ML20154C695
| ML20154C695 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Issue date: | 10/01/1998 |
| From: | Tracy G NRC OFFICE OF THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR FOR OPERATIONS (EDO) |
| To: | Thompson H NRC OFFICE OF THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR FOR OPERATIONS (EDO) |
| References | |
| NUDOCS 9810060366 | |
| Download: ML20154C695 (9) | |
Text
__
p nctiv g
t UNITED STATES g
j NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION o
WASHINGTON, D.C. 30666 0001 October 1, 1998 MEMORANDUM TO: Hugh L. Thompson, Jr.
Deputy Executive Director for Regulatory Programs FROM:
Glenn M. Tracy, Chief p f.N6 Regional Operations and Program Management Section, OEDO
SUBJECT:
SUMMARY
OF SEPTEMBER 4,1998, PUBLIC MEETING WITH THE NUCLEAR ENERGY INSTITUTE ON MUTUAL ITEMS OF INTEREST On September 4,1998, senior managers of the Nuclear Energy Institute (NEI) met with senior managers of the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) at NEl's offices in Washington, D.C.
The purpose of the meeting was to provide an opportunity for the senior managers of both organizations to discuss items of current interest to the nuclear industry. Attachment 1 provides a summary of the meeting and Attachment 2 is a lie + of meeting attendees.
Attachments:
As stated cc w/ attachments:
Mr. Ralph Benile l
Senior Vice President and Chief Nuclear Officer Nuclear Energy Institute 1776 i Street, NW Suite 400 Washington, DC 20006-3708
\\
\\
t O
/g\\
cpl4'l I
ggoog g g y g$0 o y rf - 7 jv/ L C
g o e n+M f
SUMMARY
OF NRC/NEl SENIOR MANAGEMENT MEETING September 4,1998 1.
Ooenino remarks Ralph Beedle of NEl opened the meeting by referencing the August 7,1998 Tasking Memorandum from Chairman Jackson and acknowledging that the change process being undertaken by NRC was not a one-way street. NEl stated that the industry needed to change as well.
Joe Callan of NRC emphasized that the NRC cannot undertake everything at once, and asked that the NRC and the industry focus on the most important changes and do them well. In this regard, he referenced his August 25,1998 response to the Chairman's Tasking Memorandum, and provided copies of the document to NEl. This document also is available to the public.
2.
Risk-informed reaulation The following observations were made:
NEl noted that maintenance rule inspections completed by the NRC to date were 1
examples of inspections that were, in NEl's opinion, not performed in a risk-informed manner, despite the rule being risk-informed and performance-based.
j NEl stated that 41 of the 51 regulations flagged by NEl as needing revision could be e
revised by a single change to the definition of safety-related. NEl would change the definition to conform to the language in 50.36(c)(2)(ii)(D), Criterion 4, "A structure, system or component (SSC) which operating experience or probabilistic risk assessment has shown to be significant to public health and safety."
NEl noted that pilot plant projects could go only so far under current regulations and that the existing definitions of safety-related and important to safety are an obstacle. NEl noted that in applying risk, there currently are risk-significant SSCs that are not safety-related and non-risk-significant SSCs that are.
Both NEl and NRC noted that pilot plant projects would include an assessment of the e
impact of regulatory changes on the pilots. The cost-benefit of pilots will be important; industry and NRC need to understand what each expects to gain from risk-informed regulation.
NEl emphasized that NRC should not underestimate the skepticism within the industry e
on NRC's ability to move toward risk-informed regulation and the uncertainty about what NRC will require in the future from these initiatives.
2 NRC noted a need to look closely at the change in the scope and schedule NEl proposed on August 28,1998 for moving toward risk-informed regulation and obtain further clarification in certain areas (e.g., design basis, LOCA analysis). Both NEl and NRC agreed to the need to meet on this subject in the near future. NRC also made the following points:
NRC expected a formal proposal from NEl on future pilots. NRC noted that San Onofre e
and South Texas Project had good risk analyses in place. Both NEl and NRC agreed to closely consider the impact of moving forward on risk-informed regulation in the manner described by NEl on August 28 since a majority of the licensees did not have risk l
analyses capable of supporting such a framework in regulations. Hugh L. Thompson, Jr.
raised an issue regarding the importance of quality in plant-specific probabilistic risk 4
assessments (PRAs) and the need for an industry standard. There was a brief discussion of industry's efforts to certify PRAs, particularly by the BWR owner's group, i
and an invitation to NRC to observe a certification.
NRC highlighted the fact that the agency could not afford to have more than one major e
initiative in the risk-informed regulatory area, noting the inefficiency involved in modifying 10 CFR Part 50 three times. As an example, it was questioned whether it made sense to move forward on revising 50.59 as a separate initiative, in light of the August 28,1998 j
proposal. Both NEl and NRC agreed that moving ahead on items such as 10 CFR 50.59 was necessary to provide greater clarity and stability.
Jim Cannon of Senator Pete Domenici's staff attended the meeting and raised an issue regarding NRC requests for additionalinformation (RAls) and the number of rounds of questions applicants had to address. Roy Zimmerman of NRC stated that the agency was adding discipline to this process and was moving toward a goal of having one round of questions i
followed by meetings to resolve outstanding issues.
4 3.
Backfit issues and oeneric communications NEl noted that issues with the NRC's backfitting process continue to be identified and that NRC has applied its backfit policy too narrowly. As an example, and to demonstrate the industry concerns, generic communications were discussed and an NEl-authored flow chart was displayed. NRC briefly discussed efforts underway to improve generic communications.
4.
NRC oversiaht orocess - industry oersoective Joe Callan communicated a specific concern with NEl's proposed handling of certain events under the proposed assessment process, noting that some events were egregious and required a strong regulatory response whether or not there were actual consequences. Joe Callan also noted that both the NRC and the industry needed to agree on the rules for assessment and to accept the results from the process.
The upcoming performance assessment workshop (9/28 - 10/1) between NEl and NRC and its agenda was discussed. This workshop will include a discussion of how to correlate enforcement findings with performance assessment.
3 Jim Lieberman briefly described NRC's current non-escalated enforcement proposal (i.e., three types of noncompliances below Severity Level lli - cited violations, infractions and deficiencies) which was discussed at a meeting with NEl and other stakeholders on September 3,1998.
Joe Callan concluded by stating his belief that the NRC could make the most near-term progress in the inspection and enforcement areas. Lastly, Jim Lieberman noted NRC's plans to extend discretion for FSAR discrepancies to March 2000 and March 2001, based on recent Commission guidance.
Severe Accident Manaaement Due to time constraints, there was no discussion of this issue.
Reoulatorv Process issues Due to time constraints, there was no discussion of these issues.
1
NRC/NEl SENIOR MANAGER MEETING LIST OF ATTENDEES September 4,1998 NAME ORGANIZATION Joe Callan NRC Hugh Thompson, Jr.
NRC Tim Martin NRC Bill Travers NRC Steve Burns NRC Glenn Tracy NRC Jim Lieberman NRC Ashok Thadani NRC Gary Holahan NRC Tom King NRC Jim Beall NRC Francis Akstulewicz NRC Frank Gillespie NRC John Stolz NRC Roy Zimmerman NRC David Matthews NRC Gary Sanborn NRC Ralph Beedle NEl Bob Bishop NEl Frederick A. Emerson NEl Robert C. Evans NEl Tom Houghton NEl Jack Brons NEl Russ Bell NEl Biff Bradley NEl i
Lynnette Hendricks NEl Paul H. Genona NEl Marvin Fertel NEl Stu Floyd NEl Ellen Ginsbery NEl Tony Pietrangelo NEl Angie Howard NEl Richard M. Lanta NEl Doug Rosinski Winston & Strawm Nancy Chapman SERCH\\Bechtel John Pfeiffer OMB James M. Cannon, IV Senator Domenici's staff David Stellfox McGraw-Hill Jenny Weil McGraw-Hill Donald Chung SCIENTECH/LIS
NRC/NEI Senior Management Meeting September 4,1998 9:00 A.M. - 11:00 A.M.
NEI 3 Main Conference Room AGENDA I.
General Introduction and Opening Remarks II.'
Risk Informed Regulation III.
Backfit Issues and Generic Communications IV.
NRC Oversight Process -Industry Perspective V.
Severe Accident Management Review VI.
Regulatory Process Issues
k October 1, 1998 MEMORANDUM TO: Hugh L. Thompson, Jr.
Deputy Executive Director for Regulatory Programs FROM:
Glenn M. Tracy, Chief Original signed by B. McCabe for Regional Operations and Program Management Section, OEDO
SUBJECT:
SUMMARY
OF SEPTEMBER 4,1998, PUBLIC MEETING WITH THE NUCLEAR ENERGY INSTITUTE ON MUTUAL ITEMS OF INTEREST On September 4,1998, senior managers of the Nuclear Energy Institute (NEI) met with senior managers of the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) at NEl's offices in Washington, D.C.
The purpose of the meeting was to provide an opportunity for the senior managers of both organizations to discuss items of current interest to the nuclear industry. Attachment 1 provides
. summary of the meeting and Attachment 2 is a list of meeting attendees.
Attachments:
As stated cc w/ attachments:
Mr. Ralph Beedle Senior Vice President and Chief Nuclear Officer Nuclear Energy institute 1776 l Street, NW Suite 400 Washington, DC 20006-3708 DISTRIBUTION Central Files PDR EDO R/F DEDR R/F DEDE R/F GTracy JCallan SCollins WTravers Attendees
- See previous concurrences DOCUMENT NAME: a:\\nei904mt.wpd Ta receive a copy of this document, Indicate in the box: "C" = Copy without enclosures "E" = Copy with enclosures "N" = No copy _
OFFICE ROMPS:C l
OGC l
DEDR l l
DEDE l
6EROL l
NAME GTracy*
SBurns HLThdfbffon WTravers LJCpjfaih\\
DATE 9/23/98 9/24/98 9/30/9 6 9/27/98 9f/j/98 OFFICIAL RECORD COPY
MEMORANDUM TO: Hugh L. Thompson, Jr.
Deputy Executive Director for Regulatory Programs FROM:
Glenn M. Tracy, Chief Regional Operations and j
Program Management Section, OEDO i
SUBJECT:
'UMMARY OF SEPTEMBER 4,1998, PUBLIC MEETING WITH THE IICLEAR ENERGY INSTITUTE ON MUTUAL ITEMS OF INTEREST On September 4,1998, senior managers of the Nuclear Energy Institute (NEI) met with senior managers of the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) at NEl's offices in Washington, D.C.
The purpose of the meeting was to provide an opportunity for the senior managers of both organizations to discuss items of current interest to the nuclear industry. Attachment 1 provides a summary of the meeting and Attachment 2 is a list of meeting attendees.
Attachments:
As stated cc w/ attachments:
Mr. Ralph Beedle Senior Vice President and Chief Nuclear Officer Nuclear Energy Institute 1776 l Street, NW Suite 400 Washington, DC 20006-3708 DISTRIBUTION Central Files PDR EDO R/F DEDR R/F DEDE R/F GTracy JCallan SCollins WTravers Attendees
- See previous concurrences DOCUMENT NAME: a:\\nei904mt.wpd Ta receive a copy of this document, Indicate in the box: "C" - Copy without enclosures "E" = Copy with enclosures 'N' = No copy OFFICE ROMPS:C l
OGC l
DEDR l
DEDE l
OEDO l
NAME GTracy*
SBums HLThompson WTravers LJCallan DATE 9/23/98 9/24 /98 9/30/98 9/27/98 9/
/98 OFFICIAL RECORD COPY
lo
,/
l
(
MEMORANDUM TO: Hugh L. Thompson, Jr.
Deputy Executive Director for Regulatory Programs FROM:
Glenn M. Tracy, Chief Regional Operations and Program Management Section, OEDO
SUBJECT:
SUMMARY
OF SEPTEMBER 4,1998 UBLIC MEETING WITH THE NUCLEAR ENERGY INSTITUTE O MUTUAL ITEMS OF INTEREST l
On September 4,1998, senior managers of the Nu ar Energy Institute (NEI) met with senior managers of the Nuclear Regulatory Commission RC) at NEl's offices in Washington, D.C.
The purpose of the meeting was to provide an portunity for the senior managers of both organizations to discuss items of current inter t to the nuclear industry. Attachment 1 provides a summary of the meeting and Attachment is a list of meeting attendees.
Attachments:
As stated cc w/ attachments:
See next page DISTRIBUTION Central Files PDR EDO R/F DEDR R/F DEDE R/F GTracy JCallan SCollins WTravers Attendees DOCUMENT NAME: a:\\n i904mt.wpd Te rec *lve a copy of this doc ent, Indicate in thq bolp fq opy without enclosures "E" = Copy with enclosuus "N" = No copy OFFICE ROMPS:Cf u O@@7' E
DEDR
- l DEDES l
OEDO l
m NAME GTracy* D/l' \\S SEiurnOM ~
H@@ pson WTradeh
{
LJCallan DATE 9/3398 9/ 2A /98' 9/F/98 9/cll /98
- 9/
/98 OFFICIAL RECORD COPY l