Development of Regulatory Guidance for the Review of Exemption Requests from the Requirements for Licensed Personnel Staffing

The introduction of advanced reactor designs and the increased use of advanced automation in existing nuclear power plants will likely change the roles, responsibilities, composition, and size of the crews required to control plant operations. The design features and concepts of operation for new generations of advanced reactors, as well as the introduction of new automated systems into existing plants, may lead to reductions in staff size and a changing role for the operator. Current regulations regarding control room staffing, which are based upon the concept of operation for existing light-water reactors, may no longer apply. Therefore, applicants for an operating license for an advanced reactor, and current licensees who have implemented significant changes to existing control rooms, may submit applications for exemptions from current staffing regulations. The NRC staff will be responsible for reviewing the exemption requests and determining whether the staffing proposals will provide adequate assurance that public health and safety are maintained to a level that is comparable to compliance with the current regulations. This paper discusses the proposed regulatory guidance for the review of requests for exemptions from any of the requirements of 10 CFR Part 50 related to the number of licensed personnel needed tomore » safely operate the nuclear power plant, as well as computerized tools to assist in the review. (authors)« less