March 5, 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 FEBRUARY 19, 2014, PUBLIC MEETING WITH 

 AP-1000 OWNERS GROUP ON NEW REACTOR OPERATOR 

 LICENSING 

On February 19, 2014, the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) staff held a Category 2 

public meeting with the AP-1000 Owners Group (APOG) on New Reactor Operator Licensing at 

the NRC Region II Offices in Atlanta, GA. This meeting was to discuss scheduling and the 

ongoing issues and challenges to administering licensed operator examinations 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. One of the biggest factors that may affect the scheduled exams is 

completion of the instrumentation and controls design and subsequent plant reference simulator 

(PRS) development. Both APOG and Westinghouse personnel discussed actions they are 

taking to have the PRS 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. NRC staff proposed increasing the number of 

applicants for the operating exam to exceed 24 candidates. SCANA staff does not believe they 

can support more than 24 candidates in one exam. 

Possible methods of conducting Job Performance Measures (JPMs) were discussed, including 

3D models and labs, since a significant portion of plant equipment may not yet be installed 

when the first exams are given. The APOG provided a list of the systems expected to be 

available for performance of in-plant JPMs for the first scheduled exam date (May 2015) and 

agreed to update the list based on construction progress at each of the upcoming NRC/APOG 

CONTACT: Jim Kellum, NRO/DCIP 

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

public meetings. Of 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 that the inplant JPMs are part of the operational test and are required to complete the examination. 

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

Standard for Power Reactors and was out for public comment and that the public comment 

period closed on February 7, 2014. The comments are undergoing internal NRC review; all 

comments will be reviewed, and incorporated if appropriate. 

The NRC staff and APOG discussed the Institute of Nuclear Power Operation (INPO) 

accreditation follow-up visit to Vogtle 3 & 4 for the operations training programs. Two NRC staff 

members observed the follow-up visit. INPO identified several ‘gaps’ and pluses. The gaps are 

being addressed by the utility staff. 

The 240 hour requirement for ‘cold license’ candidates without hot experience was discussed 

with the NRC staff and APOG agreeing this observation should not take place sooner than 

completion of plant systems training. 

The next quarterly meeting is tentatively scheduled for June 18, 2014 at the 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: 

1. List of Attendees 

2. Agenda
M. Junge - 2 - 

public meetings. Of 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 that the inplant JPMs are part of the operational test and are required to complete the examination. 

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

Standard for Power Reactors and was out for public comment and that the public comment 

period closed on February 7, 2014. The comments are undergoing internal NRC review; all 

comments will be reviewed, and incorporated if appropriate. 

The NRC staff and APOG discussed the Institute of Nuclear Power Operation (INPO) 

accreditation follow-up visit to Vogtle 3 & 4 for the operations training programs. Two NRC staff 

members observed the follow-up visit. INPO identified several ‘gaps’ and pluses. The gaps are 

being addressed by the utility staff. 

The 240 hour requirement for ‘cold license’ candidates without hot experience was discussed 

with the NRC staff and APOG agreeing this observation should not take place sooner than 

completion of plant systems training. 

The next quarterly meeting is tentatively scheduled for June 18, 2014 at the 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: 

1. List of Attendees 

2. Agenda 

DISTRIBUTION: 

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ADAMS Accession Number: 

OFFICE DCIP/COLP DCIP/COLP BC 

NAME JKellum MJunge 

DATE 03/05/2014 03/ /2014 

 OFFICIAL RECORD COPY 
DISTRIBUTION: Summary of February 19, 2014, Meeting with the AP-1000 Owners Group on 

New Reactor Operator Licensing 

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Charles Sawyer (charles.sawyer@duke-energy.com)
NRC/APOG AP-1000 OWNERS GROUP ON 

NEW REACTOR OPERATOR LICENSING 

December 17, 2013 

Name Organization 

Gene Guthrie NRC / R-II 

Dan Bacon NRC / R-II 

Jim Kellum NRC / NRO 

J. Amanda Toth NRC/ R-II 

Gerry Laska NRC / R-II 

Charles Sawyer Duke Energy 

Thom Ray Westinghouse 

Andy Barbee SCE & G

Mike Junge NRC / NRO 

Mark Verbeck Southern Nuclear 

Charlie Nesbitt Southern Nuclear 

Leon Ray Southern Nuclear 

Melinda Bogart GEH 

Dick Sweigart Duke 

Terry McCool FPL 

Thomas Ray Westinghouse 

Gary Callaway NRC/TTC 

Matt Emrich NRC / TTC 

Al Harris SCE & G 

Neil Constance SCE & G 

Mark Bates NRC/ R-II 

Michael Meeks NRC / R-II 

Phil Capehart NRC/ R-II 

Richard Broward Duke 

Keith Pope SCE & G 

Paul Mothena SCE & G 

Rick Connolly Southern Nuclear 

Mark Miller NRC / R-II 

Jason Weathersby SCANA 

Tom Kuhar Westinghouse 

Bruno Caballero NRC / R-II 

Ralph Hayes GE 

Tim Dennis Public 

ENCLOSURE 1 
 ENCLOSURE 2 

AGENDA FOR THE CATEGORY 2 PUBLIC MEETING WITH THE 

AP1000 OWNERS GROUP ON NEW REACTOR OPERATOR LICENSING 

Wednesday, February 19, 2014 

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

Nuclear Regulatory Commission 

Marquis One Tower, 

Conference Room RII-1486-32p (14th floor) 

245 Peachtree Center Avenue N.E. 

Atlanta, GA 30303 

TOPIC LEAD 

Introductions and opening remarks NRC 

Public input Public 

• Written exam 

- Schedule NRC/APOG 

- APOG proposal for meeting the intent of the 240 hour APOG 

cold license requirement for SROs without hot 

plant experience 

- APOG alignment on rewording of white paper APOG 

for blocks 17 and 19. 

• Simulator 

- Status/schedule APOG 

- Observation of FAT and HFE V & V NRC/APOG 

 

- Overview of 2/12 Cranberry meeting NRC/APOG 

- Simulator inspection NRC/APOG 

- Proposed schedule for more than 24 candidates APOG 

for an operating exam 

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

- Systems anticipated being available for JPM performance APOG 

• Discuss Vogtle Ops accreditation follow-up visit NRC/APOG 

• NUREG 1021 revision status update NRC
- 2 - 

• Follow-up topics/questions from APOG meeting January NRC/APOG 

29th and 30th 

• Miscellaneous/Emergent topics NRC/APOG 

Public input Public 

Summary / Conclusion / Action item review NRC