Review of Light Water Reactor Regulatory Requirements: Assessment of Selected Regulatory Requirements That May Have Marginal Importance to Risk — Reactor Containment Leakage Rates, Main Steam Isolation Valve Leakage Control Systems, Fuel Design Safety Reviews(NUREG/CR-4330, PNL-5809, Volume 2)

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Publication Information

Manuscript Completed: April 1986
Date Published: June 1986

Prepared by:
M.F. Mullen, W.J. Bailey, C.E. Beyer,
G.J. Konzek, P.J. Pelto, W.B. Scott
Pacific Northwest Laboratory
P.O. Box 999
Richland, Washington 99352
Operated by Battelle Memorial Institute

Prepared for:
Division of Risk Analysis and Operations
Office of Nuclear Regulatory Research
U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission
Washington, D.C. 20555-0001
NRC FIN B-2886

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Abstract

In a study commissioned by the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC), Pacific Northwest Laboratory (PNL) evaluated the costs and benefits of streamlining regulatory requirements in the areas of reactor containment leakage rate, main steam isolation valve leakage control systems in boiling water reactors (BWRs), and NRC fuel system safety reviews. The basic framework for the analyses was that presented in the Regulatory Analysis Guidelines (NUREG/BR-0058) and in the Handbook for Value-Impact Assessment (NUREG/CR-3568). The effects of streamlined regulations were evaluated in terms of such factors as population dose, individual dose, prompt fatalities and injuries, and costs to industry and NRC. The results indicate that streamlining the regulatory requirements in all three areas would have little impact on public risk. Substantial savings in operating costs may be realized in the areas of containment leakage rates and leakage control systems for BWR main steam isolation valves. The cost analysis indicates that only marginal benefits may be gained by streamlining NRC's safety review of fuel system designs.