ML21154A301
| ML21154A301 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Issue date: | 06/04/2021 |
| From: | Cowdrey C NRC/NRR/DRO/IOLB |
| To: | Chris Miller NRC/NRR/DRO |
| Litkett B | |
| References | |
| Download: ML21154A301 (7) | |
Text
June 4, 2021 MEMORANDUM TO: Christopher G. Miller, Director Division of Reactor Oversight Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation Signed by Cowdrey, Christian FROM: Christian Cowdrey, Chief on 06/04/21 Operator Licensing and Human Factors Branch Division of Reactor Oversight Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation
SUBJECT:
SUMMARY
OF THE 2021 ANNUAL COORDINATION MEETING ON NUCLEAR TRAINING TOPICS BETWEEN THE UNITED STATES NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION AND THE INSTITUTE OF NUCLEAR POWER OPERATIONS On May 11, 2021, the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) conducted a public observation meeting on training-related topics with the Institute of Nuclear Power Operations (INPO) via Microsoft teams and a teleconference call. This meeting was conducted in accordance with the NRC/INPO Memorandum of Agreement dated December 20, 2020. The purpose of the meeting was to discuss items of mutual interest concerning INPO's training program accreditation process and other initiatives. Participants included representatives of the NRCs Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation (NRR), NRC Regions II, III and IV Operations Branches, INPOs Workforce Training, Education and Proficiency Division, and members of the public.
Introductions and Opening Remarks The NRC and INPO both discussed the importance of nuclear training and qualifications, and the need to continue effective communication between the two organizations. The NRC discussed ongoing nuclear safety and efficiency initiatives related to the NRCs operator licensing program and the NRCs continued interest in the new INPO accreditation process.
INPO discussed organizational changes since the 2020 Coordination Meeting and its strategies associated with the revised the accreditation process.
Enclosures:
- 1. Meeting Attendee List
- 2. Meeting Agenda CONTACT: Bernard Litkett, NRR/DRO 301-415-3657
C. Miller 2 COVID-19 Response NRC The NRC provided updates on the implementation of the operator licensing process during COVID-19, including that in all but a few occasions, initial license operator examinations were completed as scheduled. The NRC was able to utilize the electronic information exchange and Operator Digitized Docket to ensure operator licensing actions could continue during the pandemic. The NRC issued several exemptions of requalification, medical, and fatigue rule requirements. These efforts helped ensure acceptable licensed operator availability and a continued licensed operator pipeline during the pandemic. Knowledge management sessions were held with NRC staff to obtain best practices and lessons learned on COVID-19 safety precautions.
INPO INPO stated that utility members continue to meet the Center for Disease Control prevention guidelines during the COVID-19 pandemic. Local conditions at each facility licensee are being monitored for COVID-19 impacts while safely maintaining licensed operator proficiency and continuing training. The use of distance learning, limited capacity at facilities, and personal protective equipment are some of the methods that the facility licenses are employing to mitigate the risks of COVID-19 in the workforce.
Accreditation Update INPO reported that 25 accreditation team visits (ATVs) and 22 remote National Nuclear Accreditation Boards (NNABs) for the operations and technical training programs were conducted between May 2020 and May 2021. INPO has an additional nine ATVs and 11 remote NNABs scheduled in 2021 for the operations and technical training programs. Last year, NRC observers attended most of the remote NNABs and an NRC observer remotely attended the operations ATV at Susquehanna Steam Electric Station.
The DaVinci initiative focused on worker improvements in knowledge and skills by 2023.
DaVinci has provided innovation at INPO with the use of a standardized remote board process that improves efficiency and allows remote observations from other personnel not normally included in the board process. The accreditation self-assessment report was replaced with the accreditation objective summary report as a means of streamlining the accreditation process.
The remote board process allowed for continued board activities during COVID-19.
INPO will focus on ensuring excellent performance for instructors and subject matter experts to reinforce station expectations in training. Self-assessment recommendations are used for standardizing tools for training improvement. The goals of the program are to identify any problems in a facility licensee training program and have the problem corrected and to verify the World Association of Nuclear Operators peer review program is effective at identifying areas for improvement.
The initial accreditation for Vogtle 3/4 operations and maintenance technical training was in 2012 and 2013. The next ATV for operations training will be in 2023. The next ATV for maintenance and technical training will be in 2025.
C. Miller 3 INPO continues to work with a small modular reactor supplier to consider how to accredit their training programs. The key decision point is whether the license holder or the contractor will be a member of the National Academy for Nuclear Training. INPO is holding quarterly phone conferences to consider which academy documents might have to change because of the technological differences. Until there is an actual owner identified, INPO does not have the ability to make a final decision on academy membership.
Regulatory Issues The NRC mentioned that Revisions 3 to NUREG-1122, Pressurized Water Reactors Knowledge and Abilities Catalogs and NUREG-1123, "Boiling Water Reactors Knowledge and Abilities Catalogs," were issued in September of 2020.
The NRC discussed the draft revision 12 of NUREG-1021, Operator Licensing Examination Standards for Power Reactors which consolidates and streamlines the examiner standards for ease of use and maintenance. This revision clarifies eligibility guidelines for licensed operators, improves guidance for critical tasks and creates a place holder for advanced reactor examinations (NuScale). Further, the revision reintegrates the generic fundamental examination (GFE) back into the site-specific written examination. The last GFE will be administered in September of 2021. Public comments have been incorporated into the draft NUREG and the final NUREG-1021 revision 12 is targeted for issuance in the fall of 2021.
There will be a 6-month transition period prior to using NUREG-1021 revision 12, as established by regulations.
The NRC provided an update on the status of operator licensing for the reactor Vogtle Electric Generating Plant Unit 3. Last year, the NRC issued approximately sixty licenses at Vogtle Unit
- 3. The next initial license operator training class is planned for March of 2022 The NRC discussed the advanced reactor human factors engineering (HFE) review status for HFE applications currently under staff review. The staff is currently engaged in several HFE and operator licensing initiatives related to Part 53 rulemaking for advanced reactors.
Industry Learning Activities INPO discussed stand-up courses that included leadership development courses. The discussion included common learning courses and e-learning for the National Academy for Nuclear Training e-Learning (NANTel). Courses support leaders at all levels of the facilities and incorporate principles for the first level supervisors to the board of directors. In 2020, many new courses were created and still incorporated the line of sight to core concepts. INPO is working with industry for future seminars.
INPO discussed development of training using NANTel. NANTel is a national web-based training system. NANTeL started in 2006 and has seen significant increases in usage over last year. The use of e-Learning has increased with over 70,000 utility workers participating and approximately 833,000 certifications completed using industry, INPO, and the Electric Power Research Institute developed courses. This allows workers at multiple locations to complete interactive, on-line training for site access, fitness for duty, and radiation protection. INPO stated that this type of training can support the needs of industry into the future.
C. Miller 4 Other Items of Mutual Interest Related to Training (NRC had no topics)
INPO provided an update on several National Academy for Nuclear Training document revisions. INPO discussed meetings, lessons learned, and workshops related to nuclear training that have been conducted with training managers, now held in a virtual format.
INPO discussed continuous monitoring and timely engagement and dedicated point of contacts with licenses when training issues occur. Plant evaluations, peer reviews, and training observations are used to help advance training to higher levels.
INPO discussed its forward strategy for teaching and learning associated with a 10-year plan through 2030. INPO will check and adjust its training accreditation activities over the next 10 years of implementation. The strategy will be shared with NRC when available.
Closing Remarks In closing, the NRC and INPO agreed that this meeting was productive and future meetings would continue. No final positions were taken during the meeting.
C. Miller 5
SUBJECT:
SUMMARY
OF THE 2021 ANNUAL COORDINATION MEETING ON NUCLEAR TRAINING TOPICS BETWEEN THE UNITED STATES NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION AND THE INSTITUTE OF NUCLEAR POWER OPERATIONS Dated: June 4, 2021 DISTRIBUTION:
CMiller,NRR RFelts,NRR CCowdrey,NRR BLitkett,NRR DJackson,RI GMcCoy,RII EGuthrie,RII PPelke,RII HGepford,RIV Accession number: ML21154A301 NRR-106 Office NRR/DRO/IOLB NRR/DRO/IOLB Name BLitkett CCowdrey Date 6/4/2021 6/4/2021 OFFICIAL RECORD COPY
NRC-INPO Coordination Meeting Webinar and Teleconference, May 11, 2021 ATTENDEES Nuclear Regulatory Commission Christopher Miller, Division of Reactor Oversight Division Director, NRR Russel Felts, Division of Reactor Oversight Deputy Division Director, DRO/NRR Christian Cowdrey, Branch Chief, Operator Licensing and Human Factors Branch, DRO/NRR Bernard Litkett, Operator Licensing and Human Factors Branch, DRO/NRR Eugene Guthrie, RII, Branch Chief, Operating License 2 Gerry McCoy, RII, DRS, Branch Chief, Operating License 1 Patricia Pelke, RIII, DRS, Branch Chief, Operating License Heather Gepford, RIV, DRS, Acting Branch Chief, Operating License Neil Sheehan, RI, Office of Public Affairs Siva Lingan, NRR, DORL/Licensing Branch 4, Project Manager Robert Krsek, Technical Assistant for Reactor Office of Commissioner Baran Institute of Nuclear Power Operations Robert Gambone, Senior Vice President, Workforce Training, Education and Proficiency George Manaski, Director, Industry Training and Proficiency Greg Ruppert, Manager, Training Kenny Christain, Director, Industry Learning James Caulk, Senior Evaluator Joyce Tomlison, Senior Evaluator Paul Magnuson, Corporate Secretary and Staff Assistant to the CEO Others connected via Teams John Conly, Certrec Corporation Lisa Edwards, Senior Project Manager at the Electric Power Research Institute Steven Dolley, Managing Editor, Inside NRC Enclosure 1
PUBLIC MEETING AGENDA
May 11, 2021, 02:00 pm to 04:00 pm Teams meeting and teleconference call Speaker 2:00 pm Introductions and opening remarks NRC/INPO 2:10 pm COVID-19 responses taken by NRC and INPO NRC/INPO 2:25 pm Accreditation and Da Vinci Update INPO Summary of accreditation, evaluation, and peer review activities Results of DaVinci self-assessments Initial accreditation Accreditation for small modular reactors 2:30 pm Regulatory Issues NRC Issuance of Revision 3 to NUREG-1122 and 1123, "PWR and BWR Knowledge and Abilities Catalogs" Proposed revision 12 of NUREG-1021, "Operator Licensing Examination Standards for Power Reactors" Vogtle Update Advanced Reactor HFE Review Status 2:50 pm Industry Learning Activities INPO Stand-up courses E-learning (NANTeL) 3:10 pm Other Items of Mutual Related to Training INPO (NRC has none)
Academy document revisions Meetings and workshops conducted Continuous monitoring Training focus areas Teaching and learning strategies 3:30 pm Public Input Including Questions Public 3:50 pm Closing Remarks NRC/INPO 4:00 pm Adjourn NRC/INPO Enclosure 2