ML23193A347
| ML23193A347 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Site: | 99902088, Abilene Christian University |
| Issue date: | 07/12/2023 |
| From: | Edward Helvenston Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation |
| To: | Michael Wentzel Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation |
| References | |
| EPID L-2022-NFC-0016, EPID L-2023-NFN-0008 | |
| Download: ML23193A347 (1) | |
Text
W. Kenned UNITED STATES NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION WASHINGTON, D.C. 20555-0001 July 12, 2023 MEMORANDUM TO:
Michael Wentzel, Branch Chief Advanced Reactor Licensing Branch 2 Division of Advanced Reactors and Non-Power Production and Utilization Facilities Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation FROM:
Edward Helvenston, Project Manager
/RA/
Non-Power Production and Utilization Facility Licensing Branch Division of Advanced Reactors and Non-Power Production and Utilization Facilities Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation
SUBJECT:
SUMMARY
OF THE APRIL 13, 2023, CLOSED MEETING BETWEEN THE U.S. NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION STAFF AND ABILENE CHRISTIAN UNIVERSITY TO DISCUSS SECURITY TOPICS FOR THE MOLTEN SALT RESEARCH REACTOR (EPID NOS. L-2022-NFC-0016 and L-2023-NFN-0008)
On April 13, 2023, a closed meeting was held between the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) staff and representatives of Abilene Christian University (ACU) via webinar.
The purpose of this meeting was to discuss security-related information regarding ACUs proposed molten salt research reactor (MSRR) project. The meeting notice and agenda, dated March 28, 2023, are available in the Agencywide Documents Access and Management System (ADAMS) at Accession No. ML23087A264. The ACU and NRC staff presentations used in the meeting are also available in ADAMS at ML23192A037. A list of meeting attendees is provided as an enclosure to this summary.
During the meeting, ACU provided a presentation on the MSRR project, with a focus on aspects of the MSRR that could inform the security requirements for the facility. ACU stated that it expects construction of the Science and Engineering Research Center (SERC) building where it plans to install the MSRR to be completed in July 2023. ACU discussed the layout and design of this building, and areas of the building that would be under control of a MSRR operating license.
ACU then discussed various aspects of the MSRR fuel, including its expected form, and its plans for when fuel would be received and possessed at the facility. ACU also provided an overview of the ACU campus police department.
Following the ACU presentation, the NRC staff presented on the security framework for non-power reactor applicants, including a discussion of supplemental security measures (SSMs) that could be needed for the MSRR facility. The staff noted that the measures needed would depend on the attractiveness of special nuclear material that would be located at the MSRR to an adversary, for example, on its dilution level. The staff noted the Regulatory Basis Document for the proposed NRC Rulemaking for Enhanced Security of Special Nuclear Material, dated January 2015 (ML14321A007), referenced in the NRC staffs slides for the meeting, could be helpful to ACU in its analysis of necessary SSMs.
In terms of process, the NRC staff noted that it would expect ACU to submit a draft physical security plan (PSP) as part of an MSRR operating license application. Implementation of the approved PSP would be a requirement of an MSRR operating license, if issued.
ACU stated that, following the meeting, it would review information provided during the meeting regarding the various SSMs that may apply to the MSRR and consider what its approach might be for those that could be relevant. The NRC staff and ACU agreed that it would likely be helpful to conduct one or more follow-up meetings with protocols in place to allow safeguards information (SGI) to be discussed, to facilitate more detailed discussed of potential security measures for the MSRR.
CONTACT: Edward Helvenston, NRR/DANU/UNPL (301) 415-4067 Docket No.: 50-610
Enclosure:
List of Attendees Distribution List (GovDelivery):
Abilene Christian University
ML23193A347 NRC-001 OFFICE NRR/DANU/UNPL/PM NRR/DANU/UAL2/BC NAME EHelvenston MWentzel DATE 7/12/2023 7/12/2023 Enclosure List of Attendees Name Organization Edward Helvenston U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC)
Zackary Stone NRC Beth Reed NRC Michael Wentzel NRC Boyce Travis NRC Lester Towell Abilene Christian University (ACU)
Rusty Towell ACU Tim Head ACU Jordan Robison ACU Alexander Adams ACU