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IN RESPONSE, PLEASE
REFER TO: M070607

June 22, 2007

The Commission met with the Advisory Committee on Reactor Safeguards (ACRS) to discuss the Committee's activities and current focus.

The Commission supports the Committee's recommendations in its letter dated May 18, 2007, concerning digital instrumentation and control systems (ADAMS ML071380437). In response, prior to the July 18, 2007, Commission meeting, the staff should assure that the following actions are included in the Digital I&C Project Plan with appropriate completion dates to support development of the final regulatory guidance on diversity and defense in depth:

1. Develop an inventory and classification (e.g., by function or other characteristics) of the various types of digital hardware and software systems that are being used and are likely to be used in nuclear power plants.

2. Evaluate the operating experience with digital systems in the nuclear and other industries to obtain insights regarding potential failure modes.

In the interim (prior to development of the final regulatory guidance), the staff should continue to evaluate digital I&C designs against current or interim guidance, as applicable, including the requirement for backup features. The staff should provide its interim guidance to the Commission by September 30, 2007.

The Commission values ACRS's biennial review of NRC's safety research program. In its next report, due March 2008, the Committee should identify any gaps it perceives in the research program and provide recommendations on redirecting funding to high priority areas. In addition, the Committee should identify areas where the research needs are considered to have been satisfied.

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Monday, June 25, 2007