The OIG found that the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) effectively uses operating experience (OpE) information to inspect Emergency Diesel Generators (EDGs) at operating nuclear power plants. However, the agency could strengthen the Reactor OpE Program by updating guidance and assessing the program, and ensuring the EDG Technical Review Group (TRG) members know their roles and responsibilities.
Currently, the guidance provided in Office Instruction LIC-401, Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation (NRR) Reactor Operating Experience, and NRR’s Operating Experience Staff Handbook is outdated. In addition, the NRC does not have an assessment process for the Reactor OpE Program. Assessing the Reactor OpE Program periodically could help staff and management determine whether the program meets its objectives and staff are using relevant guidance to process OpE information. Moreover, the NRC lacks policies and procedures for the EDG TRGs, which may lead to inconsistent practices, reduced productivity, and missed opportunities to disposition EDG-related OpE information.
The OIG makes seven recommendations to strengthen the Reactor Operating Experience Program implementation process.
Open Recommendations
| Recommendation Number | Significant Recommendation | Recommended Questioned Costs | Recommended Funds for Better Use | Additional Details | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1.1 | Yes | $0 | $0 | ||
| The OIG recommends that the Executive Director for Operations establish an assessment process to periodically assess the Reactor OpE Program. | |||||
| 1.2 | Yes | $0 | $0 | ||
| The OIG recommends that the Executive Director for Operations update LIC-401 to include a description of the current process by which staff assess the significance of OpE information. | |||||
| 1.3 | Yes | $0 | $0 | ||
| The OIG recommends that the Executive Director for Operations update the Staff Handbook to provide step-by-step guidance for implementing the requirements stated in the updated LIC-401. | |||||
| 1.4 | Yes | $0 | $0 | ||
| The OIG recommends that the Executive Director for Operations include within the updated LIC-401 and Staff Handbook guidance a description of the purpose of “Instruction Sheets” as interim guidance and indicate where they are located, as needed. | |||||
| 2.1 | Yes | $0 | $0 | ||
| The OIG recommends that the Executive Director for Operations develop, communicate, and implement policies and procedures for the EDG TRGs. | |||||
| 2.2 | Yes | $0 | $0 | ||
| The OIG recommends that the Executive Director for Operations systematically inform EDG TRG members about their membership, update the OpE SharePoint site to show the current membership of TRGs, and record TRG evaluations in a centralized location. | |||||
| 2.3 | Yes | $0 | $0 | ||
| The OIG recommends that the Executive Director for Operations provide and promote EDG TRG training to current members on all SharePoint sites. | |||||
