ML20202C124

Expresses Appreciation for 950213 Memo Describing in Depth, on-going Dialogue Between NRR & RES on Desirability of Plans for Making Certain mid-course Corrections to Previously Initiated Rulemaking for 10CFR50.55a

ML20202C124
Person / Time
Issue date:	03/17/1995
From:	Taylor J NRC OFFICE OF THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR FOR OPERATIONS (EDO)
To:	Beckjord E NRC OFFICE OF NUCLEAR REGULATORY RESEARCH (RES)
Shared Package
ML20202C086	List: ML20202C082 ML20202C108 ML20202C124 ML20202C153 ML20202C163 ML20202C190 ML20202C196 ML20202C229 ML20202C250 ML20202C263 ML20202C271 ML20202C276 ML20202C288 ML20202C305 ML20202C363 ML20202C412 ML20202C755 ML20202C791 ML20202C806 ML20202C840 ML20202C854 ML20202C871 ML20202C885 ML20202C912 ML20202C925 ML20202C937 ML20202C948 ML20202C958 ML20202C961 ML20202C970 ML20202C978 ML20202C988 ML20202D009 ML20202D012 ML20202D018
References
FRN-62FR63892, RULE-PR-50 AE26-1-004, AE26-1-4, FACA, NUDOCS 9802120170
Download: ML20202C124 (1)

Text

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MEMORANDUM TO: Eric S. Beckjord, Director Office of Nuc1 r Regulatory Research FROM: James M. Taylo Executive Direi Nr[Oper,. ' ons

SUBJECT:

10CFR50.55a,IODESANDSTANDARDSRULE I appreciate your February 13, 1995 memorandum which described in somo depth the on-going dialogue between NRR and RES on the desirability of and the plans for making certain "mid-course corrections" to the previously initiated rulemaking for 10 CFR 50.55a. These proposed mid-course corrections kre a s>in-off from the NRR efforts on cost-beneficial licensing (CBLA) evaluations witch found that certain cost-savings could be realized by licensees without adversely affecting NPP safety. Such savings could be accoa.plished 1 i'

establishing a baseline edition of the ASME Codes for licensee (use, ) by(2) by eliminating the automatic 120 month periodic code update requirement on licensees for their ISI and IST programs, and (3) by continuing the staff's

' practice of endorsing the use of requirements in later editions and addenda of the ASME Codes for licensees use. This latter staff )ractice would however be refocused such that it would impose only those code c1anges that are determined to be effective safety enhancements which are justified through benefit-cost assessments.

I have no objection to the above described "mid-course corrections" to the on-going rulemaking activities that have been traditionally carried-out under the 10 CFR 50.55a Codes and Standards Rule. Further, I view the staff efforts to-bring a more disciplined focus to the-imposition of future code editions and addenda (and past as being entirely consistent with the intents and purposes of current with those) regulatory reform initiatives. These efforts are also consistent RES supported ASME initiatives toward risk-based inspecticn reforms. Given the recent (February 17, 1995 pro >osed final amendment to 10 CFR 50.55a and)which expressed interest inACRS letter w -

ris(-based inspection approaches, I suggest that a near-tern ACRS briefing by the RES/NRR staff about these mid-course correction plans would be appropriate.

Please keep me informed of any particular difficulties being encountered toward achieving the above described reforms.

cc: J. M11hoan W. Russell E. Jordan K. Cyr L. Shao '

B. Sheron J. Larkins M. Taylor 9802120170 980206 c , _ ,,,, 5 0 6 63892 PDR

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%, . . . . f May 10, 1995 MEMORANDUM TO: James M. Taylor Executive Director ergions FROM: John T. Larkins, E' e

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'Q Ive ' Director Advisory Committec on Reactor Safeguards

SUBJECT:

PROPOSED RULE CHANGES TO 10 CFR SECTION 50.55a, " CODES AND STANDARDS" During the 421st meeting of the Advisory Committee on Reactor Safeguards, May 4-6, 1995, the Committee decided to review the proposed changes to 10 CFR 50.55a after the staff has reconciled the public comments. The Committee has no objection to the NRC staff proposal to issue the proposed rule for public comment.

Reference:

Memorandum dated April 17, 1995, from Frank Cherny, Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation, to Brian Sheron, Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation, and Lawrence Shao, Office of Nuclear Regulatory Research,

Subject:

Internal Review of Proposed Rule Changes, Title 10 of the Code of Federal Regulations, Section 50.55a, " Codes and Standards" cc: J. Hoyle, SECY J. Blaha, OEDO M. Taylor, OEDO B. Sheron, NRR R. Wessman, NRR J. Strosnider, NRR G. Bagchi, NRR F. Cherny, NRR L. Shao, RES M. Mayfield, RES G. Sege, RES 3%epf-  !.52-

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