December 11, 1997
| MEMORANDUM TO: |
L. Joseph Callan
Executive Director for Operations |
| FROM: |
John C. Hoyle /s/ |
| SUBJECT: |
STAFF REQUIREMENTS - SECY-97-168 - ISSUANCE FOR PUBLIC COMMENT OF
PROPOSED RULEMAKING PACKAGE FOR SHUTDOWN AND FUEL STORAGE
POOL OPERATION |
In SECY-97-168, the staff sought authorization to issue a proposed rule related to shutdown and fuel storage pool
operation. The Commission has not provided the necessary authorization. Because this rule involves significant issues of
policy, the staff is not authorized to issue the proposed rule without Commission authorization. Therefore, under Appendix
3 of the Internal Commission Procedures the staff may not proceed further with this rulemaking package.
However, the staff may evaluate, for Commission consideration, whether any further codification of current industry
practice related to ensuring that risk-significant safety functions are maintained during shutdown operations beyond that
contemplated in the revised maintenance rule would provide sufficient benefit to warrant the costs imposed on licensees
and the NRC by such codification. In conducting any further evaluation, the staff should review and assess current
shutdown risk information from the international community. After the maintenance rule modification is completed, the
staff should interact with stakeholders on this matter and present their conclusions, if any, at an appropriate time.
The staff should review current regulatory analysis methodology in light of the SRM on DSI-13 and submit, for
Commission review, options that would address possible revisions to the methodology, particularly with regard to
recognition of existing initiatives and voluntary actions in the cost-benefit analyses.
|
(EDO) |
(SECY Suspense: 12/4/98) |
The Commission expects the staff to continue to monitor licensee performance, through inspections and other means, in the
area of shutdown operations to ensure that the current level of safety is maintained.
| cc: |
Chairman Jackson
Commissioner Dicus
Commissioner Diaz
Commissioner McGaffigan
OGC
CIO
CFO
OCA
OIG
Office Directors, Regions, ACRS, ACNW, ASLBP (via E-Mail)
PDR
DCS |
SECY NOTE: 97-168 WILL BE MADE PUBLICLY AVAILABLE 5 WORKING DAYS
FORM THE DATE OF THIS SRM.
