ML22153A497

March 16, 2022, Summary of Periodic Advanced Reactor Stakeholder Public Meeting

ML22153A497
Person / Time
Issue date:	08/04/2022
From:	Pitter S NRC/NRR/DANU/UARP
To:	Steven Lynch NRC/NRR/DANU/UARP
Pitter S
References
Download: ML22153A497 (11)

Text

August 4, 2022 MEMORANDUM TO: Steven Lynch, Chief Advanced Reactor Policy Branch Division of Advanced Reactors and Non-Power Production and Utilization Facilities Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation FROM: Shelley Pitter, Project Manager Signed by Pitter, Shelley Advanced Reactor Policy Branch on 08/04/22 Division of Advanced Reactors and Non-Power Production and Utilization Facilities Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation

SUMMARY

OF MARCH 16, 2022, PERIODIC ADVANCED REACTOR STAKEHOLDER PUBLIC MEETING On March 16, 2022, the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) staff held an information meeting with a question-and-answer session with stakeholders to discuss advanced reactor topics including:

Update on NRC TRi-structural ISOtropic (TRISO) Project Involving a Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission (CNSC)-NRC Joint Interim Report Trial Use Reg Guide (TRG) 1.247, Acceptability of Probabilistic Risk Assessment (PRA) results for non-Light Water Reactor (LWR) Risk Informed Activities Advanced Reactor Content of Application Project (ARCAP) and Technology Inclusive Content of Application Project (TICAP) Guidance Development Status Part 53 - Traditional, Risk-Informed Option Part 53 - Perspective on PRA, Process, Concerns, and Going Forward Development of Guidance for Evaluation Changes to Facilities Utilizing Nuclear Energy Institute (NEI) 18-04 CONTACT: Shelley Pitter NRR/DANU 301-415- 3454

S. Lynch The meeting notice is available in the NRCs Agencywide Documents Access and Management System (ADAMS) at Accession No. ML22074A311, and the presentation slides are available at ADAMS Accession No. ML22074A190. The Enclosure to this summary lists the attendees for the meeting as captured by Microsoft Teams.

For each topic listed above, the NRC staff provided information and allotted time for stakeholder comments and questions. Stakeholders provided feedback on several of the topics and asked clarifying questions. NRC staff appreciated the feedback and provided response to the questions.

The NRC staff provided updates of the Advanced Reactor Integrated Schedule of Activities on the NRCs public website at https://www.nrc.gov/reactors/new-reactors/advanced/integrated-review-schedule.html. The NRC staff noted that the schedule reflects activities that have recently been completed, updated, or added since the January 19, 2022 advanced reactor stakeholder meeting.

The NRC staff and the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission (CNSC) presented an overview of the first interim summary report on a generic TRISO fuel assessment that was developed by the CNSC and NRC. The report was released to the public on February 17, 2022 (ML22030A000) and is the first of four interim reports to be released in 2022. This project is exercising the fuel qualification framework described in the Nuclear Energy Agency report, Regulatory Perspectives on Nuclear Fuel Qualification for Advanced Reactors, (ML22018A099) and the recently released NUREG-2246, Fuel Qualification for Advanced Reactors, (ML22063A131).

There was interest in learning about the manufacturing parameters and how they might affect TRISO particle performance and how this assessment relates to NRCs previous assessment in last years EPRI TP. NRC staff clarified that some manufacturing parameters are address by EPRIs TP, however, some parameters (particularly those associated with the fuel kernel) were addressed by conditions in the staffs safety evaluation report. There was a comment about the term melting that was used in relation to TRISO particle performance under reactivity insertion accident (RIA) conditions and not being familiar with that term as typically degradation or barrier failures is used. NRC staff agreed that melting is not identified as a degradation mechanism or failure mode, but that some transient testing showed that fuel failure correlates with predicted melt temperatures. The tests discussed are associated with accident scenarios that may not be applicable to the reactor designs that use Uranium Oxycarbide (UCO) TRISO fuel. There was a question about when CNSCs separate regulatory document (REGDOC 2.4.5) would be available, and CNSC shared that public consultation will begin after April 1, 2022 (which is the beginning of Canadas new FY). There was a question on the RIA testing regarding all the tests being done on unirradiated fuel and the expectation would be that the failure thresholds would be lower. NRC staff clarified that the (1) the RIA tests may have limited applicability to burned UCO TRISO fuel, and that (2) reactivity insertions, sufficient to make the reactor prompt critical, may not need to be considered for reactor designs that use USO-TRISO. Therefore, transient testing to quality UCO TRISO fuel for such accident scenarios may not be warranted.

The NRC staff provided an update on the staffs development of Trial RG 1.247, which is expected to be issued by the end of March 2022. In particular, this presentation discussed the comments that were received on the preliminary version of the RG (ML21246A216), how they were addressed, and changes made to the RG. It also explained the opportunities for comment during the trial use period and how comments and lessons learned during the trial use period will be factored into the final version of the RG. In response to this presentation, there was positive feedback from several audience members on the process of this RG and interest in recreating the approach in future PRA standards.

S. Lynch The NRC staff presented a high-level overview of the status of ARCAP and TICAP guidance development. The presentation included a near term target milestone of late April early May for requesting public comment on the nine ARCAP interim staff guidance documents and the TICAP draft regulatory guide.

The NRC staff provided an overview of the NRC staffs development of a traditional, risk-informed option within the broader Part 53 regulatory framework. The traditional, risk-informed option is a licensing framework where risk analyses are used in a supporting or complementary role, similar to the design and licensing approaches currently used in Part 50 and Part 52. This option builds on the preliminary rule language issued in October 2021 (ML21270A005) and in February 2022 (ML22024A066) that proposed technology-inclusive alternatives to certain technical requirements for light-water reactors in Part 50 and will now be included as an alternative set of new requirements in Part 53. This presentation also discussed how a risk insights evaluation, formerly termed the Technology-Inclusive, Risk-Informed Maximum Accident (TIRIMA) licensing approach as discussed during a December 2021 Advisory Committee on Reactor Safeguards subcommittee meeting (ML21348A102), integrates with the traditional, risk-informed licensing framework in Part 53.

In response to this presentation, there was positive feedback on the staffs proposed flexible approaches for incorporating risk information into the Part 53 design and licensing processes.

There were many clarification questions which the staff answered successfully. In response to a question about safety functions and their requirements being the same between the frameworks, the staff clarified that the safety and design requirements proposed for the traditional framework will be developed in a manner that reflects how these requirements are addressed within the current (traditional) regulatory frameworks. A comment was made suggesting that the Quality Assurance (QA) requirements in the traditional framework should be consistent with current requirements to minimize the potential that future applicants and licensees would potentially need to address a new set of QA program requirements. In response to a comment requesting a clarification on performance-based requirements in the traditional framework, the staff responded that they are evaluating whether performance-based requirements and alternatives in existing regulatory frameworks could convey to the traditional framework in Part 53. Additionally, the staff also responded that they are considering the use of performance-based requirements and the intent is to adopt similar approaches where unique language is being drafted for the traditional framework. In response to why the NRC needs to retain Parts 50 and 52 for future reactors, the staff confirmed that the regulatory approaches within the current frameworks are still considered viable options for use by near-term applicants.

The U.S. Nuclear Industry Council presentation provided thoughts on use of Probabilistic Risk Assessment in Part 53 and disconnect of Part 53 language with NEIMA intent. Observations on the current Part 53 stakeholder comment review process were provided, as well as suggested path forward and next steps to improve process. Ongoing and recent concerns regarding preliminary language were presented, as well as suggested path forward and next steps to evolve Part 53 language. This presentation augments input provided to NRC (including ML21309A578) and the Advisory Committee on Reactor Safeguards (https://www.nrc.gov/docs/ML2202/ML22024A447.pdf). In response to the presentation, NRC management thanked the speaker for his perspective and emphasized we are still in the development phase and not in a proposed rule stage. All comments are being heard, feedback is valued, and there will be a formal process to respond to comments. The staff has been transparent through heavy engagement with ACRS and directly with stakeholders. There was a comment from the audience on changing the safety goals and the expectation for an explanation.

S. Lynch The Southern Company provided an introduction and overview of a Southern-led project to develop guidance for evaluating changes to 10 CFR Part 50 or Part 52 licensed advanced non-light water reactor (ANLWR) facilities that utilize the Licensing Modernization Project (LMP) methodology (NEI 18-04). The objectives of the guidance are to: provide regulatory confidence that the basis for the LMP-based safety case will be effectively monitored and any changes will be efficiently managed; minimize the unnecessary burden to the regulator and owners/operators for determining if changes require a license amendment; and establish a clear understanding of how the 10 CFR 50.59 criteria for making facility changes without prior NRC approval may be met. This project builds upon the work accomplished by LMP and the TICAP which resulted in NEI Technical Reports NEI 18-04 and NEI 21-07, respectively. In response to a question regarding tabletop exercises, the speaker confirmed there is a plan to share the key lessons learned from the tabletop exercises and show how those are being incorporated into revisions to the guidance documents.

A general comment was shared at the end of the stakeholder meeting from a concerned and anti-nuclear activist who believes the nuclear power plants can be attacked and are not safe thus making them very dangerous in view of the current political situation.

Members of the public were in attendance and the NRC did not receive public meeting feedback forms. To see information regarding previously held periodic advanced reactor stakeholder public meetings, the NRC staff suggest that stakeholders visit the NRCs public website at https://www.nrc.gov/reactors/new-reactors/advanced/details.html#stakeholder. The next advanced reactor stakeholder meeting is currently scheduled for May 11, 2022.

Please direct any inquiries to me at 301-415-3454 or via e-mail at Shelley.Pitter@nrc.gov.

Enclosure:

Attendance List

S. Lynch

SUMMARY

OF MARCH 16, 2022, PERIODIC ADVANCED REACTOR STAKEHOLDER PUBLIC MEETING DATED: AUGUST 4, 2022 DISTRIBUTION:

PUBLIC RidsNrrDanu Resource RidsNrrDanuUarp Resource SLynch, NRR JSegala, NRR ACubbage, NRR ADAMS Accession Number: ML22153A497 NRR-106 OFFICE NRR/DANU/UARP/PM NRR/DANU/UARP/BC NRR/DANU/UARP/PM NAME SPitter SLynch SPitter DATE 7/6/2022 8/2/2022 8/4/2022 OFFICIAL RECORD COPY

March 16, 2022, Periodic Advanced Reactor Stakeholder PublicMeeting Attendance List Name Organization Adams, Ben NRC Ahn, Hosung NRC Armstrong, Kenneth NRC Ashcraft, Joseph NRC Audrain, Meg NRC Banks, Courtney NRC Barrett, Antonio NRC Basavaraju, Chakrapani NRC Beall, Bob NRC Bowman, Eric NRC Boyce, Tom NRC Bukharin, Oleg NRC Bussey, Scott NRC Campbell, Shawn NRC Chowdhury, Prosanta NRC Compton, Keith NRC Costa, Arlon NRC Coyne, Kevin NRC Cubbage, Amy NRC de Messieres, Candace NRC Drzewiecki, Timothy NRC Garcia, Ismael NRC Gascot Lozada, Ramon NRC Giacinto, Joseph NRC Gilbertson, Anders NRC Glowacki, Brian NRC Gormsen, Elizabeth NRC Grady, Anne-Marie NRC Hansing, Nicholas NRC Harris, Tim NRC Hayes, Michelle NRC Helvenston, Edward NRC Hoellman, Jordan NRC Horowitz, Steven NRC Hsu, Kaihwa NRC Hughes Green, Niav NRC Humberstone, Matthew NRC Jauntirans, Juris NRC Jessup, William NRC Jones, Steve NRC Jung, Ian NRC Keefe, Maxine NRC Enclosure

Name Organization Khan, Maryam NRC Krsek, Robert NRC Lav, Samantha Crane NRC Le, Tuan NRC Lee, Pete NRC Li, Chang NRC Li, Yueh-Li NRC Lynch, Steven NRC Manoly, Kamal NRC Marksberry, Don NRC Mazza, Jan NRC Miller, Chris NRC Moulton, Charles NRC Munson, Clifford NRC Mussatti, Daniel NRC Neuhausen, Alissa NRC Nguyen, John NRC Nolan, Ryan NRC Oberson, Greg NRC OBryan, Phil NRC ODonnell, Edward NRC Oesterle, Eric NRC Orenak, Michael NRC Palmrose, Donald NRC Phan, Hanh NRC Philpott, Stephen NRC Piotter, Jason NRC Pires, Jose NRC Pohida, Marie NRC Reckley, William NRC Reed, Beth NRC Reisi Fard, Mehdi NRC Rivera, Richard NRC Roche-Rivera, Robert NRC Rose, Michael NRC Rubenstone, James NRC Sampson, Michele NRC Schrader, Eric NRC Sebrosky, Joseph NRC Segala, John NRC Seymour, Jesse NRC Shams, Mohamed NRC Siwy, Alexandra NRC Smith, Brian NRC Name Organization Smith, Maxwell NRC Sosa, Belkys NRC St Hilaire, Zee NRC Steckel, Jim NRC Stutzke, Martin NRC Tappert, John NRC Taylor, Robert NRC Teal, Charles NRC Tetter, Keith NRC Tharakan, Binesh NRC Travis, Boyce NRC Tseng, Ian NRC Tuttle, Glenn NRC Valliere, Nanette NRC Vazquez, Justin NRC Vettori, Robert NRC Vitto, Steven NRC Vokoun, Patricia NRC Wagner, Katie NRC Walker, Shakur NRC Wang, Weijun NRC Weisman, Robert NRC Whitman, Jennifer NRC Widmayer, Derek NRC Williams, Donna NRC Weerakkody, Sunil NRC Wong, Yuken NRC Wu, De NRC Xu, Jim NRC Christensen, Jason Idaho National Laboratory Chwasz, Christopher Idaho National Laboratory Burdick, Stephen Idaho National Laboratory Demkowicz, Paul Idaho National Laboratory Ferrara, Scott Idaho National Laboratory Hicks, Thomas Idaho National Laboratory King, Tom Idaho National Laboratory Kinsey, Jim Idaho National Laboratory Weir, Stephanie Idaho National Laboratory Arndt, Steven Oak Ridge National Laboratory Belles, Randy Oak Ridge National Laboratory Chen, Ben Argonne National Laboratory Grabaskas, Dave Argonne National Laboratory Li, Meimei Argonne National Laboratory Luxat, David Lyle Sandia National Laboratories Name Organization A., Viola (Elysium) Stakeholder Afzali, Amir Stakeholder Aguero, Stephanie Stakeholder Akstulewicz, Frank Stakeholder Anderson, Victoria Stakeholder Alvestav, Anna (Gast) Stakeholder Apostol, Minodora (Invitat) Stakeholder Armistead, Robert Stakeholder Austgen, Kati Stakeholder Basken, Jay Stakeholder Becker, Gary Stakeholder Behnke, Donald H. Stakeholder Bergman, Jana Stakeholder Bleizeffer, Dustin Stakeholder Boudart, Jan Stakeholder Braudt, Thomas Stakeholder Brooks, Caleb Stakeholder Brown, Tony Stakeholder Boyer, Chad Stakeholder Budnitz, Robert Stakeholder Burg, Rob Stakeholder Byman, Michelle Stakeholder Chapman, Travis (X-energy) Stakeholder Conlon, Kelly Stakeholder Courtenay, Christopher Stakeholder Davies, Mark Stakeholder Draffin, Cyril (USNIC) Stakeholder Dreke, Ryan Christopher Stakeholder Drouhard, Linus Stakeholder Ellenson, Margaret Stakeholder Flanagan, George Stakeholder Ford, Leigh Stakeholder Ferrante, Fernando Stakeholder Franovich, Rani Stakeholder Geiger, Charlotte (X-energy) Stakeholder Gifford, Ian Stakeholder Grant, Eddie Stakeholder Graven, Ethan Stakeholder Grzeck, Lee Stakeholder Guo, Yujun Stakeholder Haggerty, Neil Stakeholder Hammon, Beth (EPW) Stakeholder Harris, Kurt Stakeholder Hartle, Brandon Stakeholder Name Organization Henneke, Dennis (GE Power Portfolio) Stakeholder Holcomb, David Stakeholder Holtzman, Benjamin Stakeholder Jackson, Nathan Stakeholder Jelalian, Alan Stakeholder Jennetta, Andrea Stakeholder Kameswaran, Ram Stakeholder Kissinger, Peter Stakeholder Kraft, Steven Stakeholder LeBlond, Peter Stakeholder Loza, Paul (X-energy) Stakeholder Luchsinger, Deborah A. (Services - 6) Stakeholder Lusse, Lemmer Stakeholder Lyman, Edwin Stakeholder Maioli, Andrea Stakeholder Marzano, Matthew (EPW) Stakeholder McGlinn, William Stakeholder Merrifield, Jeffrey S. Stakeholder Meyer, Mitchell Stakeholder Mohaghegh, Zahra Stakeholder Moneghan, Daniel Stakeholder Morin, Tammy Stakeholder Muzikova, Ewa Stakeholder Nesbit, Steven Stakeholder Nichol, Marcus Stakeholder Nolan, Chris Stakeholder Nordby, Ingrid (X-energy) Stakeholder O, John Stakeholder Paese, Richard M. Stakeholder Peterson, Lisa Stakeholder Pfabe, John Stakeholder Pigg, Kevin Stakeholder Pope, Steven Stakeholder Pugh, Nyla Stakeholder Razvi, Junaid Stakeholder Redondo, Morais, Jaime Stakeholder Riti, Tim Stakeholder Robinson, Chris Stakeholder Sakurahara, Tatsuya Stakeholder Seabaugh, Ryan (MDNR) Stakeholder Shahrokhi, Farshid Stakeholder Sicilia, Tom Stakeholder Sigmon, Chet Austin Stakeholder Simmons, Delaney Stakeholder Name Organization Sommer, Christopher Stakeholder Spalding, Amanda Stakeholder Stadtlander, Richard Stakeholder Staiger, Maggie Stakeholder Stein, Adam Stakeholder Terrani, Kurt Stakeholder Tomkins, Jim Stakeholder Train, David Stakeholder Traverso, Ava Stakeholder Tshiltz, Mike Stakeholder Vamvakias, Brian Stakeholder Van-Derpoel, Lynn Stakeholder Vaughn, Stephen Stakeholder Wallace, Ed Stakeholder Wang, Raymond C. (X-energy) Stakeholder Wheat, Justin Stakeholder White, Patrick (NIA) Stakeholder Winslow, William M. Stakeholder Wolf, Peter D. Stakeholder Wyche, Altheia Stakeholder Yang, Bei Stakeholder Zach, Andrew (EPW) Stakeholder

• Attendance list based on Microsoft Teams Participant list. List does not include individuals that connected via phone