ML24016A252
| ML24016A252 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Issue date: | 02/02/2024 |
| From: | Raymond Furstenau NRC/EDO |
| To: | Feitel R NRC/OIG |
| Shared Package | |
| ML24030A502 | List: |
| References | |
| OIG I2100162 | |
| Download: ML24016A252 (3) | |
Text
MEMORANDUM TO: Robert J. Feitel Inspector General FROM: Raymond V. Furstenau Acting Executive Director for Operations
SUBJECT:
RESPONSE TO THE OFFICE OF THE INSPECTOR GENERALS SPECIAL INQUIRY INTO THE U.S. NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSIONS OVERSIGHT OF RESEARCH AND TEST REACTORS (OIG CASE NO. I2100162)
The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) staff has reviewed the special inquiry by the Office of the Inspector General (OIG) into the NRCs oversight of research and test reactors (RTRs) and has provided me with their findings regarding the report (Agencywide Document Access Management System (ADAMS) Accession No. ML23272A039). The Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation, the program office responsible for oversight of RTRs, evaluated each of the OIGs findings and observations in the special inquiry report and considered whether inadequate NRC oversight of RTRs led to a failure to identify and address problems with the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) test reactor and other RTRs to determine if further NRC action is warranted. This memorandum provides staff-recommended actions to take as a result of the OIG inquiry. The staff plans to implement the identified actions by October 31, 2024.
The staff determined that many of OIGs underlying observations had been previously identified by the staff as part of their self-assessment activities. In general, the staffs internal assessment of the NRCs RTR oversight program found no significant gaps; however, the staff did identify several enhancements to internal processes and procedures that could be implemented. Overall, the staff determined that the combination of site-specific licensing bases, a robust emergency response infrastructure, and the current oversight program are appropriately risk-informed and continue to provide appropriate protection to public health and safety and the environment for RTRs, which could be further strengthened with the implementation of certain RTR inspection program enhancements.
CONTACT: John Jolicoeur, OEDO 301-415-1642February 2, 2024 Signed by Furstenau, Raymond on 02/02/24
R. Feitel
The NRC staff acknowledges OIGs important role in the NRCs oversight of nuclear reactors, its efforts to assess the NRCs oversight program for the nations RTRs, and the importance of the findings documented in the OIG special inquiry report. External and internal assessments of NRC programs, such as the OIG report, offer valuable opportunities to gain insights and enhance the effectiveness and efficiency of our programs to protect public health and safety.
As enclosed, the staff offers responses and clarifying comments on the specific findings and observations of the OIG special inquiry, including recommended actions to further improve NRC oversight and guidance.
Enclosure:
As stated
cc: Chair Hanson Commissioner Wright Commissioner Caputo Commissioner Crowell
Package: ML24030A502 Memorandum: ML24016A252
Enclosure:
ML24017A135 NRR-106 OFFICE NRR/DANU/LA NRR/DANU/UNPL/BC NRR/DANU/D NRR/D NAME NParker HCruz MShams AVeil DATE 1/17/2024 1/17/2024 1/17/2024 1/18/2024 OFFICE OGC OEDO NAME SVrahoretis RFurstenau DATE 1/19/2024 2/2/2024