May 23, 2016 

MEMORANDUM TO: Christopher G. Miller, Director 

 Division of Inspection and Regional Support 

 Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation 

FROM: Maurin Scheetz, Acting Chief /RA/ 

 Operator Licensing and Training Branch 

 Division of Inspection and Regional Support 

 Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation 

SUBJECT: SUMMARY OF THE 2016 ANNUAL UNITED STATES NUCLEAR 

REGULATORY COMMISSION/INSTITUTE OF NUCLEAR POWER 

OPERATIONS COORDINATION MEETING ON TRAINING-RELATED 

ISSUES 

On May 3, 2016, the U. S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) conducted a public 

coordination meeting on training-related issues with the Institute of Nuclear Power Operations 

(INPO) at NRC Headquarters, Rockville, Maryland. Such meetings are conducted in 

accordance with the NRC/INPO Memorandum of Agreement dated September 11, 2013. The 

purpose of the meeting was to discuss items of mutual interest concerning INPO's training 

program accreditation process and other initiatives. Participants included representatives of the 

NRC’s Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation (NRR); Office of New Reactors (NRO); a Regional 

Operations Branch; INPO’s Workforce Training, Education and Proficiency Division, and 

members of the public. The list of meeting attendees is provided as Enclosure 1. The meeting 

agenda is provided as Enclosure 2. A summary of the discussions related to key agenda topics 

covered during the meeting follows. 

Introductions and Opening Remarks

An introduction of NRC and INPO personnel present along with those participating via the 

phone bridge was conducted. During opening remarks, NRC and INPO both discussed the 

importance of training and qualification, and the need to maintain alignment between the two 

organizations. The NRC briefly discussed budget limitations, an initiative to extend e-learning 

capabilities, and organizational changes. 

Enclosures: 

1. Meeting Attendee List 

2. Meeting Agenda 

CONTACT: David Allsopp, NRR/DIRS 

 301-415-3073 
C. Miller - 2 - 

Accreditation Update

INPO reported that it had conducted 11 Accreditation Team Visits (ATVs) and 18 National 

Nuclear Accreditation Boards (NNABs) since the last coordination meeting. Last year, an NRC 

observer participated in the ATV and NNAB for the River Bend Nuclear Power Plant. 

INPO stated that all future ATVs and NNABs would use the re-designed accreditation process. 

The re-designed process reduces the number of accreditation objectives from six to three, 

extends the accreditation cycle from four to six years, and adds a training evaluator to the Plant 

Evaluation process. INPO discussed insights gained from implementing the re-designed 

accreditation and evaluation programs. INPO also provided an update on other activities 

supported by the accreditation group, including participation in the training managers working 

meetings, the Corporate Training Director meeting, and periodic meetings with the Regional 

Training Groups. 

Regarding new reactors, INPO discussed the status of accreditation at Vogtle 3 & 4 and VC 

Summer 2 & 3. 

Regulatory Issues 

The NRC explained its budget and how current limitations may restrict NRC monitoring of INPO 

activities. Although NRC interactions are delineated in the Memorandum of Agreement with 

INPO, the NRC is reevaluating how much oversight is needed to adequately monitor 

accreditation activities. 

The NRC expressed interest in reviewing INPO’s pending revision to ACAD 1001, “Guidelines 

for Initial Training and Qualification of Licensed Operations.” The intent of the revision is to 

clarify the eligibility requirements for licensed operations. The need to clarify eligibility 

requirements is needed since the NRC cannot render pre-decisional determinations on any 

waivers or deferral requests until a license application is submitted. 

The NRC acknowledged the work to update the Knowledge and Abilities Catalogs for Nuclear 

Power Plant Operators (NUREGs 1122 and 1123). The NRC has reviewed the final industry 

submission, has no concerns, and plans to issue the NUREGs late this year. 

The NRC stated that it is accepting comments on NUREG 1021, “Operator Licensing 

Examination Standards for Power Reactors” until May 6, 2016. The NRC revised the NUREG 

to make holistic changes based on the decision by the Atomic Safety and Licensing Board to 

overturn an NRC licensing decision. The NRC acknowledged that there was not universal 

agreement on the proposed changes. The NRC noted that the comment period was extended 

from 60 to 90 days to ensure sufficient time for all comments. The NRC plans to issue the 

revised NUREG in September 2016. 

Industry Learning Activities

INPO noted that the Industry Learning Division develops and delivers both instructor-led and elearning training. INPO reported that about 2100 nuclear professionals received training from 

INPO’s stand-up training programs annually. INPO expressed appreciation to the NRC for 
C. Miller - 3 - 

supporting INPO courses by sending staff to present a regulatory perspective and to answer 

student’s questions. 

INPO reported that approximately 111,000 distinct learners used the National Academy for 

Nuclear Training e-Learning (NANTeL) system to complete training last year. NANTeL is a 

national web-based training system that contains training developed by INPO, utilities, and the 

Electric Power Research Institute. INPO added new courses to NANTeL, including general 

asbestos awareness, advanced engineering topics, and training for emergency preparedness 

evaluators. INPO plans to revise its Generic Fundamentals training material and to release a 

training module on Crisis Decision Making for Nuclear Leaders later this year. 

Other Items of Mutual Interest Related to Training 

The NRC recognized the importance of INPO’s role in the accreditation of utility training 

programs. The NRC briefly discussed reductions in its budget and the Project Aim initiative 

which is designed to improve efficiency and effectiveness. The NRC stated that a summary of 

this meeting would be made publically available in the near future. 

Public 

Robert Meyer from the Professional Reactor Operator Society questioned if extending the 

accreditation cycle to six years was too long. INPO clarified that the accreditation cycle would 

continue to stagger the evaluation of technical and operational programs, so each plant will be 

evaluated every 3 years. INPO also noted that the frequency of training evaluations will actually 

increase since a training evaluator has been added to Plant Evaluations. Mr. Meyer then 

inquired if the NRC or INPO supported training activities for the International Atomic Energy 

Agency. Both responded affirmatively with the former explaining that this support is controlled 

through bilateral and multilateral agreements. 

Closing Remarks

In closing, the NRC stated that interactions between INPO and the NRC were useful and should 

continue. No final positions were taken during the meeting. 
C. Miller - 3 - 

supporting INPO courses by sending staff to present a regulatory perspective and to answer 

student’s questions. 

INPO reported that approximately 111,000 distinct learners used the National Academy for 

Nuclear Training e-Learning (NANTeL) system to complete training last year. NANTeL is a 

national web-based training system that contains training developed by INPO, utilities, and the 

Electric Power Research Institute. INPO added new courses to NANTeL, including general 

asbestos awareness, advanced engineering topics, and training for emergency preparedness 

evaluators. INPO plans to revise its Generic Fundamentals training material and to release a 

training module on Crisis Decision Making for Nuclear Leaders later this year. 

Other Items of Mutual Interest Related to Training 

The NRC recognized the importance of INPO’s role in the accreditation of utility training 

programs. The NRC briefly discussed reductions in its budget and the Project Aim initiative 

which is designed to improve efficiency and effectiveness. The NRC stated that a summary of 

this meeting would be made publically available in the near future. 

Public 

Robert Meyer from the Professional Reactor Operator Society questioned if extending the 

accreditation cycle to six years was too long. INPO clarified that the accreditation cycle would 

continue to stagger the evaluation of technical and operational programs, so each plant will be 

evaluated every 3 years. INPO also noted that the frequency of training evaluations will actually 

increase since a training evaluator has been added to Plant Evaluations. Mr. Meyer then 

inquired if the NRC or INPO supported training activities for the International Atomic Energy 

Agency. Both responded affirmatively with the former explaining that this support is controlled 

through bilateral and multilateral agreements. 

Closing Remarks

In closing, the NRC stated that interactions between INPO and the NRC were useful and should 

continue. No final positions were taken during the meeting. 

DISTRIBUTION: 

PUBLIC M Evans, NRR D Jackson, RI 

COLP Reading File S Morris, NRR G Guthrie, RII 

IOLB Reading File M Cheok, NRO G McCoy, RII 

RidsNrrDirs M Scheetz, NRR R Orlikowski, R III 

RidsNroDcip M Junge, NRO V Gaddy, RIV 

RidsNroDcipColp C Miller RidsNrrDirsIolb 

RidsEDOMailCenter RidsNrrOdResource 

ADAMS Accession No: ML16134A079 

 

 OFFICIAL RECORD COPY

OFFICE DIRS/IOLB DIRS/IOLB 

NAME DAllsopp MScheetz 

DATE 05/23/2016 05/23/2016 
 

Enclosure 1 

ATTENDEES

NRC-INPO Coordination Meeting, May 3, 2016 

Institute of Nuclear Power Operations 

Steve Johnson - Director, Industry Training and Proficiency 

Tammy Love - Director, Industry Learning 

Rusty Shoemaker - Manager, Accreditation 

Charlie Brooks - Manager, Accreditation and Support 

Brian Gollatz - Manager, Learning Development 

Robert Peters - Accreditation Team Manager 

NRC

Michele Evans, Deputy Director for Reactor Safety Programs and Corporate Support, NRR 

Scott Morris, Director, Division of Inspection and Regional Support, NRR 

Chris Miller, Director, Division of License Renewal, NRR 

Maurin Scheetz, Acting Chief, Operator Licensing and Training Branch, NRR 

Michael Junge, Chief, Operator Licensing and Human Performance Branch, NRO 

Gerry McCoy, Chief, Operations Branch 1, Division of Reactor Safety, RII 

David Allsopp, Operator Licensing and Training Branch, NRR 

Public 

Matt Sunseri 

Tim Tovar, NuScale Power 

Glenn Pierce, Northwest Training Department 

Robert Meyer, Professional Reactor Operator Society 

Mark Gerdes, General Electric Hitachi Nuclear Energy
 

Enclosure 2 

 AGENDA FOR PUBLIC MEETING 

WITH INPO ON TRAINING AND QUALIFICATION 

May 3, 2016 

12:30 PM - 2:30 PM 

U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission 

NRC Three White Flint North 

11601 Landsdown Street – Room 1C05 

Rockville MD 20852 

TOPICS 

• Introductions and Opening Remarks 

• Public Input 

• Accreditation Update 

• Regulatory Issues 

• Industry Learning Activities 

• Other Items of Mutual Interest Related to Training 

• Public Questions and Answers 

• Closing Remarks