ML20191A272

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05B - 10 CFR 50.55a Rulemaking Plans / Embark for Industry / U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission Materials Programs Technical Information Exchange Public Meeting on July 14, 2020
ML20191A272
Person / Time
Issue date: 07/14/2020
From:
Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation
To:
Rezai A, 301-415-1328
References
Download: ML20191A272 (6)


Text

Streamlining 10 CFR Part 50.55a July 14, 2020 Materials Exchange Public Meeting

EMBARK Venture Studios Effort

  • EMBARK Venture Studios initiated a project to develop ideas for transforming NRCs processes regarding ASME Code and Code Cases.
  • Focused on:
1) improved clarity of 10 CFR 50.55a.
2) more efficient process for approving ASME codes and standards.
3) reduction of unnecessary regulatory burden, while achieving the NRCs safety objectives.
  • Identified three recommendations 2

Streamlining Recommendations

1) Relax the Requirement to Update Inservice Inspection and Inservice Testing Programs Every 10 Years.
  • Stakeholder agreed this would have minimal impact on safety and provide flexibility to industry.
  • Would occur following the next update to 2019 ASME BPV Code or the 2020 ASME OM Code.
  • Licensees would adopt these later editions prior to taking advantage of this flexibility.

Streamlining Recommendations

2) Institute Direct-Final Rules for Unconditionally Approved Code Cases.
  • Increased efficiency would benefit both the NRC and US nuclear industry.
  • Direct final rule approach may not be suitable for Code Cases with proposed conditions.
3) Decrease the Frequency of Code Edition Rulemakings.
  • With Recommendation (1), there is no longer strong driver to incorporate by reference new code editions into

§50.55a on a 2-year cycle.

Sample Schedule

  • The above is just one example of the rulemaking schedule.
  • Code edition rulemaking could contain each edition released since last rulemaking or only the latest edition.
  • Technical review of each edition would be documented as each edition is released.

Current Status

  • Recommendation (1) will involve rulemaking.

o However, all three recommendations are inter-related such that it may not be feasible to implement one recommendation without implementing all of them.

o This recommendation is outside the scope of routine ASME Code updates o Requires rulemaking plan and approval by the Commission

  • NRC staff is currently discussing the best path forward in pursuing rulemaking for these recommendations.