NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION ANNOUNCES FALL AGENDA 

The Nuclear Regulatory Commission today detailed an aggressive fall schedule with an 

agenda focused on safety and security. The new agenda follows a busy summer for the 

Commission, in which it moved forward on several proposed rules, received briefings on key 

programs, and completed work on important policy issues. Accomplishments included approving 

a comprehensive update of the Enforcement Policy; taking steps to enhance the Fuel Cycle 

Oversight Process and the licensing approach for small modular reactors; finalizing the update of 

the Waste Confidence Rule; and making progress on resolving an important reactor safety issue 

concerning sump performance, formally known as Generic Safety Issue 191.

“The Commission worked effectively throughout the summer to complete work on a 

number of important safety and security issues. In addition to our rulemaking, adjudicatory and 

policy work, we also participated in several international meetings and several emergency 

preparedness exercises. We sincerely appreciate the work of the NRC staff and active 

participation of the public, and we now look forward to an equally productive fall,” said NRC 

Chairman Gregory B. Jaczko. 

During the past several months, the Commission made progress on several important 

rulemakings. In addition to updating the Waste Confidence Rule, these included approving a 

final revision of the Part 110 rule on the export and import of nuclear equipment and material, 

and the issuance of a proposed rule for new security requirements for the use of category 1 and 2 

quantities of radioactive materials (new Part 37). The Commission also moved forward with a 

proposed rule on security requirements for research and test reactors (Part 73). 

The interagency Radiation Source Protection and Security Task Force, which the NRC 

chaired, completed and submitted its 2010 Report to the President and Congress in August. This 

report outlined significant steps that the agency and other task force members have taken since 

2006 to enhance the security of domestic radioactive sources. It also provided additional 

recommendations for further improving source security. 

This fall, the Commission will be tackling several safety and security issues for existing 

reactor and materials licenses, as well as proactively planning to address emerging issues. 

NRC NEWS

U.S. NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION

Office of Public Affairs Telephone: 301/415-8200 

Washington, D.C. 20555-0001 

E-mail: opa.resource@nrc.gov

Site: http://www.nrc.gov

No. 10-177 October 6, 2010
As the staff continues safety reviews for new reactor licensing applications, the 

Commission also will be focusing on emerging oversight issues for potential new reactors. 

Briefings on alternative risk metric options for new light water reactors and the Construction 

Reactor Oversight Process are scheduled for later this fall. The Commission also expects to 

receive proposed amendments to AP1000 and ABWR reactor design certification rules from the 

staff. 

Materials issues will remain a focus for the Commission throughout the rest of the year. 

An Oct. 20 meeting will focus on medical issues, with staff providing a broad overview on 

several ongoing initiatives. The Commission is currently completing work on the agency’s waste 

blending policy, as well as measures to enhance source security initiatives, such as the National 

Source Tracking System. 

Schedule of Upcoming Commission Meetings:

October

14 – Briefing on Alternative Risk Metrics for New Light Water Reactors 

20 – Briefing on Medical Issues 

26 – Briefing on Security Issues (Closed - Ex. 1)* 

November

02 – Briefing on Equal Employment Opportunity and Small Business Programs 

05 – Meeting with Advisory Committee on Reactor Safeguards 

30 – Briefing on Security Issues (Closed - Ex. 1)* 

December

16 – Briefing on Construction Reactor Oversight Process 

21 – Briefing on Security Issues (Closed - Ex. 1)* 

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*Exemption 1, Government in the Sunshine Act