NRC Region I Lessons Learned

Steve BarrSenior Emergency Preparedness Inspector

Region IUS Nuclear Regulatory Commission

2010 NRC Region I Joint Exercise Scheduling Conference

Wilkes Barre, PAJanuary 20-22, 20108

Inspector’s Background

• Former Navy Submarine Officer

• With NRC Region I Since August 1988– 5 Years = Resident Inspector– 10 Years = Operator Examiner– Extensive Experience in Regional

Development of Reactor Oversight Process– 5 Years = Senior EP Specialist

EP Inspection Objective

• ROP Has Seven Cornerstone Areas

• One Cornerstone is Emergency Preparedness

• Cornerstone Objective:– To assure that a licensee can adequately

implement their Emergency Plan to assure the public health and safety in the event of a radiological emergency at their plant.

Inspection Program• Biennial Baseline Effort

– One Year = Biennial Exercise Evaluation– Other Year = Program Inspection

• Problem Identification & Resolution– PI&R Sample Inspections for Specific EP

Areas of Concern

• Supplemental and Special Inspections– For Findings and Events

Offsite Relations Topics

• Offsite Notifications and PARs

– Age Paradox:

• Experienced ERO (with knowledge) vs. Newer ERO (with procedures)

– Examples

– Management of Ideal Mix

Offsite Relations Topics

• 10 CFR 50.54(t)(t)(1) The licensee shall provide for the development, revision, implementation, and maintenance of its emergency preparedness program. The licensee shall ensure that all program elements are reviewed by persons who have no direct responsibility for the implementation of the emergency preparedness program either:

(i) At intervals not to exceed 12 months or,

(ii) As necessary, based on an assessment by the licensee against performance indicators, and as soon as reasonably practicable after a change occurs in personnel, procedures, equipment, or facilities that potentially could adversely affect emergency preparedness, but no longer than 12 months after the change. In any case, all elements of the emergency preparedness program must be reviewed at least once every 24 months.

Offsite Relations Topics

• 10 CFR 50.54(t)(2) The review must include an evaluation for adequacy of

interfaces with State and local governments and of licensee drills, exercises, capabilities, and procedures. The results of the review, along with recommendations for improvements, must be documented, reported to the licensee's corporate and plant management, and retained for a period of 5 years. The part of the review involving the evaluation for adequacy of interface with State and local governments must be available to the appropriate State and local governments.

Offsite Relations Topics

• 10 CFR 50.54(t)– Audits normally at intervals not to exceed 12

months– Able to conduct audits up to every 24

months, if also done in response to program performance indicators

– NOT the NEI performance indicators, but…– Indicators provided in Statements of

Consideration (March 1999 Federal Register)

Alert and Notification Systems (ANS)

– System in service August 2008– FEMA required Tone Alert Radios to satisfy

“essentially 100– Stand-alone NRC IP92702 inspection in

December 2008– FEMA/NRC Inspection August 2009– Software problem in September 2009 test– Transmission problem December 2009 test– Still waiting for final FEMA approval

Region I Topics

• It’s 10:00pm, Do You Know Where Your EALs Are?– Three approved EAL Schemes

• NUREG 0654

• NUMARC NESP 007

• NEI 99-01

– Continuing discoveries regarding EAL adequacy– NRC encouraging all to move to NEI 99-01,

Revision 5, set of EALs

Region I Topics

• NRC Sr. EP Specialist Not a Grinch

Region I Topics

• Region I Points of Contact

– Steve Barr, Senior EP Inspector(610) 337-5316 or steve.barr@nrc.gov

– Nancy McNamara, State Liaison Officer(610) 337-5337 or nancymcnamara@nrc.gov