ML24032A149
| ML24032A149 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Site: | 99902095 |
| Issue date: | 02/02/2024 |
| From: | David Williams Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation |
| To: | Jessup W Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation |
| References | |
| EPID L-2022-LRM-0048 | |
| Download: ML24032A149 (1) | |
Text
February 2, 2024 MEMORANDUM TO:
William Jessup, Chief Advanced Reactor Licensing Branch 1 Division of Advanced Reactors and Non-power Production and Utilization Facilities Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation FROM:
Donna Williams, Senior Project Manager /RA/
Advanced Reactor Licensing Branch 1 Division of Advanced Reactors and Non-power Production and Utilization Facilities Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation
SUBJECT:
SUMMARY
OF THE JANUARY 18, 2024, PARTIALLY CLOSED PUBLIC MEETING TO DISCUSS SEISMIC DESIGN CATEGORIZATION AND SITE CHARACTERIZATION FOR THE OKLO ADVANCED REACTOR DESIGN (EPID L-2022-LRM-0048)
Meeting Information:
Applicant: Oklo, Inc. (Oklo)
Project No.: 99902095 Public Meeting Notice Agencywide Documents Access and Management System (ADAMS)
Accession No.: ML24005A288 Applicant Presentation Slides: None NRC Staff Presentation Slides: ML24032A158 (Enclosure 3, proprietary)
Meeting Attendees: See Enclosure 1 for list of meeting attendees.
CONTACT: Donna Williams, NRR/DANU/UAL1 301-415-1322 Enclosures 2 and 3 to this letter contain proprietary information. When separated from the enclosures, this letter is DECONTROLLED.
W. Jessup 2
Meeting Summary:
The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) staff conducted the meeting in accordance with NRC Management Directive 3.5, Attendance at NRC Staff-Sponsored Meetings (ML21180A271). Highlights from the meeting included the following:
The purpose of the January 18, 2024, meeting was for the NRC staff to provide its preliminary observations on Oklo's approach to seismic design categorization and site characterization, as documented in Oklos white paper regarding these topics that was submitted for NRC staff review on November 3, 2023 (ML23307A221).
Oklo previously shared a draft of the white paper with the NRC staff in January 2023.
The NRC staff met with Oklo in February 2023 (ML23082A235) to provide its preliminary feedback on the draft white paper, ask clarifying questions, and share insights on the NRC staffs expectations for meeting the regulations related to seismic design and siting.
During a subsequent May 2023 meeting with Oklo (ML23220A434), NRC staff provided additional details regarding its position on the use of certain codes and standards and outlined additional information that Oklo would need to provide in future licensing submittals for the NRC staff to make its regulatory findings.
In response to feedback from the NRC staff during these interactions, Oklo updated the white paper and submitted it formally on November 3, 2023, for the NRC staffs review along with specific areas for which it is seeking feedback.
The NRC staff prepared a slide presentation (Enclosure 3, proprietary) to facilitate discussion during the meeting. The slides provided a summary of the NRC staffs perspectives on key technical and regulatory aspects of Oklos proposed approach for seismic design and site characterization, as reflected in the white paper.
The NRC staff stated that Oklo should consider submitting a white paper on its proposed methodology for obtaining site characterization information.
The NRC staff discussed the implications of using custom methodologies for addressing technical issues, such as seismic design and site characterization, noting that these approaches can increase regulatory risk and may also be more resource intensive from a review effort perspective.
The NRC staff acknowledged that the meeting discussions will assist the NRC staff in finalizing its feedback and observations on the white paper.
Oklo was informed that written feedback, including responses to Oklo's questions provided in Enclosure 2 of the November 3, 2023, white paper transmittal letter, will be issued shortly after the meeting.
Oklo stated that it would be helpful for the NRC staff to categorize the challenges identified as part of the NRC staffs review of the white paper. For example, which observations are policy issues, deviations from precedent, legal limitations, regulatory risks (e.g., requiring exemptions), or diverge from codes and standards?
W. Jessup 3
Oklo stated that it envisions further dialogue on this topic following receipt of the NRC staffs feedback and observations. Oklo may propose another engagement to align on what the combined license application will look like relative to these technical topics.
No regulatory decisions were made as a result of this meeting.
Enclosures:
- 1. List of Attendees
- 2. Meeting Notes (proprietary)
- 3. Staff presentation slides (proprietary)
ML24032A146 (Package)
ML24032A149 (Cover Letter and Enclosure 1)
ML24032A153 (Enclosure 2)
ML24032A158 (Enclosure 3)
NRR-106 OFFICE NRR/DANU/UAL1: PM NRR/DANU/UAL1: BC NRR/DANU/UAL1: PM NAME DWilliams WJessup DWilliams DATE 02/01/24 2/01/24 2/02/24
List of Meeting Attendees
SUMMARY
OF THE JANUARY 18, 2024, PARTIALLY CLOSED PUBLIC MEETING TO DISCUSS SEISMIC DESIGN CATEGORIZATION AND SITE CLASSIFICATION CHARACTERIZATION FOR THE OKLO ADVANCED REACTOR DESIGN (EPID L-2022-LRM-0048)
January 18, 2024 Name Organization Donna Williams U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC)
Michelle Hart NRC William Jessup NRC Reed Anzalone NRC Alex Siwy NRC Hanh Phan NRC Cliff Munson NRC Scott Stovel NRC Laurel Bauer NRC Tom Weaver NRC Jose Pires NRC Candace de Messieres NRC Trace Orf Oklo, Inc. (Oklo)
Ross Moore Oklo Maury Diane Oklo Emma Redfoot Oklo Alex Renner Oklo