ML20365A042
| ML20365A042 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Site: | 99902028 |
| Issue date: | 01/14/2021 |
| From: | Ekaterina Lenning Licensing Processes Branch |
| To: | Craig Erlanger Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation |
| Lenning E | |
| Shared Package | |
| ML20365A004 | List: |
| References | |
| EPID L-2019-TOP-0044 | |
| Download: ML20365A042 (7) | |
Text
January 14, 2021 MEMORANDUM TO: Craig G. Erlanger Acting Deputy Director for Reactor Safety Programs and Mission Support Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation FROM:
Ekaterina Lenning, Project Manager /RA/
Licensing Projects Branch Division of Operating Reactor Licensing Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation
SUBJECT:
SUMMARY
OF NOVEMBER 4, 2020, MEETING WITH NUCLEAR ENERGY INSTITUTE REGULATORY ISSUES TASK FORCE (EPID: L-2019-TOP-0044)
On November 4, 2020, a Category 2 public meeting was held between the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) staff and representatives of the Nuclear Energy Institute (NEI)
Regulatory Issues Task Force (RITF) at NRC Headquarters. The purpose of the meeting was to discuss several regulatory issues regarding licensing processes, oversight processes, and other issues. Presentation slides are available in the Agencywide Documents Access and Management System (ADAMS) Accession No. ML20308A602. A list of attendees is enclosed.
The NRC staff discussed with the RITF an overview of the Embark Venture Studio (Embark), an update on planned licensing action workload, recent activities in the Technical Assistance Request (TAR) process, very low safety significant issue resolution (VLSSIR) updates, forward fit and back fit guidance development, high energy arcing faults updates, and several other topics as listed in the meeting agenda available at ADAMS Accession No. ML20297A334. No regulatory decisions were made during this meeting.
NRC Transformational Efforts The NRC staff provided an update on the NRC transformational efforts that included changes in the Risk-Informed Process for Evaluation (Technical Specifications Task Force-505 and Title 10 of the Code of Federal Regulations (10 CFR) 50.69 license amendment reviews) and next steps, Request for Confirmation of Information (RCI), detailed overview of Web-based Relief Requests (WRR) and Mission Analytics Portal - External (MAP-X) that was created to empower stakeholders with a secure, flexible, and personalized self-service gateway to retrieve, submit, and interact with regulatory related information and assessment tools through a standard web browser.
CONTACTS: Ekaterina Lenning, NRR Luis Betancourt, NRR (301) 415-3151 (301) 415-6146
C. Erlanger The NRC staff presented detailed step-by-step overview of the WRR system, its functions, and next steps. The NRC staff explained in detail that the portal has full editing capability and attachment functionality for licensees. The system automatically generates portable document format alternative request by the form which then is processed through ADAMS for profiling and attachments are added to the package. The system supports all alternative requests under 10 CFR 50.55a(z)(1) and (z)(2).
The NEI representatives asked several questions. Of note were: How can industry introduce ideas to the NRC?
Action items for the next RITF meeting:
To provide an update on the planning for a future public meeting on WRR.
To provide an update the implementation of the RCI process.
Licensing Action Workload Update The NRC staff covered several licensing action workload initiatives including actions taken in response to COVID-19 Public Health Emergency (PHE), improvements achieved in the communications with the industry during PHE, enhanced workload management process, and efficiencies gained in FY 2020. The NRC staff informed the RITF of recent activities being undertaken at the NRC: risk-informed submittals, workload management enhancements including development of new internal goals and metrics to gain additional efficiencies. The NRC staff mentioned the importance of look-ahead information on the future submittals of exemptions for planning purposes.
The NEI representatives asked several questions regarding metrics including schedules and intermediate milestones. Of note was: Are there metrics that can be shared?
Action items for the next RITF meeting:
To provide an update on the NRC COVID-19 PHE actions.
To provide an update on metrics.
NEI Licensing Review Feedback The NEI representatives provided feedback on the licensing reviews. Industry indicated that cost estimates for Technical Specifications Task Force reviewers and review times have improved. More efficient reviews with less requests for additional information and good communications.
Very Low Safety Significance Issue Resolution The NRC staff provided an update on the VLSSIR process which became effective on January 1, 2020. There was an action item from the last RITF meeting held on February 20, 2020, regarding open unresolved items (URIs). The NRC staff stated that since the effective date five issues were closed out in ten months because of the use of VLSSIR process. Three regions have used the VLSSIR process and reviewed their open URIs in the first quarter of
C. Erlanger 2020 to determine which ones could be closed to the VLSSIR process. This resulted in two issues closed.
The NRC staff indicated that an effectiveness review is planned to be conducted in January 2021.
Forward Fitting/Backfitting Guidance Development The NRC staff provided an update on the development of draft NUREG-1409, Revision 1. The NRC staff summarized how it plans to revise the NUREG to assist the staff in implementing Management Directive 8.4. The NRC staff provided a schedule for issuance of the draft NUREG, a follow-up public meeting, and final issuance of the NUREG.
Update on Technical Assistance Request Process The NRC staff provided an update on the TAR Process Enhancements also known as the COM-106, Revision 6, Program Revitalization. The NRC staff informed the RITF that COM-106, Revision 6, became effective on August 24, 2020. Restructured as a fact-gathering exercise to inform decision-making in other processes, TAR will offer a graded, risk-informed approach to screen, scope, and evaluate potential issues early.
Update on Pre-generic Issue - PRE-GI-018 High Energy Arcing Faults Involving Aluminum Components The NRC staff provided an update on the NRC High Energy Arcing Faults (HEAF) involving aluminum components and proposed path to resolution of generic issue (GI) 0018 (Pre-GI-0018) on HEAF. The NRC staff developing approach to resolve the pre-generic issue on HEAF involving aluminum without additional NRC sponsored testing. The approach will build off NRC/EPRI Working Group project plan, including the EPRI survey, to determine the extent of aluminum in plants and plant-specific electrical configurations. Initial steps will include filling in gaps identified in the survey. The NRC/EPRI Working group is developing specific Zones of Influence and probabilistic risk assessment methods to address the hazard posed by aluminum HEAFs. The NRC staff is planning to have a public meeting no later than the first quarter of 2021.
Endorsement Status of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers NML-1-2019, Rules for the Movement of Loads Using Overhead Handling Equipment in Nuclear Facilities The NRC staff presented an update on the endorsement status American Society of Mechanical Engineers NML-1-2019, Rules for the Movement of Loads Using Overhead Handling Equipment in Nuclear Facilities. The NEI representatives inquired as to what support can the industry give to help create the standard and how can public engagement help. The NRC staff indicated that information on the cost, types of handling systems, and frequency of testing would be of benefit and will be looking into endorsement on an accelerated timeline.
The NEI representatives asked the NRC staff to let NEI know how they can support the staffs efforts.
C. Erlanger 10 CFR 50.55(a) 2-year Rule Change The discussion led by NEI was focused on the proposal of a new condition of operational leakage. If enacted, it will impact multiple areas such as 50.69 (risk component classification),
ASME Section 11, and operability determination. The NEI representatives indicated availability for the future discussion.
2021 Virtual Regulatory Information Conference 2021 Regulatory Information Conference will be virtual and is planned to take place from March 8 to March 11, 2021 (10:00 AM - 2:45 PM Eastern Time). Eight plenary sessions and approximately 28 technical sessions are planned. All sessions will be delivered on the virtual platform, which will also include digital exhibits and other engaging content.
Enhancing the Use of Risk Information in 50.59 Evaluations The NRC staff is engaging with NEI and industry to evaluate the potential to increase the use of risk information in the application of 10 CFR 50.59. The NEI representatives stated that NEI 96-07, Revision 1, may include self-imposed limitations on the ability to fully utilize the change provisions allowed by 10 CFR 50.59. The NRC staff held three public meetings in June, August, and October of 2020. The NRC staff is developing a new Inspection Manual Chapter to enhance the knowledge of and guidance for inspectors on 50.59.
Please direct any inquiries to Ekaterina Lenning at Ekaterina.Lenning@nrc.gov.
Docket No. 99902028
Enclosure:
List of Attendees
Enclosure List of Attendees Nuclear Energy Institute Regulatory Issues Task Force Public Meeting November 4, 2020 Name Organization Larry Nicholson Certrec Deann Raleigh Curtiss-Wright Sophie Gutner Dominion Energy Art Zaremba Duke Phil Lashley Energy Harbor Philip Couture III Entergy Darani Reddick Exelon Nuclear Mark Ferlisi Exelon Nuclear Dave Gullott Exelon Nuclear Gary Peters Framatome Tim Riti Nuclear Energy Institute (NEI)
James Slider NEI Thomas Basso NEI Justin Wearne NEI Maggie Staiger NEI Victoria Anderson NEI Steve Catron NextEraEnergy Bill Parks NextEraEnergy Mirela Gavrilas U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC)
Luis Betancourt NRC Ekaterina Lenning NRC Booma Venkatararman NRC Shaun Anderson NRC Jason Drake NRC Nathan Sanfilippo NRC Craig Erlanger NRC Doug Broaddus NRC Phil McKenna NRC Audrey Klett NRC David Wrona NRC Dennis Morey NRC Tim Reed NRC Gregory Suber NRC Joshua Borromeo NRC Michael Cheok NRC Robert Murray NRC Paul Duke PSEG Hossein Hamzehee STARS Cheryl Gayheart Southern Nuclear Company Matt Euten Southern Nuclear Company Drew Richards South Texas Project Brian Mann Technical Specification Task Force Name Organization Jon Johnson Tennessee Valley Authority Chris Riedl Tennessee Valley Authority Marty Murphy Xcel Energy Sarah Scott Xcel Energy
ML20365A004 (Package)
ML20297A334 (Meeting Notice)
ML20365A042 (Meeting Summary)
OFFICE NRR/DORL/LLPB/PM NRR/DORL/LA NRR/TA NRR/DORL/LLPB/BC NAME ELenning DHarrison LBetancourt DMorey DATE 12/30/2020 1/5/2021 1/08/2021 1/12/2021