Independent Spent Fuel Storage Installations Utility Group Formed to Ensure Effective Communication of Regulatory Issues
Fort Worth, TX (PRWEB) April 09, 2013 — Certrec, a leading licensing and regulatory compliance provider for NRC, FERC, and NERC compliance, announced today the development of the Independent Spent Fuel Storage Installations (ISFSI) Utility Group. Modeled after existing Regional Utility Groups (RUGs), the ISFSI Utility Group will facilitate the exchange of regulatory compliance and licensing information between ISFSI licensees.
“Recognizing that exchange of operational and compliance experience is essential to successful ISFSI operation, Certrec is pleased to facilitate this communication through our new ISFSI Utility Group,” says Ted Enos, President of Certrec. “The number of Independent Spent Fuel Storage Installations has risen rapidly and in a few years nearly every U.S. nuclear plant site will have fuel in dry storage. Collaboration among operators through the ISFSI Utility Group will enhance effective communication between ISFSI operators,” notes Enos.”
Regulatory requirements regarding spent fuel are becoming more complex due to lengthening ISFSI storage times. The Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) is devoting increased resources to ISFSI oversight and periodic security upgrades are expected.
Certrec will facilitate quarterly roundtable calls for ISFSI members regarding issues emerging from NRC inspections, the impact of new regulations on operational resources, maintenance and safety, and managing communications with regulators.
Certrec will also host an interactive ISFSI website that simplifies the sharing of information among ISFSI members.
“Although spent nuclear fuel has been stored on site safely for decades, new issues continue to arise during routine compliance inspections,” says Al Haeger, Certrec’s Office of Licensing and Compliance Director. “As such, prompt communication on regulatory issues affecting ISFSIs is essential. The ISFSI Utility Group website will be an extremely useful vehicle for members to keep up to date and exchange information easily.”
The new ISFSI Utility Group is modeled after existing Regional Utility Groups (RUG). The RUG groups focus on regulatory issues relating to operating plants. Their roundtable discussions include compliance issues emerging from NRC inspections. The RUGs also facilitate joint communications with regional NRC management on new issues in a relatively collaborative environment. The RUG compliance focus complements the Nuclear Energy Institute’s (NEI) industry-wide initiatives on licensing issues.
The initial industry response has been strong. The membership already includes utilities responsible for the operation of 48 ISFSIs. 3rd party suppliers of dry fuel storage and transport casks are also participating.
About Certrec:
Certrec is a leading provider of regulatory compliance solutions for the energy industry with the mission of helping ensure a stable, reliable, bulk electric supply. Since 1988, Certrec’s SaaS applications and consulting know-how have helped hundreds of power-generating facilities manage their regulatory compliance and reduce their risks.
Certrec’s engineers and business teams bring a cumulative 1,500 years of working experience in regulatory areas of compliance, engineering, and operations, including nuclear, fossil, solar, wind facilities, and other Registered Entities generation and transmission.
Certrec has helped more than 200 generating facilities establish and maintain NERC Compliance Programs. We manage the entire NERC compliance program for 80+ registered entities in the US, Canada, and Mexico that trust us to decrease their regulatory and reputational risk. Certrec is ISO/IEC 27001:2022 certified and has successfully completed annual SOC 2 Type 2 examinations.
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