[Federal Register Volume 65, Number 191 (Monday, October 2, 2000)]
[Notices]
[Pages 58831-58832]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 00-25235]


-----------------------------------------------------------------------

NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION


Reactor Oversight Process Initial Implementation Evaluation Panel

AGENCY: U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission.

ACTION: Notice of establishment of the Reactor Oversight Process 
Initial Implementation Evaluation Panel.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: Pursuant to the Federal Advisory Committee Act of October 6, 
1972 (Pub. L., 94-463, Stat. 770-776) the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory 
Commission (NRC) announces the Establishment of the Reactor Oversight 
Process Initial Implementation Evaluation Panel (IIEP). The Nuclear 
Regulatory Commission has determined that establishment of the Panel is 
necessary and is in the public interest in order to obtain advice and 
recommendations on the revised reactor oversight process (ROP). This 
action is being taken in accordance with the Federal Advisory Committee 
Act after consultation with the Committee Management Secretariat, 
General Services Administration (GSA).
    Background: The ROP for commercial reactors is described in NRC 
Inspection Manual Chapter 2515. Information on the development of the 
ROP is contained in Commission papers SECY-99-007, ``Recommendations 
For Reactor Oversight Process Improvements,'' dated January 8, 1999, 
SECY-99-007A, ``Recommendations For Reactor Oversight Process 
Improvements (Follow-up to SECY-99-007),'' dated March 22, 1999, and 
SECY-00-049, ``Results of the Revised Reactor Oversight Process Pilot 
Program,'' dated February 24, 2000.

[[Page 58832]]

    These Commission papers describe the scope and content of 
performance indicator reporting, a new risk-informed baseline 
inspection program, a new assessment process, and revisions to the 
enforcement policy. Commission paper SECY-00-049 also describes the 
results from the Pilot Program Evaluation Panel (a previous Federal 
Advisory Committees Act (FACA) panel), including a recommendation from 
the panel to proceed with initial implementation of the ROP at all 
power reactor facilities. On March 28, 2000, the Commission approved 
initial implementation of the ROP, and on May 17, 2000, the Commission 
directed the NRC staff to convene another evaluation panel under FACA 
to evaluate the first year of implementation of the ROP. The staff has 
established this IIEP in response to the Commission's directions.
    The IIEP will function as a cross-disciplinary oversight group to 
independently monitor and evaluate the results of the first year of 
implementation of the ROP and provide advice and recommendations to the 
Director of the Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation on reforming and 
revising the ROP. The IIEP will provide a written report containing an 
overall evaluation of the ROP to the Director of the Office of Nuclear 
Reactor Regulation. Meetings of the Panel will be publically announced 
in advance, open to the public, and all material reviewed placed in the 
public document room. A meeting summary will be prepared following each 
meeting to document the results of the meeting.
    The Panel membership will include participants from NRC 
headquarters and regional offices, a representative from the Nuclear 
Energy Institute, reactor licensee management representatives, a 
representative from the Union of Concerned Scientists (a public 
interest group), and representatives from State Governments.
    The establishment of the Panel will be effective with the filing of 
its charter with the standing committees of Congress having legislative 
jurisdiction over the NRC, the Library of Congress, and GSA.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Andrew L. Bates, Office of the 
Secretary, U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission, Washington, DC 20555: 
Telephone 301-415-1963.

    Dated: September 26, 2000.
Andrew L. Bates,
Advisory Committee Management Officer.
[FR Doc. 00-25235 Filed 9-29-00; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 7590-01-P