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Senators press NRC on whether DOE/DOD test data can shorten commercial licensing
Summary
Senators asked whether the NRC will consider Department of Energy or Department of Defense-authorized reactor test data in commercial licensing; Chairman Ni said guidance sets scope and depth and NRC will still require complete applications and rigorous review.
Senators raised questions about the NRC’s proposed rule that would allow applicants to use data gathered in DOE or DOD-authorized reactor tests to inform NRC commercial licensing, a process some lawmakers described as a potential fast track to NRC approval.
Chairman Ho Ni told the committee the NRC has published a draft rule and accompanying guidance and that the guidance will define how NRC uses another agency’s data. He said, "the information through a DOE or DOD authorization is not a shortcut through NRC licensing. There is no rubber stamping that is gonna happen at the agency." Ni added that every applicant must submit a complete application demonstrating how DOE/DOD-authorized activities meet NRC requirements and that the NRC will use guidance to determine scope and depth of reliance on outside testing.
Senator Padilla and other senators asked whether NRC would review issues nominally addressed by DOE or DOD if the NRC finds gaps. Commissioners answered affirmatively: commissioners said they would review issues they determined were not sufficiently investigated in the pilot or authorization process.
The committee asked for follow-up information for the record about how NRC will validate DOE/DOD processes and whether a DOE-authorized facility could convert to a continuous commercial NRC license without additional NRC scrutiny. Chairman Ni said the agency is exploring that question but reiterated that rigorous NRC review would be required for any commercial license.
