July 8, 2014 

MEMORANDUM TO: Michael Junge, Chief 

Operator Licensing and Human Performance Branch 

Division of Construction Inspection 

 & Operational Programs 

Office of New Reactors 

FROM: Jim Kellum /RA/

Operator Licensing and Human Performance Branch 

Division of Construction, Inspection 

 & Operational Programs 

Office of New Reactors 

SUBJECT: SUMMARY OF JUNE 18, 2014, PUBLIC MEETING WITH THE 

NEI OPERATOR LICENSING FOCUS GROUP FOR NEW 

REACTORS 

On June 18, 2014, the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) staff held a category 2 

public meeting with the NEI Operator Licensing Focus Group on New Reactor Operator 

Licensing at the NRC Technical Training Center in Chattanooga, TN. This meeting is held on a 

quarterly basis to discuss scheduling and the ongoing issues and challenges to administering 

licensed operator examinations. Enclosure 1 lists the attendees at the meeting. Enclosure 2 is 

the meeting agenda. 

The NRC staff discussed with the NEI Focus group the future examination schedule and 

potential issues to completing the AP-1000 exams. Vogtle and Summer personnel discussed 

actions they are taking to have the plant reference simulator available when needed to support 

the exam schedule. The NRC staff reiterated that scheduling for operator examinations is done 

well in advance and affects not only new reactors but the examination schedule for the 

operating plants as well. The industry is continuously evaluating the examination schedule and 

will inform the NRC as far in advance as possible of any potential schedule adjustments. 

Several possible schedules for conducting the license operator candidate examinations were 

discussed and it was decided that some internal NRC discussion and further development was 

warranted and then the topic will be revisited in future meetings. 

Vogtle and Summer planned to request a sample plan for the May 2015 examination on June 

20, 2014, however; they are working on a joint procedure for exam security and will request the 

sample plan approximately four weeks later. 

Methods for performing the required in plant Job Performance Measures (JPMs) were 

discussed, including 3D models and labs, since a significant portion of plant equipment may not 

CONTACT: Jim Kellum, NRO/DCIP 

 (301) 415-5305
M. Junge - 2 - 

yet be installed when the first exams are given. The AP-1000 COL holders will track and update 

the systems/components expected to be available for performance of in-plant JPMs for the first 

scheduled exam date (May 2015) based on construction progress at upcoming NRC/NEI public 

meeting in approximately six months. The concern is that there may not be enough systems 

available so that non-predictability for the exam is maintained. The NRC staff is currently 

evaluating options for conducting the required three in plant JPMs. It was also reiterated by the 

NRC staff and acknowledged by the industry that the in-plant JPMs are part of the operational 

test and are required to complete the examination and will not be waived for more than one year 

after the commencement of the license candidate’s exam. 

The NRC staff stated the revision (Rev. 10) to NUREG-1021, Operator Licensing Examination 

Standard for Power Reactors public comments have been incorporated and Rev. 10 is now in 

the final administrative and review process for issue. 

The next quarterly meeting is tentatively scheduled for September 9, 2014 at the NRC Region II 

offices in Atlanta, GA. 

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 
M. Junge - 2 - 

yet be installed when the first exams are given. The AP-1000 COL holders will track and update 

the systems/components expected to be available for performance of in-plant JPMs for the first 

scheduled exam date (May 2015) based on construction progress at upcoming NRC/NEI public 

meeting in approximately six months. The concern is that there may not be enough systems 

available so that non-predictability for the exam is maintained. The NRC staff is currently 

evaluating options for conducting the required three in plant JPMs. It was also reiterated by the 

NRC staff and acknowledged by the industry that the in-plant JPMs are part of the operational 

test and are required to complete the examination and will not be waived for more than one year 

after the commencement of the license candidate’s exam. 

The NRC staff stated the revision (Rev. 10) to NUREG-1021, Operator Licensing Examination 

Standard for Power Reactors public comments have been incorporated and Rev. 10 is now in 

the final administrative and review process for issue. 

The next quarterly meeting is tentatively scheduled for September 9, 2014 at the NRC Region II 

offices in Atlanta, GA. 

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: 

See next page 

ADAMS Accession Number: ML14182A232 NRO-001 

OFFICE DCIP/COLP DCIP/COLP BC 

NAME JKellum MJunge 

DATE 06/26/2014 07/8/2014 

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

NEW REACTOR OPERATOR LICENSING 

June 18, 2014 

Name Organization 

Gene Guthrie NRC / R-II 

Jim Kellum NRC / NRO 

Charles Sawyer Duke Energy 

Mike Junge NRC / NRO 

Mark Verbeck Southern Nuclear 

Leon Ray Southern Nuclear 

Melinda Bogart GEH 

Dick Sweigart Duke 

Terry McCool FPL 

Gary Callaway NRC/TTC 

Matt Emrich NRC / TTC 

Al Harris SCE & G 

Mark Bates NRC/ R-II 

Keith Pope SCE & G 

Paul Mothena SCE & G 

Jason Weathersby SCANA 

Tom Kuhar Westinghouse 

Bruno Caballero NRC / R-II 

Tim Dennis Public 

Bob Hirmanpour SNC 

Kevin Gore SCANA 

R. Scott Egli NRC 

Greg Crosby SNC 

Richard Grumbir APOG 

Wes Sparkman SNC 

Wayne Martino GEH 

Dell McNeil NRC 

Larry Nutt GEH 

 

ENCLOSURE 1 
 ECLOSURE 2 

AGENDA FOR THE CATEGORY 2 PUBLIC MEETING WITH THE 

NEI LICENSED OPERATOR FOCUS GROUP FOR NEW REACTORS 

Wednesday, June 18, 2014 

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

 U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission 

Technical Training Center 

Osborne Office Center 

5746 Marlin Rd., Suite 200 

Chattanooga, TN 37411 

 Bridge Line Information: Phone: 800-779-5346, Passcode 56646

TOPIC LEAD 

Introductions and opening remarks NRC 

Public input Public 

• K/A Catalog Update 

• Written exam 

- Schedule NRC/APOG 

- Sample Plan APOG 

- Exam Security NRC/APOG 

• Simulator 

- Status/schedule APOG 

- Simulator inspection NRC/APOG 

- Operating exam schedule proposal Bates/Verbeck 

• JPMs – in-plant system availability / alternate methods, etc. 

- Systems anticipated being available for JPM performance APOG 

- Use of CIMs at Vogtle APOG 

• NUREG 1021 revision status update NRC 

• Update from monthly APOG meetings APOG 

- EAL Discussion NRC/APOG
- 2 - 

- NRC participation in Exam Development NRC/APOG 

 

• Miscellaneous/Emergent topics NRC/APOG 

Public input Public 

Summary / Conclusion / Action item review NRC 
DISTRIBUTION: Summary of June 18, 2014, Meeting with the AP-1000 Owners Group on New 

Reactor Operator Licensing 

Region II Receptionist (hard copy) 

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HPeterson, RIII 

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DRoberts, RIII 

JGiessner, RIII 

JClark, RIV 

TBlount, RIV 

VGaddy, RIV 

SReynolds, RIV 

SRutledge, TTC 

SCochrum, TTC 

REgli, TTC 

Charles Sawyer (charles.sawyer@duke-energy.com)