U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission

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

We held our held our 5th public workshop on data science and artificial intelligence in the nuclear industry and regulation last week. It was a full day of activities, including presentations from industry representatives about how AI is being used to promote efficiency and enhance safety in facility maintenance as well as clean up during decommissioning. A highlight was a “fireside chat,” hosted by Victor Hall of our Office of Nuclear Regulatory Research, which included our Chief Intelligence Officer Scott Flanders (that’s him on the far right) and colleagues from other federal agencies discussing observations on AI training, deployment, evaluation and policy. You can see the presentations here: https://lnkd.in/eZbkjHWB

Today we celebrated the completion of our independent safety review of the propulsion plant for the U.S. Navy’s newest ballistic missile submarine, the Columbia Class. It reflects our long relationship with the U.S. Naval Nuclear Propulsion Program, also known as Naval Reactors. Chair Hanson recognized the work of 25 members of the Advisory Committee on Reactor Safeguards and NRC staff. The Director of Naval Reactors, Admiral William Houston, recognized 12 Naval Reactors personnel. Joining the event were NRC Commissioners Wright, Caputo and Crowell, Naval Reactors Deputy Director Chuck Taylor and NRC Executive Director for Operations Mirela Gavrilas and Andrea Veil, head of our Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation. 

Check out the latest NRC By The Numbers!  

Finding the best way to regulate – without stifling innovation or over-burdening industry – has been a challenge since the start. In the early ‘90s, we began implementing regulations based on a risk-informed and performance-based approach using quantitative data and measures of risk to evaluate safety performance criteria. A first early step was the Maintenance Rule, implemented in 1996. The new rule was simple -- licensees had to establish a maintenance program, collect data, assess the program’s performance and then apply the results. The rule paved the way for probabilistic approaches that identified the most effective ways to improve safety. In 2000, the Reactor Oversight Process was another step forward, creating risk-informed oversight of nuclear power plant performance. Based on objective measures of safety, the ROP provides clarity to licensees and the public as to what constitutes good plant performance and what can be expected from the NRC if performance declines. #50YearsOfNRC

Calling all higher ed students! We’re accepting applications for the 2025 Summer Internship Program! This is a great opportunity to learn a lot, earn some money, contribute to our mission– and maybe even land permanent employment after graduation. We’re looking for students in a variety of disciplines including STEM, business, emergency management, international affairs, IT, graphic design, and more. Opportunities are available at our headquarters in Rockville, Maryland, as well as our four regional offices and our training center in Tennessee. Find more information at: https://lnkd.in/e8G5ihYU #NRCHires

Sometimes, our inspectors get to change up their routine to help international regulators get a closer look at what we do. Such was the case recently at the shutdown Indian Point nuclear plant, in New York. Inspectors from our Region I and experts in decommissioning from our HQ gave a tour and talked about their experiences with a delegation from the Korean Institute of Nuclear Safety. We’re working closely with our Korean counterparts to share what we’ve learned as the first Korean nuclear plants undergo decommissioning. During the visit, we demonstrated our on-site regulatory activities, particularly related to decontamination, site restoration, radiological surveys and waste management. By sharing our experiences, we’re benefitting our close partners as they conduct their own decommissioning work.