ML20202D640
| ML20202D640 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Issue date: | 02/06/1998 |
| From: | Shirley Ann Jackson, The Chairman NRC COMMISSION (OCM) |
| To: | Gee R ENERGY, DEPT. OF |
| Shared Package | |
| ML20202D643 | List: |
| References | |
| NUDOCS 9802170138 | |
| Download: ML20202D640 (2) | |
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CHAMAN Mr. Robert W. Gee Assistant Secretary Office of Policy and Irtemational Affairs U.S. Department of Energy Washington, D.C. 20585
Dear Mr. Ges:
I am responding to your letter dated January 15,1998, forwarding a draft report,
' Comprehensive National Energy Strategy" (CNES), for review by the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC). The Commission appreciates the opportun4y to review the CNES and applauds your efforts to develop a comprehensive policy.
Although the NRC does not have a direct policy making rola for a national energy strategy and may not be involved in any activities that would promote nuclear energy, its actions can indirectly influence energy strategies within the nuclear industry. The NRC has several initiatives under way that relate to the goals of the CNES in the areas of main' ing a viole nuclear energy option, reviewing new nuclear reactor technologies, ensuring spinst uorgy disruptions, and working with foreign govemments to ensure that high safety standards are maintained for nuclear power plants.
Specifically, Strategy 4, Oyective 1, of Gost lli of the CNES states that a viable nuclear energy option should be maintained. The NRC has developed new regulations and guidance to provide licensees with the opportunity to renew the operating licenses for their nuclear power plants for an additional 20 years (10 CFR Part 54). Currently, several licensees are interested '
in renewing their licenses, and are preparing topical reports on the management of aging issues and conducting initial reviews for the preparation of applications.
Strategy 1, Objective 2, of Goal IV of the CNES states that long-term energy technologies should be developed to Irv.rease energy options, improve overall era ics, utilize resourcer more efficiently, and reduce advarse impacts of energy supply and uss 8n 1989, the NRC published new regulations and guidance that govem the certification of advanced standard nuclear power plant designs (10 CFR Part 52). The principal features of thesc new regulations were incorporated into the Energy Policy Act of 1992. Under the NRC design certificetion program, two designa have been certified and one currently is being reviewed.
Strategy 1, Objective 1, of Goal V of the CNES states that the U.S. should cooperate with foreign govemments and intemational institutions to develop energy sector laws policies, and regulatory processes for setting standards and enforcing regulat ons. The NRC has played a leading role during the past 9 years in conperative efforts under a wide range of bilateral and multilateral initiatives to improve safety in the former Soviet Union and elsewhere, primarily
- through information exchanges, joint technical working groups, exchanges of safety inspectors, specified coordinated research, and, recently, through the implementation of nuclear safety assistance to the Newly Independent States. The NRC has reviewed and commented on 9002170138 900206 d t' Q }
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nuc,iear legislation in Russia, Ukraine, Lithuania, and South Africa. Moreover, the NRC played a major role in the negotiation and drafting of three recent intemational conventions related to nuclear energy. One of the thre% the Convention on Nuclear Safety,is now before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, and the other two conventions will soon be sent to the Senate for ratification, in addition, in May 1997, senior nuclear regulators from eight nations, including myself as the NRC Chairman, adopted the initial terms of reference for the International Nuclear Regulators Association (INRA). To enhance intemational communication and cooperation, the INRA provides a forum in which the most senior regulators can identify nuclear regulatory challenges and exchange views on broad regulatory policy issus.s. Through its work, the INRA seeks to accomplish several objectives: (1) to build a global nuclear safety cultore; (2) to seek international consensus on approaches to nuclear safety issues and itncilitate intemational cooperation to implement sound solutions; (3) to cooperate with other international and national organizations involved in nuclear safety; and (4) to encourage the most efficient use of resources.
Finally, we have two specific comments on your report. First, on page 10, you suggest that continued operation of the existing nuclear power reactors would be an important contributor to meeting greenhouse gas emission reduction goals if nuclear waste disposal and nonproliferation issues are resolved satisfactorily. Regarding the nuclear waste disposalissue:
we agree that this issue must be resolved if nuclear energy is to play a significant long-term role in the national energy strategy. The Commission will continue to develop technical and regulatory positions that will support a three faceted approach to the resolution of high-level waste issues, which would involve (1) on-site interim storage; (2) centrallzed interim storage; and (3) eventual deep geologic disposal. The Commission recognizes the need for statutory clarity and stability in this area, as well as the need for adequate funding in any areas for which the NRC is given oversight responsibility. The NRC is preparing for a timely and technically sound review of a license application for the deep geological reposit,
%garding U.S.
nuclear power plant designs as they may impact nonproliferation, the 6 rMion is aware of no significant non prol;feration issue with the current or next generation of I,.. sater reactors S
used in this country or exported for use pursuant to the requirements of the Atomic Energy Act, as amended by the Nuclear Non Proliferation Act of 1978.
Second, the CNES draft document section on restructuring the nation's electric utilities does not present a complete analysis. From the NRC perspective, the concerns associated with deregulation and utility restructuring center around ensuring (1) continued safe operation in the face of economic pressures; (2) grid reliability; and (3) adequate decommissioning funding.
Thank you again for providing the Commission the opportunity to comment. We would be happy to provide additional commentary on these issues. If we can be of further assistance, do not hesitate to contact me.
Sincerely, Shirley Ann Jackson