ML25085A385
| ML25085A385 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Issue date: | 04/07/2025 |
| From: | Hipolito Gonzalez NRC/NRR/DORL/LPL2-1 |
| To: | Pelton J Division of Operating Reactor Licensing |
| References | |
| EPID G-2024-AGN-0033 | |
| Download: ML25085A385 (12) | |
Text
April 7, 2025 MEMORANDUM TO:
Jamie Pelton, Acting Director Division of Operating Reactor Licensing Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation FROM:
Hipólito González, Chief /RA/
Plant Licensing Branch I Division of Operating Reactor Licensing Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation
SUBJECT:
SUMMARY
OF MARCH 24, 2025, INFORMATION PUBLIC MEETING ABOUT U.S. NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSIONS IMPLEMENTATION OF SECTION 505 OF THE ADVANCE ACT OF 2024 (EPID G-2024-AGN-0033)
On March 24, 2025, the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC or the Commission) staff from the Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation (NRR) held a public meeting to inform external parties of the implementation of Section 505 of the Accelerating Deployment of Versatile, Advanced Nuclear for Clean Energy (ADVANCE) Act of 2024 regarding nuclear licensing efficiency.
Section 505 of the ADVANCE Act (Section 505) requires the NRC to:
establish techniques and guidance for evaluating applications for licenses for nuclear reactors to support efficient, timely, and predictable reviews of applications for those licenses to enable the safe and secure use of nuclear reactors maintain the techniques and guidance by periodically assessing and, if necessary, modifying those techniques and guidance obtain approval from the Commission if policy formulation is needed to accomplish these provisions This public meeting focused on the objectives, attributes, and measures for licensing efficiency, predictability, and timeliness (LEPT) and various initiatives in place to meet Section 505.
The meeting notice and agenda are located at Agencywide Documents Access and Management System (ADAMS) Accession No. ML25080A137. The NRC staffs presentation slides are available at ML25079A237. A list of meeting attendees is provided in the enclosure.
CONTACT: Jack Minzer Bryant, NRR/DORL 301-415-0610
NRC staff started the meeting with introductions and then described the new NRC Mission Statement and how it maintained current NRC goals while driving towards efficiency. The NRC staff introduced the main provisions of Section 505 and how the intent of the act is being implemented not only in NRR, but also in the Office of Nuclear Material Safety and Safeguards (NMSS) and throughout the agency. The NRC staff gave an update on the following initiatives, which were discussed during the previous NRC public meeting on section 505 of the ADVANCE Act held on January 23, 2025 (ML25043A103):
Reactor Licensing Efficiencies and Processes (R-LEAP) initiatives Materials Licensing Efficiencies and Processes (M-LEAP) initiatives Risk-Informed Decision-Making (RIDM) related initiatives Specific licensing processes initiatives NRC staff emphasized the LEPT framework introduced during the previous public meeting held on January 23, 2025, and data-driven-decision-making throughout the meeting. Additionally, NRC staff referenced a memorandum titled Expectations for Licensing Efficiencies Identified During May 29, 2024, Licensing Workshop, (ML24278A002) was issued on January 21, 2025, to provide expectations for implementing near-term actions identified during the May 29, 2024, licensing workshop (ML24193A001).
The NRC staff described how the R-LEAP team is focusing on three current initiatives:
Metrics and Reactor Program System best practices and accountability Preapplication interactions Draft safety evaluations (SEs) with holes and supplemental licensee information (requests for addition information (RAIs) or requests for clarifying information)
And three future initiatives:
Streamlining SEs, Communications (i.e., clarifying vs. consulting), and Leveraging technology and artificial intelligence.
An individual from the Nuclear Energy Institute (NEI) asked the NRC staff how some of the targets of the metrics associated with the R-LEAP effort were developed. Specifically, how the license amendment review timeline associated with a consolidated line-item improvement process is being evaluated. The NRC staff noted that historical data is being used to develop metrics associated with generic milestones for projects. The individual from NEI followed up their previous question by asking how things will be different this time, regarding the NRC becoming more efficient. The NRC staff referenced how the ADVANCE Act is a bi-partisan congressional mandate to the agency and how the NRC staff recognizes the national need for an increase in power generation due to power needs of emerging technologies.
An individual from the Union of Concerned Scientists (UCS) referenced an NRC memorandum from June 27, 2017 (ML17130A714) and drew attention to the importance of the acceptance review phase of a licensing request. The NRC staff noted that the renewed emphasis on preapplication engagements and interactions can make for a more efficient acceptance review period by making what the NRC staff needs to see in an application more apparent.
An individual from the Columbia Generating Station asked if the NRC staff considers whether a preapplication meeting was conducted when assessing the impact of RAIs on the timeline of a licensing action review. The NRC staff responded that it is currently evaluating how it measures the effectiveness of pre-application engagement and will have a workshop in the future to share the data associated with those measures.
The NRC staff described the scope of the M-LEAP initiative and how the approach centers around:
Identification of common process efficiencies Identification of business line specific efficiencies Consideration of stakeholder comments Implementation of ideas with favorable return on investment An individual from NEI expressed appreciation that NMSS was taking initiative to adopt some of the principles that were incorporated into Section 505 of the ADVANCE Act. The individual asked if the actions taken by NMSS will be addressed in the NRC staff report to the Office of the Director for Operations (OEDO) on actions taken in response to Section 505. The NRC staff confirmed that the NRC staff report to the OEDO would address the actions taken by NMSS.
The NRC staff provided an update on the initiatives to enhance the use of risk informed decision-making (RIDM), including:
Internal NRC workshops, seminars, and trainings Joint NRR/Nuclear industry public workshops Enhancements to Appendix C of LIC-206 Expanding the Risk-Informed Process for Evaluation process An auditor from the Office of the Inspector General asked if the first bullet on slide 40 of the presentation, which says identify criteria to grade operating reactor licensing reviews, commensurate with risk and regulatory significance and technical complexity, is akin to an internal audit. The NRC staff noted that they are looking at ways of expanding RIDM and leveraging risk insights to form a graded perspective on the work that the NRC staff is doing.
This would result in assigning resources commensurate with the risk significance of the work and the safety significance of the issues.
An individual from NEI asked what criteria are for utilizing LIC-206 and the guidance associated with an NRC staff integrated review team. The NRC staff noted that the vision is to use the concepts in LIC-206 in every review and the project manager assigned to that review holding the review team accountable.
An individual from the UCS requested an example of a deterministic criterion that is used to determine an issue of low safety significance. The NRC staff responded with a description of how the five key principles of RIDM and how they are implemented during reviews of licensing actions. The individual from UCS followed up by asking how the NRC staff shows that a principle of RIDM, such as defense in depth, is maintained without having to go through a more detailed analysis. The NRC staff noted that it is the responsibility of the licensee to submit applications with appropriate details regarding risk information; it is the responsibility of the NRC staff to determine if the licensees analysis is sufficient.
The NRC staff provided an update on specific licensing process initiatives. Including:
Digital instrumentation and controls reviews Power uprates review readiness License renewal reviews Advanced and new reactor reviews An individual from Southern Nuclear Company asked the NRC staff to expound upon the best practices for increased pre-application interactions. The NRC staff noted that they are looking into the most efficient ways to consolidate existing guidance, making it more useful, and making it easily accessible. Additionally, the NRC staff noted that pre-application guidance and interactions would be a topic during a subsequent NRC workshop.
An individual from the UCS asked how the NRC staff is accounting for additional uncertainties in power uprate reviews that may result from other changes, such as higher burnup or higher enrichment rule making. The NRC staff noted that the power uprate reviews in the near term are expected to be consistent with previous reviews and staff will be evaluating any changes, regarding rulemaking, moving forward.
An individual from the Breakthrough Institute suggested the NRC staff hold a workshop in the future on the topics discussed and expressed appreciation for the question-and-answer periods during the meeting. The individual from the Breakthrough Institute suggested incorporating more dates into future presentations for the public to grasp the impact of what the NRC staff is working on. The NRC staff noted the recommendation and added that the meeting was an update on the initiatives introduced in the January meeting on the ADVANCE Act. The NRC staff further described the report to the OEDO and how that will describe some of the accomplishments of the efforts discussed.
At the end of the meeting, the NRC staff gave closing remarks. The industry representatives expressed anticipation for additional details and actionable items.
The enclosure provides the attendance list for this meeting.
Enclosure:
List of Attendees
Enclosure List of Attendees U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission Public Information Meeting on NRCS Implementation of Section 505 of the ADVANCE Act March 24, 2025 Name Affiliation Aaron McCraw U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC)
Ada Bowie NRC Adakou Foli NRC Adam Levin Unknown Adam Stein The Breakthrough Institute (TBI)
Alexander Schwab NRC Alissa Neuhausen NRC Alkhatib, Sari Unknown Amanda Leatherman NRC Amy Minor NRC Amy Moon Unknown Anderson, Victoria Nuclear Energy Institute (NEI)
Andrea Johnson NRC Angel Moreno NRC Angela Wu NRC Angelo Stubbs NRC Angie Buford NRC Anita Ghosh Naber NRC Ann Dumas NRC April Rice Unknown Ashley Smith NRC Ashley Waldron NRC Audrey Klett NRC Amy G. Aughtman Southern Company B. Cizin Unknown Ernest F. Bates Southern Company Beth Shelton Unknown Bill Rogers NRC Bill Von Till NRC Billy Gleaves NRC Blake Purnell NRC Maddie Blalock Environment & Public Works (EPW) (Senate)
Bob Pascarelli NRC Boby Abu-Eid NRC Andrew Bowman Westinghouse Nuclear Energy (Westinghouse)
Brian Harris NRC Brian Taylor NRC Brittany Lutz Nuclear Innovation Alliance Jesse S. Brown Constellation Energy Bryson Roberson Unknown Rob Burg Unknown John Butler NEI Alan Campbell NEI Carla Roque-Cruz NRC Carol Dye NRC Carol Moyer NRC Carolyn Fairbanks NRC Carolyn Wolf NRC Catie Szumski NRC Cayetano Santos NRC Caylee Kenny NRC Chace Allen Holtec International (Holtec)
Chris Markley NRC Chris Tyree NRC Christopher Rapson NRC Christopher Tan NRC Jamie Marquess Coleman Southern Company Cyril Draffin Unknown Dan Widrevitz NRC Dana Harrison NRC Daniel Ju NRC Daniel King NRC Dave Gasperson NRC David Coy NRC David Coy Unknown David Dijamco NRC David Gennardo NRC David Nold NRC David Wrona NRC Deann Raleigh Unknown Derek Scully NRC Derek Widmayer NRC Diana Diaz Toro NRC Diane Jackson NRC Dillon Allen Unknown Dinesh Taneja NRC Drew Childs NRC Dennis Earp Jr.
Duke Energy Eben Allen NRC Ed Miller NRC Edward Helvenston NRC Edwin Lyman Union of Concerned Scientists (UCS)
Ekaterina Lenning NRC Elena Herrera Torres NRC Emma Duncan NRC Eric Oesterle Unknown Esther Bryan NRC Eugene Dacus NRC Evan Davidson NRC Ewa Muzikova Unknown Falkiewicz, Timothy Florida Power & Light (FPL)
Fanta Sacko NRC Frankie Vega NRC Richard M. Garcia Unknown Cheryl Ann Gayheart Southern Company Gianna Porro NRC Gilberto Blas NRC Gordon Curran NRC Grace Pennington NRC Greg Oberson NRC Greta Knowles NRC Hakan Ozaltun NRC Hanry Wagage NRC Heath Baldner Unknown Ryan Donald Henderson Southern Company Matt Hendrickson Unknown Hipólito González NRC Hiruy Hadgu NRC Hsiang-Yuan Ho NRC Cameron Hughes Unknown Harley D. Hutchins Unknown Ilka Berrios NRC Ingrid Nordby Unknown Isaac Johnston NRC Jack Giessner NRC Jack Minzer Bryant NRC Jack Parrott NRC Jacob Kincer Unknown Jacob Zimmerman NRC James Delosreyes NRC James Downs NRC James O'Driscoll NRC James Smith NRC Jared Nadel NRC Jason Jennings Unknown Jennifer Beaton NRC Jennifer Dalzell NRC Jennifer Gutierrez NRC Jill Caverly NRC Jill Shepherd NRC Jo Ambrosini NRC Jo Jacobs NRC Jocelyn Rivera NRC John Bozga NRC John-Chau Nguyen NRC Jon Greives NRC Jonathan Evans NRC Joseph Rudd NRC Joy Jiang TBI Justin Donohoe NRC Katherine Tapp NRC Kevin Hayes NRC Kevin Hsueh NRC Kevin Myers Unknown Kimberly Manzione Holtec Spencer Klein NEI Kris Cummings Unknown L T Banks Unknown Phil Lashley Unknown Lauren Bryson NRC Lauren Quinones Navarro NRC Anthony Leshinskie Unknown Leslie Terry NRC Ryan K. Lighty Unknown Lucieann Vechioli Feliciano NRC Luis Betancourt NRC Luke Haeg NRC Lundy Pressley NRC Lydiana Alvarado NRC Manny Sayoc NRC Marieliz Johnson NRC Mat Burton NRC Lisa Matis Unknown Andrew Mauer NEI Joseph McManus Westinghouse Kim Medved Unknown Megan Wright NRC Meghan Thorpe-Kavanaugh Unknown Mehdi Reisi Fard NRC Michael Benson NRC Michael K Scarpello Unknown Michael Mahoney NRC Michael Markley NRC Michael Orenak NRC Michele Sampson NRC Michelle Hammond NRC Michelle Kichline NRC Mike Annon Unknown Ming Li NRC Mohamed M. Talaat Unknown Jill S. Monahan Unknown Monica Ford NRC Bruce Montgomery NEI Amy Moon Unknown Necota Staples NRC Ngola Otto NRC Nicholas McMurray Unknown Nicole Good Unknown Norbert Carte NRC On Yee NRC Ossy Font NRC Wendi E. Para Constellation Energy Patrick Donohue NRC Paul Lusardi Holtec Hannah E. Pell Constellation Energy Prosanta Chowdhury NRC Rachael Davis NRC Rani Franovich Unknown Raul Hernandez NRC Reinaldo Rodriguez NRC Ricardo Lantigua NRC Richard Guzman NRC Mark Richter NEI River Rohrman NRC Rob Mocko NRC Robert Armistead Unknown Robert Sun NRC Sabrina Atack NRC Sam Bina NRC Sam Cohen NRC Samantha Lav NRC Scott Burnell NRC Scott, Sara L Unknown Sean Meighan NRC Nate Senn Unknown Shana Helton NRC Shane Jurek Unknown Shannon Healy NRC Shao Lai NRC Shaun Anderson NRC Shayan Sinha Dominion Energy Shilp Vasavada NRC Shivani Mehta NRC Lisa A. Simpson Constellation Nuclear Patrick R. Simpson Constellation Nuclear Corina Sole Brito Unknown Amanda J. Spalding Westinghouse Stacey Imboden NRC Stephen Philpott NRC Kathy Franzone Unknown Steve Catron Certrec Steve Franzone Unknown Steven Alferink NRC Steven Pope Unknown Surinder Arora NRC Syed Haider NRC Tania Martinez Navedo NRC Terri McLaughlin NRC Theo Edwards NRC Thomas Buffone NRC Brett Titus NEI Todd Hilsmeier NRC Tom Lancaster NRC Tony Brown NRC Tony Nakanishi NRC Tony Sierra NRC Maribel Valdez FPL Jordan L. Vaughan Duke Energy Vic Cusumano NRC Victoria Huckabay NRC Jenny Weil Unknown Russell Douglas Wells Tennessee Valley Authority William Kennedy NRC William Roggenbrodt NRC Edith Williams Federal Emergency Management Agency Tim Wyant Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense Xander Bard Unknown Yeon Kim NRC Zach Turner NRC Andrew Zach EPW (Senate)
Zhian Li NRC
ML25085A385 NRR-106 OFFICE NRR/DORL/LPL2-1/PM NRR/DORL/LPL1/LA NRR/DORL/LPL1/BC NAME JMinzerBryant KEntz HGonzález DATE 3/26/2025 3/27/2025 3/31/2025 OFFICE NRR/DORL/D (A)
NAME JPelton DATE 4/07/2025