ML25086A137
| ML25086A137 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Issue date: | 03/27/2025 |
| From: | Mark King, Philip Mckenna, Jamie Pelton NRC/EDO, Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation |
| To: | |
| References | |
| Download: ML25086A137 (1) | |
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NRCs Implementation of the ADVANCE Act Mike King Special Assistant for ADVANCE Act Implementation Jamie Pelton Deputy Director, Division of Operating Reactor Licensing, NRR Phil McKenna Deputy Director, Division of Reactor Oversight, NRR April 3, 2025
The Landscape Has Changed 2
Growing demand to support advanced tech Increased need for energy security Improved public perception
Overview of the Act Update mission statement and develop implementing guidance Enhance initiatives for efficient, timely, and predictable license application reviews Establish an expedited procedure for reviewing qualifying new reactor license applications Implement changes regarding fee recovery, including a reduced rate for advanced reactor applicants and pre-applicants 3
Overview of the Act Develop a regulatory framework for fusion technology Assess the licensing review process for new nuclear facilities at former fossil-fuel power plant sites and brownfield sites Implement new requirements relating to nuclear fuel Remove certain limitations on foreign ownership of some types of licensed facilities 4
Overview of the Act Continue to support international coordination on nuclear technologies and licensing activities Develop strategies and guidance for microreactors Establish a nuclear energy traineeship subprogram to meet critical mission and nuclear workforce needs Take appropriate actions on new pay and hiring authorities 5
The Core Team Mike King Special Assistant Owen Barwell Jack Giessner John Lubinski Chief Financial Officer Administrator, Region 3
- Director, NMSS Jessica Bielecki Assistant General Counsel 6
The Support Team Annie Ramirez Project Management Luis Betancourt Project Management Aaron McCraw Communications 7
Jessica Hammock Project Management
ADVANCE Act by the Numbers 8
30 Over Public meetings held to engage interested parties on ADVANCE Act topics 36 Actions tasked related to the ADVANCE Act (9 completed as of March 26) 30 Submissions from the public related to the ADVANCE Act 20 Agency project teams formed to address actions Over 130 Over Ideas from the NRC staff related to the ADVANCE Act
Section 501 - ADVANCE-ing the Mission 9
NRC Mission Statement The NRC protects public health and safety and advances the nations common defense and security by enabling the safe and secure use and deployment of civilian nuclear energy technologies and radioactive materials through efficient and reliable licensing, oversight, and regulation for the benefit of society and the environment.
10 Section 401 - Report on Advanced Methods of Manufacturing and Construction Benefited from public input to explore alternatives beyond the traditional reliance on nuclear codes and standards Identified development of additional guidance for emergent technologies as action to enhance efficiency in staff reviews and provide greater clarity to applicants Examined accelerating the endorsement process to provide regulatory predictability for applicants using code-approved innovative manufacturing techniques and materials
Focused technical review level:
30% resource savings for subsequent license renewals Enhanced resource analyses: 5500-hour model for reactor renewal environmental impact statements Leveraging MOUs on over 1/2 of new reactor projects: 50% resource saving when other agencies lead consultations 11 Section 506 - Modernization of Nuclear Reactor Environmental Reviews
Other Milestones of Interest 12 Signed Memorandum of Understanding with DOE on advanced nuclear fuels, as required by Section 404 December 12, 2024 Issued report on new hiring and pay authorities to Congress, as required by Section 502 December 17, 2024
Consistent with the Spirit of the Act 13
- Revised inspection manual chapter for light-water reactors
- Provides clear expectations and best practices to monitor technical support between Headquarters and Regions
- Helps ensure timely resolution of low-level safety issues
- Issued memo on expectations for reactor licensing efficiencies
- Disciplined, safety-focused, risk-informed reviews
- Enhanced pre-application engagements
- Establishing effective metrics to track the timely completion of licensing actions, inspections, resolution of low-level issues and differing professional views
Section 505 - Nuclear Licensing Efficiencies
- Licensing Efficiencies and Processes (LEAP) teams
- Leveraging our licensing experience on power uprates requests
- Streamlining license renewal reviews
- Improving project management processes and techniques 14 Upcoming Actions of ACRS Interest
Section 507 - Improving Oversight and Inspection Programs
- Comprehensive review of the NRC's Reactor Oversight Process including security
- All performance indicators (17 total)
- All inspection procedures (42 total)
- Interim changes to reactor safety inspections frequency & scope based on industry performance
- Frequency, schedule, and content of security inspections
- Treatment of white findings
- Inspection preparation and documentation enhancements 15 Upcoming Actions of ACRS Interest
16 Future Actions of ACRS Interest Section 207 Combined license review procedure Tasking due Sept 2025 Section 206 Brownfield sites Final action due Jul 2027 Section 208 Micro-reactor framework Final action due Jul 2027
How to Follow Our Progress Follow NRCs ADVANCE Act implementation with this Dashboard 17
How to Stay Engaged For NRCs public meeting information on ADVANCE Act activities 18
How to Ask Questions and Submit Ideas Contact us with ADVANCE Act questions, comments, and ideas 19
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