– Source NRC –
The Nuclear Regulatory Commission today detailed an aggressive fall schedule with an agenda focused on safety and security. The new agenda follows a busy summer for the Commission, in which it moved forward on several proposed rules, received briefings on key programs, and completed work on important policy issues. Accomplishments included approving a comprehensive update of the Enforcement Policy; taking steps to enhance the Fuel Cycle Oversight Process and the licensing approach for small modular reactors; finalizing the update of the Waste Confidence Rule; and making progress on resolving an important reactor safety issue concerning sump performance, formally known as Generic Safety Issue 191.
"The Commission worked effectively throughout the summer to complete work on a number of important safety and security issues. In addition to our rulemaking, adjudicatory and policy work, we also participated in several international meetings and several emergency preparedness exercises. We sincerely appreciate the work of the NRC staff and active participation of the public, and we now look forward to an equally productive fall," said NRC Chairman Gregory B. Jaczko.
During the past several months, the Commission made progress on several important rulemakings. In addition to updating the Waste Confidence Rule, these included approving a final revision of the Part 110 rule on the export and import of nuclear equipment and material, and the issuance of a proposed rule for new security requirements for the use of category 1 and 2 quantities of radioactive materials (new Part 37). The Commission also moved forward with a proposed rule on security requirements for research and test reactors (Part 73).
The interagency Radiation Source Protection and Security Task Force, which the NRC chaired, completed and submitted its 2010 Report to the President and Congress in August. This report outlined significant steps that the agency and other task force members have taken since 2006 to enhance the security of domestic radioactive sources. It also provided additional recommendations for further improving source security.
This fall, the Commission will be tackling several safety and security issues for existing reactor and materials licenses, as well as proactively planning to address emerging issues.
As the staff continues safety reviews for new reactor licensing applications, the Commission also will be focusing on emerging oversight issues for potential new reactors. Briefings on alternative risk metric options for new light water reactors and the Construction Reactor Oversight Process are scheduled for later this fall. The Commission also expects to receive proposed amendments to AP1000 and ABWR reactor design certification rules from the staff.
Materials issues will remain a focus for the Commission throughout the rest of the year. An Oct. 20 meeting will focus on medical issues, with staff providing a broad overview on several ongoing initiatives. The Commission is currently completing work on the agency's waste blending policy, as well as measures to enhance source security initiatives, such as the National Source Tracking System.
Schedule of Upcoming Commission Meetings:
October
14 – Briefing on Alternative Risk Metrics for New Light Water Reactors
20 – Briefing on Medical Issues
26 – Briefing on Security Issues (Closed – Ex. 1)*
November
02 – Briefing on Equal Employment Opportunity and Small Business Programs
05 – Meeting with Advisory Committee on Reactor Safeguards
30 – Briefing on Security Issues (Closed – Ex. 1)*
December
16 – Briefing on Construction Reactor Oversight Process
21 – Briefing on Security Issues (Closed – Ex. 1)*