FR 2025-02591

The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) has introduced Regulatory Guide (RG) 3.78, titled "Acceptable ASME Section XI Inservice Inspection Code Cases." This guide suggests reliable methods for the inservice inspection of spent fuel storage systems and addresses both safety and maintenance concerns. The guide offers non-mandatory advice for compliance with NRC regulations, aiding licensees and compliance certificate holders in understanding how to inspect and manage aging systems effectively.

General Summary

The document outlines a new regulatory guide that does not impose requirements but instead provides an acceptable framework for managing and inspecting systems used in nuclear waste storage. This guidance document primarily benefits organizations that operate independent spent fuel storage installations (ISFSIs). Moreover, the guide endorses specific industry codes and standards, particularly ASME Code Case N-860, related to storage and transportation containment systems' inspections and evaluations.

Significant Issues and Concerns

Although the guide lays forth useful standards and methods, it does so in a highly technical language that could be inaccessible to those without a nuclear or engineering background. This complexity may exclude stakeholders or the general public from effectively understanding the guide's implications. Additionally, the guide does not specify the benefits or impact of implementing ASME Code Case N-860. The lack of a simplified summary that outlines the differences brought by this guide could leave some stakeholders uncertain about the guide's practical implications.

The section on backfitting, forward fitting, and issue finality, while addressing critical regulatory references, does not explain these terms in plain language, thereby hindering a broader understanding of these frameworks.

Impact on the Public and Stakeholders

For the general public, increased confidence arises from knowing that the NRC continues to address safety and maintenance of nuclear storage systems through updated guidance. This process ensures the continuous evolution and improvement of safety standards in handling nuclear waste.

Industry stakeholders, including ISFSI operators and licensees, stand to gain positively from adopting the standards declared in this guide as it offers a credible basis for inspections and aging management activities. While the document does not enforce these guidelines as mandatory, it provides a well-founded direction that might align with stakeholders' best practices, potentially smoothing the compliance process. Nevertheless, stakeholders must navigate the technical language, possibly drawing on specialist support to fully extract the guide’s benefits.

In conclusion, RG 3.78 fills a necessary role in enhancing the safety measures surrounding nuclear waste storage systems, though it also reveals an opportunity for improvement in communicating its benefits and implications more effectively to a broader range of readers.