United States Nuclear Regulatory Commission The U S

United States Nuclear Regulatory Commission The U. S. NRC’s Reactor Certification and Licensing Process – Meeting the Challenge? Commissioner Peter B. Lyons U. S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission 15 th Pacific Basin Nuclear Conference Sydney, Australia October 16, 2006 1

Key Topics n NRC Mission n Regulatory Independence n Public Involvement n Regulatory Challenges with Growth n Nuclear Safety Research Cooperation 2

Outlook for Nuclear Energy Favorable Outlook for Increased Safe and Secure Utilization of Nuclear Energy SUPPORTS Demonstrated Continued Safe Operations 3

Viability of Nuclear Power Demonstrated Continued Safe Operations EFFECTIVE REGULATION Technically Sound Public Participation 4

REACTOR SAFETY n Systems, Structures, Components n Programs, Practices, Procedures n Knowledge, Skills, Abilities n Safety Culture 5

NRC’s Regulatory Standard n Adequate Protection of Public Health and Safety and the Environment n Promotion of the Common Defense and Security 6

Risk-Informed Regulation Integration of • Risk Insights • Defense-in-Depth • Safety Margins 7

Reactor Safety Performance PERFORMANCE RESULTS Safety Measures Safety Commitment - Performance Indicators - Licensee - Inspection Findings - Vendors - Consultants - Workers 8

Regulation for the Common Good National Interests and International Law Nuclear Regulation Legal Regulatory Framework Technical Regulatory Framework MARGINS OF SAFETY 9

NRC Strategic Objective Enable the use and management of radioactive materials and nuclear fuels for beneficial civilian purposes in a manner that protects public health and safety and the environment, promotes the security of our nation, and provides for regulatory actions that are open, effective, efficient, realistic, and timely. 10

Public Openness n Essential to Regulatory Strength n Opportunities for Public Comment n Public Comments Addressed Openly n Opportunities for Public Hearings • Licensing New Reactors • Amending Licenses for Existing Reactors n Balanced with Security Needs 11

Global Interest in Nuclear Energy n n 2025 Global Energy Demand – Up 50%* 2025 Electricity Demand – Up 75%* Nuclear Power Large Baseload Capability Mature Technology Abates Greenhouse Emissions Reduces Air Pollution Supports Energy Diversity * U. S. Department of Energy estimate 12

Our Responsibility and Mandate n Responsibility – Assure Adequate Protection of the Public and Environment n Mandate – Enable Beneficial Use of Nuclear Energy and Radiation 13

Combined Licenses, Early Site Permits, and Standard Design Certifications 14

U. S. Industry COL Interest Valid as of October 2, 2006 15

Design-Centered Reviews n n n NRC staff’s parallel review of multiple standardized COL applications Dependent on extent of industry standardization of COL applications Principle: One Issue One Review One Position 16

U. S. Human Resource Issues n n n Increasing competition for nuclearrelated skills and experience Aging workforce and impending retirements University Nuclear Engineering programs at an all-time low Increasing student enrollments More scholarships, training programs, and recruitment needed! 17

International Cooperation and Nuclear Safety Research n NRC Strong Commitment to International Cooperation n Global Marketplace a Reality n International Partnerships of Regulators – Path to Success n Need for Research to Reduce Uncertainties and Provide Sound Technical Bases for Decisions 18

NRC International Cooperation n n n n Mixed Oxide and High Burn-up Fuels Plant Aging and Material Degradation Digital Instrumentation and Controls T-H and Severe Accident Analysis Probabilistic Risk Assessment Fire and Seismic Risk Radiation Protection Human Performance Spent Fuel and Waste Management 19

Multinational Design Evaluation Program (MDEP) n n n Stage 1 - International cooperation within existing regulatory framework Stage 2 - Convergence of codes, standards, and safety goals across international boarders Stage 3 - Implementation of Stage 2 products to facilitate licensing of Generation IV reactors 20

Meeting the Challenge? n Yes – now n Yes – preparing for the future n Yes – working together internationally to ensure safety 21

Backup Slides 22

U. S. Industry COL Interested Organization Design Under Consideration Sites Under Consideration Planned COL Application Date Unistar Nuclear EPR Nine Mile Point Calvert Cliffs Other site not yet selected 2007 - 2008 SCE&G AP 1000 Summer 2007 Progress Energy AP 1000 Shearon Harris Florida (site not selected) 2007 2008 Duke Power AP 1000 South Carolina (new site) 2007 Nu. Start Energy AP 1000 Bellefonte 2007 ESBWR Grand Gulf 2007 Dominion ESBWR North Anna 2007 NRG Energy ABWR South Texas Project 2007 Southern Nuclear AP 1000 Vogtle 2008 Entergy Nuclear ESBWR River Bend 2008 Amarillo Power ABWR Not selected yet To be determined FP&L, TXU, Duke Not selected yet 23