The Nuclear Regulatory Commission is preparing its next strategic plan, covering federal fiscal years 2022 to 2026.
The agency has scheduled a meeting for Sept. 22 to receive stakeholder input on the document. It is also taking comments online and by mail.
The “NRC would like input on the agency’s strategic goals, actions to realize those goals, and how to address key challenges and external factors as described in the current [strategic plan],” according to a Federal Register notice Friday. “The information will be used to inform the development of the NRC’s FYs 2022–2026 Strategic Plan framework and evidence building and evaluation activities.”
The existing plan, Volume 7, was published in February 2018. The 36-page document broadly sets the 45-year-old agency’s strategic goals, objectives, and operations for carrying out its mission to regulate civilian use of radioactive materials.
At the time that included licensing and oversight of 99 power-producing nuclear reactors at 59 plants in 30 states, 20 reactors undergoing decommissioning, 78 spent fuel storage pads, and other facilities. Those numbers are now 94 reactors at 5 sites in 29 states, 26 reactors in decommissioning, and 80 storage installations.
The strategic plan’s overall aim is to sustain safe and secure employment of radioactive materials. It contains three broad objectives: prevention, mitigation, and response to accidents and support for radiation safety; protection of nuclear sites and materials; and protection of classified and controlled unclassified data.
The latest document then lists a set of strategies for achieving those goals, and within that activities for carrying out those strategies.
For example: The No. 1 safety strategy is to “Maintain and enhance the NRC’s regulatory programs, using information gained from domestic and international operating experience, lessons learned, and advances in science and technology.” To do that, the regulator aims to provide “effective, stable, and predictable regulatory programs and policies”; monitors situations and developing trends on the U.S. and global scene, along with progression of science and technology, for potential safety ramifications and necessary updates to federal regulations; and applies lessons learned in the licensing and building of new reactors and fuel cycle facilities to strengthen follow-on oversight in these areas.
Comments can be submitted at the federal rulemaking website, www.regulations.gov, Docket ID NRC–2020–0194. They can also be mailed to Office of Administration, Mail Stop: TWFN–7– A60M, U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission, Washington, DC 20555–0001, ATTN: Program Management, Announcements and Editing Branch.
The Nuclear Regulatory Commission expects to publish the next strategic plan in February 2022, as required by the White House Office of Management and Budget. A draft version is expected next summer, which will be followed by another public meeting.
