Future directions of the USNRC reactor safety research program

Changes in technical issues and available budgets have caused shifts in the reactor safety research program of the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC). Issues related to maintenance of expertise and facilities, increased cooperation (domestically and internationally) and priority of programs are influencing the program`s future directions. To provide the technical basis to ensure that there is adequate protection of public health and safety in the operation of nuclear power plants, the priorities within NRC`s research program in the near future are to provide the technical basis for identifying and addressing safety issues related to plant aging, license renewal and operations, and to support the transition to risk-informed, performance-based regulation.