Nuclear Regulation: Process for Backfitting Changes in Nuclear Plants Has Improved
RCED-86-27
Published: Dec 24, 1985. Publicly Released: Dec 24, 1985.
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Highlights
GAO commented on: (1) a backfitting process the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) uses to require modifications at operating nuclear power plants; (2) the effect of those actions on selected facilities; and (3) improvements that should be made.
Recommendations
Recommendations for Executive Action
| Agency Affected | Recommendation | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Nuclear Regulatory Commission | The Chairman, NRC, should revise the agency's plant-specific backfitting procedures to explicitly state that the NRC staff are responsible for identifying and processing, in accordance with the plant-specific backfitting procedures, all new or amended plant-specific positions taken by the staff. |
Closed – Implemented
NRC agreed and stated that statements conveying this direction have been introduced at the beginning of its operations manual chapter on identifying plant-specific backfits. No accomplishment report will be taken because the recommendation is not of significant enough scope to warrant the time and effort that would be required.
|
| Nuclear Regulatory Commission | The Chairman, NRC, should revise the agency's plant-specific backfitting procedures to explicitly state that, to qualify as a plant-specific backfit, the technical basis for a new or revised staff position taken must be unique to a specific plant or plant location. |
Closed – Implemented
NRC included its preferred definition, unique to a specific plant, in the definition section on plant-specific backfitting. No accomplishment report will be prepared because the recommendation and agency action lacks sufficient significance.
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Cost controlEnergy legislationNuclear energyNuclear powerplant safetyRepair costsSafety regulationNuclear power plantsOperating licenseNuclear powerFire protection