Transmittal of NUREG-1262, "Answers to Questions at Public Meeting Regarding Implementation of Title 10, Code of Federal Regulations, Part 55 on Operators' Licenses" (Generic Letter No. 87-16)

                                UNITED STATES
                        NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION
                           WASHINGTON, D. C. 20555

                              November 12, 1987

TO ALL POWER AND NON-POWER REACTOR LICENSEES AND APPLICANTS FOR LICENSES  

Gentlemen: 

SUBJECT:  TRANSMITTAL OF NUREG-1262, "ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS AT PUBLIC MEETING
          REGARDING IMPLEMENTATION OF TITLE 10, CODE OF FEDERAL REGULATIONS,
          PART 55 ON OPERATORS' LICENSES" (GENERIC LETTER 87-16) 

On March 25, 1987, the Commission published a final rule governing 
Operators' Licenses and Conforming Amendments (10 CFR 55 and 50), with an 
effective date of May 26, 1987. From April 9 to April 20, 1987, the staff 
conducted a series of four public meetings to discuss the implementation of 
this final rule, associated Regulatory Guides, and Examiner Standards. These 
meetings were announced via Generic Letter 87-07, which also transmitted an 
advanced copy of the final rule. 

The purpose of the meetings was to discuss the implementation of the 
requirements of the rule and related issues. At each meeting, a formal 
presentation by the staff was followed by an open forum in which the staff 
responded first to questions that had been submitted in writing in advance 
of the meeting, and then to questions raised from the floor. Announcements 
were made at each meeting that any questions that remained unanswered at the
conclusion of the meeting could be left with the staff in writing for a 
subsequent response; and that the questions and answers from all of the 
meetings would be consolidated in a NUREG and disseminated to interested 
parties. 

Accordingly, verbatim transcripts of each meeting were made, and these 
questions and answers, together with those submitted at the close of each 
meeting, were collected and edited as NUREG-1262. This NUREG is appended to 
this letter. 

NUREG-1262 represents office practices and policies on how the staff will 
implement the rule. The views expressed in the report are intended as 
guidance, and are meant to reflect the rule and its statement of 
considerations. The views are not intended to interpret the rule or any of 
its provisions, nor does the document increase or decrease any requirements 
of the rule. 

The preface to the NUREG states that NRC staff discussions held since the 
final public meeting indicated several areas in which the answers given 
might have been misconstrued or subject to misinterpretation. It goes on to 
state that any such answers were revised during preparation of the NUREG, 
and that such answers were identified in the report by an asterisk next to 
the question number. 



8712030029 


                                    - 2 - 

In addition to the above changes from the original answers described in 
NUREG-1262, as of the date of this letter NRC involvement in requalification
examinations is under review, and changes to the guidance presented at the 
public meetings is being considered. Therefore, answers given in the section
titled "Requalification and Renewal" should be considered subject to change.

If you have any questions, you should contact the NRC Project Manager for 
your facility. 

                                   Sincerely, 



                                   Frank J. Miraglia, Jr. 
                                   Associate Director for Projects 
                                   Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation 

Enclosure: 
NUREG-1262