Owners and operators of commercial nuclear power plants as well as the public and interested groups are being asked by the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) to answer 20 questions about NRC's Reactor Oversight Process (ROP).

The regulatory framework for reactor oversight consists of three strategic performance areas: reactor safety, radiation safety, and safeguards.

Each strategic area contains seven cornerstones that reflect the essential safety aspects of facility operation, specifically: initiating events, mitigating systems, barrier integrity, emergency preparedness, public radiation safety, occupational radiation safety, and physical protection.

Satisfactory licensee performance in the cornerstones provides reasonable assurance of safe facility operation and that the NRC's safety mission is being accomplished.

Each cornerstone contains inspection procedures and performance indicators to ensure that their objectives are being met.

NRC's questionnaire centers on the following questions:

• Does the inspection program adequately cover areas important to safety and/or security?
• Does the performance indicator program provide useful insights, particularly when combined with the inspection program, to help ensure plant safety and/or security?
• Is the ROP understandable, and are the processes, procedures, and products clear and written in plain English?
• Has the public had sufficient opportunity to participate in the ROP and provide input and comments?

Responses to the questions must be received by NRC by November 6, 2009.

[Source: Environmental Manager's Compliance Advisor. Subscribe today!]