ML20212G929
| ML20212G929 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Issue date: | 10/17/1997 |
| From: | Callan L NRC OFFICE OF THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR FOR OPERATIONS (EDO) |
| To: | |
| References | |
| SECY-97-239, SECY-97-239-01, SECY-97-239-1, SECY-97-239-R, NUDOCS 9711070216 | |
| Download: ML20212G929 (10) | |
Text
. - . _ , ,
....=... <,.s3.c. ear ,+etes
-) # # "*%
A $ REl E/6ED TO WE PD?i e, e, .
o
. n .
$ ;h *
-lrYY
[ o,,
-- -) { .l1 -
f . c3te INits s., ,e .............. ao......
t POLICY ISS_UE (Information)
October 17.1997 SECY-97-239 EQR The Commissioners FROM: L. Joseph Callan Executive Director for Operations
SUBJECT:
PLAN FOR INCREASED CCDPERATIVE RESEARCH WITH INDUSTRY AND OTHER FEDERAL AGENCIES (DSI 22) -
PURPOSE:
To describe staff plans for increased cooperative research with industry, the Department of Energy (DOE) and other Federal Agencies, as requested in the March 28,1997 SRM on COMSECY-96-066 (DSI-22)
BACKGROUND:
The staff has, in the past, entered into many cooperative research programs involving other Federal Agencies, international partners, and, on occasion, industry when such cooperative programs were in the best interest of the Commission. In general, best interest referred to obtaining needed research results with fewer NRC resources, due to cost sharing and eliminating duplication. But in many cases cooperative research also led to a better research program due to the exchange of ideas among partners and more available resources, which allow programs to be run that would otherwise be prohibitively costly. A good example of such a current progiam is the Melt Attack and Coolability Experiment (MACE) program in which large scale (2 ton) tests using prototypic materials (UO2 ) have been run to determine the coolability of core debris in the reactor cavity by an overlying pool of water. These tests are jointly funded by NRC, the Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI), DOE and 10 other international c{
CONTACT: NOTE: TO BE MADE PUBLICLY AVAILABLE IN Thomas L. King, DST /RES S WORKING DAYS FROM THE DATE OF THIS PAPER 415-5790
'N -
9711070216 971017 Ql' & - l Q/' \{\\\\\b\hkl\\b\\\\\
R
-23 POR Y U I' # #
l c
The Comrr issioners organizations at approximately $1.0 million dollars each. These tests would not have been likely without a cooperative program. Currently, RES is participating in a number of cooperative research programs at an annual cost to NRC of approximately $7 million, where the ar:nual cost of the programs themselves exco6ds $50 million. With the reduced research budget at NRC, it !s appropriate that cooperative research programs continue to be used to the extent possible, where there, is benefit to the NRC. Accordingly, " Staff Requirements - COMSECY 96-066 Research (DSI 22)," discussed cooperative research, and the March 28,1997, SRM directed that:
"The staff should explore the option of performing cooperative research with both industry, and the DOE, so as to minimize duplicative work - where appropriate.
Legal ramifications, independence, cnd public perception should be considered when explcring any cooperatic research progiam. The staff should also examine the feasibility of improving access to research information during the early phases of the work."
DISCUSSION:
Over the past year, the staff has been exploring ways to increase cooperative research. This has involved discussions with EPRI, DOE, the U.S. Geolcgical Survey (USGS) and international partners.
.EEB1 We currantly have a cooperative research program with EPRI in the area of:
severe accidents (MACE and in-vessel molten core cooling)
To increase cooperative research with the industry, a draft memorandum of understanding (MOU) between NRC and EPR! has been developed to better coordinate and facilitate increased cooperative nuclear safety research between NRC and the industry (Attachment 1). Under this MOU, EPRI will act as the point of contact for the reactor industry and coordinate their participation. The MOU provides an overall framework for cooperation, including a management board consisting of NRC and EPRI personnel to address the selection, prioritization and management of cooperative research projects, with specific cooperative research projects being documented as addenda to the MOU. In addition, the MOU addresses the issues of independence, conflict of interest and dissemination of information within the context of the sometimes differing interests of NRC and EPRI. The MOU also has a provision to allow other partners (domestic or intemational) to participate in specific cooperative projects.
It is our intent to put the existing cooperative programs uncer the framcwork of this MOU. In addition, nine other areas have been identified as candidates for cooperative research under this MOU (Attachment 2) with specific proposed programs in the areas of Steam Generator Tube Integrity, High Bumup Fuel, and Direct Measurement of Reactor Vessel Degraded Properties in the final stages of formulation. It is our plan to explore the remaining areas for specific cooperative work and initiate such work if it is in the best interest of the NRC.
O The Commissioners . DOE Last year NRC and DOE s Office of Nuclear Energy, Since and Technology jointly initiated a study to assess the nuclear power research capabilities at DOE's National Laboratories with tho goal of identifying those areas where the laboratories navs unique capabilities that should be maintained. It was also recognized that cooperative research projects between NRC and DOE would help maintain this capability; the following four areas for potential cooperation ,
were identified.
High bumup fuel Advanced NDE approaches to steam generator tube integrity Molten core in-vessel retention Reactor physics and thermal hydraulics Discussions regarding cooperation in these areas were initiated; however, uncertainty regarding DOE's future nuclear energy budget has prevented the initiation of any cooperative work in the above areas. We will resume these discussions as circumstances permit. DOE is preparing a draft report documenting this study.
.USGS In September 1997, the USGS hosted the annual meeting between NRC and USGS to review projects being conducted under the current Interagency AgreemeM (IAA). Topics covered included: seismic hazards, recurrence of large pra-historic earthquake in the central and eastem United States (New Madiid, Wahash River, Charleston and others), strong motion modeling, fault segmentstion, etc, The IAA has been in force and associated meetings have taken place for about 20 years. The relationship has been very productive for both agencies and is expected to remain so for the foreseeable future. In August 1997, RES hosted a coordination meeting with the USGS to initiate the implementation of the recently renewed MOU research and cooperation on low-level waste issues. This MOU builds upon a longstanding relationship of cooperative research in the earth sciences. The MOU facilitates cooperation and coordination on technical issues facing the NRC related to the behavior of radionuc! ides in the environment-in particular, issues related to site remediation, site decommissioning, uranium "in-situ" mining, and uranium mill tailings. Of particular interest are the USGS field and laboratory studies of water and radionuclide transport at arid sites and field testing of surface complexation models of radionuclide sorption. It was agreed to share information in these areas. The continued interactions between NRC and USGS will benefit the research programs of both agencies in the areas of geochemistry and hydrogeology.
. INTERNATIONAL:
Through our participation in the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development / Nuclear Energy Agency (OECD/NEA) and the Intemational Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and through bilateral agreements, we continue to
' cooperate and share information in a number of areas related to nuclear safety.
. ~ . _ . . _ _
4 1
The Commissioners ' .
It is anticipated these will continus and most likely expand in the future, as more 4
' countries recognize the benefits of cooperation. In addition to continuing our existing cooperation, the Office of Nuclear Regulatory Research (RES) has i Initiated an intomational cooperative research program on Probabilistic Risk
! - Assessment (PRA). The purpose of this program is to sharv PRA methods, i- applications and experience. Partners can either contribute their research -
- results to the program or provide cash in exchange for program participation.
l The cash will be' used to help fund our PRA research program. Currently,
- approximately 20 organizations have expressed interest in the prograrn; the -
l initial meeting is scheduled for October 27-29,1997, in Bethesda, Maryland.
l l As requested in the March 28,1997, SRM, RES is exploring ways to maire available research informetion at the earliest practical time. This is currently being done through issuing
- iterim -
- ' reports on specific aspects of the research (e.g., experiment results), conducting the annual -
l Water Reactor Safety Meeting where NRC research programs and their results are discussed l and by publishing papers in joumals or conference proceedings on research programs. Staff
- plans to provide the Commission a separate paper in November detailing additional plans in this ;
i area, b RESOURCES' i The work to explore and develop cooperative agrv3ments can be done with existing resources.
l The FY98 and FY99 budget requests currently assume cooperation with EPRI in the high i bumup fuel, steam generator tube integrity, and direct measurement of reactor vessel integrity
- areas, and continued cooperation with USGS. The budget requests also assume continuation of our existing cooperative programs (domestic and intemational) under their current tenns and
- conditions. However, if appropriated funds are not consistent with our budget requests, there -
{ are provisions in each of the agreements that allow our withdrawal. If and when new 9: cooperative programs are proposed that are beneficial to NRC and that require additional resources, these resources will either be reprogrammed or requested as part of the budget
- process.
! COORDINATION:
The paper has been coordinated with OGC and they have no legal objection. We Office of the
~
CFO has also reviewed and concurred in this paper.
-,m -
The Commissioners CONCLUSION:
Staff has entered into and will continue to enter into cooperative research programs both demestically and Intemationally, when there ic benefit to the NRC ano subject to the availability of furids. Staff intendt to sign the MOU with EPRI (Attachment 1) and to maintain contact with DOE and NRC's intemational partnsrs regarding potential future cooperation.
b r . &. d O +~~'
L. J seph Callan Executive Director for Operations Attachments
- 2. Potential Areas for NRC/EPRI Cooperative Research DISTRIBUTION:
Commissioners OGC OIG OPA DIP OCA ACRS ACNW CIO CFO EDO SECT 2
e w
Attachment 1 DRAFT
= MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING between U.S. NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION and ELECTRIC POWER RESEARCH INSTITUTE on COOPERATIVE NUCLEAR SAFETY RESEARCH PURPOSE The NRC and the nuclear indastry each conduct r esearch on nuclear reactor safety. Although the goals of this research may. in some instances, be differentJhe ~
basic data contributing to the research, and the technical information resulting from the research, can be useful to both parties. Accordingly, to consen,e resources and to avoid duplication, it is in the best interest of both parties to cooperate and share informe. tion and costs related to such research, whenever such cooperation and cost sharing can be done in a mutually beneficial fashion.
Because several industry organizations are involved in reactor safety research, it is useful to both NRC and industry to have one point of contact for industy R&D. The Nuclear Power Group (NPG) of the Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI) (the electricity industry's research arm) carries out research and development activities to improve the safety, reliability, and economy of nuclear plants, through networking and partnership with nuclear utilities and other nuclear utility-sponsored organizations. EPRI's NPG will serve as the point of contact for coordinating the industiy R&D activities with NRC.
The MOU between NRC and EPRI describes the conditions under which cooperative research programs between NRC and EPRI-NPG (representing the nuclear industry's research programs) will be conducted. Individual cooperative research projects are described in addenda to this document.
PRINCIPLES OF COOPERATION Article 1-Resoonsibility of the Parties 1.1 Ma.ugerrent of Cooperative Research Programs NRC and EPRI will mutually coordinate, integrate, priorite, review and manage cooperstive rese*ch programs. The overall coordination, integration, prioritization and management will be done through a management board consisting of two representatives from each party. One of the two NRC representatives shall be the Director of the Office of Nuclear Regulatory Research, anil one of the two EPRI representatives shall be the Vice President, NPG. This board will conduct business as needed throughout the year, but will formally meet together at least once per year to:
review the status and progress of ongoing cooperative research programs; review potential new candidate cooperative research programs; DRAFT
agree on priority, terms and conditions of new cooperative research initiatives; and provide d;rection on continued work, termination or other matters, as
, necessary.
Management board decisions will be by mutual agreement.
Once approved by the management board, individual research projects will be documented via addenda to this MOU that address project; i
goals and objectives, scope and plan, 1
- technical requirements,
- cost and schedule, and resource commitment for each party.
Technical oversight of individual research projects will be accomplished by a technical review group established for each active area of cooperation, consisting of representatives assigned from each party.
The management board may terminate a cooperative research project at any time due to unsatisfactory contractor performance, lack of funds, changes in 4 priority, or any other valid reason.
i .
Other parties (including both intemational and domestic organizations) may be invited to participate in any cooperative program, if mutually agreeable, and may i serve on the corresponding technical review group.
1.2 Selection of Potential Cooperat;ve Research Topics Potential cooperstive resench programs will be identified and priorities established, cormuenng factors such as; mutualinterest in research topic,
- usefulness of end product of research, contribution to risk reduction,
- - cost-effectiveness, and timeliness.
a
n,.
i.
3 >
l:
3 t-
- Cooperative research programs will be conducted 11, 4
+
4 mutually acceptable technical requirements (e.g.c objectives, scope, p . approach, QA requirements, etc.)- can be agreed upon; : '
l i .- mutually acceptable contract terms, roles and responsibilities for each L party (e.g., contracting responsibility, financial contribution, payment -
arrangements, documentation of results, management, terms, etc.) can i be agreed upon; and i
the program can be conducted in accordance with the guidelines
- discussed in (2) below.
Article 2-Guidelines for Coooerative Renaarch i
{- 12.1 Cooperative research programs shall be structured so as to avoid conflict of interest 1-among the parties, in general, this shall be accomplished by having the cooperativ6
- prog ams focus on basic data needs, and not on solutions to specific regulatory issues I or conclusions as to the application of the data to regulation. This shall be done
, independently by the parties, o .
! 2.2 . All non-proprietary data or results produced by the cooperative program shall be shared I
! by all participants, and each party sha.1 be free to disseminate them to whomever they i choose. Proprietary information supplied to support conduct of the research will be protected in accordance with applicable rules and regulations.
1 1 2.3 NRC and EPRI shall be free to pub'ish the data or results from cooperative research
- . programs in reports, joumals or conference proceedings as they judge appropriatt.
Publication of data or results from cooperative research programs in reports, joumals or j conference proceedings by contractors shall require approval of the management board.
1
! 2.4 On a project basis, the parties will jointly determine if patents generated by the .
cooperative program she ald be obtained. Any patent rights will be allocated consistent with applicable laws and practices and as agreed to by the parties.-
2.5 Either party shall have_ access to visit the facilities, separately or jointly, and review the
= data associated with the project at their request.
2.6 Either party can, at their own expense conduct additional research beyond the scope of the cooperative agreement using the c,ntractor / facility if they so desire.
'2.7. : The cost of the cooperative program to each party shall generally be proportional to the value of the results to the party. Cash contributions as well as the value of services (e.g., contracting, program management) or other contributed work can be considered in the cost snaring arrangements. These can include cooperative prcjects where each party contracts for, manages and conducts research, and shares results.
4 Article 3-Terms of Aareement 3.1 ' This agreement shall commence on October 1,1997, and end on September 30,2000, 3.2 Either party may terminate this agreement at any time, by giving a three-month written notice.
3.3 Any party may withdraw from an individual cooperative research program (covered in
' addenda) upon written notice to the other party or parties and payment of reasonable terminations costs. The remaining party (s) may continue the program at its own expense, if it so chooses, and a!! data generated subsequent to the withdrawal of a i party shall not be subject to the provisions of this MOU.
AGREEMENT Malcolm R. Knapp, Acting Director Robin Jones, Vice President Office of Nuclear Regulatory Research Nuclear Power Group U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission Electric Power Research Institute k
j 1
Potential Areas for New NRC/EPRI Cocoerative Research Fuel Performance Steam Generator Tube Integrity Fire Protection Human Performance Digital Instrumentation and Control Direct Measurement of Rebetor Vessel Degraded Properties Containment Protective Coatings Integrity Spent Fuel Dry Storage Environmental Qualification - Power Cables