March 4, 2013 

MEMORANDUM TO: Michael Junge, Chief 

Operator Licensing and Human Performance Branch 

Division of Construction, Inspection 

 & Operational Programs 

Office of New Reactors 

FROM: Jim Kellum, Sr. Reactor Engineer /RA/

Operator Licensing and Human Performance Branch 

Division of Construction, Inspection 

 & Operational Programs 

Office of New Reactors 

SUBJECT: SUMMARY OF FEBRUARY 20, 2013, PUBLIC MEETING WITH 

AP1000 OWNERS GROUP ON NEW REACTOR OPERATOR 

LICENSING 

On February 20, 2013, the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) staff held a category 2 

public meeting with the AP1000 Owners Group (APOG) on New Reactor Operator Licensing at 

the Region II Offices in Atlanta, GA to discuss the ongoing issues, challenges and concerns to 

administering licensed operator examinations under the existing process for new AP1000 units. 

Enclosure 1 lists the attendees at the meeting. Enclosure 2 is the meeting agenda. 

The NRC staff discussed with the APOG the future examination schedule and potential issues 

to completing the exams. The industry has identified issues facing use of the existing 

examination process. Most of the issues can be waived and completed at a later time, but prior 

to issuing the license. Possible methods of conducting Job Performance Measures (JPMs) 

were discussed, such as mockups, 3D models and labs, since it is likely a significant portion of 

plant equipment will not yet be installed in the plant when the first exams are given. The NRC 

staff viewed 3D models at Vogtle and determined they were not of sufficient fidelity to be used in 

the JPM portion of the exam at this time; however a recent virtual reality demonstration at an 

industry conference showed significant improvement from earlier models. It was also reiterated 

by the NRC staff that the in-plant JPMs are part of the operational test and will be required to 

complete that portion of the examination. 

Performance of licensed operator candidate’s reactivity manipulations was also discussed and it 

was determined that these could potentially be waived, with the license not being issued until 

their completion (when simulator availability allows them to be performed). The revision to 

NUREG-1021, Rev. 10, Operator Licensing Examination Standard for Power Reactors, is on 

track to be issued in calendar year 2013. 

CONTACT: Jim Kellum, NRO/DCIP 

 (301) 415-5305 
-2- 

The NRC staff and APOG discussed whether or not the ‘structured observations’ for cold 

license candidates, stated in the NRC endorsed NEI 06-13A document, required the license 

candidates to be in the control room the entire time or included operational shift activities 

outside the control room. The NRC staff agreed to evaluate this issue. 

The next quarterly meeting is tentatively scheduled for July 2, 2013 at NRC Technical Training 

Center in Chattanooga, TN. 

Action items for both the industry and the NRC were assigned and will be reviewed at the next 

meeting. Tentative agenda items for the next meeting were also listed. 

Questions and comments raised by meeting participants will be evaluated by the NRC staff. 

Enclosures: As stated 
 - 2 - 

The NRC staff and APOG discussed whether or not the ‘structured observations’ for cold 

license candidates, stated in the NRC endorsed NEI 06-13A document, required the license 

candidates to be in the control room the entire time or included operational shift activities 

outside the control room. The NRC staff agreed to evaluate this issue. 

The next quarterly meeting is tentatively scheduled for July 2, 2013 at NRC Technical Training 

Center in Chattanooga, TN. 

Action items for both the industry and the NRC were assigned and will be reviewed at the next 

meeting. Tentative agenda items for the next meeting were also listed. 

Questions and comments raised by meeting participants will be evaluated by the NRC staff. 

Enclosures: As stated 

DISTRIBUTION: 

 PUBLIC 

 COLP Reading File 

RidsNroOd 

RidsNroDcip 

RidsNroDcipColp 

RidsEDOMailCenter 

RidsOgcMailCenter 

RidsAcrsAcnwMailCenter 

JLuehman 

MJunge 

SRutledge.TTC 

Charles Sawyer 

(charles.sawyer@dukenergy.com) 

DLew, RI 

PWilson, RI 

DJackson, RI 

TReis RII 

HChristensen, RII 

LWert, RII 

MWidmann, RII 

MFranke, RII 

JMoorman, RII 

MMiller, RII 

SReynolds, RIII 

HPeterson, RIII 

CPederson, RIII 

KO’Brien, RIII 

AHowell, RIV 

TBlount, RIV 

VGaddy, RIV 

SCochrum, TTC 

RDevercelly, TTC 

REgli, TTC 

 ADAMS Accession Number: ML13063A284 *via e-mail NRO-001 

OFFICE DCIP/COLP DCIP/COLP BC 

NAME JKellum MJunge 

DATE 03/04/2013 03/05/2013 

 OFFICIAL RECORD COPY 
NRC/APOG AP-1000 OWNERS GROUP ON 

NEW REACTOR OPERATOR LICENSING 

February 20, 2013 

Name Organization 

Mike Junge NRC / NRO 

Michael Donithan NRC / R-II 

Jim Kellum NRC / NRO 

J. Amanda Toth NRC/ R-II 

Malcolm Widmann NRC / R-II 

Charles Sawyer Duke Energy 

Tom Kuhar Westinghouse 

Charlie Nesbitt Southern Nuclear

Phil Capehart NRC / R-II 

Keith Pope Southern Nuclear 

Rick DeVercelly NRC / TTC 

Tim Dennis Public 

Leon Ray Southern Nuclear 

Richard Baldwin NRC / R-II 

Wesley Sparkman Southern Nuclear 

Michael LLewellyn INPO 

Paul Mothena SCANA 

Dick Swiegart Duke 

Mark Bates NRC / R-II 

Al Harris SCANA 

Jim Smit Nexus Technical Services 

Neil Constance SCANA 

 

 

ENCLOSURE 1 
AGENDA FOR THE CATEGORY 2 PUBLIC MEETING WITH THE 

AP-1000 OWNERS GROUP ON NEW REACTOR OPERATOR LICENSING 

Wednesday, February 20, 2013 

8:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. 

Nuclear Regulatory Commission 

Marquis One Tower, 

Conference Room R2-945-30p (9th floor) 

245 Peachtree Center Avenue N.E. 

Atlanta, GA 30303 

TOPIC LEAD

Introductions and opening remarks NRC 

Public input Public 

Action Item Review from Previous Meeting NRC 

Examination schedule (RIS response) APOG/NRC 

Discussion of White Paper on Exam Processes APOG/NRC 

• JPMs – in plant system availability / alternate methods NRC/APOG 

• Reactivity manipulations NRC/APOG 

• Timelines/Physicals NRC/APOG 

Status of revision to NUREG-1021 NRC 

AP-1000 simulator development APOG/NRC 

Miscellaneous/Emergent topics NRC/APOG 

Public input Public 

Summary / Conclusion / Action item review NRC