NRC chair stresses need for shift to risk-informed regulation

U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) Chair Kristine Svinicki addressed the move to risk-informed regulation,

Trump’s regulation directives, and the NRC’s intent to continue international collaboration during a talk at the agency’s 29th annual Regulatory Information Conference.

The shift to risk-informed regulation is a “continual evolution” for the NRC, Svinicki said,

“I think it’s [a matter of] continuing to evolve the regulatory framework, to risk-inform the regulations themselves, and then to drive the mindset and paradigm that people bring a truly risk-informed approach to the work,” she said.

Navigating this shift, Svinicki pointed out, is especially important for digital instrumentation and control technologies, which she said requires a shift in thinking.

“I know it requires a paradigm shift … but I think it’s not a question of if we can become comfortable as a regulator—it’s when. We need to be able to develop workable paradigms for that,” Svinicki said.

In response to questions about the Trump Administration’s efforts to reduce regulations, Svinicki noted that, as an independent regulator, Trump’s rule requiring the elimination of two regulations for every new rule does not apply to the NRC. However, the agency will be mindful of “the spirit and intent of the executive order,” she said.

Svinicki also told conference attendees that the NRC would continue its international cooperation, particularly in regards to the development of new reactor technologies.

“Some reprioritization may be needed, but I believe the core of our cooperation will continue,” Svinicki said. “Where someone demonstrates something that we think would be very beneficial to the United States, I’m sure we’ll look at that with interest.”