ML22153A341
| ML22153A341 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Issue date: | 03/08/2022 |
| From: | Travis Tate Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation |
| To: | Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation |
| References | |
| Download: ML22153A341 (9) | |
Text
NRC Response to the Event at the National Institute of Standards and Technology National Bureau of Standards Reactor Travis Tate, Branch Chief Non-Power Production and Utilization Facilities Oversight U.S. NRC Travis.Tate@nrc.gov
U.S.ResearchandTestReactors
- 31operatingreactors
- 4shutdown
- Powerrange5watts to20megawatts(MW) 5are2MWorgreater
- Reactortypes 16TRIGA 9platetypefuel 3AerojetGeneralNucleonics 3oneofakind(PULSTAR,Argonaut,criticalassembly)
NonPowerProductionandUtilizationFacility LicensingBranch Conductslicensingreviews Constructionpermits Operatinglicenses Amendments Hightolowenricheduraniumconversions Licenserenewals Medicalisotopeproductionfacilities Developslicensingguidance Applicationformatandcontent StandardReviewPlanandAcceptanceCriteria Interfaceswithoutsideorganizations(e.g.,InternationalAtomic EnergyAgency,licenseegroups,andothergovernmentagencies)
NonPowerProductionandUtilizationFacility OversightBranch(cont.)
- Conductsoversightactivities Facilityinspections Reactoroperatorlicensing Inspectionandoperatorlicensingguidance Securityreviewsandinspections Enforcement Emergencyresponse
NRCAppliesMinimumAmountofRegulationto ResearchandTestReactors
- ConsistentwithSection104coftheAtomicEnergy Actof1954,asamended,whichstates,inpart TheCommissionisdirectedtoimpose onlysuchminimumamountofregulation ofthelicenseeastheCommissionfindswill permittheCommissiontofulfillits obligationsunderthisActtopromote thecommondefenseandsecurityandto protectthehealthandsafetyofthepublic andwillpermittheconductofwidespread anddiverseresearchanddevelopment.
NRCPrinciplesofGoodRegulation
- Principlesfocusedonensuringsafetyandsecuritywhile appropriatelybalancingtheinterestsoftheNRCs stakeholders,includingthepublicandlicensees
- Independence
- Openness
- Efficiency
- Clarity
- Reliability
NRC Response to the Event at the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST)
National Bureau of Standards Reactor (NBSR)
- Initial event assessment
- Reactive inspection evaluation
- Special inspection
- Charter
- Exceeded safety limit
- Interim report
- Root cause report
- Final report
- Enforcement
- Communications
Findings from the NRC Response
- The NRC determined the NBSR safety systems functioned properly during the event and reactor shutdown (i.e., all the control rods fully inserted and fission reactions stopped, ventilation system aligned to emergency mode)
- The NRC determined that public health and safety were protected during and following the event and is satisfied that the surrounding community remains safe while the NBSR remains shut down
- Since the event, the NBSR has remained in a stable shutdown condition and monitoring systems continue to operate properly
- NIST has completed a root cause analysis and an analysis of the appropriate responsive corrective actions
- NIST submitted to the NRC on October 1, 2021, a request for authorization to restart the NBSR
- The NRCs activities in response to the event will inform the NRCs response to NISTs request for authorization to restart the NBSR
Post-Special-Inspection Oversight of the NBSR
- Special inspection results
- Enforcement followup
- Corrective actions assessment
- Restart decision support
- Future oversight