Managing nuclear operating costs. How the US nuclear industry is using PRA to reduce operating costs

This paper will explain, using two example programs, the significant benefits that can be derived from implementing a risk-informed approach to nuclear power plant regulatory compliance. The paper will: (1) provide an overview of recent risk-informed applications of probabilistic safety assessment (PSA) being implemented at U.S. nuclear plants to provide significant benefits to plant operation while maintaining low risk; (2) summarize the technical and regulatory framework in place in the U.S. that supports implementation of risk-informed decision-making; and (3) discuss specific examples of use of the plant PSA within this framework to allow either temporary or permanent relaxation of license requirements. Examples of implementation activities and resource needs, and benefits to plant owners from implementation of these programs, will be discussed. (author)