OIG-19-A-16, Status of Recommendations: Audit of NRCs Transition Process for Decommissioning Power Reactors Dated March 23, 2020

OIG-19-A-16-Status of Recommendations: Audit of NRCs Transition Process for Decommissioning Power Reactors Dated March 23, 2020

ML20083F395
Person / Time
Issue date:	03/23/2020
From:	Baker B NRC/OIG
To:	Margaret Doane NRC/EDO
References
OIG-19-A-16
Download: ML20083F395 (4)

Text

UNITED STATES NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION WASHINGTON, D.C. 20555-0001 OFFICE OF THE INSPECTOR GENERAL March 23, 2020 MEMORANDUM TO:

Margaret M. Doane Executive Director for Operations FROM:

Dr. Brett M. Baker /RA/

Assistant Inspector General for Audits

SUBJECT:

STATUS OF RECOMMENDATIONS: AUDIT OF NRCS TRANSITION PROCESS FOR DECOMMISSIONING POWER REACTORS (OIG-19-A-16)

REFERENCE:

DIRECTOR, OFFICE OF THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR FOR OPERATIONS, MEMORANDUM DATED MARCH 6, 2020 Attached is the Office of the Inspector Generals (OIG) analysis and status of recommendations as discussed in the agencys response dated March 6, 2020. Based on this response, both recommendations are closed; thus, all recommendations are now closed.

If you have questions or concerns, please call me at (301) 415-5915, or Mike Blair, Team Leader, at (301) 415-8399.

Attachment:

As stated Cc: C. Haney, OEDO D. Jackson, OEDO J. Quichocho, OEDO S. Miotla, OEDO RidsEdoMailCenter Resource OIG Liaison Resource EDO_ACS Distribution

Audit Report AUDIT OF NRCS TRANSITION PROCESS FOR DECOMMISSIONING POWER REACTORS (OIG-19-A-16)

Status of Recommendations Recommendation 1:

Update NRR [Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation] and NMSS [Office of Nuclear Material Safety and Safeguards]

decommissioning guidance to include the license transfer business model, the applicable items/recommendations of the Lessons Learned Report, and to further clarify the operating to decommissioning transition process.

Agency Response Dated March 6, 2020:

Agree.

In our September 19, 2019, response, we committed to develop a joint NRR and NMSS standalone interim guidance document for the license transition process that will address the new business models and the applicable items/recommendations of the Lessons Learned Report, and further clarify the transition process from operating to decommissioning status.

We have completed this commitment. The interim guidance for the transition of decommissioning reactors is enclosed.

This interim guidance addresses specific timelines and logistics involved in the transfer of responsibilities between the two offices (NRR to NMSS) through use of the Site-Specific Transition Checklist (enclosed) and a 2020 revision to COM-101, NRR Interactions with NMSS. A reactor shutdown may include a transfer of the license from one licensee to another. The interim guidance also addresses how a license transfer could be a part of the transition from NRR to NMSS. As part of this effort, we have piloted the interim guidance for several plant transitions.

Status:

Closed.

Audit Report AUDIT OF NRCS TRANSITION PROCESS FOR DECOMMISSIONING POWER REACTORS (OIG-19-A-16)

Status of Recommendations Recommendation 1(cont):

OIG Analysis:

OIG has reviewed the interim guidance discussed above and has determined the guidance meets the intent of this recommendation. Therefore, this recommendation is now closed.

Status:

Closed.

Audit Report AUDIT OF NRCS TRANSITION PROCESS FOR DECOMMISSIONING POWER REACTORS (OIG-19-A-16)

Status of Recommendations Recommendation 2:

Create and implement a formal project manager (PM) knowledge transfer process on decommissioning power reactors.

Agency Response Dated March 6, 2020:

Agree.

We also committed to providing an NRR and NMSS jointly developed PM knowledge transfer process for the transition of decommissioning reactors that would be incorporated into the standalone interim guidance document described above in Recommendation 1. We have completed this commitment. A description of the PM knowledge transfer process was incorporated into the enclosed interim guidance document. NRR and NMSS provided training on the interim guidance (December 2019) to all current PMs responsible for managing reactor decommissioning actions as part of the PM knowledge transfer process. This training will be offered to any new PMs assigned to either organization.

Status:

Closed.

NRR and NMSS will use this interim guidance to supplement their current internal reactor decommissioning license transition procedures until NRR and NMSS update their internal procedures on the reactor decommissioning transition process.

OIG Analysis:

OIG has reviewed the interim guidance discussed above and has determined the guidance and training meet the intent of this recommendation. Therefore, this recommendation is now closed.

Status:

Closed.