Key Issues
New Performance Index Provides Closer Look At Nuclear Plant Safety Systems
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The NRC’s Reactor Oversight Process
The NRC is responsible for safety oversight of nuclear power plants and other commercial applications of nuclear materials. The nuclear energy industry, which operates 103 power reactors, is the agency’s largest regulatory sector.
Nuclear power plant oversight has three elements: inspection, assessment and enforcement. The NRC monitors plant performance in seven “cornerstones” of safety pertaining to reactor safety, radiation safety and safeguards (security):
Within each of these areas, the NRC has established one or more performance indicators—a total of 18 indicators.
The NRC assesses reactor performance through a combination of inspections and data on the 18 indicators. Performance in each indicator is measured quarterly and falls into one of four color-coded bands:
Each reactor reports the indicator results to the NRC quarterly. Resident NRC inspectors at each nuclear power plant site perform inspections to determine if plant personnel are reporting the data properly. The NRC posts the quarterly color-coded results for each performance indicator—along with inspection findings—on its Web site at: www.nrc.gov/NRR/OVERSIGHT/ASSESS/index.html .
If a nuclear plant fully meets its performance objectives, the NRC will apply its baseline inspection resources, which cover all key areas. Plants with declining performance will receive additional NRC regional- or agency-level attention.
The NRC’s Reactor Oversight Process
The NRC is responsible for safety oversight of nuclear power plants and other commercial applications of nuclear materials. The nuclear energy industry, which operates 103 power reactors, is the agency’s largest regulatory sector.
Nuclear power plant oversight has three elements: inspection, assessment and enforcement. The NRC monitors plant performance in seven “cornerstones” of safety pertaining to reactor safety, radiation safety and safeguards (security):
- initiating events: the frequency of events that challenge safety functions
- mitigating systems: the availability and reliability of equipment used to minimize the effects of challenges to safety functions
- barrier integrity: the soundness of structures and systems that block avenues for potential radiation releases in the event of fuel damage
- emergency preparedness: plant capabilities for responding to an emergency
- occupational radiation safety: effectiveness of controlling worker exposures to radiation
- public radiation safety: performance in meeting regulatory requirements concerning radiation releases
- physical protection: effectiveness of security programs.
Within each of these areas, the NRC has established one or more performance indicators—a total of 18 indicators.
The NRC assesses reactor performance through a combination of inspections and data on the 18 indicators. Performance in each indicator is measured quarterly and falls into one of four color-coded bands:
- Green: Performance is within expected norms. The plant is maintaining a more than sufficient margin of safety in the area covered by the indicator.
- White: There has been a slight reduction in the margin of safety. The NRC increases oversight of corrective actions.
- Yellow: If an indicator dips into the yellow band, NRC inspectors will determine what is causing the reduced performance, and manceindex/www.nrcthe agency will ensure the plant operator takes appropriate corrective actions.
- Red: The plant’s performance, while technically safe, is significantly below expectations. The plant’s operator faces rigorous NRC scrutiny.
Each reactor reports the indicator results to the NRC quarterly. Resident NRC inspectors at each nuclear power plant site perform inspections to determine if plant personnel are reporting the data properly. The NRC posts the quarterly color-coded results for each performance indicator—along with inspection findings—on its Web site at: www.nrc.gov/NRR/OVERSIGHT/ASSESS/index.html .
If a nuclear plant fully meets its performance objectives, the NRC will apply its baseline inspection resources, which cover all key areas. Plants with declining performance will receive additional NRC regional- or agency-level attention.
