IN RESPONSE, PLEASE
REFER TO: M970310B

April 11, 1997

MEMORANDUM TO: L. Joseph Callan
Executive Director for Operations
FROM: Annette L. Vietti-Cook, Acting Secretary /s/
SUBJECT: STAFF REQUIREMENTS - BRIEFING ON IMPLEMENTATION OF MAINTENANCE RULE, REVISED REGULATORY GUIDE, AND CONSEQUENCES (SECY-97-055), 2:30 P.M., MONDAY, MARCH 10, 1997, COMMISSIONERS' CONFERENCE ROOM, ONE WHITE FLINT NORTH, ROCKVILLE, MARYLAND (OPEN TO PUBLIC ATTENDANCE)

The Commission was briefed by the NRC staff on implementation of the maintenance rule, revised regulatory guide, and consequences of these revisions on future rule implementation. The Commission encouraged the staff to continue to strive for consistency in implementing the maintenance rule across the industry.

The staff should consider whether the rule language regarding the performance of 50.65(a)(3) safety assessments needs to be clarified and inform the Commission of the results. In particular, where the baseline inspection results suggest that some licensees are not performing assessments that meet the expectation of (a)(3) when removing equipment from service, the staff should provide a discussion using specific examples of programs or assessments that were considered weak, including the staff's basis for its finding. The Commission is interested in how the staff is planning to monitor the quality of licensee assessments when removing equipment from service through the regular inspection program once the baseline inspections are completed. The staff should ensure that the maintenance rule inspection guidance is consistent with the requirements of 50.65(a)(3).

(EDO) (SECY Suspense:  6/27/97)

The staff should consider how to assess the effect of the rule on the overall quality of maintenance, and ultimately the effect on equipment performance, in order to determine the efficacy of the rule.

(EDO) (SECY Suspense:  6/27/97)

cc: Chairman Jackson
Commissioner Rogers
Commissioner Dicus
Commissioner Diaz
Commissioner McGaffigan
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