ML24313A016

M241114: Staff Slides - Briefing on Strategic Programmatic Overview of the Operating Reactors and New Reactors Business Lines

ML24313A016
Person / Time
Issue date:	11/14/2024
From:	NRC/OCM
To:
Shared Package
ML24276A191	List: ML24313A016 ML24313A179 ML24325A523
References
M241114
Download: ML24313A016 (1)

Text

Strategic Programmatic Overview of the Operating Reactor Business Line Commission Meeting November 14, 2024

Mirela Gavrilas Executive Director for Operations

Operating Reactors BL Panel 3

Mike Franovich

• Acting Deputy Director for Reactor Safety Programs and Mission Support Jamie Pelton

• Deputy Director, Division of Operating Reactor Licensing Lauren Gibson

• Branch Chief of the License Renewal Project Branch, Division of New and Renewed Licenses Meena Khanna

• Acting Director, Division of Risk Assessment 3

Mike Franovich Acting Deputy Director for Reactor Safety Programs and Mission Support Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation

Graded approach focuses on key safety-and risk-significant areas Innovative use of project management tools and data analytics Transforming communication approaches with stakeholders Implement core/integrated review teams Enable timely decision-making Adapt to fact-of-life changes Prioritize workload Enablers to success Delivering high quality products on schedule and within budget Deliver Safety-Focused Reviews Safety Security Mission Excellence 5

NRCs Operating Reactor Execution Leveraging data and experience to make the safe use of nuclear technology possible Revised more than 40 inspection procedures and Manual Chapters for Reactor Oversight Process enhancement.

Approved more than 190 industry transitions to risk-informed programs that decreased dose, increased operational flexibility, and increased timely maintenance.

Leveraging lessons from more than 170 power uprate amendments to optimize regulatory guidance for future submittals.

Enhanced subsequent license renewal reviews, initially resulting in around 4,000 less review hours per application.

Completed 95% of licensing action reviews within 125% of budget/schedule estimate, using mission analytics for greater efficiency.

Approved 6 Accident Tolerant Fuel submittals, safely supporting industry effort to continue rollout of near-term ATF technologies.

Averaged more than 450 public outreach activities per year, promoting knowledge transfer, improving communication and fostering stakeholder confidence.

Enhanced resident inspector training to produce full inspector qualification in approximately 15 months while maintaining quality.

6 Successful transition of Vogtle Units 3 & 4 to commercial operation.

Research and Operating Experience is Foundational to Reliable Regulation

Accelerating Modernization Efforts through ADVANCE Act Initiatives

• The ADVANCE Act is a catalyst that is stimulating creative approaches and accelerating efforts.

• Licensing Efficiencies (ADVANCE Act Section 505):

• Effective pre-application engagements and data utilization to optimize resource expenditures and efficiently execute established schedules

• Oversight Efficiencies (ADVANCE Act Section 507):

• Establish new baseline inspection program and assess cross-cutting issues using updated risk-informed, performance-based assessment 8

Jamie Pelton Deputy Director Division of Operating Reactor Licensing Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation 9

Palisades Potential Restart: A Benchmark for the Future 10 2023 2024 Palisades Restart Panel Charter Communications Plan Public website enhancements Public meetings ACRS and public meetings Restart inspection guidance issued Six licensing applications Environmental review ongoing Resident inspectors onsite Ongoing NRC inspections Two hearing opportunities 2025 Reactor Oversight Process (ROP) implementation Completion of licensing actions Make final decision for operation

Power Uprates: A Graded Approach 11

• Licensing Process Improvements

• Data optimized review process

• Guidance enhancements

• Dedicated Project and Core Team

• Project and Communications plan

• Core Team Charter

• Stakeholder Engagements

• Workshops and Pre-application

• Regulatory Issue Summary

Data Driven Licensing 12

• Real-time and Historical Data Analysis Tools

• Reactor Program System (RPS) licensing dashboards

• Request for Additional Information (RAI)

App

• Effort and Schedule Estimator (EASE) tool

• Metrics & Performance Evaluation

• Resource and timeline accountability

• Optimized performance metrics to maximize efficiency and resource utilization 2023 2024 Estimated Project Length (Months)

Note: Data based on NRR/DORL EPIDs excluding topical reports, COVID related actions, and actions without RPS estimate.

Lauren Gibson Branch Chief of the License Renewal Project Branch Division of New and Renewed Licenses Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation 13

14 Progress Shown with Comanche Peak License Renewal Comanche Peak Nuclear Power Plant, Units 1 and 2, renewed licenses were issued on July 30, 2024!

The review was completed 2 months ahead of schedule and 5,932 hours0.0108 days <br />0.259 hours <br />0.00154 weeks <br />3.54626e-4 months <br /> under budget.

Comanche Peak LRA Receipt Est: 23,000 hours0 days <br />0 hours <br />0 weeks <br />0 months <br />, 22 months Nov 2022 Commission SRM for a Roadmap Dec 2023 Staff License Renewal Roadmap + Supplement Mar/Apr 2024 Comanche Peak LR Issuance 17,068 hours7.87037e-4 days <br />0.0189 hours <br />1.124339e-4 weeks <br />2.5874e-5 months <br />, 20 months July 2024 Commission SRM 14,000 hours0 days <br />0 hours <br />0 weeks <br />0 months <br />, 18 months Aug 2024

New Graded Approach Being Applied (Tiered Approach) 15 Standard (High)

Modified (Medium)

Confirmation (Low)

Application Operating experience AMP basis documents System health reports Engineering analyses Implementing procedures Inspection and test results Corrective actions Application Operating experience AMP basis documents Discretion to review key details in other plant documents Application Operating experience Essential AMP details in AMP basis documents (e.g., key standards, inspection criteria)

AMP weighing factors High risk/safety significant SSCs Medium risk/safety significant SSCs Low risk/safety significant SSCs Limited or no reference to widely accepted standards GALL-SLR recommends significant augmentation of industry standards Mature plant programs with high degree of standardization No or minimal NRC oversight/visibility Moderate NRC oversight/visibility Robust NRC oversight/visibility No prior reviews Relies on some aspects of previous reviews Fully leverages previous reviews (initial license reviews or fleetwide programs)

Plant-specific AMPs or a high number/significance of exceptions to GALL-SLR Limited GALL-SLR inconsistencies Full GALL-SLR consistency Recent, novel, or reoccurring operating experience of degradation Operating experience shows average trends Absence of unexpected operating experience of degradation; or shows positive trends Depth of Review Factors Considered

Developing Tools to Enhance Administrative Efficiencies Dashboard View Checklist for Reviewers 16 Ability to Upload Files Directly PM/Tech Reviewer Communication

Tools Improved dashboards for project monitoring, decision-making, and communication Focus on planned vs.

actual resources Assessment How do we adapt Project Management best practices to a regulatory setting?

Which areas would have the greatest impact?

and beyond.

Enhance Project Management Skills and Application in all NRC Activities Training Principles of Project Management Leadership and Communication for Project Managers Additional PM Slide.pptx

Meena Khanna Acting Director Division of Risk Assessment Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation 18

Expanding the Use of RIDM Across the Business Lines 19 Guidance on alternative radiological source term for evaluating design basis accidents ASME Code Case N-752-risk-informed categorization and implementing alternative treatment for repair/replacement activities NuScale Standard Design Approval Application

Shearon Harris Nuclear Power Plant: Turbine Control System and Reactor Protection System Circuitry Palo Verde Nuclear Generating Station: Safety Injection Tank Advancing the Use of the Risk Informed Process for Evaluations (RIPE) 20

Balanced Approach to PRA Configuration Control 21 Completed

• Conducted tabletops

• Held public workshops and meetings

• Developed balanced approach for oversight of PRA configuration control

• Implemented OpE Smart Samples at five nuclear power plants Path Forward

• Conduct annual assessment of smart samples and adjust, accordingly

• Develop long-term PRA configuration control oversight plan

Becoming riskSMARTer NRC Industry Public Stakeholders International Community 22 21

Mirela Gavrilas Executive Director for Operations 23

Strategic Programmatic Overview of the New Reactor Business Line Commission Meeting November 14, 2024 24

Mirela Gavrilas Executive Director for Operations 25

New Reactors BL Panel 26 Greg Bowman

• Deputy Office Director for New Reactors Jeremy Bowen

• Director, Division of Advanced Reactors and Non-power Production and Utilization Facilities Michelle Rome

• Branch Chief, Environmental Technical Review Branch 1, Division of Rulemaking, Environmental, and Financial Support Christian Araguas

• Director, Division of Engineering 25

Greg Bowman Deputy Office Director for New Reactors Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation 27

Addressing more than 35 policy issues &

created more than 60 guidance documents 10 NRC/DOE MOUs focused on advanced reactor collaboration Developed 10 work plans &

issued 8 joint reports with Canada Completed more than 10 advanced reactor design computer models Engaged with 20+ vendors in licensing/

preapplication activities Held more than 140 public engagements a year on advanced reactor topics Completed Kairos Hermes 1 and ACU construction permit safety review faster than the generic schedule goal.

Statistics since 2018 Reviewed more than 90 topical report/white paper 33% faster than the generic schedule Accomplishments 28

Building on past success to enhance future efficiency Establishing a graded approach to focus on key safety-and risk-significant areas Innovating our use of project management tools and data analytics Transforming communication approaches with stakeholders Leveraging effective pre-application engagement Effectively implementing core/integrated review teams Adapting to fact-of-life changes Priorities for Sustaining Success in the New Reactor Business Line MISSION EXCELLENCE 28 Deliver Safety-Focused Reviews Safety Security

Implementation of the ADVANCE Act Develop And Implement Clear, Technology-inclusive Regulations And Guidance For New And Advanced Nuclear Reactors Asses Any Potential Modifications On The Regulatory Framework To Expedite And Streamline Licensing Reviews On Brownfield Sites Ensure We Have The Adequate Resources And The Technical Capacity We Need To Fulfill Our Role And Conduct The Review Of Applications In An Efficient Manner.

Revamp Engagement With Other Federal Agencies Efficient And Effective In Licensing Review Programs Reduction Burden For New And Advanced Reactor Applicants (I.E.,

Different Fee Structure) 30

Jeremy Bowen Director Division of Advanced Reactors and Non-power Production and Utilization Facilities Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation 31

1. AdvancedReactorReady 2024

• Part 53

• New reactors Generic Environmental Impact Statement

• Performance based emergency planning for SMRs Policy & Rulemaking Regulatory Guidance International Cooperation

• Advanced reactor content of application project

• RG 4.7, General Site Suitability Criteria for Nuclear Power Stations

• Microreactor licensing and deployment

• ONR joined agreement with CNSC

• Regulatory exchange on BWRX-300

• 3 new work plans initiated 32

Ensuring Safety Ahead of Schedule & Under Budget 33 Regulatory Review Project Planned Review Schedule Executed Safety Review Schedule

% Under Resource Estimate Kairos Hermes 1 21 months 18 months 6%

Kairos Hermes 2*

14 months 10 months 43%

ACU Molten Salt Research Reactor 22 months 21 months 13%

COLUMBIA Class Propulsion Plant 14 months 10 months 29%

• additional efficiencies gained by leveraging prior Hermes 1 review

Recent Experience Informing Current Execution Regulatory Review Project Generic NEIMA Milestone Planned Review TerraPower Kemmerer Unit 1 Construction Permit 36 months 27 Months NuScale US460 Standard Design Approval 42 months 24 months 20+ vendors engaged in pre-application activities with the NRC 33

Ensure Sufficient Staff Capacity Establish Appropriate Regulatory Landscape Communicate Effectively with Stakeholders Strive for Continual Improvement Effective Process Implementation 35 Evolving to Meet Future Demand

Michelle Rome Branch Chief, Environmental Technical Review Branch 1 Division of Rulemaking, Environmental, and Financial Support Office of Nuclear Material Safety and Safeguards 36

Matrix staffing Environmental center of expertise:

five realigned branches Congressionally mandated time and page limits Environmental impact statements:

24 months, 150-300 pages Environmental assessments:

12 months, 75 pages Commission direction License renewal initial environmental impact statement resource model set to 5,500 hours0.00579 days <br />0.139 hours <br />8.267196e-4 weeks <br />1.9025e-4 months <br /> and 18 months Fundamental Change Meeting our regulatory requirements with improved efficiency, timeliness, and predictability New, risk-informed approaches Hermes 2 environmental assessment vs.

Hermes 1 environmental impact statement:

60% fewer pages, 40% fewer resources, completed in approximately half the time 37

Expanding our Efficiency and Capacity Toolboxes RULEMAKING PROCESSES PEOPLE License Renewal Generic Environmental Impact Statement:

74% of issues generically dispositioned New Reactor Generic Environmental Impact Statement:

up to 80% of issues generically dispositioned Expanded Categorical Exclusions Rule:

1,000 staff hours savings per year Risk-informed technical scope:

potentially up to 20%

resource savings Non-Federal representatives for Endangered Species Act consultations:

50-80% resource savings per consultation Incorporation by reference:

up to 10-50 % fewer pages depending on available studies Fully staffed to FY25 levels (20 hires over 2 years):

86% of environmental staff are qualified Matrixed staffing to share lessons learned: 70% staff on Palisades Restart worked on Hermes 2 Knowledge management:

100% new staff with assigned mentors Potential rulemaking from 2023 NEPA Amendments: 6 new efficiency recommendations 38

Risk-informed Approach to Streamline Consultations and Strengthening Tribal Engagement FY24 Consultations 200 Tribes 27 Tribal meetings 486 letters Facilitate site visits and ensure Tribal monitors during ground disturbing activities Ensure licensees update procedures to protect cultural resources and traditional ecological resources Tell their story in our environmental documents Earlier and more meaningful resolution of tribal concerns 39

New!

One-stop shop external website New!

Online environmental review program blueprint Tailored in-person outreach and virtual meetings to reach broader and more remote audiences Streamlined comment aggregation processes for approximately 3,000 comments per year Using Technology to Prioritize and Expand Stakeholder Engagement 40

Christian Araguas NRC Standards Executive &

Director, Division of Engineering Office of Nuclear Regulatory Research 41

Consensus Codes & Standards are Essential to the NRC Licensing Process 42

• Firm foundation for regulatory stability

• Enable efficiencies from first-of-a-kind to large-scale, high-volume licensing Proven Value to NRC Licensing

• Staff from all Program Offices and most Regions participate in standards development organizations activities

• Coordination with 36 govt agencies, 12 SDOs, and industry organizations Robust Codes and Standards Program Annual NRC Fall Standards Forum Recent Accomplishments Expedited review of ASME BPV,Section III, Rules for Construction of Nuclear Facility Components, Division 5, High Temperature Reactors 5 endorsements of codes and standards supporting advanced reactors

Identifying Need for Program Enhancement 43

• Focus on large LWR designs

• Standards development and NRC endorsement worked sequentially

• Focus on deterministic approaches

• Resourced adequately for past needs Past

• Efficient engagement in standards development

• Innovative solutions to endorse advanced reactor codes and standards

• Incorporation of graded approaches using risk and performance-based insights

• Resources applied to highest priority standards informed by external stakeholder needs Future

• Growing focus on codes and standards for advanced reactors

• Endorsing codes and standards via rulemaking may not be timely for advanced reactors

• Desire for more technology inclusive codes and standards

• Need a resources strategy that addresses today's evolving codes and standards program.

Present

Key Codes & Standards Action Plan Components 44 Based on input from a broad range of stakeholders, identifying key areas for enhancement and expanded focus Plan consists of 17 actions falling within 3 program areas for improvement Focus is on increasing timeliness, efficiency, and promoting risk and performance-based insights Three timeframes: Swift Actions (1-yr), Intermediate Activities (2-4 yrs), and Program Enhancements Leverage Commercial Standards 17

Mirela Gavrilas Executive Director for Operations 45

46

Acronyms

• ACRS -Advisory Committee On Reactor Safeguards

• ADVANCE Act-Accelerating Deployment of Versatile, Advanced Nuclear for Clean Energy Act

• AMP-Aging Management Program

• ASME-American Society of Mechanical Engineers

• BL-Business Line

• CSNC-Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission

• EASE-Effort and Schedule Estimator

• GALL-Generic Aging Lessons Learned

• LMP-Licensing Modernization Plan

• LR-License Renewal

• LRA-License Renewal Amendment

• LWR-Light Water Reactors

• NMSS-Nuclear Material Safety and Safeguards

• NRBL-New Reactor Business Line

• NSIR-Office of Nuclear Security and Incident

Response

• ONR-Office of Nuclear Regulation in the United Kingdom

• OGC-Office of General Counsel

• OPA-Office of Public Affairs

• ORBL-Operating Reactor Business Line 47

Acronyms (cont.)

• PIRT-Phenomena Identification and Ranking Tables

• PRA-Probabilistic Risk Assessment

• PRP-Palisades Restart Panel

• PUR-Power Uprate

• RAAM-Reactor Accident Analysis Modernization

• RAI-Request for Additional Information

• RIDM 2.0-Risk Insight Decision Making

• RIPE - Risk Informed Process for Evaluations

• ROP-Reactor Oversight Program

• RPS-Reactor Program System

• RG-Regulatory Guide

• SDAA-Standard Design Approval Application

• SDP-Significant Determination Process

• SLR-Subsequent License Renewal

• SRM-Staff Requirements Memoranda

• SSC-Structures, Systems, and Components 48