Responsible for accomplishing key components of the Nuclear Regulatory Commission’s nuclear reactor safety mission for new reactor facilities licensed in accordance with 10 CFR Part 52. As such, NRO is responsible for regulatory activities in the primary program areas of siting, licensing and oversight for new commercial nuclear power reactors, to protect the public health, safety, and the environment and to promote the common defense and security. Works with the regions and other offices to accomplish the agency mission.

Program Management, Policy Development and Planning Staff

Director: Barbara Gusack (Acting)
Deputy Director: Constance Schum

Provides administrative and management support for the Office. Provides budgeting through the planning, budgeting, and performance management (PBPM) process, resource allocation through the staffing plan, analysis of office performance through coordination of the operating plan, and internal controls for financial management. Provides and enhances communication to internal and external stakeholders. Provides oversight and support of information management and technology. Provides administrative and management support in areas including human resource management, knowledge management, tracking and coordination of correspondence and action items, space management, training coordination, and FOIA coordination. Facilitates continuous organizational improvement by developing and improving Office Instructions. Represents the Office in special projects in areas of responsibility and completes special projects assigned by Office level management.

Division of New Reactor Licensing

Director: David Matthews
Deputy Director for Licensing Operations: Thomas Bergman
Deputy Director for Infrastructure and Policy: Patrick Madden

Leads, manages, and facilitates design certification application reviews, combined license application reviews, and new reactor pre-application activities. Develops and maintains the necessary technical and programmatic support for new reactor licensing activities, guidance development, interaction with stakeholders on issues pertaining to new reactors, large-scale project management tools, schedule and resource planning and tracking, and issuance of design certifications and COLs.

Division of Site and Environmental Reviews

Director: Scott Flanders
Deputy Director: Nilesh Chokshi

Responsible for the environmental portion of early site permit and COL application reviews. Develops and maintains the necessary regulatory infrastructure to support issuance of ESPs. Responsible for interactions with stakeholders on issues related to ESP activities including Congress, the Commission, ACRS, applicants, and other stakeholders.

Division of Safety Systems and Risk Assessment

Director: Charles Ader
Deputy Director: Frank Akstulewicz

Performs systems-related safety evaluations of applications for new facilities or designs and provides technical support and expertise for special projects, programs, and policy activities. Reviews and evaluates design-basis and severe accident issues as they relate to advanced plant designs and combined licenses. Develops and implements policies and guidance for the use of probabilistic risk assessments (PRA) and associated analyses in regulatory decision making for new reactors. Applies risk informed methods to support resolution of regulatory issues. Reviews PRA submittals and severe accident design features related to the certification and licensing of advanced designs. Provides risk assessment support in areas of plant security and utility actions to reduce potential vulnerabilities.

Division of Engineering

Director: Michael Mayfield
Deputy Director: Laura Dudes

Performs engineering-related safety reviews of applications for design certification, combined licenses, and new reactor preapplication activities. Provides technical expertise to support regional activities, special projects, programs, and policy activities. Reviews may be in support of topical reports, consensus standard changes, or new reactor designs.

Division of Construction Inspection and Operational Programs

Director: Glenn Tracy
Deputy Director: John Tappert (Acting)

Develops policy and provides overall program management and planning for the construction inspection program for new commercial nuclear power plants. Coordinates with Region II, the Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation, and other offices on program implementation, including licensee performance assessment, allegations, and enforcement activities. Implements programs and procedures to systematically assess and coordinate the follow-up of construction-related issues, and recommends corrective plant-specific and generic actions. Reviews the quality assurance programs at vendors, fabricators, applicants, and construction licensees. Develops and implements the quality assurance and vendor inspection programs. Reviews applicant radiation protection programs and develops and oversees the radiation protection inspection programs. Reviews licensee submittals and develops programs and guidelines for technical specifications and provides interpretations of technical specification requirements. Develops policies and guidance and implements the national program for the licensing of new nuclear reactor operators. Develops programs and conducts reviews to ensure the effective consideration of human factors engineering in new nuclear power plant design and operation. Assesses the adequacy of facility personnel training programs and emergency operating procedures.