ML23299A185
| ML23299A185 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Issue date: | 10/26/2023 |
| From: | NRC/OCM |
| To: | |
| Shared Package | |
| ML23299A175 | List: |
| References | |
| M231102 | |
| Download: ML23299A185 (1) | |
Text
Strategic Programmatic Overview of the Operating and New Reactor Business Lines November 2, 2023 1
Daniel Dorman Executive Director for Operations Introduction 2
Operating Reactor Business Line ANDREA VEIL Strategic Priorities and Successes for the Operating Reactor Business Line BILL ORDERS Readiness to License Power Uprates BRIAN SMITH License Renewal Program Update and Future Enhancements PHIL MCKENNA Implementation of Reactor Oversight Process Enhancements LADONNA SUGGS Resident Inspector Health - Recruitment and Retention
Andrea Veil Director, Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation Strategic Priorities and Successes for the Operating Reactor Business Line 4
Continued Focus to Support Nuclear Safety Issues for the Operating and Non-Power Reactor Fleet 5
Photo Credit: Miguel Medina. Electrical Engineering Portal Aerial view of the NIST Center for Neutron Research
Strategizing for an Increase in Workload and External Interest NRCs Resource Estimator for Operating Reactor Licensing Taken from #HireNRC! Recruitment and Marketing Video Dedicated Knowledge Management Team Supporting Staff Development Retention Recruitment
Modernizing the Regulatory Infrastructure to Make the Safe Use of New Technologies Possible Picture of first fuel assembly containing ATF rods loaded in United States. Photo Credit:
Southern Nuclear/Plant Hatch Photo Credit: Idaho National Labs
The Use of Risk Insights to Safely Resolve Technical Issues in a Timely Manner FLEET ADOPTS RISK INFORMED PROGRAMS
100%: Risk-Informed Surveillance Frequency Control Program
54%: Risk-Informed Categorization of SSC
48%: Risk-Informed Completion Times RISK IN INSPECTION ISSUES Very Low Safety Significant Issue Resolution CONTINUED EXTERNAL ENGAGEMENT Recent Risk Forum with Industry and Public
Bill Orders Senior Project Manager, Division of Operating Reactor Licensing, Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation Readiness to License Power Uprates 9
Types of Power Uprates Measurement Uncertainty Recapture (MUR)
- Enhanced techniques for calculating reactor power Review Timeliness Goals
~6 Months Stretch Power Uprate (SPU)
- Does not involve major plant modifications
- Within plant design capacity
~12 Months Extended Power Uprate (EPU)
- Major plant modifications required
~9 Months
<2%
<7%
<20%
Actively Monitoring the Landscape
- Inflation Reduction Act of 2022, tax credits supporting continued operations with power uprates and ATF.
- >50% of sites are planning for one or more power uprates with a combined capacity equivalent to 2 large LWRs.
Photo Credit: Nuclear Energy Institute (NEI) The Future of Nuclear Power 2023 Baseline Survey Note: Unspecified Power Uprates in the 1% to 3% range are identified as Other on this graphic.
Using Power Uprate Historical Data to Optimize our Future Processes Level of Effort for Power Uprates 0
2000 4000 6000 8000 10000 12000 14000 Jan-1993 Jul-1998 Jan-2004 Jul-2009 Dec-2014 Jun-2020 Stretch Power Uprate Measurement Uncertainty Recapture Extended Power Uprare
Brian Smith Division Director, Division of New and Renewed Licenses, Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation License Renewal Program Update and Future Enhancement 13
License Renewal and Subsequent License Renewal Program Accomplishments/Updates
- Issued initial license renewals for 94 reactors and subsequent license renewals for 6 reactors.
- Issued the draft revised Generic Environmental Impact Statement and proposed rule.
- Updating subsequent license renewal guidance documents (GALL-SLR and SRP).
- Revised license renewal inspection procedures.
- Future submittals include an additional 4 applications within the next 6 months.
Domestic and International Outreach
- Domestic activities
- International activities
- Bilateral support
- Multilateral workshop
- IAEAs IGALL steering committee and support
- Convention on Nuclear Safety -
identified as good practice
- International LTO conferences and seminars 15
License Renewal Enhancements
- Engaging with stakeholders to identify review efficiencies
- Enhancing applications and process improvements
- Evaluating use of risk information in aging management programs and reviews
- On-going process improvements for SLR Reviews
- Reduction in staff hours while ensuring safety 16
Phil McKenna Deputy Division Director, Division of Reactor Oversight, Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation Implementation of Reactor Oversight Process Enhancements 17
ROP is Inherently Risk Informed BASELINE INSPECTION PROGRAM Minimum inspection for every operating reactor licensee Provides reasonable assurance of adequate protection BASELINE INSPECTIONS ARE RISK INFORMED Selection of inspectable areas Inspection frequency and sample size Sample selection of activities and equipment ROP IS CONSTANTLY EVOLVING Operating experience Internal and External Feedback 2019 ROP enhancement initiative
ROP Enhancement has Improved Reactor Oversight
- How we got here
- ROP enhancements implemented in FY23
- Quadrennial engineering inspection cycle
- Revised treatment of greater-than-green inspection findings and performance indicators
- Revision to the problem and identification and resolution Inspection Procedure
- Status of remaining actions
- Emergency Response Facility and Equipment Readiness Performance Indicator
- Emergency Planning SDP Beaver Valley Power Station (Units 1 and 2) in Shippingport, PA Photo: First Energy
Optimization of the Risk-Informed ROP Inspection Program ANNUAL ROP IMPLEMENTATION AUDIT
Ensures regional consistency in ROP execution
Recently revised so all Regions evaluate audit focus areas INDUSTRY AND PUBLIC INPUT
Industry fact of life changes
Centralization of functions at licensee corporate level INSPECTOR RESOURCES
OpE Hub
ROP Digital City ROP SELF-ASSESSMENT
Program area assessments
Focused Assessments
Effectiveness Reviews ROP BASELINE INSPECTION MONITORING PROGRAM
Inspection dashboards and monitoring tools
Data trending
LaDonna Suggs Acting Division Director, Division of Reactor Projects, Region II Resident Inspector Health - Recruitment and Retention 21
- Dedication to public safety
- 350+ plant events annually Scrams Emergency Declarations Plant Startups Weather Events
- Commitment to Excellence 22 Resident Inspectors are Integral to Safety McGuire Senior Resident Inspector, Chris Safouri, and Resident Inspector, Frank Young, inspecting an emergency diesel generator
Maintaining a Strong Resident Workforce In the past two years:
- Hired 38 New Staff in the Resident Inspector Development Program (RIDP) 40% of Regional Hiring
- 23 RIDPs in permanent resident positions 21 currently in the RIDP pool
Innovations in Training to Maximize Efficiency Enhanced Inspector Training Leverages former senior residents Also expedites qualification process while maintaining quality Competency-Based Qualifications On the job training Individualized interactions with expert mentors Far less completion time First two resident inspectors to complete an agency CBQ Eleven RIDPs training with former senior residents at the Technical Training Center
25 Compensation and Hiring Flexibilities
- Forward-looking site coverage forecasting metrics
- Rehired annuitants
- Relocation Incentives Retention and Career Development
- Annual and multi-tour financial incentives Morale and Welfare
- Engagement with the Resident Inspector Standing Committee
- Streamlining agency systems and processes Strategic Solutions to Complex Challenges Region II Counterpart Meeting
Daniel Dorman Executive Director for Operations Concluding Remarks 26
Acronyms ATF Accident Tolerant Fuel CBQ Competency-Based Qualifications CETI Comprehensive Engineering Team Inspection DOE U.S. Department of Energy EPA U.S. Environmental Protection Agency EPRI Electric Power Research Institute EP SDP Emergency Planning Significance Determination Process EPU Extended Power Uprate GEIS Generic Environmental Impact Statement IAEA International Atomic Energy Agency IGALL International Generic Aging Lessons Learned LTO Long Term Operation NEI Nuclear Energy Institute NRC U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission NRR Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation MUR Measurement Uncertainty Recapture OpE Operational Experience PI Performance Indicator PI&R Problem Identification and Resolution RIDP Resident Inspector Development Program ROP Reactor Oversight Process SLR Subsequent License Renewal SRP Standard Review Plan SPU Stretch Power Uprate VLSSIR Very Low Safety Significance Issue Resolution Process
Daniel Dorman Executive Director for Operations Introduction 28
New Reactor Business Line ROBERT TAYLOR Strategic Priorities and Successes for the New Reactor Business Line JONATHAN GREIVES Effective and Timely Review for New and Advanced Reactors; Innovative Oversight Approaches for New and Advanced Reactors JOHN MOSES New and Advanced Reactor Environmental Review Transformation; Preparing the Agency for the Future of Environmental Reviews DONNA WILLIAMS International Collaboration on Regulating New and Advanced Reactors LAUREN NIST Leveraging Successes and Lessons Learned from Vogtle 3&4 for Future Construction Projects
Robert Taylor Deputy Director, Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation Strategic Priorities and Successes for the New Reactor Business Line 30
The NRC is Ready to License New and Advanced Reactors
Timely and Cost-Effective Reviews without Compromising Safety Using Core Teams of 8-10 Technical Staff Enhanced Project Management Capabilities Leveraging Risk Insights
Looking Towards the Future and Committed to Make the Safe Use of Nuclear Technology Possible Plant Bowen (4 coal fired units) in Bartow County, Georgia. Photo: Southern Company Plant Vogtle (4 nuclear units) in Waynesboro, Georgia.
Photo: Southern Nuclear Company The Naughton coal plant outside Kemmerer, Wyoming.
Photo: Caitlin Tan/Wyoming Public Media TerraPowers Natrium Project - sited near the retiring Naughton coal plant Preparing Staff to License Future Applications
Jonathan Greives Acting Deputy Director, Division of Advanced Reactors and Non-Power Production and Utilization Facilities, Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation Effective and Timely Review and Innovative Oversight Approaches for New and Advanced Reactors 34
Execution is Built on a Foundation of Preparation Pre-application Engagement Application Readiness NRC Readiness
Staff Focused on Licensing Execution Kairos Hermes 2 - External Dashboard
Advanced Reactor Construction Oversight Program - Vision SECY-23-0048 RISK-INFORMED Uses facility risk insights to define the scope of inspection PERFORMANCE BASED Adjusts oversight based on performance of licensees and manufacturers TECHNOLOGY INCLUSIVE Covers the full spectrum of advanced technologies being considered SCALABLE Uses a graded approach to inspection efforts commensurate with a facilitys public health and safety risk INFORMED BY EXPERIENCE Applies experience and leverages lessons from past and current NRC inspection programs COMPREHENSIVE Provides for oversight of all activities that are significant to construction quality INNOVATIVE Leverages new inspection tools and approaches to enhance efficiency and effectiveness
38 IMC DRAFT COMPLETION New inspection manual chapters are being developed for ARCOP INTERNAL TABLETOPS Evaluate ARCOP processes with data and experience EXTERNAL WORKSHOPS Engage stakeholders INTERNATIONAL COOPERATION Continue cooperation INSPECTION TECHNOLOGY Expand use of new technologies Advanced Reactor Construction Oversight Process - Next Steps
John Moses Deputy Director, Division of Rulemaking Environmental and Financial Services, Office of Nuclear Materials Safety and Security Preparing for the Future of Environmental Review 39
FISCAL RESPONSIBILITY ACT NEPA AMENDMENTS
- TIME LIMITS
- PAGE LIMITS
- AGENCY INTERACTION PROCESS IMPROVEMENTS
- PORTFOLIO APPROACH
- AGILE PROJECT MANAGEMENT
- EXAMPLE: HERMES 2 EA Adapting to NEPA Changes and Streamlining Environmental Review Photo credit: Robert Schwemmer/NOAA
Realignment:
A More Nimble Organization to Handle Increasing Workload Clinch River Early Site Permit Site Audit Review Team - Comprised of NRC, Contract Support, and Army Corps of Engineers Staff 41 Carbon Free Power Project Review Team - Comprised of NRC Staff and Contractor Support
Improved Stakeholder Confidence Through Meaningful Engagement and Communication 42 Photo Credit: Miguel Medina. Electrical Engineering Portal Arial view of the NIST Center for Neutron Research Northern Chumash; Photo credit: Robert Schwemmer/NOAA Robust Tribal engagement Enhanced agency interaction New communication channels Triso-X Local and State Official Lunch and Learn Photo credit: WYSH radio
Donna Williams Senior Project Manager, Division of Advanced Reactors and Non-Power Production and Utilization Facilities, Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation International Collaboration on Regulating New and Advanced Reactors 43
Active Engagement With International Communities on Advanced Reactors and Small Modular Reactors SMALL MODULAR REACTOR REGULATORS FORUM WORKING GROUP ON NEW TECHNOLOGIES WORKING GROUP ON POLICY AND LICENSING NUCLEAR HARMONIZATION AND STANDARDIZATION INITIATIVE BILATERAL SUPPORT TO EMBARKING COUNTRIES
Collaboration with the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission to Address Challenging Topics in Licensing Advanced Reactors Plant Bowen (4 coal fired units) in Bartow County, Georgia.
Photo: Southern Company TVA GEH OPG 8 joint reports issued Collaboration on GEH BWRX-300 CNSC Vendor Design Reviews US NRC pre-application reviews
Lauren Nist Acting Director, Vogtle Project Office, Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation Leveraging Successes and Lessons Learned from Vogtle 3 and 4 for Future Construction Projects 46
NRC Accomplishments at Vogtle 3 and 4 47 The NRC staff completed inspections of startup tests on Vogtle Unit 3, which commenced commercial operation on July 31, 2023.
NRR issued emergent and exigent license amendments for Vogtle Unit 3 allowing for the licensee to safely conduct repairs and avoid delays in startup testing.
NRR issued the 10 CFR 52.103(g) finding for Vogtle Unit 4 on July 28, 2023.
Plant Vogtle (4 nuclear units) in Waynesboro, Georgia.
Photo: Southern Nuclear Company Plant Vogtle Unit 4 fuel load in Waynesboro, Georgia.
Photo: Southern Nuclear Company
48 Leveraging Lessons Learned and Preparing for Transitions The staff is assessing lessons learned from Vogtle units 3 and 4 for future construction projects.
48 Kairos Headquarters Photo: Kairos Power
Daniel Dorman Executive Director for Operations Concluding Remarks 49
Acronyms ARCOP Advanced Reactor Construction Oversight Program CFR Code of Federal Regulations CNSC Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission CP Construction Permit cROP Construction Reactor Oversight Process DOE U.S. Department of Energy EA Environmental Assessment ECOE Environmental Center of Expertise EIS Environmental Impact Statement FONSI Finding of No Significant Impacts GEH GE Hitachi IAEA International Atomic Energy Agency NEA Nuclear Energy Agency NEPA National Environmental Policy Act NRC U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission NRR Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation MOU Memoranda of Understanding OPG Ontario Power Generation ROP Reactor Oversight Process RAI Request for Additional Information SNC Southern Nuclear Company TVA Tennessee Valley Authority VRG Vogtle Readiness Group