Review of light water reactor regulatory requirements. Assessment of selected regulatory requirements that may have marginal importance to risk. Volume 2

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.