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This rulemaking would amend the NRC's regulations to authorize the use of recent editions of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME) Codes.  The rule would incorporate by reference the 2015 and 2017 Editions of the ASME Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code and the 2015 and 2017 Editions of the ASME Operations and Maintenance of Nuclear Power Plants into the NRC's regulations, with conditions.  This action increases consistency across the industry, and makes use of current voluntary consensus standards (as required by the National Technology Transfer and Advancement Act), while continuing to provide adequate protection to the public.  This rulemaking would affect nuclear power reactor licensees.  The title of the rulemaking was revised to address that the rulemaking entitled, "2017 Edition of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers Operations and Maintenance Code" (RIN 3150-AJ90; NRC-2017-0019), was added to the scope of this rulemaking along with the rulemaking entitled, "2017 Edition of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code" (RIN 3150-AJ91; NRC-2017-0020). 

Statement of Need:

This rulemaking enhances the efficiency and effectiveness of the NRC's regulations by making use of current voluntary consensus approaches and is consistent with applicable requirements of the National Technology Transfer and Advancement Act.

Summary of the Legal Basis:

The legal basis for the proposed action is 42 U.S.C. 2201, 42 U.S.C. 5841, and 10 CFR part 2, Agency Rules of Practice and Procedure, "Subpart H, Rulemaking."

Alternatives:

Anticipated Costs and Benefits:

The NRC has examined the costs and benefits associated with the proposed rule. The NRC estimates that the proposed rulemaking would result in a net averted cost of between $6.5 million and $7.7 million, from reducing the industry burden of preparing and the NRC burden of reviewing and approving ASME Code alternative requests on a plant-specific basis.

Risks: