framework. The staff discussed that the draft DRG will be issued for public and stakeholder comments within the next few weeks. The draft DRG was published on April 14, 2020 (85 FR 20725), with the public comment period closing on June 29, 2020.
The staff discussed Codes and Standards for advanced reactors under Implementation Action Plan (IAP) Strategy 4 to support the objective of enhancing non-LWR technical readiness and optimizing regulatory readiness. The staff discussed that they are actively participating in the development and use of consensus codes and standards across multiple standards development organizations (SDOs). The staff discussed the NRC Standards Forum to facilitate the identification of needed standards within the nuclear industry that are currently not being addressed by SDOs and to collaboratively accelerate their development. The staff noted that they continue to gather input from utility/vendors, SDOs, and other stakeholders on codes and standards needs and related near-term activities and that the next Standards Forum is scheduled for September 15, 2020.
The staff provided a discussion of financial qualification, Price-Anderson Act considerations, on-site insurance, and decommissioning. The staff noted that these have been topics in previous stakeholder meetings. Regarding financial qualifications, the staff discussed that SECY-18-0026, Proposed Rule: Financial Qualifications Requirements for Reactor Licensing, dated March 15, 2018, noting that the applicants Financial Capacity Plan will inform the NRCs review of whether the applicant appears to be financially qualified to engage in the proposed activities in accordance with the regulations. Regarding Price-Anderson Act considerations, the staff noted that, as discussed in previous stakeholder meetings, NRC is preparing a report to Congress. Regarding on-site insurance and decommissioning, the staff noted that these insurances are candidate for exemption requests with supporting analysis, as discussed in previous stakeholder meetings. Regarding annual fees, the staff noted that NRCs annual fee regulations were revised to address light-water small modular reactors (SMRs) and that the staff is initiating activities to expand the regulations to address non-LWRs. The staff sought stakeholder input to determine if additional near-term actions were needed. The staff and industry agreed that further discussions about annual fees would be beneficial.
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 May 7, 2020.
ML20132A302 *via e-mail NRR-106 OFFICE NRR/DANU/UARP/PM* NRR/DANU/UARP/BC*
NAME JHoellman JSegala DATE 5/12/2020 5/15/2020 PUBLIC MEETING U.S. NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION Thursday, April 2, 2020 9:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.
List of Attendees (on phone)
Name Organization Amy Cubbage U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC)
Bill Reckley NRC Donald Palmrose NRC Jack Cushing NRC Jim Hammelman NRC Joe Sebrosky NRC Joe Ashcraft NRC John Segala NRC Jordan Hoellman NRC Kati Austgen NEI Ken Erwin NRC Louise Lund NRC Marlyn Diaz NRC Mallecia Sutton NRC Ricardo Torres NRC Shawn Harwell NRC Tom Boyce NRC Alex Hashimian ANS Alice Caponitti Department of Energy Alex Pavlak Future of Energy Initiative Alex Renner OKLO Alice Chung NRC Andrea Jennetta S&P Global Platts Andrea Kock NRC April Rice Preferred Licensing Services Arantsa Cuadra Brookhaven National Lab Ariel Bronstein Morgan Lewis Arlon Costa NRC Ben Carmichael Southern Nuclear Ben Eipiei India National Labs Benjamin Beasley NRC Bernie White NRC Bill Reckley NRC Bill Brown University of MA Lowell Bill Horak Brookhaven National Laboratory Enclosure
Bob Campbell Baker Donelson Bob Fitzpatrick NRC Brad Miller NRC Brad Williams EPW Brandon Wase Southern Company Brian Smith NRC Brian Thomas NRC Bruce Lupier PNNL Bruce McDowell PNNL Cameron Tarry Clear Catheter Charles Murray NRC Charles Rhodes Xylene Power Ltd Chris Colbert New Scale Chris Robinson W-12 National Security Complex Christian Marsul Electric Power Research Institute Christine King INL Cynthia Jones NRC Cyril Draffin U.S. Nuclear Industry Council Dale Fulton Southern Nuclear Daniel Carleton Terrestrial Energy USA Darrell Gardner Kairos Power Dave Goodman PNNL Dave Scheltown BWXT David Desaulniers NRC David Erown Kamo Power David Locksat Indian National Lab David Luxt National Labs David Pickett SW Research Institute David Rahn NRC Deb Luchsinger NuScale Derek Widmayer NRC Diana Li Department of Energy Dinesh Taneja NRC Don Chase Curtiss-Wright Don Midkif Framatone Don Wolf ARC Donald Palmrose NRC Donna Williams NRC Drew Blackwell Enercon Services Ed Lyman Union of Concerned Scientists (UCS)
Elizabeth Kurz ICF Ellis Renner OKLO Emma Redfoot OKLO 2
Emma Redfoot OKLO Eve Maheras PNNL Everett Redmond NEI Frank Schaaf Sterling Refrigeration Fred Miller NRC Fuibel Schubbner Department of Energy Ismael Garcia NRC George Adams CNWRA George Flanagan Oak Ridge National Lab George Wadkins GEH Gerard Jackson NRC Glen Dodges Burns & McDonald Glenn Neisef Burns & McDonald Ian Jung NRC Jacob Zimmerman NRC James Hammelman NRC James Rubenstein NRC James Tomkins Kairos Power Jan Mazza NRC Jana Bergman Curtiss-Wright Janise Stolirova FEMA Jason Christianson INL Jason Marsonkowski Department of Energy Jason Redd Southern Jess Gehin INL Jim Brown U Mass LO Jim DeLano Southern Nuclear Jim Hammelman NRC Jim Kinsey INL Tim Lupold NRC Joe Ashcraft NRC Joe Chicingo ARES John Habert NRC John Jackson Gain John Monninger NRC John Nakoski NRC Jorge Alonso MN Public Utilities Commission Katrina McMurrian NRC Keith Consani NIST Kelvin Montague TVA Kenneth Armstrong NRC Kenneth Wagner Sandia National Lab Krchie Manoharan TBN 3
Kurt Harris Flibe Energy Lance Rankovan NRC Nathan Haol SWRI CNWRA Lauren Hughes WA Policy and Analysis Liz Gormsen ICF Lori Braase ID National Lab Madilyn Department of Energy Maryam Khan NRC Marc Nichol NEI Marcia Carpentier NRC Margaret Elison Kairos Towers Maria Makitka Department of Energy Mariam Jackson Research Institute Marilyn Diaz NRC Marilyn Kray Exelon Maris Makita Department of Energy Marlisa Willie Nuclear Energy Consultants Farshid Shahroki Ramaton Martin Karr Centrus Energy Corp Martin O'Neill Nuclear Energy Institute Maryam Khan NRC Maryland Preston NRC Megan Wright NRC Michelle Hayes NRC Michelle Sampson NRC Mike Poore ORNL Mike Tchiltz NEI Miriam Juckett SW Research Institute Nanette Valliere NRC Narasimha Kadambi Kadambi Engineering Consultants Nathan Hall SWRI Neema Ashkabuci NEI Nicholas McMurray Clear Path Nicole Chlichling Kairos Power Nicole Lahaye PNNL Olivia Mikula NRC Osvaldo Pensado Swri Swir Paul Rades NRC Pete Gaillard TerraPower Peter Hastings Kairos Power Hanh Phan NRC Richard Rivera NRC Richard Turtel NRC 4
Rick Jervey NRC Rick Paese Westinghouse Rick Redial NRC Rob Sweeney IBEX Robert Beall NRC Robert Haemer IN MI Power Company Robert Lanza ICF Robert Roche NRC Robert Schaaf NRC Rocardo Torres NRC Ruth Ezel NRC Scott Bussy NRC Shawn Harwell NRC Shawn Tyler AMS Corp Steve Maheras PNNL Steve Rhyne Nugeen Steven Arndt NRC Steven Dyer NEI Steven Hart NRC Steven Nesbit LMNT Consulting Stewart Magruder NRC Susan Vrahoretis NRC Tameron Perry Clear Path Tara O'Neil PNNL Tim Drzewiecki NRC Tim Harris NRC Timothy Frazier GE Hitachi Nuclear Energy Wendy Reed NRC 5