ML22153A296
| ML22153A296 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Issue date: | 03/10/2022 |
| From: | Darrell Roberts NRC/EDO/DEDR |
| To: | Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation |
| References | |
| Download: ML22153A296 (5) | |
Text
Licensing and Oversight Lessons from the COVID-19 Pandemic Darrell J. Roberts Deputy Executive Director for Reactor and Preparedness Programs Nuclear Regulatory Commission
- Organizational agility
- Public and industry engagement Licensing during *Use of public web interface COVID-19 Pandemic *Focus workload management tool for related licensing actions
- Framework for expedited reviews
- Internal temporary staff review guides
Reactor Oversight during COVID-19 Initial Response Recovery Reduced onsite resident inspector coverage Continued updating interim guidance to Used hybrid team for inspections accommodate surges in COVID-19 Delayed or deferred inspections, as needed In Nov 2021, after re-entry, NRC returned to Since some baseline inspections were not full implementation of the baseline inspection possible, assessed that public health and program safety was adequately maintained No additional inspection activity planned as a result of COVID Lessons Learned Initial lessons learned captured throughout 2020 Currently, identifying longer term lessons There is no suitable remote substitute for some of the on-site functions that our inspectors perform
Reactor Oversight during COVID-19 Force-on-Force (FOF) Inspections
- 2020 Temporary halt to full inspections
- August 2020, modified procedure used to inspect elements of licensee protective strategy
- 2021 Modified FOF inspections that assessed strategy with minimum personnel
- Balance struck to meet requirements and provide continued safety for licensee and NRC personnel
- Tiered approach to account for site-specific conditions
- 2022 Full FOF inspection resumed
- Same options as 2021 plus additional option for full FOF inspection
Office of Nuclear Material Safety and Safeguards evaluation of inspection programs during the COVID-19 pandemic Based on internal and external feedback:
- On-site inspections continue to be the most effective and preferred method of inspection
- Keep the option to employ flexibilities (i.e. remote, hybrid, in-office reviews of records), when appropriate
- Specific inspection guidance is warranted for pandemic preparedness Report is available here