ML23312A185
| ML23312A185 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Issue date: | 11/08/2023 |
| From: | NRC/SECY |
| To: | |
| References | |
| M231116 | |
| Download: ML23312A185 (1) | |
Text
Briefing on Region I Activities and External Engagement November 16, 2023
Introduction Daniel Dorman Executive Director for Operations 2
Agenda Daniel Dorman Introduction Daniel Collins Overview of Region I Activities Ongoing Hiring Initiatives, Training, Office Space, and Outreach to External Stakeholders Farrah Gaskins Regional Support to States Becoming Agreement States Mel Gray Engineering Inspection Program, Key Technical Challenges, and Stakeholder Outreach Jason Schussler Resident Inspector Priorities and Challenges Elizabeth Andrews Overview of Region I Culture Team Activities 3
Daniel Collins Deputy Administrator, Region I Overview of Region I Activities 4
Key Messages 5
- Effectively implementing the safety mission despite challenges, and actively supporting agreement states.
- Mindful that coping strategies are not long-term solutions.
- While the fundamental mission has not changed, how we accomplish the mission must evolve.
5
Ensuring Safety Over a Broad Range of Activities
- 20 operating reactors at 12 sites
- ~ 650 materials licensees
- 11 decommissioning reactors
- 4 complex materials decommissioning sites +
NS Savannah
- 21 dry fuel storage facilities
- 17 Agreement States 6
Focusing on Mission, People, and Process Improvement 7
Prioritizing Hiring and Training for Critical Skills 8
Significant Cost Saving in Region I Office Relocation 9
Effective Outreach to External Stakeholders 10
Regional Support to States Becoming Agreement States Farrah Gaskins Regional State Agreement Program Officer, Division of Radiological Safety and Security, Region I 11
The Process Submit Letter of Intent Assign Project Manager Develop Draft Application Submit draft request Review takes 3-5 years 12
Region I State Demographics
- 23 states and territories
- 17 Agreement States
- States that have become Agreement States since 2003
- Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Virginia, and Vermont
- Specific Involvement
- 2 letters of intent
- Connecticut and West Virginia 13
Region I Support Efforts
- RSAO Point of Contact established
- Other staff may be assigned to review sections of the draft application
- Licensing preparation
- Inspection preparation
- Region staff is a resource 14
Benefits of Early Communication
- Develop professional relationships
- Receive training from NRC inspectors and license reviewers
- Early identification and resolution of issues
- Opportunity to strengthen the NMP by developing enhanced communication and collaboration with the new Agreement State 15
Engineering Inspection Program, Key Technical Challenges, and Stakeholder Outreach Mel Gray Chief, Engineering Branch I Division of Operating Reactor Safety, Region I 16
Engineering Inspections Affirm Plant Safety
- Commission Approved Quadrennial Cycle to begin CY2023 Year 2 FEI - ARD Year 1 CETI Year 4 FEI - Fire Protection Typical Quadrennial Engineering Inspection Program Year 3 FEI - CGD In-Service Inspection (ISI)
Cybersecurity Inspection In-Service Inspection (ISI)
Cybersecurity Inspection 17
Engineering Inspections Affirm Plant Safety
- Verify plants are maintained within design and licensing bases
- Affirm plants perform as intended under limiting conditions not fully demonstrated by operation/testing
- Verify modifications meet requirements 18
Key Technical Challenges
- Implement new focused engineering inspections efficiently, reliably, and with clarity
- Maintain engineering staff capability
- Adjust engineering focus areas as plants age 19
Stakeholder Outreach
- Intentional planned outreach activities
- Inspectors lead in communications 20
Resident Inspector Priorities and Challenges Jason Schussler Senior Resident Inspector, Ginna Nuclear Power Station Division of Operating Reactor Safety, Region I 21
Training Future Residents
- Knowledge transfer
- New inspectors in the field
- On-the-job training
- New qualified and knowledgeable inspectors 22
Technical Expertise in the Field
- Event response
- Inspection activities
- Licensee interaction 23
Resident Challenges Staffing Training new inspectors Tour length - post-tour options Relocation 24
Overview of Region I Culture Team Activities Elizabeth Andrews Technical Assistant Division of Radiological Safety and Security, Region I 25
Continuous Monitoring of Region I Culture Established in April 2021 Staff-led with 2-3-year terms Analyze data, formulate recommendations, present to staff Provide insight to other offices 26
Data Analysis Provides Insight Into Region I Culture FEVS: decreases in Global Satisfaction and Leaders Lead indices Pulse Surveys: items of interest include telework, new office, staffing, and workload Focus Groups: items of interest include resources, staffing, and communications 27
Set Realistic and Achievable Goals to Address Focus Areas Region I culture plan focus areas:
Goal: continuously improve Region I culture Management Communication Staffing Retention and Succession Planning Staff Workload and Burnout 28
Ideal NRC Culture vs. Current Region I Culture Per Organizational Culture Inventory Ideal NRC Culture Current Region I Culture 29
Closing Remarks 30 Daniel Dorman Executive Director for Operations
Acronyms ARD Age-Related Degradation CETI Comprehensive Engineering Team Inspection CGD Commercial-Grade Degradation FEI Focused Engineering Inspection FEVS Federal Employee Viewpoint Survey ISI In-Service Inspection NMP National Materials Program NRC U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission NS Nuclear Ship RSAO Regional State Agreement Officer OCA Office of Congressional Affairs OPA Office of Public Affairs SLO State Liaison Officer 31