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NRC

RIN: 3150-AH42

Publication ID: Fall 2008

Title: Performance-Based ECCS Acceptance Criteria
Abstract: The proposed rule would amend section 50.46 to develop performance-based acceptance criteria for fuel cladding performance during loss-of-coolant accidents. Existing provisions of section 50.46 applicable to certain zirconium-based cladding materials would be supplemented by performance-based standards for maximum peak cladding temperature and oxidation limit. The supplementary performance standard would allow licensees to use alternative cladding materials, without seeking an exemption, provided that testing demonstrated that adequate ductility would be maintained, and ECCS analyses showed that the new performance criteria would be satisfied. This rulemaking also would address a petition for rulemaking submitted by the Nuclear Energy Institute (PRM-50-71). On May 30, 2008, NRC staff released a Research Information Letter (RIL) summarizing the proposed technical basis for developing new performance-based ECCS acceptance criteria for section 50.46(b). On June 30, 2008, Argonne National Laboratory completed NUREG/CR-6967, "Cladding Embrittlement during Postulated Loss-off-Coolant Accidents." This document describes the results of the NRC-sponsored testing program which supports the proposed technical basis information in the RIL. Because of the importance of the NRCs fundamental ECCS regulations in section 50.46, the NRC has posted these documents on Regulations.gov to solicit domestic and international public comments. (See http://www.Regulations.gov, Docket ID NRC-2008-0332). The staff is preparing a Federal Register notice to formally solicit stakeholder review of this research information in preparation for a public workshop in September 2008. After evaluating stakeholder comments on sufficiency of this technical basis information, the NRC will determine if rulemaking can proceed or whether additional testing is needed to supplement this information in a specific technical area.
Agency: Nuclear Regulatory Commission(NRC)	Priority: Substantive, Nonsignificant
RIN Status: Previously published in the Unified Agenda	Agenda Stage of Rulemaking: Long-Term Actions
Major: No	Unfunded Mandates: No
CFR Citation: 10 CFR 50
Legal Authority: 42 USC 2201 42 USC 5841

Legal Deadline: None

Timetable:

Action	Date	FR Cite
NPRM	To Be Determined

Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: No	Government Levels Affected: None
Small Entities Affected: No	Federalism: No
Included in the Regulatory Plan: No
RIN Data Printed in the FR: No
Agency Contact: Richard F. Dudley Nuclear Regulatory Commission Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation, Washington, DC 20555-0001 Phone:301 415-1116 Email: richard.dudley@nrc.gov