NRC Generic Letter 85-17, Availability of Supplements 2 and 3 to NUREG-0933, "A Prioritization of Generic Safety Issues"

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WASHINGTON, D. C. 20555

August 23, 1985

TO ALL LICENSEES OF OPERATING REACTORS, APPLICANTS FOR OPERATING LICENSES, AND HOLDERS OF CONSTRUCTION PERMITS (GENERIC LETTER 85-17)

Gentlemen:

SUBJECT: AVAILABILITY OF SUPPLEMENTS 2 and 3 TO NUREG-0933, "A PRIORITIZATION OF GENERIC SAFETY ISSUES"

This letter is to inform you that Supplements 2 and 3 to NUREG-0933, "A Prioritization of Generic Safety Issues," were published in January and July 1985, respectively. These supplements present the priority rankings for generic safety issues related to nuclear power plants. The purpose of these rankings is to assist in the timely and efficient allocation of NRC resources for the resolution of those safety issues that have a significant potential for reducing risk. The safety priority rankings of HIGH, MEDIUM, LOW, and DROP have been assigned on the basis of risk significance estimates, the ratio of risk to costs and other impacts estimated to result if resolutions of the safety issues were implemented, and the consideration of uncertainties and other quantitative or qualitative factors, as discussed in the Introduction of NUREG-0933. To the extent practical, estimates are quantitative. Although changes to nuclear power plant designs or operation are assumed, the sole purpose in prioritizing the issues is to estimate costs and other impacts that might result if such changes were implemented.

The priority rankings in the report are based on generic assessments, i.e.,

assessments of plants thought to be typical of a class of plants. Thus, the safety significance of an issue might be greater (or less) for a specific plant because of features of the design or operation that are different from those assumed in the generic assessments.

The supplements contain:

(1) the issues that have been resolved since the publication of NUREG-0933 Supplement l in July 1984;

(2) the issues that have been removed from further consideration by the NRC (i.e., those issues with LOW or DROP priority rankings); and

(3) the issues that are in the process of resolution (i.e., those issues nearly-resolved or with HIGH or MEDIUM priority rankings).

NUREG-0933 and its 3 supplements may be purchased by calling (202) 275-2060 or (202) 275-2171 or by writing to the Superintendent of Documents, U.S Government Printing Office, Post Office Box 37082, Washington, D.C. 200137082, or the National Technical Information Service, Department of Commerce, 5258 Port Royal Road, Springfield, VA 22161.

8508210259This letter does not contain any new requirements or guidance for licensees of operating reactors, applicants for operating licenses, and holders of construction permits. No reply is required. If you have any questions on the subject, please contact Ronald Emrit on (301) 492-4960.

Hugh L. Thompson, Jr., Director Division of Licensing Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation

cc: List of Generic Letters