ML22255A085

News Release-22-036: NRC Issues Ninth U.S. National Report for Convention on Nuclear Safety

ML22255A085
Person / Time
Issue date:	09/09/2022
From:	Office of Public Affairs
To:
References
News Release-22-036
Download: ML22255A085 (1)

Text

No: 22-036 September 9, 2022 CONTACT: Scott Burnell, 301-415-8200 NRC Issues Ninth U.S. National Report for Convention on Nuclear Safety The Nuclear Regulatory Commission has published the United States Ninth National Report for the Convention on Nuclear Safety, describing the U.S. governments actions under the convention to achieve and maintain a high level of safety for the countrys nuclear power plants.

The convention was established in 1996 and was ratified by the U.S. Senate in 1999. It ensures legally binding obligations for signatory states regarding national regulation and safety at commercial nuclear power facilities.

The report demonstrates how the United States meets its obligations established by the convention, ensures a high level of nuclear safety, and fosters international cooperation. Countries that are parties to the convention meet every three years to discuss their reports. The NRC has submitted its report for peer review by other countries. NRC officials will discuss the report and respond to peer review questions at the ninth review meeting of the CNS at the International Atomic Energy Agency in Vienna, Austria, in March 2023.

Our most important obligation under our regulatory authority is to ensure safe and secure nuclear power plant operations, said NRC Chairman Christopher T. Hanson. We take these obligations seriously, which are clearly documented in this report.

This report addresses the status of safety topics identified in the eighth national report issued in 2019, including accident-tolerant fuel and changes to the Reactor Oversight Process. The report also addresses challenges and topics of heightened interest that have arisen since 2019, including:

• Advanced reactors

• Construction at the Vogtle Electric Generating Plant, Units 3 and 4

• Digital instrumental and control upgrades

• Pandemic response The report includes a section developed by the Institute of Nuclear Power Operations describing the U.S. industrys work to ensure safety. INPO officials will also be part of the U.S.

delegation to the convention review meeting.