The Nuclear Energy Institute (NEI) has issued suggestions to improve the Project AIM 2020 initiative from the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC), they announced on Thursday.
Through Project AIM 2020, the NRC intends to implement efficiency measures so that it operates more smoothly and in line with its core regulatory responsibilities, in the NRC’s Rulemaking Activity Plan listed nine rules as a low priority, with 84 listed as medium to high priority.
According to the NEI, many activities of the NRC would benefit from revisions which includes its procedures on licensing, oversight, security, research and other areas. They also list eight rule-makings within the medium or high priority categories that are in need or reevaluation due to their apparent lack of relevance to safety and security.
“With the NRC celebrating its 40th anniversary this year,” NEI Senior Director for Strategic Programs John Butler said. “It is difficult to believe that there are still 84 critical gaps in its regulations.”
The NEI’s recommendations include revisions to reactor oversight procedure to decrease the amount of inspection time. According to the institute the inspection time has increased by approximately 25 percent since 2000. They also recommend that licensing activity is in need of efficiency and efficacy improvements.
