ML25349A056
| ML25349A056 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Issue date: | 12/14/2025 |
| From: | Brian Benney NRC/NRR/DRO/IOEB |
| To: | Philip Mckenna NRC/NRR/DRO |
| References | |
| Download: ML25349A056 (0) | |
Text
December 14, 2025 MEMORANDUM TO:
Philip McKenna, Acting Director Division of Reactor Oversight Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation FROM:
Brian Benney, Reactor Operations Engineer Generic Communications and Operating Experience Branch Division of Reactor Oversight Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation
SUBJECT:
SUMMARY
OF THE REACTOR OVERSIGHT PROCESS BIMONTHLY PUBLIC MEETING HELD ON NOVEMBER 19, 2025 On November 19, 2025, the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) held its bimonthly public meeting with the Nuclear Energy Institutes (NEIs) Reactor Oversight Process (ROP)
Task Force executives, senior industry executives, and external stakeholders to discuss the staffs progress on initiatives related to the ROP. The meeting notice and agenda are located at ML25323A004.
The meeting discussed some of the proposed revisions that will go into the notation vote SECY to the Commission for the recommended revision to the ROP Baseline Inspection Program, including: the proposed engineering inspection procedure, the proposed problem identification and resolution team inspection procedure, radiation protection inspection procedure updates, an update to the emergency preparedness significance determination process (SDP), and an overview of the revision to the NRCs Differing Views Program (DVP). These changes aim to enhance the efficiency, clarity, and risk-informed nature of NRC inspections and findings, while maintaining a strong commitment to public health and safety.
Engineering Inspection Procedure Changes A draft of the proposed engineering inspection procedure (IP 71111.21A) was introduced and available in ADAMS (ML25303A281), referencing several previous inspection procedures such as those for power-operated valves (POV), environmental qualification (EQ), and commercial grade dedication (CGD), offering a more flexible, targeted approach to inspecting specific systems, structures, and components.
Industry continued to stress open and frequent communications to ensure licensees can properly prepare for inspections.
Problem Identification and Resolution Inspection Procedure Changes
Proposed updates to the Problem Identification and Resolution (PI&R) procedures were also discussed, including increased sample sizes and more flexible team inspections. The staff discussed the changes to IP 71152, Problem Identification and Resolution (PI&R) as well as the new inspection procedure IP 93816, Problem Identification and Resolution (PI&R) Team Inspection. Draft versions of the IPs are available in ADAMS (IP 71152 - ML25311A092, IP 93816 - ML25314A002). Specifically, the baseline portion of the inspection (IP 71152) includes baseline PI&R reviews, semi-annual trend reviews, and annual followup samples of selected issues. The annual followup samples were increased to 7 samples and the resource estimate was increased to 90 hours0.00104 days <br />0.025 hours <br />1.488095e-4 weeks <br />3.4245e-5 months <br />. Portions of the team inspection are included as optional annual followup samples (i.e., operating experience, self-assessments and audits, and safety conscious work environment). The staff discussed that the team inspection is implemented based on entry criteria and regional administrator approval. The staff also discussed that the circumstances that led to the implementation of the team inspection would direct the scope of the inspection. The scope would be documented in the charter, which also requires regional administrator approval.
Radiation Protection Inspection Program Changes The proposed update to the Radiation Protection Inspection Program includes substantial revisions, including a 30% reduction in inspection hours and a revision to the entire IP 71125 series. These changes reflect a more risk-informed, performance-based approach and are designed to reduce unnecessary burden while maintaining oversight effectiveness.
Documentation of Findings The staff presented a proposed revision to the documentation process for Green and Severity Level IV non-cited violations which may currently go into effect in 2026.
Emergency Preparedness Significance Determination Process Revisions The staff presented an update to the revised Emergency Preparedness SDP, which now emphasizes planning standards with direct safety implications and encourages the use of technical judgment in evaluating inspection findings.
NRCs Differing Views Program In addition to the ROP updates, the NRC presented changes to the DVP, in response to the ADVANCE Act Section 507. The revised DVP reinforces the importance of early engagement and open dialogue, requiring staff to use informal discussions and the Open-Door Policy before initiating formal Nonconcurrence or Differing Professional Opinion (DPO) processes. A new Safety Significance Determination Tool (SSDT) will help prioritize concerns based on their potential safety impact, ensuring that resources are focused on the most critical issues.
The DVP revisions also introduce fixed timelines for resolving differing views, a one-touch approach to avoid reprocessing previously addressed issues, and greater flexibility in how review panels are formed. These changes aim to foster a respectful, collaborative work environment while ensuring timely, risk-informed decision-making.
ROP Baseline Inspection Program Changes
A detailed ROP transition timeline was presented, outlining key milestones through early 2026.
These include the issuance of revised inspection procedures, inspector training sessions, and the formal implementation of the updated ROP baseline inspection program, pending Commission approval. The NRC emphasized that while some inspections may be deferred or adjusted during the transition, core oversight responsibilities will continue without interruption.
ROP Performance Indictors NEI introduced a topic about the potential to review certain current ROP Performance Indicators (PIs) like Unplanned Scrams with Complications and the Mitigating Systems Performance Index (MSPI). The staff stated that this will be one of the next efforts in revising the ROP in accordance with the ADVANCE Act Section 507 and EO 14300.
The Next ROP Meeting The next regularly scheduled ROP bimonthly public meeting is tentatively scheduled for January 29, 2026.
Communicating with the NRC Staff At the start of all ROP public meetings, the project manager provides contact information for the public to use to provide their name and affiliation as a participant in the meeting. This contact information is also provided for submitting questions and comments to the NRC staff. Please note that any questions and/or comments pertaining to the ROP can be sent to Mr. Brian Benney at Brian.Benney@nrc.gov. The Contact Us about ROP page on the ROP public website can also be used to submit questions and comments regarding the ROP (https://www.nrc.gov/reactors/operating/oversight/contactus.html).
Conclusion The industry representatives expressed appreciation for the open dialogue and willingness of NRC staff to hear industry views. The NRC management stressed the importance of the NRC being focused on providing reasonable assurance of public health and safety when considering changes to the ROP.
The enclosure provides the attendance list for this meeting.
Enclosure:
As stated
- via email OFFICE NRR/DRO/IOEB NRR/DRO/IRIB NRR/DRO NAME BBenney HJones PMcKenna DATE 11/25/2025 12/3/2025 12/14/2025 Enclosure LIST OF ATTENDEES REACTOR OVERSIGHT PROCESS BIMONTHLY PUBLIC MEETING November 19, 2025 - 9:00 AM to Noon NAME Organization1 Aaron McCraw NRC Adam Craig NRC Adam Nielsen NRC Stephanie Y. Agee SOUTHERN CO Alan Konkal NRC Alec Hobbs NRC Alex Garmoe NRC Allen Fulmer DOMINION ENERGY Leyna Alvarez FPL Amanda Mivanyi NRC Amar Patel NRC Ami Agrawal NRC Amy Chamberlain SNC Victoria Anderson NEI Andrea Johnson NRC Andrew Siwy NRC Angela Guieb NRC Anthony Jones NRC Anthony Smallwood NRC Avinash Jaigobind NRC Balla Barro NRC Bernadette Baca NRC Bill Rautzen NRC Bill Stuckart NRC Laura Boyce DUKE-ENERGY Brad Bishop NRC Brian Benney NRC Brian Bowker NRC Brian Kwiatkowski NRC Bridget Curran NRC Kristopher Brigman LUMINANT Brittany Ford NRC Bryan Gagnon EVERGY Rob Burg EPM-INC John Butler NEI 1 Unknown organization indicates that the participants affiliation was not provided by the issuance of this meeting summary.
2 Brandy Lynn Campbell DUKE-ENERGY Gabriel Patrick Carolus SOUTHERN CO Casey Smith NRC Caty Nolan NRC Charity Pantalo NRC Charles Murray NRC Cherish Alston NRC Chris Swisher NRC Christine L Vann DTE ENERGY Christopher Highley NRC Christopher Tan NRC Christopher Thornton Unknown Carl James Collins SOUTHERN CO Jeff J Connors XCEL ENERGY Daniel D. Cook ENERGY-NORTHWEST Cordie Dorman NRC Corey Thiessen EVERGY Craig Kontz NRC Eli Crosby III VISTRA CORP Ronald Edward Cureton DUKE-ENERGY Curtis Wynar NRC Dan Bradley NRC Dan Geary NRC Daniel Ju NRC Dariusz Szwarc NRC Darrell Neal NRC Dave Gasperson NRC Dave Solorio NRC David Burgess NRC David Garmon NRC David Hills NRC David Renn TVA David Restrepo NRC David Strickland NRC Deann Raleigh CURTISS-WRIGHT Derek C Corrin DTE ENERGY Derrick Jung NRC Don Johnson NRC Douglas Bollock NRC George Dujanovic VISTRA CORP Zachary K. Dunham ENERGY-NORTHWEST Dustin Hamman EVERGY Edwin Lyman UCS Elba Sanchez Santiago NRC Kevin Michael Ellis DUKE-ENERGY
3 Christina England DOE Eric Brothman NRC Eric Frank DTE ENERGY Eric Iliyev NRC Eric Magnuson NRC Eric Miller NRC Eric Stamm NRC Erin Brady NRC Erin Carfang NRC Estelle Kwindja NRC Eucherius Rosario NRC Cecil Alexander Fletcher II DUKE-ENERGY Carlos Flores CONSTELLATION Frances Ramirez NRC G. Edwards Unknown Cheryl Ann Gayheart SOUTHERN CO John Giddens ENTERGY Mason Gilbert VISTRA CORP Gillen Nelson NRC Glenn Dentel NRC Luke Alexander Greene TVA Greg Warnick NRC Gregory S Anderson DTE ENERGY Gregory Stock NRC Heather Jones NRC Matt Hendrickson OREGON Ijaz Hafeez NRC Isaac Wang NRC Ismael Garcia NRC Jack Bell NRC Jacqwan Walker NRC Jared Nadel NRC Jason Carneal NRC Jason Draper NRC Jason Morgan NRC Jason Schussler NRC Jay Robinson NRC Jazmin Flores NRC Jeff Bream NRC Jeff Rady NRC Jennifer Beaton NRC Jennifer Dalzell NRC Jim Beardsley NRC Jimmy Chang NRC Joel Miller NRC
4 John Gidden ENTERGY John Hughey NRC Johnny Hoang NRC Derrick Johnson STPEGS Jonathan Fiske NRC Jonathan Lizardi-Barreto NRC Jonathan Montgomery NRC Jonathan Rivera NRC Jose Diaz NRC Joseph Cunningham NRC Josh Rhodes NRC Joshua Turner EVERGY Joylynn Quinones-Navarro NRC Julio Lara NRC June Cai NRC Justin Bouknight DOMINION ENERGY Justin Copeland NRC Justin Wearne PSEG Keller Unknown Kenneth Kolaczyk NRC Kevin Fay NRC Kevin Hsueh NRC Khaing Hsu Wai NRC Anthony Kledzik VISTRA CORP Kobe Oley NRC Melisa Krick TALEN ENERGY Kris Cummings CURTISS-WRIGHT Kris Smetana NRC Kyle Lei NRC Lance Day NRC Larry Jones NRC Larry Wilson DOMINION ENERGY Lauren D Helstosky DOMINION ENERGY Bruce Legge DOE Leslie Tapia Andrade NRC Lindsay Merker NRC Roy Linthicum CONSTELLATION Lou McKown NRC Luis Colon Fuentes NRC Lundy Pressley NRC John Lupoe FPL Kassie Mandrell LUMINANT Manuel Crespo NRC Marc Ferdas NRC Marcus Riley NRC
5 Mark Franke NRC Marlena Tatkowski NRC Molly Marsh CONSTELLATION Martin Phalen Unknown Matt Endress NRC Matt Rich NRC Matt Young NRC Matthew Hardgrove NRC Andrew Mauer NEI Maureen Conley NRC Ricardo Medina TVA Megan Gangewere NRC Mel Gray NRC Melendez Asensio Enrique CSN Meryem Murphy NRC Michael Benson NRC Michael K Scarpello AEP Michelle Bales NRC Michelle Kichline NRC Miguel Hernandez NRC Molly Keefe-Forsyth NRC Jill S. Monahan PSU Jason Scott Mote SOUTHERN CO Musab AbuHamdan NRC Muzammil Siddiqui NRC Myla Ruffin NRC Naeem Iqbal NRC Natasha Greene NRC Nathan Denney NRC Nicholas A Latzy DTE ENERGY Nick Bakker NRC Nicole Good STARS ALLIANCE Nikki Warnek NRC Noelani A Jamieson DTE ENERGY Steven P. Norris NPPD Lane Oberembt CONSTELLATION Robert Oesterle VISTRA CORP James Orr CONSTELLATION Kari Osborne SOUTHERN CO William Partridge VISTRA CORP Paula Cooper NRC Pauline Braxton NRC Monica Renee Peak ENTERGY Hannah Pell CONSTELLATION Philip Alier NRC
6 Philip McKenna NRC Priscilla Wu NRC Stephenie Pyle ENTERGY Rachel Qian NRC Raymond Ng NRC Rebecca Sigmon NRC Rebecca Susko NRC Reinaldo Rodriguez NRC Riley Maynard NRC Robert Dorsey EVERGY Robert Williams NRC Andrew Rode FPL Rodney Fanner NRC Matthew Rossi CONSTELLATION Roxanne Vonhabsburg DTE ENERGY Rudolph Chan NRC Sam Cohen NRC Sam Graves NRC Sam McClay NRC Samantha Matthews NRC Sandra Mendez NRC Sarah Bakhsh NRC Sara L Scott XCEL ENERGY Seamus Flanagan NRC Sebastien Bruneau NRC Carrie J Seipp XCEL ENERGY Brian Christopher Senter SOUTHERN CO Shane Sandal NRC Shawn Kirven STARS ALLIANCE Shayan Sinha DOMINION ENERGY Shilp Vasavada NRC Carlos Sisco WINSTON & STRAWN Erin S Smith AMEREN Micheal SMITH NEI Mike Smith NRC Amanda Sorensen PGE Jeffrey R Sowa TVA Stephanie Morrow NRC Stephanie Roche Rivera NRC Steve Downey NRC Sheryl Sweet FPL Tammie Rivera NRC Sarah E Temple SOUTHERN CO Tim Barvitskie NRC Tim Marshall NRC
7 Timothy Hooker NRC Brett Titus NEI Tom Stephen NRC Jordan Tyman PGE Wendi Para CONSTELLATION Michael Whitlock NEI David Young NEI Zach Fleming NRC Sean Zalesky NEI