U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission

As Hurricane #Milton approaches, we’re taking steps to ensure our licensed facilities in Florida are prepared. Throughout the weekend, our staff in Atlanta monitored the storm’s progress and continue to track developments. We're dispatching our “storm riders” before travel gets difficult — sending these additional inspectors to support the resident inspectors at the St. Lucie and Turkey Point plants. Both plants are equipped with robust safety systems designed to protect the reactors. And NRC staff will be stationed at Florida’s State Emergency Operations Center in Tallahassee to ensure seamless communication with state and federal partners. Plus, we're ensuring NRC-regulated materials licensees and the decommissioned Crystal River site are taking appropriate actions, too. If conditions require, we'll activate our Regional Incident Response Center to provide continuous oversight.

Protecting people and the environment from the dangers of radiation is our highest priority. For that reason, Tamara Bloomer, head of our Division of Radiological Safety and Security in Region IV, was #OnTheJob recently getting a first-hand look at how we’re doing at the Diablo Canyon nuclear power plant in California. She joined radiation protection specialists, who conducted routine inspections of the plant’s procedures and equipment used to detect and monitor radiation. She also saw the independent spent fuel storage facility, checked in with security officers responsible for protecting the plant, and visited the control room. And she met with PG&E senior managers to discuss our oversight while we continue reviewing the company’s license renewal application. It’s all in a day’s work!

Our Chair Hanson was #OnTheRoad this week in Canada. He was part of a panel with Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission – Commission canadienne de sûreté nucléaire President Pierre Tremblay and ONR’s CEO/CNO Mark Foy during an international regulators conference about advanced and small modular reactors, in Ottawa. Chair Hanson also met with the leaders to discuss our ongoing cooperation. They then headed to Chalk River Laboratories, part of the Canadian National Laboratories, to learn about their work on advanced reactors and fusion. 

You’re familiar with being encouraged to “think big,” but some nuclear reactor developers are thinking really small when it comes to #microreactors. These designs could be factory-built and shipped to an off-grid site or industrial facility, generating a few percent of the electricity from today’s reactors. Our advanced reactor staff from the Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation were out and about recently with our Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission – Commission canadienne de sûreté nucléaire colleagues, visiting Pennsylvania to see Westinghouse’s design and test facilities for the eVinci microreactor. Our work with the CNSC in staying informed about eVinci developments will help both agencies efficiently review applications for this design. You can learn more about how we stay #AdvancedReactorReady at https://lnkd.in/dzN_Qbu5.

For Luis Betancourt, chief of the Accident Analysis Branch in our Office of Nuclear Regulatory Research, artificial intelligence is more than just an interesting technology. It’s his job! He leads our efforts to prepare for the deployment of artificial intelligence in safety regulated activities by the nuclear industry. An electrical engineer who joined the NRC 16 years ago, Luis enjoys exploring how new technologies can be adapted within our regulations and oversight to ensure protection of public health and safety. Tonight, his work as an AI innovator in the federal government will be honored by MeriTalk, an organization focused on information technology in government. Congratulations, Luis!

Check out the latest "re:actions" newsletter to learn more about exciting opportunities at the NRC and to hear from staff who enjoy working in the Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation.

It sounds like something out of a romcom, but Beatrice and Patrick Nwafor have both a “meet cute” back story and new jobs in our Region IV Office in Texas. They met when Beatrice was at an immigration office for a citizenship interview and Patrick arrived there by mistake to renew his driver’s license. Both are from Nigeria and a conversation eventually led to a wedding. Then, looking for career stability, they applied for jobs at the NRC, with Beatrice coming from the Army Corps of Engineers and Patrick from the private sector. We hired them both! Beatrice now works as a reactor inspector and Patrick is a project engineer in our Resident Inspector Development Program. Welcome to the NRC! #NRCHires

While the Fukushima accident in Japan in 2011 had no direct impact on the U.S., it had an important impact on NRC regulations. First, we issued orders that required significant enhancements, including updating plant information regarding the potential impact of seismic and flooding events, adding new equipment requirements and strengthening emergency preparedness capabilities. The orders became codified in what’s known as the MBDBE rule. The U.S. nuclear power industry also initiated a safety strategy we call FLEX, which features additional resources to supply power and water to maintain safety functions. FLEX equipment includes pumps, generators, batteries, compressors, and other supporting equipment. The FLEX program also established two locations where additional back-up equipment is housed to be deployed quickly throughout the country if needed. FLEX provides an extra layer of protection, directly stemming from the events that occurred half a world away. Be sure to catch the video of our 50th anniversary event on the afternoon of Oct. 9th. It’ll be posted here: https://lnkd.in/eC7ZCHwf. #50YearsOfNRC

To “shelter in place” during a radiological emergency typically means stay indoors, close your windows and turn off your AC. But reality may be more flexible. The NRC – including our Todd Smith and Nazila Tehrani -- and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security independently researched how HVAC systems might provide health benefits during potential emergencies. We reached similar conclusions and published a joint report. The report shows that future guidance for responders, building managers, decision-makers and the general public can be considerably more nuanced and risk-informed than previously thought. This is another example of how the latest science can be used proactively to keep emergency preparedness guidance current and the public safe. You can read the report here: https://lnkd.in/eSfVSqZs #NationalPreparednessMonth

Are you passionate about ensuring the long-term reliability and safety of nuclear reactors? Don’t miss our hybrid “Workshop on Structural Materials: Research for 80 Years and Beyond,” Oct.1-4. This event will dive deep into the latest understanding of passive systems, structures, and components in light water reactors operating beyond 80 years. Attendees can play a key role in identifying research needs to enhance aging management programs, with a focus on new research topics related to aging effects and mitigation. Discussions will include metallic and concrete degradation and concrete harvesting. Be part of the conversation shaping the future of nuclear safety! Attendance is free, but you must register at: https://lnkd.in/eN6WfmTK