ML24031A554
| ML24031A554 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Issue date: | 02/06/2024 |
| From: | Russell Felts NRC/NRR/DRO |
| To: | |
| References | |
| Download: ML24031A554 (1) | |
Text
Operator Licensing-Navigating the Future Russell Felts Director, Division of Reactor Oversight February 6, 2024
The NRC is sustaining our transformation progress and applying our values to successfully navigate the future.
Be risk SMART Navigating the future Use Principles technology of Good (e.g., data Regulation analytics)
We are engaging in key activities to help prepare for the future of operator licensing program activities.
- Effectiveness review for NUREG-1021, Revision 12
- Opportunities for public engagement
- OL public meetings
- Annual NRC and INPO public meeting
- Workshops
- Lessons learned efforts
- Engagement with the NRC regional and HQ staff
Questions?
NRR Operator Licensing Program Office Update Lauren Nist Chief, Operator Licensing and Human Factors Branch February 6, 2024
Topics
- NRC Website Updates / Reminders
- Exam trends dashboard
- Operator Licensing Program feedback
- Written examination outline generator and exam development tools
- Ongoing and Future Activities
- Program office functions
- Effectiveness Review for NUREG-1021, Rev. 12
- Draft NUREG-1021, Rev. 13
- Preparing for advanced reactors
Exam Trends Dashboard
- The NRC public website now has a dashboard displaying exam results and trends per fiscal year
- This supersedes the static PDF document (ADAMS ML23082A071) that we updated annually and is available
- Note: documents identified by an ADAMS ML number are accessible through https://www.nrc.gov/reading-rm/adams.html
Operator Licensing Program Feedback (OLPF)
- OLPFs answer questions about operator licensing topics and are organized according to NUREG-1021 section, IP 71111.11, simulator, and general topics
- If you have a new question, you can contact the program office via https://www.nrc.gov/reactors/operator-licensing/contact-us.html
Outline Generator A written exam outline generator (shown below) is now in use:
Exam Development Tools
- We plan to make the outline generator available on the NRC website soon
o https://www.nrc.gov/reading-rm/doc-collections/nuregs/staff/sr1122/r3/index.html o https://www.nrc.gov/reading-rm/doc-collections/nuregs/staff/sr1123/r3/index.html o https://www.nrc.gov/reading-rm/doc-collections/nuregs/staff/sr2103/index.html
- Excel versions of NUREG-1021 forms are also available:
o https://www.nrc.gov/media/reading-rm/doc-collections/nuregs/staff/sr1021/r12/sr1021r12forms-xlsx.zip
Core program office functions
- Annual examination audits and regional office reviews
- Exam administration support to regions
- NRC and INPO annual activities
- Biennial examiner training
- Informal NRC staff reviews / appeals
- Resolve policy and other issues
- Review exemption requests and other requested licensing actions related to
- Support NRC international activities related to operator licensing
- Engagement with stakeholders
- All of you, NEI, other industry reps
- Facility medical staff
Effectiveness Review for NUREG-1021, Rev. 12
- Monitors the use of new and revised instructions and guidance to determine if additional actions are needed
- For example, training or clarification of guidance for future revisions
- Checks for unexpected outcomes
- Assess whether resources invested were justified
- Most data collection will end this year, and some will continue through 2027
- Interim report (September 2023) is available at ADAMS ML23304A006
- Effectiveness Review plan is available at ADAMS ML23236A119
Draft NUREG-1021, Rev. 13 The Alignment of Licensing Processes and Lessons Learned from New Reactor Licensing is a proposed rule under Commission consideration*
- Clarifies plant-referenced simulator and allows in-plant JPM alternatives for plants under construction
- Allows waiver requests for exam/test requirements when applicant applies for a license for unit(s) of same design
- Requires maintaining applicants KSAs when significant time gaps exist between initial examination and requal participation
- Includes draft regulatory guidance for proposed rule:
o Draft RG-1.149, Rev. 5 (covers ANSI/ANS-3.5-2018) o Draft NUREG-1021, Rev. 13 (limited changes to support implementing rule changes)
Preparing for advanced reactors
- For new facilities, NRC staff review control room designs and submittals related to operator licensing, training, and organizational requirements
- Reviews are underway for submittals from developers such as X-energy, TerraPower, Westinghouse, Oklo, General Electric, HOLTEC, Kairos, and NuScale
- Ongoing stakeholder engagements on topics like flexible plant operations (e.g., grid load following, H2 production, etc.), artificial intelligence, simulation technologies, advanced digital interfaces, remote and autonomous operations, and cold licensing of operators
Preparing for advanced reactors (continued)
The Part 53 proposed rulemaking is with the Commission
- Provides a redesigned framework for staffing, personnel qualifications, training programs, operator licensing examinations, and human factors
- Includes provisions for load following, online refueling, customized staffing, engineering expertise, facilities administering exams, and tailoring of exams
- Introduces a new type of operator that would be licensed under a general license at certain facilities
- Preliminary rule and guidance available via https://www.regulations.gov/docket/NRC-2019-0062/document
Questions?
Requalification Inspection Trends and OpE Brian Tindell, Reactor Engineer
There are no significant issue trends for the biennial inspection.
9 8
7 6
5 4
3 2
1 0
2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 Medical Security Simulator Exam Quality Reactivation Failure Rate Totals
Total biennial findings have continued to trend down while ROP findings have stabilized.
1200 9 8
1000 7
800 6 5
600 4
400 3 2
200 1
0 0 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 ROP Findings Requal Findings Linear (Requal Findings)
All 71111.11 findings from past 3 years were licensee-identified except for one.
- LIV - Failure to have medical exam within 2 years
- LIV - simulator data transmitted outside the envelope for examination security
- SLIII - Inaccurate medical information to NRC
- LIV - Failure to notify NRC of need for glasses
- NRC IDd Green 71111.11Q - Failure to promptly correct EOP
NRR staff is updating inspection guidance.
- Administrative
- Fundamentals
- Problem Identification and Resolution